Baptism

THE JEWISH BACKGROUND
OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM

BY Ron Moseley, Ph. D.

The following article is provided by:
Arkansas Institute of Holy Land Studies
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There is no question that the church is debtor to Judaism for its main structure including such items as Messiah, Scripture, canon, liturgy, altar, pulpit, church offices, songs, offerings, the Lord's Supper, as well as baptism itself. Dr. Merrill Tenney, the editor of the Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible said, "Baptism as a rite of immersion was not begun by Christians but was taken by them from Jewish and pagan forms...." Since early Christianity was a part of the Judaism of Jesus' day, it is without question that baptism in today's church was originally Jewish. Further evidence comes from Scholars like William Lasor and David Daube who tell us of the early church's practice of baptism by self immersion after the custom of the Jews.
History of the Jewish Mikveh

The term mikveh in Hebrew literally means any gathering of waters, but is specifically used in Jewish law for the waters or bath for the ritual immersion. The building of the mikveh was so important in ancient times it was said to take precedence over the construction of a synagogue. Immersion was so important that it occurred before the high Priest conducted the service on the Day of Atonement, before the regular priests participated in the Temple service, before each person entered the Temple complex, before a scribe wrote the name of God, as well as several other occasions.

The Mishnah attributes to Ezra a decree that each male should immerse himself before praying or studying. There were several Jewish groups that observed ritual immersion every day to assure readiness for the coming of the Messiah. The Church Fathers mentioned one of these groups called Hemerobaptists which means "daily bathers" in Greek. Among those used to regular immersion were the Essenes and others that the Talmud calls tovelei shaharit or "dawn bathers."

On the third day of creation we see the source of the word mikveh for the first time in Genesis 1:10 when the Lord says, "...to the gathering (mikveh) of waters, He called seas." Because of this reference in Genesis the ocean is still a legitimate mikveh.
The Mikvaot Around The Temple

The New Testament tells us that many of the early church's daily activities were centered around the Temple. Historically, we know that there were many ritual immersion baths (mikvaot) on the Temple Mount including one in the Chamber of Lepers situated in the northwest corner of the Court of Women (Mid. 2:5). Josephus tells us that even during the years of war (66-73 A.D.) the laws of ritual immersion were strictly adhered to (Jos. Wars, 4:205). The Temple itself contained immersion baths in various places for the priests to use, even in the vaults beneath the court (Commentary to Tam. 26b; Tam. 1:1). The High Priest had special immersion pools in the Temple, two of which are mentioned in the Mishnah. We are told one of these was in the Water Gate in the south of the court and another was on the roof of the Parva Chamber (Mid. 1:4; Mid. 5:3). There was an additional place for immersion on the Mount of Olives which was connected with the burning of the red heifer (Par. 3:7). A special ramp led to the mikveh on the Mount of Olives from the Temple Mount, which was built as an arched way over another arched way to avoid uncleanness from the graves in the valley below. Recent archaeological excavations have found 48 different mikvaot near the Monumental Staircase leading into the Temple Complex.
Three Basic Areas

According to Jewish law there are three basic areas where immersion in the mikveh is required.

1. Immersion is required for both men and women when converting to Judaism. There were three prerequisites for a proselyte coming into Judaism: Circumcision, baptism, and sacrifice (Maimonides, Hilkh. Iss. Biah xiii. 5). 2. Immersion is required after a woman has her monthly period (Lev. 15:28). 3. Immersion is required for pots and eating utensils manufactured by a non-Jew (Encyclopedia of Jewish Religion p-263).

Besides these, there are other times when it is customary to be immersed in the mikveh such as the occasion before Yom Kippur as a sign of purity and repentance and before the Sabbath in order to sensitize oneself to the holiness of the day.
The Six Descending Orders of Ritual Immersion

There are six descending orders of ritual baths in the Mishnah (Oral Laws of how to accomplish the written Law) and the highest order is that of a spring or flowing river. We see Jesus understanding and fulfilling this order in Matthew 3:16 as He comes to be baptized in the Jordan River "fulfilling all righteousness." This highest order was called Living Water and illustrated the forgiving of sins, therefore, we hear Jesus using this term concerning Himself (John 4:10-11).
The Water Restrictions

There were also six basic restrictions on the water used in the mikveh including such rules as:
(1) the mikveh can not contain other liquid besides water. (2) The water has to be either built into the ground or be an integral part of a building attached to the ground. (3) The mikveh can not be flowing except for a natural spring, river or ocean. (4) The water can not be manually drawn. (5) The water can not be channeled to the mikveh by anything unclean. (6) The mikveh must contain at least 40 sa'ah or approximately 200 gallons of water.

The term sa'ah is an ancient Biblical measurement equivalent to approximately five gallons. All six requirements come from the original Hebrew words found in Leviticus 11:36. Rabbi Yitzchok ben Sheshes said the amount of 40 sa'ah was derived from the idea that the largest normal human body has a volume of 20 sa'ah, therefore the amount of water needed to "nullify" this body is double this amount or 40 sa'ah.
Why Be Immersed?

