Tag; Our High Priest Knows Our Temptatins - Hebrews 1-4

Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Tag:  Our High Priest Knows Our Temptations

It is not just that God, through the work of Christ, is empathic to our struggles on this earth.  The fact is, as the above verse states, Jesus has been tempted, in the exact same manners we have.   Yes, He is the Son of God and cannot sin.   Yet, He was in a human body and felt the same suffering.  When He was pierced through the side with a spear, the bile that came out was the same as it would with any human being.   The central nervous system would have registered the pain in His head the same as with you and me.  When He was struck in the face by the Roman soldiers, the same pain you and I would feel was His pain.   When He went 40 days in the desert without food, the same hunger pains we would feel, He felt.   Sleeping on the ground with a rock as a pillow would be the same for Christ as it would be for us.   Having His family reject Him would have felt the same to Him as it does when our family rejects us.  Having His best friends desert Him in His time of need would be no different than when our friends desert us.   

In the above verses we see that Christ was tempted in  “every respect” like we were - yet, without sinning.   The emphasis of the above text is for us to see He felt our pain and suffering.   His death (and the pain associated with it) was not unlike any other human being.  When He died, He died.  Therefore, SINCE we have a high priest who has been touched by temptation, pain and suffering like us, we can come boldly to the throne of Grace to ask for help in time of need - knowing He feels our pain and can more than be empathetic.  He can heal us with His power and enable us to endure by His grace.   We have this confidence.  

Tag: Christ is Lord AND Christ - Acts 1-2

Acts 2:36

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Tag:  Christ is Lord AND Christ

The Greek Words in the above verse are important.  The word for Lord is:

kyrios; from κῦρος kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title): — God, Lord, master, Sir.

The word for Christ is:

Christos; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: — Christ.

To the nation of Israel this would mean something (Peter’s audience for this message is primarily Jews who are in Jerusalem for Pentecost).   Christos is the Messiah whom all Jews were waiting for.  What they had hoped was the the Messiah would come and deliver them from the rule of the Roman emperor.  They were controlled and dictated by the Romans.  Remember that the religious leaders motivated Pilate to crucify Jesus by implying that Jesus said he was a king and that meant he was against Caesar.   Pilate did not want to appear to be against Rome and gave into them out of political pressure.  The irony of that pressure is that the religious leaders of the day were teaching the Jewish nation that the Messiah would deliver them from Caesar.   Yet, they convinced Pilate to approve of the crucifixion by appealing to the authority of Pilate.   

Jesus is not just the Messiah, however. He is the “kyrios” of the world; the controller, the master.  Christ is not only the deliverer of mankind’s souls, He is to be Lord and Master of their soul.  Jesus is Lord.    We don’t decide to make him our master.  He is based upon the fact that God made Him Lord and Master of the universe.  We only come to the point to recognize that in our lives and to yield to His authority.   Note the phrase “God made him both Lord and Christ ...”.   God did that. You and I don’t make Him Lord of our lives.  We either yield to that in faith, or we reject it and suffer the consequences.   

We can rejoice that Jesus is both Lord and Savior.  That means anything that is happening in our lives is in His control and He will assure that, in the end, we come out on top; assuming we have yielded to his control.   

Tag: The Help You Think is There, Is Not!! - Obadiah

Obadiah 1:7

All your allies have driven you to your border;

those at peace with you have deceived you;

they have prevailed against you;

those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you— you have no understanding.

Tag: The help you think is there, is not!

Obadiah is as prophet proclaiming the prosecution of Esau (Edom), Israel’s (Jacob) brother.  When Israel was in trouble, Edom would not reach out in support. Instead Edom would inflict more harm on Israel ... when they were down.   The story is a story we see today when we see others in trouble and we do not reach out to help them.   

In the above verse we see the results of God’s discipline on Edom.   Edom thought, in their time of trouble, those sitting around them would help them.  God tells them that those they thought would help, will not be there.  God is discipline them and those they now rely upon for help will not be helping them.   As they did not help Israel, no one is coming to help them.  This is a classic, what you sow you reap story.  Edom trusted in allies and those sitting around their table.  But, when God comes to correct, NO ONE is able to deliver you.   The chastisement from God is sure and true.  Nothing delivers from His hands. 

