tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327983552024-03-04T20:44:17.198-08:00The Way of God in TruthMat 22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men.Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-54484435898341575542011-10-06T09:09:00.000-07:002011-10-06T09:09:06.768-07:00I Never Thought I'd See The Day When Jesus Would Be So Profaned [Transcript included]Tomorrow, October 4, 2011 is the date for release of Dr. David Jeremiah's new book, <a href="http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/nsd/home.aspx"><strong><em>I Never Thought I'd See The Day - Culture at the Crossroads</em></strong></a>. I already pre-ordered my book so I hope it arrives tomorrow! Meanwhile, I have thoroughly enjoyed the first three broadcasts on Turning Point T.V., and highly recommend this series.<br />
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The three broadcasts are available for viewing at <a href="http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/television.aspx">David Jeremiah.org</a> or they can also be seen at <a href="http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/turning-point/i-never-thought-id-see-the-day-when-jesus-would-be-so-profaned-221587.html">LightSource.com</a>. At the beginning of the video, you will see short presentation of The Account - which is Dr. Jeremiah's way to explain the campaign for moral change that started back in the 1960's - through a public relations campaign for a particular "client."<br />
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Excerpt:<br />
<blockquote><strong>Not long ago in America, Jesus Christ was honored and respected as the One worshipped by the majority of citizens. But today Jesus and His name are profaned throughout our culture, especially in entertainment. Once Jesus is known for who He is, profanity will turn to praise.</strong> <br />
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</blockquote>Yesterday's broadcast entitled <i>When Jesus Would Be So Profaned</i> brought back to my memory the post I shared back on September 19th - <a href="http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2011/09/paganism-of-lbgqt-agenda.html">The Paganism of the LBGQT Agenda</a> Within the post, I had a cut and paste link to a blog that exposed one of the most vile demonstrations of profanity against Jesus Christ that I have ever seen. <br />
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During Dr. Jeremiah's sermon, he stated, quite emphatically, that the example he shared (Stephen Colbert's show which included both mockery of Christ and the act of receiving communion) was without doubt one example of utter blasphemy against Jesus Christ that saddened and angered all of us . But Dr. Jeremiah confessed that he was unable to show the utterly disgusting examples he found via the Internet. Perhaps he also saw what I did at that homosexual event in San Francisco.<br />
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This sermon was so awesome that I am compelled to work on transcribing it here. That way, when anyone does a search for Dr. Jeremiah's book and ends up visiting here, they can not only click over to view the video presentation, but also read the powerful biblical message that Dr. Jeremiah presents about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!<br />
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It is for this very reason that my blog, Talk Wisdom exists:<br />
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<blockquote><b>Talk Wisdom's goal is to defend the tenets and values of Biblical Christian faith. We defend our Constitutional Republic and Charters of Freedom, especially when speaking out against destructive social and political issues. As followers of our Savior and Lord, we should boldly stand up for Jesus Christ in our present circumstances. He is our Savior, Lord, and King, and His love needs to be shed abroad in our hearts and in our world - now.</b></blockquote><br />
We must continually pray for the lost. We must pray that their mocking would turn to worship once they know about the REAL Jesus!<br />
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Again, don't miss this opportunity to learn about <a href="http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/turning-point/i-never-thought-id-see-the-day-when-jesus-would-be-so-profaned-221587.html">THE REAL JESUS!</a><br />
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Transcript will be forthcoming as time permits. The following outline will assist you in searching for the Scriptures mentioned during the video sermon presentation.<br />
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I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THE DAY<br />
Dr. David Jeremiah<br />
“When Jesus Would Be So Profaned”<br />
Hebrews 1:1-3<br />
October 2, 2011<br />
Hebrews 8:1<br />
I. Jesus: The Final Word From God<br />
Hebrews 1:1-2<br />
John 1:1<br />
II. Jesus: The First Cause of Creation<br />
Genesis 1:1<br />
Hebrews 1:2<br />
John 1:1-3<br />
Colossians 1:16<br />
III. Jesus: The Fullness of the Godhead<br />
Hebrews 1:3<br />
Colossians 1:19<br />
John 1:18<br />
1 Timothy 3:16<br />
John 14:9<br />
Hebrews 1:8<br />
IV. Jesus: The Facilitator of All Things<br />
Hebrews 1:3<br />
Colossians 1:17<br />
V. Jesus: The Forgiveness of Our Sins<br />
Hebrews 1:3<br />
Hebrews 9:25-26<br />
VI. Jesus: The Finisher of Our Faith<br />
Hebrews 1:3<br />
Hebrews 12:2<br />
VII. Jesus: Our Faithful High Priest<br />
Hebrews 2:17-18<br />
Hebrews 4:15<br />
John 14:6<br />
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Hat tips to all links.<br />
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*******<br />
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Transcript:<br />
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Question: How Do You Picture Jesus?<br />
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Dr. Jeremiah: The way people view Jesus in America has changed dramatically. Jesus has gone from the revered Son of God, to the subject of ridicule and jokes. I'm David Jeremiah welcoming you to the third part in a series called <i>"I Never Thought I'd See The Day: Culture at the Crossroads."</i> Today's message, "I Never Thought I'd See The Day When Jesus Would Be So Profaned" focuses on how our modern culture views Jesus Christ. In today's world, many people give Jesus Christ less respect than any other religious leader. And unless Christians aren't careful, they will find themselves in a culture where they treat their Savior with shocking disrespect, something I have rarely seen before. But if we present the picture of Jesus Christ presented in the book of Hebrews, we will see Him as He truly is. That biblical picture is coming up on today's edition of Turning Point. <br />
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Chorus: I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee, Oh oh Lord. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there is just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Let all heaven and earth proclaim. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away. But there is something about that name. <br />
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Dr. Jeremiah: I have been in ministry four decades and over that time I have seen incredible changes in our world. Some developments have been beneficial, but others have taken our culture away from it's spiritual and moral foundations. In my latest book, <i>I Never Thought I'd See The Day</i>, I discuss some of the ways our moral values have declined and most importantly, how we as Christians can reverse this downward spiral.<br />
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Dr. Jeremiah: Stephen Colbert, who is the host of Comedy Central T.V. show The Colbert Report, spoofed a controversial ad designed for television that was about the Doritos brand of corn chips. In 2010, the makers of the Doritos product created a contest to choose a video commercial that would be shown sometime during the 2011 Superbowl. The commercial spoofed by Colbert was one of the entries received by Doritos though it was not chosen and did not air during the Superbowl. Nonetheless, it was picked up by various websites and ultimately spoofed on the Colbert Report. In the commercial, a priest is worried about how to boost attendance in his church. As he is praying for ideas heaven reveals the solution. Replace the bread or communion wafers in the service with Doritos. <br />
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[Audience groans]<br />
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After the commercial didn't air, Stephen Colbert decided to spoof it on his T.V. show. I will read this to you with the caveat up front that it almost made me cry and I'm sure it will have the same effect on some of you. <br />
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<blockquote>Colbert begins, "Now folks, I may be a devout Catholic."</blockquote> And the audience cheers and laughs. He pulls out a bag of Doritos nacho chips from beneath his desk.<br />
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<blockquote> "I know that Eucharist is usually bread, but through transubstantiation, it becomes the body of Christ. So I honestly can't understand why Jesus can't be a Dorito. Doritos are unleavened and after all, He did "snackrafice" Himself for us and our sins. And remember at the Last Supper according to Mark 14:20, Jesus said he would be betrayed by one of the twelve - the one who dips with me in the bowl."</blockquote> Once again, there is audience laughter and an image of the Bible and the text of Mark 14:20 appears on the screen. <br />
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<blockquote>"They had dip," said Colbert, "therefore Jesus was a chip. Everybody knows the Catholic Church could use a little extra scratch right now. What better way than product placement. Next Wednesday, we can all get our foreheads marked with Dorito dust. For the right price, there is no reason why people can't be baptized in Mountain Dew. That would be the most extreme baptism ever. Once and for all, it would show Islam which religion is more radical."</blockquote><br />
Dr. Jeremiah: Unless you saw Colbert's commercial spoof on his show or on another website, you probably didn't hear much about equating Jesus with a corn chip, or about the saying, "he snackrificed Himself for our sins." Indeed, incorporating Jesus Christ into profane situations here in America is so common that it hardly gains any attention anymore. Never before has the biblical portrayal of Christ been so foreign to our culture. <br />
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In fashion, He appears on Urban Outfitters as "Jesus is my homeboy" tee shirts. On television he often appears in the animated shows of The Simpsons and South Park. On the big screen he has been the subject of The DaVinci Code. In a 2010 interview, Elton John provocatively stated that Jesus "was a compassionate, super intelligent gay man that understood human problems." Renowned atheist Richard Dawkins claimed that "reborn Jesus would gladly wear an <em>atheist for Jesus</em> tee shirt today and "we owe Jesus the honor of separating the genuinely original and radical ethics that he held from the supernatural nonsense which he espoused as a man of his time."<br />
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In their book, "<em>Dethroning Jesus</em>," - opposing biblical scholars popular views of Christ - scholars Daryl Bouk and Daniel Wallace claim that the popular view of Jesus today is not of biblical Christianity, it is "Jesusanity." <em>Jesusanity</em> is a coined term for the alternative story about Jesus Christ. At the center of the story is still Jesus, but Jesus as a prophet or teacher of religious wisdom. His role is one of teacher, guide, or example. Jesus' special insight is into the human condition, and the enlightenment he brings to it. In this story, the key is that Jesus inspires others but there is no throne for Jesus. He is one among many; the best perhaps, and certainly one we can learn from and follow. I never thought I'd see the day in America where Jesus Christ was fair game for comedians and commercial entrepreneurs. Especially those who profess to believe in Him, like the self-professed Catholic Stephen Colbert. My point is not to pick him out and criticize him above the others because he is actually one of the more tell-able stories in this report. Some of the material that I gained in my research I would never tell or speak of because it is so profane and vile. <br />
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The point is how easy it is for us Christians to get squeezed into the mold if we are not constantly filtering what we find entertaining and at whose expense. <br />
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Someone did some homework on the Colbert Report and said in the months just before the episode where I cited there were 1.2 million viewers of that program. And, according to an ABC Beliefnet poll, 83% of Americans say they are Christians I know that's an inflated number and I know that's not true but that is what they claim. So that means that 83% of the 1.2 million viewers of the Colbert program that night saw what I told you about. Using these unscientific numbers let me ask you why nobody ever said anything about it and you never heard about it, and it never got in the news? It went nowhere. If that's true then somewhere around 800,000 Christian people heard Colbert do that. We are so tolerant these days and so afraid of criticism we let it go by and we never raised our voice. <br />
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The Jesus that we need to know will not be found in the secular media. John Piper said that the degree to which the church is trained to distrust the Jesus of the gospels and to look for ever new human creations of Christ, the real Jesus will be blurred and his power to break free from the unbiblical traditions that bind him will be blunted. <br />
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Some of you know what "muzak" is. It is elevator music. It is the music that plays in elevators that you don't even know about until you stop and think - oh, there is music playing. When you are in an elevator alone, there is some music playing. It is background music. It plays in elevators and malls, and in department stores. It sort of just gets into your consciousness without an invitation. Elevator music is always there so we don't pay to much attention to it. But our subconscious mind takes it in. <br />
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Cultural messages like the one I just told you that tends to be tolerated is like background music. Little by little it tends to slip into the consciousness of Christian Americans. It is like cultural noise, whether its in our lives from a late night comedian or whether it's from a pastor of a mega church, or it's in the news from the media, or from a new leader of a mainline denomination. Messages about Jesus are always screaming into our heads. And if we are not careful, those messages like a silently stored song, subconsciously change the way we think about the Jesus who is our Savior. <br />
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In the midst of this sordid view of Jesus Christ in our culture we have the Bible. And in the Bible, we have the New Testament. And in the New Testament we have the book of Hebrews. And I don't know if you know this, but there is more about Jesus in the book of Hebrews than in any New Testament book except the four gospels. If you want to know about Jesus, obviously, read the four gospels. If you want to know even more about Jesus, read the book of Hebrews. For the book of Hebrews is all about Jesus Christ.<br />
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Hebrews was written to a group of first century Christians, most of whom had been saved out of Judaism. Many of them had been exposed to the danger of giving up. They were under great pressure, having been ridiculed and persecuted by their families for having turned from Judaism to Jesus Christ. Many had accepted this adversity joyfully but others were ready to quit. So the letter of Hebrews appeals to these believers to keep their faith anchored in truth and confident in Christ. And the writer of Hebrews, whose identity we do not know, teaches us that no believer can cope with adversity unless Christ fills his horizons and sharpens his priorities and dominates his experiences. <br />
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And more importantly from a theological perspective, Hebrews is the only book that begins with the word God. Did you know that? It's the only one. Now, in the Greek it's not like that. For some reason, God caused the book to be translated into English so that the first word in the book of Hebrews is God. Most other books begin with the name of the human writer, Paul, Peter, or John. But, we do not know who the writer of Hebrews was so it begins with God. We have to allow Him to be the writer, right? God is the writer of Hebrews, as He is of all the other books. And the theme of Hebrews, as I have mentioned, is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the one that these young Hebrew Christians need to know. He's the one they needed to wrap their lives around. Only Jesus Christ, in a full orbed [Note: means "emblem of sovereignty" in this context] understanding of who He was could get them through the difficulties they were facing. And, my friends, I think that is true of our world today. I believe as Christians we get our thoughts and our minds on a lot of things and we turn away from Christ, and we wonder why we are having such a difficult time. <br />
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Jesus Christ is the one who has promised to be closer to us than a brother and keep us in the midst of every situation. And just as the Hebrew Christians needed Christ we today need Christ in our lives - not as just our Savior, but as the constant friend and companion in our lives. Not every book is so up front about what it's about, but if you turn to the eighth chapter of the book of Hebrews you will discover what this book is about. <br />
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This is what it says in Hebrews 8:1 (NKJV) Now <em>this is</em> the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.<br />
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That is what the book of Hebrews is about. It's about Jesus! In the book of Hebrews, we learn that Jesus is better. He's better than everything. He's better than the angels. He's better than Moses. He's better than Joshua. He's better than the old covenant. He's better than the priests. In fact, the word <i>better</i>is in Hebrews thirteen times! Jesus is better!<br />
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I remember reading a book some years ago by Max Lucado, and he was talking about Hebrews. He said, "the best just got better has become the favorite slogan. It's not because the previous product was poor, it's just that the current one is superior." <br />
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The book of Hebrews might well use the same slogan. The best just got better. Here in the first few pages of the book of Hebrews is the REAL Jesus. And I think that instead of spending our whole time railing on the world's comprehension of who Jesus is, we do well to focus our attention on what the Bible says about him. You know, there is an old adage that when you are trying to figure out whether a bill is counterfeit - don't study the counterfeit bill - study the real bill. When you know what that looks like, you will spot a counterfeit bill wherever you go! It's easy. <br />
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So we need to get back to knowing who Jesus is, according to the Scripture. Now in the first three chapters of Hebrews we learn several; things about him and I'm just going to take you through this because I'm so excited about preaching Hebrews because I get to teach about Jesus straight on. You know I preach about Jesus all the time but he is kind of like in the places between other things. But when you teach Hebrews, Jesus is the focus of every lesson. First of all, Jesus is the final word from God. <br />
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In Hebrews 1:1-2a:<br />
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<blockquote>Hbr 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, <br />
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Hbr 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by [His] Son...</blockquote><br />
Now watch carefully what that says. That says that in the Old Testament, God spoke in various ways and in various times. He spoke to Adam a little bit, He spoke to Moses a little bit, He spoke to Abraham a little bit. He spoke to David and to Solomon here and there. He spoke in various seasons; from Moses in the Pentateuch all the way through the prophets ending with the book of Malachi. But listen, He never spoke <i><b>it all</b></i> to any one person or at any one time. So, it what "here a little" and "there a little" and we are blessed because we have the collection of what He said to all of them. But, there was never a time in the Old Testament where there was a full orbed, final word from God! But when you come to the New Testament we are told, "but in these last days he [God] has spoken unto us by His Son..." (Hebrews 1:2 NIV). We know that one of the titles of Jesus is He is the Word. In the beginning was the Word. Jesus is God's last word to man. When Jesus came into his place on this earth, he was simply God walking around in a body. When God wanted to communicate who He was to us, He took Deity and poured it into humanity. This is who I Am and Jesus walked upon this earth! <br />
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[audience applauds]<br />
