Isaiah 60
16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
What an odd passage. Is there a message we need to consider in each and every sentence of the Bible?
More From Isaiah 60
19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
Better not forget. Isaiah 60 is a grand and glorious look to the future coming of the Messiah....
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Angels Among Us
Acts 18
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome,) and came unto them.
Missionaries are God's angels.
They come to my church once in a while, to exhort, to edify. And whatever sacrifices they make, are ignored. The efforts of these missionaries are the mysterious workings of God and the Spirit.
And I really don't understand missionaries and their sacrifice.
My mother-in-law gave me a book, so many years ago, "The Baptists And The Bible." And there was a passage about William Carey, the first Baptist missionary to India. It's a story I will never forget, and it, somehow, shaped my spiritual life. Here's the story:
About The Sacrifice Of William Carey's Wife, From Wikipedia
Dorothy Carsey had refused to leave England, being pregnant with their fourth son and having never been more than a few miles from home; but before they left they asked her again to come with them and she gave consent, with the knowledge that her sister Kitty would help her give birth.
More About Carey's Wife His son Peter died of dysentery, causing Dorothy to suffer a nervous breakdown from which she never recovered.
And Finally
Dorothy Carey died in 1807. She had long since ceased to be a useful member of the mission, and in fact was actually a hindrance to its work. John Marshman wrote how Carey worked away on his studies and translations, ".while an insane wife, frequently wrought up to a state of most distressing excitement, was in the next room."
I've been posting here for quite awhile. This is the first post that is not edifing. This post was painful to write.
And I just don't understand....
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome,) and came unto them.
Missionaries are God's angels.
They come to my church once in a while, to exhort, to edify. And whatever sacrifices they make, are ignored. The efforts of these missionaries are the mysterious workings of God and the Spirit.
And I really don't understand missionaries and their sacrifice.
My mother-in-law gave me a book, so many years ago, "The Baptists And The Bible." And there was a passage about William Carey, the first Baptist missionary to India. It's a story I will never forget, and it, somehow, shaped my spiritual life. Here's the story:
About The Sacrifice Of William Carey's Wife, From Wikipedia
Dorothy Carsey had refused to leave England, being pregnant with their fourth son and having never been more than a few miles from home; but before they left they asked her again to come with them and she gave consent, with the knowledge that her sister Kitty would help her give birth.
More About Carey's Wife His son Peter died of dysentery, causing Dorothy to suffer a nervous breakdown from which she never recovered.
And Finally
Dorothy Carey died in 1807. She had long since ceased to be a useful member of the mission, and in fact was actually a hindrance to its work. John Marshman wrote how Carey worked away on his studies and translations, ".while an insane wife, frequently wrought up to a state of most distressing excitement, was in the next room."
I've been posting here for quite awhile. This is the first post that is not edifing. This post was painful to write.
And I just don't understand....
Saturday, September 25, 2010
What a Friend We Have
John 15
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Oh how I love the song, "What A Friend We have in Jesus."
On the other hand, I somehow just can't bring myself to consider Jesus as, a friend. To me, he will always be my Shepard, my savior, Son, of an awesome G-d....
This passage not withstanding:
More From John 15
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Oh how I love the song, "What A Friend We have in Jesus."
On the other hand, I somehow just can't bring myself to consider Jesus as, a friend. To me, he will always be my Shepard, my savior, Son, of an awesome G-d....
This passage not withstanding:
More From John 15
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you
Thursday, September 23, 2010
A Final Dark, Grusome Note From Isaiah
Isaiah 7
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman'u-el.
This is a wonderful passage from Isaiah. The moment of hope. The whole Bible seems to rotate around it.
Isaiah 66
23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Here we have, at the very end of the book of Isaiah, what is one of the darker moments in the Bible, the final, gruesome end of lost sinners.
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman'u-el.
This is a wonderful passage from Isaiah. The moment of hope. The whole Bible seems to rotate around it.
Isaiah 66
23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Here we have, at the very end of the book of Isaiah, what is one of the darker moments in the Bible, the final, gruesome end of lost sinners.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Afraid In America
Isaiah 59
1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
There are many good, God-fearing, saved Americans, I'm sure. I'm afraid, however, that as a group, we just have not met God's holy standards.
