I was working my way through the tiny book of Titus when I came upon this verse in Titus 1:9 which says, "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." I began meditating on the phase "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught" and it got me to thinking about change. Proverbs 24:21 says, "My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:" As a matter of fact, the Bible speaks profusely about change and how that it is not always good.
The Bible also warns us against being so quick to withdraw ourselves from our past. II Thessalonians 2:15 says, "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." Unfortunately, as I reflect upon my nineteen years of ministry, we are a people who insist upon change.
I believe that we are too quick to want change today. Don't get me wrong. I certainly do not advocate that we return to the dark ages. I do enjoy being able to write these thoughts on a computer, in a climate controlled environment under the warm glow of incandescent lighting! No, I'm not talking about that kind of change. I'm talking about change when it comes to the things of God and the house of God. Now maybe I'm getting a little older and I've already been there, bought the T-Shirt and back again, but I've learned and observed a few things over the years that concern me. As I reflect upon many of these changes, I simply do not see the fruit. The average church member today is lost. George Barna confirms that. Dr. R. Albert Mohler in his studies of Southern Baptist life confirms that. Where has change taken us? What have been the gains to church life and more importantly the Kingdom of God as a result? I say that we've lost something in our rush to change things.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Hearing the Voice of God, Part 1
The Bible says in John 8:26-29 "I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. (27) They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. (28) Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (29) And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."
What does it mean to hear the voice of God? If you have a personal relationship with the Lord, you have already heard His voice; it was that inner leading that brought you to Him in the first place. However, most of us, after that initial salvation experience, really struggle hearing His voice. I believe that hearing the voice of God is the basic right of every child of God. God doesn’t want us to simply go through life guessing what God wants from us. Eph 1:18 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” I want to share some things that I have learned over the years in “Hearing the Voice of God".
1. Don't Make Guidance Complicated
I’ve learned that it’s actually hard not to hear God if you really want to please and obey Him! John 15:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."”
If you are trying to obey God, He promises to show Himself to you. If you stay humble, He promises to always guide you. Proverbs 16:9 “A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.”
Here are three simple steps that have helped me to hear God’s voice: A. Submit, B. Resist, and C. Expect.
A. SUBMIT to His Lordship.
James 4:7a “Submit yourselves therefore to God." Submit means to “to yield to the action, control, and power of another.” What this means is that you and I must submit in seeking God’s guidance.
In other words, before we go into our prayer closets, we need to ask God help us to submit to His predetermined will in this particular situation. It’s also a good time to ask Him to help silence our own thoughts…desires…and the opinions of other people, which may be filling our mind. II Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Even though we have been given a good mind by God…at this point, we want to hear the thoughts of the Lord…and not our own. Proverbs 3:5-7a “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes:”
B. RESIST the enemy.
We must resist the enemy when seeking God’s guidance. Our enemy is clever and he wants nothing more than to deceive us. James 4:7-8a “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
Notice that the prerequisite for being able to “resist the Devil” is by submitting ourselves to God! That means in every area of our lives, not just the ones that are convenient, but the ones that are not. I.e. Money, resources, time, etc…
The word “resist” means to “withstand; oppose; fend off; or to stand firm against.”
C. EXPECT an answer.
After asking the question that is on our mind, we must wait for God to answer. He will! John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
I believe that many times God is answering our questions; it’s just that we’re not listening! Listening to the voice of God takes patience and practice.
Psalm 69:13 “But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.”
So, first, don’t make guidance complicated, but simply resist, submit and expect an answer.
What does it mean to hear the voice of God? If you have a personal relationship with the Lord, you have already heard His voice; it was that inner leading that brought you to Him in the first place. However, most of us, after that initial salvation experience, really struggle hearing His voice. I believe that hearing the voice of God is the basic right of every child of God. God doesn’t want us to simply go through life guessing what God wants from us. Eph 1:18 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” I want to share some things that I have learned over the years in “Hearing the Voice of God".
1. Don't Make Guidance Complicated
I’ve learned that it’s actually hard not to hear God if you really want to please and obey Him! John 15:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."”
