I have been reading through the book of Genesis and I noticed a few things that I've known in time past but really excited me again. It is in respect to Abraham, Isaac, the unknown servant and Rebekah.
In Genesis 22:1 we see Abraham who was willing to offer up his son Isaac as a living sacrifice. Abraham is a type of the Father who was willing to do the same with His own Son, Jesus Christ.
In Genesis 22:19 we notice that when coming back down the mountain from which Abraham fully intended to offer Isaac, that Isaac is not mentioned as coming back down with Abraham. I'm sure that he did, but the point is that Isaac is a perfect type of Christ in that once he was sacrificed and was taken up into heaven, He will not appear again until He meets His bride.
In Genesis 24:2 we notice that no name is given for the servant who went to get Isaac's bride. We can assume from Genesis 15:2 that it was Eliezer. However, the lack of a name completes the type of the Holy Spirit. Like the servant, the ministry of the Spirit today is to seek out a bride for Christ. Also, notice that the servant, like the Holy Spirit, does not speak of Himself (John 16:13-14).
Finally, in Genesis 24:64 we see the bride of Isaac, Rebekah. She is a type of the Church in that she was presented to Isaac as a virgin (2 Corinthians 22:2). I couldn't help but also notice that the Scripture says that when she saw Isaac that she "took a veil and covered herself." That is where we get the practice today in our modern wedding ceremonies of the bride covering her face before being presented to the bridegroom. Actually, the wedding ceremony is simply a type of the Church (the bride) being presented to her husband (Jesus - the Bridegroom). What a beautiful picture!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Spirit and Flesh
Today, let’s pick up our study in Galatians 6:8 which says, “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” If we sow to the flesh, we reap flesh. If we sow to the Spirit, we reap Spirit. In other words, what you put in comes out. If you put in spiritual things, spiritual things will come out. If you put in fleshly things, fleshly things will come out.
Notice v.9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” God desires for us to be faithful. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” It’s easy to be faithful when times are good; quite another when times are bad.
Notice v.10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” We need to take care of each other in the church first and in the Body of Christ second. This is not only physically, but spiritually by doing all that has been mentioned in this chapter.
Notice v.11, “Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.” This verse is proof of two things. First, Paul used a scribe to help pen his letters. Secondly, Paul apparently had some kind of infirmity with his eyes that made a scribe necessary. Paul’s desire to write this letter with his own hand is an indicator of the seriousness of the message.
Notice v.12, “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.” Back to the legalists that want to make themselves look good by putting the rest of us back under the Law.
Notice v.13, “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.” He is referring to those legalist who were prompting them be circumcised to keep the Jewish Law as a road to salvation. Again, Galatians 5:2-4 says that those who trust in the law to save them will perish.
Notice v.9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” God desires for us to be faithful. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” It’s easy to be faithful when times are good; quite another when times are bad.
Notice v.10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” We need to take care of each other in the church first and in the Body of Christ second. This is not only physically, but spiritually by doing all that has been mentioned in this chapter.
Notice v.11, “Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.” This verse is proof of two things. First, Paul used a scribe to help pen his letters. Secondly, Paul apparently had some kind of infirmity with his eyes that made a scribe necessary. Paul’s desire to write this letter with his own hand is an indicator of the seriousness of the message.
Notice v.12, “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.” Back to the legalists that want to make themselves look good by putting the rest of us back under the Law.
Notice v.13, “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.” He is referring to those legalist who were prompting them be circumcised to keep the Jewish Law as a road to salvation. Again, Galatians 5:2-4 says that those who trust in the law to save them will perish.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Word of Thanks
I just want to take a moment to thank the ministries and who have thus far partnered with us in our ministry in Lima, Peru. They include: Calvary Chapel, Dallas, TX; Calvary Christian Fellowship, Midland, TX, Calvary Baptist Church, Andrews, TX; Northshore Bible Chapel, Ingleside, TX; Borderland Calvary Chapel, San Benito, TX; Calvary Chapel, Mount Pleasant, TX and Donna Spearman, Houston, TX. Again, a sincere thank you for supporting our ministry. Please pray with us that the Lord will bring more. - Dwayne
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Support Update
We just returned from a couple of weeks in West Texas sharing our future ministry in Lima, Peru at the Calvary Chapel Bible College. It was a very good visit. Both Calvary Christian Fellowship in Midland and Calvary Baptist Church in Andrews have come along side of us with one-time offerings and monthly support. We really do appreciate both of those churches and their willingness to partner with us. A special word of thanks to Pastor Steve Westfall (Midland) and Pastor Bill Melton (Andrews) for letting me share with their congregations.
