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What value do you put on eternal life?
A rich young ruler approached Jesus in Matthew 19:16-26 and wanted to add eternal life to all that he owned. Jesus instead offered him a straight across trade; all that the rich young ruler owned, plus his life and all of his devotion in exchange for eternal life. The rich young ruler went away empty handed for he was very rich and owned much property. I’m sure that fellow has had time to contemplate just how empty handed he was… or should I say,is.
It is sad to think how many evangelists today encourage people to ask Jesus INTO their lives. Jesus did not want into the rich young rulers life… Jesus wanted to BE his life!
Jesus also said:
Matthew 13:44-46
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Gods free gift will cost you everything! When you exchange all that you have for eternal life, you will find you have what is of a lasting value and what is truly valuable!
Jesus also warned us in Luke 14:26-35 to count the cost to make sure we have what it takes to finish.
Colossians 3:1-4
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
If the concept of Gods free gift costing you everything is challenging, you are overrating what you are giving up and undervaluing what He is offering!
Romans 12:1 says that all of yourself, your whole life, IS an acceptable sacrifice. All of you sacrificed IS basic worship. How can we hold back? What does your life consist of that you would walk away from eternal life? Don’t regret your choices like the rich young ruler.
“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” ~ Jesus
Psalm 16:11
You show me the pathways of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand is pleasure for ever more.
How Levitical Law Applies to us Today
A friend gave me insight into New Testament Scriptures. She said the New Testament is a commentary on the Old Testament. After thinking about it, I realized she made a lot of sense.
Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:15-17 said that all scripture is profitable for teaching, correction and training in righteousness. In verse 15, he said the scriptures were the writings Timothy knew from childhood, what we know as the Old Testament.
Peter, in 2 Peter 1:17-21 claimed the voice of God he heard on the mountain confirmed the prophetic OT scriptures about Jesus.
While Paul and Peter would have claimed the words they wrote were authoritative, and from the Spirit of God, I doubt they considered they were writing scripture to be held on par with the five books of Moses. None the less, Peter was correct, “men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God”. We acknowledge Peter and Paul’s writings as scripture, the Word of God. Considering what they wrote in the passages above, I would hazard a guess that they would be aghast to think anyone would consider their writings to be a replacement or a new improved version of the Old Testament.
Jesus didn’t JUST fulfill the Law, He established it in Matthew 5:1-7:29 The Sermon on the Mount (Romans 3:31). Not only did He establish it, He raised the bar and reiterated disciplines for life and holiness.
Are they the requirements to gain salivation? No! Absolutely not! They are the behaviors of those being saved by the Spirit of God. You can recognize those being saved by their behaviors and what motivates them.
I think this literal, contextual, understanding is necessary to understand then how Leviticus applies to today.
I am looking at the Bible, not with the idea it has an old, outdated testament and a new improved testament. I’m looking at the Word of God as a testament of uninterrupted contiguous thought… the thoughts of God of which Leviticus has a current, relevant part because it points to the truth of who and what we are supposed to be in Christ 1 Peter 1:23-25. Let me explain…
Offerings to God
Leviticus 1:1-7:38 is about offerings to God. The root of the Hebrew word offering is TO DRAW NEAR. Offerings bring us close to God.
Jesus is our sin offering that tears down the veil of separation between God and man and allows us access to God. Leviticus tells us we need a sin offering. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham long before Moses wrote Leviticus. A sacrifice must be made to atone for our sins.
1 Cor. 15:3, 21-22, For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
Other offerings draw us near to God, as well; our thank offerings, love offerings, and offerings that remind us of God’s provision. Our bodies and lives dedicated to God is our greatest personal offering… but everything we have is an offering too.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Luke 12:31-34 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33 “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The Priesthood of God
Lev. 8:1-10:20 Is about the consecration and separation to service of the priests. The priests were the only ones with true access to God. They were the go mediators between God and man and they maintained the holy dwelling place of God.
The apostle Peter and John both taught all who have had their sins forgiven by Jesus ARE now the Priests of God! 1 Peter 2:9-10, Rev. 1:6. Not only that, we are the temple of God! No longer does God dwell in man made houses, He dwells in us, Emmanuel (God with us). Eph. 2:19-22, 1 Cor. 6:19-20.
We the people of God are the temple and the priests of God. We are sanctified and separated and dedicated to Gods service. Gods priests are holy.
Leviticus demonstrates how the priests of God are sanctified and made holy and separate from the rest of man for service to God.
2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,†says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,â€
Says the Lord Almighty.
7:1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Laws for Holy Righteous living
Leviticus 11:1-27:34. The Laws of God for a Holy and Separate People..
The Laws of Leviticus were for all the people, priests and citizens alike. God separated His people Israel from all the people of the world and set His priests even more separate from His people. Today, all the people of God are the priests of God, doubly separate, to serve God. The laws are a call and command for a holy people. Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1-7:29) didn’t just reiterate the laws, He raised the bar of holiness and separated living. He spoke these words to the people who He was calling to the kingdom of God whom He was going to redeem.
Psalm 119:1-3, 9-11
How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
We the people of God are a holy people! 1 Peter 1:15-16, Eph. 1:4, 4:24, 1 Thess. 4:2-8, 1 John 3:2-3. We walk with God as a separate people, a holy people, who do not view God as asking too much.
Deut. 30:10-14 Obey the Lord your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. 11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.
Summation:
2 Corinthians 3:6 God who made also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
All the elements of Leviticus are present in the New Testament.
1 Peter 2:2-10 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.â€
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,
“The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the very corner stone,â€
8 and,
“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offenseâ€;
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Just as this passage says, the people of God long for the Word of God and they are being built into the House of God as the Priesthood of God, that we may bring sacrifices and offerings to God by the power of Jesus Christ.
If the power and Spirit of Christ is not in you, you will be unable to look like a temple of God or a priest of God, much less be holy or bring a decent offering.
Leviticus shows us the elements of what and who we are. Leviticus is not the Old Testament, it is part of THE Testament. Jesus didn’t do away with Leviticus, he threw the door open wider and included us.
If you are looking at yourself and you and others around you don’t see a Holy Temple of God or a Holy priest…. call on the Lord that you may yet be found.
Jeremiah 29:13-14. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you declares the Lord.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
God With Us
Dark was the night as the hearts of sinful men,
With light announced angels a Savior among them
The shepherds, they ran to the place that was told,
Anxious they were for the promised, to behold
The kings of the East brought their gifts from afar,
What gifts bring you, doth the Lord He desire?
God made into man he shared in our flesh,
A sinless life He lived sin conquered in death.
The wrath of God laid upon His dear Son
To save sinners from death for us it is done
A babe in a manger He was not for long,
Enthroned in Heaven made mighty and strong
A choice you have whom you will now serve,
Give all in your receiving for into life you will swerve
Remember not the babe because it is Christmas,
Rather, obey Jesus for He is God with us.
A Nation to be Proud of
National patriotism is never higher than during the World Cup soccer/football games. From Europe to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas, the team members carry our national honor with them. Many times the losers in a “football†match, in the World Cup finals, are often subjected to sanctions in their home countries because of being guilty of bringing national disgrace. Accusations and excuses abound. We expect a great deal from our professional sportsmen since they are representing… us.
With our sports, what else stirs the pride of our nationalism but the trappings of our government, the pomp and circumstance of an official visit from our leader? Those of us without a monarchy watched with wonder the wedding of Princess Diana to Prince Charles and expectantly wait, as well, for the royal pageantry of their son, Prince Williams, wedding. None were, or will be, more proud than the British.
Our military on display during national moments of remembrance or of celebration stirs our hearts with pride and even brings a tear to toughened, world wise, military eyes.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be from another country? Have you ever wondered how you could possibly ever be proud being from ________? Have you ever wondered why THEY could be proud being a ________? After all, compared to MY country, their country …….