In the future all the nations, rulers and peoples of the world will be disciplined for their bad treatment of God’s people.   That will not be diminished.  They will not find someone to help them.  When people hurt, injure and persecute God’s people, they will be dealt with by God.   No one will deliver them.  They may think they can withstand the discipline of God and that they have allies and a way of escape, but they do not.   God’s judgment is true.  Like Edom, no one escapes.  They lack understanding of the sureness and completeness of God’s judgment.  

Tag: Remove the Log and the Fire Goes Out - Proverbs 26-27

Proverbs 26:21

Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Some people are natural at starting fires.  They are simply contentious individuals who, like wood to fire, keep things stirring.  Our modern-day phrase might be "pot-stirers". In the previous proverb Solomon tells us what to do about these type of people:

Proverbs 26:20

For lack of wood the fire goes out,

And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

You can't correct a contentious person. At least not readily or easily. The best thing to stop a fire is remove, or at least, separate them from other wood.  That is why Solomon tells us to go up in a roof if we are with a contentious women (21:9).  Separation from the contentious person can allow the fire to cool. We all want to "convince" the contentious but we should focus on allowing them to "cool" before we engage.  If not we will might get burnt by hot coals.  Note this earlier proverb from Solomon on the same subject:

Proverbs 15:18

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

If you want the fire to go out you have to pull the logs from the fire.  If you want peace you have to pull the contentious man from the strife.   If you try to appease him you allow him to stay in the fire and to keep the heat going.  Pull the logs away by separation and the fire goes down, if not out.  

Tag: God Hears Our Prayers - Psalm 114-116

Psalms 116:1-4

I love the Lord, because he has heard

my voice and my pleas for mercy.

Because he inclined his ear to me,

therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

The snares of death encompassed me;

the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;

I suffered distress and anguish.

Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

Tag: God Hears Our Prayers

In this Psalm the writer is praising God for “hearing” his cry for mercy.  He prays with assurance that God is not only listening, he is responding ... albeit in God’s timing, not his own.  When we read the rest of the praise he has written we can see God acting on his prayer.   The key here is that he prays with faith, knowing the character of God.  God has promised to hear us and to respond to us.  Granted, God does not always respond the way we want.  But, God always responds and completes His purpose in us.  

In the final book of the Bible, Revelation, it says this about the prayers of the Saints of God:

Revelation 8:3-4

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Our prayers are rising before God.  He sees them and hears them and responds to them.  Our prayers are not like some email thread of spam or junk mail.  God listens to our prayers.  We should stop, like this writer, and just give thanks that God hears our prayers.   The God of the Universe is hearing my voice today in heaven!!!   What is not to rejoice over?  

Tag: Bad Counsel Corrupts Great Leadership - 2 Chronicles 6-10

2 Chronicles 10:6-11

Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be good to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us’; thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father's thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

Tag: Bad Counsel Corrupts Great Leadership

King Rehoboam suffered from what we call “social buffering.”, He surrounded himself with people who agree with him. Rather than listening to the Council of his father‘s friends, he listen to those if his childhood.  Social buffering is when you surround yourself with “yes” people. The irony of what the king did is seen in rejecting his own father’s wisdom.  Note:

Proverbs 27:10

Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,

the young  King obviously did not listen to his father. All those years that Solomon taught others, he failed to teach his son. Or, he taught his son, and his son refused to listen. When we for sake good counsel, and we listen to bad counsel, we can be sure that our leader ship will be corrupted.

In this case, it was his father‘s friends. The point of the story, is that when people give us good counsel, we ought to listen. Often, however, we simply seek to get council from those who we know will agree with us. That type of social buffering always corrupts our leadership.

Tag: Sin Can Be Friendly - Numbers 25-28

Numbers 25:16-18

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Harass the Midianites and strike them down, for they have harassed you with their wiles, with which they beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of the chief of Midian, their sister, who was killed on the day of the plague on account of Peor.”

