Quoting Accurately

That doesn’t look like the Bible I’m using now, since I carry a digital one with me at all times. I do have one like this, complete with references, concordance, and lots of highlights and notes from when I wrote in it for decades.

Both my digital and my hard copy include this scenario:

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:15-17 KJV)

One commandment: do not eat of the one tree, the one of knowledge of good and evil. Such a simple command, isn’t it. Adam has the remainder of the world to dress and keep. One fruit is off limits.
We know what happens next. It’s one of the favorite plots of books, plays, movies, television, and children left home alone. Temptation. We’ve all been asked a similar question – “You mean your parents won’t let you (fill in the blank of anything someone else is doing that you aren’t supposed to, just because your parents said “No”.)

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Genesis 3:1 KJV)

Eve had God’s commandment, but she added to it just a tiny bit:

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Genesis 3:2-3 KJV)

God did not say – Do not touch the tree. God did not say – lest ye die. But neither one of those small additions were really bad, were they? If you didn’t touch it, you couldn’t eat of it. The fear of death still existed, but there’s a difference between “thou shalt surely die” and “lest ye die”, isn’t there. If you don’t touch it, neither happens – but in one statement death was inevitable, in the other it was probable.

We know what happened. The same thing is happening today.

“We all worship the same God.” No, we don’t. Ask any Muslim, Allah begats not, neither is he begotten. God, on the other hand:

. . .  so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Allah is not God, simply because the different holy books define different supreme beings. Buddhism has a variety of answers as to whether a supreme being exists, but nothing similar to Judaism, Islam, nor Christianity. Thus, humans do not all worship the same God. Nor do we believe in the same life after earthly death. There is a wide variety there, too.

Therefore, we need to accurately quote the source of our doctrine and not accept another’s definition of what our God is, other than what His word defines. Quote the source of our doctrine, not the traditions of man, who would tell us that all religions are the same. They are not.

According to the words of Jesus, recorded by His disciples, He was the fulfilment of the Law given to Moses by JHWH, and promised to Israel by prophets:

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:21 KJV)

That’s my favorite fulfillment verse, but the gospels mention “fulfilled” in relation to prophecy another 38 times, plus another ten in the book of Acts. There is no Christianity without Judaism. There is no Messiah without Judaic prophecy. There is no resurrection without the death of the Messiah, yet more than 2000 years have passed and no one has been able to disprove the resurrection of Jesus and His appearance to hundreds of people under varied circumstances and places.

I am always moved by Paul’s conversion. A leader among the Pharisees, with a passion to defend his Judaism against heresy and blasphemy – except for a few moments on the road to Damascus.

We won’t have that, but we have Paul’s words – some written in his own hand, some written by others as his physical limitations grew. All dedicated to that one moment when he discovered that Jesus was real.

Most of us will never have that moment – but through God’s inspired words we have exactly the same accurately quoted story, and the strong desire that Paul included in his witnessing to Jesus’ life – even after Agrippa told Paul he had almost persuaded him to become a Christian:

And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. (Acts 26:29 KJV)

Are we willing to speak to anyone – even one of great secular authority – that we would pray to God that they, and all who heard, would become as we are – Christians based on the accurately quoted authority of the Bible, as God’s word?

Going To The Authority

I have some ephemera of my own (see yesterday’s post.) This book is one I ran across while simply thinking about downsizing (haven’t done much of that at all.)

The first date I saw on the publishers page was 1971. When I read that, I thought it would have been a book my Mom would buy for me – to encourage growing my faith. But, that referred to a Bible copyright. This book was published in 2001 and is still available. I do not know how it came to me, no inscription inside. Most likely source was a gift from my Secret Prayer Pal at church. Those are wonderful ladies who have impacted my life for close to twenty years.

There’s nothing quite like being involved in a church that is active, growing, diverse, and doctrinally sound. How do you know a church has sound doctrine, try learning from Jesus and Greek words.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29 KJV)

The word translated as “doctrine” in this first New Testament use is the Greek (Strong’s G1322) διδαχή didachē – instruction. It’s from the root (Strong’s G1321) διδάσκω - didaskō – to teach. Thus, “doctrine” to me means teaching. What the Bible teaches us is a full set of instructions. We need to do learn these teachings, sharing them in full as Paul:

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27 KJV)

For this reason I expect my readers to pick up a Bible and see if I’ve misused any of the scriptures I’ve quoted. They are to be read in context to receive God’s counsel, and that covers thousands of years. Over those years, men have created traditions that have replaced some of God’s counsel.
Jesus gives us examples of this in Matthew’s fifteenth chapter. He answered a question with a question:

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? (Matthew 15:3 KJV)

Christ ends His teaching – His doctrine – with:

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9 KJV)

Thus we need to read His words to follow the full counsel of God to follow biblical doctrine. We need to read the Bible to understand what and why Christians do while following biblical doctrine. While there are many examples for each of the activities, here are examples:

We meet together regularly:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25 KJV)

We sing during worship: 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16 KJV)

Offerings are taken:

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (1 Corinthians 16:2 KJV)

We invite and listen to missionary speakers:

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (Acts 17:1-3 KJV)

We have traditions of men, but they certainly aren’t commandments: the times of our meetings; more than one service on Sunday; a mid-week service, special music, musical instruments. We offer bus service, nursery, ladies meetings, scheduled prayer meetings, and more.

What we should not do - and hopefully have not done, or will not do - is add or subtract from the teachings, the instructions, the doctrine given by Jesus, our savior.

