QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Are you just a "monkey's uncle"?

 

answersingenesis.org | newsletter archives | contact us February 27, 2010 a weekly look at answersingenesis.org
In this issue . . . Q&A: Are you just a "monkey's uncle"? I Am Not Ashamed! Video On Demand: Answers Academy: A New Reformation Part 2B News to Note Quick Look Ken's Blog Museum News Answers ... with Ken Ham After Eden Network with Us! Job Opportunities at Answers in Genesis Q: Are you just a "monkey's uncle"? A: Perhaps the most bitter pill to swallow for any Christian who attempts to "make peace" with Darwin is the presumed ape ancestry of man. Even many Christians who uncritically accept evolution as "God's way of creating" try to somehow elevate the origin of man, or at least his soul, above that of the beasts. God tells us that on the same day He made all animals that walk on the earth (the sixth day), He created man separately in His own image with the intent that man would have dominion over every other living thing on earth (Genesis 1:26–28). From this it is clear that there is no animal that is man's equal, and certainly none his ancestor. Thus, when God paraded the animals by Adam for him to name, He observed that "for Adam there was not found an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:20). Jesus confirmed this uniqueness of men and women when He declared that marriage is to be between a man and a woman because "from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female" (Mark 10:6). This leaves no room for prehumans or for billions of years of cosmic evolution prior to man's appearance on the earth. Adam chose the very name "Eve" for his wife because he recognized that she would be "the mother of all living" (Genesis 3:20). The apostle Paul stated clearly that man is not an animal: "All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds" (1 Corinthians 15:39). It's clear that the idea of ape-men does not fit with what the Bible says, but what about all the supposed "evidence" for human evolution? Continue reading on our website to see what the facts of the fossil record really tell us. I Am Not Ashamed! I am not ashamed began with a simple conversation and prayerful consideration of what message America needs to hear most right now. We knew we wanted a message that would focus on the Word of God. A powerful message that would resonate in the hearts of believers and challenge people everywhere to think about God. We also wanted a message that would offer a clear call to Christians around the world to stand unashamedly and uncompromisingly on the Bible. Now, after months of prayerful preparation, we are about to launch a new website designed to bring people together for one cause—the authority of God's Word. Coming soon—iamnotashamed.org. News to Note Quick Look Small dogs' genesis: You may not have been asking, but some scientists think they have the answer to where small dogs "evolved." Read more. The planet-eater: Pity poor planet WASP-12b: its host star not only heats it to more than 4,700°F (2600 C), but also is in the process of eating it. Read more. Also: Smarter than you'd think Dino dining And Don't Miss . . . Prayer Requests View the current prayer requests to keep track of and pray for current ministry needs. Thank you! Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program Creationism—what's it really all about? Biblical authority—that's the issue. The age of the earth—what do caves tell us? Evolution in our schools—what's the impact? Destroy the family . . . destroy a nation? After Eden Network with Us! Answers in Genesis Answers in Genesis Creation Museum Creation Museum Answers Outreach Answers Outreach Answers Magazine   Answers VBS   Note: Facebook and Twitter are both social networking sites with user-contributed content. Children should not visit the sites without parental supervision.  Free app for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad	This Week . . . Feedback: Which Is Worse? (Feb 26) Chapter 3: Did Humans Really Evolve from Apelike Creatures? (Feb 25) God Created Plant Pollinator Partners (Feb 24) Is Original Sin (Sin Nature) Passed through the Father's Genetic Line? (Feb 23) Pick a Speaker—Any Speaker (Feb 22) Fighting for Truth (Feb 21) Video On Demand Answers Academy: A New Reformation (Part 2B) Watch Video Resources Answers Magazine Subscription: United States State of the Nation 2 with Ken Ham The Egypt File: Student Guides The Egypt File VBS: Super Starter Kit More current bestsellers Ken's Blog Deadly Disclosures: Fiction with a Difference Answers in Genesis . . . "Helping Our Children" Australian Christian Media Site Reports on "State of the Nation" Answers in Genesis Opinion Piece on Popular OneNewsNow Website Homeschoolers Coming by the Thousands Previous entries Museum News Taking Care of the Mastodon Pictures in the Gardens Faithful volunteering Previous entries Upcoming Events Tennessee—Near Nashville Sunday Speaking, February 28-February 28 Georgia Sunday School Leadership Conference, March 10-March 11 California Answers in Genesis Conference, March 14-March 15 California Special Speaking Engagement, March 17-March 17 Michigan Answers in Genesis Conference, April 11-April 12 More events Job Opportunities Constituent Data Administrator Customer Service Manager Director of Property Maintenance Food Service Support Staff Housekeeping Staff Museum Artist Senior Database Administrator
This message originated with: Answers in Genesis 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road Petersburg, KY 41080 © Copyright 2010 Answers in Genesis | All rights reserved.

