Romans 5
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
This blog is not about the world. But, somehow I cannot resist a comment about Mr. Glen Beck and his appearance on the Mall in Washington, D.C. this past weekend.
He's preaching. But he's not preaching the Blood. He's preaching. But he's not preaching the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior.
That not a comment critical comment, against Mr. Beck. It's just a comment....
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Fasting....And Husbands And Wives
1 Corinthians 7
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
So. I was looking for a Bible passage on gluttony. My doctor says I need to lose some weight. And I came across this passage on fasting. Here, fasting is mentioned, but more important, Paul provides the Biblical basis for marital intimacy.
And fasting? Maybe fasting is just one, small, not so significant thread in the tapestry of righteous, biblical, Christian living.
More From 1 Corinthians 7
9 ....it is better to marry than to burn.
So much for fasting....
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
So. I was looking for a Bible passage on gluttony. My doctor says I need to lose some weight. And I came across this passage on fasting. Here, fasting is mentioned, but more important, Paul provides the Biblical basis for marital intimacy.
And fasting? Maybe fasting is just one, small, not so significant thread in the tapestry of righteous, biblical, Christian living.
More From 1 Corinthians 7
9 ....it is better to marry than to burn.
So much for fasting....
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Overcoming
John 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.
As you walk, in the Spirit, your fight is to overcome evil, which is the world.
Romans 12
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
So, the question is. How do we fight evil here on earth. No answers today.....
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.
As you walk, in the Spirit, your fight is to overcome evil, which is the world.
Romans 12
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
So, the question is. How do we fight evil here on earth. No answers today.....
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Hebrews And Christians
Isaiah 49
22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
This passage is a wonderful expression of the holy relationship between the Hebrews and Christians.
More From Isaiah 49
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
Just before the wonderful passages above came this sorrowful passage about the suffering of the Hebrews:
Isaiah 49
21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
Bone chilling....
22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
This passage is a wonderful expression of the holy relationship between the Hebrews and Christians.
More From Isaiah 49
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
Just before the wonderful passages above came this sorrowful passage about the suffering of the Hebrews:
Isaiah 49
21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
Bone chilling....
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Body Of Christ
Colossians 2
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
This passage is about the body of Christ. I do not believe it is about the local church. There is a distinction. Right? Think about this: Our daily connection with our local church can be difficult. We are imperfect sinners and the local church, as wonderful as it, usually, is or can be problematic.
On the other hand, our daily connection with the body of Christ, which includes only the saved saints, is always pure, holy and blessed by God.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
This passage is about the body of Christ. I do not believe it is about the local church. There is a distinction. Right? Think about this: Our daily connection with our local church can be difficult. We are imperfect sinners and the local church, as wonderful as it, usually, is or can be problematic.
On the other hand, our daily connection with the body of Christ, which includes only the saved saints, is always pure, holy and blessed by God.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Echos
Isaiah 49
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
God speaks of his relationship with the Hebrews. This passage echos the wounds from the nails on the hands of Jesus. Those wounds symbolize of the longsuffering sacrifice of God, of Jesus. For our sins, for our salvation.
It's a clear, warm, sunny, summer day. It's going to be a good day....
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
God speaks of his relationship with the Hebrews. This passage echos the wounds from the nails on the hands of Jesus. Those wounds symbolize of the longsuffering sacrifice of God, of Jesus. For our sins, for our salvation.
It's a clear, warm, sunny, summer day. It's going to be a good day....
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Darkness Out Of The Prison House
Isaiah 42
6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Until we accept Jesus as our savior, He will be there, preaching the gospel message to us. And, until we accept Jesus as our savior, we will be sitting in the darkness of prison. All we have to do is accept his gift of grace. In the Old Testament and the New Testament, the message is the same.
1 Peter 3
8 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Until we accept Jesus as our savior, He will be there, preaching the gospel message to us. And, until we accept Jesus as our savior, we will be sitting in the darkness of prison. All we have to do is accept his gift of grace. In the Old Testament and the New Testament, the message is the same.
1 Peter 3
8 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Monday, August 16, 2010
Jesus In The Book Of Isaiah
Isaiah 49
1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
This passage is good for considering the connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament, and indeed, between the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the God of Jesus, Peter and Paul. The Hebrew writers typically conclude that this passage referred to Isaiah.
More From Isaiah 49
6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
But we know now that this passage is about the Messiah, Jesus. Considering the connection between the Old and New Testament is important if we are to obtain some knowledge of God, His essence and His will....
Rashi on Isaiah 49:1
"called me from the womb": When I was still in the womb, the thought came before Him that my name should be Isaiah (יְשַׁעְיָה) to prophesy salvations (יְשׁוּעוֹת) and consolations.
1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
This passage is good for considering the connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament, and indeed, between the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the God of Jesus, Peter and Paul. The Hebrew writers typically conclude that this passage referred to Isaiah.