Jesus gave only two commandments, confirming all the laws and prophets fit within those two:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

All of the above were thoughts generated by one book filled with stories of women and their faith, their tragedies and their encouragement, their estrangements and their reunions – all the things we experience in life, and survive with God. We’d like for you to share the doctrine – the instruction, the teachings – given by our Lord.

Submission

I cropped this graphic from a photo taken before their wedding. Recently, looking through some of their family ephemera, they ran across the photo and shared it. Four children and a couple of jobs later, they looked back and so did we. I’ve known them since before they met. I enjoyed watching him grow in faith through high school.

He lived his faith. He led Bible studies for other students. He attended and graduated from Bible college. He dedicated his life to service our Lord, and has done so as student, Youth Pastor, and now serving as Pastor of a Baptist church.

I knew another young man, in the same group of young men at our church whose common goal was to serve the Lord. He, too, attended and graduated from Bible college, served as an evangelist, Youth Minister, pastored a church, married and had two children – but walked away from his church to become what Paul described:

which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1 Timothy 1:19b KJV)

What was put away was:

Holding faith, and a good conscience;  (1 Timothy 1:19 KJV)

Both wives trust scripture as to how to live with their husbands. We share respect for these verses:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Ephesians 5:22-24 KJV)

In the first example, the husband and wife continue to serve the Lord together. In the second example, the marriage did not survive substance abuse, physical abuse, and lack of a job to provide for their children. Too long she followed the verse her husband drilled into her that she was to submit to him, his desires, and his life, although her husband had overlooked the verse before Ephesians 5:22:

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:21 KJV)

And the one following verse 24:

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. (Ephesians 5:26-28 KJV)

There is a serious problem in picking and choosing verses to be used to accomplish our own desires. The Bible has very few stand-on-their-own verses, and even those raise questions and require additional definition. All scripture is to be studied in relation to God, not to each other.

No woman is required by any Bible verses to submit to a man who cannot submit himself to God. There is nothing biblical about a man who will strike his wife in front of their children. There is, in fact, verses that speak to anyone who damages a child’s faith:

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Luke 17:1-2 KJV)

There is a verse, too, about a man who will not provide for his family:

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV)

Yes – I have quoted verses here without their surrounding context, and I encourage you to read them in the Bible to verify they have not been used to change their meaning. That’s the true purpose here, to encourage Bible reading.

“Me? Obey Him?’ is an excellent question that is answered in the Bible. It depends on the “Him.” For a wife following Christ married to a husband following Christ, my answer is an unabashed affirmative.

For a wife following Christ married to a husband who has abandoned his faith and conscience, my answer is an unabashed “NO!”

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:5 KJV)

Please read the verses preceding 3:5. There are several descriptions, but they all are to be shunned. Just as those listed here:

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6:3-5 KJV)

Do not submit to those whose actions and words are anti-Christ.

If You Received This Letter . . .

Don’t try to translate the graphic. Yes, the letters are Greek, but the words aren’t. Originally written in the Greek language, we have them today in English. Here they are with the verses that precede them, opening John’s first letter:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:1-4 KJV)

John wrote more books in the Bible than any other of Jesus’ disciples, though Paul the Apostle wrote even more. Both of them met Jesus face to face, John for three years, Paul for just a few moments.

Have you ever received a letter that opened with more information? When I was working, writing a business letter was formal. Still is in a lot of situations, but e-mails are quicker, shorter and seldom explain why they were written. Never read one that wanted my joy to be full.

John was inspired by God to give the background, explain why this letter carries the truth behind what he had heard, seen for himself, even touched with his own hands, that has to do with the Word. He used that word in the opening of his gospel:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5 KJV)

How would you describe Jesus? Can you imagine walking with Him for three years? Hearing the teachings while watching people vilify and eventually kill Him? If what you had spent three years doing simply vanished, would you continue telling His story and writing others about His life – and what they should do about it?

That became John’s life, telling everyone he met – and writing to people he would not meet – what he had seen while walking with Jesus, what he was inspired by God to write, and finally the vision – the Revelation – he was given to pass on to the rest of us.

Five books – John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation. They covered a great portion of the first century after Jesus’ birth, and focus on what John believed with all his heart. He wrote one of the most quoted verses in all the Bible, Jesus’ response to Nicodemus’ questions:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Because of the manner in which God loved His creation, He offered another creation to see that none should perish. By simply believing, eternal life is available.

The author of Hebrews understood that importance and wrote:

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:3-4 KJV)

If we ignore that great plan of salvation, spoken by Jesus, heard by those around Him, confirmed by signs, wonders, miracles, and by the Holy spirit in God’s will – how shall we escape? What is the alternative to believing?

John has that answer in the verses following the 16th. Here’s what Nicodemus heard, and that has not been refuted by prophecy since then:

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18 KJV)

God sends no one to hell, a place He created for those who rebelled against Him. Being in hell is simply the natural consequence of not believing God exists. No one forced my acceptance, nor my rejection, of the existence of a being capable of creating the universe – and having the ability to change or even end it.

What caused you to make your decision? Did it have to do with other religions, science, fear, love? With the irrefutable knowledge that death is in the future of everyone born into this world, are you comfortable with your decision?

For The Next Generation

I received these two cards a week apart at our church. They are funeral cards, giving the birth and death dates of two ladies I’ve known for twenty years. They each died on a Sunday, a week apart. For both of them, friends and families met a week apart to celebrate their life and their legacy of loving and service our Lord.