Tag:  Sin Can Be Friendly

The Midianites were not the friends of Israel.   The were the enemies of Israel.  The issue, however, is that they pretended to be the friend of Israel in order to avoid their own destruction. 

Israel was given the promise land with one caveat.    They were to destroy the people of the land.   They were not to mingle with the people of the land.   The king of the Midianites tried to get a prophet to curse the nation of Israel ... Balaam.   But, God prevented that cursing.  However, Balaam did give the king another strategy in order to win the king’s favor and reward:  Don’t curse Israel, inter-marry with them and then they won’t destroy you.  He advised them to teach them about their culture rather then destroy them with their sword. 

This is the context of the above passage.   God wanted them to be stroke down.  They wanted to be friends.  Sin, in our lives often looks friendly, warm and inviting.   Sin wants to have a “relationship” with us.  Read Proverbs 7 to get a vivid picture of the allure of sin.  But, God wants us to destroy it and kill it in our lives.   The Midianites are a picture of sin in the life of the believer and the above passage shows us God’s attitude toward it.   We are not to cozy up to it.  We are to kill it off.  

Tag: God Makes Us Useful - Philemon

Philemon 1:10-12

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.

Tag:  God Makes Us Useful

Onesimus is the name of a run-away slave.  He was, apparently captured and imprisoned. He “cell-mate” was the Apostle Paul.  Like anyone in Paul’s present, he was about to hear the gospel.  Upon hearing he was converted to Christianity.  Onesimus may have been a prisoner of the government through fault, but now he was a prisoner of Christ, through faith.  

Paul, in turn, writes a letter to the former slave owner of Onesimus: Philemon.  He implores Philemon to take Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother:

 Philemon 1:15-16

For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

This is what God does to us.  He changes us.  When we were once broken and damaged (runaway slaves that had stollen from and damaged past relationship), God restores us and makes us what He wants.  The name Onesimus actually means “useful.”   But, until Onesimus met Christ he was only useful in name.  Now he is useful.   Christ takes our original state and changes us.   We become useful for him.  Our past is our past.  When we mix His words with faith He changes us.   The book of Philemon is about a changed life.   

Tag: Jesus is the Son of God - John 19-21

John 21:25

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Tag:  Jesus is the Son of God

Earlier in this section, note what happened when Pilate learned that Jesus said he was the Son of God:

John 19:4-8

Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.

John is writing his book so that we might know that Jesus is the Son of God.  He has written this Gospel so that we can see the miracles, the teaching, the sacrifice and, most importantly, the claims that Christ said He was the Son of God.   John’s gospel begins with the first miracle of Jesus (turning the water into wine) and ends with the claim that no book could contain all that Jesus did.  We try to put Jesus in a bo and outline and study and teach all His miracles.  John is telling us in the above verse, that IF he were to go on and writer all the things Jesus did, the world could not contain the books that could record those works.  We worship the Son of God. He is not limited to what we know.   We, through the Word of God, only have a glimpse of what we will know in the future:

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Tag: Idol Worship Demands Judgment - Amos 5-9

Amos 5:25-27

“Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You shall take up Sikkuth your king, and Kiyyun your star-god—your images that you made for yourselves, and I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.

Tag:  Idol Worship Demands Judgment

In the above passage Amos, spoken to Israel, could be paraphrased as follows:

“Hey Israel, you are about to go into judgment because you replaced the correct sacrificial offerings, meant for God, with false worship.  You worshiped gods that are really not gods, but, rather, made up idols, made by the hands of man..”

God tells them, as a result of worshipping false gods (Skkuth and Kiyyun) they would be taken into captivity “beyond Damascus.”   Damascus was in the north-northeast corner of Israel.  The country “beyond Damascus” was Assyria.   That is who would take them captive.   

To make sure they understood that this WOULD happen, God reminds them of His name (somewhat mocking the names of the gods they were worshipping). Amos ends the statement with, “... says the Lord, whose name is the God of Hosts.”   