More From Isaiah 59
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
And, I'm afraid of what will happen to us.
More From Isaiah 59
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
There are many good, God-fearing, saved Americans, I'm sure. I'm afraid, however, that as a group, we just have not met God's holy standards.
More From Isaiah 59
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
And, I'm afraid of what will happen to us.
More From Isaiah 59
3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
More On Humility
Isaiah 57
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
What does God value? Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.
And the reward? For the contrite?
More From Isaiah 57
19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
What does God value? Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.
And the reward? For the contrite?
More From Isaiah 57
19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
Friday, September 17, 2010
FW: This Present Evil World
Galatians 1
3 Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Sometimes, you're standing there in church, singing away or praying. And you really feel the presence of the spirit. And you think about this evil world. It's a junk car, rolling down a hill, and it looks like the wheels are about to fall off. Nothing makes sense.
And then you look around you and you can see the Spirit in the faces on your fellow Christians. And you say to myself, "You know, no matter what, this is a good way to live."
Jesus, keep an eye on me today, OK?
3 Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Sometimes, you're standing there in church, singing away or praying. And you really feel the presence of the spirit. And you think about this evil world. It's a junk car, rolling down a hill, and it looks like the wheels are about to fall off. Nothing makes sense.
And then you look around you and you can see the Spirit in the faces on your fellow Christians. And you say to myself, "You know, no matter what, this is a good way to live."
Jesus, keep an eye on me today, OK?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Nicola'itans
Deuteronomy 11
26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
The more I think about theology, about the deeper meanings of God's message, God's will, the more I think about dispensationalism, about Covenant Theology, about Calvinism, about the Five Solas, about Arminianism....the more I think about and study these things, the more obvious God's simple message becomes.
That simple message is about humble living and a sinner's singular focus on God. Following, for further edification, is the New Testament echo of the above Old Testament passage....
Revelations 2
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Ba'laam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicola'itans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent...
It 55 degrees out. The sun is brilliant. It's going to be a good day to be a Christian.
26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
The more I think about theology, about the deeper meanings of God's message, God's will, the more I think about dispensationalism, about Covenant Theology, about Calvinism, about the Five Solas, about Arminianism....the more I think about and study these things, the more obvious God's simple message becomes.
That simple message is about humble living and a sinner's singular focus on God. Following, for further edification, is the New Testament echo of the above Old Testament passage....
Revelations 2
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Ba'laam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicola'itans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent...
It 55 degrees out. The sun is brilliant. It's going to be a good day to be a Christian.
Monday, September 13, 2010
God And Golf
Isaiah 57
4 ....are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood.
5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
This passage is about heathen worship in beautiful arbors. This makes me think of golf courses, especially Augusta. I watched the Masters last month. You've got to ask yourself. Can heaven be that beautiful?
No. I don't play golf....
4 ....are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood.
5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
This passage is about heathen worship in beautiful arbors. This makes me think of golf courses, especially Augusta. I watched the Masters last month. You've got to ask yourself. Can heaven be that beautiful?
No. I don't play golf....
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Keep The Fire Burning
Leviticus 6
12 And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.
13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
God is pleased when we keep his holy fires burning...
1 Thessalonians 5
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Prayer in the New Testament echos the fire in the tabernacle in the Old Testament. God is pleased if we keep his name always on our lips...
12 And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.
13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
God is pleased when we keep his holy fires burning...
1 Thessalonians 5
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Prayer in the New Testament echos the fire in the tabernacle in the Old Testament. God is pleased if we keep his name always on our lips...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The President of the United States
Isaiah 55
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
This is a passage that our president maybe should spend some time with. Then again, maybe being president of the United States has no particular Biblical requirements, in this day and age. Here, a leader and commander refers to the Messiah.
More From Isaiah 55
5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
I've always wondered if the 19th century presidents read about the kings of Israel in the Old Testament and applied what they'd read.
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
This is a passage that our president maybe should spend some time with. Then again, maybe being president of the United States has no particular Biblical requirements, in this day and age. Here, a leader and commander refers to the Messiah.
