Who Do We Listen To?

This graphic is “Peter the Hermit Preaching the First Crusade,” a painting by James Archer,  from Cassell's History of England, Vol. I. It is told that he wanted to go to Jerusalem, but was prevented by Muslims who controlled the Middle East. There is no proof of that, but what is certain was his ability to gather a crowd and preach. Historians are said to "agree that thousand of peasants eagerly took the cross at his bidding." He wasn't alone in the objective. For close to two hundred years, men fought to make what they considered the Holy Land to be under Christian control. Their problem - from my point of view - is there is no biblical reason for doing so.

Take time to read the entire Bible, specific studies in the New Testament, and you will not find one single command where Jesus or His followers were commanded by God to do anything with Jerusalem. We are living today, a thousand years later, with people who hate Christians because of the Crusades.

There are preachers today who are very good orators, but are not preaching God’s message. Jesus defined them:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Matthew 7:15-16 KJV)

What awaits those who lead people away from the faith? I believe it is laid out clearly in:

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)

Please take time to read the previous chapter, and the verses following these two. Then read Matthew 6 and Mark 9, the two other references to Jesus’ teaching of leading God’s children away. Then consider what would be worse than being cast into the ocean with a millstone around the neck. I cannot believe God will accept good intentions exist for offending someone in His name.

How do we tell the difference? Don’t these men claim they come from God? Aren’t they saying they are doing God’s will? And the answer is yes – but we have a guideline to use when hearing someone speak of doing God’s will. The Bible test is an awesome way to understand who is the ravening wolf.

1 – Do they preach what Jesus preached in the Bible?

Just as I ask you to do here, look at the verse to be certain it says what you are being told it says. Sometimes verses are taken out of context and while they apply to a specific situation that is mentioned one time, they do not apply elsewhere. What God told Noah to do cannot be repeated. The Bible tells us so.

2 – Is the translation is correct?

How can we tell without learning Hebrew and Greek? Well, that’s not a bad idea, but few of us have the time or interest. There are some good literal translations, I had one until I loaned it to a ravening wolf who did lead people astray. Once you meet such a man, it becomes easier to recognize others. Compare translations. I’d suggest starting with King James Version for your base comparison, then check why there would be a difference in understanding with any other version.

3 – Do they glorify God and accept Jesus as His son?

If not, this is neither a Christian nor biblical. No other question needs to be asked. The name Christian was first applied to followers of Jesus and was used first in Antioch (Acts 11:26). The only other time the word is used in the Bible is when Agrippa tells Paul he was almost persuaded to be  one (Acts 26:28), so it’s not as important as faith.

4 – Do they preach saved by faith?

Huge big deal! Read everything Jesus is quoted as saying in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – then decide if these two scriptures are correct:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31 KJV)

And I’ve run out of time and space before discussing why being “saved” makes a difference. Maybe tomorrow?

Blessed Feet And Very Beautiful

Aren’t those feet beautiful, even when there are no shoes on them?

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:13-15 KJV)

I know the man who walks upon these feet.  I’ve seen a similar photo every so often because he can replace his shoes, and the people he serves cannot. He is a missionary to the homeless.  He could be in any city near you, but he’s geographically close to us and part of his financial support comes from our church. All of his spiritual support comes from our Lord. And our Lord hears many prayers in support of His work through this man who lives a biblical admonition:

. . .  him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. (Luke 6:29b KJV)

I’ve known this missionary long enough to understand how strong is faith is. When he spoke about his mission field, we heard the love he had for the homeless. We’ve been blessed to help him reach out with sacks from our ladies support group that held snacks; our church has provided clothing; we’ve taken special offerings for specific requests.

We saw another church actually donate a building! A community where the previous congregation either moved away, or died, became “Homeless No More”, where food is provided on Sunday, plus “Biscuits and Bibles” Wednesday mornings. These combine with a Saturday outreach where clothing is made available to those in need – which sometimes include the very shoes on the missionary’s feet. It doesn’t stop there. I also have a photo of his wife’s stocking feet – she is just as involved as her husband.

They do this because they believe what the Bible says:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?

