What Moves Heaven
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)
Heaven is not moved by tumultuous worship or by the greatness of our service. Heaven is moved by even a single soul responding in utmost humility and thankfulness to God’s merciful saving grace. Jesus is less concerned about the ninety and nine sheep but His heart goes all out searching for the one lost soul. Jesus did not destine His church to be a feel good holy huddle or worst to degenerate to become monastic recluse. The church is to be sent into the world yet not of the world (John 17:16, 18).
Go ye therefore, ….. lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Mat 28:19-20)
Discipleship is not a classroom activity but lived out in the world with eagerness to find that man of peace (Luke 10:6), baptize and make disciples who will in turn make more disciples. It is in the going into the world to fulfill the God given commission that we experience His Presence with us. He promises to be with us and desires that we share heavens joy. Are we willing to obey His decree or continue to warm pews to experience goose bumps of the trappings of ‘modern Christianity’? Is it no wonder that the criteria for many to find a home church is if 'they could fit in'. Rather we should find open hearts and open homes to plant a church among the heathens that we experience the joy of His salvation.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Parashat Vayikra: The terrorism of Torah
Shlomo Riskin
Why does Mount Moriah have greater sanctity than Mount Sinai?
“An individual who will sacrifice from yourself a sacrificial offering unto the Lord…” (Leviticus 1:2)
My teacher and mentor Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik would often speak of the two great biblical mountains – Mount Moriah where God sent Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, and Mount Sinai, from which God presented the Torah to the Israelites.
Conventional wisdom would maintain that Mount Sinai should have been the more sacred, since there is nothing on Earth more sacred than our divinely given Torah – the very words of God. Nevertheless, the sages of the Talmud endowed eternal sanctity only to Mount Moriah, upon which our first two Holy Temples were built, and which will be the foundation for the third Temple as well.
Mount Sinai, by contrast, sustained its sanctity only during the period when the Divine Voice emanated from its heights; today it is no longer sacred, and could therefore be given up as part of Israel’s peace agreement with Egypt.
Why does Mount Moriah have greater sanctity than Mount Sinai? Rav Soloveitchik explains that whereas on Mount Sinai God presented Israel with His Torah, on Mount Moriah Abraham was willing to sacrifice his beloved son to God.
My teacher insisted that sanctity requires sacrifice, and the greater the sacrifice, the higher the degree of divine sanctity.
Read full article HERE
Shlomo Riskin
Why does Mount Moriah have greater sanctity than Mount Sinai?
“An individual who will sacrifice from yourself a sacrificial offering unto the Lord…” (Leviticus 1:2)
My teacher and mentor Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik would often speak of the two great biblical mountains – Mount Moriah where God sent Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, and Mount Sinai, from which God presented the Torah to the Israelites.
Conventional wisdom would maintain that Mount Sinai should have been the more sacred, since there is nothing on Earth more sacred than our divinely given Torah – the very words of God. Nevertheless, the sages of the Talmud endowed eternal sanctity only to Mount Moriah, upon which our first two Holy Temples were built, and which will be the foundation for the third Temple as well.
Mount Sinai, by contrast, sustained its sanctity only during the period when the Divine Voice emanated from its heights; today it is no longer sacred, and could therefore be given up as part of Israel’s peace agreement with Egypt.
Why does Mount Moriah have greater sanctity than Mount Sinai? Rav Soloveitchik explains that whereas on Mount Sinai God presented Israel with His Torah, on Mount Moriah Abraham was willing to sacrifice his beloved son to God.
My teacher insisted that sanctity requires sacrifice, and the greater the sacrifice, the higher the degree of divine sanctity.
Read full article HERE
Monday, March 21, 2011
Degree of Our Serving
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Gal 1:1)
If we live for ourselves we will be disillusioned and people around us will be affected negatively. If we live for people, we will be disappointed because expectations will never be met (Psa 62:5). But if we live for the Lord the reward is lasting (John 15:17). Our calling is of the highest authority of Heaven; don’t degrade that which has been bestowed from above. We are not of men, that we please men. We are not by men to serve any finite purpose. Our life is by Christ where there is a powerful manifestation of the resurrected life; beyond the natural is a life that is farther along in space, time or degree. It is always above and ahead (Duet 28:13).
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Col 3:23-24)
The intrinsic core of our service is love for the Higher which does not have any bounds whose language can be seen by the blind and heard by the deaf. A servitude heart that is not calculative and executed in deep confidence. A servant that has so learned Christ (Eph 4:20) unto meekness and humility (Matt 11:29). It is no longer seeing the insurmountability nor smallness of the task, but am unflinching focus that looks at the Highest where no carnal mind can grasp (Psa 123:2).
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Gal 1:1)
If we live for ourselves we will be disillusioned and people around us will be affected negatively. If we live for people, we will be disappointed because expectations will never be met (Psa 62:5). But if we live for the Lord the reward is lasting (John 15:17). Our calling is of the highest authority of Heaven; don’t degrade that which has been bestowed from above. We are not of men, that we please men. We are not by men to serve any finite purpose. Our life is by Christ where there is a powerful manifestation of the resurrected life; beyond the natural is a life that is farther along in space, time or degree. It is always above and ahead (Duet 28:13).
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Col 3:23-24)
The intrinsic core of our service is love for the Higher which does not have any bounds whose language can be seen by the blind and heard by the deaf. A servitude heart that is not calculative and executed in deep confidence. A servant that has so learned Christ (Eph 4:20) unto meekness and humility (Matt 11:29). It is no longer seeing the insurmountability nor smallness of the task, but am unflinching focus that looks at the Highest where no carnal mind can grasp (Psa 123:2).
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Unbounded Soul
So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places (Php 1:13)
Not easily falling prey to the herd mentality is evident that one has yielded to the leading of the Spirit (Rom 8:1) and know the fundamentals of one’s life is in a higher realm of His Shalom. There is a fountain of joy that wells up from within that can be uncapped to release praises to the God of one’s salvation, even if the outward circumstances seems gloom. Not a form of escapism but a true a living relationship with God Who is entirely sovereign. There is a state of readiness which continually boasts of the good news and wondrous works of Jesus in and out of season.
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful…. (Pro 14:13)
An unbounded soul is one that has character and stature inside. It is not the countenance that determines the inward being, it is the inward being that forms our countenance. The Lord is waiting for those whose souls are downcast to cry out ‘Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name’ (Psa 142:7a), He is faithful to deliver us to be with Him where He is that our beholding would remain glorious in Christ (John 17:24).
So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places (Php 1:13)
Not easily falling prey to the herd mentality is evident that one has yielded to the leading of the Spirit (Rom 8:1) and know the fundamentals of one’s life is in a higher realm of His Shalom. There is a fountain of joy that wells up from within that can be uncapped to release praises to the God of one’s salvation, even if the outward circumstances seems gloom. Not a form of escapism but a true a living relationship with God Who is entirely sovereign. There is a state of readiness which continually boasts of the good news and wondrous works of Jesus in and out of season.
