1 Timothy 2
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Prayer
Dear Lord, bless us, as we go quietly about our business today, striving to keep the name of Jesus, continuously upon our lips. And Lord, pray that my leaders leave me alone: to lead a quiet, peaceful, prayerful and productive life....
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Our First Parents 4
Romans 1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
A little bit of God is manifest in us, is part of our being. And by this, we therefore know righteousness and unrighteousness.
More From Romans 5
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
And, where does our sin nature come from? Our first parents, no doubt. But, does it really matter where our sin came from? It is innate, and we spend our days, inventing un-righteousness. Like Adam, we cannot resist the apple.
.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
A little bit of God is manifest in us, is part of our being. And by this, we therefore know righteousness and unrighteousness.
More From Romans 5
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
And, where does our sin nature come from? Our first parents, no doubt. But, does it really matter where our sin came from? It is innate, and we spend our days, inventing un-righteousness. Like Adam, we cannot resist the apple.
.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Our First Parents 3
Romans 5
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
We can't think about sin without at the same time also thinking about Jesus. For the Hebrews, there is no sin without the Law. For the Christian there is no sin without Jesus.
Maybe this is a little too glib....
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
We can't think about sin without at the same time also thinking about Jesus. For the Hebrews, there is no sin without the Law. For the Christian there is no sin without Jesus.
Maybe this is a little too glib....
Monday, February 21, 2011
Our First Parents 2
Genesis 2
15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But....
Fear God. That I understand. The Comforter is here for us, to guide us through good times and bad times. That I understand. Jesus is coming. That I truly understand.
When I was younger, I found sin difficult to understand. I was in the Army for a couple of years. And I lived in a construction camp overseas for a couple of years. And there were countless seemingly spiritually aimless years. I was proud of my life and meager accomplishments. But now, I look back on so much un-righteous, if not necessarily sinful, behavior.
I hardly know what to think.
15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But....
Fear God. That I understand. The Comforter is here for us, to guide us through good times and bad times. That I understand. Jesus is coming. That I truly understand.
When I was younger, I found sin difficult to understand. I was in the Army for a couple of years. And I lived in a construction camp overseas for a couple of years. And there were countless seemingly spiritually aimless years. I was proud of my life and meager accomplishments. But now, I look back on so much un-righteous, if not necessarily sinful, behavior.
I hardly know what to think.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Our First Parents 1
Ecclesiastes 7
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
God provided an opportunity to Adam and Eve, the opportunity to live upright, to walk the path of righteousness. But then there was the apple, and Adam and Eve set humanity off on a different path, the path towards perdition.
And it is amusing, (well, it would be amusing if one's salvation were not at stake), the sheer number of man's inventions. Inventions are those things that man does that are not righteous. Some of those things are sins, other are just a pure waste of time.
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
God provided an opportunity to Adam and Eve, the opportunity to live upright, to walk the path of righteousness. But then there was the apple, and Adam and Eve set humanity off on a different path, the path towards perdition.
And it is amusing, (well, it would be amusing if one's salvation were not at stake), the sheer number of man's inventions. Inventions are those things that man does that are not righteous. Some of those things are sins, other are just a pure waste of time.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Heavens Speak
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
One way we know God is by looking around us - we see him in the world around us.
Psalm 19
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
We also know God by his Word, the Bible.
Psalm 19
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Finally we know God by his Spirit, in both love and fear.
It snowed last night and this moring it is very cold but the sun is out. Gleaming wintry beauty. And I sit here, toward the end of my life, satisfied with life's rewards, and full of the spirit of God.
I wonder what I would have written, here today, if fate had not been so kind to me.
Psalm 19
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
You know, for sure, there are, timeless truths....
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
One way we know God is by looking around us - we see him in the world around us.
Psalm 19
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
We also know God by his Word, the Bible.
Psalm 19
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Finally we know God by his Spirit, in both love and fear.
It snowed last night and this moring it is very cold but the sun is out. Gleaming wintry beauty. And I sit here, toward the end of my life, satisfied with life's rewards, and full of the spirit of God.
I wonder what I would have written, here today, if fate had not been so kind to me.