To the ancient Jew, the mikveh was a process of spiritual purification and cleansing, especially in relation to the various types of Turmah or ritual defilement when the Temple was in use. Although God has not revealed all the meaning of the mikveh, it is obvious because of the amount of space given to it in Scripture, and the effort of Jesus to fulfill it, the command is of utmost importance. All commands of the Lord fall into three categories:

1. The moral or ethical laws that are necessary for man to live in harmony are known as Mishpatim and are literally translated judgments. 2. The rituals and festivals which reawaken us to important religious truths such as Sabbath, holidays, the Tefillin and the Mezuzah that remind us of God's presence are known as Edos and are literally translated witnesses. 3. The third group often has no explicit reason given for their existence except for Israel's identification as God's chosen people to the other nations (Deuteronomy 4:6). This group of laws are known as Chukim and are literally translated as decrees. Among the decrees of this group are the dietary laws as well as ritual immersion.
How Immersion Was Done

Jewish baptism has never been taken lightly, but in ancient times immersion was to be performed in the presence of witnesses (Yebam. 47b). The person being baptized made special preparations by cutting his nails, undressed completely and made a fresh profession of his faith before the designated "fathers of the baptism" (Kethub. 11a; Erub 15a). This is possibly where churches, sometime later, got the term Godfathers. The individual stood straight up with the feet spread and the hands held out in front. The candidate would totally immerse themselves by squatting in the water with a witness or baptizer doing the officiating. Note the New Testament points out the fact that Jesus came up straightway out of the water (Matthew 3:16).

The earliest drawing of Christian baptism was found on the wall of a Roman catacomb in the second century showing John standing on the bank of the Jordan helping Jesus back to shore after self immersion.

Ancient sages teach that the word mikveh has the same letters as Ko(v)Meh, the Hebrew word for "rising" or "standing tall," therefore we see the idea of being baptized "straightway."

Although it is the Jewish belief that repentance is necessary, purification from defilement is done primarily through water, while other effects of sins are covered by blood (Romans 4:7; note the "almost all things" in Hebrews 9:22). The concept of immersion in rabbinic literature is referred to as a new birth (Yeb. 22a; 48b; 97b; Mass. Ger. c.ii). Note six other important aspects of ancient Jewish immersion:

1.Immersion was accompanied by exhortations and benedictions (Maimonides Hilkh. Milah iii.4; Hilkh. Iss, Biah Xiv .6). A convert would reaffirm his acceptance of the Torah by declaring, "I will do and I will hear" which was a phrase from the oath that was originally taken by the priests not to forsake the Torah (Deuteronomy 29:9- 14). This ritual demonstrates the willingness of the convert to forsake his Gentile background and assume his Jewish identity by taking on the status of one who keeps the commandments.

According to a number of Jewish sages, mayim, which is the Hebrew word for water, shares the same root as the word "mah", meaning "what." This teaching points out that when a person immerses in water, he is nullifying the fleshly ego and is asking, "what am I?" in the same manner that Moses and Aaron did in Exodus 16:7 when they said to the Lord, "we are what?"

2. The Jewish baptism candidates were often immersed three times. The idea of total immersion comes from the Scripture in Leviticus 15:16 when it says, "he shall wash all his flesh in the water." One reason it was customary to immerse three times was because the word mikveh occurs three times in the Torah.

3. According to Jewish law the immersion had to have a required witness. Dr. William LaSor in the Biblical Archaeology Review says apparently the Biblical phrase "in the name of" was an indication of the required witness. In several New Testament references such as I Corinthians 1:13, 15; Matthew 21:25; Acts 1:22; and Acts 19:3 we see early baptism mentioned in conjunction with the name of individuals such as John and Paul. Further information on this can be found in Jewish literature concerning proselyte baptism where it indicates his baptism required attestation by witnesses in whose name he was immersed.

4. The immersion candidate was not touched by the baptizer in Jesus' day. Because Leviticus 15:16 says "He shall wash all his flesh in the water," Judaism stresses that the entire body must come in contact with the water of the mikveh. To insure the immersion was valid, no clothing or individuals could touch the candidate. Any such intervention that prevented the water from reaching a part of the body was known as Chatzitzah and rendered the immersion invalid. Although the mikveh was more spiritual than physical, often the bath had two sets of steps, one entering and another leaving so as not to defile what had been purified.

5. The baptismal water (Mikveh) in rabbinic literature was referred to as the womb of the world, and as a convert came out of the water it was considered a new birth separating him from the pagan world. As the convert came out of these waters his status was changed and he was referred to as "a little child just born" or "a child of one day" (Yeb. 22a; 48b; 97b). We see the New Testament using similar Jewish terms as "born anew," "new creation," and "born from above." According to Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum rabbinic literature uses the term "born again" to refer to at least six different occurrences. Note each of these life changing experiences: (a) When a Gentile converts to Judaism. (b) When an individual is crowned king. (c) At age 13 when a Jewish boy chooses to embrace God's covenant and be numbered with the believers. (d) When an individual gets married. (e) When an individual becomes a rabbi. (f) When an individual becomes the head of a rabbinical school.