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful…. (Pro 14:13)
An unbounded soul is one that has character and stature inside. It is not the countenance that determines the inward being, it is the inward being that forms our countenance. The Lord is waiting for those whose souls are downcast to cry out ‘Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name’ (Psa 142:7a), He is faithful to deliver us to be with Him where He is that our beholding would remain glorious in Christ (John 17:24).
Friday, March 11, 2011
Spiritual Laxity
….. but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish…. (Josh 23:13)
Are we overwhelmed and cannot rise above the circumstances? Is there a continual lack of joy and hope as though the imprisoned soul cannot praise God (Acts 16:25)? It is a message from God that we should examine ourselves; it is His mercy lest we end up reprobates (2 Cor 13:5).
Is there misplaced love (Josh 23:11)? Have our love gone astray and the Father’s love seems cold (1 John 2:15). The appropriation of His promises amount to nothing, nary the spirit to overcome (Josh 23:10); have we been faithful with a clinging dependency on our God (Josh 23:8, 12).Examine if we taken lightly His Word and brush aside the dealings of God (Heb 12:6) and allowed a foothold for the enemy to get at us (Eph 4:27).
By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. (Psa 41:11)
We have to examine ourselves to see if there is any spiritual laxity in our lives. The invitation of our gracious Savior is to come with all our heavy laden and find our rest (Matt 11:28) and learn of Him. It takes humility and meekness to acknowledge that we have misplaced our love and clung on to other distractions. The latter is idolatry.
….. but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish…. (Josh 23:13)
Are we overwhelmed and cannot rise above the circumstances? Is there a continual lack of joy and hope as though the imprisoned soul cannot praise God (Acts 16:25)? It is a message from God that we should examine ourselves; it is His mercy lest we end up reprobates (2 Cor 13:5).
Is there misplaced love (Josh 23:11)? Have our love gone astray and the Father’s love seems cold (1 John 2:15). The appropriation of His promises amount to nothing, nary the spirit to overcome (Josh 23:10); have we been faithful with a clinging dependency on our God (Josh 23:8, 12).Examine if we taken lightly His Word and brush aside the dealings of God (Heb 12:6) and allowed a foothold for the enemy to get at us (Eph 4:27).
By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. (Psa 41:11)
We have to examine ourselves to see if there is any spiritual laxity in our lives. The invitation of our gracious Savior is to come with all our heavy laden and find our rest (Matt 11:28) and learn of Him. It takes humility and meekness to acknowledge that we have misplaced our love and clung on to other distractions. The latter is idolatry.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Possessing a Deep Concern for Lost Souls
J.C. Ryle (More JC Ryle quotes - http://jcrylequotes.com/)
We know but little of true Christianity, if we do not feel a deep concern about the souls of unconverted people. A lazy indifference about the spiritual state of others, may doubtless save us much trouble. To care nothing whether our neighbors are going to heaven or hell, is no doubt the way of the world. But a person of this spirit is very unlike David, who said, “rivers of waters run down my eyes, because men keep not your law” (Psalm 119:136). He is very unlike Paul, who said, “I have great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart for my brethren” (Rom. 9:2). Above all, he is very unlike Christ. If Christ felt tenderly about wicked people, the disciples of Christ ought to feel likewise.
J.C. Ryle (More JC Ryle quotes - http://jcrylequotes.com/)
We know but little of true Christianity, if we do not feel a deep concern about the souls of unconverted people. A lazy indifference about the spiritual state of others, may doubtless save us much trouble. To care nothing whether our neighbors are going to heaven or hell, is no doubt the way of the world. But a person of this spirit is very unlike David, who said, “rivers of waters run down my eyes, because men keep not your law” (Psalm 119:136). He is very unlike Paul, who said, “I have great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart for my brethren” (Rom. 9:2). Above all, he is very unlike Christ. If Christ felt tenderly about wicked people, the disciples of Christ ought to feel likewise.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Forgive, Lest Satan Should Get an Advantage
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also…… Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.(2Cor 2:10-11)
Forgiveness not only ensures that the Father forgive us (Matt 6:14), but it protects us from the accuser of the brethren. The worst thing that anyone can experience is to be taken advantage of. This is a feeling of being stripped naked, laid bare and void of any protection. It is an intrusion into the deepest part of our being and leaves us with an emotional state of being violated and ashamed.
……how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? ….(Mat 18:21)
The ultimate demonstration of forgiveness is to love our enemies, bless them, do good to them, and pray for their best (Matt 5:44). The cross is the truest demonstration of forgiveness (Luke 23:34). We should not reckon why we cannot forgive, but give deepest consideration why we should. We can pen a whole shopping list of reasons not to forgive. But why should the devil take advantage of us? Never underestimate the damage he can do and he is constantly looking for victims (1 Pet 5:8). What a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare we can garner, forgive!
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also…… Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.(2Cor 2:10-11)
Forgiveness not only ensures that the Father forgive us (Matt 6:14), but it protects us from the accuser of the brethren. The worst thing that anyone can experience is to be taken advantage of. This is a feeling of being stripped naked, laid bare and void of any protection. It is an intrusion into the deepest part of our being and leaves us with an emotional state of being violated and ashamed.
……how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? ….(Mat 18:21)
The ultimate demonstration of forgiveness is to love our enemies, bless them, do good to them, and pray for their best (Matt 5:44). The cross is the truest demonstration of forgiveness (Luke 23:34). We should not reckon why we cannot forgive, but give deepest consideration why we should. We can pen a whole shopping list of reasons not to forgive. But why should the devil take advantage of us? Never underestimate the damage he can do and he is constantly looking for victims (1 Pet 5:8). What a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare we can garner, forgive!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Where God's Judgment Begins
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1Pet 4:17)
In the midst of the Middle East turmoil an earthquake hit Christchurch today (22 Feb 2011) at 12:51pm local time. Yeshua predicted that earthquakes will occur in diverse places (Matt 24:7) and geologist are reporting more than doubling of these geophysical events:
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1Pet 4:17)
In the midst of the Middle East turmoil an earthquake hit Christchurch today (22 Feb 2011) at 12:51pm local time. Yeshua predicted that earthquakes will occur in diverse places (Matt 24:7) and geologist are reporting more than doubling of these geophysical events:
DATES FROM TO PERIOD NO. EARTHQUAKES (Mag.> 6.99) 1863 to 1900 incl 38 yrs 12
1901 to 1938 incl 38 yrs 53 Reference list 1901 to 1938
1939 to 1976 incl 38 yrs 71 Reference list 1939 to 1976
1977 to 2014 incl * 38 yrs 156 (to Sept. 2010) predict >190 in total.Reference list 1977 to date(Data from http://www.earth.webecs.co.uk/)
Since this is the first major earthquake for 2011 and I wonder if there is any significance? Especially that 'Christchurch' was affected. Something for us to ponder, but not to remain in the state of awe but be watchful and in prayer always that we may be accounted worthy to escape 'these things' that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36). The context is with regard to the 'fig tree' (Matt 24:32), Israel, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Even Bible scholars of yonder years like Matthew Henry and Clarke make mention to watch for the coming attack on Israel and Jerusalem before the great and terrible day of the LORD.
