"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world." (1 John 2:15)
We must be wary of the world's "things," because we are "in the world" not "of the world" (John 17:11-16). The command in our text is that we are not to love the world or its things, not that we should remain blissfully ignorant of them. We are to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).
There are big things of the world like nations and kingdoms (Matthew 4:8; Luke 12:30) as well as cares and riches (Mark 4:19) which can sap our focus and drain our loyalties. And there are "rudiments" and "elements" (Colossians 2:20; Galatians 4:3) that can twist our thinking and "spoil" us (Colossians 2:8).
We are warned that friendship with the worldly lifestyle and that which espouses the "things" of the world, makes us an "enemy of God" (James 4:4). That is because such people embrace the "spirit of the world" and not "the spirit which is of God" (1 Corinthians 2:12). Those people speak about the things of the world, and the world listens to them (1 John 4:5).
God's people may be "base" and "weak"--even "foolish" in the eyes of the world (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). Since the great Creator God has chosen us out of the world (John 15:19), it should not surprise us that the world "hates" those who belong to the Lord Jesus (John 17:14). Hence, the ungodly passions that drive the ungodly behavior of the world, "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:16).
Those passions and the people who embrace them will "pass away." But "he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (1 John 2:17). HMM III
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March 31, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
HELLO ISRAEL, GOODBYE JACOB
GENESIS 32
Pastor Rick Jackson
Jacob has received a bum rap over the years as being a scoundrel but we see quite a different picture when we come to the Word of God with an open mind. To be sure, Jacob is not perfect, but then again, who, outside of the Lord Jesus, is? Many Bible characters had a point in their life where their name was changed. Genesis 32 is that point for Jacob.
I. OUT OF THE FRYING PAN... [v. 1-8]
Having just escaped the clutches of Laban by the grace of God Jacob knows he must soon face Esau. The last he knew of Esau, 20 years earlier, his brother was planning to kill him. Certainly he must have had some apprehension but God... Two of the sweetest words in the Bible, "BUT GOD"
1. God's Encouragement [v. 1-2, II Kings 6]
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
2. Jacob's Emissaries [v. 3-5]
3. Esau's Entrance [v. 6-8]
II. DO YOUR PART... [v. 9-23]
Augustine, the man, not the city, said, "Pray as though everything depends on God, work like everything depends on you." Though not for the unsaved it certainly is good for most situations for the Christian. Jacob practices it in the section.
1. The Powerful Prayer [v. 9-12]
-based on relationship [v. 9a]
-based on God's Word [v. 9b]
-predicated upon God's mercy & grace [v. 10]
-petition for deliverance [v. 11a] "Prayer is asking." -John R. Rice
-predicated upon God's promises [v. 11b-12]
2. The Peace Offerings [v. 13-20]
Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
3. The Preparation of faith [v. 21-23]
III. IN THIS CORNER...
Tonight just happens to be Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando but here we find one of the most famous wrestling matches in history.
1. "Whatcha going to do brother?" [v. 24-26]
2. What's In A Name? [v. 27-30]
3. When Surrendering is Winning [v. 31-32]
Mt. 5:44-45 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Pastor Rick Jackson
Jacob has received a bum rap over the years as being a scoundrel but we see quite a different picture when we come to the Word of God with an open mind. To be sure, Jacob is not perfect, but then again, who, outside of the Lord Jesus, is? Many Bible characters had a point in their life where their name was changed. Genesis 32 is that point for Jacob.
I. OUT OF THE FRYING PAN... [v. 1-8]
Having just escaped the clutches of Laban by the grace of God Jacob knows he must soon face Esau. The last he knew of Esau, 20 years earlier, his brother was planning to kill him. Certainly he must have had some apprehension but God... Two of the sweetest words in the Bible, "BUT GOD"
1. God's Encouragement [v. 1-2, II Kings 6]
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
2. Jacob's Emissaries [v. 3-5]
3. Esau's Entrance [v. 6-8]
II. DO YOUR PART... [v. 9-23]
Augustine, the man, not the city, said, "Pray as though everything depends on God, work like everything depends on you." Though not for the unsaved it certainly is good for most situations for the Christian. Jacob practices it in the section.
1. The Powerful Prayer [v. 9-12]
-based on relationship [v. 9a]
-based on God's Word [v. 9b]
-predicated upon God's mercy & grace [v. 10]
-petition for deliverance [v. 11a] "Prayer is asking." -John R. Rice
-predicated upon God's promises [v. 11b-12]
2. The Peace Offerings [v. 13-20]
Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
3. The Preparation of faith [v. 21-23]
III. IN THIS CORNER...
Tonight just happens to be Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando but here we find one of the most famous wrestling matches in history.
1. "Whatcha going to do brother?" [v. 24-26]
2. What's In A Name? [v. 27-30]
3. When Surrendering is Winning [v. 31-32]
Mt. 5:44-45 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
DIRECTIONS
Pastor Rick Jackson
Proverbs 3:5-6
Someone has defined "directions" as that which men hate to ask for and that which women delight in giving. Over the years people have come up with directional catch phrases--- some right, some wrong, and some down-right impossible from a true Biblical standpoint.
I. IMPOSSIBLE DIRECTIONS
1. "Get lost!"
This is impossible from a spiritual standpoint. You are either already lost (2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:)
Or you once were lost, but you are now saved, and can never be lost again (I Jn. 5:10-13)
2. "You can't get there from here!"
(Mt. 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.)
3. "Go back where you came from"
(Jn. 3:3-7) Nicodemus asked Jesus about this knowing it wasn't possible.
"You cannot change the past but you can ruin a perfectly good future by dwelling on it!" Remember, F.I.D.O., Forget It & Drive On!
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before
II. WRONG DIRECTIONS
1. "Go To Blazes" (Lk. 16:22b-31)
2. The So-called road To Pleasure (Pr. 7:10-27)
3. The Way That Seems Right (Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.)
III. RIGHT DIRECTIONS
1. The Way of Preparation (Amos. 4:12-23)
2. The Way of Truth & Life (Jn. 14:6)
3. The Way of Word of God
(Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.)
Proverbs 3:5-6
Someone has defined "directions" as that which men hate to ask for and that which women delight in giving. Over the years people have come up with directional catch phrases--- some right, some wrong, and some down-right impossible from a true Biblical standpoint.
I. IMPOSSIBLE DIRECTIONS
1. "Get lost!"
This is impossible from a spiritual standpoint. You are either already lost (2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:)
Or you once were lost, but you are now saved, and can never be lost again (I Jn. 5:10-13)
2. "You can't get there from here!"
(Mt. 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.)
3. "Go back where you came from"
(Jn. 3:3-7) Nicodemus asked Jesus about this knowing it wasn't possible.
"You cannot change the past but you can ruin a perfectly good future by dwelling on it!" Remember, F.I.D.O., Forget It & Drive On!
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before
II. WRONG DIRECTIONS
1. "Go To Blazes" (Lk. 16:22b-31)
2. The So-called road To Pleasure (Pr. 7:10-27)
3. The Way That Seems Right (Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.)
III. RIGHT DIRECTIONS
1. The Way of Preparation (Amos. 4:12-23)
2. The Way of Truth & Life (Jn. 14:6)
3. The Way of Word of God
(Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
QUESTION OF THE WEEK - Why start at the beginning?
Mission organizations like New Tribes Mission, for instance, found a problem when presenting the gospel to many pagan cultures.
At first, they thought they were reaching these people by telling them about Jesus and the message of the Cross. But after some time, they started to realize that these people did not understand the message at all. Commitments they thought they had did not turn out to be real.
To deal with this, New Tribes developed an approach called Chronological Teaching. It was obvious that these pagan cultures had no Christian basis. They had no knowledge of the foundations of the gospel in Genesis. How could they understand what Christ did on the Cross if they didn’t know about the Fall—and sin—in the Garden?
Once they started from the beginning of Genesis and taught through the Old Testament—and then presented the message of Christ—what a change they saw! Many were truly converted now that they really understood the message.
This same approach needs to be used in our own society. The reason many don’t understand the gospel today is because they’ve been indoctrinated in evolution and humanism. They need to start at the beginning, too.
For more information, see Creation Evangelism and the Great Commission and the free online book (with free study guide) Why Won’t They Listen?
News to Note Quick Look
God of the particles: An article on one of the most important physics projects of the new millennium asks, “Will it change our views of the universe and our place in it?” Apparently the writer (and her sources) consider physics tantamount to religion! Read more.
Early bloomers: One of the most stunning reminders of the distance between evolutionary theory and actual fact is the rapid appearance, in the fossil record, of advanced forms of life across the biotic kingdoms. Read more.
Also: the ape swap, the uniqueness of humanity (surprise!), and more than just calamari. Read more.
A Modern Space Mystery
It has the makings of a science fiction movie: in the farthest reaches of our solar system, scientists discover spacecraft acting mysteriously and other unexplained phenomena—and now these strange happenings are spreading closer to home. However, this is not the plot for some space opera; this is the focus of a recent news story concerning unexpected anomalies in the motion of several space probes. Could a creation-based cosmological model hold the answer? Find out more.
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.
At first, they thought they were reaching these people by telling them about Jesus and the message of the Cross. But after some time, they started to realize that these people did not understand the message at all. Commitments they thought they had did not turn out to be real.
To deal with this, New Tribes developed an approach called Chronological Teaching. It was obvious that these pagan cultures had no Christian basis. They had no knowledge of the foundations of the gospel in Genesis. How could they understand what Christ did on the Cross if they didn’t know about the Fall—and sin—in the Garden?
Once they started from the beginning of Genesis and taught through the Old Testament—and then presented the message of Christ—what a change they saw! Many were truly converted now that they really understood the message.
This same approach needs to be used in our own society. The reason many don’t understand the gospel today is because they’ve been indoctrinated in evolution and humanism. They need to start at the beginning, too.
For more information, see Creation Evangelism and the Great Commission and the free online book (with free study guide) Why Won’t They Listen?
News to Note Quick Look
God of the particles: An article on one of the most important physics projects of the new millennium asks, “Will it change our views of the universe and our place in it?” Apparently the writer (and her sources) consider physics tantamount to religion! Read more.
Early bloomers: One of the most stunning reminders of the distance between evolutionary theory and actual fact is the rapid appearance, in the fossil record, of advanced forms of life across the biotic kingdoms. Read more.
Also: the ape swap, the uniqueness of humanity (surprise!), and more than just calamari. Read more.
A Modern Space Mystery
It has the makings of a science fiction movie: in the farthest reaches of our solar system, scientists discover spacecraft acting mysteriously and other unexplained phenomena—and now these strange happenings are spreading closer to home. However, this is not the plot for some space opera; this is the focus of a recent news story concerning unexpected anomalies in the motion of several space probes. Could a creation-based cosmological model hold the answer? Find out more.
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, March 28, 2008
Good Courage
"Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them." (Joshua 1:6)
This admonition to be strong and of "good courage" (Hebrew, amass) is given some ten times in the Old Testament, plus another nine times using a different word (chasaq). The first occurrence of amass is in Deuteronomy 3:28 where it is translated "strengthen": "But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see."
Christians today surely need good courage to face a dangerous world with all its temptations and intimidations, but nothing today could compare to the challenge facing Joshua. Trying to lead a nondescript multitude of "stiffnecked" desert nomads into a land of giants and walled cities would surely require courage beyond anything we could imagine today.
But Joshua had access to invincible resources, and so do we. "Be strong and of a good courage," God told him: "Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:9).
