Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Heb 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. [my emphasis]
Another blogger, in her Christmas post, quoted a poem. One line caught my imagination. It said, in essence, that a kite flies because someone is tightly holding the other end of the string. I immediately thought of Jesus, and the hope I have in Him being the anchor of my soul. Jesus is holding my string, anchoring me to God. I can fly!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Hebrews 6:4-6 Impossible
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Someone I care about put faith in Jesus once. I was present at the baptism. After a few years walking as a follower of Christ, however, they fulfilled Christ's prophecy, which He spoke to his disciples in Matthew 26:31b (NIV). He said, "...you will all fall away..." When we spoke about it, I was told that return was impossible, because it said so in "my" Bible. I know the Scripture referenced was Hebrews 6:4-6 (above).
Maybe you have had a similar experience. Maybe you think your loved one is forever lost, and are heartbroken because of it. I understand, and I say take hope! God is in charge. He started the work in the one you love, and He is responsible to finish it.
So what does this mean in Hebrews 6? It plainly says it is impossible to bring one who has fallen away to repentance. But we need to find out to whom it is impossible, to man or to God. To understand this, we need to look more deeply into God's Word.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Here in Matthew 19, Jesus Himself says that it is impossible for a rich man to save himself, but He affirms that with God all things are possible. This is repeated in Mar 10:27 "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." and Luke 18:27 "And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Also, in Luke 1, after Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and the power of God, he ends by saying, "For with God nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1:37)
So in Hebrews, it must mean that it is impossible for man to renew such a one to repentance. With God, all things are possible.
There is one more thing we need to know, and that is what is possible for us:
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
This means it is possible for us to intercede with God for our loved ones when we have faith and believe in Jesus, God's Son. This father confessed both his belief and his unbelief, and asked for help, and Jesus healed his son. He will do the same for you and for me, because He rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6b)
So take heart and intercede with God for those you love, then get out of the way and let
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Someone I care about put faith in Jesus once. I was present at the baptism. After a few years walking as a follower of Christ, however, they fulfilled Christ's prophecy, which He spoke to his disciples in Matthew 26:31b (NIV). He said, "...you will all fall away..." When we spoke about it, I was told that return was impossible, because it said so in "my" Bible. I know the Scripture referenced was Hebrews 6:4-6 (above).
Maybe you have had a similar experience. Maybe you think your loved one is forever lost, and are heartbroken because of it. I understand, and I say take hope! God is in charge. He started the work in the one you love, and He is responsible to finish it.
So what does this mean in Hebrews 6? It plainly says it is impossible to bring one who has fallen away to repentance. But we need to find out to whom it is impossible, to man or to God. To understand this, we need to look more deeply into God's Word.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Here in Matthew 19, Jesus Himself says that it is impossible for a rich man to save himself, but He affirms that with God all things are possible. This is repeated in Mar 10:27 "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." and Luke 18:27 "And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Also, in Luke 1, after Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and the power of God, he ends by saying, "For with God nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1:37)
So in Hebrews, it must mean that it is impossible for man to renew such a one to repentance. With God, all things are possible.
There is one more thing we need to know, and that is what is possible for us:
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
This means it is possible for us to intercede with God for our loved ones when we have faith and believe in Jesus, God's Son. This father confessed both his belief and his unbelief, and asked for help, and Jesus healed his son. He will do the same for you and for me, because He rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6b)
So take heart and intercede with God for those you love, then get out of the way and let
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Galatians 5:16-18 Under the Law
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
There is a lot of talk about whether Christians are under the law, and what place the law has in a Christian's life. Well, I want to share something from this passage which God just showed me.
In his letters, Paul talks a lot about the law. I won't try to go through all that here, it is a huge study. But in these verses, he concludes by saying if we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the law. This does not mean that Christians are never, ever accountable to God's law. It does mean that IF I, as a Christian, am being led by the Holy Spirit, THEN I am not under the law.
Conversely, if I, as a Christian, am being led by my sinful, fleshly desires, then I AM under the law, and the Holy Spirit uses it to convict me of my sin.
There is a lot of talk about whether Christians are under the law, and what place the law has in a Christian's life. Well, I want to share something from this passage which God just showed me.
In his letters, Paul talks a lot about the law. I won't try to go through all that here, it is a huge study. But in these verses, he concludes by saying if we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the law. This does not mean that Christians are never, ever accountable to God's law. It does mean that IF I, as a Christian, am being led by the Holy Spirit, THEN I am not under the law.