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zec 12:10)
Since this is the first major earthquake for 2011 and I wonder if there is any significance? Especially that 'Christchurch' was affected. Something for us to ponder, but not to remain in the state of awe but be watchful and in prayer always that we may be accounted worthy to escape 'these things' that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36). The context is with regard to the 'fig tree' (Matt 24:32), Israel, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Even Bible scholars of yonder years like Matthew Henry and Clarke make mention to watch for the coming attack on Israel and Jerusalem before the great and terrible day of the LORD.
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zec 12:10)
'In that day' is a repeated statement by YHWH in Zechariah 12 that He will perform His Covenant and promises made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David and all Israel will be saved (Rom 11:26). And we the gentile church who have been grafted (Rom 11:17) into the vine of God's covenant will be finally one with Israel.
God has to judge the His household first, lest He be accused of being unjust. My brothers and sisters, are we ready for that Day of the Lord? Are we in the continual stature of praying and watching, our spiritual eyes toward Heaven and physical eyes looking at the events taking place in and around Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem till YHWH makes that city a praise in all the earth (Isa 62:7). Pray and make disciples for the fullness of the gentiles is at hand (Rom 11:25) and the door will close, but be opened for the salvation of the Jewish nation. We have a glorious destiny, are we ready and willing to lay down even our lives for that which is eternal and glorious.
Friday, February 18, 2011
‘Methuselah’, the Patience of God
And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. (Gen 5:27)
The length of days of Methuselah reminds us of the patience of God in a situation of going grossly out of God’s created order of things in which one of the saddest statement was recorded in Scripture; ‘And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart’ (Gen 6:6). It is as though parents regretted having their children. Methuselah means ‘when he dies, it shall be sent’ which is the mark of the coming of the flood in Noah’s days. God had to grieved for as long as until He found a remnant that is just and upright (Gen 6:9).
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2Pet 3:9)
Can Jesus find in this generation those who have the same spirit and heart as Noah for He will be returning soon to judge the quick and the dead (1 Pet 4:5)? Do we share the same grief that He has for the world? Just as important, do we share His desire that none should perish? Knowing His desire, how do we pattern our lives? Our ‘willingness’ in life tells of the condition of our heart if we live for ourselves and self-interest or for His. One of the greatest conflicts in human history is not with the devil, it is on the grounds of ‘will’. The message for us is do we fall under God's condition of being patient with us or are among those who have found ‘grace in the eyes of the LORD’ (Gen 6:8).
And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. (Gen 5:27)
The length of days of Methuselah reminds us of the patience of God in a situation of going grossly out of God’s created order of things in which one of the saddest statement was recorded in Scripture; ‘And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart’ (Gen 6:6). It is as though parents regretted having their children. Methuselah means ‘when he dies, it shall be sent’ which is the mark of the coming of the flood in Noah’s days. God had to grieved for as long as until He found a remnant that is just and upright (Gen 6:9).
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2Pet 3:9)
Can Jesus find in this generation those who have the same spirit and heart as Noah for He will be returning soon to judge the quick and the dead (1 Pet 4:5)? Do we share the same grief that He has for the world? Just as important, do we share His desire that none should perish? Knowing His desire, how do we pattern our lives? Our ‘willingness’ in life tells of the condition of our heart if we live for ourselves and self-interest or for His. One of the greatest conflicts in human history is not with the devil, it is on the grounds of ‘will’. The message for us is do we fall under God's condition of being patient with us or are among those who have found ‘grace in the eyes of the LORD’ (Gen 6:8).
Monday, February 14, 2011
A Conscience Void of Offence
by Rebekah
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” (Acts 24:16 KJV).
There are three types of consciences:
1) A good conscience - when we know when we have sinned and humbly make confession
2) A guilty conscience - when we know when we have sinned and hide it. This leads to a dead conscience.
3) A dead conscience - when we don’t even know when we have sinned. We have deadened, or dulled our conscience, putting it to sleep. Paul speaks of those with seared (cauterized) consciences.
It is ever so important in our relationship with God that we maintain a clear and pure conscience before Him. What is the most important thing in life? Our eternity. The life that goes beyond this world. What we need is the eternal life of God. What is that eternal life of God? As Jesus said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3 KJV).
Read I Peter 1:18-19 and Romans 3:24-25.
When we realize how indebted we are to God, it should motivate us to clear up our offences!
Read I Peter 3:16-17, Titus 1:15, and 2 Corinthians 1:12. What do these verses tell you about why you should maintain a clear conscience?
Read I Timothy 4:2 and I Timothy 1:19 and review Titus 1:15 and I Peter 3:16-17. What can happen if you don’t maintain a clear conscience?
When we harbor sin, we not only open the door for the enemy to come in, but we also put a blockage between ourselves and God. Read Revelation 12:10. The devil is the accuser and wishes to accuse us and make us doubt the blood of Christ, and one way he does it is by reminding us of past sins. If he can convince us that he still has victory over us, then we have lost. When we stand firm in Christ’s victory then we are standing by faith in God, who is on our side!
David was a man who always sought to maintain fellowship with God and to restore the relationship, clearing out any sin and blockage. After David sinned with Bathsheba, he wrote Psalm 51, a prayer of repentance and brokenness. David never took his relationship with God for granted but sought God with all his heart.
....Dietrich Bonhoeffer says in his book, Life Together, “God can only meet us on the condition of truth. He Himself is truth, and He will not meet us on the basis of phoniness or pretense. His grace is available, copiously and freely, but on the condition of truth alone. That is why so many Christian lives remain fixed at an unhappy level. They do not meet Him on the level of truth because they do not meet the saints on the level of truth. We can measure the truth of our relationship with God by our relationship with men. If it is deceitful, phony and secretive there, and withholding and unloving, then we are not to presume to think that our relationship with God is somehow better or separate. The two are inextricably joined together. It is our relationship to men that unmasks us, and it is our relationship with men that is the true requirement and reveals our condition before God.”
Read the rest at http://www.lightedlampmagazine.yolasite.com/resources/February2011.pdf
by Rebekah
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” (Acts 24:16 KJV).
There are three types of consciences:
1) A good conscience - when we know when we have sinned and humbly make confession
2) A guilty conscience - when we know when we have sinned and hide it. This leads to a dead conscience.
3) A dead conscience - when we don’t even know when we have sinned. We have deadened, or dulled our conscience, putting it to sleep. Paul speaks of those with seared (cauterized) consciences.
It is ever so important in our relationship with God that we maintain a clear and pure conscience before Him. What is the most important thing in life? Our eternity. The life that goes beyond this world. What we need is the eternal life of God. What is that eternal life of God? As Jesus said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3 KJV).
Read I Peter 1:18-19 and Romans 3:24-25.
When we realize how indebted we are to God, it should motivate us to clear up our offences!
Read I Peter 3:16-17, Titus 1:15, and 2 Corinthians 1:12. What do these verses tell you about why you should maintain a clear conscience?
Read I Timothy 4:2 and I Timothy 1:19 and review Titus 1:15 and I Peter 3:16-17. What can happen if you don’t maintain a clear conscience?
When we harbor sin, we not only open the door for the enemy to come in, but we also put a blockage between ourselves and God. Read Revelation 12:10. The devil is the accuser and wishes to accuse us and make us doubt the blood of Christ, and one way he does it is by reminding us of past sins. If he can convince us that he still has victory over us, then we have lost. When we stand firm in Christ’s victory then we are standing by faith in God, who is on our side!