Amos will go on to use that same name for God throughout the rest of the book (Amos 6:8, 14; 9:5).  The phrase means that God is the Lord of all the armed of heavens.  The use of the name is meant to remind Israel that God has the power to do what He is saying He will do.   It is used over 250 times in the Old Testament.  God has the power to punish and put into captivity those who worship worthless idols.   It is the LORD of Hosts, who should be worshipped.  When we put other things in our lives we should always know that God has the power and will use His power to discipline.   He is the LORD of Hosts.  Not things we produce with our hands. He deserves our worship, not the idols we put in front of us.  

Tag: We Are ALight To The World, Right? -Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:26 (NASBStr)

Like a trampled spring and a polluted well

Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

Proverbs 25:26 (AMP)

Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

Tag: We Are ALight To The World, Right?

If you have ever been very thirsty and desirous of a cold drink on a hot day, this proverb might carry more meaning for you.  Imagine being parched and coming across a well or spring right in your path.  You desire a cool drink from a thing that promises refreshment.  However, you stop and observe and notice that the well is polluted and the spring having the remains of those who have trampled through and over it.   What you thought would be (should be) refreshing, was disgusting and disappointing.   So, Solomon says, it is when a righteous person falls before the wicked in sin.  Or, when the believer gives way in their integrity before the wicked.   Or, when they compromise their standards in the presence of the wicked.   The wicked (every unbeliever on the planet) is parched, dried and desirous of a cool drink (even if they don't admit it).   Since the Son of God is the Living Water and dwells within every believer, the wicked should see us as a source of refreshment in the midst of the dried out society in which they live.  Failing to live in a righteous manner before the wicked not only disappoints the Father it also corrupts the streams of Living Water God provides to the lost world through us.   When we compromise God's principles to please the wicked, impress the wicked, fellowship with the wicked, or beat the wicked, we fail to be what God has left us here to be:  A Fountain where society can find a cool and lasting drink through the Son who lives within us.

Tag: God’s Glory is Above it All!! Psalm 111-113

Psalms 113:4-6

The Lord is high above all nations,

and his glory above the heavens!

Who is like the Lord our God,

who is seated on high,

who looks far down

on the heavens and the earth?

Tag: God’s Glory is Above it All!!

The title given by men to Psalm 113 in the ESV version of the Bible is: Who Is Like the Lord Our God?    This short song of praise attempts to demonstrate to us and enlighten us about the power and awesomeness of God.   In the above text the author (unknown) asks a simply question:  Who is like our God?  The writer has already answered the question in his opening statement:   The Lord is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens!  

In our world the “heavens” are the highest thing we know.   Astronomers tells us the “observable” size of the universe is 46 billion light years.   Assuming they are remotely correct, God’s glory is beyond and bigger and more awesome than that, according to this praise song.   His “glory is above the heavens.”   He looks down on the “heavens and the earth.”   God is so powerful, awesome and all encompassing that we can’t imagine.   When we pray we pray to a God who is beyond all that we see through any telescope.  Yet, He knows us personally and intimately.   He is so big we can’t imagine Him; He is so close we can feel His presence through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.   Wow!!!

Tag: God Sends the People We Need - 2 Chronicles 1-5

2 Chronicles 2:13-14

“Now I have sent a skilled man, who has understanding, Huram-abi, the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre. He is trained to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and in purple, blue, and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and to do all sorts of engraving and execute any design that may be assigned him, with your craftsmen, the craftsmen of my lord, David your father.

Tag:  God Sends The People We Need

Solomon wanted to build the Temple but lacked the no how to put the material together.  His father gathered the material and the men.  His father gave him the plans.   But, Solomon had no skill to put it together.  But, Solomon did ask God for Wisdom.  Having wisdom from God does not mean you know how to do everything.   It does mean you know how to get things done, however. It does mean you are humble enough to ask for help.   Having wisdom does not mean you have all knowledge.  Having wisdom means you have enough discernment and discretion to know what you can do and humility to ask when you can’t do.   This is wise leadership.   Wisdom-Leadership is NOT the ability to do everything for everyone.   Wisdom-Leadership is the ability to know how to get things done in humility.  Solomon asked for help and God sent him the help he needed.   When God gives us wisdom and a job He expects us to use that wisdom in the job.   

