"Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:4).
There can never be a greater gift than this. Our Lord Jesus Christ not only has given us forgiveness and salvation and all spiritual blessings, He gave Himself! The pure, glorious Son of God gave Himself, substituting Himself in our place to suffer the righteous judgment of God on our sins.
Six times this wonderful affirmation is found in God's Word. The first is in our text, assuring us that, when He gave Himself, He paid the price to deliver us from this present evil world into the eternal world to come.
Then, in the next occurrence, this promise is made intensely personal. Christ "loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). The gift Christ gave is more than the world could ever give.
The supremely sacrificial nature of His gift is then emphasized. "Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). The sacrifice has brought us to Himself, for "Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it. . . . That He might present it to Himself a glorious church" (Ephesians 5:25,27).
The offering was sufficient to pay for the redemption of all sin, as He "gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (I Timothy 2:6). This ransom is not merely to redeem us from the penalty of sin at the judgment, however, but also from the power of sin in our lives, and this is the testimony of the final occurrence of this great declaration. Christ "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
November 30, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Once for All
"For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God" (Romans 6:10).
The Greek word, ephipaz, translated "once" in this verse, actually means "once for all." Christ did not have to die again and again, a new death for every sinner. He died unto sin once for all, His death being sufficient to take away "the sin of the whole world" (John 1:29).
The word ephipaz occurs only five times in the Bible. Our text is the first, confirming that His once-for-all death for sin was sufficient forever; He now lives wholly "unto God." The second confirms the reality of this permanent resurrection. In Jewish law, a factual claim was considered confirmed by the principle that "in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established" (Matthew 18:16). Paul recalls that the resurrected Christ "was seen of above five hundred brethren at once" (I Corinthians 15:6). Two or three would have sufficed, but He had five hundred witnesses. These saw Him alive once for all, and their lives were forever changed.
The other three references are in Hebrews: "He needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once that is, `once for all', when He offered up Himself." "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once `once for all' into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10).
Once for all He died for sin, then with His own shed blood, He entered into the presence of the Father, sanctified us forever, and was raised from the dead by impeccable testimony, once for all. HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
November 29, 2007
The Greek word, ephipaz, translated "once" in this verse, actually means "once for all." Christ did not have to die again and again, a new death for every sinner. He died unto sin once for all, His death being sufficient to take away "the sin of the whole world" (John 1:29).
The word ephipaz occurs only five times in the Bible. Our text is the first, confirming that His once-for-all death for sin was sufficient forever; He now lives wholly "unto God." The second confirms the reality of this permanent resurrection. In Jewish law, a factual claim was considered confirmed by the principle that "in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established" (Matthew 18:16). Paul recalls that the resurrected Christ "was seen of above five hundred brethren at once" (I Corinthians 15:6). Two or three would have sufficed, but He had five hundred witnesses. These saw Him alive once for all, and their lives were forever changed.
The other three references are in Hebrews: "He needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once that is, `once for all', when He offered up Himself." "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once `once for all' into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10).
Once for all He died for sin, then with His own shed blood, He entered into the presence of the Father, sanctified us forever, and was raised from the dead by impeccable testimony, once for all. HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
HEBREWS
Pastor Rick Jackson
I dare say everyone of us has looked for something. It might be something we have misplaced, or it might be someplace we have heard of, or it might be something we can't even see with our eyes or handle with our hands... like peace of heart. God uses the term "looking" three times in the book of Hebrews. Each one is quite important to every person who has ever drawn breath.
So, what are you looking for?
It is a well known fact that we don't always find what we are looking for. Sometimes we don't find what were were looking to find but we find something better and sometimes instead of what we were looking for- we find something worse.
I. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TROUBLE?
The songwriter wrote, "If you are looking for trouble you came to the right place..." I heard a man once say, "I give my boys plenty of trouble at home so they don't have to go looking for it."
And yet, people look for trouble of the worst kind.
1. Anyone can see there is only One Sacrifice for sins acceptable to God [10:1-14]
2. Everyone can be changed by accepting God's Word on this matter [10:15-25]
3. Somebody who rejects Christ is looking for trouble of the worst kind, the judgement of God [10:26-31]
II. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT EXAMPLE?
1. The right inspiration [12:1-2a]
2. The right expectation [12:2-4]
3. The right exhortation [12:5-11]
III. ARE YOU LOOKING THE RIGHT WAY?
Sometimes we don't find what we are looking for because we don't look the right way.
1. Beware the wrong path! [12:12-13]
2. Beware the wrong peace! [12:14] Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
3. Beware the wrong plant! [12:15]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I dare say everyone of us has looked for something. It might be something we have misplaced, or it might be someplace we have heard of, or it might be something we can't even see with our eyes or handle with our hands... like peace of heart. God uses the term "looking" three times in the book of Hebrews. Each one is quite important to every person who has ever drawn breath.
So, what are you looking for?
It is a well known fact that we don't always find what we are looking for. Sometimes we don't find what were were looking to find but we find something better and sometimes instead of what we were looking for- we find something worse.
I. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TROUBLE?
The songwriter wrote, "If you are looking for trouble you came to the right place..." I heard a man once say, "I give my boys plenty of trouble at home so they don't have to go looking for it."
And yet, people look for trouble of the worst kind.
1. Anyone can see there is only One Sacrifice for sins acceptable to God [10:1-14]
2. Everyone can be changed by accepting God's Word on this matter [10:15-25]
3. Somebody who rejects Christ is looking for trouble of the worst kind, the judgement of God [10:26-31]
II. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT EXAMPLE?
1. The right inspiration [12:1-2a]
2. The right expectation [12:2-4]
3. The right exhortation [12:5-11]
III. ARE YOU LOOKING THE RIGHT WAY?
Sometimes we don't find what we are looking for because we don't look the right way.
1. Beware the wrong path! [12:12-13]
2. Beware the wrong peace! [12:14] Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
3. Beware the wrong plant! [12:15]
My one and only sister sent me these...
You can't read this and stay in a bad mood! [I had to edit some of these]
1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?
Unique Up On It.
2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit? Tame Way.
3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest ?
They Take The Psycho Path
4. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
Polaroid's
5. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work?
A Stick
6. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.
7. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.
8. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?
Quatro Sinko.
9. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?
Spoiled Milk.
10. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?
Frostbite.
11. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?
A Nervous Wreck.
12. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?
Because They Have Big Fingers .
13. What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic?
Sanka.
14. What Is The Difference Between a Harley And a Hoover ?!
The Location Of The Dirt Bag.
15. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down?
Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat.
16. What's The Difference Between a Bad Golfer And a Bad Skydiver?
A Bad Golfer Goes, Whack, Oops! A Bad Skydiver Goes Oops! Whack .
17. How Are a Texas Tornado And a Redneck Divorce The Same?
Somebody's Gonna Lose A Trailer
18. What's the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut?
About 2 weeks
Now, admit it. At least one of these made you smile.
1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?
Unique Up On It.
2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit? Tame Way.
3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest ?
They Take The Psycho Path
4. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
Polaroid's
5. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work?
A Stick
6. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.
7. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.
8. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?
Quatro Sinko.
9. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?
Spoiled Milk.
10. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?
Frostbite.
11. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?
A Nervous Wreck.
12. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?
Because They Have Big Fingers .
13. What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic?
Sanka.
14. What Is The Difference Between a Harley And a Hoover ?!
The Location Of The Dirt Bag.
15. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down?
Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat.
16. What's The Difference Between a Bad Golfer And a Bad Skydiver?
A Bad Golfer Goes, Whack, Oops! A Bad Skydiver Goes Oops! Whack .
17. How Are a Texas Tornado And a Redneck Divorce The Same?
Somebody's Gonna Lose A Trailer
18. What's the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut?
About 2 weeks
Now, admit it. At least one of these made you smile.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The Teacher and His Words
"For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:37).
In many churches teachers are in short supply. Evidently many who have the Spirit-given gift of teaching are not using it as they should. On the other hand, a Christian must never assume the role of teacher without clear leading from above. As the teacher of the early Jerusalem church wrote, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation" (James 3:1). Christ taught in our text that by our words we shall be judged and either justified or condemned. Since for "every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36), how much more so will the words of a teacher be scrutinized, especially a teacher of the Word of God.
Another reason one should be slow to don the cloak of a teacher is that even a teacher finds it hard to live up to his own teachings. "For in many things we offend all better, `we all stumble'. If any man stumble not in word, the same is a perfect man" (James 3:2). Speaking of the Jewish teachers, Jesus instructed His listeners to do what their teachers said, not what they did (Matthew 23:3), and then He condemned hypocrital teachers with seven stinging "woes" (vv.13-33).