 

In God's Image or Man's?

Psalm 135:5 "For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods." Some things and some people defy description--you cannot describe them apart from means of contrast. You can't compare them to anything or anyone because they have no equal. For instance, if you have never been to Grand Canyon, and I tried to describe it to you, I could not compare it to anything! I could give you a contrast (Palo Duro Canyon in Texas), but the truth is, you could probably fit several Palo Duros into the Grand Canyon! I could describe Grand Canyon to you but only by way of contrast. So with whom can you compare God? He has no equal or peer. You can contrast God, but there is no way to compare God. Any comparison you make ends up becoming a contrast! That is why verse five says, "For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods." What does great mean? He is "above all gods"--that is contrast. God made man in His image; man makes idols in his. Why are idols promiscuous, immoral, and gluttonous? Because man is idolizing what he likes. But God is holy and righteous--that is contrast. God is powerful; we are weak. God is wise; we are helpless. God does whatever He wants wherever He wants (verse 6), but He always does what is right, just, and holy. In contrast, idols do what man wants! With an idol, man is the one "pulling the strings." Any god that man can make is not worthy of the name "god." How can a man make a god? "They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths." (verses 15-17) The greatest commentary comes in verses 18: "They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them." Any person who makes an idol is just like the idol he makes. That is true both in desires and in powerlessness. This all boils down to one question: How are you going to create this day, in God's image or in yours? Will you be concerned with what God wants or what you want? Will you live in light of God's power or your powerlessness? God defies any comparison because He is "great and . . . above all gods." Who will have first place in your life today? Prayer Requests: 1. Revival service tonight in Bradenton, FL 2. West Branch Families on the Move Conference in Phoenix, AZ today and tomorrow 3. 8-day Sign Language School in Romeoville, IL (through 2/28) 4. Ranch evangelists traveling to services this weekend in National City, CA; Lakeland, FL; Margate, FL; and Phoenix, AZ Missed a First Light? Browse the archives here: firstlight-blog

Bill Rice Ranch 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road Murfreesboro TN 37128

Truth and Love

Truth and Love February 26, 2010 "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." (Ephesians 4:15) There are many Christians who are sticklers for what they consider sound doctrine, but who are abrasive and unloving in their attitude toward those who hold other doctrines. There are far more Christians, on the other hand, who talk much about Christian love, but who consider doctrinal integrity of secondary--or even negative--significance. Both groups of professing Christians, however, are only babes in Christ, at best. As our text makes clear, the mature Christian (one who has "grown up into Christ in all things") speaks the truth in love. That is, he is not a babe, "tossed to and fro . . . with every wind of doctrine" (v. 14), but he understands, believes, and teaches the truth of God as revealed in His Word. At the same time, he does so in love, making "increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (v. 16). One cannot really do the truth or teach the truth without manifesting true love, nor can one manifest true love except in a context of genuine truth. "The fruit of the Spirit is love" (Galatians 5:22), but that Spirit who produces such fruit is "the Spirit of truth" (John 15:26). Truth and love are not in conflict with one another, as many Christians seem to think (or at least practice), for they represent two different--not competing--categories. "Truth" is not even included in the nine-fold "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), because truth is, itself, the tree on which the fruit must grow. It is especially important not to be led away from sound biblical truth by popular preachers and teachers who downgrade doctrine in favor of what they may call "love." "My little children," says the apostle John, "let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18). HMM Print this article More Days of Praise articles Institute for Creation Research 1806 Royal Lane Dallas TX 75229

GOD PUT THOSE HOLY HUNGERS IN YOUR HEART. RESPOND

 

       "For it is God who works in you BOTH to will (to desire) and to do of His good pleasure" Phil 1:6. Hundreds of times (literally) God  has put in my heart and YOURS TOO, a holy hunger, divine desires, Spiritual purposes. The question is , what do you do about them?