Giants and walled cities are no match for the children of God when He goes with them, for "if God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
God did go with Joshua, and the Israelites defeated the giants, destroyed the walled cities, and took the land. And we have the same promise today, 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" (Hebrews 13:5,6). Courage is really another name for faith, and "what he had promised, he was able also to perform" (Romans 4:21). HMM
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This admonition to be strong and of "good courage" (Hebrew, amass) is given some ten times in the Old Testament, plus another nine times using a different word (chasaq). The first occurrence of amass is in Deuteronomy 3:28 where it is translated "strengthen": "But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see."
Christians today surely need good courage to face a dangerous world with all its temptations and intimidations, but nothing today could compare to the challenge facing Joshua. Trying to lead a nondescript multitude of "stiffnecked" desert nomads into a land of giants and walled cities would surely require courage beyond anything we could imagine today.
But Joshua had access to invincible resources, and so do we. "Be strong and of a good courage," God told him: "Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:9).
Giants and walled cities are no match for the children of God when He goes with them, for "if God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
God did go with Joshua, and the Israelites defeated the giants, destroyed the walled cities, and took the land. And we have the same promise today, 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" (Hebrews 13:5,6). Courage is really another name for faith, and "what he had promised, he was able also to perform" (Romans 4:21). HMM
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Thursday, March 27, 2008
QUOTES OF THE WEEK!
The Goodmans saw this one somewhere - "Fight Truth decay... Study the Bible!"
B. Hall sent me this one... "My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it." (Barak Hussein Obama)
Referring to the quote above... "If this doesn't worry or bother you.....forget that I even mentioned it." -B. Hall
"I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus today" - Sumner Wemp
It is not what you gather but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.
"It is not what happens to you that counts but what you do with happens to you that counts." It can make you better or bitter." That is all up to you.
"The persecution of the early church was like scattering firebrands" Dr. L. R. Scarborough
"The Bible is the rock upon which this replublic stands" - President Andrew Jackson
"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'' - Jay Leno
B. Hall sent me this one... "My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it." (Barak Hussein Obama)
Referring to the quote above... "If this doesn't worry or bother you.....forget that I even mentioned it." -B. Hall
"I'll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus today" - Sumner Wemp
It is not what you gather but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.
"It is not what happens to you that counts but what you do with happens to you that counts." It can make you better or bitter." That is all up to you.
"The persecution of the early church was like scattering firebrands" Dr. L. R. Scarborough
"The Bible is the rock upon which this replublic stands" - President Andrew Jackson
"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'' - Jay Leno
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS
EPHESIANS 4:1-13
Pastor Rick Jackson
How do you measure success? Would a Heisman award, a successful pro-football career, a lucrative multi-media (movies, television, etc.) career and a mansion in California make you a success? Or would 2 divorces, a murder trial, and currently waiting for his trial on armed robbery and kidnapping charges void that?
It;s not an easy answer is it? Even when a life is over you never know what secrets can come out years later that may exonerate a person or incriminate them. But if you, were to look at your own life, right now, up to this moment, would you consider yourself a success? The Bible will give us some help in measuring ourselves.
I. ELIMINATE THE WRONG MEASURES
1. Riches are a wrong measure for many reasons [Ps. 49:6-9, Lk. 12:16-21]]
2. Troubles, sorrows, & misfortune are not necessarily a measure of failure [Is. 53:3, Job]
3. Others are a wrong measure of success [II Cor. 10:12]
II. ACCENTUATE THE RIGHT MEASURES
1. A life of spiritual growth & development [II Pt. 3:18]
It is not egotism to be able to say, "I understand the Bible better now than I did 5 years ago"
2. A life lived for the good of others [Phil. 1:23-27]
3. A life lived for Christ [Mt. 5:10-16, Eph. 4:13-16]
"Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last."
III. DO IT NOW!
1. Examine your salvation [II Cor. 13:5, 6:2]
2. Ask God to examine you [Ps. 139:23-24]
3. Deal with what you find [I Cor. 11:31-32, I Jn. 1:9]
Pastor Rick Jackson
How do you measure success? Would a Heisman award, a successful pro-football career, a lucrative multi-media (movies, television, etc.) career and a mansion in California make you a success? Or would 2 divorces, a murder trial, and currently waiting for his trial on armed robbery and kidnapping charges void that?
It;s not an easy answer is it? Even when a life is over you never know what secrets can come out years later that may exonerate a person or incriminate them. But if you, were to look at your own life, right now, up to this moment, would you consider yourself a success? The Bible will give us some help in measuring ourselves.
I. ELIMINATE THE WRONG MEASURES
1. Riches are a wrong measure for many reasons [Ps. 49:6-9, Lk. 12:16-21]]
2. Troubles, sorrows, & misfortune are not necessarily a measure of failure [Is. 53:3, Job]
3. Others are a wrong measure of success [II Cor. 10:12]
II. ACCENTUATE THE RIGHT MEASURES
1. A life of spiritual growth & development [II Pt. 3:18]
It is not egotism to be able to say, "I understand the Bible better now than I did 5 years ago"
2. A life lived for the good of others [Phil. 1:23-27]
3. A life lived for Christ [Mt. 5:10-16, Eph. 4:13-16]
"Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last."
III. DO IT NOW!
1. Examine your salvation [II Cor. 13:5, 6:2]
2. Ask God to examine you [Ps. 139:23-24]
3. Deal with what you find [I Cor. 11:31-32, I Jn. 1:9]
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
When God Repents
"And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent." (1 Samuel 15:29)
There are a number of Scriptures that speak of God repenting. For example, in the days before the great Flood, "it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth" (Genesis 6:6). In the same chapter containing our text, God said: "It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments" (1 Samuel 15:11). Yet the Scriptures plainly teach that God changes not. "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent" (Numbers 23:19). Bible critics have made much of this apparent "contradiction" in the Bible.
There is no contradiction, of course. The words translated "repent" in both Old and New Testaments are used of actions which indicate outwardly that a "change of mind" has occurred inwardly. It is precisely because God does not repent concerning evil, that His actions will change toward man when man truly repents (this human "repentance" can go either way; changing from good to evil, or vice versa), and God will respond accordingly, since He cannot change His own mind toward evil.
Thus, He said concerning national repentance: "If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them" (Jeremiah 18:8). That is, if the nation truly repents, then God will change His own projected course of action. He seems outwardly to "repent," specifically because He cannot repent in His inward attitude toward good and evil.
God has greatly blessed America in the past, but America’s people have drastically changed in recent years. Can the time be long coming when God must say: "It repenteth me that I have so favored this apostate nation?" HMM
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March 25, 2008
There are a number of Scriptures that speak of God repenting. For example, in the days before the great Flood, "it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth" (Genesis 6:6). In the same chapter containing our text, God said: "It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments" (1 Samuel 15:11). Yet the Scriptures plainly teach that God changes not. "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent" (Numbers 23:19). Bible critics have made much of this apparent "contradiction" in the Bible.
There is no contradiction, of course. The words translated "repent" in both Old and New Testaments are used of actions which indicate outwardly that a "change of mind" has occurred inwardly. It is precisely because God does not repent concerning evil, that His actions will change toward man when man truly repents (this human "repentance" can go either way; changing from good to evil, or vice versa), and God will respond accordingly, since He cannot change His own mind toward evil.
Thus, He said concerning national repentance: "If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them" (Jeremiah 18:8). That is, if the nation truly repents, then God will change His own projected course of action. He seems outwardly to "repent," specifically because He cannot repent in His inward attitude toward good and evil.
God has greatly blessed America in the past, but America’s people have drastically changed in recent years. Can the time be long coming when God must say: "It repenteth me that I have so favored this apostate nation?" HMM
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March 25, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
A Still, Small Voice
"And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." (1 Kings 19:12)
Elijah was in hiding for his life, even though God had spectacularly answered his prayer with fire from heaven. Jezebel, however, had not been intimidated by Elijah’s victory and swore she would kill him. He fell into such depression that he wanted to die. If Jezebel could not be impressed with fire from heaven, how could Elijah ever hope to defeat her and her armies? Not even an angel could remove his doubts.
But then was sent "a great and strong wind," and "after the wind an earthquake" (1 Kings 19:11). But the Lord was not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire. God finally reached Elijah with "a still small voice," and that voice assured him that God was well in control of all circumstances. Similarly, Moses told the children of Israel, as they faced the Red Sea: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" (Exodus 14:13).
It was prophesied of the Lord Jesus that "he shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street." Nevertheless, it was also promised, "he shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth" (Isaiah 42:2, 4; see also Matthew 12:19, 20).
In our human impatience, we think God should always move immediately in great strength. Unless there are large numbers of converts and displays of power, we grow discouraged, like Elijah. But God more often speaks in a still, small voice and works in a quiet way. "And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, . . . And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:18, 21). HMM
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March 24, 2008
Elijah was in hiding for his life, even though God had spectacularly answered his prayer with fire from heaven. Jezebel, however, had not been intimidated by Elijah’s victory and swore she would kill him. He fell into such depression that he wanted to die. If Jezebel could not be impressed with fire from heaven, how could Elijah ever hope to defeat her and her armies? Not even an angel could remove his doubts.
But then was sent "a great and strong wind," and "after the wind an earthquake" (1 Kings 19:11). But the Lord was not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire. God finally reached Elijah with "a still small voice," and that voice assured him that God was well in control of all circumstances. Similarly, Moses told the children of Israel, as they faced the Red Sea: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" (Exodus 14:13).
It was prophesied of the Lord Jesus that "he shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street." Nevertheless, it was also promised, "he shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth" (Isaiah 42:2, 4; see also Matthew 12:19, 20).
In our human impatience, we think God should always move immediately in great strength. Unless there are large numbers of converts and displays of power, we grow discouraged, like Elijah. But God more often speaks in a still, small voice and works in a quiet way. "And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, . . . And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:18, 21). HMM
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March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
THE LORD IS WATCHING!
GENESIS 31
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD [v. 1-16]
1. The Situation Eroding [v. 1-3]
2. The Secret Explanation [v. 4-13]
3. The Spiritual Encouragement [v. 14-16]
II. THE PURSUIT OF LABAN [v. 17-35]
1. A Safe Departure [v. 17-21]
2. A Subdued Danger [v. 22-29]
3. A Sneaky Daughter [v. 30-35]
III. THE PROTECTION OF THE LORD [v. 36-55]
1. A Spirited Defense [v. 36-42]
2. A Silly Defense [v. 43]
3. A So-so Detente [v. 44-55]
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD [v. 1-16]
1. The Situation Eroding [v. 1-3]
2. The Secret Explanation [v. 4-13]
3. The Spiritual Encouragement [v. 14-16]
II. THE PURSUIT OF LABAN [v. 17-35]
1. A Safe Departure [v. 17-21]
2. A Subdued Danger [v. 22-29]
3. A Sneaky Daughter [v. 30-35]
III. THE PROTECTION OF THE LORD [v. 36-55]
1. A Spirited Defense [v. 36-42]
2. A Silly Defense [v. 43]
3. A So-so Detente [v. 44-55]
WHY SEEK YE THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD?
LUKE 24:1-10
Pastor Rick Jackson
This account is just one among several that recount for us the events of that first Easter. There are so many truths taught in these 10 verses that it is hard to choose which ones to center our message on this morning but since we cannot cover them all we must do just that. Let us take our cue from the angels' question, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?"
I. WHAT ARE SOME WRONG REASONS TO SEEK JESUS?
1. TO TRY TO DESTROY HIM [Mt 2:13, Jn. 8:20-32]
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Though the world, the flesh & the Devil would like to destoy Him they cannot. But it is still wrong to try and will bring serious judgment and wrath upon them eventually. [Ps. 2]
2. TO MERELY SATISFY OUR FLESHLY OR WORLDLY DESIRES [John 6:26-29, Mk. 3:31-35]
3. TO BESTOW A LESSER HONOR UPON HIM THAN HE DESERVES [Mk. 16:1-6, Lk. 24:5]
Though we may think these ladies had their heart in the right place we must realize they did not! The Scripture say very clearly, 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.