David was a man who always sought to maintain fellowship with God and to restore the relationship, clearing out any sin and blockage. After David sinned with Bathsheba, he wrote Psalm 51, a prayer of repentance and brokenness. David never took his relationship with God for granted but sought God with all his heart.
....Dietrich Bonhoeffer says in his book, Life Together, “God can only meet us on the condition of truth. He Himself is truth, and He will not meet us on the basis of phoniness or pretense. His grace is available, copiously and freely, but on the condition of truth alone. That is why so many Christian lives remain fixed at an unhappy level. They do not meet Him on the level of truth because they do not meet the saints on the level of truth. We can measure the truth of our relationship with God by our relationship with men. If it is deceitful, phony and secretive there, and withholding and unloving, then we are not to presume to think that our relationship with God is somehow better or separate. The two are inextricably joined together. It is our relationship to men that unmasks us, and it is our relationship with men that is the true requirement and reveals our condition before God.”
Read the rest at http://www.lightedlampmagazine.yolasite.com/resources/February2011.pdf
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Exposing the Heart
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. (Pro 1:23)
The act of reproof or rebuke is something which is gravely missing today in society, churches and families. It is a two edged sword if done in the wrong spirit will bring condemnation when the person rebuking does it from the judgmental stand point. The Godly intent of reproof is to turn a person around to the God’s best. The reproofs of God results in the pouring out of His Spirit which David having received the rebuke of the prophet in the correct light and knew immediately that he lost the right or steadfastness of spirit (Psa 51:10). A judgmental rebuke results in making the person being rebuked unable to rise above the sin or character flaw that can drive them further away from the path of righteousness and God’s truth. There is only on Righteous Judge (2 Tim 4:8), don’t usurp His position. Therefore the person who rebukes must be one that has learned the humility of Christ (Matt 11:29).
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. (1Tim 5:20)
God will chastise those whom He loves (Heb 12:8) and will send people to reproof us; hence we should not allow pride to stand in the way of the greater work of God to build a strong spirit within us. Poor character is the fruit of having a weak spirit that easily yield to pressures, people with an excellent spirit will not be shaken (Dan 5:12), dwelling in the place of safety without the fear of evil (Prov 1:33). A person reclaimed from transgression will exchanged the fear of everything else for the fear of God.
Create in me a clean heart…… (Psa 51:10)
Godly reproofs expose the heart condition; self will which have taken the place of God’s will. Love for self rather than to love Him with all our heart. Allow godly reproofs, He will take away the stony heart and replace it with a tender heart (Eze 36:26), He will put His spirit within us (Eze 36:27), He will put His Law in our mind and write it on our hearts (Jer 31:33). Thence we will be under the New Covenant of Grace and not of requirements that we will never fulfill….. it is living in the place where ‘He will’.
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. (Pro 1:23)
The act of reproof or rebuke is something which is gravely missing today in society, churches and families. It is a two edged sword if done in the wrong spirit will bring condemnation when the person rebuking does it from the judgmental stand point. The Godly intent of reproof is to turn a person around to the God’s best. The reproofs of God results in the pouring out of His Spirit which David having received the rebuke of the prophet in the correct light and knew immediately that he lost the right or steadfastness of spirit (Psa 51:10). A judgmental rebuke results in making the person being rebuked unable to rise above the sin or character flaw that can drive them further away from the path of righteousness and God’s truth. There is only on Righteous Judge (2 Tim 4:8), don’t usurp His position. Therefore the person who rebukes must be one that has learned the humility of Christ (Matt 11:29).
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. (1Tim 5:20)
God will chastise those whom He loves (Heb 12:8) and will send people to reproof us; hence we should not allow pride to stand in the way of the greater work of God to build a strong spirit within us. Poor character is the fruit of having a weak spirit that easily yield to pressures, people with an excellent spirit will not be shaken (Dan 5:12), dwelling in the place of safety without the fear of evil (Prov 1:33). A person reclaimed from transgression will exchanged the fear of everything else for the fear of God.
Create in me a clean heart…… (Psa 51:10)
Godly reproofs expose the heart condition; self will which have taken the place of God’s will. Love for self rather than to love Him with all our heart. Allow godly reproofs, He will take away the stony heart and replace it with a tender heart (Eze 36:26), He will put His spirit within us (Eze 36:27), He will put His Law in our mind and write it on our hearts (Jer 31:33). Thence we will be under the New Covenant of Grace and not of requirements that we will never fulfill….. it is living in the place where ‘He will’.
Friday, January 28, 2011
But It is Hardly Credible That One Could so Persecute Jesus!
Oswald Chambers, January 28th
"Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" Acts 26:14
Am I set on my own way for God? We are never free from this snare until we are brought into the experience of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. Obstinacy and self-will will always stab Jesus Christ. It may hurt no one else, but it wounds His Spirit. Whenever we are obstinate and self-willed and set upon our own ambitions, we are hurting Jesus. Every time we stand on our rights and insist that this is what we intend to do, we are persecuting Jesus. Whenever we stand on our dignity we systematically vex and grieve His Spirit; and when the knowledge comes home that it is Jesus Whom we have been persecuting all the time, it is the most crushing revelation there could be.
Is the word of God tremendously keen to me as I hand it on to you, or does my life give the lie to the things I profess to teach? I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus is conscious of one thing only - a perfect oneness with the Father, and He says, "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." All I do ought to be founded on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly. This will mean that I can be easily put upon, easily over-reached, easily ignored; but if I submit to it for His sake, I prevent Jesus Christ being persecuted.
Oswald Chambers, January 28th
"Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" Acts 26:14
Am I set on my own way for God? We are never free from this snare until we are brought into the experience of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. Obstinacy and self-will will always stab Jesus Christ. It may hurt no one else, but it wounds His Spirit. Whenever we are obstinate and self-willed and set upon our own ambitions, we are hurting Jesus. Every time we stand on our rights and insist that this is what we intend to do, we are persecuting Jesus. Whenever we stand on our dignity we systematically vex and grieve His Spirit; and when the knowledge comes home that it is Jesus Whom we have been persecuting all the time, it is the most crushing revelation there could be.