And, they believe they are called to do it. They are part of the body of Christ, different people doing different things:

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. . . .  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (1 Corinthians 12:1, 6 KJV)

Not many are called to do the preaching, but we are all called to do the teaching – to share what we’ve learned to people we love, and we are to love everyone:

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22:39 KJV)

We aren’t given a choice to pick and choose who we are to love. God requires that we love everyone and show it in action:

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18 KJV)

Frankly, that is difficult in our current world. There have been times in history that it was even more difficult, but there isn’t a verse that says “. . . love everyone except . . .” We don’t get to pick and choose who we must see as a soul, a person receiving God’s love.

How do we reach those we cannot see as lovable? The change much come from ourselves, and the easiest way is to pray for them. Yes – pray for blessings from God for people you can’t stand to be around. Pray for their relationship to God. Pray they will see God’s work around them, and that they see His love in their lives. Even when they have been damaging to you:

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28 KJV)

If you don’t, it’s hard to see God’s love in ourselves. The Bible tells us so:

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. (Luke 6:32-33 KJV)

Is it easy? It hasn’t been for me, for certain. There are people who seem to be impossible for even God to love since He is said to hate sinfulness. Not our call, is it? We’re told to pray for them. Join me in such prayer, and be a child of God:

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  (Luke 6:35-36 KJV)

Such A Time As This

I have several thoughts running on a parallel line this morning, and all have to do with the Bible. Most come from Sunday morning’s service where our Pastor spoke from several verses, most in II Timothy, but he started in Psalms 119:9. My eyes landed on:

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11 KJV)

An excellent reason for Bible reading – and retaining verses to use as guideposts in life. As Pastor described it, the “word” is a couple of things. First, John defines it for us:

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)

Jesus, the Christ, is God’s Word. That is exactly what John was describing. Are you also familiar with the full armor of God? Review it in Ephesians 6:13-20, while paying attention to one specific verse:

. . .  and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17 KJV)

Yes – the very word of God, which is sharper than a two-edged sword and a discerner of thoughts and intents. Yes, the Spirit knows the very intent of our thoughts, not simply what we say. The Spirit knows why I am typing this – and why you are reading it. The results should be a better understanding of what God has in mind for us during such a time as this. A perilous time we are living through that matches scripture in II Timothy 3.

Are we prepared to do God’s will during these perilous times? They certainly aren’t the first in the world. Our Youth Minister spoke of Esther this morning, reading Mordecai’s words:

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 KJV)

Our example for what to do is Jesus. We should not ask “What would Jesus do,” we need to read what Jesus did and follow His example, not doing what appears to be right in our own eyes. Yes, that should sound familiar. There are several verses with that phrase – I believe this one most appropriate:

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. (Proverbs 21:2 KJV)

What did Jesus do? I wrote of that just recently in earlier blogs, “Walk With Me For A While” and “Talk With Me For A While.” Look for what Jesus did, and emulate Him, as a young man did in Decatur, Texas, Sunday afternoon, as one witness wrote:

I witnessed a young man so bold and strong in his faith standing out by himself holding a sign that said “ALL LIVES MATTER TO JESUS CHRIST” I saw his own peers trying to get him to cross that line to go to the protesters side, but he stood fast in his stance and beliefs and love for ALL LIVES. He pointed to each one of them and told them he loved them. Sure at first they yelled back at him angry, but I stood and watched as he kept on and he broke their walls down. They started to yell back they loved him. Then THEY came to HIM and hugged HIM. AMAZING!! This young man is so full on fire for God he asked everyone to come and pray with him and he gathered around 15 people and he said one of the mightiest prayers that would probably put grown men to shame.

Decatur is a country county seat. A citizen had to drum up business for a protest march, and there were definitely differing opinions. It could have caused hard feelings – but there were some people there teaching what Jesus told us to teach to all nations.

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)

Share what Jesus did when we walked this earth just as we do – with pain, anger, injustice, but created and filled with God’s love. What we do with our time here determines our eternity – even in such a time as this.

Do You See That Light?

This photo does not belong to me. Please do not copy or download the graphic. The copyright belongs to the picture taker. She took more than one shot of the light.  I can assure you they were on her phone, as taken, untouched by any editing software.