When I think of their lives – and so many other people whose cards I’ve read – I think of:

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:17-18 KJV)

These ladies did not go around waving flags about their works, but their faith was shown in the works they did at church, regular attendance, active in youth activities, physical labor, and most of all – teaching people younger than they were. For decades. They shared their faith through their words and their works.

Paul did the same with Timothy. I’m grateful that his letters to Timothy were included in our Bible, and I do feel they are just as inspired by God as the other books of scripture. It is to Timothy that Paul gives the source and the reason for scripture:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)

God inspired the scriptures for our profitable examples so that we could perfectly do good works.

That is not impossible, no matter what you think. We don’t achieve that perfection – God through scripture and our response to it furnishes good works.

One of the best works is sharing His message with others. II Timothy is chronologically Paul’s last letter. Here we see how a man whose life was so changed by his belief in Christ that he was able to face his death by teaching a man to carry on the work that Christ gave him.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:1-2 KJV)

Paul requires, before God, that Timothy continues to do what Paul has done since meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. In the previous chapter, I like:

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (2 Timothy 3:14 KJV)

“Continue” indicates to me that Paul knew what Timothy had been doing, and wanted him to continue. In the verses before that, Paul tells Timothy why:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV)

Are you aware of any who would meet these descriptions? More than a few? Paul tells Timothy to turn away from them – and that’s good advice for us. I’ve also heard from people who fit into the next chapter – the ones who will not continue in the scriptures:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV)

Many times in the recent past I’ve heard Christianity referred to as a myth about a white-aired old man who lives in the sky. I do pray for those who spread that word. For me, I’d rather take Paul’s advice for Timothy:

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5 KJV)

What does an evangelist do? Shares the scriptures. Shares his personal witness. Shares what God inspired people to write. In addition, I would charge the readers to read the Bible with an open mind, and I would  hope with a prayerful heart. Start with II Timothy – and as you find questions, read further.

I pray this generation will share with the next, just as the two ladies I mentioned, whose memory I hold dear and believe with all my heart I will see again. Ask me about that if you wish.

Turning the World Upside Down

I hope you are on a mobile device so you don't have to turn your monitor upside down, but when I saw this, I couldn't help to think of one specific scripture:

These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6b KJV)

Let's back up a few verses.  In Acts 17, we find Paul and Silas (if you don't know who they are, you need to read all the book of Acts up to this point, please) have arrived in Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews. It was their habit to visit Jews to discuss how their Messiah had been born, taught, died, and was resurrected. Often they were not well received.  That still happens today when people with to share the life of Christ as Paul did:

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. (Acts 17:2-5 KJV)

For three weeks - or at least two weeks to cover three sabbath days - Paul preached to them that Jesus is Christ - simply the Greek word for the Jewish Messiah. Paul was very open about what he had seen and heard. For those Jews who knew of Jesus' ministry, certainly they also knew of Paul's battle against Jesus' followers. Yet, Paul had seen this risen Christ and opted to follow him instead of battling him.

Jesus had changed him from Saul to Paul - and in doing so had turned his life upside down. His was not the only person to have that same response. Thus, the Thessalonicans headed to Jason's house, complaining to authorities:

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. (Acts 17:6-8 KJV)

Now, have you heard Paul's testimony? Acts chapters 24-26 give the story of how he gave his testimony as to why he now followed Christ, instead of persecuting His followers. Yes, I could copy a few verses, but it would be better if you read those three chapters in context to better understand. And, my reason for writing this is to get you to read scriptures, but I will add this one additional piece of chapter 17.

After the confrontation at Jason's home, and the complaints of the crowd that these Christians had turned the world upside down, Paul and Silas went to Berea. There the people did exactly what I wish you would right now:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV)

Can you be more noble that those who complain that their world was turned upside down? Can you allow yourself to search the scriptures daily to see if what Paul said were so? Does the Bible leave you with questions, but you continue your life as usual - or does the Bible speak to you, and you find your life changing enough that you feel upside down?

The half has not yet been told. 

Leaving The Track

By Tennen-Gas - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Our Sunday morning bulletin listed the morning message as “Courageous Leadership,” with scripture from Joshua 23. I had my Bible open to the passage when Pastor changed tracks. That’s why I chose the rail yard for this blog’s graphic. There are many ways to switch tracks.

We have lots of thoughts, lots of plans, lots of work done in a specific direction – when something comes along and changes the track we are on. For Pastor, it was the theme from the previous week’s Youth Camp in Pensacola, Florida. Kenny Baldwin, Senior Pastor at Crossroads Baptist Church in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, was the speaker during the week and the them was “Driven.” Pastor Baldwin has preached revival at our church in the past and I’ve found him to be a compelling witness.

Of course, our Pastor could not condense a week’s worth of messages into one Sunday message, but from Philippians 3:4-16, Pastor did give a compelling call to consider our own lives.

First, from verse 10: “That I might know him.” Hearing of Jesus, the messages from others who know Him, or at least say they know Him, can be confusing. Was He a great prophet called by God to change people? Is He a myth, no historical records to back up stories made by a group of men? Was He a man, or was He a God? Why do people pray in His name? No one can begin to answer these questions until they get to know Him and his story.

Paul – who was named Saul – knew of Jesus and those who were called Christian because of a title. He knew them so well that he was determined to destroy them and the testimony they gave of Jesus’ birth, life, death and – of all things – resurrection. Put a stop to them and the stories would die a natural death. However, Paul became the widest-traveled witness to his own knowledge of Jesus. He was the most outspoken Apostle. He wrote to the church at Corinth:

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV)

Paul went from apprehending Christians to determined to know Him.