Conversely, if I, as a Christian, am being led by my sinful, fleshly desires, then I AM under the law, and the Holy Spirit uses it to convict me of my sin.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Genesis 3:15 Seed of the Woman
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
It is Advent, when people all over the world anticipate the day we remember Jesus' birth. No one knows exactly which day He was born, and probably it was not in mid winter. But the day of His birth is not as important as the fact of His birth and the reason He was born. God knew from the beginning that a remedy for man's imperfection would be needed, and He planned for that remedy to be provided at what He knew would be the right time and the right place.
Genesis 3:15 is generally accepted as being the first prophecy in Scripture about the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. It says that He would be born of a woman, so He would be human. But He would be "her seed." This is an odd phrase because the seed is what is planted, and in the Bible refers to men, not women. The man inseminates the woman. Except here. This person would be born of a woman, but, since He was "her seed," he would NOT be the child of a man! Now think for a minute: if the Christ, who will bruise the enemy's head, is NOT the child of a man, but IS the child of a woman, how would that be known? The woman would have to be a virgin--if she was not, then her child could not be proved to be anyone other than a normally born human being.
So we see that here, right after imperfection, sin and death entered the creation, God's remedy was predicted: He would be human, but born of a virgin, and He would be the one to defeat the enemy.
It is Advent, when people all over the world anticipate the day we remember Jesus' birth. No one knows exactly which day He was born, and probably it was not in mid winter. But the day of His birth is not as important as the fact of His birth and the reason He was born. God knew from the beginning that a remedy for man's imperfection would be needed, and He planned for that remedy to be provided at what He knew would be the right time and the right place.
Genesis 3:15 is generally accepted as being the first prophecy in Scripture about the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. It says that He would be born of a woman, so He would be human. But He would be "her seed." This is an odd phrase because the seed is what is planted, and in the Bible refers to men, not women. The man inseminates the woman. Except here. This person would be born of a woman, but, since He was "her seed," he would NOT be the child of a man! Now think for a minute: if the Christ, who will bruise the enemy's head, is NOT the child of a man, but IS the child of a woman, how would that be known? The woman would have to be a virgin--if she was not, then her child could not be proved to be anyone other than a normally born human being.
So we see that here, right after imperfection, sin and death entered the creation, God's remedy was predicted: He would be human, but born of a virgin, and He would be the one to defeat the enemy.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Luke 5:29-32 & 6:1-5 Jesus Defends His Disciples
Luk 5:29-32 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. 30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luk 6:1-5 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
In these two passages the scribes and Pharisees challenge Jesus' disciples (not Him) about their actions. And instead of the disciples defending themselves, Jesus speaks for them. He is their advocate, their defense lawyer.
It is the same today. If you are Jesus' follower, if you are learning from Him and allowing Him to work in your life, He defends you.
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luk 6:1-5 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
In these two passages the scribes and Pharisees challenge Jesus' disciples (not Him) about their actions. And instead of the disciples defending themselves, Jesus speaks for them. He is their advocate, their defense lawyer.
It is the same today. If you are Jesus' follower, if you are learning from Him and allowing Him to work in your life, He defends you.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Psalm 139:13 Covered
"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb."
"Thou hast possessed my reins"--God owns me and directs me. He made me (and you).
"Thou hast covered me"--He has woven me together and protected me (and you)
"in my mother's womb"--since conception.
This is such a warm comforting thought. I love it that God knows me so well and has such an intimate part in my being and life. He is truly my Father.
"Thou hast possessed my reins"--God owns me and directs me. He made me (and you).
"Thou hast covered me"--He has woven me together and protected me (and you)
"in my mother's womb"--since conception.
This is such a warm comforting thought. I love it that God knows me so well and has such an intimate part in my being and life. He is truly my Father.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
John 8:3-11 & Jeremiah 17:13 Written in the Earth
Joh 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
I love it when God shows me Jesus in the Old Testament! Here we have the well-known story from the gospel of John of the woman taken in adultery. She is brought to Jesus by her accusers who test Him by asking what should be done with her. Instead of answering, he writes in the dirt. What does that mean? Then as they press Him, He turns their question back on them, allowing that anyone among them who is sinless may throw the first stone. And He writes in the dirt some more.
Here is where Jeremiah comes in. It explains the writing in the dirt.
Jer 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.These accusers had forsaken God: the woman had been taken in the act of adultery, but where was the man? The law required that both be stoned (Lev 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.) so both should have been brought. Those who brought her wanted to find some fault in Jesus, not do what was just.