What are the odds of sunlight coming through a cloudy day to reach down to a single grave? How often have you seen such a photo. It struck me due to the specificity, and I asked if I might use it in a blog. The photographer kindly gave permission. She and I hold a belief that God speaks to us in many ways.

One way is as the light of the world:

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 1:4-5 KJV)

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5 KJV)

The more you read about Him in the Bible, the more you can understand how appropriate it is that He tells us that He is the light. As long as H was in the world.  Then, He left this world, and left people to continue the work:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14,16 KJV)

I’d like to send you to to John’s seventeenth chapter, where Jesus is praying prior to His betrayal. The Pulpit Commentary says this about the passage to show it was not conceived by a disciple:

The author of the Gospel does, however, draw rather upon his memory of that night than upon his philosophical imagination for a passage which surpasses all literature in its setting forth the identity of being and power and love in the twofold personality of the God-Man. We are brought by it to the mercy-seat, into the heaven of heavens, to the very heart of God; and we find there a presentation of the most mysterious and incomprehensible love to the human race, embodied in the Person, enshrined in the words, of the only begotten Son.

In verses 20, we know who is the subject of the prayer, and in verse 21 we are given the “Why?”:

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:20-21 KJV)

If you choose to believe in Him, you’ve been prayed for centuries ago. Even better than that:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26 KJV)

We have an intercessor that never tires, always available, and able to speak for us when we don’t have words or have no idea what to say. He planned it that way, knowing He was going to tell us to:

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV)

And we were to do that with thanksgiving:

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 5:20 KJV)

That’s hard to do. Right now it’s hard to give thanks for what is happening in our nation, and often as hard to give thanks for what is going on in our own lives. But we are told to pray without ceasing and give thanks for all things. How is that possible?

It is possible because we can see the light of the world. And every once in a while, God sends a reminder that His light still shines in this world. Not everyone will catch a glimpse of it because they do not accept its existence:

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV)

My deepest concern is for people I know – and love -  who state they do not believe. They deny the existence of any god, denying one that love us as well as one that fights Him. They have heard the message. Almost every one on the planet has. It should concern Christians, and we should pray for them if only because we also believe:

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44 KJV)

Team Work

That graphic makes me think of:

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJV)

But, once again, it’s not a good idea to one verse out of context. First, remember that this book is attributed to Solomon, and it begins with a sense of emptiness, figuratively something transitory and unsatisfactory. That’s obvious in the first chapter, and here’s an exemple of other verses;

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9 KJV)

What I like about verse 4:12 is that it is in response to:

There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. (Ecclesiastes 4:8 KJV)

I’ve read Mark Shield’s quote “There is always strength in numbers,” but it only proves Solomon’s verse 1:9. That isn’t a new concept. A threefold cord is stronger than one or two.

I’ve seen references to this verse being used in weddings – a bride and groom gather greater strength with God in their marriage. That is a truth. But I really doubt that was Solomon’s base for the verse. He had already broken God’s picture for marriage of one husband, one wife. He is known today for 700 wives and 300 concubines. I can promise you there was no strength in numbers for Solomon in those numbers. And I can only wonder if they were able to give strength to each other, instead creating division.

Having three – or more – people of the same mind working on a single project/concept can provide strength, if they are of one mind. The more people involved, the greater opportunity for diversion, and diversity of goals is opportunity for failure.

God knows more about the nature of mankind that we do. He not only created us, he gave us the ability to make our own decisions. He also knows that created dissention with the first of His creations and a third of them chose to be out of His presence. Portions of mankind make that same choice, freely, happily, in our world today. We know what the Psalmist said about them (and many of us agree):

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Psalms 14:1 KJV)

Other of His creations know there is a God:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19 KJV)

What we need to decide for ourselves is not only whether we believe God, but if we will place faith in His abilities as we learn of them. One of the suggestions He makes is:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV)

If we do become part of a team – whether that is marriage, work, society, entertainment, church, or any activity that includes us – we need to know what we are joining. No, I’m not going to make a list – it would be different from your list and the Bible has ample examples. So, my suggestion goes back to last Sunday’s message from our Youth Director – pass the choice through scripture tests. God gave us scriptures for our use. II Timothy 3:16-18 gives the why and the type of work that is needed.