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So Jesus is God's final word to man. If you are looking for another word from God besides Jesus, you are going to wait a long time. He has spoken finally, and Jesus is the message. Jesus us God's final word to man. When He spoke in Christ, He said everything that He meant to say. If you want to know who God is, study Jesus! If you want to know what God is like, God is a Spirit. If we try to understand a Spirit, we cannot, so God incarnated Himself in a human body so that now we can know how God is through watching Jesus. Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus is the final word from God. But if you keep reading in the book of Hebrews you find that Jesus is the First Cause of Creation.<br />
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A lot of people read Genesis 1:1 that "God created the heavens and the earth..." and we all believe that but when you get to the New Testament we discover that the part of the Trinity that was involved in the Creation process was Jesus Christ! Did you know that Jesus Christ is the Creator God. You say Jeremiah, where did you find that? Well, I'm glad you asked. Hebrews 1:2 states that, "through whom (Jesus) He also made the worlds." If you didn't get that listen to John 1:1 -<br />
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<blockquote>Jhn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. <br />
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Jhn 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.<br />
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Jhn 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. <br />
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</blockquote><br />
Dr. Jeremiah: Now that's about as clear as you can get and I want to say to people who don't believe that Jesus is the Creator God, what part of that don't you get? <br />
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<blockquote>Col 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.</blockquote><br />
Dr. Jeremiah: So we are building a little picture of Jesus. He is the last word from God and He is the first cause of Creation. Then the Bible tells us that Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead. <br />
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<blockquote>Hbr 1:3 <b>Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person</b>, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; </blockquote><br />
<blockquote>Colossians 1:19 For it pleased [the Father that] in Him all the fullness should dwell,</blockquote><br />
Dr. Jeremiah: That means that Jesus Christ is exactly the same as God for He is God! This is one of the clearest statements in the Bible of the Deity of Jesus Christ. <br />
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<blockquote>John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.</blockquote><br />
We can't see God, He is a Spirit. The Bible says you can't see God and live but you can see Jesus in the pages of the New Testament the Bible says you have seen God. <br />
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In his letter to Timothy, Paul says:<br />
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<blockquote>1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. </blockquote><br />
Dr. Jeremiah: And Jesus says if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.<br />
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<blockquote>John 3:19 He who has seen me has seen the Father.</blockquote><br />
Dr. Jeremiah: I want to be clear about this because one of the great debates about Jesus Christ today as I have read to you in the "Jesusanity" quote is that he is a good man but he's not God. You cannot believe that and call yourself a biblical Christian. Because the Bible teaches that Jesus is not just a good man, he is the God-man! And if we do not understand that we cannot understand Christianity. <br />
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[audience applauds]<br />
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Dr. Jeremiah: Here in the first chapter of Hebrews is one verse that is the clearest of proof texts the Deity of Jesus Christ:<br />
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<blockquote>Hbr 1:8 But unto the Son [he saith], Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [is] the sceptre of thy kingdom.</blockquote><br />
Dr. Jeremiah: Here is God the Father calling Jesus, His Son God! You say 'I don't believe Jesus is God' well you and God don't agree! God says He is God and if you don't think He is God well then you have a problem with the Father! Because the Father said to Jesus, "Your throne O God, is forever and ever."<br />
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I read this about a biblical scholar named Scott McKnight who took his students in class through an exercise. On the opening day on Jesus of Nazareth, he gave a standardized, psychological test divided into two parts. The results are nothing short of astounding. The first part is about Jesus. It asks students to imagine Jesus' personality with questions such as, "does He prefer to go his own way or by acting by the rules?" Is he a worrier? The second part asks the same question of the students. But instead of asking "is he a worrier," it asks, "are you a worrier?" And the test is not about right or wrong answers, it is not designed to help students know Jesus. Instead, if given to enough people the test will reveal that we all think Jesus is like us. Introverts think that Jesus is introverted. And on the basis of the same questions, extroverts think Jesus is extroverted. Spiritual formation experts would love to hear that students in my Jesus class are becoming like Jesus. But the test actually reveals the reverse! Students are fashioning Jesus to be like them! <br />
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If the test were given to a random sampling of adults, the results would be measurably similar. To one degree or another, we all conform Jesus to our own image - and that's where we get into trouble. Because Jesus isn't who we want him to be - Jesus is who He is! Jesus is who the Bible says He is! The Bible tells us who Jesus is and if we would read our Bibles we wouldn't go down that strange road. <br />
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I don't know if this ever happens to you, but people come up to me periodically and if I preach on hell or judgment or something I'll get a letter or email. Invariably, I've had people come up to me and say, "Dr. Jeremiah, my God would never send anybody to hell." And do you know what I tell them? That's exactly right because your god doesn't exist! <br />
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[laughter and clapping]<br />
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Dr. Jeremiah: He doesn't exist - you made him up! We love to take our faith and when there are hard parts of it that we struggle with, we take the out! We excise them from our understanding. Like hell, we do away with it. You want to find a way to get everybody into heaven? Write a book about it, get on T.V., and everybody will think it is true. But that's NOT true! The Bible says that "it is appointed unto men to die and after that comes the judgment." Do whatever you want to it but you can't take it out of the book. Some people think that 'if I don't want it to be true, then it is not true.' Well, you know what? It's true whether you want it to be true or not! <br />
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So, if you want to get any place in your life, find out what is true and get on the bus! But don't go down all of these blind alleys trying to make the Jesus you say you love just like you are. Jesus is not! He wants you to be just like He is. When you get on that track then something good will happen.<br />
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[applause, cheering]<br />
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Jesus is the final word from God. Jesus is the First Cause of Creation. Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead. And the Bible says in Hebrews 1:13, Jesus is the facilitator of all things. <br />
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<blockquote>Hbr 1:3 Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and <b>upholding all things by the word of his power,</b> when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; </blockquote><br />
He keeps this whole world from flying off in a different direction or going out of orbit and finally destruct. Jesus has got it into control. He was before history, he was at the beginning of history, he will be at the end of history, and he is the one that controls history. He is the Sustainer and upholder of this world. This is what Paul communicated in his letter to the Colossians when he said to these believers, "He is before all things:<br />
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<blockquote>Col 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.</blockquote><br />
There has never been a moment from the beginning of Creation that Jesus has not been performing this mighty work, holding everything together as the facilitator of the universe. <br />
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Jesus is the final word from God. Jesus is the First Cause of Creation. Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead. And the Bible says in Hebrews 1:13, Jesus is the facilitator of all things. And here is my favorite on all the list - He is the Forgiveness of Our Sins. Listen to what it says in verse three. In verse three it says:<br />
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<blockquote>... when he had by himself purged our sins,...</blockquote><br />
Christ is not only the revealer of God, He's the redeemer of man. This book of Hebrews is a book about cleansing, and here we are told that Christ purged our sins. He cleansed us. Please note where these words appear in the context of this verse. He who is before all things, and in whom all things are summed up, the one who is the Father's delight and the Father's glory, the one of infinite power and infinite glory; it was He Himself who purged our sins. <br />
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For what purpose did he come? He didn't come down to set up his kingdom; primarily he came to seek and to save those who are lost. The Bible says in Hebrews "he came to taste death" for every man. And not one of these things that people talk about when they say these wonderful things about Jesus is worth anything if He didn't come down here to purge our sins. <br />
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Think of it, folks. He who created the universe is the one who died for <i><b>you</b>. </i><br />
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The only one who could do that work on the cross was Jesus Christ. And the Bible says that He Himself purged our sins. <br />
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Now remember, I've been telling my people I've been teaching the book of Hebrews for a while and I always tell them about every week that the book of Hebrews was written to that group - the Hebrews. That is a really important thing to keep in mind that it was written to us but it was primarily written to the Hebrews. Now remember, the Jewish Christians knew all about the purging of sins. They had been brought up in Judaism and they knew through Judaism that the blood of bulls and goats and all of that - that their sins were forgiven in advance of the cross. In the Old Testament, the purging of sins was never, ever finished. <br />
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Hebrews 9:25-26 says:<br />
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<blockquote>Hbr 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; <br />
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Hbr 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.</blockquote><br />
I want to tell you some Good News, this Jesus that I'm telling you about that you could tell I'm a bit excited over - this Jesus who is the final word from God, and Jesus is the First Cause of Creation and Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead and is the facilitator of all things, this Jesus is the forgiveness of our sins. And when we come to know Him, He not only hears our prayer for forgiveness, but because of who He is, He can do something about it.<br />
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{clapping and cheering from audience]<br />
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He can heal us from our sin. He's the final word from God. He's the first cause of Creation. He's the fullness of the Godhead. He's the facilitator of all things. He's the forgiveness of our sin. And He's the finisher of our faith. <br />
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Listen to what He says here:<br />
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<blockquote>Hebrews 1:3 And He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.</blockquote><br />
In the Old Testament tabernacle, did you know that the high priests never sat down? In fact, in all of the tabernacle with all of its wonderful furniture; there was a lampstand, there was a laver, there was an altar, but there was no chair. If you were an Old Testament high priest you could never sit down because your work was never done. There was always somebody who needed forgiveness and you needed to be there as the high priest. But when Christ entered the Holy of the Holies in High Heaven, the Bible says that He sat down. Say that with me, "He sat down." And I want to tell you something friends, he didn't sit down because he was tired, he sat down cause He was finished!<br />
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[clapping and cheering from audience]<br />
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He sat down because what He cried on the cross was true. When he was dying on the cross, at the end of it he said, "IT IS FINISHED." And he paid the price for all of our sin and when he went back to heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father, He sat down to signify that nothing else ever needs to be done for sin. He did it all and it's DONE!<br />
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[Audience claps and cheers]<br />
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<blockquote>Hbr 12:2 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.</blockquote><br />
You may be thinking well there is something that I need to do in order for me to go to heaven. Something I need to do for my sins to be forgiven. No, there is not anything that you need do - Jesus did it all. He did it all so well that when He got done He sat down! And He's not waiting for you to do anything except accept what He already did for you! And I'll tell you some more about that in a moment. I'm almost finished, but let me go through this list one more time. He's the final word from God. He's the first cause of Creation. He's the fullness of the Godhead. He's the facilitator of all things. He's the forgiveness of our sin. And He's the finisher of our faith. And here's that last one for all of us faithful Christians - He's our faithful High Priest. Did you know that? This Jesus who created the world. This Jesus who holds it all together. This Jesus who Himself purged our sins on the cross and went to heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father. The Bible says that He is at the right hand of the Father, always there making intercession for the saints. <br />
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And over in the second chapter of Hebrews:<br />
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<blockquote>Hbr 2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like [His] brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. <br />
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Hbr 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.</blockquote><br />
What that means is that Jesus became for a limited time a little lower than the angels. That He might be one of us and walk among us, and live as we have lived on this earth. And the Bible says over in the fourth chapter:<br />
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<blockquote>Hbr 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. </blockquote><br />
Let me expel some of the nonsense that is out there about this fact. People say, "well if Jesus couldn't sin, how could he be tempted like we are?" Let's face it, I can't not sin. So if Jesus wasn't able to sin, there is this big argument. Was Jesus not able to sin or was he not to sin? Well, I believe Jesus was not able to sin. He was the sinless Son of God. So now they say, "well how could he have been tempted like we are?" <br />
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Now I remember reading this somewhere that "is a bridge tested fully when the first car drives over the bridge or is it tested fully when cars have been driving over that bridge for years and years and years? Let me ask you this question. Is a bridge tested when it is found first not to fail? Or is it tested when it is found never to fail? <br />
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Jesus didn't give in to any temptation so he felt the full brunt of it all. Whatever it is that you went through, you haven't faced anything like what Jesus faced. You know why that's true? Because you gave in! And the temptation of Jesus was to the fullest extent, yet He never sinned. And the Bible says that when I go to Jesus with my trouble, I can talk to someone who knows what it's like to be a human. He became like us and he exposed himself to all the hazards and perils of life and death and He was not protected from troubles and adversity. When we find ourselves immersed in the harsh realities of human experience where do we go? We go to Jesus. <br />
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Think of the blessing of it all. How He shares our labors. How He knows the dull, drab drudgery of some of the common tasks we have to do. The heavy misery of back-breaking toil. He shares our trials and limitations. He was poor with no place to lay his head. He was hungry. He was thirsty begging water from a Samaritan woman. He was weary and exhausted and sat for a while on the well. He bore our sorrows and our heartaches. When there was death in the home it brought tears to his eyes. When he looked upon the crippled, the leper, the blind and the helpless, his heart was moved to compassion. Anybody could approach the Lord Jesus and be welcomed. The poor, the weak, the publican, the simple. In Jesus, God is with us. <br />
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In all love and infinite blessing, my favorite name for Jesus outside of the name Jesus is Immanuel - God with us. <br />
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Yes, He is the Creator of the universe. He's the one that holds it all together. He's the one that purged our sins. But He's the one who hears your prayer when you cry out to Him in the darkness of the night. When you are going through that thing that you thought you never would go through. When you go through that thing that I've written about - a bend in the road. And you wonder if you know of anyone who has experienced what I've experienced. I'm telling you - there is One. There's One who felt the pressure of it all! And He is our High Priest. <br />
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Now I'm going to tell you something - if you haven't figured this out - I'm recommending Jesus to you. I'm recommending Him to you. The book of Hebrews says that we need to do something with Jesus. The Bible says you have to receive Him, you have to accept Him. The book of Hebrews says you need to consider Him, you need to accept Him. You need to be careful that you don't harden your heart against Him. In fact, in chapters 3 and 4, on four occasions we are warned against hardening our hearts against God. And the Bible says today - if you will receive Him do not hardened your heart.<br />
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You know people come to churches and they come to events like this and they've heard the Gospel so many times - on Christian radio, on Christian television, in their churches, in their Bible studies, but they still haven't yet received Him. And every time you hear the Gospel and you don't receive it, another little callous forms on your heart, and your heart gets harder. And the Bible warns us that now we know who Jesus is, there is something that we need to do with Him. John 14:6 -<br />
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<blockquote>Jhn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.</blockquote><br />
If you want to go to heaven some day, if you want to spend eternity with your Creator God, if you want to be with other members of your family who are Christians and have already gone ahead you better be sure that you have accepted Jesus into your life. Because He is your Creator, He is your Sustainer, He is the one who purged your sins, He's the one who is coming back some day and those who have received Him with be caught up together with Him and to be with Him and so shall we ever be with the Lord.<br />
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[audience clapping and cheering]<br />
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I went through my Bible in these first few chapters of Hebrews and I put a circle around the word "today" every place I found it. I've come to this conclusion: today is God's Word, tomorrow is Satan's word. <br />
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Let me tell you what I have been learning in studying the book of Hebrews. Also, before that in the study of the book of Galatians. Listen carefully, when God tells us to do something and we hear His voice clearly, the space between having heard what He told us to do and understanding it and doing it, does not belong to God - it belongs to the enemy. The Word from God says, "do this." The enemy says "no, you can do that tomorrow." Some say, "I'm going to do that someday. I'm going to get my affairs in order, then I'm going to take care of Christ." But the Bible says in between the command and obedience is the wasteland of the wilderness and Satan occupies that territory like no other part of your life. When you hear what God tells you to do - you should say, "TODAY!" But if you don't say that, you will hear tomorrow ringing in your ears. And, one of these days there will be a tomorrow that's too late. <br />