       No. 2  Every desire or deed for anything good or Godly, GOD PUT IT THERE. Don't ever forget that. That is an awesome thought and fact. The truth is, "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked". Jeremiah 17:9. Both YOURS and MINE.

When you genuinely begin to realize GOD put every spiritual desire you ever have in you and believe that it will transform your life and fill you with "love, joy and peace" you will really begin to live. Want that? Of course you do. "Thou shall meditate therein day and night...and do it...then shall thou prosper (spiritually) and have good success" Josh 1:8.

Begin to recognize them, realize it is from GOD Himself, respond to Him. Obey God.

       Wake up dear Christian and fill you life with responding to the holy hunger and divine desires from God. Danger, watching dumb junk on TV and movies, reading trash in so many books and magazines will certainly pollute your mind and life. Respond to God and not the flesh.  MAKE SENSE?

 

Give a "Ticket to Heaven" to every person. A lady was gloriously saved just reading the tract and told me all about it. Order online or call 1-877-872-2871 to order my tract "Your Ticket to Heaven." Ask for Sales and tell them Sumner Wemp sent you. They will bill you - I get no proceeds from the sale. Mark 16:15. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

BINDINGS, HEDGES, & RUTS

Psalm 37:34

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. WAIT ON THE LORD [v. 34a]

hwq qavah, kaw-vaw'; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect:--gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).

“So to be bound to God’s will” -His will intertwined in our lives

Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
Jeremiah 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

II. KEEP HIS WAY [v. 34b]

rmX shamar, shaw-mar'; a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).

Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Genesis 30:31 And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.:
Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
Exodus 12:17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
Proverbs 19:8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
Proverbs 19:16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles


III. KEEP HIS WAY [v. 34b, 5, 7, 14 conversation, 23]

$rd derek, deh'-rek; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever).

Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Genesis 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

God Made Today

 

Psalm 118:24  "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."     The founder of the Ranch, Bill Rice, would often start his day with this psalm. Notice that this day is the day that God has made. Aren't you glad the Bible doesn't say, "Yesterday was the day"? This verse is eternally set in the present tense! "This is the day which the LORD hath made. . . ."     Do you prefer weather that is over 80 degrees, or do you prefer temperatures under 50 degrees? (I've been told there are such people!) Maybe you prefer "perfect weather"--how do you define that? In an average crowd, how many people would you please if you were the one determining the weather today? "Perfect" to you may mean 73 degrees and sunny, but I would be bored with that kind of weather after a week! I can enjoy warm weather and short sleeves; but I love jackets, sweaters, and layers of clothes. I like cold weather (occasionally). If I were making the weather today, I might only make 30% of the readership happy!     But the Bible reaffirms that "this is the day which the LORD hath made." There is a certain amount of confidence, contentment, and peace of mind that comes with knowing that whatever the day is, God is the One who made it. No weather forecaster made today--God made this day.     Years ago, John Rice was praying for rain one morning because his little farm on the outskirts of Murfreesboro needed rain. He later found out that across town, a little boy was praying that the weather would be dry so he could attend the fair. So on one side of town, John Rice was praying for rain; and on the other side of town, some little boy was praying for a sunny day! Whose prayer do you think God answered? Well, it was a perfectly sunny day for the fair, and that evening it rained. Mrs. Lloys Rice was even amused that the boy got his prayer answered first!     This is the day that God has made--what should we do about it? "We will rejoice and be glad in it." There is confidence, contentment, and peace in knowing that I am not in charge of the weather (or anything else about today). The weather is in God's hands--"This is the day which the LORD hath made." Whether the weather is sunny or rainy is up to God in heaven!     What will you make with the day that God has made? God made this day, by design and on purpose. What you do with today is up to you. You can have comfort and contentment today because God is the One who made it. What will you do make of the day that God has made?     Prayer Requests: 1. Revival service tonight in Bradenton, FL 2. West Branch Families on the Move Conference in Phoenix, AZ this weekend (2/26-2/27)   Missed a First Light?  Browse the archives here: firstlight-blog

Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

FINALLY…

I PETER 3:8-18


Pastor Rick Jackson


I. THE MINDSET OF THE CHRISTIAN [v. 8-11]


1. The Mind of Christ [v. 8, Phil. 2:5]


2. The Manner of Christ [v. 9, 2:21-23]


3. The Method of Christ [v. 10-11]


II. THE MASTER OF THE CHRISTIAN [v. 12-14]


1. He Gives us His Ear [v. 12]


2. He Gives us His Example [v. 13]


3. He Gives us His Blessing [v. 14]


III. THE MANIFESTATION OF THE CHRISTIAN [v. 15-18]


1. Christian Answers [v. 15]


2. Christian Behavior [v. 16]


3. Christian Character [v. 17-18]

KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON

HEBREWS 12:1-2

Pastor Rick Jackson

Bad things happen. They happen to us. They happen around us. They happen because of us. They happen in spite of us. Bad things happen. When things happen that we don’t necessarily enjoy we need to remember 4 things that will help us to KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON!


I. KEEP YOUR ACT TOGETHER [12:1a]


1. We are being observed by the Saints above [12:1]

2. We are being observed by the Angels [I Cor. 11:4-10]

3. We are being observed by the Saints & Sinners around us [Matthew 5:16]

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

II. KEEP YOUR HEART RIGHT [12:1b]


This is the basis of:

1. The Question of Jehu [2 Kings 10:15-16]

And when he [Jehu] was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.

2. The Prayer of David [Psalm 51:1-12]

3. The Teaching of John [1 John 1:9]

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

C. T. Studd said, “Keep short accounts with God.”

III. KEEP YOUR FEET MOVING [12:1c]


1. Keep active in the Lord’s Work! [Doing whatever you can for the Lord, wherever and whenever]
2. If you fall get back up and get back to it!

“The usefulness of a postage stamp is shown by it’s sticking to one thing ‘til it gets done!” -JRF

“I could throw Andrew 8 times out of 10- but he never stayed throwed!” -Andrew Jackson’s boyhood chum

3. Think More not Less!

“Small ambitions are the enemy of great achievements” - J. R. Faulkner


IV. KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED [12:2]


1. The Example of Isaiah [Isaiah 6:1]

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

2. The Example Of Paul [Philippians 3:13-21]

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why are we punished for Adam's sin?