More From Isaiah 49
6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
But we know now that this passage is about the Messiah, Jesus. Considering the connection between the Old and New Testament is important if we are to obtain some knowledge of God, His essence and His will....
Rashi on Isaiah 49:1
"called me from the womb": When I was still in the womb, the thought came before Him that my name should be Isaiah (יְשַׁעְיָה) to prophesy salvations (יְשׁוּעוֹת) and consolations.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Sin and Paul
Romans 7
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Jamieson Faussett Brown
But the language is not that of a sinner newly awakened to the sight of his lost state; it is the cry of a living but agonized believer, weighed down under a burden which is not himself, but which he longs to shake off from his renewed self.
Here, Paul, his salvation assured, and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, agonizes over his earthly existence. This is one of those passages well worth a life time of meditation.
The best insight from the above is John Gill's description of Paul as "a living but agonized believer."
Isaiah 6
5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Jamieson Faussett Brown
But the language is not that of a sinner newly awakened to the sight of his lost state; it is the cry of a living but agonized believer, weighed down under a burden which is not himself, but which he longs to shake off from his renewed self.
Here, Paul, his salvation assured, and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, agonizes over his earthly existence. This is one of those passages well worth a life time of meditation.
The best insight from the above is John Gill's description of Paul as "a living but agonized believer."
Isaiah 6
5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Peace And Comfort
John 10
40 And [Jesus] went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
During most of this chapter, Jesus talks to the Jews in the temple in Solomon's porch. The talk is tense with more threats of stoning.
And at the end of the chapter we come to this short passage. No deep theology. No parable to meditate on. But is is just a wonderful, peaceful passage. A break in the action, heaven on earth. It reminds me of the wonderful routine of going to church.
40 And [Jesus] went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
During most of this chapter, Jesus talks to the Jews in the temple in Solomon's porch. The talk is tense with more threats of stoning.
And at the end of the chapter we come to this short passage. No deep theology. No parable to meditate on. But is is just a wonderful, peaceful passage. A break in the action, heaven on earth. It reminds me of the wonderful routine of going to church.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Christian Living
Ephesians 4
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The simple meaning of this passage, each and every phrase, is my understanding of Christian living. It seems like it has always been with me, even before I read it.
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The simple meaning of this passage, each and every phrase, is my understanding of Christian living. It seems like it has always been with me, even before I read it.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
God's Sovereign Grace
Isaiah 48
10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
It's not about you, a sinner. It is, always and forever, about G-d....
I think I've read that some Bible believing Christians don't like the phrase God's sovereign grace or it's connotations. In the phrase God's sovereign grace it I find wonderful comfort and peace
More From Isaiah 48
12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
It's not about you, a sinner. It is, always and forever, about G-d....
I think I've read that some Bible believing Christians don't like the phrase God's sovereign grace or it's connotations. In the phrase God's sovereign grace it I find wonderful comfort and peace
More From Isaiah 48
12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
Friday, August 6, 2010
God The Refiner
Malachi 3
1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Here, Malachi is talking about God's messenger, Jesus. Our preacher preached God, the refiner, this past Wednesday night. My Bible study this morning included this passage:
Isaiah 48
10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Life is good, when your church life echos in your daily life....
1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Here, Malachi is talking about God's messenger, Jesus. Our preacher preached God, the refiner, this past Wednesday night. My Bible study this morning included this passage:
Isaiah 48
10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Life is good, when your church life echos in your daily life....
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Unanswered Prayers
Matthew 6
13 And lead us not into temptation....
There is one prayer that God does not answer. He does lead us to temptation. He is always testing us.
Job 1
11 [Satan says,] But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
The Rest of Matthew 6:13
13....but deliver us from evil....
Temptation, the endless test, the endless battle....
13 And lead us not into temptation....
There is one prayer that God does not answer. He does lead us to temptation. He is always testing us.
Job 1
11 [Satan says,] But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
The Rest of Matthew 6:13
13....but deliver us from evil....
Temptation, the endless test, the endless battle....
Monday, August 2, 2010
Three Documents
2 Timothy 2
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
My Bible journey began on a sunny, fall afternoon at the Walmart in Cedar Hill, Texas. On that day I bought a paperback copy of the NIV Bible. And I started reading. And never stopped, though I did switch to the KJV. It's been more than ten years since I began my Bible journey.
Soon after my journey started, I found three documents. They have been the guiding lights on my journey.
9 .... We....do not cease to pray for you....
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
My Bible journey began on a sunny, fall afternoon at the Walmart in Cedar Hill, Texas. On that day I bought a paperback copy of the NIV Bible. And I started reading. And never stopped, though I did switch to the KJV. It's been more than ten years since I began my Bible journey.
Soon after my journey started, I found three documents. They have been the guiding lights on my journey.
- London Baptist Confession of 1644Colossians 1
- John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
- Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth, by C. I. Scofield
9 .... We....do not cease to pray for you....
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
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