A similar instance is recorded in Luke 18:18-19 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. The man wanted to compliment Jesus by calling Him "Good Master" without acknowledging Jesus divinity. Jesus wouldn't allow it.
Jesus made sure the disciples understood this truth in Mt. 16 and wouldn't stop until Peter got the right answer.
II. WHAT ARE SOME RIGHT REASONS TO SEEK JESUS?
1. TO SEEK GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS [Mt. 6:33, Acts 15:14-19, 17:23-32, II Cor. 5:21]
2. TO HONOR HIM [Jn. 5:42-47, Rm. 2:4-10, 1:16]
3. TO PLEASE HIM [Heb. 11:6, Col. 3:1-4]
III. WHAT RESPONSE MIGHT WE EXPECT FROM GOD WHEN WE SEEK JESUS?
1. HE WILL BE FOUND [Isaiah 55:6]
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
2. HE WILL BE MERCIFUL [Isaiah 55:7]
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
3. HE WILL BE GRACIOUS [Mt. 6:33]
The ladies may have come for the wrong reason in their ignorance but God revealed the truth to them and their hungry hearts responded in faith and God responded in grace.
Pastor Rick Jackson
This account is just one among several that recount for us the events of that first Easter. There are so many truths taught in these 10 verses that it is hard to choose which ones to center our message on this morning but since we cannot cover them all we must do just that. Let us take our cue from the angels' question, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?"
I. WHAT ARE SOME WRONG REASONS TO SEEK JESUS?
1. TO TRY TO DESTROY HIM [Mt 2:13, Jn. 8:20-32]
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Though the world, the flesh & the Devil would like to destoy Him they cannot. But it is still wrong to try and will bring serious judgment and wrath upon them eventually. [Ps. 2]
2. TO MERELY SATISFY OUR FLESHLY OR WORLDLY DESIRES [John 6:26-29, Mk. 3:31-35]
3. TO BESTOW A LESSER HONOR UPON HIM THAN HE DESERVES [Mk. 16:1-6, Lk. 24:5]
Though we may think these ladies had their heart in the right place we must realize they did not! The Scripture say very clearly, 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.
A similar instance is recorded in Luke 18:18-19 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. The man wanted to compliment Jesus by calling Him "Good Master" without acknowledging Jesus divinity. Jesus wouldn't allow it.
Jesus made sure the disciples understood this truth in Mt. 16 and wouldn't stop until Peter got the right answer.
II. WHAT ARE SOME RIGHT REASONS TO SEEK JESUS?
1. TO SEEK GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS [Mt. 6:33, Acts 15:14-19, 17:23-32, II Cor. 5:21]
2. TO HONOR HIM [Jn. 5:42-47, Rm. 2:4-10, 1:16]
3. TO PLEASE HIM [Heb. 11:6, Col. 3:1-4]
III. WHAT RESPONSE MIGHT WE EXPECT FROM GOD WHEN WE SEEK JESUS?
1. HE WILL BE FOUND [Isaiah 55:6]
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
2. HE WILL BE MERCIFUL [Isaiah 55:7]
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
3. HE WILL BE GRACIOUS [Mt. 6:33]
The ladies may have come for the wrong reason in their ignorance but God revealed the truth to them and their hungry hearts responded in faith and God responded in grace.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - What Did the Tower of Babel Look Like?
The simple answer is that the Bible does not tell us. All we know is that God intervened before the construction project was completed. Studying the oldest buildings from the area, archaeologists assume the Tower at Babel looked like a ziggurat.
But we can’t just study later buildings and calculate backward. The people at Babel had a unique opportunity. The incredible engineering skills of all mankind were together in one place. But when God split them up, each family took their talents with them. So the later founders of Babylon and Egypt lacked the expertise of their forefathers.
We can only imagine what their original plans looked like. Perhaps they designed an enormous city that would require a thousand years to complete. After all, they probably expected to live a thousand years, as people did before the Flood.
It is possible that they had unique construction materials available after the Flood. Thick layers of lime and other sediments may not have hardened. Perhaps these materials could be formed into bricks as strong as concrete blocks we make today.
To read the rest of this article and to see Tower of Babel reconstructions over the years, see What Did the Tower Look Like? from the new issue of Answers magazine.
News to Note Quick Look
Uncultured: It wasn’t skull differences—or any other biological difference—that ultimately separated “modern” humans and their supposedly different kin the Neanderthals, according to a recent anthropology study. Instead, the study team claims that it must have been culture that caused Neanderthals to die out while other humans lived on. Read more.
Thick skinned: A “mummified” dinosaur found in North Dakota in 1999 is finally escaping its sandstone tomb, thanks to tiny brushes and chisels (and their handlers) at the North Dakota Heritage Center. Read more.
Also: the super gecko, touring with the Word, and the last odyssey. Read more.
After Eden
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 we can’t just study later buildings and calculate backward. The people at Babel had a unique opportunity. The incredible engineering skills of all mankind were together in one place. But when God split them up, each family took their talents with them. So the later founders of Babylon and Egypt lacked the expertise of their forefathers.
We can only imagine what their original plans looked like. Perhaps they designed an enormous city that would require a thousand years to complete. After all, they probably expected to live a thousand years, as people did before the Flood.
It is possible that they had unique construction materials available after the Flood. Thick layers of lime and other sediments may not have hardened. Perhaps these materials could be formed into bricks as strong as concrete blocks we make today.
To read the rest of this article and to see Tower of Babel reconstructions over the years, see What Did the Tower Look Like? from the new issue of Answers magazine.
News to Note Quick Look
Uncultured: It wasn’t skull differences—or any other biological difference—that ultimately separated “modern” humans and their supposedly different kin the Neanderthals, according to a recent anthropology study. Instead, the study team claims that it must have been culture that caused Neanderthals to die out while other humans lived on. Read more.
Thick skinned: A “mummified” dinosaur found in North Dakota in 1999 is finally escaping its sandstone tomb, thanks to tiny brushes and chisels (and their handlers) at the North Dakota Heritage Center. Read more.
Also: the super gecko, touring with the Word, and the last odyssey. Read more.
After Eden
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, March 21, 2008
HOW TO RUIN YOUR KIDS [PART ONE]
Well before I start on this one let me give a little of my qualifications. This is not to brag, I have nothing to brag about, any good I have ever done was ALL of grace. But just to show I might just know what I am talking about... I have two grown children of my own, I have pastored 3 churches spanning a period of 24 years as well as several more years working in churches but not as the pastor. I taught school for 13 years and have literally worked with thousands of kids and hundreds of parents. I might have picked up on a few things over the years.
One way to ruin your kids (or come close to it escaping only by the grace of God) is to destroy their confidence in authority. Always taking your kids side over any teacher, pastor, principal, employer who dares to say something to them is a good way to ruin your child. Now these authority figures will not always be right but they almost dead sure know more than your child and when you are not careful you not only destroy their authority but your own as well! By the way, Evangelist Bill Rice III has written an excellent book entitled Do You Mind if Your Kids Don't? that address the issue of authority from a Biblical perspective. Moms and Dads override each other to their own detriment as well as Juniors. If the link for the book doesn't work go to http://www.billriceranch.org/ and click on "publications."
Every person has a sin nature and that means your child does as well. The only child born of woman without a sin nature was born of a virgin. That ain't your kid! "Well I trust my child" someone may say. Then you are ignorant or arrogant enough to think that what the Bible says doesn't apply to you and yours. "Didn't you trust your children?" I don't even trust myself why would I trust someone who inherited their sin nature from me? Trust and verify maybe. There is a degree of trust but we are "talking" about the other direction.
Let me give you some examples:
I know of a parent that would call their child's Sunday school teacher angrily on Sunday afternoon if said child said the teacher taught something that might could have applied to the child! Instead of trying to open the Bible and show how this truth applied to every life the parent would attack the teacher for even suggesting the child capable of sin! Later in life the parent had trouble with the child in some of the very areas covered in class that caused their outburst.
I know of a parent that was called in by the principal and confronted with their teenager's sin. the parent asked the child if they did it. the child lied and said they had not. The parent told the principal their teen didn't do it. The principal replied that the facts were undeniable and the teen was lying. The horrified parent said their child wouldn't lie to them! After the principal carefully laid out the facts before the parent and child the teen confessed to it all. The embarrassed parent should have known better as they were an educator themselves, as well as a Christian parent.
I know parents who allow their children to miss church services to supposedly study for school or get rest for the next day of school. What are they teaching their children? That God's Word is not as important as school.
How about the parent who allows their preteens to stay up any night the child wants until 11 PM or midnight? What are these parents thinking? Children of school age should be given a set bedtime, not given the choice of when they go to sleep. And don't even get me started on what they let their kids watch on television or listen to on the radio. In the words of my youngest daughter, "Oh my cow!"
Strangely enough when some of the kids get into trouble the parents blame the church and the pastor. They had destroyed the godly influence of both and expected something else? It is ultimately the parents duty to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. If a child goes into sin it is more the parents responsibility than anyone else's. Thank God for grace.
One way to ruin your kids (or come close to it escaping only by the grace of God) is to destroy their confidence in authority. Always taking your kids side over any teacher, pastor, principal, employer who dares to say something to them is a good way to ruin your child. Now these authority figures will not always be right but they almost dead sure know more than your child and when you are not careful you not only destroy their authority but your own as well! By the way, Evangelist Bill Rice III has written an excellent book entitled Do You Mind if Your Kids Don't? that address the issue of authority from a Biblical perspective. Moms and Dads override each other to their own detriment as well as Juniors. If the link for the book doesn't work go to http://www.billriceranch.org/ and click on "publications."
Every person has a sin nature and that means your child does as well. The only child born of woman without a sin nature was born of a virgin. That ain't your kid! "Well I trust my child" someone may say. Then you are ignorant or arrogant enough to think that what the Bible says doesn't apply to you and yours. "Didn't you trust your children?" I don't even trust myself why would I trust someone who inherited their sin nature from me? Trust and verify maybe. There is a degree of trust but we are "talking" about the other direction.
Let me give you some examples:
I know of a parent that would call their child's Sunday school teacher angrily on Sunday afternoon if said child said the teacher taught something that might could have applied to the child! Instead of trying to open the Bible and show how this truth applied to every life the parent would attack the teacher for even suggesting the child capable of sin! Later in life the parent had trouble with the child in some of the very areas covered in class that caused their outburst.
I know of a parent that was called in by the principal and confronted with their teenager's sin. the parent asked the child if they did it. the child lied and said they had not. The parent told the principal their teen didn't do it. The principal replied that the facts were undeniable and the teen was lying. The horrified parent said their child wouldn't lie to them! After the principal carefully laid out the facts before the parent and child the teen confessed to it all. The embarrassed parent should have known better as they were an educator themselves, as well as a Christian parent.
I know parents who allow their children to miss church services to supposedly study for school or get rest for the next day of school. What are they teaching their children? That God's Word is not as important as school.
How about the parent who allows their preteens to stay up any night the child wants until 11 PM or midnight? What are these parents thinking? Children of school age should be given a set bedtime, not given the choice of when they go to sleep. And don't even get me started on what they let their kids watch on television or listen to on the radio. In the words of my youngest daughter, "Oh my cow!"
Strangely enough when some of the kids get into trouble the parents blame the church and the pastor. They had destroyed the godly influence of both and expected something else? It is ultimately the parents duty to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. If a child goes into sin it is more the parents responsibility than anyone else's. Thank God for grace.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
I DON'T WATCH DANCING WITH THE STARS BUT...
