Uncategorized

10
Nov
2012

Teach Your Children the Way of the Lord

“The LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed?

“For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” (Gen 18:17-19)

 

 

Journal,

The two cherubs in the picture above are my great-grandchildren, Aiden and Kennedy. (I have another great-granddaughter, and another cherub on the way. Not sure whether the next one will be a lad or a lass.) 

Anyway, as things go, last year I shared a journal entry, ‘Tell your children and your children’s children.’ I want to piggy back on that entry and provide more thoughts that have rested on my heart of late. It all has to do with family generations and in particular the passing of spiritual values on to our children.

I realize that not everyone will be interested in renderings on the Martin family but there is a point in all this. Please bear with me as I reflect on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how the message of heaven is to be handed from one generation to the next.

Borrowed picture. Yes, I well remember families living in log cabins. I also remember studying by kerosene lamp, drawing water from a well, the old outhouse, no electricity, cooking on a wood stove, and so on. Guess what? It really hasn’t been that long. Another guess what – Life is short and needs to lived well. Living well means to live for the Lord.

My family has been Christian as far back as we have a record. The first Martin of our line came to Louisiana with his Indian wife, in 1803 thereabouts. He was a Revolutionary soldier. According to the information I have, Billy Martin was Methodist.

Billy and Elizabeth, are buried at Mitchell Cemetery in Anacoco, Louisiana. The top of their joint headstone reads, ‘Pioneer Martin.’ It gives their names and the names of their nine children. (Eight sons and one daughter. My lineage is through two of the sons, Billy, Jr., and Charles Seth.)

We have this rendering of the Mitchel Cemetery from another early settler.

 

“Pioneer Minister Tells of First Cemetery”

by Rev. Thomas Franklin [Quotes in part]

“I have been acquainted with people of this country ever since the year 1835, and the history of this graveyard from the time the first grave was opened. …

In my early days there were no churches, no schoolhouses, preachers, nor anyone who could offer prayer in public, but my mother. … I well remember when the people were called to bury John Martin’s infant child. …’

There was no man of God to speak a word of encouragement …

At this time the Martin, West, Miers, and Franklin families made the principal part of the citizens …

I well remember the old preacher preaching the funeral of Thomas Martin. He was the first man I ever saw kneel and offer prayer to God in this graveyard …

Now as we have been following the history of servants of the Lord since 1835, we now turn more directly to the history of the graveyard for here lies the body of the old and the young resting.

“Here is the body of William Martin, an old Revolutionary soldier, with his wife, also many children and grandchildren. …”


From Mitchell Cemetery I have to bring you to…

Campbell Creek

Buried at Campbell Creek Cemetery in Sharp, Louisiana are some of my forbearers all the way back to Charles Seth Martin, the son of the Revolutionary soldier.

In a line from the front left, are the graves of my father, Lawrence Bert, our son, David Lynn, my grandparents, John Allen and Frances Ella, my great-uncle, Jessie, my great grand-parents, James Erwin and Mary, and my great, great-grandfather, Charles Seth Martin, the son of the Revolutionary soldier.

Also in this cemetery is a message from my grandfather.

When my great-grandfather, James Erwin Martin, died in 1905, my grandfather prepared a homemade headstone for him. On the front of the head stone he encased behind glass a paper which reads,

“Remember friend, as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, you soon shall be.
Prepare my friend to follow me.”

My great-grandfather, James Erwin Martin, was a school teacher. His wife, Mary Lize Edwards, descended from the Spanish-and French settlement forts of Natchitoches, Parish. In her line we are said to have Apalachee Indian. (She spoke little English.)

Due to a broken edge of the glass and the weathering over the years, the paper is now barely readable. I’m one of the few people who knows what it says.

Very often when I do a funeral, I’ll call attention to those words. And more often than not, someone will want me to show them my great grandfather’s grave. Of course I’m always happy to do that. It gives me a chance to share the gospel from his headstone.

Yes, there is a life lesson in all this. It consists of the headstone message of my great-grandfather, and a simple prayer we should learn to pray.

The prayer should include the words…

 

Lord, Teach Us to Number Our Days

The faith of God’s people goes back thousands of years. In fact it reaches back to the very beginnings of the generations of men. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David are names we are most familiar with. But the list is unending.

For example, when Moses looked down on the tents of Israel that were scattered over the wilderness expanse, he said,

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. You turn man back into dust and say, ‘Return, O children of men.’ For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night.” (Psa 90:1-4)

Moses then adds these words,

“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Do return, O LORD; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants. O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Psa 90:12-14)

Did you catch it? Lord, teach us to number our days…

It is only when we remember that life at best is short, that we should learn to live in a matter that speaks to the generations to come, in how we should make our days count for eternity.

 

What is the Life Lesson in all this

And so the story continues. In the Bible record of the righteous, we often simply read, “And he died.”

“So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years, and he died.”

“So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years, and he died.”

“So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.”

Yes, one generation continues to replace another. It has always been that way. We can only live in the generation of our birth.

But there is an issue that this generation must pay special heed to.

There is an insidious danger many are not aware of. It has to do with a message that is becoming lost in a maze of modernism. It is the message of the cross. There are so many voices in the world today who are making the cross something that it isn’t about.

The Lord spoke of this concerning His second coming: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luk18:8)

Listen to the many warnings that speak to this generation —

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.” (1Ti 4:1-2)

And again,

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

“Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (2Pe 2:1-3)

I don’t mean to labor this. It simply brings me to my own concerns for this generation, for my children, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren. They world they are facing seems far removed from the world of my younger years.

I’ve never seen such a deterioration of morals and spiritual values as can be seen today. You find it in high government, you find it in our schools, you find it in religious circles, you find it in the entertainment business, and you find it in family structures. It is like a flood of ungodliness and degradation is beginning to sweep the earth.

My questions are simple –

‘Where are you in the maze of life?’

‘What spiritual values are you passing on to your children?’

Yes, I believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is wonderful beyond words. Yet, I do carry in my heart an aching for the young generation of today. It is hard to look at those who seem to have no conscience about sin and the powers of darkness, and wonder, why?

What can I do? What can you do? We can listen to what David had to say –

“What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD.” (Psa 116:12-13)

My constant prayer is that the Lord help me to be a faithful servant of the gospel to this generation. Do I believe the end time is near? Absolutely.

Perhaps this song says it best…   [Jesus Is Coming Soon.]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejDCt1euySM[/youtube]

 

Your Servant in Christ always,

Buddy

 

Views: 196

Share
Posted by Buddy, 0 comments
22
Oct
2012

Awake America! Return to Your Glory!

“And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

“And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

“And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

“‘Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

“‘A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, and the glory of Your people Israel.'”(Luk 2:25-32)

Journal,

Israel and America have much more in common than many realize. There is an entwining of the two nations that reaches far back in God’s redemption story. It all as to do with the glory.

Long centuries ago, Israel as a nation rejected her greater Son. When she did this, Israel rejected the greater glory belonging to her. Not long afterwards, God removed Israel’s place as a nation. And for over 1900 years, the people of Israel became vagabond wandering tribes. Israel in the wilderness (scattered people after 70 a.d.) suffered untold miseries. They were storm-tossed, rejected, and bruised. But Israel was never lost sight of by God Himself. She would one day arise from the ashes and reclaim her glory. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this:

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. “For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. “Lift up your eyes round about and see; they all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried in the arms. Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.” (Isa 60:1-5)

Yes, Jesus Christ was and will always be the very ‘Glory of God.’ The prophets foretold it, the apostles declared it, and much of the Gentile world received the glory in their own hearts. But Israel’s day is shortly coming. Remember I said there was an entwining between Israel and America. Let’s talk about it.

The Glory of Israel Came to America

Once you understand that the glory of Israel is Jesus Himself, then you will understand what it was that made America so great. The very foundation of this nation was built upon the apex of Biblical faith, that is, a faith that can only realize itself fully in Jesus Christ. Regardless what anyone may tell you, the very foundation of this nation was laid upon the Rock of Christ. All you have to do is walk through the vast halls of our government and you will see words of faith inscribed throughout.

(And, no, it was never our founder’s design to set up a state religion. They knew that true faith is not something that can be legislated. It will always be a matter of the heart.)

Listen to Words Found in Our Nation’s Capitol.