Let me give you one more reference – one I use again and again – about how to use scriptures. It’s what I mean when I say “Be a Berean”:

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. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:11-12 KJV)

Remember – those scriptures were much shorter that what we have today. The Apostles had not begun to write the New Testament. They were still talking to people face to face. Go ahead, try it. It is not only survivable, but people can accept the offer to learn more. It will apply for you, too.

Talk With Me For A While

That verse does not speak of the diversity of mankind, but the selection of one man to lead a nation. Yet it expresses where God sees what a man really is like – within him, not what is seen. What Samuel saw was a lad, ruddy in complexion, incapable of leading a nation. He still appeared that way to his companions when he went to fight Goliath.

The outward appearance has become the definition of a person. What was an admonish and then a book when I was beginning a career has become a world wide movement to Dress For Success. We are very concerned about how a person looks, aren’t we.

We’ve seen the before/after pictures of meth users. Some of these have been taken in our own families. The outward appearance here shows definite inward changes, but it doesn’t show the heart of a person who would like to renew themselves. God sees that, too.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10 KJV)

This Psalm is one of the most powerful stories when we know all of David’s life. He took a woman, had her husband killed, and lost his child in a relatively short time. Yet, it’s not to her he confesses:

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 51:3-4 KJV)

His relationship with God was damaged.

We do that, too, though seldom to the point of causing someone’s death, but we can’t be certain what the consequences are of our sins, can we? The worse possible consequence (in my opinion) would be the failure of a person’s understanding eternal consequences. That person’s loss because of our action – or inaction – has eternal consequences. Jesus described how bad it was:

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (Matthew 18:6-7 KJV)

We cannot control any other person than ourselves. Much happens to us that is beyond our control – but we can always control our response. The best way to do that is scripturally. Sunday our Youth Minister gave eight items for us to consider when we are making decisions. Had David followed scripture, he would not have sent for Bathsheba and the world would be different today. Perhaps not better, but certainly different.

The first item (hopefully I will get to others in following days) is: Does it pass the scripture test?

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

That tells us the source of scripture – God. Tell us what it is good for – doctrine, reproof, instruction, righteousness. The next verse tells us the end result of using this correctly:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17 KJV)

Yes – having the knowledge isn’t sufficient. There must be works. Another disciple concurred:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:19-20 KJV)

For Christians – followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ – it is necessary to learn of Him, speak to Him, listen to Him, and respond to His commands. Never forget that all He taught are based on two commandments I included yesterday and so often in the years before:

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)

Walk With Me For A While

The above is detail from a photograph on a site I visit off and on. Click on the graphic and you will see the full picture. It’s just about my favorite on Journeys With The Messiah, but each photograph there shows Jesus interacting with people, in person, face to face, as He did with others. We know this because several of those interactions were written by men who followed Him and strove to be the example to others that He was to them.

Too many people see Him as a rebel that failed to change the world. Yet they, too, want to lead a group to rebel without understanding who He is and why He lived. Take time to do as He asked:

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 11:29-30 KJV)

To do that means to read what Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, and Jude wrote about Him – compiled in what we call the New Testament. Of course, that’s assuming Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, which I accept and some scholars don’t. In fact, there are intellectual theologists who to this day question whether or not Jesus lived. If you want controversy, it exists in studying Christianity.

So does great peace. It is described as passing our understanding. One man called it the opiate of the masses. I regret that he never found peace and often took it from others. However, back to the rebellious Jesus so many would like for us to see.

Those who see Jesus as rebellious wish to rebel against religion, too, but He didn’t. They will point to His driving money-changers from the temple:

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12-13 KJV)

Some might like John’s description better where He:

. . .  made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; . . . (John 2:15)

Instead of rebelling against religious, Jesus confirmed what God said in what we call the Old Testament, God’s call for Jews to carry His word and obey His commandments. Jesus confirmed this in what I see as my favorite verses regarding God’s commandments to men:

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 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 22:35-40 KJV)

Everything Jesus said and everything that He did hinges on these two commandments. My challenge to you is to read the Bible and verify that He lived what He called us to do. That He did so without being rebellious to mankind or to God. That can be verified with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Then read the books about His followers after His death and see if the men who chose to live by His words not only did so, but carried out His final request:

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)