But Jesus shamed and disappointed them. He made them remember their own sins, and while they were thinking, he wrote them in the earth. Scripture doesn't say, but I hope some of them repented.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Romans 4:24-25 Who Raised Him from the Dead?
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
I have been participating in a study of Romans with After God's Heart, a community Bible Study for women. We are currently studying this passage, and the question was asked: "What do the following verses reveal about who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead?" These verses are given:
1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
John 2:19-22 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
As I read these verses carefully, I realized that each of the persons of the trinity participated in the resurrection, and I wanted to share.
Monday, October 26, 2009
1 Samuel 16 Music and Spirits
1Sa 16:23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
David's music healed Saul of the distress caused by the evil spirit by making the evil spirit leave. I believe the music he played must have been pleasing to God.
I wonder if music displeasing to God would encourage evil spirits to come...
David's music healed Saul of the distress caused by the evil spirit by making the evil spirit leave. I believe the music he played must have been pleasing to God.
I wonder if music displeasing to God would encourage evil spirits to come...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Luke 13:15 Freedom
10And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:10-16, King James Version)
5And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? (Luke 14:5, King James Version)
These two passages are similar. I have quoted the whole story from Luke 13 to give the idea of both. There is much that could be said, but what I noticed were the animals. The ox was a clean animal; that is, it was acceptable for sacrifice. The donkey ("ass") was unclean; it was not acceptable for sacrifice. But they were both useful as working animals, and both needed regular care.
Jesus is making a point, or rather several points, in these healings and in His use of oxen and donkeys as examples. He shows that God will care for the Jew (ox/clean) and Gentile (donkey/unclean). He will set them free (loose them from their stalls/pull them from the pit). He will give them the Holy Spirit (water).
God will do this through His Son, Jesus, to all who believe.
11And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:10-16, King James Version)
5And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? (Luke 14:5, King James Version)
These two passages are similar. I have quoted the whole story from Luke 13 to give the idea of both. There is much that could be said, but what I noticed were the animals. The ox was a clean animal; that is, it was acceptable for sacrifice. The donkey ("ass") was unclean; it was not acceptable for sacrifice. But they were both useful as working animals, and both needed regular care.
Jesus is making a point, or rather several points, in these healings and in His use of oxen and donkeys as examples. He shows that God will care for the Jew (ox/clean) and Gentile (donkey/unclean). He will set them free (loose them from their stalls/pull them from the pit). He will give them the Holy Spirit (water).
God will do this through His Son, Jesus, to all who believe.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
John 21:20-22 Follow Me
Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
I have been struggling with my Christian walk lately. I have a confrontation with another Christian, and I struggle with going to church. I look around and see what others are doing, and I wonder,"What about me? How does this apply to me? Does God mean I am supposed to do that, too?"
For example, one of my cousins is a very godly man. He spent over 20 years in church, participating in church stuff, being a leader. Then God sent him out into the wilderness, as he put it, and suddenly he wasn't in church at all. And as he told me about this, I wondered "What about me?"
But I have to remember that what other Christians close to me need to do in order to be in God's will may not be what I need to do: His Will for me is for me, not necessarily for someone else. I need to do what Jesus told Peter to do: Follow Him.
When I shared this with my friend Pearl, she said:
He loves me more than I can think and imagine. I must follow Him.No comparisons, no jealousy, no resentment, no striving, no unrest, no heartache, no anger, no frustration, no insecurity.
Just peace, perfect peace in the fact that He made Me the way He wanted me and Loves me more than I can think and imagine.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Luke 5:17-26 Who is He?
Luk 5:17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
This is a familiar story; it is also related in Matthew 9:2-8 and Mark 2:1-12. What I see here is this: in verse 20, Jesus forgives the sick man his sins. In verse 21, the Pharisees, who knew the scripture, accused him in their hearts of blasphemy because only God can forgive sins. In verse 24, because He knew what they were thinking, Jesus proves His authority to forgive sins by healing the man's infirmity, as well.
The logical progression is this:
They were all amazed, filled with fear, and gave glory to God. So should we all.
18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
This is a familiar story; it is also related in Matthew 9:2-8 and Mark 2:1-12. What I see here is this: in verse 20, Jesus forgives the sick man his sins. In verse 21, the Pharisees, who knew the scripture, accused him in their hearts of blasphemy because only God can forgive sins. In verse 24, because He knew what they were thinking, Jesus proves His authority to forgive sins by healing the man's infirmity, as well.