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D.L. Moody was a great evangelist. When he started to preach in Chicago, he would have four or five days of meetings. His method of preaching was that he would preach the Gospel with enthusiasm and passion. At the end of the service, he would say to the people, "I want you to go home tonight and think about what I've said, and come back tomorrow night ready to make a decision." He did that for a number of years, and one night he did that and the Chicago fire happened. And many of the people who were in his congregation, the night he had told them to go home and think about it and come back the next night, perished in that fire and never had a next night. From that day until he died, Moody never ever did that again. He learned the power of today. He realized that the message of the Gospel, when it comes home to our hearts, usually comes home to our hearts in a meeting something like this. Maybe a light goes on. Maybe you've know about Jesus but you've never trusted Him as my Savior. When that happens and you know God is speaking to you, the time to do something about it is not tomorrow, not the next time you meet with God's people, but TODAY!<br />
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Dr. Jeremiah's final comments:<br />
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Has your picture of Jesus been influenced by how our culture depicts Him? Do you find yourself laughing along with comedians when Jesus is made the object of crass humor? There is no better way to keep a biblical picture of Jesus in mind than by dwelling on the embodiment of Him in Scripture.<br />
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*******<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Please go to </span></strong><a href="http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/"><strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">David Jeremiah.org</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"> to get the resources that will help you in your decision making about Christ, and/or your current walk with Christ if you are already a born again Christian.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">If you are not already a Christian, please see my sister site, </span></strong><a href="http://angels-helper.net/Becoming%20a%20Christian.htm"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Angels Helper: Becoming a Christian</span></strong></a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">May God richly bless each and every reader who took the time to either view the video message or read the transcript.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Yours in Christ's service,</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">~ Christine</span></strong><br />
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Hat tips to all links.Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-49851171925102784472011-06-21T10:22:00.000-07:002011-06-21T10:22:40.335-07:00CertainlyTuesday, June 21<br />
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Certainly<br />
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I will certainly be with you....<br />
Exodus 3:12<br />
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Recommended Reading<br />
Psalm 66:16-20<br />
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What does actor Nicolas Cage have in common with basketball legend Julius (Dr. "J") Erving? Or with the hip-hop artist Chamillionaire? Or with former Detroit Red Wings hockey star Sergei Federov? Or with Patricia Kluge, multi-millionaire ex-wife of a media mogul? All have gone through foreclosure proceedings on their homes. In Kluge's case, the home was a whopping palatial estate in Virginia once valued at $100 million. It seems not even the so-called rich and famous are immune from the shifting economic landscape.<br />
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There's no permanence in money and no lasting security in our economy. Proverbs 23:5 says, "Riches certainly make themselves wings." In fact, nothing in this world provides certainty except for our Lord Jesus Christ. He will certainly be with us. He will certainly hear us (Psalm 66:19).<br />
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If you're pinched and pressured right now, you're in good company. These are uncertain times. But we have a sure and certain hope. We walk by faith; and faith is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1, NIV, 1984). You can certainly trust Him with your hopes, your dreams--your very life.<br />
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Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree; Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!<br />
Philip Bliss<br />
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Read-Thru-the-Bible<br />
Psalm 96:1-102:28Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-26794204347689933552011-04-04T07:39:00.000-07:002011-04-04T07:39:38.099-07:00Why Christians Should NEVER Vote For ObamaIn the 2008 election campaign, Barack Hussein Obama lied to just about every group that he appeared in front of at his campaign rallies. Now that we have seen the carnage his awful policies have created, the further destruction of our economy, the ineptness of his handling of foreign affairs, the anti-Christian rhetoric that he and his minions project via the media, and the horrible anti-Israel, neo-Fascist, pro-Islamic, anti-Christian, anti-Constitutional Republic Fabian Socialist agenda that is being forced upon our people and nation, I have decided to dedicate this particular blog to alert my Christian friends to all the reasons why NO true follower of Jesus Christ should EVER elect this man for ANY government position - especially when it comes to the presidency of the United States of America.<br />
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The presidential election of 2012 is going to be THE most important in the history of the United States. Will we drift further down that despicable Fabian Socialist, radical Islam appeasement road with pResident Obama? Or has our country FINALLY been awakened to the dangers that this puppetman and his puppet masters have wreaked upon our beloved nation and elect a Conservative who believes in the Constitutional Republic ideals that our Founders created? <br />
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Christian voters - what would God have you do in such a time as this?<br />
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In this effort, I am willing to post essays, commentary, guest blogger emails, and blog posts from other blogs out there that share the same concerns and want to alert the voters - all voters, but especially Christian voters who may not be paying close enough attention to the carnage of the Obamafraud administration - here at this blog for the duration of time until election day of 2012.<br />
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I will begin with a blog post that I recently posted at Talk Wisdom blog.<br />
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In Christ's Service,<br />
Christine<br />
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*******<br />
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I became interested in learning more about possible presidential candidate Herman Cain when he was endorsed by Sarah Palin.<br />
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Mr. Cain discusses the fact that he wants Obama's eligibility proof because he himself is willing and able to produce his own long form COLB. You can read the entire interview here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=282117">WorldNetDaily: Another presidential hopeful wants Obama eligibility proof<br />
Says during interview: 'I'd produce birth certificate. End of discussion'</a><br />
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One point that Cain hit upon has been utmost in my mind ever since Obama came onto the national scene. I have had many of my own questions about how Obama mistreats Christianity and disregards our Christian heritage. I think that it is appalling how he mistreats Christians who adhere to Bible-based faith and happen to be Conservative in their morals and values. Obama's fuzzy faith is highly apparent in all of the things that he does (omitting "Creator" three times from the Declaration of Independence), as well as the things he doesn't do (Read the Bible or go to church regularly).<br />
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Excerpt:<br />
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<blockquote><b><a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=276825">He [Herman Cain] earlier leveled another type of criticism against Obama.</a> <br />
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He said Barack Obama's long list of incidents in which he disregards America's Christian heritage may be intentional. <br />
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"I have been able to get the pulse of the American people of not only what's in their head but what's in their heart," Cain told CBN News Correspondent David Brody in an interview. "What's in their heart is they love this country. They love the values upon which this country was founded, and they don't like it when the president omits 'endowed by their Creator' from reciting the Declaration of Independence." <br />
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Brody asked Cain, "Do you believe that was intentional by the president?" <br />
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"I believe it was intentional because he did it three times, two of which I know about, and a friend of mine actually knows of a third one," Cain answered. "With all of his teleprompters, how could you not put that in there? No. I believe it was intentional."</b></blockquote><br />
The initial reason why I could never vote for Obama for office was the fact that his ideology was so rabidly pro-death to unborn babies that he voted against the Born Alive Infants Protection Act of 2000 - legislation that allowed medical personel to give medical care to babies born as a result of a botched abortion attempt. The second reason that I could never vote for him was because I perceived him as being such an overtly fake Christian. It appears that Herman Cain sees right through his facade as well.<br />
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Read it all and view a brief video <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=282117">HERE</a><br />
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Hat Tip:<br />
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<a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=282117">WorldNetDaily</a>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1997233002066711682009-10-05T22:06:00.000-07:002009-10-06T19:27:51.685-07:00Galatians 5 and Commentary<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipal8Qf7dsRtvdw7Zua4uqnpp919NIk_pEm_pSocbOQ3cxL7n3ORZgqE4LdyXSwjwgPDUUrr51oxxvDgu4XvWSYj9gCsXQCkUoxL79PdM2QhH9sHodj6iC4orrHRSjaPy462Dolw/s1600-h/thumbnail+Bible.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388969664704075218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipal8Qf7dsRtvdw7Zua4uqnpp919NIk_pEm_pSocbOQ3cxL7n3ORZgqE4LdyXSwjwgPDUUrr51oxxvDgu4XvWSYj9gCsXQCkUoxL79PdM2QhH9sHodj6iC4orrHRSjaPy462Dolw/s400/thumbnail+Bible.jpg" /></a><br />Galatians 5 is an illustration of good vs. evil. In <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gal&c=5&v=22&t=KJV#22">Galatians 5 verses 16-21</a>, we learn how the evil of various sins keeps us from walking in the Spirit of Christ.<br /><br />Then, Galatians 5:22-25 describes the good that is achieved by the fruit of walking in the Spirit.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,<br /><br /><br />Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.<br /><br /><br />Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.<br /><br /><br />Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.</strong></blockquote><br /><br />Paul is instructing us that we first must live in the Spirit, before we can walk in the Spirit. What solid truth this is! If we do not live according to the fruit of the Spirit of God, how could we ever claim to walk in His Spirit?<br /><br />The answer is: <em>we can't!</em><br /><br />It is only with God indwelling within our hearts that we can truly walk in what He declares through His Word - the good that results in following Christ, who alone, is righteous.<br /><br />What is good?<br /><br />Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. When we walk in such things as those, notice that the Bible states "against such there is no law."<br /><br />The law was set into motion in order to show us our sinful nature and to get us to realize that without Christ's sacrifice for our sins, we would not (and could not) EVER be forgiven for them. It is through giving our whole selves over to Jesus Christ that we become <em>His own</em>. And when we are His (e.g. we belong forever to Him) it is then that the miracle of crucifying our own flesh can happen.<br /><br />Ask anyone who is born again in Jesus Christ how they have been miraculously transformed into a new person! The "affections and lusts" of the past in their lives have now been tossed aside, and they are now a new person in Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Such transformation happens as a result of sanctification. this is something that occurs to the Christian for the rest of his/her life. We will never completely "arrive" on this side of heaven, but as time goes by we discover that the old desires of the past are now meaningless to us. Eventually- they are destroyed! The desire to do them does not exist anymore. The old self has become transformed into a new life in Christ!<br /><br />Notice that there is one negative "fruit of the Spirit." It is called <em>longsuffering</em>. The Bible is an honest book. The truth is declared throughout its pages and even Christ himself told us that we would endure longsuffering here on this earth.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.</strong></blockquote><br /><br />What a paradox that verse is! Jesus speaks to us of having peace - despite the fact that we will have tribulation (trouble) in this world.<br /><br />So, why (and how) can we be of good cheer?<br /><br />Answer: <strong>Because Christ has overcome the world!</strong><br /><br />How?<br /><br /><strong>Precisely because of his sacrificial death on the cross for our sins!</strong><br /><br />I was reading in Max Lucado's book - <em>"Traveling Light"</em> - that even when the time for our physical death on this earth arrives, it pales in comparison to what Christ endured for us on the cross.<br /><br />Lucado explained via a story. He mentioned that in Psalm 23, David wrote, "<strong><em>Yea though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me."</em></strong><br /><br />Then, he asked a child who was fearful of the concept of death (something that we are all destined to do) if he would rather be run over by a bus or by the <em>shadow</em> of a bus. The child answered - <em>"the shadow of the bus."</em> Lucado continued to explain that the child answered correctly. And, it is because Jesus took the sins of the world upon himself and that Christ experienced the "run over by a bus" kind of death, that we wouldn't ever have to experience such a death. Instead, we will pass through "the valley of the shadow of death." This is another way to say that we do not die spiritually because of what Christ has done for us! What a marvelous Savior we worship and belong to!!<br /><br />I thought that was a great analogy to put forth the point that Christ's sacrifice for our sakes was the greatest event in human history! And, his subsequent resurrection from the dead shows us that <strong>his word is absolutely true! We can confidently trust him with our very lives!<br /></strong><br /><br />No other spiritual leader ever claimed to die for the sins of mankind. No other savior could prove exactly who he was by rising from the grave. <strong>Jesus was the only one who accomplished that!!</strong> Therefore, we can trust him wholeheartedly with our lives! We can trust in his promises! Like this one:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=14&v=2&t=KJV#2">Jhn 14:2</a><br />In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.<br /><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=14&v=3&t=KJV#3">Jhn 14:3</a><br />And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.</strong></blockquote><br /><br />The book of Ephesians, Chapter 5 discusses the fruit of the Spirit. Verse 8 informs us that were all "sometimes[in] darkness. But now, as born again Christians we are now "light in the Lord." The light [meaning holiness, righteousness] shines from Jesus Christ! To walk as children of light, we are to be reflectors of HIS LIGHT [righteousness, holiness]! This is why no one can brag about anything within ourselves. All glory, honor, thanksgiving, and worship belongs to Christ alone!<br /><br />Here's a verse that humbles each and every believer:<br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.</strong></blockquote><br /><br />But we are brought back from our uncleanness through the Lord:<br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Eph 5:8 ¶ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:<br /><br /><br />Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)<br /><br /><br />Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.</strong></blockquote><br /><br />Reference: <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gal&c=5&v=22&t=KJV#22">Blue Letter Bible</a><br /><br />*******<br />10/6/09 - Update<br /><br />Here is a link to a good commentary about longsuffering:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.geocities.com/cobblestoneministries/2008/Patience_Longsuffering_BibleStudyOnBeingPatient.html">Cobblestone Ministries: Patience/Longsuffering Bible Study</a>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-3941137507753440662009-03-20T17:53:00.000-07:002009-03-20T18:00:16.237-07:00Daily LightDaily Light on the <a href="http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml">Daily Path Devotional</a><br />Friday March 20, 2009<br />Morning<br />The entrance of thy words giveth light.<br /><br />This . . . is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.--God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.--The Word was God.--In him was life; and the life was the light of men.--If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.<br /><br />Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.--Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.<br /><br />Ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light.--Ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.<br /><br />Ps 119:130 1Jo 1:5 2Co 4:6 Joh 1:1,4 1Jo 1:7 Ps 119:11 Joh 15:3 Eph 5:8 1Pe 2:9<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Daily Light on the Daily Path Devotional<br />Friday March 20, 2009<br />http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml<br /><br /><br />Evening<br /><br />Noah was a just man.<br /><br />The just shall live by faith.--Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour.--The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.<br /><br />Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br />By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.<br /><br />We . . . joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.--[It is] God that justifieth.-- Whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified.<br /><br />Ge 6:9 Ga 3:11 Ge 8:20,21 Re 13:8 Ro 5:1 3:20-22 5:11 8:33,30Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-39778830544422649632008-09-10T06:56:00.000-07:002008-09-10T07:10:26.311-07:00The Beauty of Tea, Creation and FriendsWhile checking out some new blogs, I found a wonderful writers blog named <a href="http://www.melissabishop.com/">Melissa's Cozy Teacup</a> via Stacy's Active Christian Media blog.<br /><br />If you go to Melissa's site, you will see <a href="http://www.melissabishop.com/2008/09/09/wednesdays-writing-assignment/">an invitation to write about a photo</a> posted there. The caption in the following "Writing Wednesdays" icon states "the more you write, the better you get!!!"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmo2aEdwzd_ada2LONAlsvFv32Xg0BC_Byd_rcJU2mJ96V3pTtzaluEexYp381-8r5VLsxSYMlUvI_gvHt5uA4pHRq39LgJT-QviEC3Bf2CP2qQhKX_8O_jLAIHdlrKi3ZHY6/s1600-h/writingbutton3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244393766113047282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmo2aEdwzd_ada2LONAlsvFv32Xg0BC_Byd_rcJU2mJ96V3pTtzaluEexYp381-8r5VLsxSYMlUvI_gvHt5uA4pHRq39LgJT-QviEC3Bf2CP2qQhKX_8O_jLAIHdlrKi3ZHY6/s320/writingbutton3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />So, I thought... why not? The following is my submission for Wednesday, September 10, 2008:<br /><br /><br />The Beauty of Tea, Creation and Friends<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ahhh</span>! How delightful! The simple pleasures in life can be seen in the enjoyment of a cup of tea while in the midst of a beautiful view of the mountains.<br /><br />How nice to taste a wonderful beverage while waiting for two friends to join me. All three of such pleasures - tea, creation, and friends - are wonderful presents from God.<br /><br />When my friends get here, we may start chatting immediately. However, our conversation may start to decrease as we sip our tea and look out, in awe, at the beautiful scene of creation that God has provided before us this day.<br /><br />A Bible verse just came to my mind. "Be still and know that I am God." In our busy day to day routines, sometimes we forget to take in the beauty that the Lord has given us. Why don't we praise Him more often for all that He provides?<br /><br />I truly believe that beauty is evidence of God's love, mercy and grace. While witnessing a pretty and photogenic scene in nature, we are given a glimpse of what Eden must have been like before the Fall of man.<br /><br />God intended for Adam and Eve to live in paradise, forever. But sin ruined that and separated them (and us) from Him. They, as well as every person born since then, have been held captive by our failings. Thank God that He has provided His Son, Jesus Christ, as the way, the truth, and the life for us to be reconciled back to Him! Through repentance, we can be born again and saved by grace through faith via what Jesus did for us at the cross.