I don't watch Dancing With the Stars but I saw a commercial for it the other day. The announcer said something like, "The men have had their chance and now it's the women's turn. But they'll do it backwards and in high heels!" This is actually an old comment of sorts. I heard it once related to Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.
Now, I'll give you that the high heels are probably very uncomfortable but the dancing backwards part is just ridiculous. If you learn the routine --- whatever way you learn it--- is NOT backwards! It may seem that way in appearance because they are responding to their partner but they didn't learn it in a backwards fashion. The implication is that what they are learning is harder than what the men are learning. Poppycock and balderdash!
If a woman does the "moonwalk" dancing step, which is basically dancing backwards, is she "doing the same thing only frontwards"? To ask the question is to realize the insanity of the whole thing.
By the way, why don't I watch the show? I Tm. 2:9 & Mt. 5:28 for starters.
Now, I'll give you that the high heels are probably very uncomfortable but the dancing backwards part is just ridiculous. If you learn the routine --- whatever way you learn it--- is NOT backwards! It may seem that way in appearance because they are responding to their partner but they didn't learn it in a backwards fashion. The implication is that what they are learning is harder than what the men are learning. Poppycock and balderdash!
If a woman does the "moonwalk" dancing step, which is basically dancing backwards, is she "doing the same thing only frontwards"? To ask the question is to realize the insanity of the whole thing.
By the way, why don't I watch the show? I Tm. 2:9 & Mt. 5:28 for starters.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
THE CENTRALITY OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
Matthew 26:26-30
A Message Inspired by the Late Dr. Lee Roberson
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE CENTRAL FIGURE IN THE LORD'S SUPPER IS CHRIST!
Note the nouns and pronouns in this passage. Note Who is doing, Who is speaking, etc.
1. He knew the plan of the Father
2. He knew the peace of the Father
3. He knew the partnership of the Father
II. THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER IS DEATH!
1. The Body would be broken [v. 26]
2. The Blood would shed [v. 27-28]
3. The Price would be paid [v. 28b]
III. THE CENTRAL PROMISE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER IS THE SECOND COMING!
1. It is a promise of surety [v. 29a]
2. It is a promise of salvation [v. 29b]
3. It is a promise of sanctification [v. 29c]
COME CAREFULLY TO THE LORD'S TABLE [I Cor. 11:27-32]
A Message Inspired by the Late Dr. Lee Roberson
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE CENTRAL FIGURE IN THE LORD'S SUPPER IS CHRIST!
Note the nouns and pronouns in this passage. Note Who is doing, Who is speaking, etc.
1. He knew the plan of the Father
2. He knew the peace of the Father
3. He knew the partnership of the Father
II. THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER IS DEATH!
1. The Body would be broken [v. 26]
2. The Blood would shed [v. 27-28]
3. The Price would be paid [v. 28b]
III. THE CENTRAL PROMISE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER IS THE SECOND COMING!
1. It is a promise of surety [v. 29a]
2. It is a promise of salvation [v. 29b]
3. It is a promise of sanctification [v. 29c]
COME CAREFULLY TO THE LORD'S TABLE [I Cor. 11:27-32]
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
They That Wait upon the Lord
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
This is one of the best-loved promises of the Bible, for it is easy to grow weary and faint in our mortal bodies, even when doing the work of the Lord. The answer, we are told, is to "wait upon the LORD."
But what does this mean? The Hebrew word (gavah) does not mean "serve," but rather, to "wait for" or "look for." It is translated "waited for" the second time it is used in the Bible, when the dying patriarch Jacob cried out: "I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD" (Genesis 49:18).
The first time it is used, surprisingly, is in connection with the third day of creation, when God said: "Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place" (Genesis 1:9). That is, the all-pervasive waters of the original creation, divided on the second day of creation, now are told to wait patiently, as it were, while God formed the geosphere, the biosphere, and the astrosphere, before dealing again with the waters.
Perhaps the clearest insight into its meaning is its use in the picture of Christ foreshadowed in the 40th Psalm. "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1).
"The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary" (Isaiah 40:28), and His gracious promise is that we can "renew our strength" (literally, "exchange our strength," our weakness for His strength!) by "waiting upon Him." We wait patiently for Him, we gather together unto Him, we look for Him, we cry unto Him, we trust Him, and He renews our strength! HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 2008
This is one of the best-loved promises of the Bible, for it is easy to grow weary and faint in our mortal bodies, even when doing the work of the Lord. The answer, we are told, is to "wait upon the LORD."
But what does this mean? The Hebrew word (gavah) does not mean "serve," but rather, to "wait for" or "look for." It is translated "waited for" the second time it is used in the Bible, when the dying patriarch Jacob cried out: "I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD" (Genesis 49:18).
The first time it is used, surprisingly, is in connection with the third day of creation, when God said: "Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place" (Genesis 1:9). That is, the all-pervasive waters of the original creation, divided on the second day of creation, now are told to wait patiently, as it were, while God formed the geosphere, the biosphere, and the astrosphere, before dealing again with the waters.
Perhaps the clearest insight into its meaning is its use in the picture of Christ foreshadowed in the 40th Psalm. "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1).
"The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary" (Isaiah 40:28), and His gracious promise is that we can "renew our strength" (literally, "exchange our strength," our weakness for His strength!) by "waiting upon Him." We wait patiently for Him, we gather together unto Him, we look for Him, we cry unto Him, we trust Him, and He renews our strength! HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
QUOTES OF THE WEEK!
The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense. - Thomas A. Edison
Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Science is a first-rate piece of furniture for a man's upper chamber, if he has common sense on the ground floor. - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Science is a first-rate piece of furniture for a man's upper chamber, if he has common sense on the ground floor. - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sign of the Sabbath
"It that is, the Sabbath is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed." (Exodus 31:17)
It is obvious from this passage that God's everlasting seven-day week was established to commemorate His first week as the unique week when He created all things. If language means anything--especially God's language as written with His own finger on a table of stone (Exodus 31:18)--then the days of God's creation week were literal days.
Sabbath means "rest" (not "seventh") and God, in His omniscience, knew that men and women would need a day of rest and remembrance of Him as Creator if they were to serve Him effectively in carrying out His plan for the world. "The sabbath that is, the weekly day of rest was made for man," said the Lord Jesus (Mark 2:27).
This is why the weekly day of rest and worship was to be a sign forever, and also probably why it was--for God's covenant people, Israel--a capital crime to break it. "Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death" (Exodus 31:15).
This severe penalty may no longer apply today, but it does indicate the importance placed by God on His week of creation. Just as the rainbow was the sign of His covenant with the world through Noah, and circumcision the sign of His covenant with the seed of Abraham, so a weekly day of worship is the sign that we still honor Him as our Creator and Savior. If it was needed to keep ancient Israel true to God in the midst of a world where evolutionary pantheism reigned in other nations, it is even more important today as a testimony against modern evolutionary humanism. HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 16, 2008
It is obvious from this passage that God's everlasting seven-day week was established to commemorate His first week as the unique week when He created all things. If language means anything--especially God's language as written with His own finger on a table of stone (Exodus 31:18)--then the days of God's creation week were literal days.
Sabbath means "rest" (not "seventh") and God, in His omniscience, knew that men and women would need a day of rest and remembrance of Him as Creator if they were to serve Him effectively in carrying out His plan for the world. "The sabbath that is, the weekly day of rest was made for man," said the Lord Jesus (Mark 2:27).
This is why the weekly day of rest and worship was to be a sign forever, and also probably why it was--for God's covenant people, Israel--a capital crime to break it. "Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death" (Exodus 31:15).
This severe penalty may no longer apply today, but it does indicate the importance placed by God on His week of creation. Just as the rainbow was the sign of His covenant with the world through Noah, and circumcision the sign of His covenant with the seed of Abraham, so a weekly day of worship is the sign that we still honor Him as our Creator and Savior. If it was needed to keep ancient Israel true to God in the midst of a world where evolutionary pantheism reigned in other nations, it is even more important today as a testimony against modern evolutionary humanism. HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - What happened at the Fall?
The Apostle Paul in Romans describes our present creation as a groaning one (Romans 8:22). And it certainly is! Look around! You see people dying—and animals dying. There are deadly diseases. The earth is filled with terrorism and violence. In reality, this is not such a beautiful place!
But Genesis has the explanation as to why we are in this sorry state. When Adam sinned, everything changed. God, because He is righteous and holy, had to judge sin with death. From that time on, the whole of creation has been affected. Everything started to run down. No longer did God uphold the creation in a perfect state.
Christians who accept the idea of millions of years of earth history are really denying that Adam’s fall affected anything. You see, if the death and struggle we see in today’s world has gone on for millions of years, then what change did sin bring? Nothing is different, then.
So what then did Paul mean when he declared that the whole of creation is travailing in pain? To accept millions of years is to deny the horrible affects of the Fall, as given in the book of Genesis.
For more information, see What’s wrong with progressive creation?
News to Note Quick Look
Deny God; win money: The 2008 Templeton Prize, a $1.6 million (£820,000) award for “discoveries about spiritual realities,” is going to a Roman Catholic priest who denies intelligent design. Read more.
A bone to pick: “Thousands” of human bones have been unearthed on the Pacific island Palau, reports National Geographic News. The bones belonged to “numerous individuals,” some of whom were “of particularly small size.” More hobbits, perhaps? Read more.
Also: the founding mothers, the strongest creature in the world, and the meeting of minds. Read more.
Don’t miss the next issue of Answers magazine.
Join over 60,000 other subscribers who enjoy quarterly issues of this fast-growing, creation-based worldview magazine from Answers in Genesis. Each issue is packed with relevant articles, stunning photos, and graphics that reveal the latest creation science news while equipping you for the culture war in society today.
The newest edition contains a special 40-page section featuring the Tower of Babel, focusing on Babel’s place in history and how Babel explains our world today. With four additional semi-technical articles and the features included in every issue that subscribers have grown to love—our popular Kids Answers mini-magazine, a pull-out wall chart, Truth4Teens and Father’s Corner sections, science and culture news keeping you up-to-date on current issues, and more!—you won’t want to miss this issue!
Find out more: The Tower of Babel: Relevant Lessons for Today
Prayer Requests
Paul Taylor’s tour of Northern Ireland
Ken Ham’s Chinese Language Videos
New and upcoming website launches
Branson, Missouri, national event
Seasonal Staff recruitment drive
Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program
Chimps and humans—are they similar
Bang!—Did the universe begin that way?
The big bang—is it biblical?
Genesis—it’s mentioned throughout the Bible
PhD in geology—stumped by God’s Word!
After Eden (always a good Creationist cartoon)
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 Genesis has the explanation as to why we are in this sorry state. When Adam sinned, everything changed. God, because He is righteous and holy, had to judge sin with death. From that time on, the whole of creation has been affected. Everything started to run down. No longer did God uphold the creation in a perfect state.
Christians who accept the idea of millions of years of earth history are really denying that Adam’s fall affected anything. You see, if the death and struggle we see in today’s world has gone on for millions of years, then what change did sin bring? Nothing is different, then.
So what then did Paul mean when he declared that the whole of creation is travailing in pain? To accept millions of years is to deny the horrible affects of the Fall, as given in the book of Genesis.
For more information, see What’s wrong with progressive creation?
News to Note Quick Look
Deny God; win money: The 2008 Templeton Prize, a $1.6 million (£820,000) award for “discoveries about spiritual realities,” is going to a Roman Catholic priest who denies intelligent design. Read more.