Psalm 19
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
You know, for sure, there are, timeless truths....
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Remant Peoples
Ishaiah 65
8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
A remnant of Hebrews are chosen for salvation.
Matthew 13
24 ....The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field....
A remnant of all mankind, Hebrews and Gentiles, are chosen for salvation.
Romans 8
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
A remnant of Christians are chosen for salvation. And, finally, the fate of those not chosen:
Isaiah 65
11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
A remnant of Hebrews are chosen for salvation.
Matthew 13
24 ....The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field....
A remnant of all mankind, Hebrews and Gentiles, are chosen for salvation.
Romans 8
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
A remnant of Christians are chosen for salvation. And, finally, the fate of those not chosen:
Isaiah 65
11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Good Luck On Your Journey, My Friend
Revelations 19
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True.....
On any number of occasions, I have heard Baptists talk about whether or not someone, a family member, an acquaintance, a neighbor, a father, a mother, is saved. I somehow find such talk odd. I know that we have the Bible and that the doctrine on salvation is reasonably easy to understand. Still, it just seems to me that a Christian should only be concerned with his own salvation. Another's salvation, I think, would be the concern of God.
My view. Live a humble and faithful Christian life, set a Christian example, get out the gospel message as best you can. And don't forget that we pray each day, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Final question. Who truly and profoundly understands the judgement of God?
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True.....
On any number of occasions, I have heard Baptists talk about whether or not someone, a family member, an acquaintance, a neighbor, a father, a mother, is saved. I somehow find such talk odd. I know that we have the Bible and that the doctrine on salvation is reasonably easy to understand. Still, it just seems to me that a Christian should only be concerned with his own salvation. Another's salvation, I think, would be the concern of God.
My view. Live a humble and faithful Christian life, set a Christian example, get out the gospel message as best you can. And don't forget that we pray each day, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Final question. Who truly and profoundly understands the judgement of God?
Friday, February 11, 2011
War And (Christian) Peace
1 Chronicles 22
8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
In this passage God speaks to David about his bloody past. God may be providing David a lesson in righteousness, which, for the Christian if not necessarily for the Jew, is meekness and humility.
Maybe, war cannot be a pure, righteous pursuit, no matter how necessary or how noble....
More From 1 Chronicles 22
9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
In this passage God speaks to David about his bloody past. God may be providing David a lesson in righteousness, which, for the Christian if not necessarily for the Jew, is meekness and humility.
Maybe, war cannot be a pure, righteous pursuit, no matter how necessary or how noble....
More From 1 Chronicles 22
9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Sin: Revellings And Rewards
Galatians 5
21 ....revellings....
I will be getting few rewards when I get to heaven. At my age, it's too late to catch up, to make up for wasted years, too full of revelry. But what rewards I do receive will be appreciated. And, I do know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. And, that is reward enough.
More From Galatians 5
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God....
Looking back, it is comforting to see a long list of sins that I did not commit. And Jesus said,
Revelations 22
12 ....behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be...
21 ....revellings....
I will be getting few rewards when I get to heaven. At my age, it's too late to catch up, to make up for wasted years, too full of revelry. But what rewards I do receive will be appreciated. And, I do know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. And, that is reward enough.
More From Galatians 5
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God....
Looking back, it is comforting to see a long list of sins that I did not commit. And Jesus said,
Revelations 22
12 ....behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be...
Monday, February 7, 2011
Bible Prophesy (Paul's Gospel In Romans)
I had planned to read Zechariah over the holidays. I thought matching up verses in Zechariah to verses in Revelations would be a pleasant, and edifying exercise. I thought this would give a fuller picture of the Second Coming.
The problem I encountered was Zechariah did not seem to fit neatly in the story of the Second Coming as I thought it would. With a sense of confusion, I ended up reading Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zecharia and Malaki. I also ended up reading about the Great Assembly and the Sanhedrim.
Haggai 2
23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerub'babel, my servant, the son of She-al'ti-el, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
The above passage about Zerub'babel, for example, seems at odds with passages about Jesus. It appears to me that.....