6. Jewish law requires at least three witnesses made up of qualified leaders to be present for certain immersions (Yebam 47b). Ordinarily a member of the Sanhedrin performed the act of observing the proselytes immersion, but in case of necessity others could do it. Secret baptism, or where only the mother brought a child, was not acknowledged.
Repentance Without Baptism

One of the most important teachings in Judaism is that of repentance. According to both Scripture and rabbinic literature, no matter how great the sin, if a person repents and forsakes the sin before God he can be forgiven. As we see in the case of John, Jesus, and all New Testament writers, repentance was always involved. The Jerusalem Talmud states, "nothing can stand before repentance" (Yebamos 47b). According to Dr. David Flusser, the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as the New Testament teach that water can purify the body only if the soul has first been purified through repentance and righteousness.
Water and Blood Both Illustrate God's Cleansing In Judaism

Both water and blood are used constantly in the Torah and the New Testament as the two main agents to illustrate God's cleansing. The Jews believe that uncleanness is not physical, but rather a spiritual condition as related in Leviticus 11:44 where it states by wrong actions one can make the "soul unclean." Therefore, the purification through ritual immersion, as commanded in Scripture is basically involved with the soul, rather than the body. Note how both water and blood are cited in Scripture: (1) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12). (2) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). (3) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the Feast Offerings (Leviticus 23). (4) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the five Levitical Offerings (Leviticus 1-7). (5) Blood is used in cleansing in relation to the atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11-14).

(1) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the separation and the ashes of the Red Heifer (Numbers 19). (2) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the consecration to priestly ministry (Leviticus 8:6). (3) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the cleansing of the leper (Leviticus 14:1-8). (4) Water is used in cleansing in relation to the different washings of the Law (Hebrews 9:10). (5) Water is used in relation to the remission of sins (Acts 2:38); Titus 3:5; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3; I Peter 3:20-21; Ephesians 5:26; John 19:34; I John 5:6; Hebrews 9:19- 23).
Summary

A detailed study of the Jewish background of Christian baptism shows that it is vitally important, but God doesn't always tell us why. Obviously, the convert could repent and have a part in the life to come without it, but the emphasis seems to be pointing to the taking on of a new "believer" status illustrated as a "new birth" by immersion. In any covenant with the Lord the three items of God's Word, the blood, and a token are always present (Genesis 17:11). Jesus was always cautious to have three witnesses in everything He did (I John 5:7-8). In the Old Testament circumcision was considered the token of God's covenant, and in the New Testament we see the same wording concerning baptism as it is referred to as "circumcision made without hands" (Colossians 2:11-12). Whatever religious denomination, all believers should agree that immersion has its roots in the Jewish mikveh of Jesus' day, and it is of utmost importance for each of us to fulfill this righteous deed.



The Greek for the word ‘baptizo’ means to immerse, plunge, dip, or bury in water.



Matthew 3:13-16

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."



Ephesians 4:4-5

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.



Romans 6:3-5

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.



I Peter 3:21

This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.



Colossians 2:12

and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.



John 3:1-5

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.



Acts 8:26-40

And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Get up, and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert. And he got up and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near, and stay close to this chariot. And Philip ran up to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? And he said, How can I, except someone should guide me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.” And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I ask you, of whom is the prophet speaking? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached to him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came to some water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what keeps me from being baptized? And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stop: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and Philip baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more: but he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.



Galatians 3:26-27

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.



Mark 16:15-16

And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, and he that disbelieves shall be condemned.



Titus 3:5

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewal of the Holy Spirit



Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.



Acts 2:38-41

And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls



Acts 22:16

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.



When Jesus died on the cross, He, who had no sin, paid the death penalty for our sins. Through baptism we are united, or joined with Christ in paying the death penalty for sin. We are baptized into His death, into the death penalty for sin. We, who are unable to return from death because we have sin, are joined to Christ—and since Christ is sinless and was victorious over death, we, now being united with Him through baptism, are made victorious being united with Christ in His resurrection.

Now if God allows us to participate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (an event which occurred 2000 years ago), through baptism, it can truly be said we are saved through faith and God’s grace!

Baptism can be likened to the Israelites coming up out of the land of slavery, passing through the Red Sea and entering the Promised Land. Baptism can be likened to passing through the flood of Noah. Baptism is about leaving our old sinful, worldly ways behind and taking upon our shoulders the yoke of Christ. It is about lifestyle change and dying to ourselves and doing God’s will instead of ours. Our reason and purpose for living changes after baptism. Afterward is a new way of life. Baptism is about heart, faith, total commitment, surrender, self-denial, death, resurrection, repentance, and seeking God’s mercy through Jesus Christ and the work He did on that cross on that day of infamy 2000 years ago.


1. Baptism is for Believers

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit


2. Baptism is by Immersion

Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him



3. Baptism Does Not Save (or help to save) Us

Mark 1:8 I baptized you in water; But he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

1st Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Ephesians 4:5 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism"

Galatians 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.



4. Baptism is a Symbolic Act


A. It Symbolizes Identification with Jesus

Acts 19:1-5
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given. And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.


B. It Symbolizes Christ's Substitutionary Work

Romans 6:3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?


C. It Symbolizes Cleansing from Sin

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.


D. Baptism Testifies of the Death Christ Has Made For Us

Romans 6: 4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.


5. Baptism is Required for Church Membership

Acts 2:41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.


6. Baptism is Not Dependant upon a Special Person to Administer It

Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Is Barack the Anti-Christ?

I ran across a poll on a web site with this as the subject, and I couldn't resist weighing in...

While Barack is not a likely candidate for *THE* anti-christ, he is truly an example of the spirit of anti-christ currently growing in the world.

Barack goes about saying "peace, peace" in spite of the spread and upscaling of terrorism throughout the world.

He is a very charismatic speaker and can win over entire audiences, even though a careful examination of his speeches reveal little or no actual substance or clear position on issues. When he speaks, everyone hears what they *want* to hear, regardless of what he is actually saying.