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answersingenesis.org | newsletter archives | contact us February 20, 2010 a weekly look at answersingenesis.org
In this issue . . . Q&A: Why are we punished for Adam's sin? Video On Demand: Answers Academy: A New Reformation Part 2A Answers in Genesis on your iPhone Stay updated on Answers Outreach at the Olympics News to Note Quick Look Ken's Blog Museum News Answers ... with Ken Ham After Eden Network with Us! Job Opportunities at Answers in Genesis Q: Why are we punished for Adam's sin? A: When Adam sinned, his punishment was death (Genesis 2:17). Because of Adam's sin, death came upon all men. Some have said that it is harsh for God to punish all of Adam's descendants for something Adam did. But is it? The answer is simple—we are without excuse since we sin too (Romans 3:23; 5:12), and we all deserve death before a perfect Holy God. To assume Adam's descendants are innocent is a false assumption. Due to the sin nature received from Adam, death is coming for all since all have sinned (Romans 3:23). Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. It is illogical to think that two imperfect people could produce perfect offspring. Since Adam and Eve had both sinned and been cursed then it would be impossible for their children to be perfectly free from sin. So the real question is: why would God permit sin nature to pass along to Adam's descendants? Continue reading about why we all stand condemned before a holy God, and the wonderful good news that gives us hope in a fallen world. Answers in Genesis on your iPhone If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch (or the upcoming iPad), make a trip over the iTunes Store to download the free Answers in Genesis app. Besides being clean and attractive, this intuitive app lets you check out the latest news stories, review blog posts from our speakers, read about the newest products in our online store, see what's going on at the Creation Museum, and keep up with After Eden. Stay updated on Answers Outreach at the Olympics As the world gathers in Vancouver, Canada, for the Winter Olympics, a team of volunteers from Answers in Genesis is once again conducting an outreach at the Olympic Games. Starting February 20, they will be evangelizing among the crowds and passing out over 200,000 booklets about the good news of Jesus. Please pray that the Lord would use this effort to reach many souls for His glory! Answers Outreach is now on Twitter and Facebook, so you can stay updated with the latest information on the 2010 Olympic Outreach and other current events.  Follow Answers Outreach on Twitter  Add Answers Outreach on Facebook News to Note Quick Look Fallen man: Evolutionists often point to apparent flaws in human design to ridicule the notion of "intelligent design." Now, the author of a new book on "design flaws" in humans offers his perspective. Read more. An "organic" meteorite: A meteorite said to be billions of years old contains molecules that include carbon atoms. Is it therefore proof that life on earth could have been seeded from space? Read more. Also: Plants, our evolutionary relatives? Elephant IQ Resisting evolution And Don't Miss . . . Prayer Requests View the current prayer requests to keep track of and pray for current ministry needs. Thank you! Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program Ireland's white chimps—what were they? "Living fossils"—evidence for evolution or creation? Army ants . . . not marching to evolution! Mt. Everest—when did it form? Water Babies, evolution, and a clergyman! After Eden Network with Us! Answers in Genesis Answers in Genesis Creation Museum Creation Museum Answers Outreach Answers Outreach Answers Magazine   Answers VBS   Note: Facebook and Twitter are both social networking sites with user-contributed content. Children should not visit the sites without parental supervision.  Free app for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad	This Week . . . Feedback: False Advertising? (Feb 19) Chapter 2: Are Mutations Part of the "Engine" of Evolution? (Feb 18) Numerical Simulation of Precipitation in Yosemite National Park with a Warm Ocean: A Pineapple Express Case Study (Feb 17) Why Do We Get Punished for What Adam Did? (Feb 16) The Real State of the Nation (Feb 15) William Tyndale and the English Bible (Feb 14) Video On Demand Answers Academy: A New Reformation (Part 2A) Watch Video Resources Answers Magazine Subscription: United States State of the Nation 2 with Ken Ham Geology: A Biblical Viewpoint on the Age of the Earth (5-DVD boxed set) Ultimate Apologetics Boxed Set (4 DVDs) More current bestsellers Ken's Blog Nazarene Professor Responds—Woefully Global Warming in Kentucky? State of the Nation Now Online State of the Nation Address Tonight Answers in Genesis Awards Symbolic "Gold Medal" to Canadian Creation Ministry Previous entries Museum News Faithful volunteering The 7 C's of History A Look Behind the Scenes Previous entries Upcoming Events CANADA International Ministry, February 21–February 22 Tennessee—Near Nashville Sunday Speaking, February 28–February 28 Georgia Sunday School Leadership Conference, March 10–March 11 California Answers in Genesis Conference, March 14–March 15 California Special Speaking Engagement, March 17–March 17 More events Job Opportunities Constituent Data Administrator Customer Service Manager Director of Property Maintenance Food Service Support Staff Housekeeping Staff Museum Artist Senior Database Administrator
THE MATERIALS IN THIS BLOG TODAY WERE PROVIDED BY: Answers in Genesis 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road Petersburg, KY 41080 © Copyright 2010 Answers in Genesis | All rights reserved.