Is the word of God tremendously keen to me as I hand it on to you, or does my life give the lie to the things I profess to teach? I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus is conscious of one thing only - a perfect oneness with the Father, and He says, "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." All I do ought to be founded on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly. This will mean that I can be easily put upon, easily over-reached, easily ignored; but if I submit to it for His sake, I prevent Jesus Christ being persecuted.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Ways of the Theological Method - Oswald Chambers
More videos available at http://www.youtube.com/user/stack45ny
More videos available at http://www.youtube.com/user/stack45ny
Friday, January 21, 2011
Danger of Self Derived Theology
......even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.(2Pet 3:15-16)
Theology, unfortunately can be a self developed belief system or conclusion from readings of books, including the Bible. Most of the time, it is fitting what is read to within the confines of the self understanding instead of being renewed in the mind (Rom 12:2), we filter and interpret 'truth' according to our heart's desire or even according to personal or moral defeats or perhaps even ignoring the God given conscience. There is only One truth, not a thing by itself, truth is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, The Way. Our eternal life is based on the relational reality 'that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent' (John 17:3). There is only One standard of life that requires our total yielding to, not that Life complying to our convenience.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Effective Evangelism
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
(Matt 9:38)
There is only one strategy that the Lord Himself taught us to employ, to pray. It does not begin by drafting elaborate plans to spread the Gospel, but it does require men and women who will humbly and quietly pray for souls. It does not begin at looking at the demographics of the community, but it requires looking at ourselves to examine if there is anything that stands in the way of our relationship between the Holy God and us. If we are to stand between the living and the dead to plead for souls, we cannot afford to regard, consider or approve sin in our heart (Psa 66:18). Are we willing to be absolutely transparent under the search light of God (1 John 1:17) that we will be first led in the way everlasting before leading others to Christ (Psa 139:23, 24)?
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
There is one message of the Gospel; God in His love saving mankind from sin. Never water down God’s conclusion of sin, the price of redemption is His Son. Sin is death, life is only found in Christ. Preach the cross! It is the entire force of God power to save, yet to those that perish foolishness (1 Cor 1:18). Never water down the message that coming to Jesus is to come to an end of self.
Don’t send to preach the Gospel, pray first. He knows that those whom He send are ones with eyes of faith to see the harvest as truly great (Luke 10:2). Can He send you and I to participate into the true greatness of the harvest? Yes He will, first transact with our Holy Saviour and He will lead us to do the rest.
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
(Matt 9:38)
There is only one strategy that the Lord Himself taught us to employ, to pray. It does not begin by drafting elaborate plans to spread the Gospel, but it does require men and women who will humbly and quietly pray for souls. It does not begin at looking at the demographics of the community, but it requires looking at ourselves to examine if there is anything that stands in the way of our relationship between the Holy God and us. If we are to stand between the living and the dead to plead for souls, we cannot afford to regard, consider or approve sin in our heart (Psa 66:18). Are we willing to be absolutely transparent under the search light of God (1 John 1:17) that we will be first led in the way everlasting before leading others to Christ (Psa 139:23, 24)?
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
There is one message of the Gospel; God in His love saving mankind from sin. Never water down God’s conclusion of sin, the price of redemption is His Son. Sin is death, life is only found in Christ. Preach the cross! It is the entire force of God power to save, yet to those that perish foolishness (1 Cor 1:18). Never water down the message that coming to Jesus is to come to an end of self.
Don’t send to preach the Gospel, pray first. He knows that those whom He send are ones with eyes of faith to see the harvest as truly great (Luke 10:2). Can He send you and I to participate into the true greatness of the harvest? Yes He will, first transact with our Holy Saviour and He will lead us to do the rest.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Love, Void of Self
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16)
The outworking of Christ likeness is the evidence of loving God first and loving others (Matt 22:37-40) and self takes a back seat. The basis of our salvation is because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) while we were yet enemies of God, haters of God, rebellion without any desire to seek Him. God’s choosing of Israel to be a special people unto Himself was on the same basis (Duet 7: 6, 7). What have we to boast but to thank Him for this is the truest demonstration of grace.
…….. Bless me, even me also, O my father. (Gen 27:34)
Knowing that our salvation is on the ground of love, todays danger is a love that is us-ward rather than God-ward and others-ward. We are loved so that we can love. We have the capacity to esteem others better than ourselves (Php 2:3). There is little evidence of self love because I am secure in His love. We are to be a non-striving weaned child (Psa 131:2) and not pampered brats that continually echo ‘give, give’ (Prov 30:15). Don’t be like an Esau who despised our birthright (John 1:12) for that which is temporal but would cry over lost blessing.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (Jas 2:17)
Faith pleases God and the demonstration of it is the reality of the love of God working through us toward others. It is the royal law (Jas 2:8) and all the law is fulfilled in one word, love (Gal 5:14). Not self love but to love others. There is diligence required in adding to faith; the end is brotherly love (2 Pet 1:5-7). Fruitfulness of our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is brotherly love (2 Pet 1:8). The Gospel begins with God’s love toward us; the outworking to the end is love God and love others. Self love is not the true understanding of God’s viewpoint on love. The intrinsic value of love is found in the content of our prayer, how we spend our money, what we occupy ourselves with and whose good we seek. Love is not word or feeling, it is action.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16)
The outworking of Christ likeness is the evidence of loving God first and loving others (Matt 22:37-40) and self takes a back seat. The basis of our salvation is because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) while we were yet enemies of God, haters of God, rebellion without any desire to seek Him. God’s choosing of Israel to be a special people unto Himself was on the same basis (Duet 7: 6, 7). What have we to boast but to thank Him for this is the truest demonstration of grace.
…….. Bless me, even me also, O my father. (Gen 27:34)
Knowing that our salvation is on the ground of love, todays danger is a love that is us-ward rather than God-ward and others-ward. We are loved so that we can love. We have the capacity to esteem others better than ourselves (Php 2:3). There is little evidence of self love because I am secure in His love. We are to be a non-striving weaned child (Psa 131:2) and not pampered brats that continually echo ‘give, give’ (Prov 30:15). Don’t be like an Esau who despised our birthright (John 1:12) for that which is temporal but would cry over lost blessing.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (Jas 2:17)
Faith pleases God and the demonstration of it is the reality of the love of God working through us toward others. It is the royal law (Jas 2:8) and all the law is fulfilled in one word, love (Gal 5:14). Not self love but to love others. There is diligence required in adding to faith; the end is brotherly love (2 Pet 1:5-7). Fruitfulness of our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is brotherly love (2 Pet 1:8). The Gospel begins with God’s love toward us; the outworking to the end is love God and love others. Self love is not the true understanding of God’s viewpoint on love. The intrinsic value of love is found in the content of our prayer, how we spend our money, what we occupy ourselves with and whose good we seek. Love is not word or feeling, it is action.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Separation unto Exclusivity
….. separate thyself, I pray thee, from me.......(Gen 13:9)
Abraham was known to be an altar builder and the perpetual Covenant of blessing God made with him, his call’s milestone includes seven significant separations. Separation from nationality (Gen 12:1), family (Gen 12:1), the world (Gen 13:1), right of choice (Gen 13:9), riches (Gen 13:10-12), Ishmael (Gen 21:9-12) and finally Isaac (Gen 22:1). The final one being the acid test of the allegiance and love with each separation impacting closer and closer to the heart. God is not interested in our pain; He is concern with His eternal purpose. If we look at separation as being cruel and heartless, than we neither understood the depths of His love nor grasps the full extent of the Cross of Christ. With a wrong perspective, we will not be able to carry our own cross daily and follow Him. We can lose the glorious end of Him raising us among many sons to glory. What He has predestined, He will perform all that is necessary (Eph 1:4, 5, Heb 12:10)).