The proper use of the teaching gift perhaps yields greater honor than most, but also greater condemnation if error or hurt creeps in. The church does need all the gifts and should not neglect any genuinely Spirit-given gifts of its members.
Nevertheless, one might contemplate the aggressive, anti-creationist stance taken by many professors at evangelical churches, colleges, and seminaries today, teaching theistic evolution, the day-age theory, framework hypothesis, etc., and wonder if Christ's reference to the "millstone" around the neck might apply (Luke 17:2). JDM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
In many churches teachers are in short supply. Evidently many who have the Spirit-given gift of teaching are not using it as they should. On the other hand, a Christian must never assume the role of teacher without clear leading from above. As the teacher of the early Jerusalem church wrote, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation" (James 3:1). Christ taught in our text that by our words we shall be judged and either justified or condemned. Since for "every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36), how much more so will the words of a teacher be scrutinized, especially a teacher of the Word of God.
Another reason one should be slow to don the cloak of a teacher is that even a teacher finds it hard to live up to his own teachings. "For in many things we offend all better, `we all stumble'. If any man stumble not in word, the same is a perfect man" (James 3:2). Speaking of the Jewish teachers, Jesus instructed His listeners to do what their teachers said, not what they did (Matthew 23:3), and then He condemned hypocrital teachers with seven stinging "woes" (vv.13-33).
The proper use of the teaching gift perhaps yields greater honor than most, but also greater condemnation if error or hurt creeps in. The church does need all the gifts and should not neglect any genuinely Spirit-given gifts of its members.
Nevertheless, one might contemplate the aggressive, anti-creationist stance taken by many professors at evangelical churches, colleges, and seminaries today, teaching theistic evolution, the day-age theory, framework hypothesis, etc., and wonder if Christ's reference to the "millstone" around the neck might apply (Luke 17:2). JDM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
Monday, November 26, 2007
"thought these were clean enuf to use anywhere when ya need em." -sis
Kids are Quick
TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America .
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Maria.
____________________________________
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables. __________________________________________
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell "crocodile?"
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L"
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
____________________________________________
TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
___________________________________
TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are. _______________________________________
TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with "I."
MILLIE: I is...
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, "I am."
MILLIE: All right... "I am the ninth letter of the alphabet." _________________________________
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand. ______________________________________
TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook. ______________________________
TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, teacher, it's the same dog.
___________________________________
TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher
TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America .
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Maria.
____________________________________
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables. __________________________________________
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell "crocodile?"
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L"
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
____________________________________________
TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
___________________________________
TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are. _______________________________________
TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with "I."
MILLIE: I is...
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, "I am."
MILLIE: All right... "I am the ninth letter of the alphabet." _________________________________
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand. ______________________________________
TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook. ______________________________
TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, teacher, it's the same dog.
___________________________________
TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher
Sunday, November 25, 2007
WHATS IN A NAME?
GENESIS 17
Pastor Rick Jackson
Shakespeare wrote, "What's in a name? that which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet" meaning the name of something doesn't chang it's intrinsic nature. Abraham Lincoln agreed and posed the riddle, "If you call a dog's tail a leg, how many legs does he have?"
After someone said "5" Lincoln said, "No, it doesn't matter what you call his tail, a dog still only has four legs."
People can call evolution science but it's still a failed theory full of holes and hypocrisy. People can label Christianity a myth but it is still true, they can say the Bible was written by men but It is still God's Holy Infallible Word, they can say Jesus was the illegitimate son of a Jewish woman but He is still the virgin-born Saviour, God incarnate.
People cannot change the fundamental nature of something by renaming it but names are important. The brand name "Kleenex" has so firmly implanted itself in the minds of most Americans they call facial tissues "Kleenex" even when they are using another brand. The same thing can be said of "Scotch Tape" and "Coke." Names are powerful, names mean something, names matter.
When God uses a name it means something. When God changes a name, it means something? Let us apply the question, "What's in a name?" to our text Genesis 17.
I. THERE IS POWER IN A NAME! [v. 1-2]
Abram at 86 could still sire children but at age 99 that was no longer the case.
Romans 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
Hebrews 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable
It is at this point God appears to Abram again and calls Himself for the first time "El Shaddai", Almighty God. When Abram was helpless God said I have all the power necessary.
The same truth applies to our salvation, God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. There is power in a name.
II. THERE IS PROMISE IN A NAME! [v. 3-14]
In this case, there is the promise of:
1. FRUITFULNESS [v. 3-6]
2. FAITHFULNESS [v. 7-8]
3. FRATERNITY (a brotherhood) [v. 9-14]
III. THERE IS PURPOSE IN A NAME! [v. 15-19]
IV. THERE IS PRECISION IN A NAME! [v. 20-27]
You might say, but Ishmael's name wasn't changed. And that would be precisely the point. Ishmael represents the works of the flesh which doesn't change. Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? [Gal. 4:22-31]
Note the faith of Abraham as he obeys God and has to depend solely on God for protection while all the men recover. [v. 22-27]
Pastor Rick Jackson
Shakespeare wrote, "What's in a name? that which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet" meaning the name of something doesn't chang it's intrinsic nature. Abraham Lincoln agreed and posed the riddle, "If you call a dog's tail a leg, how many legs does he have?"
After someone said "5" Lincoln said, "No, it doesn't matter what you call his tail, a dog still only has four legs."
People can call evolution science but it's still a failed theory full of holes and hypocrisy. People can label Christianity a myth but it is still true, they can say the Bible was written by men but It is still God's Holy Infallible Word, they can say Jesus was the illegitimate son of a Jewish woman but He is still the virgin-born Saviour, God incarnate.
People cannot change the fundamental nature of something by renaming it but names are important. The brand name "Kleenex" has so firmly implanted itself in the minds of most Americans they call facial tissues "Kleenex" even when they are using another brand. The same thing can be said of "Scotch Tape" and "Coke." Names are powerful, names mean something, names matter.
When God uses a name it means something. When God changes a name, it means something? Let us apply the question, "What's in a name?" to our text Genesis 17.
I. THERE IS POWER IN A NAME! [v. 1-2]
Abram at 86 could still sire children but at age 99 that was no longer the case.
Romans 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
Hebrews 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable
It is at this point God appears to Abram again and calls Himself for the first time "El Shaddai", Almighty God. When Abram was helpless God said I have all the power necessary.
The same truth applies to our salvation, God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. There is power in a name.
II. THERE IS PROMISE IN A NAME! [v. 3-14]
In this case, there is the promise of:
1. FRUITFULNESS [v. 3-6]
2. FAITHFULNESS [v. 7-8]
3. FRATERNITY (a brotherhood) [v. 9-14]
III. THERE IS PURPOSE IN A NAME! [v. 15-19]
IV. THERE IS PRECISION IN A NAME! [v. 20-27]
You might say, but Ishmael's name wasn't changed. And that would be precisely the point. Ishmael represents the works of the flesh which doesn't change. Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? [Gal. 4:22-31]
Note the faith of Abraham as he obeys God and has to depend solely on God for protection while all the men recover. [v. 22-27]
THE UNIVERSAL SOLUTION
PSALM 100
Pastor Rick Jackson
The great questions man sometimes asks are invariably man-centered, which is why there are so many different answers floating around. Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? How did I get here? The universal solution to all these questions is found in the Bible in many places but this time let us look at the 100th Psalm. Here then, is the universal solution to man's questions and we can readily see the solution for man is NOT man-centered. Finding the solution in man himself is liking fishing in a desert, tanning at night, or getting ready for a past event. So the first application of the solution would be to find out"
I. WHO IS IT ALL ABOUT?
It is all about the true God. [vs. 1-5]. All people have the same Creator, all people should worship and obey the true God [v. 1].
II. WHY SHOULD WE OBEY HIM?
1. HE IS "THE LORD" (YAHWEH, JEHOVAH) [v. 1]
2. HE IS "ELOHIM" (plural in a singular sense- the Trinity) [v. 3a]
3. HE IS THE CREATOR WHO OWNS US [v. 3b]
4. HE ESTABLISHES A RELATIONSHIP [v. 3c]
5. HE IS GOOD [v. 5a]
6. HE IS MERCIFUL [v. 5b]
7. HE IS ETERNALLY TRUTHFUL [v. 5c]
III. WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
1. BE VOCALLY JOYFUL UNTO HIM [v. 1]
2. SERVE HIM GLADLY [v. 2a]
3. COME TO HIM SINGING [v. 2b]
4. KNOW WHAT HE'S DONE [v. 3a]
5. KNOW HIM PERSONALLY [v. 3b]
6. WORSHIP HIM CORPORATELY [v. 4a]
7. WORSHIP HIM THANKFULLY [vs. 4b-5]
Pastor Rick Jackson
The great questions man sometimes asks are invariably man-centered, which is why there are so many different answers floating around. Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? How did I get here? The universal solution to all these questions is found in the Bible in many places but this time let us look at the 100th Psalm. Here then, is the universal solution to man's questions and we can readily see the solution for man is NOT man-centered. Finding the solution in man himself is liking fishing in a desert, tanning at night, or getting ready for a past event. So the first application of the solution would be to find out"
I. WHO IS IT ALL ABOUT?
It is all about the true God. [vs. 1-5]. All people have the same Creator, all people should worship and obey the true God [v. 1].