Second, from verse 12: “I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” That is “I am taken into custody by Christ Jesus.” Ironic, isn’t it? Paul set out to apprehended followers of Christ and ended up “apprehended of Christ.” That’s what we are supposed be, too. As His followers, we are to be caught up in learning about Christ as much as we share what we learn with others.

If you are a Christian, who knows it? How do they know it? Do you know when and why Jesus said:

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9 KJV)

The third point came from verse 14: “I press toward the mark.” This hold the connotation of a race, and race cars, foot race, or even last week’s “Driven,” uses such examples. Paul uses it as his  goal daily in life, consistent in his message to all the cities he visited. I especially love his message on Mars Hill in Athens in Acts 17, before people who had no idea who he was or why he was there? However, his testimony before Agrippa and Festus in Acts 26 is one of the best sermons anyone can give – a first person view of why Paul believed Jesus’ message. What is your own testimony – why do you accept Jesus – or why do you reject Him?

Three simple points – “That I might know him” is how we learn of Christ. “I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” is when we are captured by Him. “I press toward the mark” is how we live with Christ as the motivation in our life.

After considering these three points, where are you in relation to Christ? Why?

How Do We Measure?

This is a carpenter's rule, used in construction. There is also a metal tape measure that rolls into a compact container used for measuring in construction. Which is best? One user wrote:

"I use both folding ruler and retractable tape in my daily work. They are both useful. For accuracy the folding rule is superior."

I suspect there are differing opinions as to accuracy. I was reminded today about what standards we live by when a friend's blog from September 2012 was mentioned:  "Whose Yardstick Are You Using?" Oddly enough, that same month I had written about "Setting Biblical Standards."

There used to be social norms that were widely acceptable, but today those norms no longer exist. There used to be laws that people (for the most part) followed, but today many laws are simply ignored. Does that affect our lives? A verse from my friend's blog tells me that it really doesn't:

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:14-15 KJV)

That peace is for all. Take a moment - is there someone with whom you are not at peace? I certainly have one. Or two. Or maybe more. If I do not feel peace about them, how can I have peace in my life?

And follow holiness? That's another subject my friend's post discussed. Do I know anyone as holy as the one whose name I used to describe my life - Christian. The one who said:

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.  (Matthew 5:46-48 KJV)

That love for everyone is a standard, a rule, by which we are supposed to love all. Not simply family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. All. That's a stumbling point for everyone, isn't it? But it wasn't for Jesus, and that's our standard,  too. Just before He said we were to be perfect, He said:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:43-44 KJV)

When I read that, I think of a photo called "Second Mile" on the website Journeys With The Messiah. Please take a moment to visit the "Second Mile" link and I'd love to hear if you would be able to make the first mile, much less the second. Or if you could turn the other cheek? I've had to give some very serious thoughts about that.

There was a time as a child when I was abused. Later in life I had the thought - would that person be in heaven? And, the answer was "Yes, it is possible." I knew the passages of scripture that convinced me that not only was it possible, it was most likely truth. So what did that mean to me? That God forgives and to be like Him, I was to forgive. What a burden lifted.

Recently a dear family member was physically abused, and I was angered at the liar that chose abuse over the love they had promised. Once again, though, the Lord convinced me that prayer for that individual was necessary. So my prayer list carries the name of a person I do not wish to see, but that I know needs God in their life. That did erase my anger, replacing it with prayer.

I do not believe a person can hold hatred for a person for whom they pray. Can you?

Of course, I'm speaking as a Christian to other Christians. Non-believers would not consider praying. It would seem to be incompatible with their belief system - unless they are willing to try it as Jesus suggested in the Lord's Prayer, or His in the depth of pain as He prayed:

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26:39-42 KJV)

Thy will be done.

Repent – What Does It Mean?

I ran across this word recently, where it was defined as:

A Hebrew word for:  "To turn from the way you were going and return to God for healing, forgiveness, and instruction in righteousness."

But, it was in a meme graphic and I’ve come to not trust those without some research. So, I checked Strong’s Concordance for “repent” in the Old Testament, and did not find Teshuva, but:

H5162    נָחַם    nâcham (naw-kham')
A primitive root; properly to sigh, that is, breathe strongly; by implication to be sorry, that is, (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself): - comfort (self), ease [one’s self], repent (-er, -ing, self).
Total KJV occurrences: 108

Then I tried Google:

Repentance in Judaism – Wikipedia:   Repentance (Hebrew: תשובה, literally, "return", pronounced "tshuva" or "teshuva") is one element of atoning for sin in Judaism. ... Thus, the primary purpose of repentance in Judaism is ethical self transformation.

Then a Jewish source:

The 10 Days of Repentance  YOM KIPPUR
In the Jewish tradition, repentance is called teshuvah , a Hebrew word translated as “returning.” One of the Hebrew words for sin is chet, which in Hebrew means “to go astray.” Thus the idea of repentance in Jewish thought is a return to the path of righteousness.  . . .  The process of repentance, as laid out by Maimonides, includes three stages: confession, regret and a vow not to repeat the misdeed.

Which is exactly the same meaning of “repent” in Christianity – confession, regret for our sinfulness, and a promise to not repeat. Somehow people have problems with all three of those actions – especially the repeating of the error/misdeed/sin.