<br /><br />The horrible state of sin on our souls in this world has been overcome by our Savior! All we need to do is "drink in," and accept, what the Lord has done to save our souls from eternal death!<br /><br />In the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Millennium</span>, when Christ returns, paradise will be restored for all who believe in Him. We will get to eat from the Tree of Life and drink the living waters of eternal life.<br /><br />My friends have now arrived! Did I tell you that they have not been born again in Christ...yet? I have been waiting for the right moment to share the gospel with them. There is no time like the present. Amen?<br />__________________<br />See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Colossians</span> 2:8<br /><br />The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-841107692654985692008-08-13T08:56:00.001-07:002008-08-13T08:57:13.918-07:00The Truth Project: Lesson 7<strong><em>Sexchanging the Truth For a Lie</em></strong><br /><br />Did that title grab your attention? I had hoped that it would! However, before we get to the explanation of that title, I wanted to share with readers a few portions of Lesson 7 in “The Truth Project” series; as well as some of my notes.<br /><br />If you get the chance to participate in this DVD series, I would encourage you to do so. Personally, I would describe it as gaining a Christian college education, condensed into an awesome 13 week DVD and lesson series which, if left to your own devices for study, might take you years of studying to learn on your own! Yes! It is THAT GOOD!<br /><br />I think that if more Christians get involved in “The Truth Project” - by first being a participant - and then a leader for a new group in their homes, then a Christian Truth Revival would be taking place across the U.S.A. that would transform this nation for Jesus Christ - who is - “the way, the truth and the life.”<br /><br />Christine<br /><br />*******<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>The Truth Project<br /><br />Lesson 7 - Sociology: The Divine Imprint<br /><br />Themes<br />We begin where we left off in Tour 5: with the voice of nature making loud and unmistakable statements about the nature and character of God. "Ask the animals, and they will teach you," says Job, "and the birds of the air, and they will tell you" (Job 12:7, 8). In this case, order is one of the overwhelming messages with which creation bombards us. From the atom to the solar system, from photosynthesis to the cleansing tides, from the human body to the design of a chicken egg – everywhere we look we see obvious indications of purposeful design in the things God has made. This, of course, is a serious problem for those who argue that the universe is the product of "random, mindless forces."<br /><br />The same element of order is apparent in the social systems God has instituted. Dr. Tackett lays out six that he see in Scripture: family, labor, church, state, community, and the relationship between man and his Maker. But the order we detect in this area is not simply an expression of the Lord's creative design. Instead, it flows out of His very nature. It is a reflection of who He is. As Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Triune God embodies in Himself the ultimate resolution of the old philosophical problem of "the one and the many." He exemplifies diversity within unity and the answer to why it is "not good for man to be alone" is bound up in the Triune Essence. Relationship, union, communion, intimacy, fellowship, love, and community – these things have existed from all eternity within the economy of the Godhead. Accordingly, they serve as the basis for the smooth and ordered functioning of creation. It is for this very reason, Dr. Tackett argues, that basic social institutions such as marriage, family, and church have come under such heavy attack in our day: just as the world, the flesh, and the devil hate the Creator with a fervent and undying hatred, so they inevitably stand opposed to the social order that bears the imprint of His divine nature.<br /><br />As this tour unfolds, the principles of order and relationship will be examined specifically as we find them manifested in three of the social systems designed by God: the family, the church, and the union between God and man ("The Intimate Three"). During the course of this discussion, Dr. Tackett will explain how the threefold Trinitarian pattern is reflected in and fundamental to the internal functioning of each of these spheres. Special attention will be given to the subject of the family and some of the pathologies associated with disregard for the divine plan in this crucial area of human life.<br /><br />I. Introduction – The God of Order<br />A. Psalm 19 – "The heavens declare the glory of God ..."<br />B. Job 12 – "But ask the animals, and they will teach you ..."<br />C. Listening to a chicken egg – The exquisite design and intricacy seen in a chicken egg<br />D. Scriptural emphasis of order – Job 25:2, 1 Corinthians 14:33, James 3:16 </strong></blockquote><br /><br />My Notes:<br /><br />James 3:16<br /><br />God of order - not disorder.<br />Atom<br />Cell<br />Skeletal System<br />Circulatory System<br />Photosynthesis<br />Coral Reef<br />Metamorphosis<br />Pollination<br />Water Cycle<br />Lunar Tides<br />Solar System<br /><br />Result of just chance?<br /><br />Evolved or Design of God?<br /><br />This is where the battle rages.<br /><br />“It is good” is said 7 times in Genesis.<br /><br />Genesis 2:18 is the first time we read, "it is not good..."<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Gen&chapter=2&verse=18&version=kjv#18" target="_top"><strong>Gen 2:18</strong></a><br /><strong>¶<br />And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.<br /></strong><br />Must ask : is this a qualitative or ethical statement? Pragmatic or moral?<br /><br />Our Source of Truth.<br /><br />The Nature of God.<br /><br />The Trinity.<br /><br />Truth Project Notes:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>In this tour and in the ones to follow, we are emphasizing the "roles" within the Triune nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We have done so to highlight its imprint upon the social order that He has created. In doing so, however, it is possible that someone may wrongly begin to perceive the persons of the Trinity as separate beings. They are not.<br /><br />One must never lose sight of the reality that God is One—one in essence and being. He exists in three persons, yet each is fully and wholly God. The Son is fully God, not a separate God. The Holy Spirit is fully God, not a separate being. So God is truly one in essence because each person of the Trinity is one in essence with the other.<br /><br />But, God is not only one in essence, but He is one in unity. The three persons of the Trinity exist in complete oneness. Each person of the Trinity carries out a unique role and performs unique operations, yet they remain one in essence and one in unity. This is the nature of the eternal God.<br /><br />All of this is mysterious, yes. But not so mysterious that we cannot comprehend its reality. The "mystical union" that exists within the Triune nature of God has also been impressed upon His creation. I do not understand how the flesh and the spirit within me are joined together. I do not understand how my wife and I have become "one flesh". I do not understand how the Spirit of God can dwell within me and somehow be united with me. Paul cries out in reference to these matters and calls it a "profound mystery".<br /><br />So, when we refer to the Son being in submission to the Father, we are referring to the relationship that exists between the second "person" of the Trinity and the first "person" of the Trinity. When we refer to the Holy Spirit "proceeding" from the Father and the Son, we are referring to the unique operation that the Father and the Son carry out and the implied relationship that exists between the Holy Spirit and the Father and the Son. Yet, we are dealing with one God, one Being, one in essence and unity.<br /><br />II. Social Order – The Divine Imprint<br />A. "It is not good" – Genesis 2:18 – Why was it "not good" for man to be alone?<br />B. Triune structure stamped upon Social Order<br />1. God – Father, Son, Holy Spirit<br />2. Family – Husband, Wife, Children<br />3. Church – Christ, Leaders, Flock<br />4. Our world – Three realms – Physical, Spiritual and Social<br />C. Relationships, Roles, Authority, Submission and Unity within social spheres </strong></blockquote><br /><br /><br />My lesson notes:<br /><br />God is one in three Persons. There is relationship in the heart of God.<br /><br />One in essence - three in Persons.<br /><br />Relationship: Anything that unifies and brings coherence in diversity.<br /><br />[See Westminster Confession]<br /><br />Draw a circle. In it, place Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Triune nature of God.<br /><br />These three are in perfect harmony and relationship with each other.<br /><br />God created the family unit in a similar way.<br /><br />Draw a circle. In it, place husband, wife, and children.<br /><br />Submission is a negative word?<br /><br />No! It’s a glorious word. The world has distorted it! Made it ugly.<br /><br />Children come from husband and wife.<br /><br />Picture of triune nature of God.<br /><br />Devil hates both!<br /><br />The Divine Mark<br /><br />Primary colors<br />Atom<br />Solid, liquid, gas.<br /><br />There are 3’s everywhere!<br /><br />Physical realm.<br />Spiritual realm.<br />Social realm.<br /><br />How has God designed these spheres? If we go against these three, we go against nature of God.<br /><br />It’s about relationships.<br /><br />Results of the Fall.<br />Relationships severed.<br /><br />Between God and man.<br />Between man and man.<br />Between man and creation.<br /><br />Truth Project Notes:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Importance of relationships<br />A. What happened at the fall? – Relationships were severed and damaged – between God & man, man & man, and man & creation<br />B. Aloneness - "It is not good for man to be alone" – Aloneness is contrary to God's nature; in all eternity, there had never been aloneness before<br />C. God's design of social institutions and social laws<br />D. Intimate Three – God's design for unity, intimacy, oneness - Family, Church, God and Man </strong></blockquote><br /><br />In Scripture, Gen. 2:18 is the first verse that states, “not good.”<br /><br /><strong>Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. </strong><br /><br />What is “not good” in this verse?<br />It is “not good for man to be alone. Again, this goes against God’s nature. Del called this, “the Divine pause.”<br /><br />God paused to make a Divine statement about His nature.<br /><br />There had never been “aloneness” before. This is the Divine Mark.<br /><br />One - aloneness.<br />Two - Relationship and intimacy.<br />Three - Community.<br /><br />(Four doesn’t add anything!)<br /><br />Natural Law of God - when gives it - structures based upon His own Nature. To go against theses laws - we go against God’s nature.<br /><br />Social Laws.<br /><br />Truth Project Notes:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>IV. Family & Church<br />A. Ephesians 5 – Roles and relationships of members in these spheres – Authority, Submission, Oneness<br />B. Love and Respect between husband and wife<br />C. Honor between children and parents, flock and church leaders </strong></blockquote><br /><br />Will find ourselves more in His nature.<br /><br />Intimate 3<br /><br />Trinity<br />Family<br />Church<br /><br />God, Family and the Church. In that order everything works. Out of that order, nothing works!<br /><br />Our reverence for God includes recognizing His Authority in our lives. Second, our submission to His worthiness (our worship of Him) through confession of sin through His Son, Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, acceptance of Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Savior, and our willingness to live for Him - striving for holiness and righteousness.<br /><br />God, Family and Church is designed to help us behold the glory of God! In each relationship, submission is required. As was said before, that term “submission” has been twisted in this world to make people believe that is it bad. However, submission is a great part of being born again in Christ. Submission is what keeps order in the marriage and family.<br /><br /><strong>Unfortunately, we have lost the awe of what God created</strong> and have, instead, <em><strong>exchanged the truth for a lie.</strong></em><br /><br />I just created a typo and it read: “sexchanged the truth for a lie.” Hmmm…. The Microsoft Word editor automatically corrected it, so I had to re-type it to show you! What a message! That typo can actually be used to describe the various pathologies involved with humankind’s twisting of God’s design for sex and marriage.<br /><br />But first, let us look at God’s design.<br /><br />Ephesians 5:22-24<br /><br />In the church, leaders submit to Christ and the church body submits to the leaders. Notice that if the leaders do not genuinely submit to Christ, then the body should not be obligated to submit to the leaders (in other words, find a new church that DOES submit to Christ’s authority!).<br /><br />In marriage, the husband should give himself up for his wife, just as Christ gave himself up for his beloved church (people, not a building).<br /><br />Ephesians 5:26-27<br />Ephesians 5:28-30<br />Ephesians 5:31-32 (ESV)<br /><br />Ephesians 5:33 (ESV)<br /><br />It is good to remember that the husband needs respect like the wife needs love. It’s not about worthiness - its about the design of God.<br /><br />Establishing a sphere of authority is essential in any relationship.<br /><br />Titus 1:5-6 discusses this pattern in the church.<br /><br />Christ<br />Leaders<br />Flock<br /><br />Acts 20:28<br />Hebrews 13:17<br />1 Timothy 5:17<br /><br />Today, when the question is asked, “What is Family?” we find two things:<br /><br />1. It’s under great attack.<br />2. It still evokes emotion.<br /><br />The key point that was made in the video was this:<br /><br /><strong>“The family unit is not ours to manipulate!”</strong><br /><br />Of course, the world disagrees. The world says, “throw off the chains.”<br /><br /><strong>However, when we diligently follow God’s design - there is contentment, even in this fallen world!</strong><br /><br />Malachi 2:16 tells us that God hates divorce!<br /><br />There is much pain in this world due to divorce.<br /><br />Truth Project Notes:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Statements from video interviewees poignantly highlight the pain, confusion, and deep emotional reactions connected with almost any examination of family life and family-related issues. Similar emotions are almost certain to arise during group discussion. The video segments also present a broad range of popular definitions of "family," a subject that has the potential to stir up equally diversified reactions from group participants. In addition, Dr. Tackett and his students fearlessly broach the often troublesome topic of authority and submission within the context of marriage, the church, and other aspects of God's social design.</strong></blockquote><br /><br />1 Peter 3:7<br /><br />Malachi 2:13-17<br /><br />Divorce is serious with God! “Where is the God of Justice?” Consequences are deep!<br /><br />1 Peter 3<br />Great worth in God’s sight.<br /><br />The pathologies of the family are huge. The heart of God weeps over them all.<br /><br />Picture a child crouching in a corner while his parents are fighting.<br /><br />Who can excuse abuse in this unity?<br /><br />The union of oneness of the marriage union is reflected and positively emphasized by children who honor their parents.<br /><br />*******<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>V. Conclusion – Pathologies of the Family<br />A. Divorce – Malachi 2:16 – "I hate divorce ..."<br />B. Lack of respect – 1 Peter 3:7 – " ... so that nothing will hinder your prayers ..." </strong></blockquote><br /><br /><br />The section about “pathologies of the family” was very convicting for all. Who hasn’t been touched by divorce? Who hasn’t been exposed to conflict, strife, verbal and/or physical abuse because God’s proper order and design for the family unit has not been followed? Why? Because of lack of submission. Yes…that “dirty word” again. People don’t like that word. However, it is THE WORD of liberation in Christian life!!<br /><br />We could take any number of the pathologies that currently rage in relationships and see how they are utterly meant to destroy God’s design for relationships.<br /><br />What are some of the pathologies that are intent on destroying God’s design for relationships?<br /><br />Here are just a few:<br /><br />1. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = adultery<br />2. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = fornication<br />3. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = pornography<br />4. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = prostitution<br />5. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = incest<br />6. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = child molestation<br />7. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = rape<br />8. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = homosexuality<br />9. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = polygamy<br />10. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = poly-amory<br />11. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = bi-sexuality<br />12. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = transvestitism<br />13. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = transgender<br />14. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = sexual abuse<br />15. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = pederasty<br />16. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = pedophilia<br />17. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = human sexual trafficking<br />18. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = group sexual encounters<br />19. Sexchanging the truth for a lie = abortion<br /><br />Have I left any out? I’m sure that there are several more that could be added to this list.<br /><br />This list is proof positive that sexual deviancy of any kind is detrimental to the life-blood of God’s design for the family.<br /><br />And, those who think that the word "submit" in the phrase - “wives submit to your husbands” is STILL a “dirty word” consider this verse:<br /><br /><strong>1 Peter 3:7<br />Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.</strong><br /><br />Did you read that? This is how VERY important the true family unit is to God. Scripture informs, (as well as provides a type of warning) that <strong>“your prayers may not be hindered”</strong> when you follow God’s design in marriage!<br /><br />I will conclude with the rest of 1 Peter 3<br /><br /><br />1 Pe 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;#[fn1]<br /><br />1Pe 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.<br /><br />1Pe 3:10 For<br />"He who would love life<br />And see good days,<br />Let him refrain his tongue from evil,<br />And his lips from speaking deceit.<br /><br />1Pe 3:11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;<br />Let him seek peace and pursue it.<br /><br />1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,<br />And His ears are open to their prayers;<br />But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."#[fn2]<br /><br />1Pe 3:13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?<br /><br />1Pe 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."#[fn3]<br /><br />1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God#[fn4] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;<br /><br />1Pe 3:16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.<br /><br />1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.<br /><br />1Pe 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us#[fn5] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,<br /><br />1Pe 3:19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,<br /><br />1Pe 3:20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited#[fn6] in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.<br /><br />1Pe 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,<br /><br />1Pe 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.<br /><br /><br /><br />Footnotes:<br />#3:8 NU-Text reads humble.<br />#3:12 Psalm 34:12-16<br />#3:14 Isaiah 8:12<br />#3:15 NU-Text reads Christ as Lord.<br />#3:18 NU-Text and M-Text read you.<br />#3:20 NU-Text and M-Text<br /><br /><br />HT: <a href="http://www.thetruthproject.org/">The Truth Project</a><br /><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?book=1Pe&chapter=3&version=nkjv">Blue Letter Bible</a>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-42071107857511036842008-06-15T22:51:00.000-07:002008-06-15T22:52:37.068-07:00Why Did Jesus Come Into the World?Dear Readers -<br /><br />As many of you already know, I started attending the 13 week study called, "The Truth Project" last Monday evening. The very first class was awesome!<br /><br />I will be blogging about it over the course of the 13 week training. Then, I will conduct the course in my home so that others can reap the benefits!<br /><br />Briefly, the first session opened up with two very relevant questions.<br /><br /><strong>1. What is truth?<br />2. Why did Jesus come into the world?</strong><br /><br />The sessions are intended to take us on a worldview tour. I'm so excited about this!!!<br /><br />I can see that it is already a tour of extraordinary worth!! It will present truth claims in logical order. When one turns and gazes upon the face of God - there is no doubt that we are <b>deeply affected!</b><br /><br />It was so interesting to hear the various answers given to that second question.<br /><br /><em>Jesus came to save us.