If you are trying to obey God, He promises to show Himself to you. If you stay humble, He promises to always guide you. Proverbs 16:9 “A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.”
Here are three simple steps that have helped me to hear God’s voice: A. Submit, B. Resist, and C. Expect.
A. SUBMIT to His Lordship.
James 4:7a “Submit yourselves therefore to God." Submit means to “to yield to the action, control, and power of another.” What this means is that you and I must submit in seeking God’s guidance.
In other words, before we go into our prayer closets, we need to ask God help us to submit to His predetermined will in this particular situation. It’s also a good time to ask Him to help silence our own thoughts…desires…and the opinions of other people, which may be filling our mind. II Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Even though we have been given a good mind by God…at this point, we want to hear the thoughts of the Lord…and not our own. Proverbs 3:5-7a “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes:”
B. RESIST the enemy.
We must resist the enemy when seeking God’s guidance. Our enemy is clever and he wants nothing more than to deceive us. James 4:7-8a “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
Notice that the prerequisite for being able to “resist the Devil” is by submitting ourselves to God! That means in every area of our lives, not just the ones that are convenient, but the ones that are not. I.e. Money, resources, time, etc…
The word “resist” means to “withstand; oppose; fend off; or to stand firm against.”
C. EXPECT an answer.
After asking the question that is on our mind, we must wait for God to answer. He will! John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
I believe that many times God is answering our questions; it’s just that we’re not listening! Listening to the voice of God takes patience and practice.
Psalm 69:13 “But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.”
So, first, don’t make guidance complicated, but simply resist, submit and expect an answer.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Suffering vs. the Triumphant Christ
| A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:12) | A King clothed in majestic apparel (Ps. 93:1) |
| The wearied traveler (Jn. 4:6) | The untiring God (Isa. 40:28-29) |
| He had nowhere to lay his head (Lk. 9:58) | He will become heir of all things (Heb. 1:2) |
| He was rejected by Israel (Jn. 1:11) | He will be accepted by the nations (Isa. 9:6) |
| Wicked men threw stones at him (Jn. 8:59) | Wicked men will cry for stones to fall on them to hide from Him (Rev. 6:16) |
| Clothed with a scarlet robe in mockery (Lk. 23:11) | Clothed in a robe dipped in the blood of His enemies (Rev. 19:13) |
| Wicked soldiers bowed the knee and mocked (Mk. 15:19) | Every knee will bow (Phil. 2:10) |
| Wore a crown of thorns (Jn. 19:5) | Will wear a crown of gold (Rev. 14:14) |
| Feet pierced with nails (Jn. 20:25) | Feet will stand on the Mt. of Olives (Zech. 14:4) |
| Hands pierced with nails (Jn. 20:25) | His hand will carry a sharp sickle (Rev. 14:14) |
| Had no form or comeliness (Isa. 53:2) | He will be beautiful (Ps. 27:4) |
| He delivered up His Spirit (Jn. 19:30) | He is alive forevermore (Rev. 1:18 |
| He was laid in a tomb (Mt. 27:59-50) | He will sit on a throne (Heb. 8:1) |
Sunday, September 27, 2009
I was teaching the other day through the book of Matthew with the students and I made this comment, "If you want to see where someone's heart is, check their Day Planners and their Checkbooks." After I said that, one of the students added, "and their Facebooks!"
After class, I started looking at people's Facebooks and I must totally agree. For the first time, I started looking at what the postings where about and who they were about. Many of them where innocent enough and not very revealing, others very clearly indicated that the things of God where the most important to them. and yet others were quite obvious that the things of this world occupy their hearts and minds. I'm not saying this to condemn, but quite frankly I was saddened and sometimes a little shocked at what we as Christians are willing to reveal about ourselves to the entire world. To you, it may be just a picture. However, the old saying still holds true, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
Yes, I agree, if we want to see where someone's heart is, we need only check their Day Planner, Checkbook and their Facebook. All three added together will really give you a pretty good glimpse as to what is going on in their lives spiritually. It's the places were we spend our time, our money and our thoughts that ultimately determine where we are spiritually. I can't check anyone's Day Planner or Checkbook, but my own. However, I can check their Facebook. What does your Facebook say about you?