Take a moment to read about Peter’s promise to never leave Christ’s teaching – and his betrayal that same evening. Rather than give you scripture from all four Gospels (because it is in all four!), you may look them up yourself or read in Wikipedia. 

Every Christian who publicly makes a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as God’s gift to man for the purpose of reconciliation makes just about the same statement Peter did:

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (Matthew 26:33-35 KJV)

I ask you, Christian, have we not done the same? I ask you, non-Christian, doesn’t that confirm that we do not believe? Actually, it doesn’t. It confirms we are humans who need our Lord, even when we don’t act like it. I can assure, a follower of Jesus will repent, will turn and confess – most likely not to the people around us, but definitely to our Lord – for it is against our Lord that we’ve done our sin.

We learn this from David’s example:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV)

The lead in to that scripture is:

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

David had sinned by desiring Bathsheba, taking her while both were married, having her husband killed, then taking her as another wife in a chaotic family because of his multiple wives. Don’t feel self-righteous because our sins do not seem as serious.

Bottom line – have we set the example that helps another person fail? Do our actions keep another from learning of God’s love and forgiveness? Do we need to turn back to His will and righteous path?

Or do we continue in error:

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Luke 17:1-2 KJV)

Is Christ speaking to us as He did to Ephesus?

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Revelation 2:4-5 KJV)

Religion and/or Science?

Portrait of Galileo Galilei (1636), by Justus Sustermans

The Wikipedia article explains how religion and science conflicted with Galileo, to the point that he “was tried by the Inquisition, found 'vehemently suspect of heresy', and forced to recant. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest." Today, we know his theories were correct – and do not conflict with scriptures. What changed? A lot on both sides. But people still see a conflict between the religion and science when the conflict is both more and less. 

John Carson Lennox on “Why ‘Evidence-Based’ Faith Is So Valuable” helps us understand:

“This idea that there is a conflict between science and God cannot be true,” Lennox declared. “Why? Because if you go the very top of science, Nobel prize level, there are scientists on both sides.”
“Let’s take physics. Take Higgs, who won the Nobel Prize for the Higgs Boson — a brilliant physicist and an atheist,” Lennox said. “But William Phillips, a low-temperature physicist, who won the same prize, he’s a Christian!”
So, “there is a conflict — but it’s not between science and God,” Lennox explained, “it’s between theism and atheism — the two worldviews.”

This article came to me the week after our Sunday School study of 2 Peter 1, where we read:

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1:5-7 KJV)

Yes, we are saved by grace through faith. We see that in more than one verse and I’ve used them time and time again. Look them up if you doubt it. Then we add virtue to our faith – meaning we should have high moral values whereby we are living examples.

Then we are to add knowledge. How can that not include the sciences, especially as they pertain to our religion. These are studies that can increase our foundational beliefs, not necessarily wipe them out as sand. Does science really conflict with religion, or is it closed mindedness of people on both ends of the spectrum.

Yes – I am closed minded on one aspect. I believe God is the creator of all, but how I think He might have done it is of no value. In reality, geology does not deny God, but some people who deny God are geologists. And archeologists, geophysicists, chemists, astrobiologists, etc. The fields do not preclude Christians, and Christians should respect those fields.

So, how do we “prove God exists”? Lennox explains:

“When we use the word “proof” [in terms of God’s existence] we mean it in the sense in which lawyers mean it — evidence, pointers, indicators that are beyond reasonable doubt,” the professor noted.
Of course, the natural response from the atheists is that this type of evidence is not extensive enough.

I love the continued quote and his example:

Giving a real-life example, Prof. Lennox said: I’ve been married to the same woman for 50 years. I believe she loves me, I couldn’t prove it to you mathematically — but I’d risk my life on it!”

With that being said, Lennox qualified that “evidence is a hugely important thing,” when it comes to personal faith.

Indeed, even those who are not Christian would understand that blind faith in things or people is foolish and ill-informed.

“Why do I believe my wife loves me? Because I believe there is strong evidence for it,” Lennox explained. “All of us are familiar with evidence-based faith. You’re crazy if you believe things without evidence or trust people without evidence.”

That’s an excellent example because it requires love – on both sides – for that faith to exist.
Think about John’s writings while you consider evidence:

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3:23-24 KJV)

Making A Move

In February my sister joined us in our home. It took more than a day to move, although we all refer to “moving day” as it was a single event. There are adjustments made for some time before that day, and adjustments continue afterward. We had to empty the room she was moving into – she had to pack a home, with a single room in mind upon her arrival. For us heading into the fourth month, it has worked well – but more adjustments are coming and we know that.

How does that fit into a scripture covered in Sunday School?

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: (1 Peter 4:4 KJV)

It’s not a complete thought, is it? Who thinks it strange? What kind of riot? What evil speaking? Just as all scripture, context is very important, so let’s go back to the first verses in chapter 4:

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV)

When we accept God’s gift of salvation through faith in Christ, our goal becomes following His example, thinking of what He taught, ceasing from the sins He defined. We no longer list the rest of our time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. Before we became Christians, we sinned in the categories Peter listed.

Lasciviousness = indicates sexual interest or expressions of lust or lewdness. Can we go a day without seeing such an expression?

Excess of wine = drunkenness. alcoholism. Which may not show up in front of us, but don’t we see the results in broken lives and families?

Revellings - If you go out to celebrate your graduation and you are drinking, partying and having a great time, this is an example of when you are revelling. So, what’s so wrong with that? Take a look at the definition from the Free Dictionary = “A boisterous festivity or celebration; merrymaking. [Middle English revelen, to carouse, from Old French reveler, to rebel, carouse, from Latin rebellāre, to rebel; see rebel.]” Goes much further than celebrating a milestone event, doesn’t it? 