On a wall of the Jefferson Memorial – “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are a gift from God?”

In the Washington Monument are numerous Bible verses and religious acknowledgements carved on memorial blocks in the walls, including the phrases: “Holiness to the Lord” (Exodus 28:26, 30:30, Isaiah 23:18, Zechariah 14:20), “Search the Scriptures” (John 5:39), “The memory of the just is blessed” (Proverbs 10:7), “May Heaven to this Union continue its beneficence,” and “In God We Trust”, but the Latin inscription Laus Deo – “Praise be to God” – is engraved on the monument’s capstone.

Inscribed on the walls of the Library of Congress – “The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not” (John 1:5); “Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom and withall thy getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7); “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8); “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handywork (Psalm 19:1)

In the Rotunda, there are four paintings hanging on the wall; you have two prayer meetings, a Bible study, and a baptism. 

At the U.S. Supreme Court Building, The Ten Commandments are located in several different places including on the carved stone frieze on the front of the building. The statue showed Moses leaning his arm on The Ten Commandments. The commandments are also on the wall above the judge’s courtroom bench.

Every explorer of America, every group that arrived here, including the Pilgrim fathers, were all of the Christian faith in one form or another.

Has America forgotten Her glory? Perhaps not.

There is so much more to be said about this. There is so much more to be said about the entwining of Christian America and Israel. And so much more to be said about the glory of God. Did you know that the glory of God through Jesus Christ resides in the heart of every true believer? 

With that being said, let’s take another look at the ground swell at work in this nation.

Believe it or not it really is about Jesus Christ and the Christian faith.

Let’s begin with…

 

Defining a Christian Nation

Supreme Court Justice David Brewer (1837-1910) explained that Christianity is what gave shape to this nation. It is in this sense that American can be called a Christian nation –

“[I]n what sense can [America] be called a Christian nation? Not in the sense that Christianity is the established religion or that the people are in any manner compelled to support it. On the contrary, the Constitution specifically provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Neither is it Christian in the sense that all its citizens are either in fact or name Christians. On the contrary, all religions have free scope within our borders. Numbers of our people profess other religions, and many reject all. Nor is it Christian in the sense that a profession of Christianity is a condition of holding office or otherwise engaging in public service, or essential to recognition either politically or socially. In fact, the government as a legal organization is independent of all religions.

“Nevertheless, we constantly speak of this republic as a Christian nation – in fact, as the leading Christian nation of the world.”

As I said earlier, our founding fathers had no desire or purpose in establishing a state religion. And yet this nation is by far and without question a people of the Christian faith.

Here are statistics for this nation by the Pew Forum on Religious Life – Christian 78.4%; Jewish 1.7%; Muslim 0.6%; Buddhist 0.7%; Unaffiliated 16.1%. (Unaffiliated includes: Nothing in particular 12.1%; atheist 1.6%; agnostic 2.4%)

Did you catch it? 78.4% Christian – 1.7% Jewish – 0.6% Muslim. The Jews and Muslims together account for very little over 2% of the American people. Would you not say that American is overwhelming a Christian nation. (Irrespective of any official mandate.)

Source: http://religions.pewforum.org/reports

Now to the forthcoming Presidential election and…

 

The Christian Struggle

Christians are faced with choices.

So, what do we have?

Perhaps this song says it best. Listen, ‘To the Glory of God’ by David Meece.

 In Christ always,

Buddy

Views: 23

Share
Posted by Buddy, 0 comments
19
Oct
2012

Things You May Not Know

 

“Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but in the hearts of fools it is made known.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Pro 14:33-34)

 

Journal,

Thought I would add a new mix to my journal and share some tidbits of information that my readers may not be aware of. The mix will come from Biblical insights as well as from other selective information sources. I certain welcome any responses my readers would like to make.

Let’s begin with misleading thoughts on …

 

The Homosexual Presence

Many will be surprised to learn that the shape of homosexuality in this nation is far less than supposed. Gallup conducted the largest poll ever made on homosexuality in the USA.

The Gallup survey included over 121,000 people. When asked what people estimated the homosexual population percentage to be in the USA, most guessed at 25%. Well, how wrong can you be.  The single largest study ever conducted found that the population percentage of homosexuals in this nation is 3.4%. Isn’t that amazing! Bet you didn’t know. 

(Source: http://www.christianpost.com/news/gallup-poll-only-3-4-percent-of-us-adults-identify-as-lgbt-83545/)

Now let’s talk about…

 

A Conservative Ground Swell

For a several years I’ve provided self-help Biblical study groups on the web. One of these groups in particular has to do with Christians who have been spiritually mishandled in a religious setting. A constant advice that I give these struggling souls is that, ‘Time is always on the side of truth.’ 

That time is the best friend you have. And this is exactly what is happening in America. What many don’t realize is that there is a conservative ground swell taking place in this nation. It can be likened to Americans beginning to wake up and smell the roses. This is why the political scenery is beginning to change. You can smell it in the wind. 

Why is there a ground swell? The reason is the greatest part of the American landscape holds to conservative values. Regardless of what some would have you to think, to taunt that American is not a Christian-based nation is far from the truth.

We are a freedom loving people and this includes our ways of worship. What we don’t do is attempt to set up a state religion. But as a people it has never been our want to exclude God from our landscape. Above and behind the halls of congress you will find this statement, ‘In God We Trust.’ 

And this is what our present political adventure is all about. The recent polls are showing a shift towards Governor Romney. Many who voted for Obama in 2008, are changing their vote. Newspapers who endorsed Obama in 2008, are endorsing Romney. The polls are showing Romney surpassing Obama in States that are making a reversal.

Be careful here. Don’t make this merely about religion in and of itself. Yes, we love God. However, it’s really about the conservative values versus liberalism. Liberalism is the move behind same-sex marriages and mutilating babies in the womb. Yes, I said mutilating!

Liberalism is the voice that blames America for all the woes in the world, that apologizes continually for our mislaid values. What liberalism won’t tell you is that this nation has been the salt of the earth in providing food for the hungry, for derailing dictators, and for espousing true democratic values that the world is longing for. These values did not come out of nothing. They came out of the overwhelming Christian culture of this nation. 

 

Yes, I Have a Pet Peeve

This may sound a bit strange, but even as a minister of the gospel, I still have a hard time forgetting how liberalism in this country was at the background for deriding our Vietnam warriors. We lost over 58,000 military in that war, and all the while Hollywood stars were romancing North Vietnam. Guess the hardest one for me to get over is Jane Fonda.

Yes, I know – I heard that Fonda had become a Christian. But in a news release of late I saw where she still mimicked the voice of liberalism. It is hard to forget how she betrayed the American POWs in Vietnam.  

Vietnam was my war. I was stationed in the Philippine Islands and then aboard ship in the early time of Vietnam. I flew as a radioman on P5M’s, recording Soviet and Chinese shipping in the South China Sea.

At that time we were still sending in trainers. In all this I had cousins who later fought in Vietnam and left with emotional and physical battle scars. One cousin died from Agent Orange. He was on a gunboat on the Mekong Delta.

I have no ill feelings towards the Vietnamese people. I am happy for the relationship we now have with Vietnam. Yet I wonder if Jan Fonda ever asked for forgiveness for her part in that war. Maybe she has. I don’t know.

Perhaps I should let Jane speak for herself. In her own words you will still hear the creeds of liberalism. Decide for yourself.

Resource: http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/

And Now for a Case of Political Humor

So much for the tidbits that I set forth. Perhaps we need something light to end this entry.

How about political warmness, that still makes the point. Take time for these two videos that took place just yesterday at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation. It is funny beyond words. (First video is Obama. Second is for Romney.)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_qybHoWY9U[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGYll3WHnkg[/youtube]

 

Always in Christ,

Buddy

 

Views: 11

Share
Posted by Buddy, 0 comments
15
Oct
2012

A Little of This and a Little of That

 

“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” (Psa 33:11-12)

 

Journal,

I was an only son of my father. The Lord graced Betty and me with three children, two sons and a daughter.

Our oldest son, Nathan, has three daughters. Our daughter, Shana, has two sons and a daughter. None of these grandchildren are married.

However, our youngest son, Andre, has two daughters and a son. One daughter is married. And his one son just got married this past weekend. (Wonderful occasion.)