<br /><br />In John it tells us Jesus was born to fulfil the prophecies.<br /><br />Jesus came to redeem us.<br /><br />We desperately needed redemption.<br /><br />Jesus came to save the world.<br /></em><br />Now, these are all good answers - but they weren't the <strong>exact correct answer to complete the Scripture verse that our study leader was referring to in John 18:33-38.<br /></strong><br />The answer is that <b>Jesus came to testify to the truth.</b><br /><br /><em>Truth was on trial.</em><br /><br />How many times did our Lord say, "I tell you the truth" in Scripture?<br /><br />How many times did he say, "Truly, truly..." to emphasize a point?<br /><br /><b>Twenty-Five times!</b><br /><br />What is so obvious about the combined evils of our day is the fact that they ALL resist the call to discover the Truth which can only be found in God's Word.<br /><br />Such truth brings forth our need for acknowledgment of, and repentance for, <strong>sin</strong>.<br /><br />It is THEN, <em>and only then</em> where we are cleansed of our sin in order to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior into our hearts.<br /><br />There are many, many deceptions floating around in the world that keep unredeemed men in bondage. Thus, such bondage keeps them from experiencing Jesus' goal for us sinners - that being -<br /><br /><b>To set the (us) captives free!</b>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-36784731023799115112008-06-15T21:56:00.000-07:002008-06-15T21:59:50.430-07:00The Truth Project: VeritologyVeritology: What is Truth?<br /><br />I had heard about <a href="http://www.thetruthproject.org/">The Truth Project</a> several months ago. After viewing the introductory video, I was instantly interested in attending. At the time (back in March), the closest presentation was about a three hour drive away. I noticed that there would be a training session much closer to my home in September. However, my dear Christian friend, Dran, sent me an email last week and invited me to a training session at her home! Praise God!<br /><br />Here is what she shared:<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><blockquote>“In a recent study, the Barna Research Group revealed a stunning statistic that continues to reverberate throughout the evangelical world. Only 9 percent of professing Christians have a biblical worldview.<br /><br /><br /><br />Because of this, today's believers live very similarly to non-believers. A personal sense of significance is rarely experienced, we spend our money and time on things that fail to satisfy and we begin to wonder what life's ultimate purpose really is. We are, in short, losing our bearings as a people and a nation.<br /><br /><br /><br />To counter this slide within the body of Christ, we are launching one of the most ambitious and powerful projects in the history of our ministry—Focus on the Family's "The Truth Project.”<br /><br />The primary purpose of this study…is to facilitate transformation among those who are exposed to it. That inevitably occurs when a person comes face-to-face with God Himself. It happened to Isaiah when he had such an encounter. The prophet described it this way:<br /><br />"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. . . . 'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.' Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.' Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:1; 5-8; NIV)<br /><br />I am afraid that the vast majority of God's people in our culture today are unaware of our enemy's schemes. That is why we are not faring well in the battle.<br /><br />There is one central theme running through The Truth Project: the Truth that we seek — and the Truth that stands directly opposed to the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil — is found ultimately in the character and being of God Himself. That is why, over and over again, the DVD curriculum begins and ends with Him. </blockquote></strong><br /><br />The Truth Project sounded very similar to several books that I had recently read; including John MacArthur's <em>"The Truth War,"</em> and <em>"The Truth About Tolerance: Pluralism, Diversity and the Culture Wars,"</em> by Brad Stetson and Joseph G. Conti. Much of Greg Koukl's great apologetics resources at Stand to Reason.org also have provided information regarding the question, "what is truth?" and how we should share it.<br /><br />Well, after attending just the first installment, I can already state that The Truth Project is absolutely awesome! What an extremely valuable resource it will be for you in your walk with Christ and evangelism experiences!<br /><br />The truth is desperately needed during these times of lies, confusion, and moral relativism.<br /><br />Lesson One is called, <em>"Veritology: What is Truth?"</em><br /><br /><strong>People...the answer is that the TRUTH is, and lives, in Jesus Christ! God's Word reveals the absolute truth of this fact!<br /></strong><br />I will be discussing my notes and personal reactions to the first lesson over the course of this week. For now, I will simply share the lesson guide information to whet your appetites for more!<br /><br />I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you seek out this study (or start one yourself!!) at your church and/or with your own home Bible study group. It is THAT GOOD!!<br /><br />You will notice some questions at the bottom of this post. Any Christian believer who knows Jesus Christ and has studied the "meat" of the Bible could probably answer some, if not all of the questions. Feel free to post your answers in the comment section.<br /><br />I plan to go into much more detail about the first lesson, as well as share my own personal answers to those questions here at Talk Wisdom.<br /><br />This study WILL CHALLENGE YOU! The last question is one that every Christian needs to answer:<br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>"Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" How can we know what we really believe? </strong></blockquote><br /><br />In Jesus,<br />Christine<br /><br />*******<br /><br />In this initial episode, students receive a general introduction to the overall scope and purpose of The Truth Project. This series is designed to take participants on a guided worldview tour, following the points of the worldview compass, a tool designed to direct our thinking with regard to four fundamental issues: Truth, God, Man, and the Social Order. Along the way, we will attempt to build a logical, systematic framework of ideas by which to organize and evaluate the various truth claims to be encountered during the course of our tour. Our ultimate goal is not simply to gain knowledge, but to look upon the face of God – and to be transformed in the process.<br /><br /><br /><br />Themes<br />Our destination in Lesson 1 lies due North. The focal point for this first hour of discussion is the concept of Truth itself.<br /><br />What is truth?<br /><br />Why is it important?<br /><br />What role does it play in the biblical view of the world, God's purpose for the cosmos, His will for mankind, His plan of salvation, and the way we live our personal lives?<br /><br />In his comments on this subject, Dr. Del Tackett will demonstrate how truth was fundamental to the mission of Jesus Christ in the world; how it forms the heart of the Cosmic Battle that has been raging since the beginning; how this battle has divided the world into two opposing camps or sides; how lies, the antithesis of Truth, take human hearts and minds captive by the power of deception; and how every man and woman now stands in the position of having to choose between God's truth claims and the opposing perspective of the world, the flesh, and the devil.<br /><br />To answer the question "what is truth?" Dr. Tackett consults the 1828 edition of Webster's Dictionary which defines truth "Conformity to fact or reality ..." We will also see how popular notions of truth (represented by man on the street interviews) contrast sharply with the biblical concept (as articulated by Ravi Zacharias, Os Guinness, and R. C. Sproul).<br /><br /><br /><br />Points to Watch for<br />Dr. Tackett concludes that, in almost every case, the perspective of contemporary culture stands in direct opposition to the Truth-centered worldview presented in the Bible. In the process of making this case, he advances the bold claim that our culture is not only filled with lies but is actually heading in the direction of social insanity. As a result, he proposes that Pilate's query – "What is truth?"– is the most important question facing our society today. He ends Lesson 1 by challenging his audience with this all-important question: "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?"<br /><br /><br /><br />Discussion Questions<br /><br /><br />What did you see on this tour?<br /><br />Jesus stated plainly that He had come into the world "to testify to the truth" (John 18:37). Exactly what did He mean by this, and how is this claim connected with those other aspects of Jesus’ mission – for example, forgiveness, salvation, redemption, and healing – that we more naturally associate with the ultimate purpose of His advent?<br /><br />How does one’s concept of truth affect or determine one's concept of faith?<br /><br />What is the key point of distinction between the biblical concept of truth and popular cultural ideas about truth? How is this point related to the concept of insanity?<br /><br />Read 2 Timothy 2:24, 26 and Colossians 4:5, 6. Why does Paul advise believers to be "gentle" rather than "quarrelsome" in their dealings with outsiders? How does our understanding of the Cosmic Battle affect the way we relate to non-believers?<br /><br />Dr. Tackett poses the question, <strong>"Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" How can we know what we really believe?</strong><br /><br />HT: <a href="http://www.thetruthproject.org/">The Truth Project.org</a><br />Go to site to view a video trailer.<br /><br /><em>With special thanks to my friend Dran!</em>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-90843483628170332312007-07-21T09:06:00.000-07:002007-07-21T09:14:02.014-07:00Why "Hate" Shouldn't Be A CrimeChristian Apologetics author and speaker, Greg Koukl, has done another outstanding job pointing out three reasons <a href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/column.aspx?UrlTitle=why_hate_shouldnt_be_a_crime&ns=GregoryKoukl&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;dt=07/21/2007&page=full&comments=true">Why Hate Shouldn't Be A Crime.</a><br /><br />Greg's article is absolutely excellent. He covers all the "bases." Most importantly, he includes a gospel message urging those in need of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to come to Him through repentance (which includes us all); but particularly, repentance for the sin of homosexual behavior (which means agreeing with God's Word that homosexual behavior is sin, confessing this fact, and then, through sanctification in the Lord, turning away from that lifestyle).<br /><br />On the political side, Greg states:<br /><br /><blockquote>I am against hate crimes, but I also am against hate crime laws for three reasons. First, they criminalize thought, not behavior. Second, they do not protect individuals, but rather select classes of people. Third, they actually encourage hostility towards one group of people, Christians.</blockquote><br /><br />I would add a fourth reason. All three of these reasons add to the potential for abuse by the "victim" of a "hate" crime. <a href="http://www.cwfa.org/articles/8776/CFI/family/index.htm">Many incidences of false claims of "hate" crimes are already happening, even without a federal law in place.</a><br /><br />I have written extensively on this topic here at this blog. The following are just a few of my previous blog posts.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2005/11/devastating-error-of-hate-crimes-law.html">Devastating Error of Hate Crimes Law</a> [Note: May need to scroll down page to read.]<br /><br />2. <a href="http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2005/10/destroying-freedom-of-conscience.html">Destroying Freedom of Conscience</a><br /><br />3. <a href="http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2007/02/bad-hate-crimes-laws-silence-biblical.html">Bad "Hate Crimes" Law Silences Biblical Speech</a><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">[Note: Above links not accessible until Talkwisdom blog problem fixed.]</span><br /><br />I did find it surprising that Mr. Koukl didn't include the fact that Matthew Shepard wasn't actually killed because of his sexual orientation. <a href="http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/nov/04111208.html">It was revealed, years later, on 20/20 that he was kidnapped, robbed and killed.</a> It came out in the trial of the two murderers that <a href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1288709/posts">Shepard was targeted for drug money.</a><br /><br />So, we have yet another reason why "hate crimes" laws are unnecessary. The fact that the "poster boy" (term "poster boy" not meant to be derogatory, it's just a fact) for hate crimes legislation (against homosexuals) wasn't actually killed for that reason shows yet another potential for error of judgment which would be inherent in such a law.<br /><br />There are many good comments at the end of Greg's article. One, in particular was clear, concise, absolutely spot on, and really stood out to me:<br /><br /><blockquote><p>Chuck writes: Saturday, July, 21, 2007 5:49 AM<br />Opposition to Homosexuality can be love </p><p><br />GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS ARE SUPERIOR TO HUMAN RIGHTS<br />Please try to visualize my smile and feel the warmth of God’s love in my heart as I type this letter of concern, and consider it as “love language.” By the way, just like many others, I have been offended by “hate language” from preachers who ministered condemnation with bigotry, anger, and hatred. But about 32 years ago (July-Oct 1975) “I believed the report” (the gospel of Jesus Christ preached in love) and “the arm of the Lord” (Isaiah 53:1) lifted me out of a darkened world of selfish lusts and pride and filled my heart with His divine love, joy and holiness. </p><p><br />Now, by the grace of God (His life-changing influence), I am the faithful husband of one wife (31 years), and father of five normal children (3 boys and 2 girls). Not because of my goodness, but because of God’s mercy and the spiritual elevation where He has lifted me (through trusting in His word), I can look back at the valley of corruption where I lived for 35 years, and see other unfortunate people who think they are having fun, but are unaware of their predicament; and I desire to help them become delivered like I was.</p><p><br />If the Bible is true (and I know it is), God has ZERO TOLERANCE for homosexuality in His spiritual Kingdom, both now and in eternity, and so should we in America. God’s hatred for homosexuality is directly proportional to His love for delivering people from it. Please consider the following pieces of objective evidence: </p><p><br />(1) God created each human with one of two distinct genders - “male or female” (Gen 2:24-25, Matt 19:4-6, Eph 5:31), with many attractive physical and functional gender distinctions, so that 1 masculine man and 1 feminine woman can "marry" or “fit together” as a couple, and reproduce another generation of normal masculine boys and feminine girls. People who think they were created or born gay, are victims of extreme degeneration. Therefore, the term “same-sex marriage” is an oxymoron, unrealistic, contrived by dishonest people who ignore reality.</p><p><br />For example, in the electronics industry, it is impossible for 2 male plugs or 2 female connectors to be "mated," or to be used together to accomplish the purpose intended by their designer. They are just an open circuit. Only 1 male plus 1 female can be physically and functionally related as “a couple;” and together they can complete the circuit.</p><p><br />Likewise, there is no such thing as "gay marriage" or "same-sex marriage.” Why? Because it is impossible for 2 men or 2 women to "marry" and fulfill the purpose of marriage ordained by their Designer. Also, a truly “civil union” is marriage between a “civilized” (moral) man and woman.</p><p><br />(2) Negative Scriptures stating who God WILL NOT accept into His Kingdom (Lev.18:22-24, Rom 1:18-31; 2:1-3, 1 Cor.6:9-10, Gal.5:19-21, and 1 John 2:15-17). There may be some religious homosexuals, but there is no such thing as a Christian homosexual; they are just pretenders; but they could easily become Christians (see 3-7).</p><p><br />(3) Positive Scriptures stating who God WILL accept into His kingdom (Rom 1:15-16, 14:17, 1 Cor 6:11, Gal 5:22 and Eph 1:4). </p><p><br />(4) Positive Scriptures describing the complete new birth procedure Jesus gave to His New Testament church - how to be delivered from the world and into God’s Kingdom (John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38-42 and 19:1-7). </p><p><br />(5) God’s willingness to reach out with His strong arm of love (John 3:16), and joyfully enter into hearts and cleanse them from abnormal desires, so they are free to live the way He created us. If they think they were “born gay” and can’t change, they can be born again normal.</p><p><br />(6) The joy in heaven when sinners repent and turn away from their sins (Luke 15:7). </p><p><br />(7) The wonderful feelings of relief and joy in our hearts when we receive deliverance from sin and guilt, exactly the same way sinners did while the New Testament was being written (1 Peter 1:8). The only legitimate “human right” we have, is to live right in God’s sight.</p><p><br />(8) I understand this by personal experience (Acts 1:8).<br />Not only are homosexuals and lesbians abusing their God-given physical and biological resources (and each other and our heritage), but these men and women are living way below their potential. They are just wasting their lives on a few moments of selfish pleasure. What benefits are there in walking a path known to be a dead-end both physically and spiritually? </p></blockquote>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1163299134302714542006-11-11T18:37:00.000-08:002006-11-11T18:38:54.310-08:00Anointing Of God's Gracious SpiritAnointing of God's Gracious Spirit<br /><br />I have to admit. I never thought that I would get so much out of one Scripture verse as I now have from reading chapter 10 in Phillip Keller's "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23". The chapter is entitled, "Thou Anointest My Head With Oil...".<br /><br />At first glance, we might see this as a type of ritual done for a certain religious purpose. In my Catholic upbringing, I remember that there was a definite significance to it. If I recall correctly, it was often done by a priest in the performance of "Last Rites" at the bedside of a dying person.<br /><br />But now, after reading that the poet was recounting the salient events of a full year in a sheep's life, this verse now has so much more meaning than I could ever have imagined! For me, a verse that I formerly might have just skipped through, has now become one of the most beloved verses of the entire Psalm!<br /><br />In this post, I will attempt to summarize some parts, but there are way to many great paragraphs that need to be quoted directly. I hope and pray that this blogpost will speak to your heart as greatly as it has spoken to mine!<br /><br />Christine<br /><br />*******<br /><br />Keller starts out the chapter informing us about over half a dozen different kinds of flies or parasites that can make the lives of the sheep that a shepherd tends absolutely miserable. In particular, the nose fly can deposit their eggs and the hatched larvae would work their way up into the sheep's head causing severe irritation, inflammation, and agonizing annoyance for the sheep. Such infestation can cause a sheep to beat their heads against trees, rocks or brush. It may even end up killing itself in it's frenzied effort to get away from the aggravation. In some cases, it can lead to blindness.<br /><br />The author tells us that even just the hovering of such flies around the flock can cause fear and panic in an attempt to excape their tormentors. They tend to toss their heads up and down, race from place to place, stamp their feet, hide anywhere they could find some shelter and relief.<br /><br />This all causes so excitement and distraction, that it has devastating effects upon the entire flock; includes the ewes and lambs.<br /><br />Keller writes:<br /><br /><br />Only the strictest attention to the behavior of the sheep by the shepherd can forestall the difficulties of "fly time." At the very first sign of flies among the flock he will apply an antidote to their heads. [Keller applied a combo of linseed oil, sulphur and tar which was smeared over the sheep's nose and head.]<br /><br />What an incredible transformation this would make among the sheep. Once the oil had been applied to the sheep's head there was an immediate change in behavior. Gone was the aggravation; gone the frenzy; gone the irritability and the restlessness. Instead, the sheep would start to feed quietly again, then soon lie down in peaceful contentment.<br /><br />[J]ust as with the sheep there must be continuous and renewed application of oil to forestall the "flies" in my life, there must be a continuous anointing of God's gracious Spirit to counteract the ever-present aggravations of personality conflicts. Only one application of oil, sulphur and tar was not enough for the entire summer. It was a process that had to be repeated. The fresh application was the effective antidote.<br /><br />There are those who contend that in the Christian life one need only have a single, initial anointing of God's Spirit. Yet the frustrations of daily dilemmas demonstrate that one must have Him come continuously to the troubled mind and heart to counteract the attacks of one's tormentor.<br /><br />This is a practical and intimate matter between myself and my Master. In Luke 11:13 Christ Himself, our Shepherd, urges us to ask for the Holy Spirit to be given to us by the Father.