Abominable idolatries = according to Quora, a detestable thing or idol, an unclean thing, an abomination, detestation. 2. Strong's definition: filth, an idolatrous object. Yet we use “idol” to denote a celebrity or a television show, right?

We do some of these things daily, without giving consideration to the fact that we should move away from them, becoming closer to what God has laid out for our lives. We should no longer live without Christ in our lives – and many of us have accepted that. In today’s world we are mocked, called hypocrites, people speak evil of them, and in some places in the world people are killed simply because they are Christians.

Peter says the people who do those things will think us strange when we don’t run around with them after accepting Christ.

When a convict finishes his time in prison, he is encouraged to stay away from the people he was running around with when he was arrested. In most cases, they were doing the same thing then – and would be doing similar when the convict is released. Going back to the same lifestyle and same friends can result in the same ending.

Lifestyle changes are necessary when we make a move. Especially when we purpose in our hearts to live our lives as followers of Christ. What we do as Christians impacts other persons’ concept of Christianity. Learning how to reflect Christ requires learning about Him. The first place to look is the Bible, the scriptures that convinced the Bereans. We have more now than they did – we have the first person accounts of men who walked with Jesus, recorded His words, saw Him die, and experienced His resurrection.

Take time to read Peter’s two books, then read John’s three, beginning now. Then go back and begin with Matthew and read the remainder. You’ll find love, He promised.

'Tis The Glory Hallelujah Jubilee

Last week I woke with one phrase – and the accompanying music, but only to that one phrase – running through my mind – “…. glory hallelujah jubilee!” No, the exclamation point isn’t in the lyrics, which I finally found, When They Ring the Golden Bells by Daniel de Marbelle.

The copyright for the CD is dated 1972. While I know I’ve had it – original cover copied for the graphic above – for decades, I’m not certain when. Only when I was gifted an iPod in 2001 and put a lot of gospel music on it did I listen to music regularly as I drove to and from work – an hour each way for the next five years.

So it’s been over ten years since I’ve played this CD – and that one line surfaced. I couldn’t even hum the whole song, couldn’t remember the rest of the lyrics, but it wouldn’t leave me until I found the CD. Of course, those words weren’t in the title, but as soon as I read that title the music came back and I could search for the full lyrics.

A very good example of what goes into our mind stays there.

Much is written about nothing being erased from the internet – but it is even more truth that nothing is erased from our memory, unless it is through traumatic brain injury. With a brain tumor, I’m well aware of that! What does go into our brain will resurface, thus the Bible has specific verses about the subject.

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (Psalms 101:3 KJV)

There are wicked things we may choose to read or watch. There are wicked things we may bring into our minds, that become part of our memory, that may come out when we least expect it.

The Bible has suggestions for what we should be taking in, and returning to others:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

It’s not necessary to ask “What would Jesus do” in any given situation when we know what He did – and we learn that from reading the Bible. We are able to choose what we do, think, or say by measuring by the verse above.

Why am I thinking about this today? Because I stopped reading a book that was not written with the above in mind. It was so vile in the first chapters that I skipped to the end to see if virtue was shown, and it was not. In what I read was no violence, no cursing, but there were several actions of the following highlighted words, including a death that was the mystery to be solved:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV)

If I take all that in, and the book does not include justice achieved, virtue exampled, or God is not praised, what have I gained? And if I speak it aloud, what is the value? Why should I have it in my memory:

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. (Matthew 15:11 KJV)

The Bible has stories about all the works of the flesh as well as the fruits of the Spirit. From King David we know about adultery, strife, and even murder – but we also have stories of truth, faith, and repentance in one man’s life story. Saul/Paul gives us hatred, strife, and murder – balanced with lots of love and good report following his meeting with the resurrected Christ. These are in my memory, and every time I read biblical stories I learn more, and am able to apply them in my own life.

All of these thoughts as a result of one remembered line that I recalled in my sleep. What are you putting in your memory  banks?

Haman's Choices

So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? (‭‭Esther‬ ‭6:6 KJV)

Haman did not have the opportunity to listen to Jesus’ explanation of choosing the least in order to be placed higher:

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14:11 KJV)

Instead, Haman’s ego was so large he believed the king was asking him to design his own honor. Don’t we fall into that same error? Narcissism is defined as “excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance.” We see narcissism in selfies, a person quite alone, admiring their own body or their acquisitions. Based on his own desires, Haman told the king what should be done to honor himself:

And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. (Esther 6:7-9 KJV)

I suggest you read the chapter – better yet, the entire book of Esther to get the whole story, but suffice it to say that Mordecai received what Haman desired for himself. Haman was the “king’s most noble” prince who delivered the horse and led the proclamation. Can you imagine his anger? Haman had, in previous verses, planned Mordecai’s death and prepared the gallows for the hanging:

And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. (Esther 6:4 KJV)

That made it convenient for the rest of Haman’s story. Get the specifics in the book, but his end was:

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. (Esther 7:10 KJV)

Most of us haven’t prepared to take another person’s life, but it is possible to damage their lives by not considering them as individuals, simply an extension of ourselves – subject to our desires, not theirs.