I’ve talked to immigrants who love the country of their origin, their culture, history and traditions, but because of opportunity, escape from politics, or escape from their own past, etc., they have changed countries. To some degree, and for whatever the reason, none of them leave the country of their birth with their whole heart. They make sure those of the next generation learn import aspects of the culture and traditions of their genetics, “where they came from”.
In my reading through the Bible, those were some of the thoughts I was thinking as I read the book of Ruth.
A fellow, Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, with their two sons left the land of Israel (Bethlehem in Judah) to go to the land of Moab (Modern day central Jordan) because there was a famine in Israel. While in Moab, Elimelech died and his two sons married Moabite women. The two sons died leaving their Moabite wives widows, as well as Naomi, childless and alone. Even if Naomi’s daughters in law were Jewish, it would have been considered normal for them to go back to their fathers households but more so since they were of a different nationality and had few prospects if they stayed with Naomi. On her way back to Bethlehem, Naomi pointed out the fact of their few prospects to them and told her daughters-in-law to go back to their mothers’ house, ostensibly to be a help to their mother and hope for another husband. The women said no. They would go with Naomi. Naomi insisted they go, and live their lives to the fullest. Daughter-in-law Orpah kissed Naomi good-bye and then left, but Ruth clung to Naomi. This was their conversation:
And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. Then she said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. “Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her. Ruth 1:15-18
Ruth not only changed loyalties, she exchanged her identification of who she was so to identify with what Naomi identified with, anywhere Naomi would go. Naomi’s people would be her people, her cultural traditions exchanged. She would exchange the gods she grew up with for Naomi’s God. Ruth’s statement was to turn her back on everything she knew previously, what was comfortable, to follow whatever Naomi did. Ruth was true to her words. She gained respect and a reputation even as a foreigner among a clannish people:
“…all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellenceâ€.
It wasn’t that many years before that marriage to Moabite women brought a plague from God upon Israel where many of Israel died (Numbers 25). The problem was the women induced the Israelite men to worship their gods. Ruth abandoned her nationalism to follow Naomi and her God. What was noticed by everyone was Ruth’s character, “a woman of excellence.â€
Could we do that today? Could we repudiate everything that we’ve known and accept every new thing that comes with our new life… and call it good? Can we erase our cultural traditions, assumptions, education, religion, language, even our accents in the purge of the old in exchange for the new? Is it possible to completely erase our former identities?
The Apostle Paul wrote about this very thing in his letter to the Philippians. He said to them; if anyone can be proud about their heritage, I can! He listed his points of pride in his nationalism (Philippians 3:4-6). He really didn’t sound like he had been any different than a World Cup soccer/football fan in what made him proud to be a Hebrew.
Like Ruth, the Apostle Paul commented on what he thought of his previous nationalism and what he exchanged it for:
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:7-14
Paul said he now considered what he thought previously was important as rubbish. The translators of my Bible didn’t translate this word “rubbish†accurately since the actual word was a bit too vulgar for their tastes. Let’s just say “manure†would be closer to the truth. That was what Paul thought of his previous nationalism. He exchanged it for a new nationalism:
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21
Hebrews, chapter 11, talks about those who share the same viewpoint as Ruth and the Apostle Paul; by faith they obeyed God, leaving what they knew, what they could see, touch, and feel, in exchange for the unknown, obedience to God. Their faith was reckoned to them as righteousness because they believed God and then took action on what God told them. These, like Paul, turned their back on what they knew and looked forward to the promise.
All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16
Verse 15 says if they had their concentration on where they came from, they would have returned to what they knew, but instead they were looking for a better country… the Kingdom of God.
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Hebrews 13:14
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 2 Corinthians 5:1-4
The real question for each of us to answer; is it possible to be followers of Jesus Christ like Ruth followed Naomi or the Apostle Paul followed Jesus Christ and for us to NOT abandon what makes us proud here on earth? Is it possible for us to have a different attitude than what the Apostle Paul had? This is what Paul said:
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Chris ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:15-21
Maybe we can straddle the fence, get the best of both worlds. Isn’t that pragmatic? Jesus calls those who think that way lukewarm.
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:15-16
Here we are, back to those translation sensibilities. When Jesus said “, I will spit you out of My mouthâ€, literally it says I will vomit you. In other words, you make Me sick! You can’t live in, and identify with, hell for breakfast and dinner and somehow hope you’ll get heaven for dessert.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
By the way, Ruth the Moabitess? She married the guy who recognized she was a woman of excellence. His name was Boaz. Boaz and Ruth’s son was Obed, King David’s grandfather. This Moabite woman, who left everything she knew to become one of the people of God also became a part of the line of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5-16). Jesus was her great, great…. grandson.
What line are you a part of?
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Existential Christianity
Life is like the butterflies. You flit from flower to flower… then you die. The idea is to look as pretty as you can while you flit. (Source Mr. David Needham)
Life is a world covered by ocean. We each have a row boat. No matter how hard you row there is nowhere to go. The only way to feel relevant is to interact with people in other boats. You can chain together to spell each other in your rowing or to convince yourselves there is a point to your rowing even though there is nowhere to row to. You can splash people in other boats with your oars to make yourself feel relevant, but if you thought about it very hard you would realize there really is no point.
These two paragraphs describe the reality of modern existentialism. Life is defined by what you can see touch and smell, by our senses. Apart from the here and now, nothing is relevant. This philosophy was generated by men and women who wanted to give a reasonable pretext to do what they wanted, when they wanted, without moral guilt imposed by a supreme being.
“Existentialism is a philosophy concerned with finding self and the meaning of life through free will, choice, and personal responsibility. The belief is that people are searching to find out who and what they are throughout life as they make choices based on their experiences, beliefs, and outlook. And personal choices become unique without the necessity of an objective form of truth. An existentialist believes that a person should be forced to choose and be responsible without the help of laws, ethnic rules, or traditions.†(All About Philosophy)
“Existentialism attempts to describe our desire to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe. Unfortunately, life might be without inherent meaning (existential atheists) or it might be without a meaning we can understand (existential theists). Either way, the human desires for logic and immortality are futile. We are forced to define our own meanings, knowing they might be temporary. In this existence the individual defines everything.†(The Existential Primer)
What is sad is many who call themselves Christians live as existentialists. Their beliefs are based on what is practical and pragmatic for me… now. That is exactly the attitude Eve had in Eden, the garden of God;
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17
Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
Many of those who call themselves Christians pick and chose what they will believe from the Word of God rather than believing the Word of God. They form groups that affirm them in their “distinctives†whatever they might be. When these “Christians†encounter biblical passages that challenge their self centered willfulness, they pass them off as cultural to biblical times and not applicable to today.
This melding of modern (really its old) philosophy and the Christianity of the bible is syncretism. Syncretism is the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion. It really is a blending of oil and water.
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
We walk by faith, not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7
For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God ; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul pointed out if he was to evaluate his confidence in his place and relevance by the worlds standards from the world’s perspective, he could be far more confident than most. Instead he rejected his confidence in his worldly station;
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death ; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet ; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:7-14
Paul’s identification with Christ was complete;
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Philippians 3:20
All these (those who lived in obedience) died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God ; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
There is a saying that goes; “you can be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly valueâ€. This would be to say that Jesus and Paul were useless to God. That saying was from the lips of the devil. If you are earthly minded, you are of no value to heaven, it makes you an enemy of heaven and a friend of the devil.
We cannot have it all. Jesus did not come to make your life better; He came to bring life and it has not been realized yet.
God does not exist for us, we exist for Him. Our life is not about us, it’s about Him. (LINK)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9
You don’t add Jesus to your life… you die and grasp for the promise of His life. It’s all or nothing. No syncretism, its one or the other.