II. WHY SHOULD WE OBEY HIM?
1. HE IS "THE LORD" (YAHWEH, JEHOVAH) [v. 1]
2. HE IS "ELOHIM" (plural in a singular sense- the Trinity) [v. 3a]
3. HE IS THE CREATOR WHO OWNS US [v. 3b]
4. HE ESTABLISHES A RELATIONSHIP [v. 3c]
5. HE IS GOOD [v. 5a]
6. HE IS MERCIFUL [v. 5b]
7. HE IS ETERNALLY TRUTHFUL [v. 5c]
III. WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
1. BE VOCALLY JOYFUL UNTO HIM [v. 1]
2. SERVE HIM GLADLY [v. 2a]
3. COME TO HIM SINGING [v. 2b]
4. KNOW WHAT HE'S DONE [v. 3a]
5. KNOW HIM PERSONALLY [v. 3b]
6. WORSHIP HIM CORPORATELY [v. 4a]
7. WORSHIP HIM THANKFULLY [vs. 4b-5]
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Is creation falling apart?
Many people ask, “If God is an all-powerful Creator, how could He let His creation fall apart like this?” The implication is that God somehow has lost control of Earth, that He is not sovereign.
But the Bible tells us exactly what God the Creator is doing. He has removed some of His sustaining power—but just temporarily. When God judged Adam’s sin in Genesis, He also made the earth to begin to decay. Romans 8:22 tells us that the whole of creation is groaning and travailing in pain. Everything is running down because of sin. God has given us a taste of life without Him—a world full of violence, death, suffering, and disease.
But the Creator’s hand is still obvious. The book of Romans tells us the invisible things from the creation are clearly seen, even His eternal power and Godhead. Our very presence on earth is evidence of God’s sustaining power.
In fact, if God withdrew all of His sustaining power, the creation would cease to exist (Colossians 1:16–17). Instead, the Creator is allowing things to fall apart as a consequence of sin. But Jesus stepped into history to die on the cross to save us from what we did, promising to restore His Creation and return us to a perfect relationship with Him for eternity.
So, let us remember to:
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100)
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
But the Bible tells us exactly what God the Creator is doing. He has removed some of His sustaining power—but just temporarily. When God judged Adam’s sin in Genesis, He also made the earth to begin to decay. Romans 8:22 tells us that the whole of creation is groaning and travailing in pain. Everything is running down because of sin. God has given us a taste of life without Him—a world full of violence, death, suffering, and disease.
But the Creator’s hand is still obvious. The book of Romans tells us the invisible things from the creation are clearly seen, even His eternal power and Godhead. Our very presence on earth is evidence of God’s sustaining power.
In fact, if God withdrew all of His sustaining power, the creation would cease to exist (Colossians 1:16–17). Instead, the Creator is allowing things to fall apart as a consequence of sin. But Jesus stepped into history to die on the cross to save us from what we did, promising to restore His Creation and return us to a perfect relationship with Him for eternity.
So, let us remember to:
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100)
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Friday, November 23, 2007
King of Kings and Lord of Lords
"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Revelation 17:14).
There is coming a time--perhaps not too far in the future--when all the kings and other rulers of the world will "have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast" (v.13), the great humanistic world system of the last days, whose Satan-possessed leader will then have power "given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (13:7).
Only one opponent will remain, the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, against whom "The kings of the earth . . . take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us" (Psalm 2:2-3).
So they will proceed to "make war with the Lamb," but they will lose! At the final "appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (I Timothy 6:14-15). He, who as God's sacrificial Lamb, has taken "away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), is greater than all kings and rulers.
No longer as the submissive Lamb before His shearers (Isaiah 53:7), but as the "Word of God," out of whose once-silent mouth now "goeth a sharp sword" with which He shall "smite the nations." He will have "on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:13,15,16).
Indeed, the kings and leaders of the whole world will think they can successfully "make war with the Lamb," but He "shall overcome them." In that great day that is coming, it will be far better to be with Him, than with them! HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
http://www.icr.org/
There is coming a time--perhaps not too far in the future--when all the kings and other rulers of the world will "have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast" (v.13), the great humanistic world system of the last days, whose Satan-possessed leader will then have power "given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (13:7).
Only one opponent will remain, the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, against whom "The kings of the earth . . . take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us" (Psalm 2:2-3).
So they will proceed to "make war with the Lamb," but they will lose! At the final "appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (I Timothy 6:14-15). He, who as God's sacrificial Lamb, has taken "away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), is greater than all kings and rulers.
No longer as the submissive Lamb before His shearers (Isaiah 53:7), but as the "Word of God," out of whose once-silent mouth now "goeth a sharp sword" with which He shall "smite the nations." He will have "on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:13,15,16).
Indeed, the kings and leaders of the whole world will think they can successfully "make war with the Lamb," but He "shall overcome them." In that great day that is coming, it will be far better to be with Him, than with them! HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
http://www.icr.org/
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Giving Thanks for Christian Friends
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers" (I Thessalonians 1:2).
We all have much to be thankful for. It is certainly appropriate to give audible thanks for our daily bread, whether in private, at a family meal, or in public at a fine restaurant. In fact, Jesus set the example. When He miraculously fed the multitude beside the Sea of Galilee, He began with a prayer of thanksgiving: "He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them. . . . And they did all eat, and were filled" (Matthew 15:36-37).
It is good to give thanks for our food and shelter and clothing, but the blessing of having Christian friends is even more thankworthy. The first letter to the Thessalonians was possibly Paul's first Spirit-inspired letter to Christian friends, and Paul began with a testimony of thankfulness to God for them (see text above).
When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he began similarly: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3), and to the Colossians, he started the same way: "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you" (Colossians 1:3). The same when he wrote his epistle to the church at Corinth: "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 1:4).
Even when writing to the Christians at Rome, whom he had not yet met personally, he wrote: "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all" (Romans 1:8). He also thanked God for his personal friends Timothy (II Timothy 1:3) and Philemon (v.4).
Throughout our Christian life journey we develop lasting Christian friends, and can thank God for all of them. What a blessing to have such friends, and how fitting it is to give God special thanks for them at this time. HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
November 22, 2007
We all have much to be thankful for. It is certainly appropriate to give audible thanks for our daily bread, whether in private, at a family meal, or in public at a fine restaurant. In fact, Jesus set the example. When He miraculously fed the multitude beside the Sea of Galilee, He began with a prayer of thanksgiving: "He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them. . . . And they did all eat, and were filled" (Matthew 15:36-37).
It is good to give thanks for our food and shelter and clothing, but the blessing of having Christian friends is even more thankworthy. The first letter to the Thessalonians was possibly Paul's first Spirit-inspired letter to Christian friends, and Paul began with a testimony of thankfulness to God for them (see text above).
When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he began similarly: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3), and to the Colossians, he started the same way: "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you" (Colossians 1:3). The same when he wrote his epistle to the church at Corinth: "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 1:4).
Even when writing to the Christians at Rome, whom he had not yet met personally, he wrote: "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all" (Romans 1:8). He also thanked God for his personal friends Timothy (II Timothy 1:3) and Philemon (v.4).
Throughout our Christian life journey we develop lasting Christian friends, and can thank God for all of them. What a blessing to have such friends, and how fitting it is to give God special thanks for them at this time. HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
He Is the Owner
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But if a man be just . . . he shall surely live, saith the Lord God" (Ezekiel 18:4,5,9).
What an awesome statement! The eternal Creator of all mankind asserting His ownership over each man's soul to do with it what He deems proper.
What is the worth of one eternal soul created in the image of God? The Creator is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. Indeed, the earth and all the galaxies are His, but there is something about a soul that is of far greater worth. A soul can choose, can worship its Maker, and can reflect the very nature of God. Nothing else in all creation has these powers. Yet He owns all souls. He has an unquestionable right to them, and they will never be taken away, for He has created them. Furthermore, their numbers are growing for He has given His subjects the command and power to reproduce. At each conception He supplies a newly created, eternal soul. Truly, His wealth is great!