A bone to pick: “Thousands” of human bones have been unearthed on the Pacific island Palau, reports National Geographic News. The bones belonged to “numerous individuals,” some of whom were “of particularly small size.” More hobbits, perhaps? Read more.
Also: the founding mothers, the strongest creature in the world, and the meeting of minds. Read more.
Don’t miss the next issue of Answers magazine.
Join over 60,000 other subscribers who enjoy quarterly issues of this fast-growing, creation-based worldview magazine from Answers in Genesis. Each issue is packed with relevant articles, stunning photos, and graphics that reveal the latest creation science news while equipping you for the culture war in society today.
The newest edition contains a special 40-page section featuring the Tower of Babel, focusing on Babel’s place in history and how Babel explains our world today. With four additional semi-technical articles and the features included in every issue that subscribers have grown to love—our popular Kids Answers mini-magazine, a pull-out wall chart, Truth4Teens and Father’s Corner sections, science and culture news keeping you up-to-date on current issues, and more!—you won’t want to miss this issue!
Find out more: The Tower of Babel: Relevant Lessons for Today
Prayer Requests
Paul Taylor’s tour of Northern Ireland
Ken Ham’s Chinese Language Videos
New and upcoming website launches
Branson, Missouri, national event
Seasonal Staff recruitment drive
Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program
Chimps and humans—are they similar
Bang!—Did the universe begin that way?
The big bang—is it biblical?
Genesis—it’s mentioned throughout the Bible
PhD in geology—stumped by God’s Word!
After Eden (always a good Creationist cartoon)
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, March 14, 2008
Son of Man
"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." (Revelation 14:14)
This is the last of some 87 New Testament references (84 in the four Gospels, one in Acts, none in the Epistles, two in Revelation) to Christ as the Son of man. Here we see the Son of man coming on a white cloud from heaven (just as He had ascended into heaven after His resurrection) as the conquering King of all the earth.
What a contrast is this to the first New Testament reference to the Son of man. "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). From humility and poverty on earth to power and riches in heaven, and for all eternity--this was His journey when Christ left His heavenly glory to join the human family.
In between the poverty and the power lay the whole human experience, for He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Finally, as Son of man He must die for man’s sin, for "the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again" (Luke 24:7). Even in heaven He is still the Son of man, for Stephen saw Him thus: "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56).
There is, indeed, a great man in the glory! Christ called Himself "the Son of man" much more often than "the Son of God," though He will eternally be both, the God/man. He delights to identify with those whom He has redeemed, for He "is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews 2:11). "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" asked Jesus. Then we say, with Peter, "Thou art . . . the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:13, 16). HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 14, 2008
This is the last of some 87 New Testament references (84 in the four Gospels, one in Acts, none in the Epistles, two in Revelation) to Christ as the Son of man. Here we see the Son of man coming on a white cloud from heaven (just as He had ascended into heaven after His resurrection) as the conquering King of all the earth.
What a contrast is this to the first New Testament reference to the Son of man. "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). From humility and poverty on earth to power and riches in heaven, and for all eternity--this was His journey when Christ left His heavenly glory to join the human family.
In between the poverty and the power lay the whole human experience, for He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Finally, as Son of man He must die for man’s sin, for "the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again" (Luke 24:7). Even in heaven He is still the Son of man, for Stephen saw Him thus: "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56).
There is, indeed, a great man in the glory! Christ called Himself "the Son of man" much more often than "the Son of God," though He will eternally be both, the God/man. He delights to identify with those whom He has redeemed, for He "is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews 2:11). "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" asked Jesus. Then we say, with Peter, "Thou art . . . the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:13, 16). HMM
Print this article
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
I am so excited, so fired up, I can hardly contain myself. You must read this
Sumner (see link at left) Mar 13, 2008
I am so excited, so fired up, I can hardly contain myself. As many of you know, I get my haircuts at a black barber college. Over two years ago the dear Lord directed me to go there, they have over 50 barbers in training and I found a barber who had been wanting to be saved for over 3 months. I told him how God loved him, sent the Lord Jesus to suffer and die for his sins, paid his debt in full, rose again and was seen by hundreds. God gave him understanding and he prayed right there to receive the Lord Jesus as his Savior too and was transformed. The next time I was there he said, "You wont believe the change that has come over me." I did so and was he ever changed.
Now I go there regularly and have seen God save 10 barbers who prayed to receive the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Today, I was not feeling great but knew I had to go get a haircut. When I got there, I was directed to Jeff. Most do not know how to give white folks haircuts. He did pretty good. When I asked if he knew for sure he was going to heaven, he did not have a clue. Carefully I gave him the "full" gospel, how Christ died for our sins, paid our debt in full, was buried, rose again and was seen by hundreds. It was fabulous, God really opened his understanding and he caught it. He prayed to receive the Lord Jesus as his Savior and looked up beaming with the joy of the Lord. Two chairs down was another barber just sitting there. He too did not have a clue if he was going to heaven It was fantastic how God opened his spiritual eyes and he too prayed to receive the Lord Jesus as his Savior and had joyful assurance he was saved.
Last Friday, I had the joy of leading a grocery clerk in the big super market where we trade. He was so ready to receive the Lord Jesus. My point in telling this is to say as Jesus said, "the harvest is plenteous." Christians just are not giving the gospel to "every" person as God gave us the privilege and command to do. DEAR PEOPLE get some tracts, take them with you every place you go. Pass them out graciously and see God open the door and YOU have the eternal joy and privilege to lead people to Christ and heaven instead of letting them die and go to hell. Make sense?
Next week I have written out a complete message on how to give the gospel and effectively lead people Christ . PLEASE don't miss it.
All new articles on our website www.sumnerwemp.com. All new drawings. Enter the drawing once a day, daily for the best chance to get your name drawn.
Get our newest tract, "Your Ticket to Heaven" Call 1-877-827-2871 ask for "sales" to order them in KJV, Spanish or ESV.. ABC Sumner
To view this message in its entirety on the web, click here. For a printable version of this message, click hereAbout inJesus - Start Your Own Group - Save 15% when you process credit cards through Access - learn how...
I am so excited, so fired up, I can hardly contain myself. As many of you know, I get my haircuts at a black barber college. Over two years ago the dear Lord directed me to go there, they have over 50 barbers in training and I found a barber who had been wanting to be saved for over 3 months. I told him how God loved him, sent the Lord Jesus to suffer and die for his sins, paid his debt in full, rose again and was seen by hundreds. God gave him understanding and he prayed right there to receive the Lord Jesus as his Savior too and was transformed. The next time I was there he said, "You wont believe the change that has come over me." I did so and was he ever changed.
Now I go there regularly and have seen God save 10 barbers who prayed to receive the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Today, I was not feeling great but knew I had to go get a haircut. When I got there, I was directed to Jeff. Most do not know how to give white folks haircuts. He did pretty good. When I asked if he knew for sure he was going to heaven, he did not have a clue. Carefully I gave him the "full" gospel, how Christ died for our sins, paid our debt in full, was buried, rose again and was seen by hundreds. It was fabulous, God really opened his understanding and he caught it. He prayed to receive the Lord Jesus as his Savior and looked up beaming with the joy of the Lord. Two chairs down was another barber just sitting there. He too did not have a clue if he was going to heaven It was fantastic how God opened his spiritual eyes and he too prayed to receive the Lord Jesus as his Savior and had joyful assurance he was saved.
Last Friday, I had the joy of leading a grocery clerk in the big super market where we trade. He was so ready to receive the Lord Jesus. My point in telling this is to say as Jesus said, "the harvest is plenteous." Christians just are not giving the gospel to "every" person as God gave us the privilege and command to do. DEAR PEOPLE get some tracts, take them with you every place you go. Pass them out graciously and see God open the door and YOU have the eternal joy and privilege to lead people to Christ and heaven instead of letting them die and go to hell. Make sense?
Next week I have written out a complete message on how to give the gospel and effectively lead people Christ . PLEASE don't miss it.
All new articles on our website www.sumnerwemp.com. All new drawings. Enter the drawing once a day, daily for the best chance to get your name drawn.
Get our newest tract, "Your Ticket to Heaven" Call 1-877-827-2871 ask for "sales" to order them in KJV, Spanish or ESV.. ABC Sumner
To view this message in its entirety on the web, click here. For a printable version of this message, click hereAbout inJesus - Start Your Own Group - Save 15% when you process credit cards through Access - learn how...
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
WHAT LOSS TEACHES US
JOB 1:14-22
Pastor Rick Jackson
Today I preached the funeral of one of my oldest friends Ancel Brown. Though I know where he is I have lost the earthly fellowship of this dear saint, I have lost his earthly prayers, and his earthly counsel. Due to some tornadoes last week here in Florida people lost their lives, their homes, other property. Oft times when people are talking to someone about their lost they ask a one word question: WHY?
Brother Greg says, "Why not?" I have responded, "Because". Both answers are correct. Sometimes we might think, what can this loss possibly teach me? Though it's often hard to think clearly during times of loss the truth is that loss can teach the open mind and heart quite a bit.
LESSON I - GOD IS SOVEREIGN
1. His Authority is Absolute - God causes OR allows all things [Job]
Psalm 59:13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
Psalm 66:7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
Psalm 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
2. His ways are perfect [Deuteronomy 32:4]
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
3. His Understanding Is Infinite [Romans 11:33-36]
Is. 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
LESSON II - MANKIND IS SUSCEPTIBLE
1. To sorrow [Job 14:1]
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
Genesis 3:16-17 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
2. To situations [Phil. 1:12-13, 4:11-12]
3. To success [Phil. 4:13, 19]
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
LESSON III - CHRISTIANS ARE STEWARDS
1. We all have our roles [Ph. 1:20-23]
Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Jeremiah 18:2-6 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
2. We all have our responsibilities [Ph. 1:24-27]
3. We all have our requirements [Lk. 12:28]
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever ° much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Pastor Rick Jackson
Today I preached the funeral of one of my oldest friends Ancel Brown. Though I know where he is I have lost the earthly fellowship of this dear saint, I have lost his earthly prayers, and his earthly counsel. Due to some tornadoes last week here in Florida people lost their lives, their homes, other property. Oft times when people are talking to someone about their lost they ask a one word question: WHY?
Brother Greg says, "Why not?" I have responded, "Because". Both answers are correct. Sometimes we might think, what can this loss possibly teach me? Though it's often hard to think clearly during times of loss the truth is that loss can teach the open mind and heart quite a bit.
LESSON I - GOD IS SOVEREIGN
1. His Authority is Absolute - God causes OR allows all things [Job]
Psalm 59:13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
Psalm 66:7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
Psalm 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
2. His ways are perfect [Deuteronomy 32:4]
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
3. His Understanding Is Infinite [Romans 11:33-36]
Is. 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
LESSON II - MANKIND IS SUSCEPTIBLE
1. To sorrow [Job 14:1]
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
Genesis 3:16-17 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
2. To situations [Phil. 1:12-13, 4:11-12]
3. To success [Phil. 4:13, 19]
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
LESSON III - CHRISTIANS ARE STEWARDS
1. We all have our roles [Ph. 1:20-23]
Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Jeremiah 18:2-6 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
2. We all have our responsibilities [Ph. 1:24-27]
3. We all have our requirements [Lk. 12:28]
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever ° much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Saints and Sinners
"Then Job answered the Lord, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth." (Job 40:3, 4)
It is remarkable how the saintliest of men often confess to being the worst of sinners. The patriarch Job was said by God Himself to be "a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil" (Job 1:8). Yet when Job saw God, he could only say, "Behold, I am vile."
And consider Abraham, who is called "the father of all them that believe" (Romans 4:11). When he presumed to talk to God, however, Abraham said that he was "but dust and ashes" (Genesis 18:27).