 

HIGHER WAYS

 

Psalm 113:4-5  "The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high," Higher Ways Have you ever been "put in your place"? Maybe a parent or a spouse has put you in your place-that can be a little uncomfortable and humbling! Psalm 113 puts us in our place, but that is not a bad thing. It is always important to remember our place; and the only way to remember our place is to remember God's place. The only way to see God is to ascend--to look up. God is high; He is above; and He is to be praised (verses 1-5). First, you must ascend to His thinking. In Isaiah 55:9, God tells us, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." To rely on another person's thinking is a horizontal dependence; that is, he or she is a human being just like you, made of the same stuff. However, if God is to be seen, you must ascend (look up) to His way of thinking--that is a vertical dependence. I thank God for parents and grandparents who taught me ways that were not their own; they taught me "higher ways"--God's ways.   Secondly, you must ascend to His way of living. I cannot love my wife as I should; but God can, and He can empower me to do what I ought. I cannot raise my kids the way I should; but God knows how--He created the home and gave us a blueprint! God's way of living is much higher than my own way or anyone else's way. Who can you name that is on God's level? Nobody! The only way for us to see God is to ascend; but the only way for God to see us is to condescend (verse 6)! Often at Christmas, we mention that the Lord Jesus humbled Himself to be born in a stable. Do you realize that Jesus Christ condescended to be born at all, regardless of the place? Even the most magnificent palace made by human hands would not have impressed the God of the universe! The only response worthy of our great God is found at the end of this psalm: "Praise ye the LORD."  Psalm 113 puts us in our place, and that is a good thing! His perspective, His thinking, and His way of living are so much higher than our own! No one is on God's level, but any child of God can have what he lacks (and what God possesses) if he will realize his own place and God's place.     Prayer Requests: 1. Service tonight in Nokomis, FL 2. Florida Regional Youth Conference in Land O' Lakes, FL tomorrow 3. Ranch evangelists traveling to services this weekend in North Port, FL; Cape Coral, FL; Bradenton, FL; Harned, KY; Westchester, IL; Romeoville, IL; Buckeye, AZ; and Peoria, AZ   Missed a First Light?  Browse the archives here: firstlight-blog

Materials in this blog provided by   Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

Why the Righteous Suffer

Why the Righteous Suffer     February 18, 2010     "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6)     God had said that Job was "a perfect and an upright man" and that there was "none like him in the earth" (Job 1:8). Yet Job suffered as few men have ever suffered. After a fruitful life of great prosperity and highest esteem in the community, he suddenly lost all his possessions, all his children, his health, the love of his wife, and the respect of his closest friends. His friends, presuming to defend God's character, insisted Job must have been guilty of some terrible secret sin. But Job, in all good conscience, while still trusting God, felt he had to defend his own integrity against these false charges.     Nevertheless, despite Job's spotless record of moral righteousness, when he encountered God Himself, he could only despise his own proud self-righteousness and prostrate himself in dust and ashes. Similarly, the beloved disciple, John, after a long life of faithful service, fell like a dead man at the feet of Christ when he saw Him in His glory (Revelation 1:17). Daniel also saw Him in this fashion, and even after his long, exemplary life, all of his apparent goodness and work suddenly appeared like corruption (Daniel 10:5-9).     In the presence of God, even the most holy among men appear vile, and the sins of pride and self-righteousness and self-sufficiency--which almost inevitably are still present in their hearts--must somehow be purged before they are fully like Jesus.     This is why Job and Daniel and Paul and all other godly men and women must suffer in some degree as training for heavenly service. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Philippians 1:29). HMM     Print this article | More Days of Praise articles       Institute for Creation Research | 1806 Royal Lane | Dallas | TX | 75229

Waiting for Jesus

Over 20 years ago we were driving from Tennessee to Florida for Christmas pulling a small trailer behind our vehicle. We stopped for gas and while I was pumping the gas I put our toddler in the empty trailer so she could stretch her legs. The gas station attendant came out and as we talked he asked Rachel, "Well honey, are you waiting for Santa Claus?" Without missing a beat she said, "No sir!"
"You're not?" came the startled reply.
"No sir," she said cheerfully, "I'm waiting for Jesus!"
The man with a thoughtful look on his face said, "You're right honey. We all ought to be waiting for Jesus!"