Barack's position on religion is the very essence of the "one world religion", a.k.a. "tolerance" -- a religion where humanism, polytheism, islam, and watered down christianity are all happy bedfellows and every man is right in his own eyes.

As we approach the time of the tribulation, we will continue to see a rise in false religions, false prophets and false christs. The world leading up to the tribulation will be under a great delusion, and in the news and popular media we can observe it growing stronger every day.

Just as labor pains increase in frequency and intensity as the time approaches for delivery, so will we see an increase in frequency and intensity of all the signs that Jesus and the prophets spoke of in scripture.

The leaves are budding on the fig tree, look up for your redemption draws nigh.

Islam the religion of peace

Islamic religious tolerance can be summed up as:

You can believe anything you want, as long as you confess allah is god and mohammed is his prophet.

Heaven & Hell

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

The Lord led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.

But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'

It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'

Abide

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).

As recorded in John 14-16, many of Christ's last words to His disciples as He was about to leave them regarded abiding. The word meno occurs 18 times in this discourse and is translated not only "abide," but also "remain," "dwell," "continue," and "be present." Let us look at what He told them about abiding while He was "yet present" (14:25) with them.

First: "the Father . . . dwelleth in me" (14:10), "I am in the Father, and the Father in me" (v.11). That is, they are one and the same, inseparably abiding together, giving great power to those believing on Him (v.12).

Furthermore, the very Spirit of God, the "Comforter," will "abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive . . . but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (vv.16-17). "I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you" (v.20).

Abiding in Him, as we see in our text and in verse 7 (as opposed to the tragic end of those who "abide not" |v.6|), brings forth much fruit, and that fruit shall "remain" (v.16).

There is one requirement -- that we keep His commandments (14:23 and 15:10), and if we do so, we will "continue" and "abide" in His love (vv.9-10). "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (v.11).

Not only are we to abide while in this world, but throughout eternity. "In my Father's house are many mansions |same root word, meaning abiding places|: . . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (14:2-3). JDM

Taken from "Days of Praise" Devotional and Bible Commentary by the Institute for Creation Research.

Practicing for Divorce

In popular media and culture, dating is represented as a game that starts in the teenage years and continues throughout your unmarried (and sometimes even married) life. The world makes it seem that if you are not dating, then there is something wrong with you.

In essence, revolving door dating is practicing for divorce.

Think about it. You begin building one relationship until it looses its luster, then there's a breakup and a jump right into another relationship.

The question is, are you dating in order to get to know someone better and give into their life, or are you dating because of how it makes you feel?

Some folks like the thrill of getting to know someone new and getting to talk endlessly about themselves to someone else. They bounce from relationship to relationship leaving a piece of themselves behind each time.

All too often people enter into relationships because of something they need from another person.

Seek first the Kingdom of God. Build your relationship with God before anything else.

Entering into a relationship based on need is a recipe for disaster.

If one or both are taking from the relationship, they are working to tear it down.

A relationship can only work if both participants are giving into the relationship.

Of course, if all you have to give is yourself, you will eventually give yourself out...

Turn to God as the supplier of your needs. God gives us more than we need and fills our cup to overflowing. Out of the overflow, we give to others.

When both folks are giving into the relationship, then it builds the relationship.

Before you enter into a relationship and marriage, be sure the other person understands this concept.

Once in a covenant relationship, then it is very difficult if both participants are not giving into it. It will take a lot of prayer, perseverance and counseling to keep going.

Note: The above is targeted primarily for those who are not married. Married folk can see this article: Love is a Choice

Loving Yourself

One of the dogmas of psychology is to "love yourself first", that before you can take care of others you must first take care of yourself. That we need lots of personal time and should take ourselves shopping and make sure we take time to do things for ourself.

I have even read where some say that Jesus even promoted the concept that the "love of self" should be the basis for loving others.

This is something that sounds good and sells well. It is a way that seems "right" and tickles our ears because it is something we want to hear. It is something that gives us permission to treat ourselves. Besides, how can we take care of others if we don't take care of ourself first.

Interestingly enough, I can find this nowhere in the bible.

Matter of fact, if I leave behind all of the pop psychology and pop christianity and just look to God's Word, I find just the opposite.

In fact, we are to deny ourselves. I find that we are to seek first God's kingdom. The first commandment is to love God with all our heart and strength. Second is to love others.

What we need is to focus first on God and executing the responsibilities of a good steward of what God has given to us, and then we can trust that God will take care of our needs.

The most important thing is to know that God loves us, and that He fills us with His love to overflowing. That He gives us more than we need, and out of the excess we in turn bless others.

When we get "exhausted", it is not because we haven't allocated enough "personal time", it is because we have not been looking to God to fill us to overflowing with life and life more abundantly. It is because we have been walking in the flesh, trying to do things in our own strength. It is because we have not been walking in the spirit and depending on God's strength. It is because we have pursued happiness in the accumulation of things instead of seeking the Joy of the Lord that is to be our strength.

When we get all wrapped up in ourselves, we make for a pretty small package.

New Revealations

A question came up concerning "if the gifts of the Holy Spirit (including prophecy) were still available, then why shouldn't we seek out 'new' revelations about and from God?"

This has often been used as an argument by those who want to say that healing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are all passed away and not available to the church today. They say that once the Bible was completed, then we didn't need gifts like prophecy, etc.

The thing is, it says nowhere in the Bible anything about the gifts stopping or any criteria for them being superseded any time before Jesus returns.