David, "the sweet psalmist of Israel" (2 Samuel 23:1), and "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), said: "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5). Isaiah, the greatest of the prophets, testified when he came into God's presence: "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5).
The angel recognized Daniel the prophet as "a man greatly beloved" by God (Daniel 10:11). Yet when Daniel saw God, he fell on his face, and said: "My comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength" (Daniel 10:8).
In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter said: "I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8), and Paul called himself the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). God dwells "in the light which no man can approach unto" (1 Timothy 6:16).
The closer one comes to the Lord, the more clearly one sees his own sinfulness and the more wonderful becomes God's amazing grace. No one who is satisfied with his or her own state of holiness has yet come to know the Lord in His state of holiness! None dare face the Lord except by His grace, through the mediator, Jesus Christ. HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 11, 2008
It is remarkable how the saintliest of men often confess to being the worst of sinners. The patriarch Job was said by God Himself to be "a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil" (Job 1:8). Yet when Job saw God, he could only say, "Behold, I am vile."
And consider Abraham, who is called "the father of all them that believe" (Romans 4:11). When he presumed to talk to God, however, Abraham said that he was "but dust and ashes" (Genesis 18:27).
David, "the sweet psalmist of Israel" (2 Samuel 23:1), and "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), said: "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5). Isaiah, the greatest of the prophets, testified when he came into God's presence: "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5).
The angel recognized Daniel the prophet as "a man greatly beloved" by God (Daniel 10:11). Yet when Daniel saw God, he fell on his face, and said: "My comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength" (Daniel 10:8).
In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter said: "I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8), and Paul called himself the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). God dwells "in the light which no man can approach unto" (1 Timothy 6:16).
The closer one comes to the Lord, the more clearly one sees his own sinfulness and the more wonderful becomes God's amazing grace. No one who is satisfied with his or her own state of holiness has yet come to know the Lord in His state of holiness! None dare face the Lord except by His grace, through the mediator, Jesus Christ. HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Catastrophe or Cataclysm
"God spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly." (2 Peter 2:5, 6)
These two verses speak graphically of two different kinds of terrible physical convulsions, both of which were divine judgments. The volcanic upheaval that sent fire from heaven pouring over the wicked cities of the plains was called an "overthrow" (Greek katastrophe, from which, obviously, we get our English word "catastrophe"). Great upheavals such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and hurricanes are rightly called catastrophes.
But such events are only local or regional in extent, and occur relatively often. There was one event, however, which was unique in all history. When God brought the "flood" upon the ungodly antediluvian world, the word used to describe it was the Greek kataklusmos, and this word is never applied in Scripture to any event except the terrible Genesis flood, when "the world that then was, being overflowed Greek, katakluzo with water, perished" (2 Peter 3:6). From these Greek words we derive the English word "cataclysm."
There was never any flood like this flood! It covered all the world’s mountains, and everything on the land died, leaving great fossil deposits and great beds of lithified sediments all over the world.
There has been only one worldwide cataclysm in the past, but another is coming--global fire instead of global water. Jesus said, "For as in the days that were before the flood i.e., kataklusmos they . . . knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matthew 24:38, 39). HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 10, 2008
These two verses speak graphically of two different kinds of terrible physical convulsions, both of which were divine judgments. The volcanic upheaval that sent fire from heaven pouring over the wicked cities of the plains was called an "overthrow" (Greek katastrophe, from which, obviously, we get our English word "catastrophe"). Great upheavals such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and hurricanes are rightly called catastrophes.
But such events are only local or regional in extent, and occur relatively often. There was one event, however, which was unique in all history. When God brought the "flood" upon the ungodly antediluvian world, the word used to describe it was the Greek kataklusmos, and this word is never applied in Scripture to any event except the terrible Genesis flood, when "the world that then was, being overflowed Greek, katakluzo with water, perished" (2 Peter 3:6). From these Greek words we derive the English word "cataclysm."
There was never any flood like this flood! It covered all the world’s mountains, and everything on the land died, leaving great fossil deposits and great beds of lithified sediments all over the world.
There has been only one worldwide cataclysm in the past, but another is coming--global fire instead of global water. Jesus said, "For as in the days that were before the flood i.e., kataklusmos they . . . knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matthew 24:38, 39). HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 09, 2008
JACOB'S PROGRESS
GENESIS 29:14-30:43
Pastor Rick Jackson
We have seen from the Scriptures that Jacob was not quite the scoundrel many of us have heard all our lives. Oh, he is definitely not perfect. But like those of us who are saved he was a sinner saved by grace. A man with an old nature. A man without the indwelling Holy Spirit which those of us saved since the resurrection of Christ have. It's almost surprising he did as well as he did isn't it?
Much of the conflict we see in these next few verses probably wouldn't even have happened had Jacob and his mother waited on God to handle the situation. But even amidst his trouble Jacob's faith is in Jacob's God and Jacob's God is able!
I. JACOB BECOMES A HUSBAND [29:14-30]
1. Recognized as a good man [v. 14-19]
2. Reaping what he'd sown [v. 20-26]
3. Realizing his dream [v. 27-30]
NOTE: -no prohibition of polygamy had been given though the pattern God gave was monogamy
II. JACOB BECOMES A FATHER [29:31-30:24]
1. Leah gives Jacob 4 sons [29:31-35] Note - Leah's faith in naming her sons
2. Bilhah gives Jacob 2 sons for Rachel [30:1-8]
3. Zilpah gives Jacob 2 sons for Leah [30:9-13]
4. Leah gives Jacob 2 more sons and a daughter [30:14-21]
5. Rachel gives Jacob a son with a promise for another [30:22-24]
III. JACOB BECOMES RICH [30:25-43]
1. Jacob's testimony [30:25-30]
2. Jacob's faith [30:31-33]
3. Jacob's prosperity [30:34-43]
Pastor Rick Jackson
We have seen from the Scriptures that Jacob was not quite the scoundrel many of us have heard all our lives. Oh, he is definitely not perfect. But like those of us who are saved he was a sinner saved by grace. A man with an old nature. A man without the indwelling Holy Spirit which those of us saved since the resurrection of Christ have. It's almost surprising he did as well as he did isn't it?
Much of the conflict we see in these next few verses probably wouldn't even have happened had Jacob and his mother waited on God to handle the situation. But even amidst his trouble Jacob's faith is in Jacob's God and Jacob's God is able!
I. JACOB BECOMES A HUSBAND [29:14-30]
1. Recognized as a good man [v. 14-19]
2. Reaping what he'd sown [v. 20-26]
3. Realizing his dream [v. 27-30]
NOTE: -no prohibition of polygamy had been given though the pattern God gave was monogamy
II. JACOB BECOMES A FATHER [29:31-30:24]
1. Leah gives Jacob 4 sons [29:31-35] Note - Leah's faith in naming her sons
2. Bilhah gives Jacob 2 sons for Rachel [30:1-8]
3. Zilpah gives Jacob 2 sons for Leah [30:9-13]
4. Leah gives Jacob 2 more sons and a daughter [30:14-21]
5. Rachel gives Jacob a son with a promise for another [30:22-24]
III. JACOB BECOMES RICH [30:25-43]
1. Jacob's testimony [30:25-30]
2. Jacob's faith [30:31-33]
3. Jacob's prosperity [30:34-43]
YOU EITHER HAVE IT OR YOU DON’T
Pastor Rick Jackson
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
This verse has been a great comfort to me over the years. I have resorted to this verse during many trials and yet I can tell you honestly that I believe I have not plumbed the depths of the power locked in this single verse. I feel like I have been wading in its truth, basking in its joy and standing on its promise but as a child without complete understanding. May the Dear Lord help us to launch out a little today.
Before we can look at the peace that this verse offers and the promise this verse proclaims we must see first:
I. THE PEOPLE AND THE PROCESS OF THIS VERSE
“they which love thy law”
One of the first things we must determine before we examine this point is what does this verse mean by the term “the law.” The law in the Scriptures can refer to all of the Bible, certain portions of the Bible, or even, as used in the New Testament, a method by which some erroneously think they can achieve salvation.
Here I believe the Holy Spirit means the Word of God in its totality. 2 Kings 17:13 shows us that “the law” can refer to more than the Pentateuch.
Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
And since Psalm 119 deals with the totality of the Word of God I believe that it is a safe assumption to say in Ps. 119:165 He is referring to the Word of God in its totality, even the New Testament. “But Brother Rick, when David wrote this the New Testament hadn’t been written.” On earth it did not exist, this is true. Verse 89 of this chapter declares, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” So who are “they which love thy law?”
1. YOU CAN’T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU’RE SAVED! [v 41, 42, 81, 155]
2. YOU CAN’T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU REALIZE IT’S PURPOSE! [19:7]
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple
3. YOU CAN'T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU GET IN IT! [v. 9-11, Jm. 1:21-25]
This gets us to the place where we can examine:
II. THE PEACE OF THIS VERSE [119:165]
Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
1. IT IS PEACE WITH GOD [Rm. 5:1]
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Ps 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
2. IT IS THE PEACE OF GOD [Philippians 4:7]
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds ° through Christ Jesus.
Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
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.
3. IT IS PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM [1 Thessalonians 1:1;2:14]
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ... For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Now you might think that the "peace" we have looked at is the promise of the verse but look again. The peace is a given, so that brings us to:
III. THE PROMISE OF THE VERSE
"and nothing shall offend them." The word "offend" is the Hebrew word "mikshowl" and occurs 14 times in the Old Testament. 8 times it is translated "stumblingblock", 3 times "Offend" or a variation thereof, 2 times "ruin" and 1 time "fall". This helps us to understand the promise. The person who loves the Word of God has great peace and nothing will be a stumblingblock to them.
IN THE N.T. NOTE:
1. IT IS THE WEAK THAT STUMBLE [Romans 14:13]
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
2. IT IS THE UNBELIEVER WHO STUMBLES [1 Corinthians 1:23]
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock , and unto the Greeks foolishness;
3. IT IS THE STRONG WHO LOVES THE WORD [Romans 4:20]
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.2 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
Notice that Paul said we are weak but in Him is our strength and He will lift us up when we fall because our love is imperfect in the flesh. But to be as strong as we can be we have to be people of the Book!
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
This verse has been a great comfort to me over the years. I have resorted to this verse during many trials and yet I can tell you honestly that I believe I have not plumbed the depths of the power locked in this single verse. I feel like I have been wading in its truth, basking in its joy and standing on its promise but as a child without complete understanding. May the Dear Lord help us to launch out a little today.
Before we can look at the peace that this verse offers and the promise this verse proclaims we must see first:
I. THE PEOPLE AND THE PROCESS OF THIS VERSE
“they which love thy law”
One of the first things we must determine before we examine this point is what does this verse mean by the term “the law.” The law in the Scriptures can refer to all of the Bible, certain portions of the Bible, or even, as used in the New Testament, a method by which some erroneously think they can achieve salvation.
Here I believe the Holy Spirit means the Word of God in its totality. 2 Kings 17:13 shows us that “the law” can refer to more than the Pentateuch.
Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
And since Psalm 119 deals with the totality of the Word of God I believe that it is a safe assumption to say in Ps. 119:165 He is referring to the Word of God in its totality, even the New Testament. “But Brother Rick, when David wrote this the New Testament hadn’t been written.” On earth it did not exist, this is true. Verse 89 of this chapter declares, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” So who are “they which love thy law?”