More From Isaiah 55
5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
I've always wondered if the 19th century presidents read about the kings of Israel in the Old Testament and applied what they'd read.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Note On Predestination
Isaiah 55
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
The hand of God. It is everywhere. In all things. And here is the metaphor:
More From Isaiah 55
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Predestination? Or a less focused involvement of God??
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
The hand of God. It is everywhere. In all things. And here is the metaphor:
More From Isaiah 55
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Predestination? Or a less focused involvement of God??
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Election, Part 2: God Resteth In His High And Holy Place
John 3
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John Wesley On Calvinism
But God resteth in his high and holy place; so that to suppose him, of his own mere motion, of his pure will and pleasure, happy as he is, to doom his creatures, whether they will or no, to endless misery, is to impute such cruelty to him as we cannot impute even to the great enemy of God and man. It is to represent the high God (he that hath ears to hear let him hear!) as more cruel, false, and unjust than the devil!
I think that a Baptist, at some point during his or her walk with Jesus, would have to consider the doctrine of election. It is a significant part of our history. And, whatever our conclusion, consideration of this doctrine is edifying.
I also think that any study of election would have to include the above, wonderful comment from John Wesley, not a Baptist, but a man well worth getting to know....
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John Wesley On Calvinism
But God resteth in his high and holy place; so that to suppose him, of his own mere motion, of his pure will and pleasure, happy as he is, to doom his creatures, whether they will or no, to endless misery, is to impute such cruelty to him as we cannot impute even to the great enemy of God and man. It is to represent the high God (he that hath ears to hear let him hear!) as more cruel, false, and unjust than the devil!
I think that a Baptist, at some point during his or her walk with Jesus, would have to consider the doctrine of election. It is a significant part of our history. And, whatever our conclusion, consideration of this doctrine is edifying.
I also think that any study of election would have to include the above, wonderful comment from John Wesley, not a Baptist, but a man well worth getting to know....
Friday, September 3, 2010
Election, Part 1: Arthur Pink on Election
Acts 15
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
From Arthur Pink On Election
Election is a foundational doctrine. In the past, many of the ablest teachers were accustomed to commence their systematic theology with a presentation of the attributes of God, and then a contemplation of His eternal decrees; and it is our studied conviction, after perusing the writings of many of our moderns, that the method followed by their predecessors cannot be improved upon. God existed before man, and His eternal purpose long antedated His works in time. "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." The divine councils went before creation. As a builder draws his plans before he begins to build, so the great Architect predestinated everything before a single creature was called into existence. Nor has God kept this a secret locked in His own bosom; it has pleased Him to make known in His Word the everlasting counsels of His grace, His design in the same, and the grand end He has in view.
I think that a Baptist, at some point during his or her walk with Jesus, would have to consider the doctrine of election. It is a significant part of our history. And, whatever our conclusion, consideration of this doctrine is edifying. 18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
From Arthur Pink On Election
Election is a foundational doctrine. In the past, many of the ablest teachers were accustomed to commence their systematic theology with a presentation of the attributes of God, and then a contemplation of His eternal decrees; and it is our studied conviction, after perusing the writings of many of our moderns, that the method followed by their predecessors cannot be improved upon. God existed before man, and His eternal purpose long antedated His works in time. "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." The divine councils went before creation. As a builder draws his plans before he begins to build, so the great Architect predestinated everything before a single creature was called into existence. Nor has God kept this a secret locked in His own bosom; it has pleased Him to make known in His Word the everlasting counsels of His grace, His design in the same, and the grand end He has in view.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
God....And Jesus
Isaiah 51
5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
In this chapter God is speaking to the Hebrews. And, when He refers to "my righteousness" He is referring to the Messiah, Jesus. When God refers to the isles, he makes known the relationships of God, the Hebrews, the gentiles and, future to this passage, Christ and the Christians.
More From Isaiah 51
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Here is the essence of God, who gave mankind hope through his son, Jesus Christ.
5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
In this chapter God is speaking to the Hebrews. And, when He refers to "my righteousness" He is referring to the Messiah, Jesus. When God refers to the isles, he makes known the relationships of God, the Hebrews, the gentiles and, future to this passage, Christ and the Christians.
More From Isaiah 51
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Here is the essence of God, who gave mankind hope through his son, Jesus Christ.
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