A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. (SoS 4:12)
To be made holy is a separation with the utmost fidelity. We belong totally to Him, never to be shared with anything or any other. On this ground our hearts will never stray and there is an enclosed intimacy that yields fruit. The gate is narrow the way is difficult (Matt 7:14) and few will enter in (Luke 13:24). Many of our earthly baggage need to be displaced to squeeze through. God will be surgical (Matt 10:34) for His names sake. Abraham made His choice and passed the test, will we? Separation is essential and yet the sovereign God leave the choice to us.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Lift Up Our Heads
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (Psa 24:7)
God is ready to come in and be sovereign in our lives. His hands are continually stretched out, but we can disregard it (Prov 1:24). He is ready to impart His Wisdom when we acknowledge our foolish pride. His help is always within reach (Psa 121:2), if only we lift up and see. This seeing takes faith. Lift up our head takes humility and readiness to come to an end of ourselves. Lift up our heads and welcome Him to take over completely.
Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, why do ye look one upon another? (Gen 42:1)
The best than man can give is out of their own capacity. Why look to man when there is an ever flowing pure stream we can drink from (Jer 2:13). Looking horizontally can result in unhealthy fault finding, breeding striving and a self righteous tendency to judge others.
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, ….. within the veil; (Heb 6:19)
Looking down is to deny His saving grace and leave one in hopelessness. Hope anchors us; it opens our eyes to see the plateau of God’s grace. It secures us without fear of evil. An anchored soul has the glorious privilege of enjoying communion in the presence of the Almighty and living in a state of being pleased without any want (Psa 16:19).
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…….
(Gal 6:14)
Don’t look inward! There is a subtle and destructive element when we look at self. Glory in the cross of Jesus that have nailed self to the cross that the life of Christ may be manifested in and through us (Gal 2:20). Beware of other self inflicted or man given crosses, these don’t carry the intrinsic value of God’s glory. Don't shun the cross of Christ for there is a glorious overcoming life with sight set on eternity.
…. now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. (Mat 11:12)
When we invite the King in, He will come in strong and mighty (Psa 24:8). He will bring His kingdom with Him and reign supreme. There will be humbling. All hardness of heart will be supplanted (Eze 36:26). If we allow Him to come in, He will be surgical. All this amounts in glory for His names sake and we become participants in the perpetual will and purposes of the Almighty.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (Psa 24:7)
God is ready to come in and be sovereign in our lives. His hands are continually stretched out, but we can disregard it (Prov 1:24). He is ready to impart His Wisdom when we acknowledge our foolish pride. His help is always within reach (Psa 121:2), if only we lift up and see. This seeing takes faith. Lift up our head takes humility and readiness to come to an end of ourselves. Lift up our heads and welcome Him to take over completely.
Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, why do ye look one upon another? (Gen 42:1)
The best than man can give is out of their own capacity. Why look to man when there is an ever flowing pure stream we can drink from (Jer 2:13). Looking horizontally can result in unhealthy fault finding, breeding striving and a self righteous tendency to judge others.
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, ….. within the veil; (Heb 6:19)
Looking down is to deny His saving grace and leave one in hopelessness. Hope anchors us; it opens our eyes to see the plateau of God’s grace. It secures us without fear of evil. An anchored soul has the glorious privilege of enjoying communion in the presence of the Almighty and living in a state of being pleased without any want (Psa 16:19).
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…….
(Gal 6:14)
Don’t look inward! There is a subtle and destructive element when we look at self. Glory in the cross of Jesus that have nailed self to the cross that the life of Christ may be manifested in and through us (Gal 2:20). Beware of other self inflicted or man given crosses, these don’t carry the intrinsic value of God’s glory. Don't shun the cross of Christ for there is a glorious overcoming life with sight set on eternity.
…. now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. (Mat 11:12)
When we invite the King in, He will come in strong and mighty (Psa 24:8). He will bring His kingdom with Him and reign supreme. There will be humbling. All hardness of heart will be supplanted (Eze 36:26). If we allow Him to come in, He will be surgical. All this amounts in glory for His names sake and we become participants in the perpetual will and purposes of the Almighty.
Monday, December 20, 2010
The New Covenant
Ps Lee Shaw Ming
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Mt 26:27-28)
Friend, Christians live under the New Covenant which was effected by Yeshua’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. However, most are ignorant of or have inaccurate understanding of what the New Covenant really is, and therefore do not experience the sanctifying power and liberty of this glorious Covenant. Worse of all, an increasing number of pastors and believers are promoting a perverted form of “new covenant” doctrine that basically is a repackaging of the ancient heresy of antinomianism (anti-Law). This heresy, condemned in 1 John, erroneously presumed that the Old Testament Law has been abolished under the New Covenant, and thus, encourages lawlessness. Truly, God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge!
Read rest of article HERE
Ps Lee Shaw Ming
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Mt 26:27-28)
Friend, Christians live under the New Covenant which was effected by Yeshua’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. However, most are ignorant of or have inaccurate understanding of what the New Covenant really is, and therefore do not experience the sanctifying power and liberty of this glorious Covenant. Worse of all, an increasing number of pastors and believers are promoting a perverted form of “new covenant” doctrine that basically is a repackaging of the ancient heresy of antinomianism (anti-Law). This heresy, condemned in 1 John, erroneously presumed that the Old Testament Law has been abolished under the New Covenant, and thus, encourages lawlessness. Truly, God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge!
Read rest of article HERE
Friday, December 17, 2010
Salvation and Our Will
But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12, 13)
Our salvation didn’t begin with us, meaning it wasn’t our decision to believe on Jesus but our salvation originates with God and His divine will to save us (John 17:2, 3). The gospel starts at the beginning with Christ (John 1:1), creation and life stem from the Same. Salvation is all encompassing that we have a renewed mind of Christ, a new heart and our will yield to God’s will. The latter is probably the biggest struggle in our entire Christian pilgrimage.
It was at Gethsemane that Jesus had the victory to overcome the physical cross (Matt 26:42). Likewise wrestle to overcome our self will and submit to Father’s. Don’t wrestle with God lest we be maimed, wrestle before Him against our self will and He will provide us the required strength. Once self will is yielded, there is joy in facing all trials of life for we participate in the glorious and eternal hope in Christ (Heb 12:2).
As we present our entirety alive, i.e. victory over self will, there is sweet aroma of worship that rises to the Throne and He is pleased to prove in and through us His good, acceptable and perfect will (Rom 12:1,2). The cross puts to death our flesh, never the will for He never meant for us to be marionettes. However the devil want to engulf our will so that he finds a bodily manifestation. With our will submitted to His will, we can will our entire being to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, nary a hint of self achievement but the end is done for His glory.
But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12, 13)
Our salvation didn’t begin with us, meaning it wasn’t our decision to believe on Jesus but our salvation originates with God and His divine will to save us (John 17:2, 3). The gospel starts at the beginning with Christ (John 1:1), creation and life stem from the Same. Salvation is all encompassing that we have a renewed mind of Christ, a new heart and our will yield to God’s will. The latter is probably the biggest struggle in our entire Christian pilgrimage.
It was at Gethsemane that Jesus had the victory to overcome the physical cross (Matt 26:42). Likewise wrestle to overcome our self will and submit to Father’s. Don’t wrestle with God lest we be maimed, wrestle before Him against our self will and He will provide us the required strength. Once self will is yielded, there is joy in facing all trials of life for we participate in the glorious and eternal hope in Christ (Heb 12:2).