How should we respond to His ownership? By obedience! By choosing to act according to His will as revealed in reason, our conscience, and above all, in His written Word, we ascribe to Him the glory due Him. We must jealously guard our affections, reserving the adulation which He deserves for Him alone. We must lovingly care for His creation, including the many fellow souls whom He brings across our paths.
Above all, we must avail ourselves of His gracious provision of mercy and forgiveness through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ. At that point, He performs another creative act, for "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature or creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17). JDM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
What an awesome statement! The eternal Creator of all mankind asserting His ownership over each man's soul to do with it what He deems proper.
What is the worth of one eternal soul created in the image of God? The Creator is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. Indeed, the earth and all the galaxies are His, but there is something about a soul that is of far greater worth. A soul can choose, can worship its Maker, and can reflect the very nature of God. Nothing else in all creation has these powers. Yet He owns all souls. He has an unquestionable right to them, and they will never be taken away, for He has created them. Furthermore, their numbers are growing for He has given His subjects the command and power to reproduce. At each conception He supplies a newly created, eternal soul. Truly, His wealth is great!
How should we respond to His ownership? By obedience! By choosing to act according to His will as revealed in reason, our conscience, and above all, in His written Word, we ascribe to Him the glory due Him. We must jealously guard our affections, reserving the adulation which He deserves for Him alone. We must lovingly care for His creation, including the many fellow souls whom He brings across our paths.
Above all, we must avail ourselves of His gracious provision of mercy and forgiveness through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ. At that point, He performs another creative act, for "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature or creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17). JDM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Magnified Mercy
Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast showed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die" (Genesis 19:19).
This rather presumptuous plea of Lot to the angels who had spared his life when they called down fire from heaven to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah is noteworthy because it contains the first reference in the Bible to the mercy of God. Lot was a believer and a righteous man, but carnal in attitude and greedy in motivation. Yet God not only showed grace in His dealings with Lot, but even magnified mercy!
As appropriate for the principle of first mention in Scripture, this first reference to "mercy" lays the foundation for the dominant theme of the doctrine of mercy throughout Scripture. The key is that God's mercy can only be described properly in superlatives, and this fact is noted repeatedly throughout Scripture.
"The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him," said David (Psalm 103:17). "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him" (Psalm 103:11). His mercy, therefore, is both eternal and infinite. Nothing could ever be more "magnified" than this!
No wonder, therefore, that Paul says He is "rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us" (Ephesians 2:4), and Peter tells us that "His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope" (I Peter 1:3).
It is only "according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5), surely "Not because of any works of righteousness which we have done." Therefore, with David, we can say, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever" (Psalm 23:6). HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
This rather presumptuous plea of Lot to the angels who had spared his life when they called down fire from heaven to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah is noteworthy because it contains the first reference in the Bible to the mercy of God. Lot was a believer and a righteous man, but carnal in attitude and greedy in motivation. Yet God not only showed grace in His dealings with Lot, but even magnified mercy!
As appropriate for the principle of first mention in Scripture, this first reference to "mercy" lays the foundation for the dominant theme of the doctrine of mercy throughout Scripture. The key is that God's mercy can only be described properly in superlatives, and this fact is noted repeatedly throughout Scripture.
"The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him," said David (Psalm 103:17). "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him" (Psalm 103:11). His mercy, therefore, is both eternal and infinite. Nothing could ever be more "magnified" than this!
No wonder, therefore, that Paul says He is "rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us" (Ephesians 2:4), and Peter tells us that "His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope" (I Peter 1:3).
It is only "according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5), surely "Not because of any works of righteousness which we have done." Therefore, with David, we can say, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever" (Psalm 23:6). HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
Monday, November 19, 2007
QUOTES OF THE WEEK!
Blessed be God, there is a path for each of His servants, along which shines the light of His approving countenance, and to walk therein should be our chief joy. His approval is enough for the heart that knows Him. True, we many not always be able to command the approval and concurrence of our brethren; we may be frequently misunderstood; but we cannot help these things. "The day" will set all this to rights, and the loyal heart cAn contentedly wait for that day, knowing that then "every man shall have praise of God." - C.H.M.
Do not pray for easy lives. pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks! Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle. But you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God. - Phillips Brooks
Don’t let the littleness in others bring out the littleness in you.
Heart to God, hand to man. - Motto of the Salvation Army
Meanness don’t happen overnight.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. - Will Rogers
God is too kind to do anything cruel . . .too wise to make a mistake, too deep to explain Himself. - Charles Swindoll
If you have discovered your own spiritual insufficiency, you are a good candidate for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. - Tony Evans
Separation is not isolation. Separation is not insulation. Separation is contact without contamination. - Warren Wiersbe
Do not pray for easy lives. pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks! Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle. But you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God. - Phillips Brooks
Don’t let the littleness in others bring out the littleness in you.
Heart to God, hand to man. - Motto of the Salvation Army
Meanness don’t happen overnight.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. - Will Rogers
God is too kind to do anything cruel . . .too wise to make a mistake, too deep to explain Himself. - Charles Swindoll
If you have discovered your own spiritual insufficiency, you are a good candidate for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. - Tony Evans
Separation is not isolation. Separation is not insulation. Separation is contact without contamination. - Warren Wiersbe
Sunday, November 18, 2007
SIN, GRACE & TRUTH
GENESIS 16
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. LEARNING THE HARD WAY-LESSONS FROM SIN [v. 1-6]
1. Sin has long-lasting consequences [v. 1]
2. A worldly solution is never better than a Biblical solution [v. 2]
3. "Good" people can give bad advice [v. 3]
4. Sin's results aren't pleasant [v. 4] "All Satan's apples have worms!"
5. Shifting responsibility is easier said than done. [v. 5]
6. Over-estimating one's importance can lead to a harsh reality check [v. 6]
II. LEARNING THE BETTER WAY-LESSONS FROM GRACE [v. 7-10]
1. God seeks us [v. 7]
2. God shows us [v. 8]
3. God's directions are clear [v. 9]
4. God's future for us is better than "our" future for us [v. 10]
III. LEARNING THE BIBLE WAY-LESSONS FROM TRUTH [v. 11-16]
1. God's timing is always right!
2. God knows what we do not [v. 11a-12]
3. God hears us [v. 11b]
4. God sees us [v. 13-14]
5. God's Word always come to pass [v. 15-16]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. LEARNING THE HARD WAY-LESSONS FROM SIN [v. 1-6]
1. Sin has long-lasting consequences [v. 1]
2. A worldly solution is never better than a Biblical solution [v. 2]
3. "Good" people can give bad advice [v. 3]
4. Sin's results aren't pleasant [v. 4] "All Satan's apples have worms!"
5. Shifting responsibility is easier said than done. [v. 5]
6. Over-estimating one's importance can lead to a harsh reality check [v. 6]
II. LEARNING THE BETTER WAY-LESSONS FROM GRACE [v. 7-10]
1. God seeks us [v. 7]
2. God shows us [v. 8]
3. God's directions are clear [v. 9]
4. God's future for us is better than "our" future for us [v. 10]
III. LEARNING THE BIBLE WAY-LESSONS FROM TRUTH [v. 11-16]
1. God's timing is always right!
2. God knows what we do not [v. 11a-12]
3. God hears us [v. 11b]
4. God sees us [v. 13-14]
5. God's Word always come to pass [v. 15-16]
BUT WHERE ARE THE NINE?
LUKE 17:11-19
Pastor Rick Jackson
An award winning author wrote a children's book called, "The First Thanksgiving." Here is the description of the book given in a catalog:
Through the extraordinary story of a brave band of pilgrims and a generous ... Indian named Squanto, this superlative book teaches children the true meaning of Thanksgiving isn't turkey with all the trimmings. It's brotherhood and trust... The First Thanksgiving is children's book publishing at its very best.
The 1969 edition of Webster's New World Dictionary says that Thanksgiving was, "...instituted by the Pilgrims to give thanks to God for their survival:"
The Scriptures give us an very interesting account of a somewhat typical event in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. He encountered some people who were sick and He healed them at their request. The interesting part comes from the results of the healing... or the lack thereof!
As we look again in God's Word we see firstly, there's:
I. THE QUESTION OF ULTIMATE DEPENDENCE [v. 11-14]
Like it or not we are dependent on others for just about everything. Few of us grow our on food, smelt our own ore, and build our own vehicles! That's just for starters. But ultimately, we are all dependent upon God. We live on His earth [Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.], breathe His air, etc. So what should we do with this realization of Ultimate Dependence?