<br /><br />It is both a logical and legitimate desire for us to have the daily anointing of God's gracious Spirit upon our minds. God alone can form in us the mind of Christ. The Holy Spirit alone can give to us the attitudes of Christ. He alone makes it possible for us to react to aggravations and annoyances with quietness and calmness.<br /><br />When people or circumstance or events beyond our control tend to "bug" us, it is possible to be content and serene when these "outside" forces are counteracted by the presence of God's Spirit. In Romans 8:1-2, we are told plainly it is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that makes us free from the law of sin and death.<br /><br />It is this daily anointing of God's gracious Spirit upon my mind which produces in my life such personality traits as joy, contentment, love, patience, gentleness and peace. What a contrast this is to the tempers, frustrations and irritableness which mars the daily conduct of so many of God's children.<br /><br />What I do in any given situation is to expose it to my Master, my Owner, Christ Jesus, and say simply, "O Lord, I can't cope with these petty, annoying, peevish problems. Please apply the oil of Your Spirit to my mind. Both at the conscious and sub-conscious levels of my thought-life enable me to act and react just as You would." And He will. It will surprise you how promptly He complies with such a request made in deadly earnest.<br /><br /><br />Keller goes on to discuss and describe the irritating and highly contagious disease called "scab," which is common to sheep the world over. He mentions how sheep tend to rub heads together in a friendly, affectionate manner. However, when one has the "scab," this terrible disease spreads easily from one to the other.<br /><br />Keller writes:<br /><br /><br />In the Old Testament when it was declared that the sacrificial lambs should be without blemish, the thought uppermost in the writer's mind was that the animal should be free of scab. In a very real and direct sense scab is significant of contamination, of sin, of evil.<br /><br />Again as with flies, the only effective antidote is to apply linseed oil, sulphur and other chemicals that can control this disease. In many sheep-rearing countries dips are built and the entire flock is put through the dip. Each animal is completely submerged in the solution until its entire body is soaked. The most dificult part to do is the head. The head has to be plunged under repeatedly to ensure that scab there will be controlled. Some sheepmen take great care to treat the head by hand.<br /><br />[S]o I know precisely what David meant when he wrote, "Thou anointest my head with oil." Again it was the only antidote for scab. [Keller adds that an old remedy is olive oil, sulphur and spices.]<br /><br />In the Christian life, most of our contamination by the world, by sin, by that which would defile and disease us spiritually comes through our minds. It is a case of mind meeting mind to transmit ideas, concepts and attitudes which may be damaging.<br /><br />Often it is when we "get our heads together" with someone else who may not necessarily have the mind of Christ, that we come away imbued with concepts that are not Christian.<br /><br />Our thoughts, our ideas, our emotions, our choices, our impulses, drives and desires are all shaped and molded through the exposure of our minds to other people's minds. In our modern era of mass communication, the danger of the "mass mind" grows increasingly grave. Young people in particular, whose minds are so malleable, find themselves being molded under the subtle pressures and impacts made on them by television, radio, magazines, newspapers, [Christine adds: the internet!] and fellow classmates, to say nothing of their parents and teachers.<br /><br />Often the mass media which are largely responsible for shaping our minds are in the control of men whose characters are not Christlike: who in some cases are actually anti-Christian.<br /><br />One cannot be exposed to such contacts without coming away contaminated. The thought patterns of people are becoming increasingly abhorrent. Today we find more tendency to violence, hatred, prejudice, greed, cynicism and increasing disrespect for that which is noble, fine, pure or beautiful.<br /><br />This is precisely the opposite of what Scripture teaches us. In Phillipians 4:8 we are instructed emphatically in this matter, "...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"! Here again, the only possible, practical path to attaining such a mind free of the world's contamination is to be conscious daily, hourly of the purging presence of God's Holy<br />Spirit, applying Himself to my mind.<br /><br />There are those who seem unable to realize His control of their minds and thoughts. It is a simple matter of faith and acceptance. Just as one asks Chtist to come into the life initially to assure complete control of one's conduct, so one invites the Holy Spirit to come into one's conscious and subconscious mind to monitor one's thought-life.<br /><br />Just as by faith we believe and know and accept and thank Christ for coming into our lives, so by simple faith and confidence in the same Christ, we believe and know and accept with thanks the coming (or anointing) of His gracious Spirit upon our minds. Then having done this, we simply proceed to live and act and think as He directs us.<br /><br />The difficulty is that some of us are not in dead earnest about it. Like a stubborn sheep we will struggle, kick and protest when the Master puts His hand upon us for this purpose. Even if it is for our own good, we still rebel and refuse to have Him help us when we need it so desperately.<br /><br />In a sense we are a stiff-necked lot and were it not for Christ's continuing compassion and concern for us, most of us would be beyond hope or help. Sometimes I am quite sure Christ comes to us and applies the oil of His own Spirit to our minds in spite of our own objections. Were this not so, where would most of us be? Surely every gracious thought that enters my mind had its origin in Him.<br /><br /><br />Wow!! Is that some powerful truth or what??!!<br /><br />So that this post doesn't get to long, I will just mention that Keller discusses the unfortunate practice of Christians "butting heads" with each other on trivial issues. Some here might regard my last post as an example of this. But I don't. I see it as something that isn't just an "agree to disagree" issue, but one that can lead some of Christ's sheep astray through heresy and apostasy; just as the book of Jude describes in detail. However, I also believe that such issues can be discussed in a civil manner so as not to intentionally injure or batter the other side. Keeping in mind that all Christians have this one, solid, belief in agreement: "teaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified" is the Gospel message that binds us all together. That is why I share this fact often; so that my fellow Christians who are in disagreement with certain social issues will realize that I am not dismissing them from the family of Jesus Christ. Only God knows, for certain who is truly saved and who isn't. As Christians, we are only here to plant seeds of faith. Jesus gave us the commandment to "go and teach the Gospel to everyone, all over the world, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." That's our job. The rest of the work is His and the results belong to Jesus Christ, lest "any man should boast."<br /><br />At this point, Keller says:<br /><br /><br />To forestall and prevent this sort of thing from happening among His people our Shepherd love to apply the precious ointment of the presence of His gracious Spirit to our lives. It will be recalled that just before His crucifixion, our Lord in dealing with His twelve disciples, who, even then, were caught up in jealous bickering and rivalry for prestige, told of the coming of the Comforter- the Spirit of Truth. Because of His being sent to them, He said, they would know peace. He went on to say that His people would be known everywhere for their love for one another.<br /><br /><br />There is a lot more that I could add to this section, but perhaps I can add more later. Keller brings up the important point that we should not get involved in petty bickering, jealousies, and rivalry. I think that we all could admit to some guilt in that area (including me!!). However, Keller shares the fact that we should be the most contented people on earth! As the children of God, a quiet, restful contentment should be the hallmark of those who call Christ their Master.<br /><br />In a side note, yesterday, I admitted to my current Bible study leader that I was worried about the election results last night. I told her that I know I shouldn't be worried...no matter what happens! But sometimes isn't this easier said than done? I told her that I know that I am acting like "Martha" rather than "Mary." You can read about that account here. In Luke 10:41, "And Jesus* answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things." Then in Luke 10:42, Jesus added, "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."<br /><br />Both Tammy (my friend and Bible study leader) and I have our "Martha" and "Mary" moments in life. It's so cool when we can lift eachother up when we are worried about something. In the parking lot after the study, I said, "But Tammy, you don't understand the dire circumstances in this election...Nancy Pelosi, the most radical, left-wing, San Francisco type liberal Democrat may become speaker of the house!!"<br /><br />She doesn't even know who Nancy Pelosi is!! Bless her heart... but she did say, "In 100 years, it isn't even going to matter!"<br /><br />Amen!! Ha ha...I needed to hear that!<br /><br />Back to Keller's book.<br /><br /><br />[T]his is the overcoming Christian life. It is the life in which a Christian can be content with whatever comes his way - even trouble (Hebrews 13:5). Most of us are glad when things go well. How many of us can give thanks and praise when things go wrong?<br /><br /><br />The author then describes how unexpected blizzards can blow up or sleet storms suddenly shroud the hills. The flock and their owner can pass through appalling suffering together.<br /><br /><br />[I]t is here that I grasp another aspect altogether of the meaning of a cup that overflows. There is in every life a cup of suffering. Jesus Christ referred to His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and at Calvary as His cup. And had it not overflowed with His life poured out for men, we would have perished.<br /><br /><br />What an awesome realization! But there's more:<br /><br />Keller mentioned bringing a mixture of brandy and water in case a lamb or ewe was chilled from cold weather. Even though they had heavy fleece, if they laid down in distress, they could freeze to death. It was then that his mixture of brandy and water came to the rescue. He mentions that the Palestinian shepherds most likely shared their wine with their chilled and frozen sheep.<br /><br /><br />[W]hat a picture of my Master, sharing the wine, the very life blood of His own suffering from His overflowing cup, poured out at Calvary for me. He is there with me in every storm. My Shepherd is alert to every approaching disaster that threatens His people. He has been through the storms of suffering before. He bore our sorrows and was acquainted with our grief.<br /><br />And now not matter what storms I face, His very life and strength and vitality is poured into mine. It overflows so the cup of my life runs over with His life...often with great blessing and benefit to others who see me stand up so well in the midst of trials and suffering.<br />I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name O most high. Psalm 9:2Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1163298973467424152006-11-11T18:31:00.000-08:002006-11-11T18:36:13.470-08:00The God Who Feeds UsThe God Who Feeds Us<br /><br />Isaiah 55<br /><br />Group Discussion. Imagine a person coming to the end of their life. What kind of life experiences would a person near the end of life most likely describe as deeply satisfying?<br /><br />Love of God and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, finding the love of your life and marrying him, memories of wedding, honeymoon, great lifetime experiences, children and the love you share with them, love of parents, family and friends.<br /><br />Personal Reflection. Reflect back over the past week or two. What experiences have left you feeling empty? What experiences have been deeply satisfying emotionally and spiritually?<br /><br />I felt a bit empty when my husband was sick and couldn't come to an event that we planned to attend together weeks ago.I still had fun with friends at the event. It is spiritually satisfying whenever I read the Bible, do this study, read Christian books and pray.<br /><br />Read Psalm 23:5<br /><br />"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."<br /><br />Read Isaiah 55<br /><br />1. Psalm 23:5 tells us that God prepares food for us. What responses do you have to the thought of God wanting to provide you with nurture?<br /><br />I'm so grateful to God for his lovingkindness towards us. We need not worry about problems or the provision of food. He knows what we need even before we ask! He gives us what we need when we ask within his will. I was reminded of Jesus saying: Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? He nurtures us in so many other ways, too.<br /><br />2. Psalm 23:5 states that God feeds us in the presence of our enemies. What enemies (perhaps spiritual) are you aware of in your life?<br /><br />The constant threat of Islamo-fascist terrorism. The licientiousness of the liberal left and how they want to change America from its Judeo-Christian roots and heritage into a secular-humanistic pagan culture.<br /><br />3. Isaiah 55:2 asks us why we would spend money on what does not satisfy. How do your enemies tempt you with things that do not satisfy?<br /><br />Enemies of the Lord do not desire to adhere to God's laws and commandments. So, the enemy of our souls attempts to lure us into the bondage of sin through temptation. It could be lusts of the flesh, wealth, greed, gluttony, theft, dishonesty, you name it! Anything that is not of God, Satan will tempt us with! But when we rely on the Lord, day by day, hour by hour and moment by moment, the devil cannot get ahold of us. In fact, the Bible says "resist him and he will flee from you!"<br /><br />4. What would it be like to think of yourself eating peacefully and richly at God's banquet table, aware that God is protecting you?<br /><br />I would have no fear of anything. I would know that I am His and He is mine, so I can partake of "His table" and know that I am forever protected as one of His own!<br /><br />5. What does Isaiah 55 tell us about God?<br /><br />What stood out most to me was:<br /><br />Isa 55:8 ¶ For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. <br /><br />Isa 55:9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.<br /><br />This is why everything we say and do as Christians should be according to what God has said in his word; not man-made ideas. His thoughts are so far above our thoughts, that we need his word each day for guidance towards being more like His Son, Jesus Christ, and obeying His word, day by day.<br /><br />6. What are we invited and instructed to do in this text?<br /><br />We are invited to delight ourselves in the Lord. By following God's Word, it will not return void in our lives. The wicked and unrighteous are invited to return to the Lord. We learn that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. This is why we need to heed and follow God's Word!<br /><br />7. Describe a time when you were aware of God providing emotional or spiritual nurture to you.<br /><br />I've shared this before. When I needed to speak at my Dad's funeral. Also, when I couldn't (in my own strength) convince my daughter that a certain boy in H.S. was bad news. The Lord came through when I was at my weakest moments.<br /><br />8. What is the "good" that God wants to feed us (Isaiah 55:2)?<br /><br />The goodness of the Lord and His Word! Don't get involved in things that don't satisfy and perish. Delight in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our heart! We don't need to substitute imperfect things. He is perfect and is what our soul needs and desires.<br /><br />9. Isaiah 55:7 describes God's mercy and pardon. How is the experience of receiving God's mercy part of the experience of being fed by God?<br /><br />What we need is salvation from the penalty of sin. God's mercy and pardon is afforded to us when we turn back to Him and repent! The only way to satisfy our longing souls is to be filled with God's Holy Spirit! Everything else is just so secondary!(I have a t-shirt that says, "Christ is life; everything else is just baseball.")<br /><br />10. Isaiah 55:12 describes gifts of joy and peace. In your experience what is the connection between experiencing joy and peace and being nurtured by God?<br /><br />Despite all the turmoil going on in the world, we know that Jesus Christ has "overcome the world." We are to "take heart" in this miracle called salvation! God's word tells us that when we belong to Him, "no one can snatch us out of His hands." Our eternal destination is secure! What a joyful hope this is! No matter what happens in this life, no matter how long I live, no matter how or when I will die, I will go to be with the Lord and dwell in His house forever! What else could I possible want or need?<br /><br />11. Isaiah 55:2 God invites each of us to come to God and to experience our "soul delighting in the richest of fare." Take a minute of quiet to put yourself in this picture and to reflect on this image. What thought and feelings do you have as you reflect?<br /><br />(see above)Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1163298701991196842006-11-11T18:23:00.000-08:002006-11-11T18:31:42.006-08:00The God Who Blesses UsGroup Discussion: Give an example of what it might mean to bless someone.<br /><br />I think that it is a blessing to someone when we know or find out that they are in need (food, clothing, money etc.) and we voluntarily give help to them; without expecting anything in return. It's a blessing to plant a seed of the gospel in someone's life, too. We may not know how or when such a seed may "sprout," but in the cases where we do see someone become born again in Christ, it is evidence of Christ's promises coming to fruition right before our own eyes! All we can do is plant, and God does the sowing and reaping for the kingdom!<br /><br />*******<br /><br />Personal Reflection: Of all the ways God has blessed you, what one or two blessings touch you the most deeply?<br /><br />The prime example of blessing is seeing someone whom I have prayed for (sometimes it takes years!) finally repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life! The angels celebrate when just one person repents and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! We should too!<br /><br />My husband and children have been the greatest blessing in my life. Despite the bad and the ugly things that may have happened over the years, the good far outweighs any and that! I am truly blessed by God through my family!<br /><br />1. How would you paraphrase the statement in the first part of Psalm 23:6?<br /><br />Christ, who is the author of goodness and is love, is with me always!<br /><br />What is your gut-level response to this verse? Do you believe it? Why or why not?<br /><br />I am never alone! He is with me always! I believe it because God said it! That settles it! Although in my humanity, I often fear things, the spiritual reality is that I have nothing to fear because Christ is with me through anything and everything....the good, the bad and the ugly.<br /><br />2. Read Psalm 40. What does the psalmist say God has done for him (vv.2-3)?<br /><br />God had brought him up from the pit; representing his lowest point of despair, sin and evil. Bringing him up our of the "miry clay" is a way of saying that he wasn't on solid ground, but mired in sin and iniquity. God brought him up from that spiritual dead end and placed him on the Rock of salvation...the pre-incarnate "Rock" who is Jesus Christ. He is now going in the right direction in his life, because he is trusting in God rather than men or man's wisdom. Submitting to God has caused him to "sing a new song." He is no longer depending upon his own, limited and finite understanding. His praise for God will be seen by others and as a result, many of them will come to "fear" (revere) God. Seeing such transformation helps others to put their trust in God, too.<br /><br />3. What is your response to the psalmist's description in verse 5 of God's bountiful blessings?<br /><br />He is saying that he realizes that the blessings bestowed upon him by God are countless! He is not letting the lies of others affect his relationship with God. <br /><br />Verse 4: "Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." When one trusts in the Lord, it is then that the bountiful blessings can be seen and realized.<br /><br />4. In verse 4 the psalmist offers important advice. When he was waiting for God to act, he could have taken matters into his own hands. Describe a time when you took matters into your own hands. What happened?<br /><br />I didn't get the idea of "taking matters into his own hands" from that verse. I got something different from it.<br /><br />5. Describe a time when you waited, prayed and trusted (Psalm40:1,4). What happened?<br /><br />I was involved with praying for my husband's salvation for 3 or 4 years. I added complaining about "how long" and when will God answer this prayer? His timing was perfect. It taught me a great lesson. My trust in God needs to be accompanied with patience regarding answered prayer!<br /><br />6. Psalm 40:6-8 describes a significant insight the psalmist has gained. The expression "my ears have you pierce" refers to being able to hear and understand in a new way. How would you paraphrase the insight that is shared in these verse?<br /><br />It was like a light bulb turned on within his mind. He was finally allowing himself to hear what the Lord was saying to him. It was a born-again moment.<br /><br />7. The tone of the text turns at Psalm 40:11. What is the psalmist expressing in verses 11-17?