To crawl up on the altar and die is acceptable worship to God. Romans 12:1
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside : anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him. Colossians 3:1-10
The only way to prove you are not an existential christian is to live by the Word of God; To know God by the Word of God; To obey God by the Word of God; to absorb the Word of God. Anything else is a product of your own personal philosophy. Can that philosophy save you?
Some might say; how do I know the Word of God is accurate?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Romans 1:18-23
Quit flitting from flower to flower… and really live in the life of Jesus Christ.
Moshe runs from God
As the story goes Moshe, an Israeli Christian who loved God with all of his heart and was known in his community for his good works, his work in the Church, his love, and his testimony for Christ. He was beloved by all, saints and sinners, children and animals alike.
God’s call came to Moshe to go to the mission field while he was at a mission’s conference in Jerusalem. Moshe was quite sure he heard the Word of the Lord call him to missions but where God had called him to go, troubled him greatly.
He confided to his friends in his Church what God had put in his heart but he also shared with them his reservations about God’s call because God wanted Moshe to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ on the streets of Damascus, Syria!
His friends were aghast. They said; “Don’t you know the Syrians hate us Jews, and want to destroy us? They are butchers who kill all who do not worship as they do. On top of that, they hate Christians and won’t tolerate anyone giving a testimony of Jesus Christ in a corner much less a street, and besides, we hate the Syrians! Don’t you remember their treachery when they attacked us on a holy day and endeavored to destroy our nation?â€
Conflicted, Moshe didn’t know what to do. Several weeks went by and Moshe continued on in his life as if everything were normal. The Lord’s call came again to Moshe when a visiting evangelist came to Moshe’s Church. Frantic, Moshe shared with his friends what the Word of the Lord said since he did not know what to do.
One of Moshe’s friends Chaim, a successful business man, knowing Moshe’s whole story and about Moshe’s call to Damascus, offered his services to Moshe. He said; “Moshe, I have a private jet and a pilot. Please use them and get away! Go to my house in Italy. It has a private air strip and a sports car as well as servants who will care for all your needs. There also is a good Church nearby with Jewish believers near my house. You will be far more comfortable in my house in Italy than you will be here. You must get far away from Syria since we know what a Godless, difficult people they are. They will never listen to your message. At best they will imprison you. More likely, they will cut your head off with a dull knife! God does not want you to lose your life, He wants to give you life! Run! Flee! Go now!â€
Moshe boarded his friend Chaim’s private jet and flew out of Israel.
As he sat in the private jet gaining altitude heading away from his calling and his homeland, Moshe looked around at the splendor of the jet, reflecting on the opulence of Chaim’s home he would now be occupying with many servants to take care of him and he remarked to himself; “It is good to go to Italy. There I will be better off than I was in Israel. Many opportunities have opened up to me now. I can serve the Lord in foreign missions in Italy in a Church that has Jewish believers. Since my expenses are paid, I can devote all my time to the Lord. It is good that I go to Italy. Chaim, my friend is not named “life†for nothing!â€
As Moshe was thinking these lofty thoughts of serving the Lord in Italy and the beautiful accommodations he would have and the new life his friend had given him, the Word of the Lord came to him again at the same instant both engines in the jet caught fire and quit. “MOSHE, WHY HAVE YOU REBELLED AGAINST ME?â€
Moshe’s thoughts were all jumbled as everything was happening at once. As emergency buzzers sounded and the cabin lights went out, the pilot yelled over his shoulder for Moshe to fasten his seat belt and to make sure, if he could, to get into the life raft because they were going to crash into the Mediterranean Sea! Panicking, Moshe was trying to grab his suitcase and put his shoes on.
With no time to think or react, the beautiful private jet skipped across the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. The wings were ripped off and the plane, just behind Moshe, was torn in two as the plane shuddered to a halt. As the aircraft came to a rest in the Sea, Moshe was first aware of the cold water rushing into the airplane. Then reason returned to him; “I must get out before I’m drowned!†Unfastening his seat belt he tried to drag his suitcase with him and find his shoes but realized his life was in imminent danger because the plane was sinking rapidly. He must get out. Abandoning everything, Moshe swam through the gigantic hole that used to be the rear of the beautiful private jet.
As the aircraft sank swiftly, Moshe swam clear of the airplane toward the surface of the sea… to air. With his lungs hot and almost bursting, Moshe broke into the sunshine and gulped huge amounts of beautiful, glorious air thanking God he could still see sunshine, breathe air…. and live.
Taking stock of himself to make sure he was intact and then looking around, Moshe saw the pilot of the aircraft about 100 yds away in a life raft. Immediately he struck out and started swimming to the life raft. The pilot spotting Moshe began to row the raft toward Moshe. As hard as Moshe swam and as hard as the pilot rowed, the wind and the waves drove them further apart until he could no longer see the pilot or the raft. Moshe quit swimming and started to float. He was so exhausted.
Floating and treading water for six hours in the waves of the Mediterranean Sea brought Moshe’s energy reserves to an end and he could not float or swim any more. Slowly, quietly, in despair, Moshe slipped beneath the surface of the water into the depths of the Mediterranean Sea.
And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17
Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, “I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol ; You heard my voice. “For You had cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me. “So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ “Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me, Weeds were wrapped around my head. “I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, But You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. “While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, And my prayer came to You, Into Your holy temple. “Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness, But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD.” Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land. Jonah 2:1-10
What is the moral of this story I’ve written?
Chaim whose name means “lifeâ€, did not give life to Moshe in helping Moshe rebel against God. Chaim was a pragmatic humanist who thought what was best for the moment, according to what he could see, was more important than obedience to God.
If Chaim was a prominent figure in the story of Jonah as he was in Moshe’s story, what would God have done with Chaim, considering what happened to Jonah?
How often do we act just like of Jonah or Chaim and rebel against God? Can you rebel against God and truly live?
“THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:30-31
A Tale of Five Churches
Once upon a time, there was a small town. It could be anywhere in America, but I’m thinking of one place in particular. The population of this small town is around 350 or so, depending on the time of year. During the hunting season, the population rises slightly as the town’s two small motels filled up. The main street is paved but all the side streets are dirt. Like many small towns in America, the people are friendly and wave as you pass.
On any given Sunday, it would seem, the friendliness cools a little. You see, this small town has five poor churches:
A Catholic church, by far the most affluent in appearance, a Community Church, both of which are on main street and within sight of an off street where there are three more churches in a row, a Seventh Day Adventist, Presbyterian and a Church of God. Their theological differences are seemingly tall walls that surround their “churches†though the only visible barrier is a large pile of dirt on the sidewalk where the property line between the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Presbyterians meet. These buildings caught my attention as I stayed in one of the motels within sight of all the churches. Why did they seem out of place? What exactly caught my attention?
I pointed out that three of these churches are on a dirt street. The sidewalk connecting two of the buildings is not on the street, but instead speaks of a happier time when whoever occupied the two buildings were friendly. But now a four-foot pile of dirt blocks the sidewalk on the property line; apparently a visual reminder of their theological differences.
What happened in this town where all the inhabitants went to the same small school where grades 9-12 is comprised of only 68 students? Maybe it’s that these buildings are poor and seem to speak in regard to the status of love in that community. Love of God and love of each other. While I don’t think building aesthetics are important, these buildings look more like abandoned outbuildings on a ranch than places where the church meets. How many actually gather in these buildings that are smaller than the upstairs of my house? How many come into this town to fellowship; the largest town in a county of 1200 people and the only town in 50 miles?
The letters on the front of the building that once said, “The Church of Christ Meets Here.†now, because of missing letters, utters an incomprehensible message. But I wonder, is there a larger, more incomprehensible message being spoken by the five run down churches in a small town of which three of the churches are next-door neighbors? Is this what caught my attention?