Tag: God Promises Rest - Numbers 21-24

Numbers 21:12-13

From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered. From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

Numbers 21:16-20

And from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song:

“Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!—

the well that the princes made,

that the nobles of the people dug,

with the scepter and with their staffs.”

And from the wilderness they went on to Mattanah, and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, and from Bamoth to the valley lying in the region of Moab by the top of Pisgah that looks down on the desert.

Notice in the above verses the “from there” statements.   Israel was on the move.  They didn’t really settle anywhere in their 40 year wilderness travelings.   Why?  Because, their refusal to believe in God and enter the promise land made it impossible for them to find "rest" in God.  Lesson: Unbelief always puts us in the wilderness and always steals our peace and rest.  Life is that simply.  The nation of Israel is our example.  God told them He would bring them into the “promised land.”  It was a land “flowing with milk and honey.”  It was their ultimate paradise.  But, when the heard about the giants in the land and the fortified cities they were frozen with fear and could not move forward.  They feared the giants (unknown results) more than they believed the promises and character of their Mighty God.   Note what the author of the book of Hebrews says about them:

Hebrews 3:16-19

For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

They “heard” the Word of God and decided to not believe the promises of God.   When God promises He can not go back on His promise.  But, their fears kept them from believing in the promises of God and obeying.  Israel stands as a stark reminder to us.  When God promises and we believe we find rest.  When we fail to believe Christ’s promises we wander in the wilderness and go from “there” to “there” to “there.”   Note Christ’s Words (His Promise):

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

If we put Him at the center He puts us in the middle of “rest.”   

Tag: Good Works are NOT an Option for Believers - Titus

Titus 1:16

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Tag:  Good Works are NOT an Option for Believers

Note the following verses in this letter by Paul to young preacher Titus:

Titus 2:7

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

Titus 2:14

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 3:1

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

Titus 3:8

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Titus 3:14

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Paul wants Titus to realize that our purpose for salvation was to glorify God with our new life by doing those things that glorify and honor Christ.   We are not saved to enjoy our life.  We are saved to serve and honor Him.   Our good works do not save us, but our good works show that our salvation is real.   Notice what James tells us:

James 2:14-17

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Faith without works is a dead faith.  We are admonished, repeatedly, to be doing good works.  These are good works that were designed for us from before the foundation of the world:

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Tag: Truth (God’s Word) Sanctifies - John 16-18

John 17:14-19

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Tag:  Truth (God’s Word) Sanctifies 

Living in a society that often wanders from the truth, the above verses might strain our belief.   Jesus is speaking to His Father in His prayer in the Garden.   He is asking God the Father to “sanctify” (cleanse, make holy) His disciples.   Jesus’ own words tell us that the Truth will make us clean.  That is a powerful statement.   But, Jesus clarifies for us, what He means by “Truth.”   Jesus states that “truth” is “God’s Word.”   

Later Pilate would confront Jesus as follows:

John 18:37-38

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.

John 18:37-38

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

The world does not know truth.   Only God knows truth and ONLY God can reveal truth to us.  He reveals truth through God’s Word.  God provided truth (His Word) to cleanse us.   When we reject truth (God’s Word) we can’t reach sanctification (holiness) in our lives. If we want to be holy (God commands it) we have to be in God’s Word.   God’s Word sanctifies us.  

Tag: God’s Wrath Is Well Deserved - Amos 1-4

Amos 1:3

Thus says the Lord:

“For three transgressions of Damascus,

and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,

because they have threshed Gilead

with threshing sledges of iron.

Amos 1:6

Thus says the Lord:

“For three transgressions of Gaza,

and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,

because they carried into exile a whole people

to deliver them up to Edom.

Amos 1:9

Thus says the Lord:

“For three transgressions of Tyre,

and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,

because they delivered up a whole people to Edom,

and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.

Amos 1:11

Thus says the Lord:

“For three transgressions of Edom,

and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,

because he pursued his brother with the sword

and cast off all pity,

and his anger tore perpetually,

and he kept his wrath forever.