As we present our entirety alive, i.e. victory over self will, there is sweet aroma of worship that rises to the Throne and He is pleased to prove in and through us His good, acceptable and perfect will (Rom 12:1,2). The cross puts to death our flesh, never the will for He never meant for us to be marionettes. However the devil want to engulf our will so that he finds a bodily manifestation. With our will submitted to His will, we can will our entire being to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, nary a hint of self achievement but the end is done for His glory.
Friday, December 03, 2010
The New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34 - NKJV)
“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,[a] says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Thoughts from the daughter on the New Covenant
“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,[a] says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Thoughts from the daughter on the New Covenant
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Eternal Inclusion
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Eph 5:31-32)
Marriage is two ‘shall be one flesh’ (Gen 2:24) as established in the beginning, it speaks of a deeper and greater destiny for the Church of Christ. Oneness is when there is a total conformity and homogeneity that does not have any distinct separation. We are included and conform to Christ, not vice versa. We no longer live our own destiny but for His alone. Unity in Christ is a current reality not a future possibility, ‘as He is, so are we in the world’ (1 John 4:17). He is holy, so we are. He loves, forgives and merciful, so are we. His attributes and character qualities are inseparable from us.
The mystery remains one until the Divine revelation of our oneness in Him is understood and made a living reality. Before the foundation of the earth an eternal plan (Eph 1:4) has been put in unstoppable momentum, so that ‘the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord’ (Eph 2:21). That temple is a house of prayer (Matt 21:13, Mar 11:17 and Luke 19:46) as Christ Jesus always lives to make intercession (Heb 7:25). ‘Pray without ceasing’ (1Th 5:17), having a spirit of constant dialogue as though there is a continual dependency on God for every good. It is a communication is that enabled and remains always connected.
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)
It is Jesus prayer that the church be one in Him and His totality manifested in us; this is our perfection or completeness. The oneness with Christ is not a sub servile relationship, but one steep in His eternal love. Are we living in the answer His prayer to the Father?
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Eph 5:31-32)
Marriage is two ‘shall be one flesh’ (Gen 2:24) as established in the beginning, it speaks of a deeper and greater destiny for the Church of Christ. Oneness is when there is a total conformity and homogeneity that does not have any distinct separation. We are included and conform to Christ, not vice versa. We no longer live our own destiny but for His alone. Unity in Christ is a current reality not a future possibility, ‘as He is, so are we in the world’ (1 John 4:17). He is holy, so we are. He loves, forgives and merciful, so are we. His attributes and character qualities are inseparable from us.
The mystery remains one until the Divine revelation of our oneness in Him is understood and made a living reality. Before the foundation of the earth an eternal plan (Eph 1:4) has been put in unstoppable momentum, so that ‘the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord’ (Eph 2:21). That temple is a house of prayer (Matt 21:13, Mar 11:17 and Luke 19:46) as Christ Jesus always lives to make intercession (Heb 7:25). ‘Pray without ceasing’ (1Th 5:17), having a spirit of constant dialogue as though there is a continual dependency on God for every good. It is a communication is that enabled and remains always connected.
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)
It is Jesus prayer that the church be one in Him and His totality manifested in us; this is our perfection or completeness. The oneness with Christ is not a sub servile relationship, but one steep in His eternal love. Are we living in the answer His prayer to the Father?
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Death
Bonhoeffer had once preached, "No one has yet believed in God and the kingdom of God. No one has yet heard about the realm of the ressurected, and not been homesick from that hour, waiting and looking forward joyfully to being released from bodily existence... Death is hell and night and cold, if it is not transformed by our faith. But that is just what is so marvelous, that we can transform death."
Bonhoeffer had once preached, "No one has yet believed in God and the kingdom of God. No one has yet heard about the realm of the ressurected, and not been homesick from that hour, waiting and looking forward joyfully to being released from bodily existence... Death is hell and night and cold, if it is not transformed by our faith. But that is just what is so marvelous, that we can transform death."
Friday, November 26, 2010
Our Mind And The Will of God
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2)
I have been told as a child that an ‘idle mind is the devil’s workshop’ which carries some truth. Moving closer to truth, the mind is the beachhead of the devil’s assault to influence and finally to cause us to be deceived into losing sovereignty of our will. We have to be in constant watchfulness ‘as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ’ (2Cor 11:3). The corruption of the heart enters through the mind through demonically inspired thoughts and temptations (Gen 2:17).
Good intentions are not good enough because it is of the heart; we need a renewed mind to secure our regenerated life in Christ. Similarly with faithfulness; men can love their wives with their hearts and yet be unfaithful and mentally hold separate relationships. If we concede in the battle of the mind, evil will work its way to our heart or emotions and from there control the entire being (John 13:2) and steal the Word from our hearts (Luke 8:12). We should be circumspect in our though life and not allow the devil any foothold. The foothold the devil takes is when we give our minds over voluntarily by lack of carefulness to guard it.
The meaning of repentance is a ‘change of mind’. This does not mean altering our thoughts but renewing a mind by a complete wiping clean of world and past conformity to the conformance to the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). Things that play through our minds will tell us if the renewal is being done and if the peace of God resides with us (Php 4:8-9). We cannot afford to be passive in our mind, but be active in meditation of His Word which allows God to work in first and subsequently work out in our everyday living. Genuineness of faith is shown in the living and the doing (Jam 2:20). If we desire to know the good, acceptable and perfect will of God for us personally, for our family and for our church, it will begin with us actively engaging in warfare to regain surrendered ground of our mind.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Diligence to Enter Rest
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest….. (Heb 4:11)
It seems strange that there is an indication that there is an exertion of body and mind or our totality to enter into rest. The word ‘rest’ does not indicate a place of ease or freedom from discomfort, pain or labor. Rest speaks of an abode or state of being. Rest is not letting go of responsibility and plunging into ‘blind’ faith. Faith is never blind, but rather true faith opens our eyes and heart to the unfurling of all of God’s promises and things previously hidden into living heavenly reality.
……. and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (Heb 4:6)
What then is the place of rest or abiding look like? ‘Unbelief’ in the original Greek is disobedience or rebellion, which is the disqualification to enter into the place of abiding. The state of being through obedience is the place of standing on the ground of grace and God’s loving favor (Rom 5:2). Beyond His divine favor, the grace of God is an enabling power to live without the propensity to sin; not just being made free from sin but the ability not to go back to the former state (Rom 6:7, 11). Abiding is also the place of answered prayer (John 15:7) and love (John 15:10). Abiding is the place of being well pleased of the Father, not working to please. This is the position of utter security and love, a knowing that we know that we are loved and where all strife cease. Abiding is the place where God speaks His dividing Word into us (Heb 4:12), that we may be separated from death into life, from wrath into redemption, from enmity into son-ship. The word of invitation is open to one and all, is there an ear to hear and quickness in Spirit to obey to enter into God’s eternal realm, not when Christ returns, but beginning on this side of eternity. To enter into abiding in Christ we have to purpose that our total being to be subjected in unquestionable obedience to Christ.