What is the message being spoken by these churches to the patrons of the bars in town? What message do the visiting hunters receive? Maybe the inhabitants are proud that the churches slightly out number the bars in their town. Maybe in the bar they are proud they have five churches in their town. Maybe the hunters are pleased that the devout among them can choose their flavor to fellowship with; or maybe they don’t even give it a thought. I wonder if Christ is happy with this diversity, this division, in His Body. I wonder if the Lord Jesus is satisfied with His dismembered, spread out, cut up Body? I wonder if He thought of this town, among many others, when He said, “By this they’ll know that you are my disciples, that you have love for one another.†He didn’t say; “They’ll know you are my disciples by your theological purity†or “what by day you meet onâ€, or “by your style of worship and polityâ€, or “by your eschatology or your ritualsâ€. He said love proves you are His disciples. Self sacrifice for the benefit of others. He demonstrated this love so His disciples would know exactly what He was talking about.
I know, some will say; “there are good reasons why we separate.†I say; be careful how you wave your knife around and certainly don’t run with that knife in your hand. You could be the one who is hurt.
On the other hand, there is a place where the Church is one. There is a place where people love and support one another regardless of their differences. There is a place where the style of your collar doesn’t matter, where your theological distinctives don’t matter or any other differences. That place is a concentration camp; a gulag. That’s the place where the Body of Christ is persecuted, but the Body is one; that is where it is one Church. Just as Jesus showed His greatest attribute in His persecution and death; real love. His Body will show a true distinctive that separates it from the world; real love in the face of persecution. That is when the differences and distinctives are inconsequential. That is not the place where His body bleeds because of its dismemberment and its division, but rather bleeds in its solidarity, as a Body, in love for one another. Lord Jesus may this judgment come quickly. This world needs real Disciples of Christ.
What does the church look like in your town?
1 Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Philippians 3:1-21 in other words…
Rejoice in the Lord!
Rest in the Lord.
Jump into the Lord with both feet.
Surround yourself without and within the Lord.
Find real relevance in the Lord.
Only in the Lord is repeated joy!
To say this over and over is not hard for me and it’s a reminder, a guard rail for you. Guardrails are good; they keep us from falling off the edge. We have short attention spans and are always following the next bright thing with our eyes.
2. Beware of the outsiders, those who are not of us, those who want you to stumble and fall to join them. Beware of those who say they are separated aliens to God and are not.
3. We are truly separated from the world. We are truly aliens who prove the worth of God by our actions by the Spirit of God who makes it possible to revel, bask and submerge ourselves in Jesus Christ and we do not trust what we can see, touch, and feel, but rather, we trust in what was promised by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
4-6. If anyone can have faith in what can be seen, touched, and felt, Paul says he can. If anyone else can be confidently pragmatic, Paul can, more so.
A. He was set apart according to God’s promise to Abraham to be a special nation among nations.
B. Of that promise, of the nation of Israel, a son of the promise to Jacob.
C. Of the Tribe of Benjamin with a perpetual inheritance here in the world according to birthrights in the land of promise.
D. Among Hebrews of the promise a stand-out guy.
E. As to the Law of Moses, very devout.
F. A devout patriot in his nationalism and sect, a persecutor of the followers of Jesus who were called out of Paul’s nationalism.
G. As to self justification and pride in the Law, without blame.
7. Whatever I thought made had me something, I count as nothing; I discard, throw it away it for the sake of Christ who really is something. I throw away the nothing I thought was something to gain everything which is Jesus!
8. More than that, I throw away everything I ever thought was important just for the tremendous value of just seeking to know Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I lose and throw away all things and attainments and consider them to be degrading and disgusting manure in order that I may gain Christ. I trade everything for Christ. I no longer seek relevance or experience here; instead, I seek only relevance in Christ. To gain Jesus Christ is to become relevant. Not me, Him in me.
9. When I gain Christ, I have no righteousness gained by my own works, not in or of me by me, but I have the righteousness of Christ through faith, the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith; faith being repentance that lets go of what I see to grab hold of what I don’t see but wait eagerly for.
10. That I might intimately know first hand the power of His resurrection (in me) and the fellowship of His sufferings being conformed to His death; I leave all behind and suffer gladly because it keeps me calling on Him for succor and salvation so I will be brought to life from His death. I die to this life gladly to gain real life, His life.
12. Not that I’ve been resurrected yet or even become mature yet, but I press on, I push against the tide so that I might grab hold of that life, that resurrection which is why Christ laid hold of me.
13. I don’t have it yet, but this one thing I focus on; forgetting everything I thought was important, forgetting and casting off everything the world thinks is important, I have my sight, my aspirations, fixed high.
14. I press on toward the goal, Jesus. I press on to the prize; life, which is what I was called to by God in Jesus Christ. This consumes me.
15. You who are mature, or aspire to maturity, have this same attitude… If you have a different attitude, God will show you… but will you listen?
16. Live by the standard to which you’ve attained. Don’t go back. Only go forward. Grow.
17. Follow my example. Watch those who walk as I do. Follow this pattern of single-mindedness in reaching the goal; the only goal worth having.
18. Speaking of walking: Many have walked, but now I tell you, while weeping, they are now enemies of the cross of Christ (Heb. 10:26)
19. They will be perpetually destroyed. Their god is their self-willed desires. They have it all backwards: What they glory in, what they say is good is shameful. They love the world. What consumes them is what they see, touch, and feel as if it was truly of importance. They grasp death willingly with both arms and embrace it.
20. Not us! We are citizens of Heaven. We are passing through as pilgrims and aliens headed to our home; the Kingdom of our Lord King Savior Jesus whom we eagerly, longingly wait to see.
21. He will transform us from what we rejected to be conformed, made like, the body of His glory, LIFE, which is what we embrace! The same power that gives us LIFE is the same power by which He made all things and the same power by which He will subject all things to Himself.
Amen!
P.S. Friend, what do you aspire to?
In Other Words….
A homespun paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:1-16. Think about it.
Peter’s letter to those who reside as aliens, strangers, and pilgrims
Aliens are not part of society
Aliens are outsiders
Aliens have a different loyalty and home association
To reside as an alien is to be apart, separate.
It’s to be within but have no commonality among those they live, to stand out obviously
The aliens were chosen by God by the separating work of the spirit to be those who obey Jesus Christ.
Aliens have been chosen to be separate by God
Aliens have been chosen to obey Jesus Christ
Separated aliens are attached to God through His mercy to be born again, dead to our old loyalties and pursuits raised to be children of a different Kingdom. As aliens here, our new life is possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead so that we will obtain our inheritance in our new country, God’s Kingdom, which is undefiled (opposite of here) and reserved, waiting for us.
We as aliens are protected by the power of God through our faith for the consummation, the reuniting of our true country with our true brethren and our true King, awaiting our salvation from this homesick existence in this decay and death.
We are Looking forward, keeping our eyes on the prize, the imminent rescue, we rejoice, even though it’s difficult residing as an alien because of trials and difficulties.
Trials prove our faith, prove if we are truly aliens, prove we are looking for the Promised Land or are just trying to integrate here; trying to fit in. Faith, like gold, when tested by fire, removes impurities as well as reveals the true metal, the true beauty of our calling to be separated to God as aliens in the world.
This successful proving of our faith results in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus is revealed.
This tested faith proves our praise to Him. It gives Him glory, and honors Him as King over His people.
Jesus relates the same to His people, His aliens; He gives praise, glory and honor.
The people of God, His aliens here, do not walk by sight, are not led by pragmatism, but our belief is equal to our obedience. We as aliens rejoice in this truth with inexpressible joy because we don’t see here, but look there, to our goal, our country of God.
The outcome of our tested faith, our unseeing obedience, our life as outcasts and aliens, is the salvation of our souls, our adoption as sons and daughters, our being brought home to our real country.