<br /><br />He was asking to be delivered from the evils of people who wanted to destroy him. He requested God's protection over his life, mind, heart and soul during the difficult times when he felt surrounded by evil men. He asked the Lord not to tarry, but to rescue him quickly. He also made sure to say, "Let the Lord be magnified;" not himself.<br /><br />8. The first part of Psalm 23:6 is a statement of hope. It is a statement about the future. Psalm 40:5 also talks about the things God has planned for us. At the same time Psalm 40:12 says, "troubles without number surround me." What can you learn about prayer in times of trouble from the psalmist's model here?<br /><br />Pray without ceasing! Pray with a hopeful heart. We can share our fears and troubles with God. Praying to him allows us to focus on him, rather than our problems. We can make our requests known to God and trust that he will deliver us and/or answer those prayers (if in his will for our lives) in the way that is perfect. We may not see the entire picture, but it will be made clear one day in eternity.<br /><br />9. In Psalm 40:2-3, 5 the psalmist talks about his gratitude for God's endless blessings in his life. Take a few minutes to make a gratitude list, thanking God for everything that comes to mind.<br /><br />I'm thankful for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior (and God's Word), the love and commitment of my husband, love of, and for, my children, all my family members, my friends, my acquaintences, my husband's great job, our home, good health, our provisions of food, shelter, clothing, all that we have.<br /><br />10. In Psalm 40:9-10 the psalmist talks about expressing his gratitude for God to others. How would you like to express your gratitude for God's blessings to others?<br /><br />I always pray for safety and traveling mercies when my family is away. I'm so grateful for the fine job my husband has so we could afford to send our children to college. I'm grateful for the character of our children; especially when the temptations to do ungodly things are so strong in our culture today.Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1160450663152537942006-10-09T20:06:00.000-07:002006-10-09T20:44:28.190-07:00The God Who Is with UsPsalm 34<br /><br />Sheep are defenseless creatures. They have no ability to protect themselves. They cannot even be trusted to find food on their own or to rest when they are tired, much less to defend themselves from attacks of predators. Sheep need the constant protection of their shepherd.<br /><br />When sheep in Palestine are on their journey to the high meadows they pass through deep canyons, which are dark and filled with dangers.* While in these dark valleys the shepherd is especially close, always making his presence known.<br /><br />GROUP DISCUSSION. When children are frightened in the middle of the night, what they need more than anything is someone to be with them. They need someone to reassure them with their presence. Think of a time you were afraid as a child. Describe your experience.<br /><br />PERSONAL REFLECTION. Think of a time when you were afraid and experienced God being with you. Describe your experience.<br /><br />In Psalm 34 David describes his experience of facing dangers and threats of every kind, of being afflicted and even brokenhearted. In spite of the experiences of affliction acknowledged in this psalm, this psalm is a psalm of good news, of loud shouts of praise, for David tells of discovering that God was with him - that God responded to his calls for help and rescued him.<br /><br /><em>Read Psalm 23:4</em><br /><em></em><br />"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For you are with me."<br /><br /><em>Read Psalm 34.</em><br /><br />1. What title would you give Psalm 34?<br /><br />2. List all the things the psalmist says that God has done and continues to do for us in Psalm 34.<br /><br />3. What response does the psalmist have in these verses to all the ways in which God has been with him?<br /><br />4. The first verse of Psalm 34 tells us that this psalm is meant especially for those who are <em>afflicted. </em>The psalm is written to encourage us when we are in distress or when we are walking through a dark valley. Reflect for a moment on the afflictions or dark valleys you have experienced in life. What have those times been like for you?<br /><br />5. What invitations and instructions do you find in this psalm?<br /><br />6. Both Psalm 34:19 and Psalm 23;4 teach us to expect difficult times, even when we are following God's ways. How does this compare with your expectations?<br /><br />7. Verses 17-19 tell us that the righteous may have many troubles, but that God will be close to them in those troubles and will deliver them. Have you found this to be true? What is your response to these verses?<br /><br />8. How might God make his presence known to us? What helps you experience God's presence?<br /><br />9. Take a minute of quiet and ask God to show you how he is with you as your refuge and help. Write whatever thoughts and feelings come to you.<br /><br /><em>Talk to God about whatever troubles you are experiencing. Invite God to show you that God's Spirit is with you always.</em><br /><em></em><br />Now or Later<br />Begin each day this week by reflecting on the truth that God will be with you all day, even in the difficulties. Invite God each day to remind you of his Spirit's presence with you. End each day by reflecting on the times you were aware of God's presence.<br /><br /><br />Psa 34:1 <br /><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Psa/Psa034.html">PSALM 34</a><br />A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.<br />I WILL bless the LORD at all times;<br />His praise shall continually be in my mouth.<br />Psa 34:2 <br />My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;<br />The humble shall hear of it and be glad.<br />Psa 34:3 <br />Oh, magnify the LORD with me,<br />And let us exalt His name together.<br />Psa 34:4 <br />I sought the LORD, and He heard me,<br />And delivered me from all my fears.<br />Psa 34:5 <br />They looked to Him and were radiant,<br />And their faces were not ashamed.<br />Psa 34:6 <br />This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,<br />And saved him out of all his troubles.<br />Psa 34:7 <br />The angel* of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,<br />And delivers them.<br />Psa 34:8 <br />Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;<br />Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!<br />Psa 34:9 <br />Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!<br />There is no want to those who fear Him.<br />Psa 34:10 <br />The young lions lack and suffer hunger;<br />But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.<br />Psa 34:11 <br />Come, you children, listen to me;<br />I will teach you the fear of the LORD.<br />Psa 34:12 <br />Who is the man who desires life,<br />And loves many days, that he may see good?<br />Psa 34:13 <br />Keep your tongue from evil,<br />And your lips from speaking deceit.<br />Psa 34:14 <br />Depart from evil and do good;<br />Seek peace and pursue it.<br />Psa 34:15 <br />The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,<br />And His ears are open to their cry.<br />Psa 34:16 <br />The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,<br />To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.<br />Psa 34:17 <br />The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,<br />And delivers them out of all their troubles.<br />Psa 34:18 <br />The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,<br />And saves such as have a contrite spirit.<br />Psa 34:19 <br />Many are the afflictions of the righteous,<br />But the LORD delivers him out of them all.<br />Psa 34:20 <br />He guards all his bones;<br />Not one of them is broken.<br />Psa 34:21 <br />Evil shall slay the wicked,<br />And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.<br />Psa 34:22 <br />The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,<br />And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.<br />Footnotes:<br />34:7<br />Or AngelChristinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1159845722568778952006-10-02T19:47:00.000-07:002006-10-02T20:29:35.803-07:00The God Who Guides UsPsalm 25 (below)<br /><br />In a flock of sheep there are always some who wander away. Some sheep become distracted and lose their way. But the shepherd knows this and looks out for them, drawing them back onto the path.<br /><br />God does not expect us to travel alone through life. God stays with us. A good shepherd anticipates and plans for the needs of his sheep. God goes before us and beside us, guiding us on the right path.<br /><br />GROUP DISCUSSION. What images come to mind when you think of a shepherd guiding his sheep?<br /><br />PERSONAL REFLECTION. Think of a time you experienced a sense of guidance from God. Describe the experience.<br /><br />Seeking and following God's loving, personal guidance for our lives is central to the life of serenity and peace that is portrayed in Psalm 23. It is also the deep heart cry of David in Psalm 25:4, "Show me your ways, O Lord."<br /><br />Read Psalm 23:3.<br />"He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."<br /><br />Read Psalm 25.<br /><br />1. What emotions do you see being expressed directly and indirectly in Psalm 25?<br /><br />2. When have you been in a situation in which you needed God's guidance in the way that is expressed here?<br /><br />3. How does the psalmist describe his relationship with God (vv. 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15-16, 20-21)?<br /><br />4. As you look at your answer to question 3, how would you compare or contrast the psalmist's relationship with God and your relationship with God at this time?<br /><br />5. What does the psalmist say about God?<br /><br />6. What does the psalmist ask of God?<br /><br />7. How might the reassurance of God's provision of guidance found in Psalm 23 provide comfort to a person seeking God's guidance with the urgency found in Psalm 25?<br /><br />8. As you look at your answer to question 5, how would you compare or contrast what the psalmist trusted to be true about God and what you trust to be true about God?<br /><br />9. In Psalm 25 the writer comes back to his need for forgiveness and God's forgiving love several times (vv. 6-9, 11, 18). What thoughts do you have about the relationship between this theme and the theme of seeking God's guidance?<br /><br />10. Many of us can identify with the sheep who stray. What fears or beliefs make it difficult for you to seek and follow God's guidance at times?<br /><br />11. What needs do you have for guidance at this time?<br /><br /><em>Pray, inviting God to guide you.</em><br /><p>Now or Later</p><p>Begin each day this week asking God for guidance and thanking God for the promise of guidance. End each day reflecting on the ways you can see God guiding you. If this is a struggle for you, spend time each day praying that God will heal your fears and open your eyes and heart to God's love so that your desire for God's guidance can grow.</p><p>*******</p><p><br />PSALM 25 (NKJV)<br />A Plea for Deliverance and Forgiveness<br />A Psalm of David.<br />To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=2&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">2</a> O my God, I trust in You;<br />Let me not be ashamed;<br />Let not my enemies triumph over me.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=3&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">3</a> Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;<br />Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=4&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">4</a> Show me Your ways, O Lord;<br />Teach me Your paths.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=5&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">5</a> Lead me in Your truth and teach me,<br />For You are the God of my salvation;<br />On You I wait all the day.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=6&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">6</a> Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,<br />For they are from of old.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=7&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">7</a> Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;<br />According to Your mercy remember me,<br />For Your goodness' sake, O Lord.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=8&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">8</a> Good and upright is the Lord;<br />Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=9&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">9</a> The humble He guides in justice,<br />And the humble He teaches His way.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=10&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">10</a> All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,<br />To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=11&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">11</a> For Your name's sake, O Lord,<br />Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=12&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">12</a> Who is the man that fears the Lord?<br />Him shall *He teach in the way He chooses.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=13&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">13</a> He himself shall dwell in prosperity,<br />And his descendants shall inherit the earth.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=14&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">14</a> The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,<br />And He will show them His covenant.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=15&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">15</a> My eyes are ever toward the Lord,<br />For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=16&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">16</a> Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,<br />For I am desolate and afflicted.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=17&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">17</a> The troubles of my heart have enlarged;<br />Bring me out of my distresses!<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=18&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">18</a> Look on my affliction and my pain,<br />And forgive all my sins.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=19&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">19</a> Consider my enemies, for they are many;<br />And they hate me with cruel hatred.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=20&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">20</a> Keep my soul, and deliver me;<br />Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=21&verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&chapter=025&navigated=yes#">21</a> Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,<br />For I wait for You.<br /><a onclick="return keepMe('http://www.blb.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=Psa&chapter=25&verse=22&amp;verion=nkjv');" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/tools/printer-friendly.pl?version=nkjvp&book=Psa&amp;chapter=025&navigated=yes#">22</a> Redeem Israel, O God,<br />Out of all their troubles!<br />Footnotes:<br />25:12<br />Or he</p><p></p>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1159226986459908172006-09-25T16:13:00.000-07:002006-09-25T16:45:07.946-07:00The God Who Invites Us to RestMatthew 11:25-30<br /><br />The first item on the list of provisions given to us by God our Shepherd is rest. It is easy to read right past this truth every time we encounter this psalm. The reality is that sheep, much like many humans, do not easily rest. If left to themselves they tend to wander aimlessly. They will not lie down unless they have a readily available supply of food. And, because they are defenseless and vulnerable, once they do lie down, they tend to be quite skittish. A small sound or movement can send them running.<br /><br />But a good shepherd knows all this about his sheep. And so, he finds rich pastures and leads them there. And he directs them to stop and rest. He also stays with them to calm and reassure them.<br /><br />GROUP DISCUSSION. What images come to mind when you think about resting?<br /><br />PERSONAL REFLECTION. Describe a time when you experienced emotional and spiritual rest.<br /><br />Read Psalm 23:2-3.<br /><br />"He makes me lie down in green pastures,<br />he leads me beside quiet waters,<br />He restores my soul."<br /><br />1. These verses tell us about a God who causes us to lie down in green pastures, who leads us beside quiet waters and who restores our soul. Take a minute of quiet to reflect on these images. What thoughts and feelings do you have in response to these images?<br /><br />2. <em>Read Matthew 11:25-30. </em><br /><br />Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.<br /> <br /> Mat 11:26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. <br /><br /><br /> Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him]. <br /><br /><br /> Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. <br /><br /><br /> Mat 11:29 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. <br /><br /><br /> Mat 11:30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.<br /><br />This text begins with Jesus praying. In his prayer, Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual humility (being little children). What is the relationship between spiritual humility and being able to respond to an invitation to rest?<br /><br />3. What does Jesus invite us to do in the text from Matthew?<br /><br />4. What promises does Jesus make?<br /><br />5. How do these promises compare with your expectations of what Jesus wants to offer you or expects from you?<br /><br />6. What words would you use to paraphrase the way Jesus describes himself in the text from Matthew?<br /><br />7. What about this description of Jesus might make it easier to rest in Jesus' presence?<br /><br />8. Psalm 23:3 says that the rest God provides "restores my soul." In Matthew 11:29 Jesus promises "rest for your souls." What do you think these phrases mean?<br /><br />9. What experiences have you had of your soul needing rest?<br /><br />10. The text in Matthew is addressed to people who are weary and burdened. What is causing you to feel weary and burdened at this time in your life?<br /><br />11. What makes it difficult for you to rest physically, emotionally, spiritually? <br /><br />12. What helps you to rest physically, emotionally and spiritually?<br /><br />13. Take a few minutes of quiet and picture yourself in a green meadow, beside quiet waters with Jesus. Jesus has invited you to come to him and to rest with him. You have accepted the invitation. As you rest quietly with Jesus, he reminds you that you are safe with him because he is gentle and humble in heart.<br /><br />Write about your experience during this time of reflection.<br /><br />Respond honestly to Jesus' invitation to rest. Share your fears, your hesitations, your longings, your gratitude, your need for help in resting, your need for rest or whatever honest responses you have.<br /><br />Now or Later<br />This week reread Matthew 11:28-30. Revisit question 13, writing each day about your experience as you respond to Jesus'invitation to rest.Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1158614348897166952006-09-18T14:00:00.000-07:002006-09-18T14:27:11.510-07:00The God Who Shepherds UsPsalm 23<br /><br />Psalm 23 is written from the perspective of a shepherd in Palestine. It was his job to take the family's flock of sheep out in search of food. This meant going on long journeys with the sheep. It meant living with the sheep day and night. It meant guarding them from predators. It meant finding suitable pastures for them to graze and enough water for them to drink.<br /><br />Being a shepherd meant thinking about the needs of the flock most of the time - much like a parent thinks about the needs of a young child, planning ahead for feeding time and rest time and play time. I remember when I was caring for our children when they were little, anticipating their needs and delighting in their presence in our home, I would find myself reflecting from time to time, "this is a picture of what God does for me." As the pslmist cared for his flock, he seems to have had a similar experience.<br /><br />GROUP DISCUSSION. When have you experienced joy in meeting a need for someone?<br /><br />PERSONAL REFLECTION. What would you list as your most basic five or six needs in life?<br /><br />The psalmist sees in his experience of delighting in and providing for his beloved sheep a picture of the loving, active, intimate care that God provides day after day all through our lives. He wrote as one whose eyes are opened to the amazing truth of God's powerful, protective, joyful, sustaining love for us.<br /><em>Read Psalm 23.</em><br /><em></em><br />1. The thesis for this psalm is stated in the first verse. How would you paraphrase this verse for our context?<br /><br />2. List the needs that God the Shepherd meets as they are described in the rest of this psalm.<br /><br />3. We live in a consumer society. We tend to think of ourselves as always lacking something, always needing something more. Reflect for a moment on what it would be like to be aware that God will provide everything you need. What thoughts and feelings do you have as you reflect on this thought?<br /><br />4. Which of the needs identified in this psalm are you particularly aware of God meeting in your life at this time?<br /><br />5. What is it like for you to experience God's care in this way?<br /><br />6. Which of the provisions described in this psalm are you especially in need of?<br /><br />7. This psalm describes our relationship with God as one in which God actively provides for us. God gives and cares and attends. We receive and receive and receive. How does this picture of God compare with your concept and experience of God?<br /><br />8. Sheep are vulnerable animals, in need of their shepherd's care. In what ways do you relate to this metaphor of being a sheep?<br /><br />9. How does this picture of who we are in relationship to God (the receivers of love and care) compare with your concept of who you are in relationship to God?