Tag:  God’s Wrath Is Well Deserved

In the above four verses (and there are four more, exactly like them in this section) are statements by the prophet Amos about the coming wrath of God upon various countries.   God is going to pour His wrath out on those who reject Him and His Word.   The prophet is leading up to this statement, about God’s People, Israel:

Amos 2:6

Thus says the Lord:

“For three transgressions of Israel,

and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,

because they sell the righteous for silver,

and the needy for a pair of sandals—

Each statement is a statement that God’s judgment is rightly deserved.   God’s wrath is coming upon them “because ...”.    When God condemns and judges mankind it will not be because He is arbitrary in nature.  God is sovereign and He can do what He will.  But, God’s wrath will always be poured out on those who sin and reject His grace.  There is always a “because.”  

Tag: “Do Not” Still Works, Today - Proverbs 23-24

Proverbs 23:3

Do not desire his delicacies,

for they are deceptive food.

Proverbs 23:4

Do not toil to acquire wealth;

be discerning enough to desist.

Proverbs 23:6

Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;

do not desire his delicacies,

Proverbs 23:9

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,

for he will despise the good sense of your words.

Proverbs 23:10

Do not move an ancient landmark

or enter the fields of the fatherless,

Proverbs 23:13

Do not withhold discipline from a child;

if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

Proverbs 23:31

Do not look at wine when it is red,

when it sparkles in the cup

and goes down smoothly.

Tag:  “Do Not” Still Works Today

Solomon dared to tell his listeners to “do not” do something.   In chapter 23 of Proverbs we see, above, a number of them.   We live in a society that resists the idea of telling people to “do not”!!   

God set the standard of “do not” statements in the Ten Commandments.   God doesn’t have an issue with “do not” sayings.  Solomon doesn’t have an issue with “do not” sayings.   Parents and leaders should not have an issue with “do not” statements and sayings.   These things keep us safe.  Remember, the reason for the book of Proverbs to be written is:

Proverbs 1:2-4

To know wisdom and instruction,

to understand words of insight,

to receive instruction in wise dealing,

in righteousness, justice, and equity;

to give prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the youth—

So, these “do not” sayings are to gives us wisdom, prudence, and discretion.   

Tag: Imprecatory Prayers - Psalm 108-110

Psalms 109:16-20

For he did not remember to show kindness,

but pursued the poor and needy

and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.

He loved to curse; let curses come upon him!

He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!

He clothed himself with cursing as his coat;

may it soak into his body like water,

like oil into his bones!

May it be like a garment that he wraps around him,

like a belt that he puts on every day!

May this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord,

of those who speak evil against my life!

Tag:  The Imprecatory Prayer

In Psalm 109 David is coming to God with a very difficult prayer.   Someone, or more than one, has done David wrong.   David is hurting about this and brings his complaint to God.   This was someone David, at one time, loved.  But, they did not return the favor he showed to them.  They, instead, showed him evil for his good. 

Psalms 109:4-5

In return for my love they accuse me,

but I give myself to prayer.

So they reward me evil for good,

and hatred for my love.

Jesus will make reference to part of this Psalm in regard to Judas betraying him, sending him to the cross.  Having a Judas in our lives is no fun.  Especially when they take the good we do for them and turn it to evil against us.  It might be the most emotional of all conflict we face.   

As David prays to God for relief from this type of suffering he flows into what is known as an “imprecatory” prayer.   The word “imprecatory” comes from the Latin for “called down curse.”   The prayer David is offering is to ask God to “curse” his enemies.   But, is that type of prayer valid?  Does God want us to call down a curse on our enemies?   In Romans 12 we told by Paul to “love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us.”  

There is nothing in Scripture that commands us to pray an imprecatory prayer or that hinders us from praying an imprecatory prayer.  There are plenty of passage that do teach us to love and forgive our enemies.  Jesus ultimately did that.  He did not call down hell fire and brimstone when He was hanging on the cross.   But, He will bring hell fire and brimstone, some day.   Perhaps the best way to approach in imprecatory prayer is with extreme caution.  David does so here.  We, however, are not King David.   We ought to be careful when we pray and seek to forgive, love and admonish.   Jesus said:

Matthew 5:43-46

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

We might want to pray an imprecatory prayer over someone and that might be a last case scenario to happen. There are evil men and evilness in this world that can only be stopped by prayers of faith.   But, that is God’s World and not ours.  David did pray an imprecatory prayer over someone.   We would be wise to pray for repentance and God’s intervention in evil situations.  But, when the time is at hand and all love, forgiveness and admonishment is fulfilled, an imprecatory prayer may be all that is left to pray.  I would think this is what we read in Psalm 109.  