1. YOU CAN’T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU’RE SAVED! [v 41, 42, 81, 155]
2. YOU CAN’T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU REALIZE IT’S PURPOSE! [19:7]
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple
3. YOU CAN'T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU GET IN IT! [v. 9-11, Jm. 1:21-25]
This gets us to the place where we can examine:
II. THE PEACE OF THIS VERSE [119:165]
Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
1. IT IS PEACE WITH GOD [Rm. 5:1]
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Ps 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
2. IT IS THE PEACE OF GOD [Philippians 4:7]
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds ° through Christ Jesus.
Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
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.
3. IT IS PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM [1 Thessalonians 1:1;2:14]
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ... For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Now you might think that the "peace" we have looked at is the promise of the verse but look again. The peace is a given, so that brings us to:
III. THE PROMISE OF THE VERSE
"and nothing shall offend them." The word "offend" is the Hebrew word "mikshowl" and occurs 14 times in the Old Testament. 8 times it is translated "stumblingblock", 3 times "Offend" or a variation thereof, 2 times "ruin" and 1 time "fall". This helps us to understand the promise. The person who loves the Word of God has great peace and nothing will be a stumblingblock to them.
IN THE N.T. NOTE:
1. IT IS THE WEAK THAT STUMBLE [Romans 14:13]
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
2. IT IS THE UNBELIEVER WHO STUMBLES [1 Corinthians 1:23]
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock , and unto the Greeks foolishness;
3. IT IS THE STRONG WHO LOVES THE WORD [Romans 4:20]
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.2 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
Notice that Paul said we are weak but in Him is our strength and He will lift us up when we fall because our love is imperfect in the flesh. But to be as strong as we can be we have to be people of the Book!
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - What evidence is there for a worldwide Flood?
If the Genesis Flood, as described in Genesis 7 and 8, really occurred, what evidence would we expect to find? After noting in Genesis 7 that all the high hills and the mountains were covered by water and that all air-breathing life on the land was swept away and perished, it should be obvious what evidence we would expect to find.
Wouldn’t we expect to find rock layers all over the earth filled with billions of dead animals and plants that were buried rapidly and fossilized in sand, mud, and lime? Of course, and that’s exactly what we find. Furthermore, even though the catastrophic geologic activity of the Flood would have waned in the immediate post-Flood period, ongoing mini-catastrophes would still have produced localized fossil deposits.
Countless billions of plant and animal fossils are found in extensive “graveyards” where they had to be buried rapidly on a massive scale. Often the fine details of the creatures are exquisitely preserved.
For example, billions of straight-shelled, chambered nautiloids are found fossilized with other marine creatures in a 7 foot (2 m) thick layer within the Redwall Limestone of Grand Canyon. This fossil graveyard stretches for 180 miles (290 km) across northern Arizona and into southern Nevada, covering an area of at least 10,500 square miles (30,000 km2). These squid-like fossils are all different sizes, from small, young nautiloids to their bigger, older relatives.
To form such a vast fossil graveyard required 24 cubic miles (100 km3) of lime sand and silt, flowing in a thick, soup-like slurry at more than 16 feet (5 m) per second (more than 11 mph [18 km/h]) to catastrophically overwhelm and bury this huge, living population of nautiloids.
Read the rest of this sneak peek article from the upcoming issue of Answers magazine: The World’s a Graveyard.
New site launches: Answers Worldwide
As our population accelerates, we Christians sense the great knowledge gap and the importance of taking the Word of God to all the people groups worldwide.
Because of our mission, Answers in Genesis feels called to proclaim the life-changing message of the gospel, beginning in the book of Genesis. AiG is the largest apologetics organization in the world and is poised to challenge evolution on every continent and in every language.
Find out more at our new website: Answers Worldwide.
News to Note Quick Look
Dating game: If you thought six million years was too old an age for the Grand Canyon, think again—or at least, that’s what a group of scientists from the University of New Mexico argues in a recent Science paper. Read more.
High on the mountain: A controversial new paper in the philosophy journal Time and Mind posits that Moses’s interactions with God—including the Burning Bush, the Ten Commandments, and many of the events in the Book of Exodus—can be chalked up to drugs. Read more.
Also: going worldwide, the hobbit debate, Darwin’s chicken, and evolution in Hollywood. Read more.
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.
Wouldn’t we expect to find rock layers all over the earth filled with billions of dead animals and plants that were buried rapidly and fossilized in sand, mud, and lime? Of course, and that’s exactly what we find. Furthermore, even though the catastrophic geologic activity of the Flood would have waned in the immediate post-Flood period, ongoing mini-catastrophes would still have produced localized fossil deposits.
Countless billions of plant and animal fossils are found in extensive “graveyards” where they had to be buried rapidly on a massive scale. Often the fine details of the creatures are exquisitely preserved.
For example, billions of straight-shelled, chambered nautiloids are found fossilized with other marine creatures in a 7 foot (2 m) thick layer within the Redwall Limestone of Grand Canyon. This fossil graveyard stretches for 180 miles (290 km) across northern Arizona and into southern Nevada, covering an area of at least 10,500 square miles (30,000 km2). These squid-like fossils are all different sizes, from small, young nautiloids to their bigger, older relatives.
To form such a vast fossil graveyard required 24 cubic miles (100 km3) of lime sand and silt, flowing in a thick, soup-like slurry at more than 16 feet (5 m) per second (more than 11 mph [18 km/h]) to catastrophically overwhelm and bury this huge, living population of nautiloids.
Read the rest of this sneak peek article from the upcoming issue of Answers magazine: The World’s a Graveyard.
New site launches: Answers Worldwide
As our population accelerates, we Christians sense the great knowledge gap and the importance of taking the Word of God to all the people groups worldwide.
Because of our mission, Answers in Genesis feels called to proclaim the life-changing message of the gospel, beginning in the book of Genesis. AiG is the largest apologetics organization in the world and is poised to challenge evolution on every continent and in every language.
Find out more at our new website: Answers Worldwide.
News to Note Quick Look
Dating game: If you thought six million years was too old an age for the Grand Canyon, think again—or at least, that’s what a group of scientists from the University of New Mexico argues in a recent Science paper. Read more.
High on the mountain: A controversial new paper in the philosophy journal Time and Mind posits that Moses’s interactions with God—including the Burning Bush, the Ten Commandments, and many of the events in the Book of Exodus—can be chalked up to drugs. Read more.
Also: going worldwide, the hobbit debate, Darwin’s chicken, and evolution in Hollywood. Read more.
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, March 07, 2008
IS MR. KETTLE IN? THE POT IS RETURNING HIS CALL.
I recently read a great article on spiritual profiling. It was talking about our prejudices and how we should not allow them as they hinder our witnessing. I agree with the author wholeheartedly and believe he is a good man making a good point. But I think he proved his own point accidentally. He wrote:
Prejudices are not new nor are they just conditions only of the past. We have had them since we became a nation. We had a prejudice toward blacks in the south which led to the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln, then to the Civil Rights Act.
He goes on to talk about prejudices towards Japanese Americans in WWII, and against "American Indians that led to the formation of reservations." All well and good but did you catch his prejudice? "We had a prejudice toward blacks in the south..." Excuse me? Now I am not denying prejudice in the South, I am a Southerner, I grew up in the South, I know prejudice existed here and does exist here but prejudice against blacks certainly isn't and never has been limited to the South. As my brother in Christ Evangelist Ed Carter says, "The problem isn't skin. The problem is sin!"
I don't know where the author grew up and/or was educated but I could almost guarantee it wasn't in the South (though he pastors there now). The typical propaganda is that everyone in the South was a bunch of ignorant racists (is there any other kind?) and those kind, warm-hearted Northerners wanted to free the blacks and so the "Civil War" was fought. Poppycock and balderdash!
Now please don't misunderstand what I am about to say. I am not even for a moment saying slavery was right. I am just saying it wasn't limited to the South or even accepted by all Southerners! At least four slave states were in the Union and coincidentally the Emancipation Proclamation didn't free any slaves in those states! It was only directed against those states in "rebellion." Had the issue been slavery don't you think they would have freed ALL the slaves in ALL the states? The War Between the States (which is what educated Southerners call it) was fought over states rights not slavery. Slavery was just a very volatile issue among many that ignited the conflict. 80% of Southerners had NO slaves! Most Northerners were NOT abolitionists. These and many other facts are conveniently not taught in most public schools.
False information about that period in American history has made prejudice against innocent Southerners flourish. I am glad that the Christianity of William Wilberforce gave him the impetus to end slavery in England. I am glad that slavery ended here. I am saddened that the prejudices continue be they racial or regional. We are all of "one blood" the Bible says, and the blood of Jesus Christ can wash us from ALL our sins.
Prejudices are not new nor are they just conditions only of the past. We have had them since we became a nation. We had a prejudice toward blacks in the south which led to the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln, then to the Civil Rights Act.
He goes on to talk about prejudices towards Japanese Americans in WWII, and against "American Indians that led to the formation of reservations." All well and good but did you catch his prejudice? "We had a prejudice toward blacks in the south..." Excuse me? Now I am not denying prejudice in the South, I am a Southerner, I grew up in the South, I know prejudice existed here and does exist here but prejudice against blacks certainly isn't and never has been limited to the South. As my brother in Christ Evangelist Ed Carter says, "The problem isn't skin. The problem is sin!"
I don't know where the author grew up and/or was educated but I could almost guarantee it wasn't in the South (though he pastors there now). The typical propaganda is that everyone in the South was a bunch of ignorant racists (is there any other kind?) and those kind, warm-hearted Northerners wanted to free the blacks and so the "Civil War" was fought. Poppycock and balderdash!
Now please don't misunderstand what I am about to say. I am not even for a moment saying slavery was right. I am just saying it wasn't limited to the South or even accepted by all Southerners! At least four slave states were in the Union and coincidentally the Emancipation Proclamation didn't free any slaves in those states! It was only directed against those states in "rebellion." Had the issue been slavery don't you think they would have freed ALL the slaves in ALL the states? The War Between the States (which is what educated Southerners call it) was fought over states rights not slavery. Slavery was just a very volatile issue among many that ignited the conflict. 80% of Southerners had NO slaves! Most Northerners were NOT abolitionists. These and many other facts are conveniently not taught in most public schools.
False information about that period in American history has made prejudice against innocent Southerners flourish. I am glad that the Christianity of William Wilberforce gave him the impetus to end slavery in England. I am glad that slavery ended here. I am saddened that the prejudices continue be they racial or regional. We are all of "one blood" the Bible says, and the blood of Jesus Christ can wash us from ALL our sins.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK!
Thomas has proven to be, in his first 16 years on the court, one of the finest justices to serve, one who takes his job, and the Constitution as written, very seriously.
---Doug Kutilek
---
See more of Brother Kutilek's work at the KJV only link up in the left. Here are some quotes he pulled from My Grandfather’s Son by Clarence Thomas:
“I didn’t think it was a good idea to make poor blacks, or anyone else, more dependent on government. That would amount to a new kind of enslavement, one which ultimately relied on the generosity--and ever-changing self-interests--of politicians and activists. It seemed to me that the dependency it fostered might prove as diabolical as segregation, permanently condemning poor people to the lowest rung of the socioeconomic ladder by cannibalizing the values without which they had no long-term hope of improving their lot.” (pp. 56-7)
Final testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee:
“Senator [Joseph Biden-D, committee chairman], I would like to start by saying unequivocally, uncategorically that I deny each and every single allegation against me today that suggested in any way that I had conversations of a sexual nature or about pornographic material with Anita Hill, that I ever attempted to date her, that I ever had any personal sexual interest in her, or that I in any way ever harassed her.
Second, and I think a more important point, I think that this today is a travesty. I think that it is disgusting. I think that this hearing should never occur in America. This is a case in which this sleaze, this dirt, was searched for by staffers or members of this committee, was then leaked to the media, and this committee and this body validated it and displayed it in prime time across our entire nation.