However, it does say in Revelation something about the completeness of scripture:

Rev 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

This makes the Bible the basis for testing all doctrine. We should carefully examine all of our doctrines, traditions, beliefs, and interpretations to make sure they square with the full counsel of God's Word.

The Holy Spirit is here to lead us into all truth. However, God does not contradict Himself. The Holy Spirit will not give someone a revelation, prophecy, or instruction that goes counter to scripture or preaches "another gospel".

The manifestations and gifts of the Holy Spirit have not faded away or stopped with the death of the last Apostle. They are still available to all who take God at His Word and believe.

Prophecy is basically just a message from God. The role of prophecy today is not to reveal "new truths". But prophecy can help us to see things in God's Word that we might have missed or misunderstood before. We just must be sure to study and show ourselves approved before accepting any "new" doctrines.

Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone") is the assertion that the Bible as God's written word is self-authenticating, clear (perspicuous) to the rational reader, its own interpreter ("Scripture interprets Scripture"), and sufficient of itself to be the only source of Christian doctrine.

Scripture has one interpretation, but can have many applications.

Reminders

Psalm 101:3a: "I will place no wicked thing before mine eyes."

Job 31:1: I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?"

I Thessalonians 5:21,22: "Test all things. Hold fast what is good. Abstain from all forms of evil."

I Peter 5:8,9: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

Hebrews 12:14: "Pursue holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."

Blessed to be a Blessing

This nation has been blessed in order that it may be a blessing.

We have have been blessed with such freedom and the ability to participate in our government. In reviewing the history of societies, nations, kingdoms, and empires, this form of government is extremely rare -- and the instances where it has existed in the past, it was relatively short lived.

Even most so-called democracies in today's world are really more socialistic than democratic.

On Christian Political Involvement

There has been a lot of buzz lately about whether or not Christians are too involved in politics -- and even whether or not Christians should be involved in politics at all.

A rather convenient coincidence that it became a widespread discussion during the year leading up to the 2006 mid-term elections. Looking back, it is apparent that a coordinated campaign was launched with the goal to disenfranchise the Christian conservative vote in order to win more liberal seats in congress.

The response is that Christians are no where near involved enough in the legislative process of this country.

The balance to that is, for all the time we spend on political involvement, we should have already spent more than double that building up our faith, sharing the Gospel, and demonstrating love for one another.


I'm not talking about legislating morality or creating laws to force everyone to believe the same as we do. Many activities we should be involved include:

1) Ensure that our freedoms are not eroded away
2) Hold government and criminals accountable for behavior
3) Debate of moral issues to raise awareness
4) Defend those abused by power

The real purpose of our engagement with society is to wake people up to their sin by being salt and light, and then sharing the gospel of Jesus with them.

When You Believe Nothing, You Will Believe Anything

Folks often seem to go to one extreme or another.

On the one hand there are those who can get so stuck on one idea that they won't consider or permit any thoughts, arguments, or evidence to the contrary. They automatically dismiss anything that might smack of opposition and hastily label it "rubbish", "stupid", or "academic".

On the other hand, there are folks so open minded that their brains have fallen out. They are gullible enough to follow anyone and believe anything without questioning.

Too often people "hole up" with a pet belief that caters to their agenda -- then they sit back and call everyone else either "closed-minded" because they won't consider the pet belief; or, they will label others as "gullible" for not rejecting some idea that does not support the pet belief.

There are those who believe Christianity is about checking your brain at the door and living by "blind faith". That Christians will ignore the "reality" that the world's biased version of "science" presents.

Even within the religious community there are those that think the things of God are unknowable and we should never question. Teaching people not to think or ask questions just sets them up for falling into a cult.

To the contrary, Jesus assures us that we should ask, seek, and knock and expect an answer...

Luk 11:9 And I say to you, Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.

James goes on to assure us that God wants us to have wisdom...

Jam 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.

Jesus reaffirms the commandment says that we should include our mind in our worship of Him...

Mar 12:30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment.

Our goal should not be to live in one extreme or another. We should be 1) willing to critically examine evidence and follow where it leads; and, 2) seek until we find the answer that convinces us completely.

There are answers to our questions, and these answers are knowable. The secret is not to stop just when we feel "comfortable" with the answer. We should be sure of the answer regardless of how we feel about it, or how it might go contrary to our pet doctrines, beliefs, and vain philosophies of men.

Col 2:6-8 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone rob you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.

We are admonished to be firmly established in faith. To have a rooted, well grounded foundation to build upon. That way

The world's definition of faith is believing something without (or even spite of) evidence -- which is actually just wishful thinking or mental assent. So it is understandable that folks who have this definition in mind think that the Christian faith is just "blind" belief that flies in the face of reason.

Actually, the term "blind faith" is an oxymoron. The Bible definition of faith has at its core the concept that faith is the result of "knowing" something is true. That faith is based on and according to laws, precepts, and promises that existed before, and will exist long after our current physical existence. According to the Bible, there is nothing "blind" about faith. Conversely the Bible teaches that faith comes only after our eyes are opened.

Rom 10:17 Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Ours is NOT a "blind faith". It is not just blindly accepting some traditions or what some clever personality pandering for money has said.

It is based on something confirm-able, repeatable, and has withstood the test of time. It is based on hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Build a good foundation from God's Word to stand on, for if you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything.