So far the direct Martin lineage from my family line, consists of three children, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, with another on the way. What a thrill to see the tribe grow. I’ve always loved big families. My mom came from a family of twelve siblings.

With this in mind, I shared with our grandson Justin, and his beautiful wife, Dessa, to have many sons and daughters. (Not sure how welcome that advice was.)

Here’s a picture of the growing Martin tribe…

Center Justin and Dessa. Upper left: extended family. Beneath extended family: Justin’s dad, Andre, step-mom, Judy, Dessa, and Justin. Bottom left: Andre and sister, Shana. Next over: Justin and Uncle Nathan. Center bottom: me and Betty. Upper right: Justin’s mom, Laurie, and family. Below right: various wedding pictures. —  Photos by Gailie

What a blessed family we are.

OK, that was for the that. Now let’s talk about the this. (Or is it backwards?)

 

Memories of a Nation Blessed

While thinking about the upcoming election, I’ve been flooded with memories. I can easily recall every one of our presidents from WWII. I was too young to remember Franklin Roosevelt, but I well remember Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, William (Bill) Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

If I were to name the presidents that I admired the most, these three would be at the top of the list: John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush. The reason is because I saw in each of these Presidents, fiber and honor. They were astute in their determination to hold to American values.

But now I am somewhat saddened. This is what I shared on my Facebook page.

Facebook:

Memories are flooding – It was fifty years ago this month (1962) that the Cuban missile crisis took place. I served as a radioman aboard the USS Calvert, an attack troop transport. (Carried Marines.) Our flagship the USS Paul Revere was one of the ships that intercepted the Russian vessel bringing missiles to Cuba. It was a stand off for a nuclear war. I can still feel to this day the tension and fear from that memory, as we waited on full alert for the war to begin. The Russians turned back. What I can tell you is that President Kennedy meant exactly what he said to the Russians.

Thank God for a President who made no apology to the enemy.

I was raised in the old South where just about every one voted Democrat. Yet through the years there has been a steady shift where many if not most Southerners have moved more in line with the Republican ticket. (Regardless of their party registration.)

The reason for this has largely to do with conservative values. If you have a problem with that, take out a one dollar bill and look at the backside of George Washington’s picture. It says, ‘In God We Trust.’

Actually as an independent it has never been an issue of party, as much as it has been for the man who holds to our traditional Christian values, the very our nation was founded upon. (I always vote conservative, regardless.)

This is why I rank John Kennedy, a Democrat, Ronald Reagan, a Republican, and George Bush, a Republican, as the three that I esteem the most. Not one of these men would have apologized for this country.

 

Who Will Be Our Next President

An interesting thing is happening. I’ve kept up with how the polls are working for the Electoral College. (You know that the Electoral College determines who becomes president, not the popular vote.)

To become President you must have 270 electoral votes. On September 30th, the polls had Obama with 265 electoral votes. Romney had 191. The latest electoral polls show a major shift. Obama at 201 votes and Romney at 191. Several States that were leaning towards Obama, have become toss ups. (Obama has already forfeited 64 electoral votes. Of course none of this is static.)

Here is a map of the latest Electoral College poll data. (The map is a bit fuzzy but you can pretty much tell the States.)

The red states are fully for Romney or are leaning his direction. The blue states are fully for Obama, or are leaning in his direction.

The grey states are toss ups. These are the battle ground states

What makes this even more interesting is that well over a dozen states who were leaning Obama, have now become toss ups.

Everything at this point is pretty much a dead heat. For a closer look go to: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/

Gallup polls shows Romney, 49%, and Obama, 47% among likely voters.

 

 It’s All in the Hands of the Lord

Regardless of what we may think about who deserves to be our President, the decision will be made in heaven. Why would God be interested in who becomes President of this nation. It all has to do with His plan of redemption.

History belongs to the Lord. This planet has a schedule to keep.

In the book of Daniel, is a story of a king who became arrogant in himself. He said,

“Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Then something strange happened to Nebuchadnezzar –

“…a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle,

“…and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.'” (Dan 4:31-32)

Makes you wonder if a humble voice will heard during this election time.

My, how I miss the good old days.

Would like to hear a song about those days. Take time for The Judds, in, ‘Grandpa, Tell Me Bout the Good Old Days’.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E88RUqyjts[/youtube]

In Christ always,

Buddy

Views: 18

Share
Posted by Buddy, 0 comments
13
Oct
2012

The Blue Thread of Heaven

“Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jer 15:16)

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” (Joh 5:39-40)

“You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; … 

… in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.” (Exo 20:24)


 

Journal,

Of the 244 studies that I’ve provided in this blog journal, the most popular has been, ‘God’s Wings and the Blue Thread of Heaven.’ I’ll use that study as a backdrop for this study, along with variations that may come into play.

Without question there are mysteries in the Bible that when disclosed can become life gates of transformation in a believer’s life. Paul speaks of these mystery-wonders as steps from glory to glory. The point is that these mysteries are not hidden from us. They are hidden for us. They belong to all the children of God.

The greatest wonder and mystery of the Bible has to do with Christ Jesus Himself. Jesus is actually the very Word of God come to us in human form. He is the exact expression and impression of all that God is. Thus it can be said that Jesus Himself is the secret life of the Bible.

Here is a story from my earlier walk with the Lord.

 

The Book of Heaven

I was twenty-five years old. (Forty-seven years ago.) The Lord had already placed a call on my heart to the gospel ministry, but I was at a cross-road, and I wasn’t sure which direction to take. It had to do with my future and with secular work. What direction was my life to take?

What happened next was strange. It was in a church service. While listening to the pastor preaching, in a moment of time I became totally unaware of anything around me. It was like I was in a vacuum. But the vacuum seemed to have a godly purpose. I was to be unaffected by anything other than what was happening that moment.

This was when the vision opened, and the Lord began to show me the things that I could have in life. They were things of prosperity and blessings.

It wasn’t a scene of condemnation. It had to do with a choice He was giving me to make. The Lord would actually bless any secular work that I put my hands to.

But then I heard these words, “Or, you can preach My Word.”

The moment I heard those words, the scene of blessings changed, and an open Bible floated down before me right out of heaven.

As I looked at the descending Bible, the tears began to flow down my cheeks. I said, “Lord, I want to preach Your Word.”

The Lord said nothing else about future blessings, although they have followed me in life. Yet, the decision had been made. Everything else would be in the hands of the Lord.

The vision was over. Next thing I am back in the service and the pastor is still preaching. 

But the vision was so real that I could hardly contain myself. When we returned home that evening I shared with Betty, what the Lord had spoken to me. 

 

The Blessing in Service

That was forty-seven years ago. Has the Lord blessed Betty and me in our walk with Him? Yes, far beyond measure. Have we had struggles? Yes, they have also been there. Have I ever been regretful of the decision I made that evening? Not one time.

Have I had other visions since then? Oh yes. I’ve had dreams and visions and many other speakings of the Lord through the years. The Lord has often shown me beforehand things are were to come. But the Lord doesn’t show me everything about anything. He shares those things that help fit me for my calling to His service.

Here is what I want to get across.

It is important to understand that the Bible is God’s speaking book. The Bible we love is imbued with the Spirit of Jesus. And this is one reason that the assembling of God’s people in their respective flocks is so important.

The reason the Bible is God’s speaking book is because the Bible originates from heaven, and, secondly, Jesus is the Man from heaven.

Does this sound odd? Let’s see.

The Volume of the Book

There is a sense by which the Bible can be compared to the very garment that Jesus wears, and that His presence flows throughout His garment.

It is in this sense that the presence of Christ permeates the sacred writings.

Listen:

“Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God.” (Heb 10:7)

 

The apostolic writer is quoting from Psalm 40:7,8.

The term for scroll (kephalis) originally spoke of the spindle and knob around which the parchments were wrapped. This is why kephalis can also be translated as ‘volume‘ or ‘roll‘. The ancients saw Psalm 40:7,8 as referring to Messiah.

For them the Torah contained the very life of God and His Messiah. The problem, however, is that the religious leaders had largely been disconnected from the message of the book. They had become Torah worshipers without taking to heart that the Torah had a message about God’s Son, the Messiah.

This is why Jesus said to them,

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” (Joh 5:39-40)

In this we can see that the idea of God’s life being in the book isn’t new to the Christian faith. For the Jews the Torah was a living thing.