Our Lord has an answer for this narcissistic attitude :

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

What “things”? The ones listed in the previous chapter 6 verses. What will we eat, drink, wear; basically, what we have in life. That is added to our life when we seek first the kingdom of God. Please note that self adoration is not included. That wouldn’t happen if we paid attention to the two commandments that Jesus said were the basis for all others:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

Haman chose to elevate himself, hating Mordecai for not feeling the same way. Haman chose to honor himself, but instead walked in front of a horse, proclaiming honor to Mordecai. Haman chose to destroy Mordecai – and all Jews – but the gallows he built took his life, and those who attempted to cleanse the kingdom of Jews were themselves killed.

The Bible tells us we cannot serve two masters. If we put ourselves first, we are not serving God – which is the first and great commandment.‭‬‬

He Prayed

This graphic isn’t too different from many others showing Christ praying in Gethsemane – He’s alone and/or the disciples are sleeping. But have you read the scriptures of the time He spent in prayer there?

Let’s start in Matthew, chapter 26, verse 36 and following. Here’s what strikes me:

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (Matthew 26:36-38 KJV)

Peter, James and John – the three in the graphic above, asleep. But Jesus didn’t pray with them, He went off by Himself as He asked His Father:

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39 KJV)

Three times He prayed this prayer, three times the disciples slept. But when we read Mark from 14:32, there’s a bit more information. James and John are named, Jesus’ sorrow is said to be sorrowful unto death, and He bade them tarry while He went apart to pray:

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:35-36 KJV)

I don’t remember ever seeing a painting of Jesus prostrate on the ground praying not to die on the cross. Luke adds to this scene:

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44 KJV)

In John 17 we read of Christ’s prayer for those who follow Him, in chapter 18 we read of the betrayal by Judas, but nothing about the loneliness of praying alone a prayer that He knew God would not answer as a positive. For the plan made before the creation required that Christ would die. But only God knew that was the end of the beginning (that’s a great song, too!) and the best was yet to come.
The final part of Jesus’ prayer is where we should be when we are asking anything of God:

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42 KJV)

As it was in the example He gave earlier, just as we should pray today,

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10b KJV)

Jesus told us why God’s will should be done – it is the very best of everything for us:

. . . for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:8 KJV)
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13 KJV)

So, why did Jesus accept what God planned for mankind’s salvation:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

No, as a man Jesus did not want the humiliation of a trial where the verdict was predetermined. No, He did not want to go through the beatings that were coming. No, as a man, He could not abide the knowledge that the sins of the world required His blood.  No, He did not want to go through the torture of crucifixion.

For us, each and every one of us, He endured the cross, despised the shame, because of the joy He shares with angels:

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7 KJV)

I am a sinner, and I repented, thus creating joy in heaven. One day, through faith in God’s grace, I’ll be among those lifting my voice in joyful praise – not because Jesus died, but because of resurrection and the joyous reality that we serve a risen savior.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV)

The First Taste

Pastor’s sermon last Sunday mentioned that he has been the first to give each of his grandchildren their first taste of ice cream. Perhaps such bribery does make a difference, but I want Christians reading this to think of their first taste of fulfilled scripture. The one where you realized that John 3:16-18 and Acts 16:30-33 included you.

How did you feel when you knew you brought joy to heaven:

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7 KJV)

When I read of a person’s acceptance of Christ as savior, that’s the verse that comes to my mind. I know that person could do as Paul did before Agrippa – give a personal witness to God’s plan of salvation. In Acts 26, Paul told Agrippa what he probably already knew of Paul’s background. The he closed with the prophesies, Christ’s suffering death, and the culmination in the resurrection – proof of which changed Paul from a killer of Christians to a missionary for Christ:

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:22-23 KJV)

Agrippa missed this opportunity:

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28 KJV)

That wasn’t your answer – at least once in your life – was it Christian? You believed! Then you made that belief public in a congregation of Christians. After that you followed His example in baptism, and continued on with your life. At least I did. I forgot about the joy of our salvation. But over the years, I’ve been reminded and revived. It’s easy when we recognize we need to pray with David:

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalms 51:12 KJV)

David had lost joy through the sins of adultery, concealment, and murder – culminating in the death of his new baby son. Our sins may not appear to be as “bad”, but sinfulness is being disobedient to God. I don’t think there are categories of sinfulness, just a separation in our relationship with God when we keep our sins to ourselves.

Psalm 50 begins with David’s confession of his sinfulness:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV)

Wasn’t that first taste of joy filled with the knowledge that our sins were gone? But we have an adversary that reminds us that we did not remain sin free. That’s not enough to keep us from God. We can accept his forgiveness as we regret and leave our sin. We can pray for restoration of the joy of God’s salvation and taste again the joy spoken of so often in the Bible.

Once again we can sing with fervor “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”, not only meaning it, but taking joy in our ability to sing it and share it with others.

That’s what Christians are supposed to do:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

As Easy As A B C . . .

Our newer generations may not remember wooden blocks, but many of us actually teethed on these. They were fun to play with as well as being an introduction to education as our moms used them to spell words for us. Simple words for new learners.

Pastor used A, B, and C, as examples in his sermon Sunday – the ABCs for how to become a Christian. It is truly as easy as in the following:

A – admit our sinfulness.
B – believe on Jesus as Savior.
C – confess that openly.