1. Admit your helplessness [v. 11-12]
2. Appeal to God for help [v. 13]
3. Act of God's Word [v. 14]
But you can do all those things and still not have thankfulness exhibited in your life. Note then, secondly:
II. THE QUALITIES OF GENUINE THANKFULNESS [v. 15-16]
Genuine Thankfulness:
1. Realizes the cause [v. 15a]
2. Recognizes the Benefactor [v. 15b]
3. Vocalizes the blessing [v. 15c]
4. Worships the Saviour [v. 16a]
5. Thanks the Lord [v. 16b]
In this historical record we see than Jesus healed 10 lepers and only 1 demonstrated true thankfulness. This highlights for us our third and final point:
III. THE QUIZZICAL REMARKS OF THE SOVEREIGN LORD [v. 17-19]
1. Jesus notices unthankfulness [v. 17]
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
2 Timothy 3:1-2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy...
Just as Jesus notices unthankfulness we should observe that:
2. Jesus notices the thankful [v. 18]
3. Jesus commends faith and faithfulness [v. 19]
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Pastor Rick Jackson
An award winning author wrote a children's book called, "The First Thanksgiving." Here is the description of the book given in a catalog:
Through the extraordinary story of a brave band of pilgrims and a generous ... Indian named Squanto, this superlative book teaches children the true meaning of Thanksgiving isn't turkey with all the trimmings. It's brotherhood and trust... The First Thanksgiving is children's book publishing at its very best.
The 1969 edition of Webster's New World Dictionary says that Thanksgiving was, "...instituted by the Pilgrims to give thanks to God for their survival:"
The Scriptures give us an very interesting account of a somewhat typical event in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. He encountered some people who were sick and He healed them at their request. The interesting part comes from the results of the healing... or the lack thereof!
As we look again in God's Word we see firstly, there's:
I. THE QUESTION OF ULTIMATE DEPENDENCE [v. 11-14]
Like it or not we are dependent on others for just about everything. Few of us grow our on food, smelt our own ore, and build our own vehicles! That's just for starters. But ultimately, we are all dependent upon God. We live on His earth [Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.], breathe His air, etc. So what should we do with this realization of Ultimate Dependence?
1. Admit your helplessness [v. 11-12]
2. Appeal to God for help [v. 13]
3. Act of God's Word [v. 14]
But you can do all those things and still not have thankfulness exhibited in your life. Note then, secondly:
II. THE QUALITIES OF GENUINE THANKFULNESS [v. 15-16]
Genuine Thankfulness:
1. Realizes the cause [v. 15a]
2. Recognizes the Benefactor [v. 15b]
3. Vocalizes the blessing [v. 15c]
4. Worships the Saviour [v. 16a]
5. Thanks the Lord [v. 16b]
In this historical record we see than Jesus healed 10 lepers and only 1 demonstrated true thankfulness. This highlights for us our third and final point:
III. THE QUIZZICAL REMARKS OF THE SOVEREIGN LORD [v. 17-19]
1. Jesus notices unthankfulness [v. 17]
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
2 Timothy 3:1-2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy...
Just as Jesus notices unthankfulness we should observe that:
2. Jesus notices the thankful [v. 18]
3. Jesus commends faith and faithfulness [v. 19]
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Interracial Marriage—Is It Biblical?
The Bible does speak about interracial marriage. It’s against it—it teaches clearly that those in the saved race should not knowingly marry the unsaved race.
You see, we need to understand there’s only one race of humans, biologically anyway. All people are descendants of Adam—thus we’re all of one race!
But the Bible makes it clear that there are two spiritual races—those who are saved, and those who are not.
Down through the generations, Satan has tried to destroy the family unit by trying to get godly people to marry ungodly ones. You see, the family is the unit that God uses to transmit His knowledge from one generation to the next.
That’s why we need to teach against the only interracial marriage the Bible warns against—the two spiritual races mixing!
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
You see, we need to understand there’s only one race of humans, biologically anyway. All people are descendants of Adam—thus we’re all of one race!
But the Bible makes it clear that there are two spiritual races—those who are saved, and those who are not.
Down through the generations, Satan has tried to destroy the family unit by trying to get godly people to marry ungodly ones. You see, the family is the unit that God uses to transmit His knowledge from one generation to the next.
That’s why we need to teach against the only interracial marriage the Bible warns against—the two spiritual races mixing!
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Winds of the World
"The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to His circuits" (Ecclesiastes 1:6).
This is one of the Bible's many scientific insights, written long before such a process was discovered in the modern science of meteorology. The basic circulation of the atmosphere (which generates the winds of the world) is "toward the south" near the ground, which then "turneth about unto the north" aloft. The heated air near the equator expands and rises, then flows north to replace the colder, heavier air which has descended to the ground in the polar regions.
This simple north-south-north cycle is complicated, however, by the earth's rotation. Further complexities are introduced by the different topographical features of the surface (oceans, mountains, etc.), but the end result is a general circulation of the whole atmosphere, which "whirleth about continually, and . . . returneth again according to His circuits."
None of this was understood at all until very modern times, but this ancient verse in Ecclesiastes corresponds beautifully to modern science. In fact, it was not even known until recent times that air had weight, but the patriarch Job had noted about 4000 years ago that "He . . . seeth under the whole heaven; To make the weight for the winds" (Job 28:24-25), and this fact is essential to the atmospheric circulation.
This is only one of many scientific principles implied in the Bible ages before men discovered them in their scientific research. In contrast, there are no demonstrable scientific errors in the Bible. This is not really surprising, for the same God who wrote the Word made the world! In Jesus Christ "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
November 16, 2007
This is one of the Bible's many scientific insights, written long before such a process was discovered in the modern science of meteorology. The basic circulation of the atmosphere (which generates the winds of the world) is "toward the south" near the ground, which then "turneth about unto the north" aloft. The heated air near the equator expands and rises, then flows north to replace the colder, heavier air which has descended to the ground in the polar regions.
This simple north-south-north cycle is complicated, however, by the earth's rotation. Further complexities are introduced by the different topographical features of the surface (oceans, mountains, etc.), but the end result is a general circulation of the whole atmosphere, which "whirleth about continually, and . . . returneth again according to His circuits."
None of this was understood at all until very modern times, but this ancient verse in Ecclesiastes corresponds beautifully to modern science. In fact, it was not even known until recent times that air had weight, but the patriarch Job had noted about 4000 years ago that "He . . . seeth under the whole heaven; To make the weight for the winds" (Job 28:24-25), and this fact is essential to the atmospheric circulation.
This is only one of many scientific principles implied in the Bible ages before men discovered them in their scientific research. In contrast, there are no demonstrable scientific errors in the Bible. This is not really surprising, for the same God who wrote the Word made the world! In Jesus Christ "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
PICTURES OF THE WEEK!
Okay, okay! I did it! I took the carrots!
Bite the hand that feeds me? I think not!
No, no! Not the needle Doc!
Yeah, and when the other 299 get here you are in for some trouble!
Next guy that calls us "weiner dogs" gets it with plenty of relish!
Bite the hand that feeds me? I think not!
No, no! Not the needle Doc!
Yeah, and when the other 299 get here you are in for some trouble!
Next guy that calls us "weiner dogs" gets it with plenty of relish!Wednesday, November 14, 2007
THE WAY TO BLESSING
PSALM 32
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE TRUTH OF DELIVERANCE [v. 1-2]
1. Blessed is the saved man [v. 1]
2. Blessed is the secure man [v. 2a]
3. Blessed is the surrendered man [v. 2b] - i.e., the man keeping short accounts with God
II. THE TESTIMONY OF DAVID [v. 3-7]
1. The drought of any unconfessed sin [v. 3-4]
2. The delight of an unfailing Saviour [v. 5]
3. The deliverance of an unfettered saint [v. 6-7]
III. THE TASK OF DETERMINATION [v. 8-11]
1. God's promise [v. 8]
2. God's preference [v. 9]
3. God's provision [v. 10-11]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE TRUTH OF DELIVERANCE [v. 1-2]
1. Blessed is the saved man [v. 1]
2. Blessed is the secure man [v. 2a]
3. Blessed is the surrendered man [v. 2b] - i.e., the man keeping short accounts with God
II. THE TESTIMONY OF DAVID [v. 3-7]
1. The drought of any unconfessed sin [v. 3-4]
2. The delight of an unfailing Saviour [v. 5]
3. The deliverance of an unfettered saint [v. 6-7]
III. THE TASK OF DETERMINATION [v. 8-11]
1. God's promise [v. 8]
2. God's preference [v. 9]
3. God's provision [v. 10-11]
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Sin of Complaining
And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul" (Psalm 106:15).
Christians who complain about their circumstances would do well to ponder this sobering verse and its background. God had greatly blessed His people, Israel, delivering them supernaturally from slavery in Egypt, protecting them against their enemies--even miraculously supplying daily bread and water for them in the desert.