By way of financial update, in one-time offerings, we stand at 6000.00. At least 5000.00 of that will be used for flights and shipping to Peru. The other 1000.00 will go toward truck rental and gas to get out of our current rental home and to take our things to Andrews, Texas where a family has graciously agreed to store them. We are still in need of funds for housing, furnishings, and the boy’s home-schooling curriculum for the upcoming year.
We have already resigned our teaching positions and expect to be in Lima around the second week of August. This will allow us a little time to settle in and prepare for the incoming students and the start of the Fall Semester on the 24th. Please continue to pray about how you and/or your fellowship can be a part of this ministry.
In conclusion, I’ve heard from several who have expressed that they would like to help. All I ask is that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can move forward in the confidence that the Lord has provided for us. I’m sure that all of you know what it feels like to be “hanging out on the limb” like this. Also, I must admit that I’m a whole lot more comfortable teaching than fund raising.
By way of financial update, in one-time offerings, we stand at 6000.00. At least 5000.00 of that will be used for flights and shipping to Peru. The other 1000.00 will go toward truck rental and gas to get out of our current rental home and to take our things to Andrews, Texas where a family has graciously agreed to store them. We are still in need of funds for housing, furnishings, and the boy’s home-schooling curriculum for the upcoming year.
We have already resigned our teaching positions and expect to be in Lima around the second week of August. This will allow us a little time to settle in and prepare for the incoming students and the start of the Fall Semester on the 24th. Please continue to pray about how you and/or your fellowship can be a part of this ministry.
In conclusion, I’ve heard from several who have expressed that they would like to help. All I ask is that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can move forward in the confidence that the Lord has provided for us. I’m sure that all of you know what it feels like to be “hanging out on the limb” like this. Also, I must admit that I’m a whole lot more comfortable teaching than fund raising.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Passing the Blame
Today, we pick up our study in Galatians 6:5 which says,“For every man shall bear his own burden.” Ultimately, God holds us responsible and no one else for our burdens. Unfortunately, we live in a society today in which it’s everybody else’s fault. We, as a society, take no personal responsibility for anything anymore. Well, it’s nothing new. When God confronted Adam for his sin in the Garden of Eden after taking the “forbidden fruit”, Adam responded, “It was the woman that you gave me.” In other words, it’s either her fault or yours, but not mine.
Changing subjects here, v.6 says, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” In other words, the minister should be compensated. It’s amazing how we’ll pay the mechanic to fix our car, the doctor to fix our ills, the school teacher to educate our children, and not want to pay the preacher who ministers to us in the Word. 1 Timothy 5:18 says, “For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
I’ve known so many pastors who are virtually on the edge of starvation because their churches simply will not pay them a decent salary. How sad that is. I don’t think that a pastor should necessarily make more than the average member of the congregation, but nothing says that he should make less either. A man should be worth his salt. If he works hard and serves the congregation well, he should be rewarded accordingly. If he is a lazy sluggard that simply shows up on Sunday morning and delivers a half-hearted message to the people, he should also be rewarded accordingly. In the case of the former, honor and cherish that man of God for being faithful and count yourselves blessed. In the case of the latter, find yourselves a new pastor.
Notice v.7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” God’s laws will stand regardless of how one feels about them. Here we also see the law of spiritual investment. The way you invest is the way you’re going to reap. In other words, you get back what you put into it. Put much, get much – put little, get little. That’s life my friend.
Changing subjects here, v.6 says, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” In other words, the minister should be compensated. It’s amazing how we’ll pay the mechanic to fix our car, the doctor to fix our ills, the school teacher to educate our children, and not want to pay the preacher who ministers to us in the Word. 1 Timothy 5:18 says, “For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
I’ve known so many pastors who are virtually on the edge of starvation because their churches simply will not pay them a decent salary. How sad that is. I don’t think that a pastor should necessarily make more than the average member of the congregation, but nothing says that he should make less either. A man should be worth his salt. If he works hard and serves the congregation well, he should be rewarded accordingly. If he is a lazy sluggard that simply shows up on Sunday morning and delivers a half-hearted message to the people, he should also be rewarded accordingly. In the case of the former, honor and cherish that man of God for being faithful and count yourselves blessed. In the case of the latter, find yourselves a new pastor.
Notice v.7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” God’s laws will stand regardless of how one feels about them. Here we also see the law of spiritual investment. The way you invest is the way you’re going to reap. In other words, you get back what you put into it. Put much, get much – put little, get little. That’s life my friend.
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