Because of this, be alert; be prepared, keep self controlled, keep yourself under reign. Affix yourself tenaciously, your hope completely, on this undeserved gift to be brought to you when Jesus is finally revealed. As obedient children don’t quit being aliens in the world, don’t be degraded by the passions that comprise of decay and death, but be separated from the world, the culture, the entertainments, the sin, separate from everything that is here in the world that takes our eyes and loyalty off of God, for it is written, “You shall be separated to me for I am separate.”
Dennis
What Does Our Album Cover Mean?
Our album, Stained Glass and Living Stones, has a picture story on the front. Ruth thought it would be appropriate for me to explain it.
If you notice, the background on the left is in black and white with a tree devoid of leaves with lightening striking. This is representative of our dead and dying world. The world is subject to sin and disease caused by the sin of man.
Romans 8:19-25 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
In the foreground is a rock wall partially built with the names of each member of our family engraved on a rock with the name of Jesus on the cornerstone. Also notice there is a rock with the name YOU on it. This part of the picture comes from:
1 Peter 2:4-10 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture:
“BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone,
AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.â€
This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,
“THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,â€
and, “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSEâ€;
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.Also:
Luke 19:37-40 As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting:
“BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!â€
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.†But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!â€
Notice the lyrics of our bluesy song “Living Stones.†Walking dead all around, just like stones on the ground… they have hearts of stone, but the ones called by God are “Praising Stones†and “Living Stonesâ€. That’s us. We are called by God, brought to life, from a dead, useless stone, to be useful for God. Without Jesus, we are dead!
The lyrics of the song “Stained Glass†say;
Looking for truth in a land full of lies
I find God’s Son the Way, Truth, and Life
I wonder how long ‘till God’s wrath will come…
It’s stained glass, dark mirror…
1 Corinthians 13:11-13 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Attempting to know the purpose of God in Jesus Christ is like stained glass; hard to see through and understand, i.e. the dark mirror in our own understanding.
But;
A cordial of blood o’er my soul
Anointed my head cleaner than snow
It ran in my eyes and caused me to see… IT”S ME!
I’m stained glass, bright mirror, reflect God, so pure
Deep river, bright sun, His love shines on…
I’m stained glass, stained glass, stained glass.
We are the stained glass. Notice the album cover, all of our pictures are in the stained glass window but the window is spattered with blood. The Blood of Jesus Christ! We are spattered with His blood to satisfy the wrath of God against sin. Jesus took our punishment for us!
Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-12 Surely our grief’s He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being {fell} upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him….
But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting {Him} to grief; If He would render Himself {as} a guilt offering, He will see {His} offspring, He will prolong {His} days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see {it and} be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.
The mirror is dark no longer! I am redeemed for Gods purpose to Glorify Himself in His Son Jesus Christ the Righteous! I am now a bright mirror that reflects Jesus to God.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
That’s us, Stained Glass and Living Stones as well as all who are FOLLOWERS of Jesus Christ. In and of ourselves is no good thing, just dead rocks:
Psalm 53:1-3 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.
We could not redeem ourselves. God had to send Jesus to redeem us from His wrath. That means, apart from Christ, we are nothing. We are just children of destruction. Apart from Jesus, we are irrelevant. We are only relevant pursuing the will of God. There is no relevance for us in the dead and dying world except to obey God.
Finally, our attitude in the stained glass is prayerful. Our eyes are closed. We are not reliant upon what we see, but we walk in faith that God will lead us to Him.
Habakkuk 2:4 But the righteous will live by his faith.
We are not pragmatists, we are followers on paths not seen with eyes.
John 14:1-6 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
“And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
We are just Stained Glass and Living Stones. How about you?
Dennis
Philosophical Truth Seeking
What is the purpose for humankind? Why am I here? What is my destiny or where are we going? Is there an eternity, or is our end nothingness?
I’m not going to fool you. You already can guess where I’m going just by how I’ve framed the thesis question. Maybe you’ve heard some version of this discussion before. As opposed to a knee jerk reaction, I appeal to you to engage this subject as you would all the other vital and important subjects and or information that come to all of us on a daily basis on which we make value judgments. Weigh the evidence and or logic. Is it truth? If it is not truth, no damage has been done. I’ve just had another great opportunity to exercise my neural connections before they are re-absorbed by the cold and indifferent universe of pointless existence. If it is truth, how shall I respond? We all must accept and reject all kinds of information for all kinds of reasons. Remember though, fear should never be the arbiter of rejection or acceptance, the truth of the matter is the real arbiter, whether we wish to agree with it or not, truth is static, unchanging, and absolute regardless of whatever philosophy is in vogue about truth.
Cauliflower is good for you…. but I still don’t like it, nor will I accept it for my own consumption. It is a conscious, deliberate decision I’ve made and live by. On the other hand, if I had only one alternative to save my life and that was to consume cauliflower, would I do it? Yes! Would I be grateful for it? Yes! My self derived “sensibilitiesâ€, the grotesque appearance smell and flavor of cauliflower, would take a back seat to the truth and gratitude of saving my life. Rather, I would become an exponent of the virtues of cauliflower consumption. Thus I would find distinction in the aroma and flavors of cauliflower because of my close association with its efficacy and my positive mindset to it. There is nothing like a foundation of truth to stand on to find satisfaction, peace and a real cause we are willing to die and live for, in that order. Once real truth is understood and accepted, we then alter our lives in accommodation to it. Truth never accommodates itself for us, it is static, unchanging. We must rather submit ourselves to truth. Most “Christians†have not grasped this concept. If you do not accommodate yourself to the truth, you haven’t accepted it. If you do not accommodate yourself to the truth, you have rejected it as truth. To not put truth into practice is to have had no more than the neural exercise mention before.
The questions about our purpose have been asked introspectively by everyone or at least have been wondered about from time to time. We especially consider these questions when confronted with our mortality, or by someone else’s mortality. Many of us quickly put these thoughts out of our minds because; 1. We fear the answers, or 2. We know the answers and refuse to deal with them in an honest fashion because we wish to continue in the direction we have chosen, our self derived “sensibilitiesâ€. Subconsciously we can think, “If I don’t think too deeply, I don’t have to deal with the consequences of not considering these questions.†Physical science proves there are consequences to every action or inaction. Absence of action does not excuse you from being hit in the face with a ball aimed at you. Even our US law says you are not excused from consequences for not knowing the law.
Donald Chittick, Ph.D., in his book, The Controversy: Roots of the Creation-Evolution Conflict examines two distinct biases when approaching that controversial subject of creation vs. evolution.
“Why did modern science start from a culture with a Christian base? The reasons are not difficult to determine. A proper philosophical base for investigating the universe was needed and the Christian doctrine of creation provided that base. The Creator established laws for people and laws for the natural world. A created universe was expected to have design, order, and purpose. Man, using his created rational mind, could study this ordered universe in a rational way and seek to discover its laws; and modern science is based on the assumption of scientific law. In addition, moral laws given by the Creator established the ethical base for science. Scientists must be honest and truthful.
By contrast, if the universe were not created, it must have come to its present state by the impersonal interaction of the material of the universe, itself. No intelligence would have been involved. With such a philosophy, there would be no reason to expect such a universe to operate in a rational way. Man’s mind would also be a product of the same chance universe. It should not be capable of rationally studying anything. Hence, a materialist philosophy of this sort would tend to discourage one from becoming a scientist.â€
The first bias assumes a Creator or designer. With design come the rules of design or laws that make the design possible. These should be observable. They are. Even biased science textbooks enumerate the physical laws of the universe.
The second bias assumes there is no Creator or designer, just an impersonal random chance interaction of material in the universe. If this was true, we would not be able to observe it because chaos would still reign now and forever. There would be no one around to debate how random chaos came up with physical laws that don’t change.
Obviously you know my bias from how I’ve worded this essay. We all approach every subject with a conscious or un-conscious bias. The excellent question as framed by Dr. Chittick is; which bias is the best bias to be biased with. If the second bias were true we would not be here to discuss it. Using the logic that because we are here to discuss it means it could be true. That would be nonsensical logic. What it comes down to is our reasoning for wanting to defend one position or another.