Still they complained: complained about their food; complained about the imaginary luxuries they had left behind in Egypt; complained against their leaders. "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and His anger was kindled" (Numbers 11:1). Finally, when they complained about the manna, "the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly." He sent them quail to eat in such abundance as to last "even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you." Then, "while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed . . . the Lord smote the people with a very great plague" (Numbers 11:10,20,33).
God has blessed every Christian with forgiveness of sin and eternal life. He daily fulfills His promise to supply every need (not every desire, however), and we should live a thankful life in return, regardless of our particular lot in this world. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5:18). "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). "Do all things without murmurings and disputings" (Philippians 2:14). Complaining about what we don't have may well result in God taking away what we do have--and still worse--sending leanness into our souls. - HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
Christians who complain about their circumstances would do well to ponder this sobering verse and its background. God had greatly blessed His people, Israel, delivering them supernaturally from slavery in Egypt, protecting them against their enemies--even miraculously supplying daily bread and water for them in the desert.
Still they complained: complained about their food; complained about the imaginary luxuries they had left behind in Egypt; complained against their leaders. "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and His anger was kindled" (Numbers 11:1). Finally, when they complained about the manna, "the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly." He sent them quail to eat in such abundance as to last "even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you." Then, "while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed . . . the Lord smote the people with a very great plague" (Numbers 11:10,20,33).
God has blessed every Christian with forgiveness of sin and eternal life. He daily fulfills His promise to supply every need (not every desire, however), and we should live a thankful life in return, regardless of our particular lot in this world. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5:18). "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). "Do all things without murmurings and disputings" (Philippians 2:14). Complaining about what we don't have may well result in God taking away what we do have--and still worse--sending leanness into our souls. - HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
Monday, November 12, 2007
QUOTES OF THE WEEK!
What you do today will outlive you and last for eternity! - quoted by Sumner Wemp
The world is full of people who go to pieces looking for peace. -Wil Rice
There is no "good" without God. - Wil Rice
Present peace can be ours if He has forgiven our past because He holds our future. - Wil Rice
God will allow temptations in our lives so He can reveal himself unto us. - Jim Schettler
Whatever happens in your life will either make you better or bitter. The choice is yours. - Jim Schettler
The world is full of people who go to pieces looking for peace. -Wil Rice
There is no "good" without God. - Wil Rice
Present peace can be ours if He has forgiven our past because He holds our future. - Wil Rice
God will allow temptations in our lives so He can reveal himself unto us. - Jim Schettler
Whatever happens in your life will either make you better or bitter. The choice is yours. - Jim Schettler
Sunday, November 11, 2007
IT'S LEGAL- BUT WITHOUT THE LAW
GENESIS 15
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE DECLARATION OF CARE [v. 1-4]
1. The Personal Proclamation of God [v. 1]
2. The Premature Proposition to God [v. 2-3]
3. The Promise of an Earthly Seed Repeated [v. 4, 13:14-16]
II. THE DAY OF CHRIST [v. 5-6]
1. The Promise of An Heavenly Seed Pictured [v. 5a]
2. The Promise of A Singular Seed Preeminent [v. 5b]
3. The Power of A Saviour Promised [v. 6]
Jn. 8:56-58; Rm. 4:1-5, 13-16; Gal. 3:6-9, 13-18
III. THE DETAILS OF THE COVENANT [v. 7-21]
1. Legal preparation [v. 7-11]
2. Lengthy procedure [v. 12-16]
3. Lone Promisor [v. 17-21]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE DECLARATION OF CARE [v. 1-4]
1. The Personal Proclamation of God [v. 1]
2. The Premature Proposition to God [v. 2-3]
3. The Promise of an Earthly Seed Repeated [v. 4, 13:14-16]
II. THE DAY OF CHRIST [v. 5-6]
1. The Promise of An Heavenly Seed Pictured [v. 5a]
2. The Promise of A Singular Seed Preeminent [v. 5b]
3. The Power of A Saviour Promised [v. 6]
Jn. 8:56-58; Rm. 4:1-5, 13-16; Gal. 3:6-9, 13-18
III. THE DETAILS OF THE COVENANT [v. 7-21]
1. Legal preparation [v. 7-11]
2. Lengthy procedure [v. 12-16]
3. Lone Promisor [v. 17-21]
Saturday, November 10, 2007
What Did Jesus Say about Suffering?
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
What Did Jesus Say about Suffering?
The Bible helps us to understand everything going on in the world today—including widespread death and suffering.
During Christ’s day, a terrible tragedy occurred when the tower of Siloam collapsed, killing eighteen Jews. Jesus mentioned this to explain why God allows suffering and death.
Luke 13:4–5 records Christ’s words:
“Those eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell and slew them, think you that they were sinners above all other men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.”
Jesus was making two crucial points about suffering and death: Bad things that happen to people are not always related to personal sin, but all of us suffer and die because of sin. We each need to look at our own sins, and repent—lest we perish.
Genesis gives the only good answer to the question of disasters, death, and suffering: the sin of our father, Adam, and the sins of his descendants (including us), have brought tragedy. Rather than blaming God, we need to repent and turn to the One who can save us from eternal disaster!
----------------------------
News to Note Quick Look
Tragedy in Finland: In Finland this week, a teenager killed eight students and then himself at a high school. The shooter was motivated by his “social Darwinist” views.
A Sleeping Giant: Geologists working in Yellowstone National Park have discovered that the Yellowstone Valley is rising more than three times faster than “usual,” reports ScienceNOW on research published in the journal Science.
What Did Jesus Say about Suffering?
The Bible helps us to understand everything going on in the world today—including widespread death and suffering.
During Christ’s day, a terrible tragedy occurred when the tower of Siloam collapsed, killing eighteen Jews. Jesus mentioned this to explain why God allows suffering and death.
Luke 13:4–5 records Christ’s words:
“Those eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell and slew them, think you that they were sinners above all other men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.”
Jesus was making two crucial points about suffering and death: Bad things that happen to people are not always related to personal sin, but all of us suffer and die because of sin. We each need to look at our own sins, and repent—lest we perish.
Genesis gives the only good answer to the question of disasters, death, and suffering: the sin of our father, Adam, and the sins of his descendants (including us), have brought tragedy. Rather than blaming God, we need to repent and turn to the One who can save us from eternal disaster!
----------------------------
News to Note Quick Look
Tragedy in Finland: In Finland this week, a teenager killed eight students and then himself at a high school. The shooter was motivated by his “social Darwinist” views.
A Sleeping Giant: Geologists working in Yellowstone National Park have discovered that the Yellowstone Valley is rising more than three times faster than “usual,” reports ScienceNOW on research published in the journal Science.
Friday, November 09, 2007
MASTER'S MENS CONFERENCE
BILL RICE III IS ONE OF THE SCHEDULED SPEAKERS! HIS PARENTS STARTED THE RANCH!
THE RANCH IS BEAUTIFULLY LOCATED IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE. HORSES ARE JUST ONE OF GOD'S CREATURES THAT YOU CAN SEE AT THE RANCH.
WIL RICE IV IS ANOTHER OF THE SCHEDULED SPEAKERS. JIM SCHETTLER (not pictured) IS THE THIRD SPEAKER.Thursday, November 08, 2007
Missing Blogs?
Ah yes, once again the Master's men's Conference comes around at the Bill Rice Ranch about 7 miles from Murfreesboro, TN. Who has time to blog when they are surrounded by an explosion of color in God's creation, a plethora of great tasting food from God's bounty, and heart-warming, soul-stirring sermons froms God's Word?
More later when I get back...
More later when I get back...
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
THE TOTAL PACKAGE
PROVERBS 3:5-7
Pastor Rick Jackson
In today's world we are often offered deals or items that can be called "the total package". It might be a new vehicle with all the bells and whistles. It might be that you get you cable TV, Internet connection, home phone and cell phone all from the same company. It could be that you can go to Wal-Mart and see a doctor, an opthamologist, buy your groceries while your car is being serviced!
It shouldn't surprise us to know that the concept of the "total package" has been in the Bible the whole time. There are many places we could go to see this but let's look in Proverbs 3.
I. THE MATTER OF THE HEART [v. 5]
1. The Wholeness of Salvation [v.5] He can do for you what you cannot do for yourself
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2. The Holiness of Security [v. 5] He will keep for you what you cannot keep yourself [1 Pt. 1:3-16]
3. The Happiness of Serenity [v. 5] He knows what you cannot [Psalm 56:3]
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
II. THE MATTER OF THE HAND [v. 6]
1. This Is Personal [v. 6] "In all thy ways..." Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
2. This Is Powerful [v. 6] "...acknowledge Him..." Ephesians 5:10
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Basically WWJD?