Let’s see how this carried through when Jesus began His public ministry.

 

The Tassel of His Cloak

There was a woman who suffered greatly from a female disorder. Hearing about Jesus, she said to herself,

“If I only touch His garment, I will get well.” (Mt9:21)

We don’t often catch what she was really saying. The part of His garment she wanted to touch was the fringe (probably the blue tassels) of His cloak.

The Jews had a tradition about the fringe that spoke of God’s Messiah. The background for this was God’s commandment to Moses, saying,

“Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.” (Num15:38)

The cord of blue was said to represent the throne of glory, or the heavenly life. Over time these tassels took on the term ‘wings.’

Let’s continue with the tassels. The tassels also carried another idea, called …

 

The Wings of God

Ever wonder why the Holy Spirit is pictured as a dove?

Keep the throne of glory and the wings of God in view and you’ll have a bit more insight into Scriptures that speak of God’s wings, and why the woman wanted to touch the garment (tassels) of Jesus. A great many of the common people saw Jesus as God’s Messiah.

Listen carefully to these Scriptures –

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty … He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge.” (Ps91:1,4)

And,

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.” (Mal4:2)

Then we hear Jesus say,

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” (Mt23:37)

Follow this with another Scripture:

“Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.“ (Mar6:56)

Now the question might be…

What do the fringes have to do with the Bible

It all comes back to the Bible being the book of heaven. It comes back to Jesus being the Word of God. It comes back to the Scriptures containing the very power of God. It comes back to Jesus speaking to us through the book of heaven.

In addition to our personal Biblical devotions, this is also why it is so important for believers to be under sound Biblical teaching.

It isn’t the Bible itself that causes miracles and gives us the answers that we need in life. It is the voice that speaks from the Scriptures. Make this distinction and you have the true essence of why we love the book of heaven.

Recall when Jesus opened the scroll of Isaiah and began to read,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” (Cf. Luke 4:16-22)

It says the people were wondering at the gracious words that were falling from His lips. What made the difference in this case? It was Jesus speaking from the Scriptures.

Did you catch it?

The people were hearing living words from a loving voice. It is the voice of heaven that makes the Bible the book of heaven.

 

Hearing the Words of a Book

The Bible explains this aspect of hearing God from the book. For example, Isaiah 29:18,19, says,

“On that day the deaf will hear words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the Lord, and the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.”

Now back to the woman with the issue of blood. She had been taught that the blue thread in the fringe (tassel) represented the throne of glory and the heavenly life. She saw Jesus as that life.

We’ve also seen where the Bible itself can be likened to the garments of God’s Messiah. It can now be said that the blue thread that speaks to the throne of glory can be found running through the Scriptures.

Is the Bible heaven’s book? Does God’s Christ speak to us from the sacred writings?

Is Jesus is the living Torah, the book come alive?

Now let’s consider why attending church is essential to a life of faith.

 

The Flocking of God’s People

The word church in Greek is ekklesia. This word speaks to the new covenant community of the redeemed. It was used for Christians assembling.

In Christian usage, ekklesia has to do with the call out, called together people of God. Every true believer has been called out of darkness, and called to be given to a flock of his or her assignment.

The Church is the gathering place of God’s people to hear the ministry of His Word. To say that we don’t need the church is a grave mistake. The Church is the body of Christ.

The primary purpose of the ekklesia is for the breaking of the bread, that is, the ministry of the Word of God. Jesus is always present in His Word.

God has always congregated His people in family groups.

“You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.” (Exo 20:24)

Notice carefully the statement, “In every place where I cause My name to be remembered [Heb. Mentioned], I will come to you and bless you.”

This is fulfilled where Jesus said,

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” (Mat 18:20)

 

 

The Disconnect of Unbelief

A problem remains. Unbelief in its various form will cut a person off from hearing the voice of Jesus.

But it should not be thought that the Bible is God’s only speaking place. What the Bible does is teach us how to hear from the Lord.

Whereas the Bible can be said to be His voice, we must also understand that God speaks to us in many ways, none of which will run contrary to what is said in the Scriptures themselves. This balance must always be maintained.

It takes awhile for the child of God to understand the principle of how God speaks to us. This is why it is crucial to spiritual growth that each believer be in the congregation of God’s appointment. As the man of God speaks from the Scriptures, we began to hear the Lord speaking to our own hearts.

It isn’t the man of God who is speaking to us. It is the Lord speaking from the book of heaven.

Notice what Jesus to the unbelievers –

“Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word.” (Joh 8:43)

To those who believe –

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (Joh 10:27-28)

 Have You Heard From Jesus Lately? 

Has Jesus ever spoken to you out from the book of heaven?

Everything rests upon how you view the message sent to us in a Book.

 

A Meditation on Mortality

Here is a song of years gone by, entitled, ‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone.’ It was originally written by Peter Seeger in 1955. Seeger had communist leanings and yet he found inspiration for many of his songs from the Bible and from Christian teachings. Others later added verses to this song.

‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone’ speaks to life and how vaporous it is.

As you listen, think about your life and about what is happening in the world today…

 

A servant in Christ,
Buddy

Views: 17

Share
Posted by Buddy, 0 comments
09
Oct
2012

The Children of the Cross

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted;

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God;

“to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” (Isa 61:1-3)

 

For my Readers,

I want to do something a bit different with this journal entry. The Lord has given me a message that could be a life-changer for many of His children. It could also become the message of salvation for those who do not yet know the Lord.

Are struggling with a heart ache? Have you had a failure in marriage? Do you have straying children? Please take time to listen to this message that I shared at the Christian Challenge pulpit this past Sunday. It could heal your heart. It is titled, ‘Children of the Cross.’

 

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/50933343[/vimeo]

 

I am including an outline of the message for you who would like a study guide…

 

The CHILDREN OF THE CROSS

Intro: EPH3:8-12. Eternity was stunned at the cross. It was so amazing that the angel powers were stopped in their tracks. 

Snippets from MATT 27:42-54. 

Two things I would like this ministry to do for you. 

First – Learn what it was that stopped eternity. 

Second – How standing still can change your life. 

I – The Gospel’s Hidden Mystery 
1. The gospel story was foretold with a hidden mystery not fully understood. Cf. 1PE1:10-12. 
2. Gospel message does not limit itself to the dark side of cross. Message includes death, burial, resurrection, ascension, glorification. 
3. What astonished the angels? Cross is birthing place of a family. HEB2:9-13.
4. Every person born again receives the family seal. Cf. EPH1:11-14; HEB1:13,14.

II – The Story of the Children 
1. There are four things the children of the cross need to know and understand. 
a. GOD is your FATHER. ROM8:38,39) 
b. Lordship: Nothing out of His control. (ROM11:36) 
c. God is Faithful. (2CO1:2,20; 2PE1:4)
d. Holiness. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Holiness. Cf. 1PE3:10-16. 
2. The great truth of the cross. It is both your dying place and your living place. Cf. 1JN1. 

III – Where Faith Stands Still
1. Standing still means to take time to listen to and to hear from the Lord. Cf. MAT6:7-13. 
2. To seek God’s will. Sometimes suffering is in the will of God for our lives. Cf. ACT2:22-23; ACT5:41. 
3. There will also be corrective disciplines. Some of your deeper spiritual experiences will come from a discipline. Cf. PS94:11-15; 119:66,67; HEB12:10,11. 
4. What does faith say? “Lord, be glorified in my life.” Cf. PS115:1. 

Conc: End with EPH1:9-14.

 

In Christ Always,

Buddy

Views: 27

Share
Posted by Buddy, 0 comments
05
Oct
2012

The Anointed Life and Opposing Forces

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12)

“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” (1Jn 2:27)

 

Journal,

The term spiritual [pneumatikos; phyoo-mat-ik-os’] has to do with the nature of spirits. It comes from two words that express both invisibility and power. Because the term spiritual is generic, the Biblical context determines how it is being used.

For the most part the word ‘spiritual‘ has regard to the Holy Spirit and to that which pertains to the Lord and to His kingdom. The one exception is where Paul draws attention to our struggle with opposing dark forces.

He says our struggle is, “Against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Paul is emphasizing the nature of our unseen warfare. The Lord spoke of the opposing darkness –

“I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.” (Joh 14:30-31)

The apostle also draws attention to this in other places.