The logical progression is this:
- Jesus forgave sins
- Only God can forgive sins
- Jesus healed miraculously
- Only God performs miracles (this is understood but not explicit in this text)
- Therefore, Jesus is God
They were all amazed, filled with fear, and gave glory to God. So should we all.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Luke 25:25-31 A Promise Fulfilled
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew [show] him my salvation.
Luk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
The Bible is one book. It was written over more than a thousand years, by many human scribes, but it tells one story.
Psalm 91 speaks of the blessings that accompany one who stays in God's presence, and it ends with the verse above. Once as I was reading the passage in Luke which is cited above, I realized that, especially in verses 29 & 30, I was reading of the fulfillment of the promise in Psalm 91:16. That realization blessed me because I love finding events predicted in the Old Testament which are fulfilled in the New. I hope you are blessed, also.
Luk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
The Bible is one book. It was written over more than a thousand years, by many human scribes, but it tells one story.
Psalm 91 speaks of the blessings that accompany one who stays in God's presence, and it ends with the verse above. Once as I was reading the passage in Luke which is cited above, I realized that, especially in verses 29 & 30, I was reading of the fulfillment of the promise in Psalm 91:16. That realization blessed me because I love finding events predicted in the Old Testament which are fulfilled in the New. I hope you are blessed, also.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Leviticus 25:9-13 Jubilee
Lev 25:9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. 10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. 11 A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. 12 For it is the jubilee; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field. 13 In the year of this jubilee ye shall return every man unto his possession.
The Jubilee brought freedom and restoration. Debts were canceled, property which had been sold reverted to its original family, Hebrew slaves were released. This freedom and restoration began each fiftieth year on the day of atonement. It is a type of Jesus, who came to free us from bondage to sin and restore our former relationship to God at His first coming. It also looks to His second coming, when He will return to earth to claim it as His possession.
The Jubilee brought freedom and restoration. Debts were canceled, property which had been sold reverted to its original family, Hebrew slaves were released. This freedom and restoration began each fiftieth year on the day of atonement. It is a type of Jesus, who came to free us from bondage to sin and restore our former relationship to God at His first coming. It also looks to His second coming, when He will return to earth to claim it as His possession.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Leviticus 4:3 Sins of the High Priest
Lev 4:3 if the anointed priest shall sin so as to bring guilt on the people, ... (ASV)
The sins of the High Priest also fall on the people. It is a blessing that our High Priest, Jesus, never sinned!
The sins of the High Priest also fall on the people. It is a blessing that our High Priest, Jesus, never sinned!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Exodus 34:1-4 Stone Hewing
Exo 34:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. 2 And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. 3 And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.
Exo 34:4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.
Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Have you ever wondered why Moses had to cut the stones himself for God to re-write the Ten Commandments? God had done the whole job the first time, why didn't He do it all again? Well, I have wondered this, and I asked God why. This is what He showed me: The stone tablets represent our hearts. They have become hard, like stone, through sin. And the only way we can become right with Him is if we bring our hard hearts to Him in humility, admitting our sin. It is hard work, like chiseling stone, but it is the only way. Then, when we turn to Him in this way, He graciously gives us hearts of flesh instead of stone, and writes His law on our hearts, as He promised He would.
Exo 34:4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.
Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Have you ever wondered why Moses had to cut the stones himself for God to re-write the Ten Commandments? God had done the whole job the first time, why didn't He do it all again? Well, I have wondered this, and I asked God why. This is what He showed me: The stone tablets represent our hearts. They have become hard, like stone, through sin. And the only way we can become right with Him is if we bring our hard hearts to Him in humility, admitting our sin. It is hard work, like chiseling stone, but it is the only way. Then, when we turn to Him in this way, He graciously gives us hearts of flesh instead of stone, and writes His law on our hearts, as He promised He would.
Exodus 20:24-25 Altar Building
Exo 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. 25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
In verse 24 God instructs Moses to make an altar of earth. The Hebrew word translated "earth" is from the root adam which means "to show blood, be red, ruddy." Adam is also the root of the word translated "man" in Genesis. So when Paul, in Romans 12:1, says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." he is telling them, in essence, to make themselves into an altar of earth, to sacrifice their self-centeredness to God. And God, in Exodus, promises to bless them if they do.
Then in verse 25 God speaks of an altar of stone. The Hebrew word here is eben, which is nearly identical with the word for son, ben. This is an allusion to Jesus the Son (ben) of God, who is often represented by a stone or rock in Scripture. God is saying to us that if we trust in Jesus but try to change Him at all, chipping some off because we don't like it, or adding our work to His, then we have polluted it. We cannot be saved by our own work, but only by the work Jesus did during His death, burial, and resurrection.