I remember arguing with my parents about why I should go to the school dance. My real reason was pure hedonistic expectation. I was careful not to reveal that! I don’t remember my “reasoned†argument, but it probably consisted of some formulae of “you don’t trust me, all my friends will be there, I don’t get much free time just to be with my friends and enjoy a night out like you and mom do†or something like that. My parents for their part were concerned about what kind of mischief I’d get into. They were teenagers at one time as well and still had fair recollections of the kind of trouble youngsters could get into. No, they didn’t trust me, but wouldn’t say that (why I don’t know since I really was untrustworthy as all kids who invoke that phrase are). They let me go. I ran headlong to more hedonistic trouble than I’m sure they conceived possible… on more than one occasion. The point is; I defended my wanting to take part in those hedonistic activities not because of my logical well thought out reasoned arguments, which they were not. The real reason was I wanted to do what I wanted to do without anyone telling me I couldn’t do it! It was pure rebellion. We both accept and practice absolute truth or we are in rebellion to it.
In my work I can ignore the truth of the properties of H2s or Nh3. If I rebel against that truth, I die. If I practice the truth (proper protective clothing and masks) I live and make a living. Whether I live or die has nothing so much to do with my bias, as to the truth of my bias.
Absolute truth is not just a foundation, but a point of reference. If I ignore truth, I have no point of reference. If I invent my own point of reference, I have no truth.
All the paths of the LORD are loving-kindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 25:10
You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Psalm 60:4
The Bible reveals truth as well as man’s origin, being, and purpose. As to the truthfulness of the Bible, I can point out no other work of literature that can make the same claims when it comes to the accuracy of the Bible. The Bible is 66 books written over a period of nearly 1500 years by over 40 different authors agreeing with and building on the same subject. How is this possible?
So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2Peter 1:19-21
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2Timothy 3:16
As to proof of the accuracy of this ancient document, a young law student named Josh McDowell, with the idea that the Bible was a fable that just got in the way of his pursuits, set out to disprove the accuracy of the Bible. He became convinced of its accuracy and became obedient to that truth. He compiled his evidence into a book named: Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Since then he has written another book: New Evidence That Demands a Verdict. These books are in depth analyses of evidential proofs of the accuracy of the Bible. Another author that examines the accuracy of New Testament claims from the standpoint of a reporter getting to the bottom of an expose’ Lee Strobel’s: The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus.
My bias as to the truth of scripture is built on the observation that as it relates to science, the Bible is true, as it relates to human nature; it’s true, as it relates to fulfilled prophecy; it’s true, as it relates to it’s own accuracy; it’s true, and as it relates to my greatest needs of relevancy and a future; it’s true.
Love From a Backward People
While in Canada, I listened to a radio program about a book written on the subject of love from different cultural perspectives around the world. What I had read about what love is, and is not, in the Bible is actually the perception many people have in countries that we would consider a little less civilized or “metropolitan” than ours or at least culturally inferior.
This perspective was from an East Indian couple that had been married for 50 years and were interviewed at a wedding for young relatives whose marriage was arranged:
“Americans look at the wedding day as a finished mansion, new paint, great new fixtures, new furniture, polished floors, perfect yard, ect. It is perfection. Years latter in their marriage they look at the mansion as an ageing worn house that needs much work. It needs much rehabilitation to try to recapture the newness of the beautiful mansion they once had. They want to recapture the beauty of that lost love, rekindle that original elusive mansion (or passion) they once had, the passion of their youth. Indians look at the wedding day as a vacant lot. From that vacant lot you build your mansion over many years. You never quit adding on to it. You build for strength and beauty a lasting testament to real love which is proven over long periods of time.” (If this is done you never want to go back)
When asked If she loved her husband on her wedding day the wife responded; “Loved him? I didn’t even know him!”
The biblical truth about love is that love is not primarily a feeling or emotion, but an action. The feelings are proved true by consistent action. A wise man said in relation to love that you “act yourself into a better way of feeling rather than feel yourself into a better way of acting”.
Americans bring a good deal of emotion and passion to the wedding day but sadly far too often that passion isn’t enough to carry them very far. The passion and feelings are like a short term drug. When the original effect wears off… what then? Have you just fallen out of love? No. You never knew what love was! Love is doing difficult things in difficult times no matter what you feel. Love is sacrificing yourself when there is no apparent gain to be had. Love is the product of years of sharing and caring. Love is proved not by words or emotion or gifts but by the product of your actions through adversity and beyond.
So, who then is more civilized? Which culture is truly backward?
I Corinthians 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not Love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not Love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not Love, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; Love envieth not; Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, Love, these three; but the greatest of these is Love.
Love, Dennis
What would you do to gain life?
The called (ekklesia) are encouraged by truth. They are drawn to righteousness. The rest have no time for it because they are invested in what will burn up. Which are you?
“These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.†John 1:4
“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:19-21
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12
“For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.†Psalm 36:9
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.†Matthew 7:13-14
“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.†Matthew 10:38-39
“When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.†Acts 11:18
“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures foreverâ€.†Psalm 16:11
“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.†John 5:21
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.†Colossians 3:2-4
“Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.†1Timothy 6:18-19
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.†James 1:12
“This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.†1 John 2:25
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.†Revelation 2:10b
“Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nationsâ€. Revelation 22:1-2
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.†Revelation 22:14
“They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.†Revelation 22:17
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.†2 Peter 3:10-14
“For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.†1 Peter 4:17-19
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.†Philippians 3:13-14
PRAYER: Oh Father, show me the death I clutch so tightly that I might let go and embrace real life.
Notable Quotations
I‘ve acquired these notable quotations over the years and have recorded them in the front of my bible. While not scripture, these quotations are very scriptural. Read through the list. The last quote is one among my favorites. Some quotes are made more significant because of who spoke them.
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot (martyr)
Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. Unknown
Faith is not a leap in the dark; it is a walk in the light. Unknown
Am I so busy for God that I have no time for God? Unknown
If your life doesn’t touch another person for the Kingdom of God; what on earth are you good for? Unknown
God is looking for men and women willing to toss their lives in the arena. Jim Elliot (martyr) (In relation to the arena of the 1st century where Followers of Christ were torn apart by wild animals and gladiators)
Make what is important five minutes after I die…. important to me now. Unknown
The time has come to create a gap rather than draw the line. Bill Gothard (In relation to worldly behavior among “Christiansâ€)
Marriage is not finding the person you love; its loving the person you find. Unknown
How is the Church like Noah’s ark? The stench inside would be unbearable if it wasn’t for the storm outside. Chuck Colson
A man is wise if he learns from his mistakes; but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Dennis McLean (truck driver)
After considering the history of Christianity and governments: When the Church is not being persecuted, it’s being corrupted. Chuck Colson
It can be exalting to belong to a church that is 500 years behind the times and sublimely indifferent to fashion; it is also mortifying to belong to a church that is 5 minutes behind the times huffing and puffing to catch up. Joseph Sobran
What in the world are you doing for God’s sake? Unknown
Pragmatism has taught me; distrust pragmatism. Dennis McLean (truck driver)
Real gold fears no fire. Li Quan
Only those who obey can believe, and only those who believe can obey. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The man or woman of God is the accumulation of many righteous decisions. Wells Jackson (a roofer)
We have the greatest capacity to lie to ourselves and believe it than to lie to someone else and make them believe it. Dennis McLean (truck driver)
Witness daily, speak if you must. Unknown
A man once approached the great preacher Charles Spurgeon; “There is a bible verse I read that is bothering me because I can’t understand itâ€. Spurgeon replied; “You should be happy to have such a problem, it’s the all those bible verses I do understand that bother me.â€
The entrance fee into the kingdom of God is nothing; the annual subscription is everything. Henry Drummond
Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Unknown
Come as you are, heaven forbid if you stay as you are. Unknown
In relation to free will vs. predestination; it doesn’t matter, just decide to act picked. Dennis McLean (truck driver)
The best way to acquire virtue is to pretend you already have it. C.S. Lewis
God tells the man who cares. A.W. Tozer
About The Song, “Jesus Said”
Paste into separate browser to listen to the song while you read http://electricchurch.net/lyrics/jesus-said
Jesus Said was going to originally be the name of the album Stained Glass & Living Stones. All the songs on the album were going to be just scriptural quotes from Jesus. For some reason or another (due mostly to environmental conditions at the time), that changed. Jesus Said was the first song we wrote and has a great deal of importance to us, personally. I become somewhat emotional every time I listen to it, and since I arranged it, I’ve heard it thousands of times!