Monday, November 08, 2010
Sin, Our Enemy
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:11)
Enemies are frequently thought of as people or the devil that oppress with the intention to destroy us. The reason why Jesus Christ came into the world, to live, show the light, die and rose from the dead is to save us from sin (Mark 1:21). It is sin that made fallen mankind enemies of God and it took nothing less than the death of the Son of God to reconcile us to Him (Rom 5:10). Jesus’ death save us from sin, not save us in sin. It is the leaving and never returning to the bondage of sin (Exo 20:2). Therefore we have to conclude that sin is to be an arch enemy which should never to form alliances with. Sin must be dead to us and it to us (Gal 6:14)
….. than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb 11:25)
It would be sad if we would passively ‘wait’ to be delivered from the grips of sin, could it be because there is still something in sin that we still enjoy? Wanting to secure a place in the Kingdom yet a foot in the world and its pleasure thereof (1 John 2:15). The invitation for total freedom from sin is as much as is for salvation; it is to be shown the path of life and the fullness of joy in living in it (Psa 16:11). God is ready with all His divine power; we have to purpose in our heart to do our part by responding in faith. Faith is the meeting point where the Lord can make complete deliverance from sin a permanent reality.God is faithful and just to forgive us because we are not infallible (1 John 1:9). We must however have the attitude that violently treats sin as our sworn enemy (Matt 11:12).
Monday, November 01, 2010
Is Jehovah God’s True Name?
Excerpted from Michael L. Brown, What Do Jewish People Think About Jesus?
The name Jehovah is actually based on a mistaken reading of the biblical text by medieval Christian scholars who were educated in the Hebrew language but were not aware of certain Jewish scribal customs. In short, they did not realize that it was a Jewish tradition to write the vowels for the word ’adonai, Lord, with the consonants for the name Yahweh, known as the tetragrammaton, and they wrongly read this hybrid word as Yehowah, or Jehovah in English. That is to say, the name Jehovah (or Yehowah) did not exist in Israel—despite the popularity of this name in English-speaking, Christian circles, and despite religious organizations like Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Before getting into more specifics about the original pronunciation of God’s name, YHWH, let me explain the Jewish scribal custom known as qere-ketiv (pronounced q’rey, k’teev), Aramaic for “read” and “it is written.” This practice included several different scribal customs, including: (1) the practice of not reading certain words that were considered objectionable in the biblical Hebrew text and replacing them with less offensive words in their place; and (2) the practice of replacing one reading of a word with a variant reading of that same word, normally reflecting a minor difference in spelling or grammar. An example of the former would be the reading of the verb “lie with” (Hebrew shakab) for the verb “ravish” (Hebrew shagal). This occurs four times in the Tanakh, Deuteronomy 28:30; Isaiah 13:16; Jeremiah 3:2; and Zechariah 14:2, which is why the NIV translates with “ravish” (as written in the Hebrew text) but in an ancient synagogue, the marginal text with “lie with” would have been read. In this case, “ravish” would be the ketiv, what is written in the main Hebrew text, while “lie with” would be the qere, the word to be read in place of what is written. An example of the latter would be the substitution of the plural form of a word for the singular form, or, to use English as an example, substituting the spelling “color” for “colour.” These types of substitutions occur frequently. Again, the substituted form is the qere while the replaced form is the ketiv.
How did the Jewish scribes indicate this? In some manuscripts, the word to be replaced (the ketiv, the word written in the main text) would be left without vowels, which would be quite conspicuous. Then, in the margin of the text, the qere would be written in full (that is, with both consonants and vowels). In other manuscripts, the consonants of the word in the text (ketiv) would be preserved but the vowels of the word to be read in its place (qere) would be substituted, creating a hybrid form, while the consonants of the qere word would be written in the margin.
Read full article here
Excerpted from Michael L. Brown, What Do Jewish People Think About Jesus?
The name Jehovah is actually based on a mistaken reading of the biblical text by medieval Christian scholars who were educated in the Hebrew language but were not aware of certain Jewish scribal customs. In short, they did not realize that it was a Jewish tradition to write the vowels for the word ’adonai, Lord, with the consonants for the name Yahweh, known as the tetragrammaton, and they wrongly read this hybrid word as Yehowah, or Jehovah in English. That is to say, the name Jehovah (or Yehowah) did not exist in Israel—despite the popularity of this name in English-speaking, Christian circles, and despite religious organizations like Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Before getting into more specifics about the original pronunciation of God’s name, YHWH, let me explain the Jewish scribal custom known as qere-ketiv (pronounced q’rey, k’teev), Aramaic for “read” and “it is written.” This practice included several different scribal customs, including: (1) the practice of not reading certain words that were considered objectionable in the biblical Hebrew text and replacing them with less offensive words in their place; and (2) the practice of replacing one reading of a word with a variant reading of that same word, normally reflecting a minor difference in spelling or grammar. An example of the former would be the reading of the verb “lie with” (Hebrew shakab) for the verb “ravish” (Hebrew shagal). This occurs four times in the Tanakh, Deuteronomy 28:30; Isaiah 13:16; Jeremiah 3:2; and Zechariah 14:2, which is why the NIV translates with “ravish” (as written in the Hebrew text) but in an ancient synagogue, the marginal text with “lie with” would have been read. In this case, “ravish” would be the ketiv, what is written in the main Hebrew text, while “lie with” would be the qere, the word to be read in place of what is written. An example of the latter would be the substitution of the plural form of a word for the singular form, or, to use English as an example, substituting the spelling “color” for “colour.” These types of substitutions occur frequently. Again, the substituted form is the qere while the replaced form is the ketiv.
How did the Jewish scribes indicate this? In some manuscripts, the word to be replaced (the ketiv, the word written in the main text) would be left without vowels, which would be quite conspicuous. Then, in the margin of the text, the qere would be written in full (that is, with both consonants and vowels). In other manuscripts, the consonants of the word in the text (ketiv) would be preserved but the vowels of the word to be read in its place (qere) would be substituted, creating a hybrid form, while the consonants of the qere word would be written in the margin.
Read full article here
Thursday, October 28, 2010
To Whom Do We Liken God?
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. (Isa 40:25)
The fallen nature of humanity is one that desires to govern our own destiny (Jug 21:25) and to decide between good and evil (Gen 2:17). This has resulted in us displacing the sovereignty of the God. The Covenant (Jer 31:32) forbids idolatry (Exo 20:3, 4) hence denying the supremacy of God, the not so obvious is what we perceive when we say ‘my judgment is passed over from my God’ (Isa 40:27) as though we have been neglected or unnoticed by Him. This kind of idolatry exalts the issue or problem over God.
When we are overwhelmed, there is always the tendency to be inward looking. We are encourage to ‘lift up your eyes on high’ (Isa 45:26) and behold the ‘greatness of His might’. In other words, believe Him to the point of thankfulness (Php 4:6) that He has delivered our soul (Psa 42:5) in hope; this is faith. Without faith it will not please Him to deliver us (Heb 11:6). When we rise up in faith, there is the grace and the surging heavenly power to overcome (Isa 40:29). God is ready, are we willing to destroy the idolatry of self pity and yield to His greatness.
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