Steps to Financial Freedom

Step 1: Build up $1000 in savings for emergency (something that threatens life, limb, or ability to work)

Step 2: Increase your net worth
a. Do not do anything that increases your debt. No loans, credit cards, etc...
b. Sell off or donate things you don't need
c. Exchange high payment items for lower payment items
d. Choose free or low cost activities instead of high price excursions
e. Do it yourself instead of hiring contractors
f. Do crafts for gifts instead of high price presents that end up in the trash, storage, or garage sale for 10cents. It'll mean more anyway.
g. Look for ways to cut expenses and save money. Get rid of leeches. Do you really need 500 cable channels? Getting rid of extra gadgets will also lower utility bills.

Step 3: Pay your food and utility bills; then, minimums on each debt bill, and anything left over send to pay extra on the lowest debt first.

Step 4: Once the lowest debt is payed off, then add what you were paying to pay off the next lowest. Repeat 3 & 4 until all debt is paid off. This gets results fast, and snowballs quickly.

Step 5: If you're not already, work up to giving at least 10% of what you make (before taxes) to God. Put the next 10% into savings and investments. Give to God first, and 'pay yourself' next.

Step 6: Pay bills, then put anything else toward building a secure, non-volatile but accessible nest egg of enough money to meet your living expenses for at least 3-6 months.

Step 7: You're there! You have security and no debt. Now you can breath easier, formulate a new budget and set immediate (within this year), near term (within 5 years), and long term (college, retirement, etc) goals.
a. Continue giving at least the first 10% to God.
b. Budget around 45% into savings and investments (at least 10% to long term savings and the rest for immediate and near-term goals -- buying a house, saving for college, vacations, car, etc).
c. You can now use the remainder for living expenses and anything left over is short term goals, gift giving, activities, and "mad-money".

Implement some self discipline:
1. If you can't buy it with cash, you don't need it. If there is something you want, it is far more satisfying to set goals and save up for it.
2. There is no 'good' debt, and you don't need a credit rating if you have the cash to pay for it.
3. A house is not an investment, it is a home. Don't commit to more house than you need. If you feel you 'have' to carry a debt, your mortgage should be the only one and you should work to pay it off early. Do not get a second mortgage or equity loan, and do not refinance.
4. Do not loan money to friends or family. If you can't afford to give it to them to keep, then don't.

Balance

There is a widespread belief that 'balance' means mixing a little bad in with the good. There are religions, philosophies, and even doctrines taught in some Christian circles that teach everything good is balanced by something evil. Light is balanced by dark, yin-yang, and so forth.

According to the Bible, God created everything, and everything He created was Good. Evil was introduced later through the rebellion of satan and man. Evil is not an agent of balance, but a disease, a blemish, an abberation, an agent of rebellion.

God intended that Love provide the balance and bridge between His goodness and our badness.

Situational ethics

Situational ethics is just a way of saying you base your decisions only on a quick survey of the environment and jumping with whatever seems popular at the time. Either that, or the typical knee-jerk firefighting that all too often characterizes the contemporary manager.

Instead, one should make the best decision they can at the time based on ALL information available at the time. "All information available" includes not only the current state of the environment, but the experience and expertise of everyone involved as well as the moral and ethical codes that keep it all in proper perspective.

Moral and ethical codes are the tried and true values that have withstood the test of time.
Integrity should be used the filter the noise generated in an ever changing environment and allow focus on the really critical points that should drive a decision.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is NOT about avoiding "punishment".

Forgiveness is all about rebuilding relationship.

When I break God's law, I can seek His forgiveness and with Him, the eternal slate is wiped clean because of Jesus. It is Jesus who bore God's wrath and took my punishment for me, and God has promised to remember my sins no more.

But, all too often, this can lead us to think forgiveness should wipe away ALL consequences as well. We then make the mistake of believing that God is punishing us for our sins, when we are merely reaping the fruit we have sown.

There is always damage from transgression. If I do something to violate another person's trust, I can repent and seek forgiveness.

Forgiveness is the first step in rebuilding the relationship with that person, but it will take time to regain trust and see full restoration.

In addition to trust, I will still have to face all the temporal consequences of my actions.

If I have broken man's law, then I will still have to face man's judgment system.

If I have abused and not taken care of my body, then I will have to deal with the possibility of disease and/or disability.

If I have sinned against another person, then I may never regain the same level of relationship I had.

If my sin has caused death, then I, and others, will have to deal with the loss.

Follow up from Getting What You Deserve

Getting What You Deserve?

Recently I ran across a conversation concerning judges taking pity on sex offenders and acting with leniency in sentencing. The question was asked "Is he [the sex offender] any less deserving of prayer and forgiveness than any of us?"

Deserving? We ALL *deserve* to be cast into hell. We need to be grateful for God's mercy in not getting what we deserve because of God's grace in Christ.

Justice: getting the punishment you deserve
Mercy: not getting the punishment you deserve
Grace: being given blessings that you do not deserve

Offenders do not *deserve* pity, love, forgiveness. We do not love others because they are deserving of it or have a "right" to it. We choose to love because we are loved by God even when we were unlovable. Out of the abundance of God's love poured out on us, we turn and love others.

When/If the offender repents and receives God's mercy and grace, then the ETERNAL consequences of his actions are forgiven.

As individuals, we are to love everyone, even the worst of offenders. You can love a person, and at the same time, hate their sinful behavior. Part of love is to hold others accountable for their behavior (Prov 13:24).