I am a preacher and a teacher, but I prefer to use as much Word of God and as little me as possible. He is irresistible, I am fallible. I am not fallible when He lives and speaks His Words in me and through me and my actions. Less of me (like how ’bout none) and all of Him. To write the best song is to use all His words. While we love all kinds of music, the message is what is most important. Some say we are too heavy, some say we are too light, very few say we are just right but when the words are His, it’s spot on!
The Word of God is Living, and Active, and Sharper than any two-edged sword, and Piercing as far as the division of Soul and Spirit, of both Joints and Marrow, and able to Judge the Thoughts and Intentions of the Heart! And there is no creature hidden from his sight, but ALL things are open and laid bare to the eyes of HIM with whom we have to do! Hebrews 4:12,13 (caps mine, means pay attention)
Jesus Said connects the Lord God, YAHWEH, the great I AM, who revealed Himself to His people Israel, whom He chose, to Jesus Christ. God made the first mention of Jesus to come in Genesis 3:15 and then Jesus said in John 8:58, “Truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AMâ€. John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being”. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth”. The “Word” literally defined is the “speaking”. Where do you find the Word, the speaking, mentioned in the creation of the world? Go to Genesis 1:3 “Then God said,” The very speaking of God is the power of God, is the Word of God, is Jesus Christ!
The Gospel of the Kingdom can be summed up simply and completely in; FEAR GOD AND GIVE HIM GLORY! Revelations 14:6 This is what Jesus preached. He also said “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you cannot hear My words.†John. 8:43 In other words, You don’t understand Me because you are not listening! We, in our strength, always interpret what we hear from the standpoint of what we choose to believe!
Some have said that the voice of God in the song, Jesus Said, sounds scary… or even evil! That it makes the hair raise on the back of their necks. Let me point out a few passages to give some understanding; Genesis 3:1-5, Rev. 13:1-9, and 1 Corinthians 11:13-15. These passages point out that satan is the opposite of scary. He is accepted, his minions are loved, his advice is listened to and adopted. He, himself, is an angel of light. In Ezekiel 28:11-15, it says satan or lucifer was the most beautiful created thing. Now juxtapose that with Exodus 19:3-20:26: This passage is so cool! Also, Rev. 1:12-20, This is Jesus Himself! His best earthly friend, John the Apostle, fell at his feet as a dead man! WOW! Also, Ezekiel 1:1-2:10, and Isaiah 6:1-13! The voice of satan seems to be the most pleasing to us. The voice of God is scary. satan speaks to us in our native, self-destructive, fleshly language, just like honey to our ears. God speaks the language of Truth. Truth is painful and abrasive to our sinful ways. How else do you get rid of filth but to scour it away? The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom! The Fear of God is literally to be scared and trembling (knees shaking), in awe and reverence, and to love with every fiber. Look at those references above again and see what I mean. satan has deceived us to fear and stay away from the scary voice of God as evil and instead listen to the quiet voice that whispers the sweet nothings of destruction in our ears. You choose.
As for me, I like having a big scary God I don’t understand! Then I know for sure I didn’t make Him up!!
So, it’s important to listen and obey what Jesus Said.
John 8:43, 47, 48, 51-53, 57-58
John 14:6
Matthew 7:13-14
John 4:14
John 14:21
Revelation 21:7
Revelation 3:19-20
We’re Back!
Since Anne is the best blogger on day to day happenings, I’ll let her tell in her words from her blog pages what transpired on our “Western” tour. Dennis.
After an exciting 11 days, we’re finally back home from our West Coast tour. “Tour” sounds more important than “trip”! But that’s what bands do when they travel, right?
Anyways! I’ve got a whole lot of pictures here (we all know everyone loves pictures, right? And if a picture is worth a thousand words…this will definitely turn out to be a novel!). Hover over the pictures for a caption and a larger image.
Click on the date to go to read about what happened that day and see pictures. They will open in new windows.
Thursday/Friday, June 19, 20
Saturday, June 21
Sunday, June 22
Monday, June 23
Tuesday, June 24
Wednesday, June 25
Thursday, June 26
Friday, June 27
Saturday, June 28
Sunday, June 29
Monday, June 30
A big thank-you to Grandpa, Grandma Kathy, John, and Paul who opened their home to us; Immanuel Lutheran Church, the West Moreland Manor, and Lacomb Bible Church for inviting us, and all the wonderful people there…and the biggest thank you to the Lord Jesus Christ who made the whole trip possible and provided for us bountifully through His followers! Glory to God! Amen.
Anne McLean
Gone to Oregon Tour!
Go west young man! Gone to Oregon June 19-29. We are packing up our 15 passenger van, hooking a U-haul trailer on behind (full of music equipment) and heading to Oregon! We have booked several FREE concerts which everyone is invited to. You can call the numbers on the poster for directions. The Lacomb Baptist Church date is June 29 at 6pm. Follow the kids’ blogs to find out about our adventures (every day with us is an adventure) and to see pictures.
Blogs are in order of the best chance for content…
http://www.Allanne.com
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/emily6m
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kaitlynn7m
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bookwormbethy5
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tessila
http://joe.ajwstudios.com
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv
I Confess
I Dennis McLean prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said:
O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps Your promises and mercy for those who love You and keep Your commandments, we have sinned, acted wickedly, and rebelled to turn away from Your commandments. On top of that, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets and apostles, who spoke in Your name, to all men everywhere in your Word, the scriptures. Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us belongs open shame, every one of us because of our unfaithful deeds which we have committed against You. Open shame belongs to everyone of us because we have sinned against You, But to You, our Lord and God, belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against You; nor have we obeyed Your voice, the voice of our Lord and God, to walk in Your teachings which you have set before us through your apostles and prophets. Indeed we all have transgressed Your Holy Word not obeying Your voice to bring upon ourselves a curse. As it is written in Your Revelation, calamity will come upon us, destruction in many different kinds, because we have not sought Your favor, O God, by turning from our sin to give attention to Your Truth, Your commands. Therefore, You have kept calamity in store for us because You are Righteous with respect to all Your deeds which You have done and will do, but we have not obeyed Your voice.
O God! O Lord Jesus! We, Your church, Your betrothed, Your very bride, are faithless. Worse, we don’t even know what that means. Not only that, we lack belief, and we don’t even know what that means. Furthermore, we have not love, and we don’t even know what that even means. We each devise what we choose and then call it the commands of Christ or the grace of Christ. We determine what we will and call it theology. We separate, we make distinctions, we make self willed determinations on what truth is and then call the separations, denominations, churches! Thus we behave as if You are the faithless husband with many wives and concubines with dissention in the harem. You are not faithless, O Lord, O God! We are! We are the transgressors of Your law. We are in rebellion against your commands. We have by our faithless acts, by our lack of belief, by our SELF LOVE, brought open ridicule to your Holy Name amongst the nations. We love self love! We hate authority! In rebellion against Your authority, we reject all authority, from parents to husbands, to employers to governments to Christ to GOD! We deny Your commands at every opportunity. O Lord Jesus, God, we are guilty of twisting Your transcendent, eternal Truth to compromise with mundane earthly comfort so that we are indistinguishable from the sons of darkness and hell. While we should reside as aliens and strangers passing through on our Father’s business, we instead make ourselves comfortable and excuse our comfort as the will of God. Rather than stand out, we blend in with the sons of destruction except to take every opportunity to bring You open shame by the name “christians†as so called “little Christ’s†because we know nothing of Christ and know nothing of the will of God.