3. This Is Purposeful [v. 6] Mark 8:35
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
III. THE MATTER OF THE HEAD [v. 7]
1. See Yourself Biblically [v. 7, Psalm 144:3-4]
LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
2. See The Lord Biblically [v. 7] "...fear the LORD..."
3. See Life Biblically [v. 7]
Only one life,
twill soon be past;
Only what's done-
for Christ will last.
Pastor Rick Jackson
In today's world we are often offered deals or items that can be called "the total package". It might be a new vehicle with all the bells and whistles. It might be that you get you cable TV, Internet connection, home phone and cell phone all from the same company. It could be that you can go to Wal-Mart and see a doctor, an opthamologist, buy your groceries while your car is being serviced!
It shouldn't surprise us to know that the concept of the "total package" has been in the Bible the whole time. There are many places we could go to see this but let's look in Proverbs 3.
I. THE MATTER OF THE HEART [v. 5]
1. The Wholeness of Salvation [v.5] He can do for you what you cannot do for yourself
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2. The Holiness of Security [v. 5] He will keep for you what you cannot keep yourself [1 Pt. 1:3-16]
3. The Happiness of Serenity [v. 5] He knows what you cannot [Psalm 56:3]
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
II. THE MATTER OF THE HAND [v. 6]
1. This Is Personal [v. 6] "In all thy ways..." Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
2. This Is Powerful [v. 6] "...acknowledge Him..." Ephesians 5:10
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Basically WWJD?
3. This Is Purposeful [v. 6] Mark 8:35
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
III. THE MATTER OF THE HEAD [v. 7]
1. See Yourself Biblically [v. 7, Psalm 144:3-4]
LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
2. See The Lord Biblically [v. 7] "...fear the LORD..."
3. See Life Biblically [v. 7]
Only one life,
twill soon be past;
Only what's done-
for Christ will last.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
QUOTES OF THE WEEK!
When Jesus comes I want Him to find me pulling in the harness, not standing in the stall. - Mrs. Tyre
I'm a nobody telling everybody about Somebody who can save anybody! - Source unknown
That's three quotes. Add another quote and make it a gallon! - Groucho Marx
I'm not overweight, I'm just under-tall. - Garfield (the cat, not the President)
---------------------------------------
The Greatest Man in History
J E S U S
had no servants, yet they called Him
M a s t e r.
Had no degree, yet they called Him
T e a c h e r.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him
H e a l e r.
He had no army, yet
Kings Feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet
He Conquered the World.
He committed no crime,
yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb,
yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
AND HE IS COMING AGAIN!!!!
-unknown origin, sent to me by Ronald
I'm a nobody telling everybody about Somebody who can save anybody! - Source unknown
That's three quotes. Add another quote and make it a gallon! - Groucho Marx
I'm not overweight, I'm just under-tall. - Garfield (the cat, not the President)
---------------------------------------
The Greatest Man in History
J E S U S
had no servants, yet they called Him
M a s t e r.
Had no degree, yet they called Him
T e a c h e r.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him
H e a l e r.
He had no army, yet
Kings Feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet
He Conquered the World.
He committed no crime,
yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb,
yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
AND HE IS COMING AGAIN!!!!
-unknown origin, sent to me by Ronald
Monday, November 05, 2007
ONE VERSE THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
GENESIS 15:1
Pastor Rick Jackson
THINK OF THIS VERSE AS THE PROMISE OF FAITH [Rm. 10:17, Gn. 15:1]
"After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying,"
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I. FAITH IS BETTER THAN FEAR [v. 1] "Fear not"
Over 60 times in the Bible the words "fear not" are found. Most of those times it is God or His representative talking. Most of those times it is predicated on God's presence, God's power, or God's promises.
1. GOD'S PRESENCE
Genesis 26:24 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
2 Kings 6:16 And he (Elisha) answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
Heb. 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
2. GOD'S POWER
Deuteronomy 20:3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
Isaiah 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
3. GOD'S PROMISES
Genesis 46:3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
Joshua 8:1 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Revelation 1:17-18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
II. GOD IS BEFORE US [v. 1] "I am thy shield"
1. THIS SHOULD PRODUCE JOY
Deuteronomy 33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
2. THIS SHOULD PRODUCE FAITH
2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
Psalm 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
3. THIS SHOULD PRODUCE ASSURANCE
2 Samuel 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Psalm 3:3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
III. GOD IS BEST FOR US! [v. 1] "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."
1. PAUL GOT A HOLD ON THIS
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Ephesians 1:18-20 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
2. PETER GOT A HOLD ON THIS
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
3. JUDE GOT A HOLD ON THIS
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
DO YOU HAVE A HOLD ON THIS?
Pastor Rick Jackson
THINK OF THIS VERSE AS THE PROMISE OF FAITH [Rm. 10:17, Gn. 15:1]
"After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying,"
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I. FAITH IS BETTER THAN FEAR [v. 1] "Fear not"
Over 60 times in the Bible the words "fear not" are found. Most of those times it is God or His representative talking. Most of those times it is predicated on God's presence, God's power, or God's promises.
1. GOD'S PRESENCE
Genesis 26:24 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
2 Kings 6:16 And he (Elisha) answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
Heb. 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
2. GOD'S POWER
Deuteronomy 20:3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
Isaiah 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
3. GOD'S PROMISES
Genesis 46:3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
Joshua 8:1 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Revelation 1:17-18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
II. GOD IS BEFORE US [v. 1] "I am thy shield"
1. THIS SHOULD PRODUCE JOY
Deuteronomy 33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
2. THIS SHOULD PRODUCE FAITH
2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
Psalm 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
3. THIS SHOULD PRODUCE ASSURANCE
2 Samuel 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Psalm 3:3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
III. GOD IS BEST FOR US! [v. 1] "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."
1. PAUL GOT A HOLD ON THIS
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Ephesians 1:18-20 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
2. PETER GOT A HOLD ON THIS
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
3. JUDE GOT A HOLD ON THIS
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
DO YOU HAVE A HOLD ON THIS?
Sunday, November 04, 2007
I AM WHAT I AM BUT AM I WHAT I OUGHT TO BE?
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE PERSON TO BE!
Some years back the Army's recruiting motto was "Be all you can be! Join the Army." Now I am all for the U.S. Military but I've got to tell you -- for some people, joining the Armed Forces is a bad idea. "Oh, but the discipline, the camaraderie, the training is good for people." It's good for some people, maybe even most people, but not for all people. Sometimes idiots rise to become officers, sometimes the camaraderie might lead you into sin (many is the man who learned to drink in the Armed Forces and ruined his life), sometimes a person is bad and the training helps them be better at being bad. Not most... but some! But there is direction for every person that is THE PERSON TO BE! Male or female, young or old, red, yellow, black or white it doesn't matter. This is for everyone without exception.
1. THE PERSON TO BE IS A SAVED PERSON!
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither ° can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
The saved person is right before God.
2. THE PERSON TO BE IS AN STUDIED PERSON!
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
Who are you showing? God already knows, you aren't doing this to show off, You are doing this so you can show yourself whether or not you are approved unto God! The studied person is right to himself.
3. THE PERSON TO BE IS A SANCTIFIED PERSON!
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
The sanctified person is right toward others!
II. THE PERSON THAT FLEES! [1 Timothy 6:1-11]
There are certain situations we should avoid. They are certain situations in which we should stand. But there are also certain times or certain situations in which the right thing to do is to flee!
1. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
2. 1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
3. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
III. THE GOD THAT SEES!
If you are thinking at this point, "Man, that's hard stuff. Why should I be that person? Why should I flee those things?" Quite simply, you are being watched!
1. GOD SEES EVERYWHERE! [Proverbs 15:3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
2. GOD SEES EVERYTHING! [Hebrews 4:12-13] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
3. GOD SEES EVERYBODY! [2 Chronicles 16:9] For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
(Look at His motive though! Yes, He sees the wrong, but He's looking for the right so He can help them. That's why we should be the person we ought to be and flee the things we ought to flee! God is watching us!)
Proverbs 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
I. THE PERSON TO BE!
Some years back the Army's recruiting motto was "Be all you can be! Join the Army." Now I am all for the U.S. Military but I've got to tell you -- for some people, joining the Armed Forces is a bad idea. "Oh, but the discipline, the camaraderie, the training is good for people." It's good for some people, maybe even most people, but not for all people. Sometimes idiots rise to become officers, sometimes the camaraderie might lead you into sin (many is the man who learned to drink in the Armed Forces and ruined his life), sometimes a person is bad and the training helps them be better at being bad. Not most... but some! But there is direction for every person that is THE PERSON TO BE! Male or female, young or old, red, yellow, black or white it doesn't matter. This is for everyone without exception.
