What We Know

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (John 1:32 KJV)

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13 KJV)

I’ve heard non-believers say that we act as if Christians know something no one else does.  We don’t – but He does and He shows us what we need to know.  Much of that comes through prayer and Bible reading.
Reading the Bible with prayer reminds me of eating meals.  We do it more than once a day, every day.  Some of the ingredients are the same time after time. We take some pasta, some meat, some sauce – and turn it into different things for different meals. When we say “Salad,” do we mean lettuce and etc., fruit, macaroni, peas and cheese?

The scriptures for us are quite similar.  We’ve been told, and Christians believe, that whether the reference is Deuteronomy 8:3 or Matthew 4:4, we are dependent upon every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

It was the Holy Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days. The reason is also given in Matthew 4 – to be tempted by Satan.  Each of the temptations began with “If”. Twice it was “if you are the Son of God you will …”  The third actually acknowledges that Satan knew He came for this world, and Satan offered it to Him, conditionally:

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Matthew 4:9 KJV)

Mankind doesn’t have to go that far.  All we have to do is ignore Christ, and so many have done so. We’ve ignored His words as He explained what is necessary to reach His Father:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)

One way, not many.  One Father, who commanded us:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 KJV)

One Lord, not many. One faith:

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV)

Jesus told us about the way, what it is like:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

The strait and narrow way is laid out for us in God’s word.  Everyone can find it.

God At Work

Do we see God at work in our lives?  Not just the prayers answered with a resounding “Yes!”, but in those with a firm “No”, or especially those with “Wait”?

Too often we set expectations with our prayers and miss what God has to offer. When it’s “Yes” we’re pleased as punch and give ourselves a pat on the back for knowing what God had in mind for us – or for receiving a reward for getting it right.  With this in mind, we look upon “No” as a failure.  If we don’t see where we’ve failed, we think God must have.  A lot of times we see “Wait” as a “No” answer, too.

Get rid of those preconceived ideas about what we think God should be doing in our lives and in our prayer life.

The concept needs to be changed from our thinking God is responding to our prayers, our requests, to understanding that we are responding to God’s will in our lives.  Don’t keep a tally of positive prayer answers to see if God is responding.  Do keep track of how we approach Him in understanding of “Thy will be done.”

The Bible tells us that God said:

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (Isaiah 45:22-23 KJV)

Christ’s followers were fully aware of this:

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:11-12 KJV)

While we may allow accountability to others here, we are all accountable to God simply because:

The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalms 24:1 KJV)

If you don’t think He’s capable of handling it without us, you don’t have a clue as to His power.  It is for our own sakes that we follow Him, not to increase or call attention to Him.  He doesn’t need us, we need Him.
As Jacob lay dying, with his sons around him, in the midst of blessing them he said:

I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD. (Genesis 49:18 KJV)

David understood that salvation:

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. (Psalms 13:5 KJV)

And there came One, as prophesied, who brought God’s salvation to us all:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9 KJV)

Peter knew this as he stood in Jerusalem, filled with the Holy Spirit, and gave God’s word to those who would listen:

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12 KJV)

That, truly, is God at work.

Jobs

Screen capture from Wikipedia.org

His life impacts us all, through products he created and the company he grew.  There are quotes abounding as his achievements are remembered.  One quote caught my eye last night:

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.

Disease brought him to this thought much too early in life – but he is so right.  There are huge choices to be be made in our lives. Not just once, but many times we come to paths that diverge.  Which way will we go?

Mr. Jobs looked around and selected Buddhism as his religion of choice.  I choose Christianity. I believe the Bible, and he did not.  I look at Christ's words, and I see compassion, commandment and judgment. I see the reasons I believe choosing Christ is choosing life. Christ gives us parables, examples of what our meeting with God will be.  All will receive acknowledgement of their actions.  I pray that I will hear:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (Matthew 25:35-36 KJV)

Those who did this for their King, without regard for recompense, were surprised at the result:

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? (Matthew 25:37-39 KJV)

They apparently did not understand, so the King explained:

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40 KJV)

Those who did not look to Him as their choice, their example, their goal, received a different response:

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels … Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Matthew 25:41, 45 KJV)

Many ignore the inescapable fact that humans die. Every one of us. We will stand before our King at least once, no matter whether we are prepared -- or not. Some choose life, many do not.  May I always remember that being a doer of His word is love, not just reading it.

Sharing Doctrine

We are studying doctrine in our Junior High Girl’s Sunday School class.  I’ve written on it several times in the past – here are a few to review at your leisure:  Doctrine, Sound Doctrine, Sound Doctrine (no there’s not an echo, same subject, different time) and Doctrinal Matters.  There are more, but no one wants to hit them all.

As homework, we’ve asked the girls to write down their creed, the summary of their particular set of beliefs representing their faith. This is the fourth week, and none have been turned in.

Yes, they are busy in junior high school – much busier for those in for their first year.  However, I want them to build an understanding not only of what they believe, but why they believe it.

It is fairly simple for young people to memorize what is given to them, repeat it back to their teachers and not understand the basics underlying what they are saying.  We teach children that way for years. They learn to accept authority. One day they will find they can think for themselves yet not understand that all that glitters is not gold.

My goal is for these young ladies to question what I teach them.  To seek the answers beyond lessons spoke and find whether what I say has basis in God’s word.