And that brings us to today's blog provided by ICR [www.icr.org] which reminded me of that event in the first place. - Rick

Waiting for Jesus "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2) It is fascinating to note all the occurrences of the word "salvation" in the Old Testament. Most are translations of the Hebrew yeshua, which corresponds to the name "Jesus" in English. For example, the verse above could just as well read "behold, God is my Jesus; . . . the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and song; he also is become my Jesus." Hebrew parents usually gave their children names which had significance. Thus, when Gabriel instructed Joseph to name Mary's son "Jesus," they would recognize immediately that they were, in effect, to name Him "Salvation," because "he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). We can easily imagine that Mary and Joseph spent many hours together pouring over their Bibles and reading again all the great prophecies of the coming Savior—especially those in which His very name, yeshua, had been anticipated. The first of these was in the dying words of their ancestor, Jacob, after whom Joseph's own father had been named (Matthew 1:16). In almost his last words, the dying patriarch had exclaimed: "I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord" (Genesis 49:18). We can at least wonder whether they wondered if Jacob, in his prophetic vision, had actually seen Jesus, and cried out, enraptured, "I have waited for thy Jesus, O Lord!" Then, in Habakkuk 3:13, they could even have found both His name and His title ("anointed" = Messiah = Christ). Thus: "Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed i.e., Jesus thy Christ; thou woundest the he ad out of the house of the wicked" (i.e., Satan—note Genesis 3:15). In any case, we can be sure that Joseph and Mary "marvelled at those things which were spoken of him" (Luke 2:33). HMM Print this article More Days of Praise articles Institute for Creation Research 1806 Royal Lane Dallas TX 75229

THE GREATEST VALENTINE’S DAY MESSAGE YOU WILL EVER GET [Pt. 2]

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

I PETER 3:18

Pastor Rick Jackson

The message of the whole Bible is basically Who He is and what He did! He, Jesus, the Just, suffered for the sins of us, sinners- the unjust. But what did he suffer?

We know he suffered immeasurable physical pain via the beatings, the beard plucking, the crucifixion…

But also in Gethsemane He suffered mental anguish as the Devil tried to kill Him with sorrow but He prayed and lived to go to the cross. Oh- you thought He prayed to get out of the cross? Better think again. Compare Luke 22:41-45 with Hebrews 5:7 Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

But we suffer physically and, though not like Him entirely, others were crucified. We suffer mentally though not like Him entirely. So what suffering did He suffer for us so that if we receive Him we will NOT suffer? He suffered our Hell.

We know He bore our sins. Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

We know [Romans 6:23] … the wages of sin is death; …

We know this is a spiritual death as described in Revelation 20:13-14 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

So the question is, “How did He take our Hell?” While we cannot fully comprehend it we know He did. We have to ask ourselves. What is Hell?

1. HELL IS THIRST!

Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;
John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

2. HELL IS SEPARATION FROM GOD!
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

3. HELL IS DARKNESS!

Matthew 8:11-12 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

4. HELL IS PHYSICAL TORMENT!

Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Psalm 22:14-16 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

5. HELL IS SHAME & CONTEMPT!

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

6. HELL IS FOR SINNERS!

1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be? not deceived: neither: fornicators, nor, idolaters, nor, adulterers, nor, effeminate, nor, abusers of themselves with mankind, ,
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

7. HELL IS ETERNAL!

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Hell is forever. It continues as long as Heaven does. The same words are used to describe the length of both. So how did Jesus in the 3 hours of darkness on the cross suffer an eternal Hell? We are finite beings, God is infinite. We had a beginning- God did not. As finite beings if we pay for our sins in Hell we must stay there forever and ever. The only way a finite being can pay for sin against an infinite Holy God is to pay an eternal debt in Hell.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was God incarnate, God in the flesh, an infinite being since He is God- the same yesterday, today, and forever. While a finite being can only pay an eternal debt in an infinite span an infinite being can pay an eternal debt in a finite span. Hence Christ can pay the eternal debt of all lost sinners by suffering the agonies of Hell for 3 hours.