1. THE PERSON TO BE IS A SAVED PERSON!
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither ° can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
The saved person is right before God.
2. THE PERSON TO BE IS AN STUDIED PERSON!
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
Who are you showing? God already knows, you aren't doing this to show off, You are doing this so you can show yourself whether or not you are approved unto God! The studied person is right to himself.
3. THE PERSON TO BE IS A SANCTIFIED PERSON!
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
The sanctified person is right toward others!
II. THE PERSON THAT FLEES! [1 Timothy 6:1-11]
There are certain situations we should avoid. They are certain situations in which we should stand. But there are also certain times or certain situations in which the right thing to do is to flee!
1. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
2. 1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
3. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
III. THE GOD THAT SEES!
If you are thinking at this point, "Man, that's hard stuff. Why should I be that person? Why should I flee those things?" Quite simply, you are being watched!
1. GOD SEES EVERYWHERE! [Proverbs 15:3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
2. GOD SEES EVERYTHING! [Hebrews 4:12-13] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
3. GOD SEES EVERYBODY! [2 Chronicles 16:9] For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
(Look at His motive though! Yes, He sees the wrong, but He's looking for the right so He can help them. That's why we should be the person we ought to be and flee the things we ought to flee! God is watching us!)
Proverbs 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Has the missing link been found?
For many people, evolution is more than just a scientific argument about origins: they use it as their philosophy of living, and it impacts every area of their life. Those who want to reject the Creator are always looking for evidence to support their belief system of evolution.
Christians should be aware that every so-called “missing” link between man and ape has been rejected by scientists. Even many evolutionists throw out Neanderthal man and “Lucy” as our ape-like ancestors. But we shouldn’t even have to turn to science to know that these “ape-men” are false. The Bible clearly tells us that God created humans and animals reproducing after their own kind.
What’s the real missing link? It’s humankind’s relationship to the Creator. He made them, and He’s never been missing. We’re made in the image of God and are meant to worship and obey Him.
-------------------------------------------
News to Note Quick Look
Flame-headed Neanderthals: It’s a common caricature in textbooks, movies, and—more true than ever today—TV shows: a brow-ridged, (often) club-carrying Neanderthal, covered in thick, messy red hair.
Wait a second—red hair? Contrary to nearly all artists’ interpretations of Neanderthals as dark-haired, a DNA study published in the journal Science has shown that some Neanderthals (sometimes spelled Neandertals) were “probably redheads,” reports BBC News.
Questions about Dark Matter: Dark matter, a moderately evil-sounding, hypothesized component that is described as helping hold galaxies together, was all the rage just a few months ago. Now, a team of two astrophysicists is arguing that their modified theory of gravity explains the data and leaves no role for dark matter.
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Christians should be aware that every so-called “missing” link between man and ape has been rejected by scientists. Even many evolutionists throw out Neanderthal man and “Lucy” as our ape-like ancestors. But we shouldn’t even have to turn to science to know that these “ape-men” are false. The Bible clearly tells us that God created humans and animals reproducing after their own kind.
What’s the real missing link? It’s humankind’s relationship to the Creator. He made them, and He’s never been missing. We’re made in the image of God and are meant to worship and obey Him.
-------------------------------------------
News to Note Quick Look
Flame-headed Neanderthals: It’s a common caricature in textbooks, movies, and—more true than ever today—TV shows: a brow-ridged, (often) club-carrying Neanderthal, covered in thick, messy red hair.
Wait a second—red hair? Contrary to nearly all artists’ interpretations of Neanderthals as dark-haired, a DNA study published in the journal Science has shown that some Neanderthals (sometimes spelled Neandertals) were “probably redheads,” reports BBC News.
Questions about Dark Matter: Dark matter, a moderately evil-sounding, hypothesized component that is described as helping hold galaxies together, was all the rage just a few months ago. Now, a team of two astrophysicists is arguing that their modified theory of gravity explains the data and leaves no role for dark matter.
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Friday, November 02, 2007
False Prophets and True
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:11).
In the apostolic period, two main gifts of the Spirit were those of the apostle and prophet. In fact, the church itself was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets" (Ephesians 2:20). One function of these men was to receive and transmit God's revelation to His people--first verbally, then eventually written in permanent form in the New Testament. "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Ephesians 3:5).
The apostle Paul revealed also that such prophecies would cease once they were no longer needed. "When that which is perfect or `complete' is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (I Corinthians 13:9-10). Clearly in the context, this refers to the complete revelation of God. When the last book of the Bible was transmitted to the church by the last living apostle, the Lord warned us neither to "add unto" nor to "take away from the words of the book of this prophecy" (Revelation 22:18-19).
But many false prophets have indeed "gone out into the world" (I John 4:1), just as Jesus warned, and they have "deceived many." One of them, a self-asserted seventh century "prophet" from Arabia, received certain "revelations" from a "god" that were vastly different from those of the God of the Bible, and his followers now number over a billion.
There have been others, before and since, and the Lord Jesus warned us always to "beware of false prophets" (Matthew 7:15). The basic criterion by which to test any alleged prophecy, ancient or modern, is whether or not it fully conforms to the written Word of God, the Bible. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
In the apostolic period, two main gifts of the Spirit were those of the apostle and prophet. In fact, the church itself was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets" (Ephesians 2:20). One function of these men was to receive and transmit God's revelation to His people--first verbally, then eventually written in permanent form in the New Testament. "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Ephesians 3:5).
The apostle Paul revealed also that such prophecies would cease once they were no longer needed. "When that which is perfect or `complete' is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (I Corinthians 13:9-10). Clearly in the context, this refers to the complete revelation of God. When the last book of the Bible was transmitted to the church by the last living apostle, the Lord warned us neither to "add unto" nor to "take away from the words of the book of this prophecy" (Revelation 22:18-19).
But many false prophets have indeed "gone out into the world" (I John 4:1), just as Jesus warned, and they have "deceived many." One of them, a self-asserted seventh century "prophet" from Arabia, received certain "revelations" from a "god" that were vastly different from those of the God of the Bible, and his followers now number over a billion.
There have been others, before and since, and the Lord Jesus warned us always to "beware of false prophets" (Matthew 7:15). The basic criterion by which to test any alleged prophecy, ancient or modern, is whether or not it fully conforms to the written Word of God, the Bible. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
Thursday, November 01, 2007
The Dark Valleys
There are many dark valleys mentioned in Scripture, and these typify the many sufferings and hard experiences through which the people of God must pass. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29).
The valley of Achor--which means "trouble"--was so named because sin in the camp of God's people had caused great defeat for their armies there (Joshua 7:25-26). Willful sin inevitably must result eventually in a trek through the dark vale of trouble and defeat.
Then there is the vale of tears called Baca, or "weeping." Opinions differ as to whether this was an actual valley in Israel, but it came to symbolize a time of deep loss and sorrow. Repentance and restitution will lead one out of the valley of Achor, but God's comfort will guide through Baca. "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. . . . Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well. . . . They go from strength to strength" (Psalm 84:5-7).
Perhaps the darkest valley of all is the valley of the shadow of death. All must enter that valley once at least--some may even travel it often before its thick darkness finally conquers them. For those without Christ it is a valley of great fear; there have been multitudes "who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:15).
But for those who know the Lord, they need fear no evil for God is with them. Even His guiding staff and buffeting rod are comforting for they prove the love of the Shepherd. No wonder the 23rd Psalm is the most requested passage of Scripture by those deep in this dark valley. HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
November 1, 2007
The valley of Achor--which means "trouble"--was so named because sin in the camp of God's people had caused great defeat for their armies there (Joshua 7:25-26). Willful sin inevitably must result eventually in a trek through the dark vale of trouble and defeat.
Then there is the vale of tears called Baca, or "weeping." Opinions differ as to whether this was an actual valley in Israel, but it came to symbolize a time of deep loss and sorrow. Repentance and restitution will lead one out of the valley of Achor, but God's comfort will guide through Baca. "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. . . . Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well. . . . They go from strength to strength" (Psalm 84:5-7).
Perhaps the darkest valley of all is the valley of the shadow of death. All must enter that valley once at least--some may even travel it often before its thick darkness finally conquers them. For those without Christ it is a valley of great fear; there have been multitudes "who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:15).
But for those who know the Lord, they need fear no evil for God is with them. Even His guiding staff and buffeting rod are comforting for they prove the love of the Shepherd. No wonder the 23rd Psalm is the most requested passage of Scripture by those deep in this dark valley. HMM
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
www.icr.org
November 1, 2007
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