There are very good orators out there whose messages sound very good, yet not doctrinally sound.  There are scholars who have questioned scriptures and found reason to deny them. I cannot question their reasoning nor their motive, but I pray I can instill a desire for these young ladies to seek answers through God’s word and prayer, as exampled in the suggested memory verse:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

The King James Version has 53 references of ‘scripture’ or ‘scriptures’. Except for one in Daniel, they are in the New Testament and refer to the Tanakh, or what we call the Old Testament.  As part of our doctrine, we need to know why the New Testament authors referred to scriptures and we need to know why they thought prophecies were fulfilled.  We need to rightly divide the word of truth.  We need to know whether these things are so.

My favorite preachers give the gospel message – Jesus, Christ, was given by God to provide salvation through His mercy and grace for all mankind – and explain the consequences of denying His gift.  For me, there is but one testament, from Eden through today, that God is open to and waiting for each one to make the decision to follow His instructions.  A wise man once told anyone who would read and heed:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV)

Centuries later another affirmed:

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:3 KJV)

That’s Him

Some time ago I wrote that He left it all.  He did not bring a robe, not a crown, not ten thousand bowing down, not a piece of jasper wall – He left it all.

But, that’s not the rest of the story.  The separation from other religions is resurrection – and the time He spent with his disciples after the resurrection.  That is what makes Christians different.

Yet, that’s still not the rest of the story, either. Those ten thousand bowing down were but a handful.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:11-12 KJV)

That’s Him.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (Revelation 19:11-12 KJV)

That’s Him.

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16 KJV)

Oh, yes, that’s Him!

My Lord spent time on a cross and His earthly body died.  He did not. He lives, even as He told us Himself:

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. (Luke 20:38 KJV)

The Lord, our Lord, is one – and He lives. Of great importance to each of us is whether or not our names are included the Lamb’s Book of Life.  The Bible tells us so.

Where Did You Learn About Religion?

Every once in a while I wonder where people get their ideas about Christianity.  Often, online, I read where people write very derogatory things about Christians as a whole.  Some are personal experiences, some based on their view of historic events. How is religion viewed?

Muslims throw up the thousand-year-old crusades from western Europe as though it happened yesterday.  Christians have 9/11, which relatively speaking was yesterday.  Atheists look at both and see only animosity in them and other religions.

I read this on another website -- a comment left by a reader on a Christian blog about love:

"I don't need to read you, because if you love your God you have to love to everybody,"

I’m not sure what was meant by the sentence, but the author certainly had gained some knowledge of, and made a decision about, a Christian’s God. I wonder where that knowledge was gained, and I wonder about my reader’s.  Some state they have read God’s word, others state it has no value for them.  What I do here every day depends on how I view what I read of His word.

I believe reading the Bible will teach us what He has in mind for mankind.  While I use and appreciate study guides and lessons, I believe reading His word in prayer provides His plans for our lives.

I first learned about the Bible from my grandmother.  My Mom and Dad were without a church home for a while, but by the time I was eleven, lessons began in earnest.  I also learned about other beliefs.  It was a part of the lessons in our congregation – it’s hard to know what one believes without understanding why it is different from others.

So I learned about other Christian denominations.  I also learned about the differences among Jews today, not just the Sadducees and Pharisees of the New Testament.  I found Islam divided, too, beyond the Shi’ite and Sunni majorities. I’ve had a copy of the Book of Mormon, and while in Taiwan had the opportunity to read Buddha’s teachings.  I’m uncertain about the polytheism of Hindu deities, though I’ve discussed some specifically with co-workers.

My Muslim co-worker told me everyone is born a Muslim, but many are led astray to wrong religions, by society, by their parents or others. So far, that’s the only religion I’m aware of that is all inclusive – for a short time.  Also, I have yet to run across a religion that accepts everyone as they are, with no change in spiritual growth.

So, my question is – where did you learn about religion?  Did you trust that source/sources as much as I trust my path?

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

That was written by a man who sought to kill Christ’s followers before they were called Christian. God’s ability to change lives is greatly evidenced in Paul’s. Those who come to Him are changed, forever.

Is It Really Funny?

A recent FB post caught my eye – and I wonder how funny these really are:

• Funny how we call God our Father and Jesus our brother, but find it hard to introduce them to our family.
• Funny how long it takes to serve God for an hour, but how quickly a team plays 60 minutes of basketball.
• Funny how hard it is to read a chapter in the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a best selling novel.
• Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, or to think, or to say, or do anything.
• Funny how so many churchgoers sing "Standing on the Promises" but all they do is sit on the premises.
• Funny how people want God to answer their prayers, but refuse to listen to His counsel.
• Funny how people think they are going to Heaven, but don't think there is a Hell.

Let’s take a short survey and find out if any of the above appears to be ‘funny’ in relation to our lives.
Do we speak of the time we spend with our Father in prayer?

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9 KJV)

Or do we just expect they’ll see us in church.  Oh, do we go to church?

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, (Hebrews 10:25a KJV)

Do we find Bible verses hard to take, and the pastor one who steps on toes? Well, Peter thought Paul’s were hard, too:

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV)

As for that heaven/hell bit – Jesus spoke of its existence, and of some headed there:

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matthew 23:33 KJV)

Thanks be to God that He also gave us the answer to that very question:

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15 KJV)

Revelation 22 describes the Tree of Life, beside the River of Life.  Take time to make your arrangements to picnic with me there during eternity.