The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, if read literally, appear to be at odds with the Bible prophesy found in Isaiah, Daniel and Revelations. These books seem very Jewish. These books do seem more useful in understanding New Testament Hebrews than the Second Coming.
Romans 10
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
I intend to continue considering this subject.
The problem I encountered was Zechariah did not seem to fit neatly in the story of the Second Coming as I thought it would. With a sense of confusion, I ended up reading Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zecharia and Malaki. I also ended up reading about the Great Assembly and the Sanhedrim.
Haggai 2
23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerub'babel, my servant, the son of She-al'ti-el, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
The above passage about Zerub'babel, for example, seems at odds with passages about Jesus. It appears to me that.....
The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, if read literally, appear to be at odds with the Bible prophesy found in Isaiah, Daniel and Revelations. These books seem very Jewish. These books do seem more useful in understanding New Testament Hebrews than the Second Coming.
Romans 10
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
I intend to continue considering this subject.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Pray For The Saints
John 17
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
In this chapter Jesus addresses God, about His glorification and about his saints. And from this passage, here is a possible rule of thumb for praying. Don't pray for the world, pray for the saints.
On the other hand....I think maybe I need to give this passage some additional consideration.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
In this chapter Jesus addresses God, about His glorification and about his saints. And from this passage, here is a possible rule of thumb for praying. Don't pray for the world, pray for the saints.
On the other hand....I think maybe I need to give this passage some additional consideration.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Call 3 - God's Will And Time
Ephesians 1
11 In whom [Jesus] also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
I am interested in Baptist history. The Baptist message in earlier times is a message not necessarily appreciated in later times.
Baptist Confession Of 1689 - Effectual Calling
Paragraph 1. Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, He is pleased in His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;
More From Ephesians 1
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In earlier times, I think maybe Baptists viewed God as all powerful, especially in the process of their salvation, the process by which they are called and by which they accept the call.
11 In whom [Jesus] also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
I am interested in Baptist history. The Baptist message in earlier times is a message not necessarily appreciated in later times.
Baptist Confession Of 1689 - Effectual Calling
Paragraph 1. Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, He is pleased in His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;
More From Ephesians 1
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In earlier times, I think maybe Baptists viewed God as all powerful, especially in the process of their salvation, the process by which they are called and by which they accept the call.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Great Words
Luke 21
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
There are a number of Bible passages that really touch me. I've never counted them up, I think there are about twenty-five. These passage are never far from my thoughts, they are beautiful. These are the passages by which God teaches this: My basic, eternal message is simple, you can easily understand My message. Above is such a passage.
Lately, I have noticed that there are beautiful passages from works about God's word that are also dear to me and that are worthy of continuing consideration. These passages are usually about some of the more difficult Bible truths. Following is such a passage.
From The London Baptist Confession Of 1644 (XXV)
[I confess] That the tenders of the Gospel to the conversion of sinners, is absolutely free, no way requiring, as absolutely necessary, any qualifications, preparations, terrors of the Law, or preceding ministry of the Law, but only and alone the naked soul, as a sinner and ungodly to receive Christ, as Christ, as crucified, dead, and buried, and risen again, being made a Prince and a Savior for such sinners.
I particularly like the phrase terrors of the Law.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
There are a number of Bible passages that really touch me. I've never counted them up, I think there are about twenty-five. These passage are never far from my thoughts, they are beautiful. These are the passages by which God teaches this: My basic, eternal message is simple, you can easily understand My message. Above is such a passage.
Lately, I have noticed that there are beautiful passages from works about God's word that are also dear to me and that are worthy of continuing consideration. These passages are usually about some of the more difficult Bible truths. Following is such a passage.
From The London Baptist Confession Of 1644 (XXV)
[I confess] That the tenders of the Gospel to the conversion of sinners, is absolutely free, no way requiring, as absolutely necessary, any qualifications, preparations, terrors of the Law, or preceding ministry of the Law, but only and alone the naked soul, as a sinner and ungodly to receive Christ, as Christ, as crucified, dead, and buried, and risen again, being made a Prince and a Savior for such sinners.
I particularly like the phrase terrors of the Law.
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