True, it is in the best interest of the family and victims to forgive and move on -- keeping in mind that forgiveness does not mean immediate restoration of position and trust, and does not mean that the offender escapes accountability for his behavior. As individuals, we are to forgive after the same manner that we are forgiven.

Governments, however, are bestowed with a different set of responsibilities.

Law was instituted because of the hardness of people's hearts. Mercy bestowed on a loving person is appreciated and promotes better behavior. Pity bestowed on a cold-hearted person is interpreted by that person as a reward for their behavior, and promotes more of whatever behavior is rewarded.

Governments and judges are charged with the responsibility to hold offenders accountable for the temporal consequences of their behavior. When they fail to do this, it comes across to society as permissiveness, advocating, and promotion of that behavior.

What this judge is saying is that it is OK, excusable, and justifiable to molest a child.

Instead of pitying the offender, what about the victims?

When is it OK for someone to act out their own selfish desires on an innocent child? What about the children whose lives have been ripped apart at the seams? Seems to me if anyone was to deserve pity, it would be the victim.

notes on homeschooling

- time with kids
- time as kids
- learn skills from a variety of ages instead of from a gang of 60 children of the same age
- learn to communication with people of different ages and backgrounds
- development of relationships is more important than accumulation of information or wealth (can't take wealth with you, but relationships you build can literally last for eternity)
- closer, stronger family
- development of traditions
- exposure in a controlled environment to inoculate against destructive thinking
- Biblical world view
- love of learning
- learn to reason and think critically
- desire to learn
- learn how to form own opinion
- create ability/desire to research for oneself
- keep challenged
- spend extra time on difficult areas
- content and quality control
- learn "why" of history, instead of focus on who, where, when
- more options, variety, broad spectrum
- one on one
- individualized instruction

soapbox

The purpose of this blog is to sound off on:

1. Opinion
2. Personal experiences and feelings
3. Thoughts and ideas that are not fully developed

I try to only post things on the 'bibleguy' blog if I have a clear biblical support. The 'soapbox' is more for things that I may not have worked out completely yet. Additionally, posts here may tend to be a little less sensitive at times :)

Your input is welcome to help me stay on the straight and narrow.

Knowlege Puffeth Up

...Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Cor 8:1-2 (NKJV)

Gnosticism, mysticism, magick, etc all always have the "promise" of greater power always over the horizon, in the next level of hidden knowlege.

Reminds me of the sign I saw in a restaurant "Free fish tomorrow..." When you come back the next day, the sign still says "Free fish tomorrow..."

In all these "isms", the initiate is always working to get to the next "level" in order to obtain the coveted "hidden knowlege".

Once they "level-up", then they find only that the power they wanted is only available at the next level. In the process, what they do get is an ego boost -- they take pride in thier accomplishment at getting to a higher level than someone else. They get a feeling of superiority from having access to privledged knowledge. Even if, in the end, the "knowledge" proves to be basically a worthless waste of time.

It's all smoke and mirrors. Satan, the father of lies, has no real power of his own. He can only offer facimiles of God's power. At best, he can pull off a few parlor tricks to use as carrots to string along the gullible. But his promises are all empty and without any real substance.

God is the true source of power and wisdom. If we have any question, God says to ask Him, and He will give us the truth and true wisdom.

If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won't correct you for asking. James 1:5 (CEV)

Itching Ears

A wise man is hungry for truth, while the mocker feeds on trash.
Proverbs 15:14 (Living Bible)

It never fails to puzzle me about how people who never spend time reading the Bible and have little (if any) knowledge about -- these same people are so quick to read, study, and talk about all these "lost" books that keep popping up. They won't spend a minute to read a chapter out of the Bible, but they will flock to read "the gospel of" Thomas, Judas, Mary, and any other extra-biblical twaddle they can get their hands on.

Gnosticism isn't anything new. It's roots date back to the book of acts when the Greeks were being introduced to the Gospel. The apostle John dedicated most of his writing to countering the mixing of Greek philosophy with Christianity.

The gnostic writings were written some 300 years after the time of Jesus and, unlike the Gospels, these books were not written by anyone with firsthand knowledge of Jesus. Ever since, they have cropped up from time to time. For a short time they become popular, sell a bunch of books, magazines and videos and then (because it is false and empty) it falls into obscurity again to wait for the next generation of gullible people.

In their wake, they plant seeds of doubt and unbelief in the hearts of those who are unestablished in God's Word and further harden the hearts of those who are looking for any excuse not to believe.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (KJV)

Situational ethics

Situational ethics is just a way of saying you base your decisions only on a quick survey of the environment and jumping with whatever seems popular at the time. Either that, or the typical knee-jerk firefighting that all too often characterizes the postmodern manager.

Instead, one should make the best decision they can at the time based on ALL information available at the time. "All information available" includes not only the current state of the environment, but the experience and expertise of everyone involved as well as the moral and ethical codes that keep it all in proper perspective.

Moral and ethical codes are the tried and true values that have withstood the test of time.

Integrity should be used the filter the noise generated in an ever changing environment and allow focus on the really critical points that should drive a decision.

On "Looking Within"

I've heard a lot of talk from the chat shows, magazines, and self-help gurus about how we are supposed to "look within ourselves" for answers to all of life's problems.

It sounds really nice, and because we want to believe such a thing a true, it is easy to accept such a statement without thinking on it too much.