After class, I started looking at people's Facebooks and I must totally agree. For the first time, I started looking at what the postings where about and who they were about. Many of them where innocent enough and not very revealing, others very clearly indicated that the things of God where the most important to them. and yet others were quite obvious that the things of this world occupy their hearts and minds. I'm not saying this to condemn, but quite frankly I was saddened and sometimes a little shocked at what we as Christians are willing to reveal about ourselves to the entire world. To you, it may be just a picture. However, the old saying still holds true, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
Yes, I agree, if we want to see where someone's heart is, we need only check their Day Planner, Checkbook and their Facebook. All three added together will really give you a pretty good glimpse as to what is going on in their lives spiritually. It's the places were we spend our time, our money and our thoughts that ultimately determine where we are spiritually. I can't check anyone's Day Planner or Checkbook, but my own. However, I can check their Facebook. What does your Facebook say about you?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Evidence of Inspiration
I shared this with my Matthew class at the Bible College today. "Using the Masoretic text, which has not changed by as much as one character for more than 2000 years, we find the word TORAH spelled out at skip sequences at the start of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The Hebrew word TORAH means law, or teaching, and is the title rabbis use to describe the first five books of the Bible, the Law of Moses.
Finding this pattern does not mystify the Bible. It is simply there. It is a fact. It can be checked by counting the letters manually or, today, with computer programs. That the pattern is there is remarkable. It recurs too many times to be considered coincidental. It is an indication, a seal so to speak, of divine authorship.
The first word in Genesis 1:1 is BERESHEET, meaning “In the beginning.” The last letter of the Hebrew word is a tav. Hebrew is read from right to left. Tav is the first letter of the word TORAH. Count seven times seven letters, or 49 characters, and the 50th letter in the Hebrew text is vav – the second letter in the word TORAH. Keep going in this way, every 50th letter, and TORAH is spelled out. Also starting with the first occurrence of the letter tav in the book of Exodus, the word TORAH is spelled out in the same way.
Do the exercise in the fourth and fifth books of the Bible – Numbers and Deuteronomy – and we find the same phenomenon, except that the word TORAH is spelled backwards; pointing inwards, so to speak.
What about Leviticus, the middle book of these first five books of the Bible? In that book, dominated by the seven opening chapters detailing blood sacrifices for sin, we find the ancient name for God spelled out. Starting with the first letter yud, skipping seven letters and counting the eighth, we find the word YHWH, translated into English, by the way, as Yahweh or Jehovah.
It is impossible that this could have happened by chance. The only conclusion is that the Spirit of God directed the men who wrote the text."
Finding this pattern does not mystify the Bible. It is simply there. It is a fact. It can be checked by counting the letters manually or, today, with computer programs. That the pattern is there is remarkable. It recurs too many times to be considered coincidental. It is an indication, a seal so to speak, of divine authorship.
The first word in Genesis 1:1 is BERESHEET, meaning “In the beginning.” The last letter of the Hebrew word is a tav. Hebrew is read from right to left. Tav is the first letter of the word TORAH. Count seven times seven letters, or 49 characters, and the 50th letter in the Hebrew text is vav – the second letter in the word TORAH. Keep going in this way, every 50th letter, and TORAH is spelled out. Also starting with the first occurrence of the letter tav in the book of Exodus, the word TORAH is spelled out in the same way.
Do the exercise in the fourth and fifth books of the Bible – Numbers and Deuteronomy – and we find the same phenomenon, except that the word TORAH is spelled backwards; pointing inwards, so to speak.
What about Leviticus, the middle book of these first five books of the Bible? In that book, dominated by the seven opening chapters detailing blood sacrifices for sin, we find the ancient name for God spelled out. Starting with the first letter yud, skipping seven letters and counting the eighth, we find the word YHWH, translated into English, by the way, as Yahweh or Jehovah.
It is impossible that this could have happened by chance. The only conclusion is that the Spirit of God directed the men who wrote the text."
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