All of that is confirmed through scripture. Although Jesus didn’t put the concept in specific words, He often spoke of sins and that sins were forgiven by His words. We all have them, as Paul put into words:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23 KJV)

Yes, I have. You have, too. We probably will again – sooner than we want to and probably unplanned. God knew that from creation. That knowledge was included from the beginning:

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9 KJV)

The bolding is mine – you won’t find that verse in bold font in the Bible. I want it to stand out as part of learning about God. It’s hard for us to relate to the fact that God exists outside of what we know as “time.” For us, this world – and universe – has a beginning and an end. Science spends a lot of time attempting to explain that. Until Einstein, the concept that time was relative was only a concept in a few minds. As a Christian, it should not be considered a limitation for God.

Believing in God, and Jesus as savior, is a necessity for a Christian:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18 KJV)

Yes, without this belief, please do not call yourself a Christian. Those without believing fall into verse 18. Not my words, but specific to the Bible.

Confessing our belief is next:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9 KJV)
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13 KJV)

As easy as A B C . . . but that is very limiting if that’s all you know about Christianity. Christ himself asks us to learn more:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)

We can’t simply stop after we admit, believe, and confess. We’ve only learned a small part from a few verses. There is much more and He asks that we “learn of me”, get to know God’s word and see the plans He has for mankind threaded through, from Genesis through Revelation.

What I write has no meaning without studying each verse in context for understanding. Studying with a purpose, even if it is to prove me – or God – without merit. I always welcome the opportunity to follow Peter’s admonition to Christians:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15 KJV)

They, Me, and Thee?

http://Bible.com/app

Feel free to click on the graphic to reach YouVersion.com, which will explain their products, planning, or click on Bible.com to see sign in (or create an account) to learn much, much more.

I belong to a variety of groups that pray, and a couple of them read Bible lessons in the YouVersion app. There are literally hundreds of subjects, most include a devotional, specific verses that apply to the devotional, and some that allows notes shared with other readers.

That’s one of the things I’ve come to enjoy – reading the same things the same day as a number of other people, then reading their thoughts on the theme and verses they’ve just finished.  Nope – I won’t share what we did with you now. But, if you wish to become friends in the YouVersion app, I’d be happy to share thoughts with you and read yours.

Right now, I have more than one reading plan I’m doing daily. One is long term, 89 days looking at doctrines specific to Christianity and where they are found in the Bible. It’s a good study and we have Jesus as our example:

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:16-21 KJV) (Bolding is my way of calling attention)

Jesus was accustomed to being in the synagogue hearing scripture read on the sabbath. He was also accustomed to reading the scriptures before the congregation. He closed the book after reading, took His seat – then told them what was read was prophecy and it was fulfilled right then. Wow, wouldn’t it have been wonderful to hear that? Guess not so much, for the neighbors.

And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. (Luke 4:22-24 KJV)

They were no more interested in hearing Scripture than they were to hear it was fulfilled. What they wanted were the miracles that were done in Capernaum, not listening to scriptures. How did the people in Capernaum feel about this:

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. (Matthew 11:23-24 KJV)

Yep – they wanted the miracles, too, not the scriptures, not the fulfillment of prophecy. So what does that have to do with how I started this blog? The same thing – are we willing to read the scriptures, learn about Jesus, see what God has in mind – or are we looking for the miracles without reading God’s word about the Word of God?

We have the ability to share the scriptures with friends – literally – around the world. Within a short period of time, people I know in America, Britain, China, Demark, Ecuador – anywhere – can read exactly the same scripture I’m reading and we can all share a comment on what we’ve read.

They – my friends on YouVersion – and me – since I’ve opened a link to them – do this on a regular basis. Will Thee join us?

I Have Found . . .

Joy Unspeakable

I hope you’ve enjoyed singing this hymn – I sure do, especially the chorus. But, don’t skip over the four verses which begin “I have found . . .”

I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth every need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.

Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found the pleasure I once craved,
It is joy and peace within;
What a wondrous blessing, I am saved
From the awful gulf of sin.

I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.

I have found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll;
It is like a great o’erflowing well,
Springing up within my soul.

A Christian’s life follows the path of those “founds” – grace, pleasure, hope, joy. Only the faith is within our control, all else comes from Him. It begins with believing:

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:15-18 KJV)

Without believing, there is no studying or listening to the word of God, thus there is no faith:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (Romans 10:17 KJV)

Once we combine believing and faith, we obtain God’s grace:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

That’s one verse I urge you to take time to read in context. It sounds so easy, but it comes with responsibilities, as the next two verses show. Never leave out the following two, for they prove that Christians will do good works, but good works do not bring salvation – they are the result of believing, faith, and grace:

Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:9-10 KJV)

God’s saving grace gives us the pleasure we find in doing good works in His name, not to gain His favor, but to show we appreciate His gift.

Now we’ve looked at finding grace and pleasure, how about the next thing we find – hope:

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (1 Corinthians 15:19 KJV)

Yep – our hope can be misplaced. Take this one verse and it will appear that Christians are miserably hopeless. Remember, context! Read the surrounding verses – better yet, read the chapter – but one verse changes the picture of hopelessness:

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV)

The resurrection changes everything. Our hope is born through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not simply His teachings or that of His disciples. That’s where we find joy:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:7-9 KJV)

There we are, back to the chorus of that beautiful hymn, sing aloud (even if not in tune) that we have found grace given by our Lord, pleasure in the work set before us, hope through the resurrection of Jesus and joy unspeakable and full of glory!

Can you understand why we want to share that with our loved ones? Not to constrain their lives in any way. Not to keep them from having fun. Not to wrap them in laws that must be kept for their salvation.

Christ said there were two basic laws upon which all others – from the Exodus until now – are built:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

Is that really too much to accept – in exchange for joy unspeakable?