O Lord forgive. O Lord have mercy, have compassion. Make us faithful again. For your sake, O God, let your face shine on us again. O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see the desolation we have heaped on ourselves, Your Church, Your bride. We are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merit of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. O Lord, hear! O Lord, Forgive! Take action on our behalf for Your sake, O my God, because we are Your people and are called by Your great name!
1 Peter 4:17-19
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Adaptations from Daniel 9 and from my heartfelt prayer
How can a good God allow evil to exist?
Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? I guess I’ve wrestled with this question for more than a few years. These are age old questions that we all wonder about, and some use for an excuse to reject God. If someone answered these questions adequately, the rejecters would just keep on rejecting. The rejection of God is not on philosophical grounds, but willful. In other words, my will takes precedence over anyone else’s, God included. That is the essence of rebellion.
A stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God. Psalm 78:8
For the rest of us, the answer to these questions will be a comfort.
I have a friend and co-worker named K.C. He is a decorated Marine veteran of the Iraq war in which he served two tours. His decoration is a purple heart, which in my book is a Medal of Honor and Sacrifice. There are scars on K.C.’s body… and on his heart. No one leaves a battlefield unscarred. How can God allow the evil that necessitates sacrifices by young men like K.C. and his family has had to make? As I write this, K.C. is off work to be with his wife and children who are on the west coast, at the children’s hospital. They are with his 4 year old daughter that is going through her second round with cancer. It doesn’t sound like its going very well… Why does God allow bad things to happen to this family and their little daughter?
My wife has a friend who has just lost her baby. Their family waited for, and loved, this baby for the last nine months only to deliver a stillborn. Oh the heartache…. Doesn’t God care even for this pastor and his wife?
These are just recent situations I know of. I could relate events within my own family, and so could you… Doesn’t God see? Doesn’t He care?
In the LORD I will put my trust. Psalm 11:1
These difficult situations are not times to reject God for not making your life comfortable, this is time to hold on tight!
Now wait until the end before you blow me off for what I’m about to say, because the conclusion may surprise you. The reason there is evil, pain and bad circumstances is… sin.
The earth is also defiled by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. Isaiah 24:5-6
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23
Who, except one Jesus Christ the Righteous, is without sin? Who has ever said, “Enough! I am sick of this I will not perpetuate this anymore!†Right! No one! Although I hate to say it; pain is good. You see, just like God told Adam that the wages of sin is death, we just march along ourselves and keep earning the wages of sin. What if there was no pain? What if during this dying process we call “life†we experienced no pain? There would be quite a bit fewer of us because of doing things that would kill us without realizing it. The rest of us would be horribly disfigured (better not shave) missing limbs, eyesight, hearing etc. So, pain is good, right? While growing up, we learn what hurts, what is painful, and do the best we can to avoid it (sometimes not so successfully). From the moment we are conceived, we begin to die. So, what we call life is really just a painful dying process. In reality, we should all be in hospice! Some just die faster than others. We live in a land of pain, a polluted land of our own making like it says in Isaiah. 24:5-6.
God is gracious to give us pain in the dying process we call life.
What??!! Are you kidding??!! Gracious??!! Yes! Remember Romans 6:23, the wages of sin is death, what we earn for our rebellion against God is eternal separation from God. He is real life. Real life has no part of death. This eternal separation from God is called the second death. Revelation 20:11-15. So what does that have to do with God being gracious to give us pain? Let me put it this way: If you were slowly being fed feet first into a giant meat grinder, would you prefer: A. A painkiller or anesthetic to make your slow and grisly dying easier and less painful? (maybe a blind fold too… yuk!) Or B. Pain, so you could cry out for help and rescue? Aha! So pain IS good! What humankind (us) is rushing headlong into is far worse than a meat grinder…. Hell, forever! Pain reminds us of the reason why we have it. Sin. Sin reminds us that we are hopelessly lost because we fall short of God. Way short. What we need is a rescuer, a Savior. The Saviors says to drop everything (as in EVERYTHING) and grab on and hang on tight to Him as if your life depended on it. It does. Hold on tight. Don’t let go with one hand and try to grab more pain-infested stuff.
And he said to them all, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?†Luke 9:23-25
If you do this, it will put you in sharp contrast with the culture and the world. These belong to satan. Dominion was given to us, then, we gave it to him in Eden. We are not called to change the world or the culture (how can satan be saved?) but we are called to make disciples of individuals. Won by one by one. The followers of Jesus are the Church. The Greek word for Church was coined by Jesus from two separate words; ek-klesia. “Out of†and “the called.†The very definition of Church is; “those who are called out of!†Where are they called out of? The culture. The world. We spend so much time trying to limit the worldly influences in us or changing the world so we feel better about it when we should cut it off and separate from it like a cancer growth that it truly is! You get rid of cancer, period! You don’t play with it as if it can’t get YOU. The Church, as a people, are not world reformers, but culture and world Houdini’s! Against impossible odds they have escaped the inexorable progress to the meat grinder. To make the world or culture seemingly moral is to go back to the pain killers. We still feel the pain because we are still in the world, but those who have called to the Savior for rescue don’t share the same destiny as the world. Now pain is useful for another purpose, and this is my point;
Bad things happen, evil exists, pain happens, sorrow, heartaches and trials exist, are allowed, used, and even mandated by God so that we do not become complacent or contented with this death we call life so that we long for REAL LIFE and the REAL LIFEGIVER and put all our hope, trust, faith, our lives, in Him where it’s safe!
Pain is good. This is not my home. Its black Friday now, but Sunday is coming!! YEAH!!
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live. Ezekiel 18:30-32
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12
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. Isaiah 26:3-4
By the way, the pain killers really don’t work. Just ask Bill Gates, Tiger Woods, the Hollywood types. They are obviously all trying to gain existential relevance and not finding it. I can already tell them they will not find peace that way. I am looking forward to the hope that will not fail;
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. IPeter 1:3-5
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11
He will make known to ME the path of LIFE! That’s what I want! In HIS PRESENCE, being WITH HIM is 100% JOY with no room for any other emotion or feeling! At His right hand, that is, with Him, is PLEASURE FOREVER!! There, in that place, is no pain, no death, only joy and pleasure forever! Don’t you want that? Doesn’t that beat this, what we call, “life?â€
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5
Psalm 11:5 says The Lord tries the righteous. Why? To prove us, to see if we have capitulated with the enemy, to keep us focused on Him. So we don’t want this life, but His Life.
Don’t forget. Pain is good. For the servants of Jesus Christ, it’s only temporary. Temporary is a VERY short time in eternity. I think of that great hymn:
Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear, we’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair; But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away, all tears forever over in God’s eternal day.
It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus, life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ, one glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase, so bravely run the race, till we see Christ.
Amen
Going Hunting
Here I write, on the cusp of our departure; a small contingent of Electric Church (the 14 of us) are going to hunt for our meat for the coming year. Will we find enough game to provide our family meat? Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” This is in relation to our needs of food and clothing. Keeping our eyes fixed on the author and finisher (completer) of our faith, The Lord Jesus Christ, we need not worry for anything. Neither do I seek for anything other than His Kingdom. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Notice it says, “Narrow is the way that leads to life, and there are FEW who FIND it.” So, seekers of the Kingdom of God are hunters!
What greater need do we have but of real life? If we keep our eyes fixed on Him, seeking for His kingdom, He will provide our needs; real and eternal LIFE! Happy Hunting!