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2Co 4:3-4)

And again –

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2Co 10:3-5)

It is not my purpose to give Satan any acclamation. We must never lose sight that God’s greater power is at work in lives of believer. However, it is important to have some understanding about how dark forces work.

 

Activities of Darkness

First realize that not everything bad that happens in a person’s life should be contributed to a demonic power or to personal sin. Many sicknesses, diseases, mental disturbances, and such like can derive from various causes, including unhealthy living.

Be that as it is, there are dark spiritual powers continually at work in this world, whose sole purpose is to break down humanity. Satan is the thief of life.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (Joh 10:10)

The apostle John also speaks to this when he said, “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” (1Jn3:8)

Dark powers make their contribution to suicides, to breakdown in marriages, to drug addictions, to riots of all sorts. Yes, there can be spirits at work in suicides, in adultery, certainly in pornography and the drug world, in molestation, in murders, and on and on and on.

Dark spirits are largely responsible for warfare on this planet. One of the greater examples of the past century is with the man, Adolph  Hitler. This man and his private army (SS troop) were totally under the controlling power of the demonic. The larger part of the nation of Germany became mesmerized under these dark powers. (Think of all the genocide that is continually at work on this planet.)

 

The Power of the Mind

How are the dark powers able to gain such control over people and nations? There is a saying that if Satan can control your thought life, he can control all your life. It has to do with the mind and with the flesh. And Satan knows that our lives can be controlled by what we think we are. 

Think of all the avenues that the dark powers have with regard to the human mind. The movie industry is continually at work, shaping the way people think. Pornography is a major industry with billions of dollars flowing into its coffers. Rappers and rock stars have huge attendances of those who are hero-worshiping them.

Religious organizations that once declared holiness in life and faith in God, are now ordaining homosexuals. Is it not sad to see how many churches have begun to adopt the ways of the world, supposedly to win souls. Anything wrong with this picture?

Think about it – Repentance seems to have become lost in the shuffle. Nowadays it is popular to just say, ‘I believe in the Lord, therefore I am a Christian.’ And then the person continues on their merry way.

But where the Bible speaks of repentance, it means to change your attitude and mind about sin. Repentance is a turning from sin and a turning to the Lord form of life and living.

Let’s continue.

Pay attention to how our government continues to erode down the dark path. Prayer removed from school. The killing of innocents. (Babies in the womb.) Swiftly moving down the road of sanctioning marriages of men to men, and women to women.

I don’t need to add to this. It is unfolding right before our eyes.

David said it as well as it can be said –

“Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How have the mighty fallen!” (2Sa 1:19)

Is it out of control? Not at all. All of this was foretold by the holy apostles and prophets.

So the question remains – Where does this leave believers?

The apostle John spoke of…

 

The Greater Who is in You Life

When a person is born again, they are transformed from the dark side of this world into the light of the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Where the world continues under a dominion of darkness, the believer now lives in the power of light.

Bottom line – The Bible teaches us to not let anything that happens on the earth disturb us. God has oversight of all world events. In fact, the Bible is the only book on earth that records history before it happens.

With that in mind, let’s just direct our minds to a more personal level.

What do we need to understand?

The important thing to understand is that every true believer has in the deepest part of their spiritual make up, an intrinsic life-giving power. This life power is called, ‘the anointing.’ 

[Chrisma; khris’mah – The root of this word and the word Christ, is the same. It means the anointing we have is from the Anointed. Jesus anoints us with His life.]

The Bible speaks of this inward power as a springing-up fountain. The anointing is the abiding life of Jesus Christ.

The wisdom-life and the power-life that flowed from Jesus, is the same wisdom-life and power-life given to believers.

In our case this power life is fully under the auspices and control of the Holy Spirit. It is this power life that fits us for our present journey as aliens and pilgrims in this world. This life power teaches us how to live and enables us to deal with the darkness of this present world.   

The Old Testament prophet called attention to this forthcoming life power –

“Then you will say on that day, ‘I will give thanks to You, O LORD; for although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.

“‘Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.’

“Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.“ (Isa 12:1-3)

Where Isaiah says, ‘On that day,’ Isaiah is drawing attention to our new covenant experience in Christ Jesus. (The Old Testament prophets spoke beyond their own personal experiences of their time.)

Where he says that we would draw water from the springs of salvation, this directs itself to the new life power that makes a Christian a Christian. (Christian means ‘an anointed one’, ‘like Christ’, or, ‘belonging to Christ.’)

For example the apostle Peter said,

“If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name [I am a Christian].” (1Pe 4:14-16)

Now take note of these Scriptures –

“ [to lady at well] … but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (Joh 4:14)

“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, “From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.“‘” (Joh 7:37-38)

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Gal 2:20)

To say this another way, the anointing is …

 

The Life Force of Heaven

The life force of heaven enters a believers heart at the moment they receive Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior. It remains in the believer for all eternity. The life force comes with the sprinkled blood of Jesus, and with God’s family seal of redemption.

Listen carefully to what the apostle wrote –

” …we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation–having also believed, YOU WERE SEALED in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph 1:11-14)

“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” (1Pe 1:8)

A part of our inheritance begins in this life. We are now sons and daughters of the living God. We are now citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem. We can now draw on heaven’s spiritual resources and blessings. But our full reward takes place with our departure to heaven.

So, in the meantime, in our hearts there is a special treasure. Where Paul uses the word ‘pledge’, he is saying that a part of heaven’s realness has been sealed in the hearts of all God’s children. This is why we sing songs about heaven and even get home-sick at times.

There is so much more to be said about our life-anointing. Perhaps this bit has helped you realize what John meant when he, ‘Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world.’

But there is one last thing I need to share. It is where John said…

 

You Have No Need for Anyone to Teach You

If we have no need for someone to teach us, what then is the purpose of the church? What is the purpose of God setting in the body of Christ all the various ministries, including pastors and teachers?

John is not coming against God placed ministries. These ministries are needed to help believers to grow in the Lord, both in understanding and in their experiences with Christ.

John is saying that a person born again does not need a special someone to tell them what God is like. This is because the very life of God (the anointing) is in the heart of every believer. The believer experiences God for Himself.

Jesus said that our walk with the Lord would be a walk of knowing who we were walking with.

Listen to these well quoted Scriptures –

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.” (Joh 10:14)

And again –

“But you [unbelievers] do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (Joh 10:26-30)

Sometimes a song says it well enough.

Take time to listen to this Hillsong, ‘I Desire Jesus.’

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL4_R_aI82k&feature=related[/youtube]

Yours in Christ always,

Buddy

Views: 23

Share
Posted by admin, 0 comments
28
Sep
2012

The Things That Amaze Angels

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.” (Eph 3:8-12)

 

 

Journal,

Does it seem odd that Paul would refer to himself as the least of all saints, yet it is this great apostle who gives us many of the deeper insights into God’s finished work of the cross. When I began to discover the writings of Paul, I almost found them breathless. I still do to this day.

But don’t think this strange. Even Peter calls attention to the wisdom and understanding that God had given Paul –

” … and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2Pe 3:15-16)As 

As for Paul calling himself the least of all the saints, the apostle is sharing his own heart and his own feelings. I think that most every child of God carries this intuitive feeling of, ‘Why me Lord?’ We even write songs about this, such as, ‘Who am I, that a King would bleed and die for.’

If you’ve never heard the song, listen as Elvis sings, “Who Am I.”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geqZTPbL-Lg[/youtube]

 

Its Not About Deserving

As for Paul, perhaps we can understand just a bit of why he felt so undeserving of God’s love and grace, notwithstanding as to why the Lord would entrust him with so many awesome revelations of the eternal covenant of Christ. Paul was actually called up to the third heaven. He heard and saw things that it was not permissible for him to share.

Yet, think about it – Who was the worst enemy of the early Jewish Church? Was it not a man called Sha’ul. Sha’ul was a Pharisee, trained under the feet of Gamaliel. He carried in him a rabid hatred for believers in Jesus. As an under-official of the Sanhedrin Council, he actually obtained letters from the Council to apprehend, imprison and even destroy any who dared to become a follower of Jesus.

Why would God choose him. Listen –

“Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him [Stephen] to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.