<br /><br />10. What difference might it make (or does it make) in your life to see your relationship with God in this way?<br /><br />11. Do you relate to the image of God as a shepherd? What other images come to mind when you reflect on God as the one who provides, cares, protects and guides?<br /><br />12. Spend a few minutes in quiet, reflecting on God as your loving shepherd or caretaker. What thoughts and feelings or images come to you as you reflect in this way?<br /><br />13. When we are experiencing a specific need, it can be helpful to remember that God, who is our loving Shepherd, desires to meet our needs. Scripture frequently reminds us to talk to God about our needs. What specific needs are you experiencing at this time that you would like to ask God to meet?<br /><br /><em>Express your needs and your gratitude to God who shepherds you.</em><br /><p><em>Now or Later</em></p><p>This week, begin each day in quiet, reflecting on God as your loving Shepherd. End each day by focusing on the ways you sense that God cared for you during the day.</p><p>You might want to keep a gratitude list, acknowledging God's specific care each day.</p><p>Pray that your heart and mind will be open to receive all the good gifts God is giving you.</p><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><em></em>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1158612993439838112006-09-18T13:37:00.000-07:002006-09-18T13:56:33.476-07:00A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23Introduction post.<br /><br />This is the beginning of my Fall Bible study. The book being used for this study is called <em>A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23, </em>written by Phillip Keller. The study questions being used are from <em>The 23rd Psalm, The Lord, Our Shepherd,</em> written by Juanita Ryan. It is a part of the <em>LifeGuide </em>Bible study series. Both books cost about five dollars each. If you would like to participate in the study, you can copy and paste the questions posted each week into the comment section, and then record your personal answers. Additional questions, comments, and even criticisms can also be posted in the comment section.<br /><br />What Psalm 23 is about and what to expect from this study.<br /><br />Juanita Ryan writes:<br /><br /><blockquote><p>Psalm 23 is a personal confession of love and gratitude from one human soul to God. It is a portrait of a God who is astonishingly intimate, kind, protective and generous with us. The message it offers, the golden key it holds out to us is this: we are invited to live securely in God's love and care for us. We are sheep - not very strong, not very wise, very much in need of help and guidance. God is a good Shepherd. God tends to us, cares for us, plans for us, provides for us, protects us, guides us and stays close to us. In life and in death we can come to know that all is well because God, our good Shepherd, is with us. Our part is to remember who we are and who God is. Our part is to rest in God's unfailing love, to follow God's faithful guidance and to allow ourselves to receive our good Shepherd's personal care for us.<br /><br />The meaning, purpose and satisfaction we search for in life does not come from striving or proving ourselves or working hard to please others or God. The simple secret explored in this psalm is that life becomes rich, full and deeply satisfying when we rest in God's unfailing love.<br /><br />May your heart and mind be nourished in the green pastures and beside the quiet waters of God's kindness. May your soul be restored as you grow in awareness of God's personal, tender care for you. May you rest in the promise of God's constant presence with you. May you know the peace and joy that come in anticipating that God's love and goodness will folow you all the days of your life. May you find your true home in the God who delights in you and who loves you unconditionally, abundantly and faithfully. </p><p><br /></p></blockquote>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1155842805409767922006-08-17T12:10:00.000-07:002006-08-18T15:54:14.783-07:00First Invitation Is Refused<em><strong>Matthew 22:3 - And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.</strong></em><br /><br />David Guzik commentary:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>1. (1-3) The first invitation is refused.<br /><br />And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come."<br /><br />a. They were not willing to come: It seems strange that those invited refused an invitation to a royal wedding; but there is no logical reason why people refuse the good things God invites us to.</blockquote><strong><em>"There is no logical reason why people refuse the good things God invites us to."</em></strong><br /><p><strong><em>Wow! </em></strong>That is a great point to consider!</p><p>Can you think of several excuses why people may not accept an invitation to a <em>royal wedding?</em> I can think of some. </p><p>"I'm too busy."</p><p>"I don't want to pay the price (or cost) for a gift."</p><p>"I don't know them well enough."</p><p>"I don't even <em>like them!!"</em></p><p>"I don't have anyone to drag along with me."</p><p>"I want to do something else that day."</p><p>"I already have plans."</p><p><p>I don't have <b>the right garment to wear!</b><br /><br />But wait...could there be some "inner conflicting" reasons why such an invitation, as it pertains to Christ, might be refused?</p><p>"I'm not worthy?"</p><p>"I'm unwilling to face what this invitation truly means?"</p><p>"I'm against <em>those kind of people </em>and don't want to mingle with them?"</p><p>"I know, deep down, that I am a sinner in need of a Savior but <em>refuse to admit it?"</em></p><p><em><strong>"I know that Christ wants to provide me with the "right garment to wear," but I refuse and am unwilling to wear it!!"</strong></em></p><p><em>How sad and pathetic such excuses are in light of what they will be missing!</em></p><br /><br /><p>Matthew Henry commentary:</p><p><blockquote><strong>2. Here is a dinner prepared for this marriage, v. 4. All the privileges of church-membership, and all the blessings of the new covenant, pardon of sin, the favour of God, peace of conscience, the promises of the gospel, and all the riches contained in them, access to the throne of grace, the comforts of the Spirit, and a well-grounded hope of eternal life. These are the preparations for this feast, a heaven upon earth now, and a heaven in heaven shortly. God has prepared it in his counsel, in his covenant. It is a dinner, denoting present privileges in the midst of our day, beside the supper at night in glory.</strong> [bold- mine] <p></p><p><br />(1.) It is a feast. Gospel preparations were prophesied of as a feast (<a name="7"></a><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Isa/Isa025.html#6">Isa. 25:6</a>), a feast of fat things, and were typified by the many festivals of the ceremonial law (<a name="4"></a><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1Cr/1Cr005.html#8">1 Co. 5:8</a>); Let us keep the feast. A feast is a good day (<a name="6"></a><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Est/Est007.html#17">Esth. 7:17</a>); so is the gospel; it is a continual feast. Oxen and fatlings are killed for this feast; no niceties, but substantial food; enough, and enough of the best. The day of a feast is a day of slaughter, or sacrifice, <a name="8"></a><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jam/Jam005.html#5">Jam. 5:5</a>. <strong>Gospel preparations are all founded in the death of Christ, his sacrifice of himself. A feast was made for love, it is a reconciliation feast, a token of God’s goodwill toward men. </strong>It was made for laughter (<a name="5"></a><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Ecc/Ecc010.html#19">Eccl. 10:19</a>), it is a rejoicing feast. <strong>It was made for fulness; the design of the gospel was to fill every hungry soul with good things.</strong> It was made for fellowship, to maintain an intercourse between heaven and earth. We are sent for to the banquet of wine, that we may tell what is our petition, and what is our request. [bold- mine]</p><p><br /><strong>(2.) It is a wedding feast. Wedding feasts are usually rich, free, and joyful. The first miracle Christ wrought, was, to make plentiful provision for a wedding feast (</strong><a name="9"></a><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jhn/Jhn002.html#7"><strong>Jn. 2:7</strong></a><strong>); and surely then he will not be wanting in provision for his own wedding feast, when the marriage of the Lamb is come, and the bride hath made herself ready, a victorious triumphant feast, </strong><a name="10"></a><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rev/Rev019.html#7"><strong>Rev. 19:7</strong></a><strong>, 17, 18. [bold - mine]</strong></p></blockquote>Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1155836169308126702006-08-17T09:46:00.000-07:002006-08-17T10:40:33.590-07:00The King Who arranged a marriage for His SonMatthew Henry's commentary provides a nice overview of Matthew 22:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Chapter 22<br /><br />This chapter is a continuation of Christ’s discourses in the temple, two or three days before he died. His discourses then are largely recorded, as being of special weight and consequence. In this chapter, we have, I. Instruction given, by the parable of the marriage-supper, concerning the rejection of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles (v. 1–10), and, by the doom of the guest that had not the wedding-garment, the danger of hypocrisy in the profession of Christianity (v. 11–14). II. Disputes with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes, who opposed Christ, 1. Concerning paying tribute to Caesar (v. 15–22). 2. Concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the future state (v. 23–33). 3. Concerning the great commandment of the law (v. 34–40). 4. Concerning the relation of the Messiah to David (v. 41–46). </blockquote><br /><br />Beginning with verse 1, we find out that Jesus utilized the form of a parable to answer the questions posed to Him:<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Mat 22:1 AND Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:<br /><br />Mat 22:2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,</em></strong><br /><br />Matthew Henry commentary:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>We have here the parable of the guests invited to the wedding-feast. In this it is said (v. 1), Jesus answered, not to what his opposers said (for they were put to silence), but to what they thought, when they were wishing for an opportunity to lay hands on him, ch. 21:46. Note, Christ knows how to answer men’s thoughts, for he is a Discerner of them. Or, He answered, that is, he continued his discourse to the same purport; for this parable represents the gospel offer, and the entertainment it meets with, as the former, but under another similitude. The parable of the vineyard represents the sin of the rulers that persecuted the prophets; it shows also the sin of the people, who generally neglected the message, while their great ones were persecuting the messengers.<br /><br />I. Gospel preparations are here represented by a feast which a king made at the marriage of his son; such is the kingdom of heaven, such the provision made for precious souls, in and by the new covenant. The King is God, a great King, King of kings. Now,<br /><br />1. Here is a marriage made for his son, Christ is the Bridegroom, the church is the bride; the gospel-day is the day of his espousals, <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Sgs/Sgs003.html#11">Cant. 3:11.*</a> Behold by faith the church of the first-born, that are written in heaven, and were given to Christ by him whose they were; and in them you see the bride, the Lamb’s wife, <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rev/Rev021.html#9">Rev. 21:9.</a> The gospel covenant is a marriage covenant betwixt Christ and believers, and it is a marriage of God’s making. This branch of the similitude is only mentioned, and not prosecuted here. </blockquote><br /><br />I love the detail that Henry provides in his commentaries. He also provides links to additional verses in the Bible to reiterate what is being shared.<br /><br />Notice that Henry states that "the gospel covenant is a marriage covenant between Christ and believers, <strong>and it is a marriage of God's making." </strong><br /><br />This provides more evidence of God's intention regarding the marriage covenant that he originally created. In Genesis, we are told that it is a union between one man and one woman. No other type of union is described as being a legitimate marriage. This is one profound reason why many Christian believers (as well as Jewish and even Muslim people) reject the notion of "same-sex marriage." It is not fitting, proper, nor recognized by God according to the Scriptures.<br /><br />Another point to consider is how Jesus uses marriage as a description of his relationship between Himself and believers. It is discussed as a covenant, not a sexual union. Later, in this chapter, we find out that marriage is much more than a sexual union and that the giving and taking in marriage is no longer needed, desired or done in eternity. We will discover that our relationship to Christ will be similar to "the angels in heaven." Right now, we are created "a little lower than the angels." In eternity, we will be presented as the "Bride of Christ" and will be judges of the angels! Wow! That's quite an honor and responsibility. We better get ready while here on earth...Amen?<br /><br />If you are a student of the Bible, you can't help but notice that Satan, Christ's adversary, has throughout history been engaged in twisting Scripture and tempting people to his own ends.<br /><br />Could the twisting of the marriage covenant introduced by God in Genesis be another weapon in Satan's evil arsenal?<br /><br />I think so.<br /><br />He has wrecked havoc here on earth in the forms of temptation into fornication, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, pedophilia, pornography, rape, incest, prostitution, abortion etc. No wonder Jesus likened the signs of the end times to being <strong>"as in the days of Lot," and "as in the days of Noah." What were those "times" known for? Sexual perversion and licientiousness! </strong>Except for pornography, the rest of the sexual sins and perversions were certainly rampant in Biblical times as they are today. Sexual sins often become the "idols" or "gods" that people pursue here on earth. Athiests, skeptics and agnostics may claim not to believe in the God of the Bible, but many probably have some sexual sin type of baggage that keeps them in bondage to the "Prince of Darkness" and away from the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. <em>Sexual sin is one of the most powerful forces that keep people away from God!</em><br /><br />Henry's comment, "The parable of the vineyard represents the sin of the rulers that persecuted the prophets; it shows also the sin of the people, who generally neglected the message, while their great ones were persecuting the messengers," describes how little unregenerate man has changed since Biblical times. Look around today and we see people, "who generally neglect the message" of Christ's gospel. We see "great ones" (meaning, religious leaders who reject the timeless wisdom of the Bible and instead create religions to please themselves) persecuting the messengers (born-again, Bible-based Christians who are often labeled in derogatory terms). Today, it is not "politically correct" to point out the sin of the people for the sake of salvation for their souls. The new "emergent church" techniques eliminate the "bad news" of our sinful condition and only share the "good news" of the Gospel. Trouble is, without confession and repentance, the salvation of the soul cannot be realized by the individual. The Holy Spirit indwells the repentant heart, not the prideful heart that would "hold onto" any type of sin that the individual refuses to confess; or even admit is a sin in the first place!<br /><br /><br /><br />[*Note: The Cant. 3:11 designation is something that I'm not familiar with. However, when you click on the link it takes you to Song of Songs 3:11.]Christinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32798355.post-1155682624297510642006-08-15T15:41:00.000-07:002006-08-16T08:04:46.626-07:00No One Was Able to Answer Him a WordMatthew 22 (NKJV)<br /><br />Mat 22:1 AND Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:<br /><br />Mat 22:2 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,</span><br /><br />Mat 22:3 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.</span><br /><br />Mat 22:4 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."'</span><br /><br />Mat 22:5 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. </span><br /><br />Mat 22:6 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. </span><br /><br />Mat 22:7 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.</span><br /><br />Mat 22:8 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. </span><br /><br />Mat 22:9 <span style="color:#cc0000;">'Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' </span><br /><br />Mat 22:10<span style="color:#cc0000;"> "So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.</span><br /><br />Mat 22:11 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. </span><br /><br />Mat 22:12 "<span style="color:#cc0000;">So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.</span><br /><br />Mat 22:13 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and* cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'</span><br /><br />Mat 22:14 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"For many are called, but few are chosen." </span><br /><br />Mat 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.<br /><br /><b>Mat 22:16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.</b><br /><br />Mat 22:17 "Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"<br /><br />Mat 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, <span style="color:#cc0000;">"Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? </span><br /><br />Mat 22:19 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"Show Me the tax money."</span> So they brought Him a denarius.<br /><br />Mat 22:20 And He said to them, <span style="color:#cc0000;">"Whose image and inscription is this?"</span><br /><br />Mat 22:21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, <span style="color:#cc0000;">"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." </span><br /><br />Mat 22:22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.<br /><br />Mat 22:23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,<br /><br />Mat 22:24 saying: <span style="color:#cc0000;">"Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.</span><br /><br />Mat 22:25 "Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother.<br /><br />Mat 22:26 "Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh.<br /><br />Mat 22:27 "Last of all the woman died also.<br /><br />Mat 22:28 "Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her."<br /><br />Mat 22:29 Jesus answered and said to them, <span style="color:#cc0000;">"You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.</span><br /><br />Mat 22:30 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God* in heaven.</span><br /><br />Mat 22:31 "<span style="color:#cc0000;">But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,</span><br /><br />Mat 22:32 <span style="color:#cc0000;">'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?* God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."</span><br /><br />Mat 22:33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.<br /><br />Mat 22:34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.<br /><br />Mat 22:35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,<br /><br />Mat 22:36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"<br /><br />Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, <span style="color:#cc0000;">"'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'* </span><br /><br />Mat 22:38 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"This is the first and great commandment.</span><br /><br />Mat 22:39 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'* </span><br /><br />Mat 22:40 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." </span><br /><br />Mat 22:41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,<br /><br />Mat 22:42 saying, <span style="color:#cc0000;">"What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "The Son of David."</span><br /><br />Mat 22:43 He said to them, <span style="color:#cc0000;">"How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying:<br /></span><br />Mat 22:44 <span style="color:#cc0000;">'The LORD said to my Lord,<br />"Sit at My right hand,<br />Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"'?*<br /></span><br />Mat 22:45 <span style="color:#cc0000;">"If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?"</span><br /><br />Mat 22:46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.<br /><br />Footnotes:<br />22:13 NU-Text omits take him away, and.<br />22:30 NU-Text omits of God.<br />22:32 Exodus 3:6, 15<br />22:37 Deuteronomy 6:5<br />22:39 Leviticus 19:18<br />22:44 Psalm 110:1<br /><br />*******<br />Commentary:<br /><br />I love this portion of Scripture. It reveals how those who would question Jesus <strong>for the specific purpose of attempting to "trip up" our Master, Jesus Christ,</strong> ended up speechless after hearing <strong><em>His question</em></strong>!<br /><br />There are days, weeks and even months of study in this chapter! And that is what I would like to do. Take a verse or two at a time and expound upon the words of Jesus.<br /><br />Comments and questions are most welcome. Application to current day circumstances, problems, situations etc. are also welcome. This blog will be a "growing one" and new posts will most likely add to our knowledge of Biblical truth that can be gleaned from Scripture.<br /><br />Welcome to my new <strong><em>The Way of God in Truth</em></strong> blog!<br /><br />ChristineChristinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.com3