A finite being cannot even pay his own debt. An holy, innocent, infinite being can pay many others debts- He owes none Himself! The Just for the unjust.

He died on the cross but He didn’t stay dead. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:… by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

The Offense of the Cross

The Offense of the Cross   February 15, 2010     "And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased." (Galatians 5:11)     The cross is profoundly offensive to the natural man, for it brands him as a hell-deserving sinner. It makes his only hope of salvation a humbling acknowledgment of Christ, the rejected Creator, as his personal Savior who died for his sins.     It is especially sad when Christians seek to escape this offense of the cross by accommodating their preaching of the cross to the opinions of those who reject it. In the case of the Galatians, legalistic Christians were insisting that Christian converts from paganism be circumcised in order to avoid offending the Jews. When Paul, instead, preached salvation by grace alone, he was persecuted for it.     This particular compromise has long been forgotten, but a multitude of others have arisen during the ensuing centuries to take its place. Whenever some new philosophy or practice becomes popular in the world, a Christian party will soon be found advocating its adoption in the church, ostensibly to promote easier acceptance of the gospel, but in reality seeking to mitigate the offense of the cross.     Whenever the pagan world follows after a new dress trend or a new music form, a new philosophy or a new lifestyle, many Christians are sure to follow. Witness the widespread compromise with pantheistic evolution and its so-called geologic "ages" by Christian accommodationists, for example. Or, consider the current acceptance of Eastern or Freudian thinking by biblical counselors, or the common sanction of divorce for trivial reasons.     Instead of fleeing from the offense of the cross, we need to say with Paul, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14). HMM     Print this article | More Days of Praise articles     Institute for Creation Research | 1806 Royal Lane | Dallas | TX | 75229

THE GREATEST VALENTINE’S DAY MESSAGE YOU WILL EVER GET

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

I PETER 3:18

Pastor Rick Jackson

Suffering is a common enough experience. We all suffer to some degree. If I were to ask you if you have ever suffered everybody here could give testimony to the fact that they have suffered.

You can suffer many different ways- physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and so on. Suffering is common. You might suffer a lot, you might suffer a little, but suffering is something we all do.

Job, who suffered as few have said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1

Paul not only suffered physically but also materially. He said in Philippians 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”

But One has suffered so that we would not have to suffer. He suffered something greater than the sufferings we have mentioned and we will see that this is THE MESSAGE OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

Jesus Christ the Just suffered for us poor sinners- the unjust. That is, He suffered in our place, instead of us. That’s the substitutionary atonement of Christ.

1. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE PENTATEUCH [Genesis-Deuteronomy]

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The woman’s seed is Christ- all others are of man’s seed. The Just for the unjust.

In Ex. 12 we see the story of the Passover lamb. How the lamb suffered so that those that applied its blood in faith escaped the plague that killed all the firstborn in Egypt. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:7 For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:

We could go on in the Pentateuch but you get the idea. The Just for the unjust.

2. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE HISTORICAL BOOKS [Joshua-Esther]

In Joshua Jesus is the Captain of our Salvation. In Ruth we find Christ as the Kinsman Redeemer paying the debt He did not owe. As the song says, “I owed a debt I could not pay, He paid a debt He did not owe.” The Just for the unjust.

3. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE POETICAL BOOKS [Psalms-Song of Solomon]

Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

4. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETICAL BOOKS [Isaiah-Mal.]

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

5. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPELS [Matthew-Mark]

Luke 24:25-26 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

6. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

Acts 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

7. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE EPISTLES [Rom.-Jude]

(1) Pauline Epistles- 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

(2) Petrine Epistles-I PETER 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

(3) Johanine Epistles-1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

(4) General Epistles [James, Jude]

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

8. IT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE APOCALYPSE [Rev. 1:5-7]

QUOTES OF THE WEEK!

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. That is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

"Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow." - Jeff Valdez

"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." - Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

"We could have bought a small yacht with what we spent on our dog and all the things he destroyed. Then again, how many yachts wait by the door all day for your return?" - John Grogan