“But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.” (Act 8:1-3)

I don’t need to tell the rest of the story. God accosted Sha’ul on the road to Damascus. Out of this encounter came a man who had been utterly transformed from heaven. In fact Paul’s story is the greatest representation of what it means to be truly born again. His whole world was changed from a violent aggressor to one of the greatest defenders of faith in Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the better question is, ‘Why would God choose me?

 

It is not for us to know

Three generations of Martins – Lord I thank you for calling my family to service in Your kingdom.

I wouldn’t dare to speak on why God chooses who He chooses. It’s not my business. But I can tell you what the apostle Paul had to say about it –

“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

“But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.

“Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.” (1Co 4:1-5)

Why God chooses who He chooses belongs to Him alone. Our place is to leave that issue to itself. Believe me, I have often wondered why the Lord called me into His kingdom. There is nothing in me that would account for this calling.

Be that what it may, there are some Biblical insights to help us to realize our purpose in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Both the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter draw attention to how the cross and how the church continues to affect the angels.

 

The Heavenly Host

Oh yes, there is a vast host of angels, with various kinds of angels, and of angelic governments. One thing that is happening is that the angels are learning more about the wisdom of God through the work of the cross, and through how that He works with believers on the earth.

Peter draws attention to this when he speaks to how the tabernacle of Moses sets forth the gospel –

“As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

“It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven–things into which angels long to look.” (1Pe 1:10-12)

What is it about the cross that amazes the angels? In simple terms it has to do with the children of God. Out of the cross comes a new birthing, a new creation of God’s children, and a new eternal covenant that belongs to all God’s children.

The children of God are born as brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. God has a vast family of children. And now the angels are observing in awe at how God works with His children.

As I noted in my beginning Scripture, the apostle Paul says that the manifold wisdom of God is now being made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

And that this was part of …

 

God’s Eternal Purpose

Listen once again to how Paul explains what God is doing through the church [Church means ‘the called out ones.] –

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.” (Eph 3:8-12)

“…but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery … the wisdom which none of this age has understood … as it is written, ‘Things which eyes has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit…” (1Co2:6-10)

There is so much more to be said. We will likely spend eternity discovering the wonders of God and of Christ Jesus.

At the same time, many of these hidden mysteries are not hidden from us. They are hidden for us. It is God’s perfect design that each of His children gain a deeper appreciation, understanding, and insight into our heavenward future, and into the eternal covenant of Christ.

Listen to Paul’s prayer –

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” (Eph 1:18-20)

However, there is one Scripture portion that sets the tone to why God does what He does in His work of salvation. Listen to it –

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” (Joh 3:16-17)

Perhaps our being saved is both for us and for others. God loves the world. That is a settled issue. And for every person who comes to redemption, that person becomes an avenue for others to be saved. Is this not what happened with the apostle Paul. God saved Paul so that He could save others.

Peter said it this way –

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, a royal PRIESTHOOD, a HOLY NATION, a PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” (1Pe 2:9-10)

Do you see it? We are to be the proclaimers of God’s mercies. We are to proclaim the excellencies of the One who called us out of darkness.

Did Paul become a proclaimer? So can you.

Just something to think about.

 

 

Studies That Can Help You

I have well over 900 studies on the web with close to 250 studies on this blog alone. To help you in your Bible adventures here are a few selections that I recommend. Hopefully they will become an avenue of learning about God’s ways for your life.

  1. Taking a Walk in the Spirit – http://buddymartin.net/blog/2011/09/taking-a-walk-in-the-spirit/
  2. The Light of the World – Lest We Forget – http://buddymartin.net/blog/2011/12/the-light-of-the-world-lest-we-forget/
  3. Standing Still is Hard to Do – http://buddymartin.net/blog/2011/01/standing-still-is-hard-to-do/

If you would like an index of the studies that I’ve offered through this online Journal as well as in other places, check on ‘500+’ and on ‘Archives’ in the menu at the top of this blog.

May the Lord richly bless you in your discovery of the Man called Wonderful.

In Christ always,

Buddy

 

Views: 17

Share
Posted by admin, 0 comments
18
Sep
2012

The Great Mystery Hidden in God

 “By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” (1Ti 3:16)

Journal,

A couple of years back I shared a basic study on various Christian views of the Godhead. It was titled, ‘Is it One, Two, or Three.’ 

I thought it would be good to revisit that topic. If interested, here is the original study: http://buddymartin.net/blog/2010/06/is-it-one-two-or-three/

Let’s begin this entry with the statement the apostle Paul made about a great mystery in God.

  • “By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness” – The earliest believers held a common confession about the mystery of their faith in Jesus Christ. The word ‘godliness’ [eusebeia: yoo-seb’-i-ah] speaks to how and why believers worship as they do. It’s basic meaning is piety or devotion towards God. Paul says the mystery is great. It is great in the sense that the world does not understand it. For believers the mystery carries the wonders of our faith.
  • “He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” – Few translations have the word ‘God‘ where the translation should be, ‘He‘. The Greek text is ‘hos’, not ‘theos.’ This does not do away with the deity of Christ. It simply places the emphasis on Christ, the living Word of God. (Of course we know that Jesus Christ is the revelation of all that God is. A companion text is Heb1:1-3, “He [Christ] is the radiance of His [the Father’s] glory.” 

The Accusation of Two  Powers

Very early on the non-believing Rabbinic Jews began to accuse Christian Jews of worshiping two powers. The basic problem with this accusation is two-fold and self-revealing. To begin with, when Jesus was rejected by the religious authorities as the Messiah of God, it left them with a foolish darkened heart. The Old and New Testament speaks to this. (Mat13:15; John12:37-41; Rom1:21; Eph4:18)

The second issue has to do with the ancient beliefs of God’s people. Ancient Judaism fully accepted that there was a great mystery in God. This mystery was often called the ‘Memra‘ [Hebrew], or the ‘Logos‘ [Greek]. Both terms speak of the mystery of God’s Word. These terms also referred to the powers of God.

Philo the first-century Jewish writer express this great mystery. Here are some of his quotes that carry the idea of two powers:

“[God] sustained the universe to rest firm and sure upon the mighty Logos who is my viceroy.”

“The Logos is “that power of his [God] by which he made and ordered all things.”

““Let us make” indicates more than one. So the Father of all things is holding parley (having a discussion with) with His Powers, whom He allowed to fashion the mortal portion of our soul…” (Flight & Finding , 68)

“Why is it that he speaks as if of some other god, saying that he made man after the image of God, and not that he made him after his own image? (Genesis 9:6). Very appropriately and without any falsehood was this oracular sentence uttered by God, for no mortal thing could have been formed on the similitude of the supreme Father of the universe, but only after the pattern of the second deity, who is the Word [Logos] of the supreme Being (Questions on Genesis II.62)

Whatever Happened to Monotheism 

How could the early Jewish Christians hold claim to absolute monotheism while worship could be directed to Jesus Christ, as well as to God the Father?

A large part of our problem with the study of Christ comes from having set aside the early Jewish believers theology of Christ. Everything for the Jewish church centered on divine identity.

We’ve managed to take terms like, ‘And the Word was with God,’ or, ‘He existed in the form of God’, away from their original Hebrew thought form. These expressions are deeply embedded in ancient Judaism. They are Hebrew reflections on a great mystery to be found in God Himself.

Our worship of the Father and the Son has to do with identity.

The apostle John addressed this –

“What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1Jn 1:3)

“Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.” (1Jn 2:22-23)

“As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” (1Jn 2:24)

Identity, the hallmark of Jewish Christianity

The earliest believers saw Jesus Christ as intrinsic to who God really is. Jewish believers were schooled in the Scriptures and in the ancient sages. God is one! That’s all they needed to know. At the same time they believed that in the one true God was this mystery they called the ‘Word,’ or, the ‘Form‘, or the ‘Image‘, or the ‘Glory‘, or the ‘Shekinah.’

So, were the early Jewish Christians Oneness believers, Twoness believers, or Threeness believers.

The truth is that none of these beliefs would accord entirely with the theology of the early Jewish church. While the earliest Christians were absolute monotheist, they also believed that Jesus Christ originated in and came forth from the Father, that is, without becoming separate from Him in His spiritual being. And this was part of the mystery.