In verse 24 God instructs Moses to make an altar of earth. The Hebrew word translated "earth" is from the root adam which means "to show blood, be red, ruddy." Adam is also the root of the word translated "man" in Genesis. So when Paul, in Romans 12:1, says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." he is telling them, in essence, to make themselves into an altar of earth, to sacrifice their self-centeredness to God. And God, in Exodus, promises to bless them if they do.
Then in verse 25 God speaks of an altar of stone. The Hebrew word here is eben, which is nearly identical with the word for son, ben. This is an allusion to Jesus the Son (ben) of God, who is often represented by a stone or rock in Scripture. God is saying to us that if we trust in Jesus but try to change Him at all, chipping some off because we don't like it, or adding our work to His, then we have polluted it. We cannot be saved by our own work, but only by the work Jesus did during His death, burial, and resurrection.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Exodus 4:19-20 Take Them and Go
Exo 4:19 And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.This prefigures Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returning to Israel from Egypt:
20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
Mat 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Genesis 28:11 Rest on the Rock
Gen 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.Jacob put the stone, which represents Christ, at his head and rested. We are to do the same.
11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Genesis 28:12 Jacob's Ladder
Gen 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
John 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
When Jacob dreamed of the ladder to heaven, he dreamed of Jesus
Monday, October 5, 2009
Matthew 16:4 Seeking Signs
Jesus said, "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.." A similar passage is Luke 11:29-30: "And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, "And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. 30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation."
To whom was He speaking? The Sadducees and Pharisees who knew the Scripture thoroughly but refused to see Him for who He was: God's Son and the Messiah for whom they claimed to be waiting. They counted on their righteousness in the performance of the Torah to save them, yet they twisted it so it meant what they wanted. They were wicked and idolatrous, committing spiritual adultery and justifying it by their works.
So today: Modern Pharisees and Sadducees, people who claim to know Jesus, seek signs. They seek healing, prosperity, and miracles while still living the way they please and justifying themselves. But the only sign they will be given is that of Jonah: he was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale (great fish), then was vomited up to preach repentance to Nineveh. In like manner, Jesus came preaching repentance to us, and He spent three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matt 12:40) so we could be justified before God and spread the message of repentance and forgiveness to the world.
Do you seek signs from God? Do I? We must check ourselves! We may need to turn from our sin and seek His forgiveness instead!
To whom was He speaking? The Sadducees and Pharisees who knew the Scripture thoroughly but refused to see Him for who He was: God's Son and the Messiah for whom they claimed to be waiting. They counted on their righteousness in the performance of the Torah to save them, yet they twisted it so it meant what they wanted. They were wicked and idolatrous, committing spiritual adultery and justifying it by their works.
So today: Modern Pharisees and Sadducees, people who claim to know Jesus, seek signs. They seek healing, prosperity, and miracles while still living the way they please and justifying themselves. But the only sign they will be given is that of Jonah: he was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale (great fish), then was vomited up to preach repentance to Nineveh. In like manner, Jesus came preaching repentance to us, and He spent three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matt 12:40) so we could be justified before God and spread the message of repentance and forgiveness to the world.
Do you seek signs from God? Do I? We must check ourselves! We may need to turn from our sin and seek His forgiveness instead!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Genesis 22:6 The Cross
Gen 22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.Abraham laid the wood on Isaac his son, so (as a type of Christ)
Isaac carried his cross.
Genesis 12:3 Blessing
"And I will bless them [plural] that bless thee, and curse him [singular] that curseth thee:."
Everyone is able to receive this blessing, the only condition is to bless the descendants of Abraham. He who curses is the adversary.
Everyone is able to receive this blessing, the only condition is to bless the descendants of Abraham. He who curses is the adversary.
Genesis 4:1-7 Why ?
Why did God reject Cain's offering?
Verse 7 says, "Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." So God was saying that Cain had not done well. Although the timing or the content of Cain's offering (I have heard both given as explanations for its rejection) may be clues, the ultimate problem was in Cain's heart. God's rejection of the offering served to expose Cain's problem: he did not love his brother, Abel, but was jealous of him.
Verse 7 says, "Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." So God was saying that Cain had not done well. Although the timing or the content of Cain's offering (I have heard both given as explanations for its rejection) may be clues, the ultimate problem was in Cain's heart. God's rejection of the offering served to expose Cain's problem: he did not love his brother, Abel, but was jealous of him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)