How would any member on this committee, or any person in this room, or any person in this country like sleaze said about him or her in this fashion, or this dirt dredged up, and this gossip and these lies displayed in this manner? How would any person like it?
The Supreme Court is not worth it. No job is worth it. I am not here for that. I am here for my name, my family, my life, and my integrity. I think something is dreadfully wrong with this country, when any person, any person in this free country would be subjected to this. This is not a closed room. There was an FBI investigation. This is not an opportunity to talk about difficult matters privately or in a closed environment. This is a circus. It is a national disgrace. And from my standpoint, as a black American, as far as I am concerned, it is a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas, and it is a message that, unless you kowtow to an old order, this is what will happen to you, you will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U. S. Senate rather than hung from a tree.”(pp. 270-271)
---Doug Kutilek
---
See more of Brother Kutilek's work at the KJV only link up in the left. Here are some quotes he pulled from My Grandfather’s Son by Clarence Thomas:
“I didn’t think it was a good idea to make poor blacks, or anyone else, more dependent on government. That would amount to a new kind of enslavement, one which ultimately relied on the generosity--and ever-changing self-interests--of politicians and activists. It seemed to me that the dependency it fostered might prove as diabolical as segregation, permanently condemning poor people to the lowest rung of the socioeconomic ladder by cannibalizing the values without which they had no long-term hope of improving their lot.” (pp. 56-7)
Final testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee:
“Senator [Joseph Biden-D, committee chairman], I would like to start by saying unequivocally, uncategorically that I deny each and every single allegation against me today that suggested in any way that I had conversations of a sexual nature or about pornographic material with Anita Hill, that I ever attempted to date her, that I ever had any personal sexual interest in her, or that I in any way ever harassed her.
Second, and I think a more important point, I think that this today is a travesty. I think that it is disgusting. I think that this hearing should never occur in America. This is a case in which this sleaze, this dirt, was searched for by staffers or members of this committee, was then leaked to the media, and this committee and this body validated it and displayed it in prime time across our entire nation.
How would any member on this committee, or any person in this room, or any person in this country like sleaze said about him or her in this fashion, or this dirt dredged up, and this gossip and these lies displayed in this manner? How would any person like it?
The Supreme Court is not worth it. No job is worth it. I am not here for that. I am here for my name, my family, my life, and my integrity. I think something is dreadfully wrong with this country, when any person, any person in this free country would be subjected to this. This is not a closed room. There was an FBI investigation. This is not an opportunity to talk about difficult matters privately or in a closed environment. This is a circus. It is a national disgrace. And from my standpoint, as a black American, as far as I am concerned, it is a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas, and it is a message that, unless you kowtow to an old order, this is what will happen to you, you will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U. S. Senate rather than hung from a tree.”(pp. 270-271)
Thursday, March 06, 2008
THE BEST LAID PLANS...
I had big plans for today. While my wife was at physical therapy I would do some reorganizing at the Fellowship Hall two doors down. The afternoon and evening were crammed full of personal and church activities. I was looking forward to getting a lot accomplished (Thursdays are usually a good day for that for some reason). But alas it was not to be.
While at the Fellowship Hall I turned wrong or something and my right knee popped out of joint! Sound painful? It is as it sounds my friends. I have had this happen three other times down through the years and each experience was a little different. The first time I was in my teens, was taken to the doctor, had to have my knee drained of excess fluid, wear a brace, etc. Pretty heady stuff for a kid. It did get me out of shingle deliveries at Jackson Building Supply where I worked at the time. Probably not good to be on a roof with a sixty pound bundle of shingles and have you knee blow out!
The second time was late teens and as I knew what it felt like I purposefully fell to the ground before it popped all the way out. As I lay there decided what I was going to do I was lovingly attacked by my sister's dog, part Chiuaua, part sneaky little neighbor's dog. No doctor, no excess fluid. Just a slight scare.
The third time I was in my early thirties and was in out kitchen in Chattanooga, Tn. Again I deliberately went down to get the weight off the knee. My wife helped to our couch but this time I went into shock (shiver my timbers!). Weird, I knew what was going on but I guess going into shock isn't due to ignorance.
This time I though it better not to go down as I was alone and the concrete floor didn't look that inviting. I have a hard enough time getting off the floor when I'm not having knee problems! I leaned against the wall and took all my weight off that leg. Nothing happened so I rotated the leg and it popped back into place. The area I was cleaning out had a walker there so I was able to go to my truck and go get my wife. Praise the Lord for His goodness. The other area I had been cleaning had no walker.
This was the first time my right knew had ever popped out (all the other times it was my left---obviously--duh!). No shock but I did have a low grade fever the rest of the day and I spent the afternoon in my easy chair NOT doing what I had planned. Makes for a good story though doesn't it.
The best laid plans of mice and men...
Groucho Marx was once asked in a movie, "Are you a man or a mouse?" He replied, "You put a piece of cheese on the floor and you'll find out!"
While at the Fellowship Hall I turned wrong or something and my right knee popped out of joint! Sound painful? It is as it sounds my friends. I have had this happen three other times down through the years and each experience was a little different. The first time I was in my teens, was taken to the doctor, had to have my knee drained of excess fluid, wear a brace, etc. Pretty heady stuff for a kid. It did get me out of shingle deliveries at Jackson Building Supply where I worked at the time. Probably not good to be on a roof with a sixty pound bundle of shingles and have you knee blow out!
The second time was late teens and as I knew what it felt like I purposefully fell to the ground before it popped all the way out. As I lay there decided what I was going to do I was lovingly attacked by my sister's dog, part Chiuaua, part sneaky little neighbor's dog. No doctor, no excess fluid. Just a slight scare.
The third time I was in my early thirties and was in out kitchen in Chattanooga, Tn. Again I deliberately went down to get the weight off the knee. My wife helped to our couch but this time I went into shock (shiver my timbers!). Weird, I knew what was going on but I guess going into shock isn't due to ignorance.
This time I though it better not to go down as I was alone and the concrete floor didn't look that inviting. I have a hard enough time getting off the floor when I'm not having knee problems! I leaned against the wall and took all my weight off that leg. Nothing happened so I rotated the leg and it popped back into place. The area I was cleaning out had a walker there so I was able to go to my truck and go get my wife. Praise the Lord for His goodness. The other area I had been cleaning had no walker.
This was the first time my right knew had ever popped out (all the other times it was my left---obviously--duh!). No shock but I did have a low grade fever the rest of the day and I spent the afternoon in my easy chair NOT doing what I had planned. Makes for a good story though doesn't it.
The best laid plans of mice and men...
Groucho Marx was once asked in a movie, "Are you a man or a mouse?" He replied, "You put a piece of cheese on the floor and you'll find out!"
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CRITICISM
MATTHEW 12:1-2
Pastor Rick Jackson
We might as well face it. We are going to be criticized. Sometimes the criticism may be just but other times it may be totally unjust. Even if we were perfect we would still be criticized. Jesus was perfect and they criticized Him. Let us see some of the ways He handled the critics and thus learn how we might handle unjust criticism. (Jesus never faced just criticism though the Scriptures tell us how we might in various places).
The Pharisees were wrong. The disciples had not broken the sabbath. They broke some of the man-made traditions concerning the sabbath but not really the sabbath itself.
I. KNOW THE SCRIPTURES [v. 3-5, Mt. 4, Lk. 4, II Tm. 2:15, 3:16-17]
II. KNOW WHO YOU ARE [v. 6-8]
Obviously none of us are "the Lord of the Sabbath" but who are we? If we are saved, we are children of God, sinners saved by grace, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, an ambassador of Christ. It helps to know who you are and how you got to be who you are now.
III. KNOW YOUR "ENEMY" [v. 9-13]
IV. KNOW THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES [v. 14-15]
V. KNOW YOUR MISSION [v. 15-21]
Are you fishing or chasing snakes. There is a time for defense and there is a time for outreach. Sometimes they can be the same thing!
Acts 22:1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
Acts 25:16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
1 Corinthians 9:3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
Philippians 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Philippians 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
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:
VI. KNOW WHERE YOUR POWER ORIGINATES [v. 22-30]
VII. KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF SPEAKING [v. 31-37]
Pastor Rick Jackson
We might as well face it. We are going to be criticized. Sometimes the criticism may be just but other times it may be totally unjust. Even if we were perfect we would still be criticized. Jesus was perfect and they criticized Him. Let us see some of the ways He handled the critics and thus learn how we might handle unjust criticism. (Jesus never faced just criticism though the Scriptures tell us how we might in various places).
The Pharisees were wrong. The disciples had not broken the sabbath. They broke some of the man-made traditions concerning the sabbath but not really the sabbath itself.
I. KNOW THE SCRIPTURES [v. 3-5, Mt. 4, Lk. 4, II Tm. 2:15, 3:16-17]
II. KNOW WHO YOU ARE [v. 6-8]
Obviously none of us are "the Lord of the Sabbath" but who are we? If we are saved, we are children of God, sinners saved by grace, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, an ambassador of Christ. It helps to know who you are and how you got to be who you are now.
III. KNOW YOUR "ENEMY" [v. 9-13]
IV. KNOW THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES [v. 14-15]
V. KNOW YOUR MISSION [v. 15-21]
Are you fishing or chasing snakes. There is a time for defense and there is a time for outreach. Sometimes they can be the same thing!
Acts 22:1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
Acts 25:16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
1 Corinthians 9:3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
Philippians 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Philippians 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
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:
VI. KNOW WHERE YOUR POWER ORIGINATES [v. 22-30]
VII. KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF SPEAKING [v. 31-37]
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
What We Have Now in Christ
"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:15)
The one who is trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord has many wonderful possessions which cannot be seen with our physical eyes, but which are as real and permanent as if we were already in heaven. Many of these (only a few of which can be listed here) are noted by the present tense of the verb "have" (Greek, echo).
First of all, as our text indicates (and these are the words of Christ!), we who believe in Him have--right now--eternal life. Our sins have been taken care of by the sacrificial death of Christ, "in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7; see also Colossians 1:14). Our sins will be remembered against us no more, because we have already been eternally redeemed. Then, also, in spite of all our sins and failures, "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
One of the great resources we now have, but use so seldom, is the capacity to "think God's thoughts after Him." "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Having the mind of Christ should keep us from sin. Nevertheless, "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). Not only do we have an advocate defending us, but we have a priest as our mediator. "We have a great high priest, . . . Jesus the Son of God" (Hebrews 4:14).
Finally, we already "have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1). And all this is only the beginning! "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard . . . the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). HMM
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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 4, 2008
The one who is trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord has many wonderful possessions which cannot be seen with our physical eyes, but which are as real and permanent as if we were already in heaven. Many of these (only a few of which can be listed here) are noted by the present tense of the verb "have" (Greek, echo).
First of all, as our text indicates (and these are the words of Christ!), we who believe in Him have--right now--eternal life. Our sins have been taken care of by the sacrificial death of Christ, "in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7; see also Colossians 1:14). Our sins will be remembered against us no more, because we have already been eternally redeemed. Then, also, in spite of all our sins and failures, "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
One of the great resources we now have, but use so seldom, is the capacity to "think God's thoughts after Him." "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Having the mind of Christ should keep us from sin. Nevertheless, "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). Not only do we have an advocate defending us, but we have a priest as our mediator. "We have a great high priest, . . . Jesus the Son of God" (Hebrews 4:14).
Finally, we already "have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1). And all this is only the beginning! "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard . . . the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). HMM
Print this article
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org
March 4, 2008
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