It should also be noted that the early Jewish believers generally saw the Holy Spirit in connection with either the Father or the Son. In Judaism itself the Holy Spirit was often reckoned as the spirit of the Messiah and/or as the emanating power and presence of God.

However, as stated before, the Jewish rabbis did begin to accuse the Christian Jews of believing in two powers in heaven. (Not three.) They had become familiar with the book of Hebrews as well as with the gospels. The rabbis used the book Hebrews as a backdrop in their accusations against the Christian Jews, and especially where it says,

“In these last days [the Father] has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” (He1:2)

— This statement pretty much qualifies the earliest theology of the Jewish church. It says that in the last days God has spoken to us (or speaks to us) in His Son, and that it was through His Son that the Father made the world. Such a mystery, this. —

Looking Again at Godhead Theology

A great many scholars today are beginning to set aside the notion that the trinitarian doctrine is intrinsic to Christianity and that to be a Christian you must accept this form of theology. They are reaching back to the pre-Constantianian beliefs of the early church, that is, to a more Hebraic form of theology. The result is a less complicated theology held by the early church, yet not without its own mysteries about the Father and the Son.

The problem is that neither the trinitarian nor the oneness doctrines can be accredited as the last stages of true theology. They are both departees from an already fully divine Christology of Biblical Christianity. The early believers fully accepted Jesus Christ as Yahweh of the former testament, and yet they believed in a Father-Son view of God.

Paul Himself brings this forth in reaffirming the sh’ma of Israel. He said,

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” (1Co8:6)

Where Paul says ‘Lord‘ he is using the ancient ‘She’ma’ creed of Israel.

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” (Deu 6:4 NASB)

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Thus Paul is expressing a very ancient belief in Israel. Jesus was looked at as the ‘eikon‘ (divine image) of the invisible God. Judaism believed that you had the invisible God who could not be seen, and God who makes Himself visible across history and across time. Or, as one early Christian writer said, “God brought forth from Himself a beginning.”

The point is that for the early Jewish believers, Jesus did not become for them a second god or another deity. Paul explained Christ as the hidden mystery of God. The apostle wrote,

“To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things.” (Eph3:8,9)

Note. My readers may wish to check additional Hebraic studies. Go to:

http://www.christianchallenge.org/hebraic-foundations/index.html

Consider these studies:

Regardless of how difficult this may seem to us, the groundwork had already been laid for this mystery to be revealed.

For instance how is it than an orthodox one-God, Jewish man could fall down before Jesus, and say, “My Lord and my God?” And how is it that everything Jesus did in His earthly walk reveals that He was intrinsic to the very identity of God’s person? Jesus did God things.

The mystery of the Christian faith is really the worship of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, and of David and the prophets fully revealed.

The Most Jewish of Non-Jewish Religions

And so we must agree with the Jewish author who said that Christianity is the most Jewish of all the non-Jewish faiths. I would go further to say that Biblical Christianity fills out the Jewish faith in that the God of the Hebrews came into the earth as a man to fulfill His own program of redemption.

Did the early Jewish believers worship the Father and Son as one God? Absolutely. They did this with a true monotheistic faith.

John said it well enough;

“Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.” (2Jn1:9)

Do we still have a mystery? Sure we do. It is a mystery that is too wonderful for words. What we know is that the origins of Jesus lies within God Himself. And when we worship Jesus we are not worshipping a second deity. We are worshipping the Father in the Son.

And so I return to the premise of this study — A large part of our problem with the study of Christ is our failure to understand that the early Jewish Church already had the perfect godhead theology.

So the study does have a point. Where you see that God is one, believe that God is one. Where you see the Father and the Son, believe in the Father and the Son. And where you see the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Just be a Biblical believer.

The terms oneness, twoness, or threeness don’t really matter. We know there can only be be one true God. While we may view Him through different glasses, the story remains unchanged. God sent His Son into the world to be the Savior and Redeemer of humanity. Does this mean that God had a Son before time began? (Wow – Now that is a question. Think about it.)

While you think on these things, take time for this song. Perhaps the Lord has something to speak to your heart –

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjY-OB7loVo[/youtube]

Blessings,

Buddy

Views: 17

Share
Posted by admin, 2 comments
07
Sep
2012

Have You Not Heard

Journal Readers,

Three years ago I shared about how marvelous the Bible is. There is no book like it. It is the only book on earth that records history before it happens. And it is the only book given to all of humanity that actually carries in it the very voice of God.

Now is the time to speak once again to this book we call ‘the holy Bible.’

Have you heard the story of a marvelous book that actually speaks for itself. I mean it literally has a voice. No? Well there is such a book. The Bible talks about it. Listen:

“On that day the deaf will hear words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the LORD, and the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” (Isa 29:18,19)

3ZAF000A

Did you catch it? There is a book that has a voice that can be heard. The book has a message to tell. The book can even sing.

But not everyone can hear the voice of that book or the songs that it sings. It is only those to whom it is intended.

Are you interested? Let me talk with you about the book that talks and sings.

In the study to follow I would encourage my readers to use your Bible to check the references that I’ll give. They will speak to your heart.