Tag: It is Wise to Seek Counsel - 1 Chronicles 25-29

1 Chronicles 27:32-34

Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king's sons. Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army.

Tag: Seeking Counsel is Wise

In the end chapters of this book King David is making provision for the building of the Temple.  He is assuring that his son, Solomon, will have all he needs to be successful and complete the task.  David has outlined everything that needs to be done. It is a masterful succession plan. (It is interesting that Solomon benefits from this and never does the same for his son, Rehoboam, years later.)

David has provided treasure keepers, singers, warriors, gatekeepers, and many more positions.   David has outlined the actual weight of the gold, iron, bronze and other materials.  In the above passage, however, we see him provide young Solomon a great resource: Counselors.   Many leaders struggle with reaching out for input from others.   In a society that believes leaders must be strong, asking for a counselor, to some, appears weak.   God is the God who gives counsel.  He often gives counsel through the voice of other men.   Joesph gave counsel to Pharaoh.  David gave counsel to Nebuchadnezzar.   Great leaders seek counsel.  Solomon learned from this counsel.  Note what he would eventually write in Proverbs:

Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no guidance, a people falls,

but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 24:6

for by wise guidance you can wage your war,

and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Solomon learned from counsel.  He saw safety and victory from seeking the counsel of others.   

However, it should be noted that the counsel David heard from his uncle, Jonathon (who would be Solomon’s guide) gave him Godly wisdom.  Jonathon spoke God’s word.  Joseph spoke God’s word to Pharaoh.  Daniel spoke God’s word to Nebuchadnezzar.   Getting counsel is not wise.  Getting Godly counsel is wise.   

These men spoke great counsel to Solomon.  His words in Proverbs show that he understood the difference between losing to wisdom vs listening to foolishness.   Those who reject God are said to be fools (Psalm 14:1).  When we take counsel from fools we will be like them.   When we take counsel from fools and from God’s Word we will be confused.  When we take counsel ONLY from God’s Word we have the promises of God in full affect.   It is wise to hear and obey God’s counsel.   

Proverbs 20:18

Plans are established by counsel;

by wise guidance wage war.

Tag: Lack of Faith Causes Thirsty Times - Numbers 18-20

Numbers 20:2-5

The Waters of Meribah

Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.”

Tag:  Our Own Lack of Faith Causes Thirst

In the above passage the nation of Israel was complaining to Moses and Aaron that they had no water to drink.  They were in the desert and that makes water scarce.   Most of us, left in a desert, would have the same complaint.   The nation should not be condemned for being thirsty in a desert.  The body needs water to survive.  So, the nation was very much concerned about their children and their cattle.   

However, we should ask the question, “Why were they in the desert to begin with? Where should they be right now?”   As we have traced the travels of the nation we must recall they they were SUPPOSED to be in the promise land by now.  They were SUPPOSED to be in a land that flowed with “milk and honey.”    They were not to be in the desert.   God gave them all they needed up to this point and led them right to the promise land.  But, based upon the word of ten spies, they allowed their fear to conquer their faith and direct their fate.   

The nation of Israel is now complaining that they lacked the basic essentials of life (water) because they refused to follow God in faith.   They lack of faith put them were they are right now.    Yet, despite all this, God will provide water to them.  Despite their lack of faith and their complaining about their circumstances, caused by their lack of faith, God would still bless them.   

This is what is amazing about God.  Despite our lack of faith and our sinful disobedience, God still opens up a rock in the wilderness and sends them water:

Numbers 20:11

And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.

God always provides.  But, our own lack of faith puts us in these places.  Before we complain to God about our situation, we might want to reach out to Him in faith.  He will, despite our lack of faith, provide water in our desert place.