*********************

THE BIBLE AS GOD’S WORD
By Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin
“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89 NASB
The last book of the Bible ends with a warning, which says, “And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.” [Rev22:19]  Does this warning simply apply to the book of Revelations, or is it a warning concerning the whole of the Bible? It is safe to assume that the warning applies to all the Scriptures, since the Bible is one book, and has one underlying message of redemption. The book of Revelations simply completes the written record of God’s redemption.
We find a similar warning in Proverbs 30:5,6, where it says, “Every Word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His Words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.” There are numerous other references to the purity of God’s written word. In fact the apostle Paul tells us to never exceed what is written. God has given the Bible as a safeguard for the faith of His peoples.
Why is the Bible so important to a believer? After all, Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, did not have a Bible, and they all walked with God. Let’s find out how the Bible relates to learning to walk with God. In this teaching we want to take a deeper look at this book we call the Bible.
I – The Canon of Scripture
1.First we need to understand what the word ‘canon’ means. Canon comes from the Greek word kanon (kan-ohn’) which means a rule of measure. Metaphorically it speaks of any rule, standard, principle, or law that is used for investigation, judging, living, and acting. The canon of Scriptures is the Bible in its completed form. Nothing is to be added to it. Nothing is to be taken away from it. (Psalm 119:89)
2.The Old Testament canon begins with the writings of Moses and concludes with the book of Malachi. (The Bible was written over a period of about 1600 years.) The Protestant Bible as a rule accepts the Hebrew canon. (The Catholic Bible adds the apocrypha. These 13 books were written after Malachi. They were never accepted in the Hebrew canon.) Why should we accept the Hebrew Scriptures? Because it was to the Jewish prophets alone that God committed the written oracles. Cf. John 4:20-22; Rom. 3:1-4; Rom. 9:3-5.
3.The formation of the NT canon was not a conciliar decision [Set in place by church council.] The apostolic writings were treasures of the churches. They came together in the providence of God. Over a short period of time, the New Testament received its fixed form with the twenty-seven books we now have. There are sixty-six books that make up the entire Bible. Revelations completes the canon of Scripture. (Rev. 22:16-21)
4.The test of the New Testament books to be included in the canon of Scriptures included three things: (1) Did it have Apostolic authority? Was it written by an apostle or by a close companion. (2) Did it have the witness of the Holy Spirit? Does it carry the testimony of truth that flows through the entire Bible. (3) Was it in use by the Christian church from earliest times? Was it beloved by the earliest Christians. (Eph. 2:19-21)
II – Things to Understand about the Bible
1.Modern language translations are important. Any living language is constantly changing. Older translations may not clearly convey what is being said in the language of modern readers. This is why, though the King James Version has its own beauty, it is not able to speak with clarity to our modern generation. It was written in Elizabethan English.
2.There is a difference between letterism and literalism. The letter without a proper revelation of the spiritual truth behind it genders to bondage. God’s people should seek the literal meanings in the Scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to transform literal truths into spiritual realities. (2 Co. 3:5,6, 12-18)
3.In the new covenant the Lord places in every believer the same Holy Spirit who breathed forth the Scriptures. Truth can be tested. (See John 16:13-15) Any teaching that is man-centered and does not agree with sound doctrine that conforms to godliness, or any teaching that does not lift up Jesus Christ is not to be accepted as Biblical.
4.As for Biblical teaching, the purpose of pastoral teaching is not to take the place of a believer’s direct access to truth. The primary calling of a pastor is overseeing those who are allotted to his care. His overseeing ministry is for the safety of the flock. His primary gift is that of teaching. Yet the Lord gives true believers a safeguard against false teaching. (The anointing.) Cf. 1 John 2:19-21, 27.
III – God’s Word: the Message
1.The term Word of God carries another meaning. It especially speaks of God’s message of the gospel. The message of redemption is the underlying theme of the Bible. Today we know it as ‘the Word of the Cross.’ (Acts 17:13; Rom. 1:16; 2 Co 2:17; 1 Thess 2:13; Heb 4:12; Gal 1:6-9)
2.The Bible is God’s written record of His redemptive plan in Christ. But it was also written to provide a guide for moral character. Therefore, the Bible is exclusively God’s Word to man. Paul said, “I would not have come to know sin except through the Law.” (MATT. 15:6; 2 TIM. 3:16)
3.The Greek term for inspired means to ‘out breath.’ The Scriptures came from God’s mouth. They come to us in their form completed through the apostles. Thus the Bible carries a living testimony to God’s truth. This is why Paul says that we are never to exceed what is written. [1Co4:6] The Bible as the written Word of God was given to guide God’s people in the way of salvation and in the paths of righteousness. (Psalm 19:7-14) The single greatest witness that our faith is correct, is if we are living by the testimony of the Scriptures.
4.Believers should seek to live according to revealed truths of the Scriptures, keeping in mind that the Bible is a progressive revelation. It finds its completion in the message of the cross. (Luke 24:44-47; 1 Co 15:1-5) With this in mind, the Holy Spirit never speaks to any believer in a way as to contradict God’s written record. (Isa 8:20; Matt 5:17,18; Acts 1:16; 1 Co 4:6; Rom 15:4)
IV – Jesus: The Word of God
The term ‘Word of God’ carries in it something else that is especially crucial to the life of a believer. The term ‘Word of God’ refers to the communication of God. Since God is a Person, obviously He needs to communicate. Therefore, He speaks. (Gen 1:1-3; Psalm 33:6,9; Heb 11:3)
All God’s born-again children know the communication of God. This is why songs like the Garden song are dear to the child of God. It says, in part, “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses.” It goes on to say, “He speaks, and the sound of His voice, is so sweet that the birds hush their singing.” This song carries the heart of what the Word of God means. The Word of God is God speaking into our hearts. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” [John 10:27]
1.In the new covenant, Jesus is expressly called “the Word of God.” He is God’s Word fully incarnate or personified in human flesh. This seems mysterious enough, but when we receive into our hearts Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He enters our heart as the living Word of God. Thus all our communication with God is found in Jesus Christ and takes place in our hearts. (John 1:1-3,14; 2Co 4:5-7; Rev 19:11-13)
2.To be born again, is to be born of God’s Word. Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing (Speaking of His flesh at that time.); the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” [John 6:53] Cf. 1Peter 1:22-25.
3.The source of our faith is God speaking to us in Christ. (Rom 10:17 – The Greek word ‘Rhema’, means ‘that which is uttered by a living voice’.)
4.This brings us back to the Old Testament prophet and, in turn, to the Scriptures, and to the new covenant in Christ. Because Adam rejected the truth of God, he lost his ability to enjoy direct communication with God on a true spiritual level. Very few people had direct communication from God. These few peoples were generally known as prophets. The prophets came to serve as God’s mouthpiece. If you needed to hear from God, you went to, or, in the case of a King, sent for the prophet. (1 Sam 9:27; 1 Kings 12:22; 1 Chron 17:3; Luke 3:2)
5.This particular role of the prophet being God’s mouthpiece to His people diminished with the coming of Jesus, and under the New Covenant. See Heb 1:1,2. Also cf. Heb 8:10-13. There was an overlap of the prophetic ministry during the transition of covenants, but today there is no need for a prophet of the Old Testament level.
6.Jesus described the new covenant believer in prophetic terms: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38 Living water is a symbol for God’s living Word and God’s life.
Conclusion: So, why is the Bible so important to believers?

THE BIBLE AS GOD’S LIVING VOICE

“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89 NASB

The last book of the Bible ends with a warning, which says, “And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.” [Rev22:19]

It is safe to assume that this warning applies to all the Scriptures, since the Bible is one book, and since the Bible has only one underlying message of redemption. But the Bible will only speak to those who truly want to hear its message.

We find a similar warning in Proverbs 30:5,6, where it says, “Every Word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His Words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.”

Why is the Bible so important to a believer? After all, Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, did not have a Bible, and they all walked with God. Let’s take a deeper look at this book we call the Bible. The book that has a message to tell. The book that speaks and sings to all of God’s children is a living book.

  • The term Word of God carries a special meaning. It especially speaks of God’s message of the gospel. The message of redemption is the underlying theme of the Bible. Today we know it as ‘the Word of the Cross.’ (Acts 17:13; Rom. 1:16; 2 Co 2:17; 1 Thess 2:13; Heb 4:12; Gal 1:6-9)
  • The Bible is God’s written record of His redemptive plan in Christ. But it was also written to provide a guide for moral character. Therefore, the Bible is exclusively God’s Word to man. Paul said, “I would not have come to know sin except through the Law.” (Matt 15:6; 2 Tim. 3:16)
  • The Greek term for inspired means to ‘out breath.’ The Scriptures came from God’s mouth. They come to us in their form completed through the apostles. Thus the Bible carries a living testimony to God’s truth. This is why Paul says that we are never to exceed what is written. [1Co4:6]
  • The Bible as the written Word of God was given to guide God’s people in the way of salvation and in the paths of righteousness. (Psalm 19:7-14) The single greatest witness that our faith is correct, is if we are living by the testimony of the Scriptures.

Now let’s talk about the voice that sings..

  • All God’s born-again children know the communication of God. This is why songs like the Garden song are dear to the child of God. It says, in part, “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses.” It goes on to say, “He speaks, and the sound of His voice, is so sweet that the birds hush their singing.” This song carries the heart of what the Word of God means. The Word of God is God speaking into our hearts. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” [John 10:27]
  • In the new covenant, Jesus is expressly called “the Word of God.” He is God’s Word fully incarnate or personified in human flesh. This seems mysterious enough, but when we receive into our hearts Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He enters our heart as the living Word of God. Thus all our communication with God is found in Jesus Christ and takes place in our hearts. (John 1:1-3,14; 2Co 4:5-7; Rev 19:11-13)
  • To be born again, is to be born of God’s Word. Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing (Speaking of His flesh at that time.); the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” [John 6:53] Cf. 1Peter 1:22-25.
  • The source of our faith is God speaking to us in Christ. (Rom 10:17 – The Greek word ‘Rhema’, means ‘that which is uttered by a living voice’.)
  • And for the singing? Listen carefully –
  • saying, “I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” And again, “I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.” And again, “BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.” (Heb 2:12-13)

There is much more to Jesus singing over us. He even give us songs to sing. Is it any wonder that believers fall in love with God’s holy book. In it we hear the voice of our Shepherd.

But there is one more thing about the Bible that we need to understand.

It has to do with how God’s message from heaven is handled.

 

Be Careful in Handling the Message

The gospel is about God’s Son. It speaks to the birth, death, resurrection, ascension, glorification, and second coming of Jesus. The message itself is not difficult to understand.

But there are warnings. Listen carefully:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'” (Mat 7:21-23)

Two things need to be understood from this part.

First, the will of the Father –  Jesus explains in another setting that the will and work of the Father is for the world to believe in Him. (John 6:29)

Second, involves practicing lawlessness. The new covenant has a law of salvation that must not be violated.

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Gal 1:8)

The apostle explains the message of the gospel —

 

“But what does it say? ‘The Word [message of salvation] is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’–that is, the word of faith [in Jesus Christ] which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Rom 10:8-10)

So, what about the Bible? Does it carry the voice of God? Does it have a message that heaven wants us to hear? Note our last Scripture — 

 

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?” (Isa 40:21)

 

With that in mind, take time to listen to the Garden Song:

Well, have you heard the words of a book. You can you know. The apostle said it well enough, when he said, “And it shall come to past that whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Blessings,

Buddy

Views: 31

Share
Posted by admin, 0 comments