However, next time you hear of or consider such a philosophy, check it against the Word of God:

"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

According to the Bible, we are incapable of directing our own steps. The Bible admonishes us that:

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Prov 14:12, Prov 16:25)

Since we cannot lead ourselves, we follow after whatever has the greatest influence over us.

The only real choice we have is to chose what influences us -- we are able to choose what we are most exposed to.

Whatever we choose to spend the most time doing, watching, listening to, and thinking about will have sway over our hearts.

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Prov 23:7

Stay aware of what you are spending time on. Is it something that builds up the spirit or builds up the flesh.

What is the biggest influence in your life? Is it God's Word or the world?

The world is blinded and does not have the answer:

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him (John 14:17)

If our primary influence is the world, then we are under satan's influence:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

God has given us the capability to choose, the alternative to choose, and the strength to choose. Paul explains in Romans the two natures:

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. (Romans 8:5-15)

The truth is not found by looking within ourselves or looking to the world.

The truth is in continually and repeatedly feeding ourselves on God's Word. The more Word we have in our hearts, the more our minds will be set on what the Spirit desires. This makes us more sensitive to being led by His Spirit. Then we are His children in Christ and He is our Father.

When you fast

Probably the biggest key to remember is that fasting should not be a religious practice to try and convince God to do something.

Fasting does not change God, it changes you.

Hunger is probably the strongest urge of the flesh. When we fast, we are telling the flesh that we choose to follow the spirit and not the flesh.

What fasting does is help you discipline and get the flesh out of the way. Once the flesh is out of the way you are more sensitive to the Spirit and hearing from God. The flesh is the source of a lot of doubt and unbelief, so your prayers can be mixed with unhindered faith when your flesh is under subjection.

I don't know how many times I've been busy at work and gone all day without breakfast and lunch without feeling or realizing it. However, the moment I decide to fast, immediately the flesh starts pinging and wanting immediate attention and gratification (hunger pangs, headaches, wooziness -- and it's only been 5 mins!)

In the broadest sense, you could probably consider a fast anytime you are denying the flesh one of its appetites. Strictest sense would be no food or water. Best to start small and work up over time, maturity, and leading of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind, you are out to discipline the flesh, not kill your body.

Jesus said that when we fast, we should go about normally with our daily business as if we are not fasting. It's not anyone's business to know. If they ask, don't have to be spooky about it, just say you have other plans for lunch.

Use any hunger pangs as reminders to pray or ponder a scripture verse. Every time the flesh rises up, remind it that you don't live by bread alone, but by the Word of God and that your meat is to do the will of the Father.

The Way

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25

All a man's ways seem right to him [a man], but the LORD weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.
Psalm 119:30

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting
Psalm 139:23-24

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:5-6

Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Revelation 22:14

Slavery

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are? (Romans 6:16)

What are you enslaved to?

Know it all

If you think you know everything about a certain topic, it is a sure sign that you don't.

1Co 8:2  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Eph 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

 

length, breadth, depth, hight

passes knowledge

know nothing yet as they ought to know

1Ti 6:4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

the more you learn about the Lord, the more you understand that there is yet more that have yet to learn.

you can learn tremedous amounts and

Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

It's not just about knowing facts in your head, it is an experiencial, intimate knowledge, understanding, experience and familiarity.  It is "knowing" in the spirit.

 

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

And now that you have some revelation, glory not in the revelation knowledge, but be sure that all glory goes to Jesus.

Eph 3:21  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

1Co 8:1  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Phi 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

 

Thoughts on Feelings

- It's not our problems that make use feel a certain way, it is what we think of them that makes us feel that way.

- All too often we look for something that gives us a "tingle in the flesh" to distract us from what is really bothering us.

- We look out to someone else expecting them to fill the void but then we are disappointed when they don't.

- It really isn't the other person that makes us feel a certain way, it is what we think about them that makes us fell one way or another.

Foolish Things

I Corinthians 1:26

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called


Why is this? Why 'not many'?


I Corinthians 1:27-29

God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence


That no flesh should glory. Basically, God does things in such a way that there is no possibility to mistake anyone or anything but Him as the source.

I've often heard it said that 'God wants to use your talents'.

Scripture on the other hand reveals that God is more likely to use you to do things that you have little or no natural talent or ability to do. That way it is all the harder for you to take credit yourself.

I've also heard 'God helps those who help themselves'. Search it out, it is nowhere in the Bible.

Actually, you find the contrary: God helps those who call on His name.

So many folks go off half-cocked with their own plans and designs, then expect God to come in and bless them.

What we really need to do is to first seek God and ask Him to write out His plans for us in our hearts. Then we know that God will be there to complete the work that He starts. We can go and act in confidence knowing that God is there backing us up, and He cannot fail.

Where faith comes in is when God is telling us to do something we know that we cannot do by ourselves, things that we have no talent, ability, or experience doing. It does not require any faith in Him to go and do something you have 10 years experience doing.

Getting What You Deserve?

Recently I ran across a conversation concerning judges taking pity on sex offenders and acting with leniency in sentencing. The question was asked "Is he [the sex offender] any less deserving of prayer and forgiveness than any of us?"

Deserving? We ALL *deserve* to be cast into hell. We need to be grateful for God's mercy in not getting what we deserve because of God's grace in Christ.

Mercy: not getting the punishment you deserve
Grace: being given blessings that you do not deserve

Offenders do not *deserve* pity, love, forgiveness. We do not love others because they are deserving of it or have a "right" to it. We choose to love because we are loved by God even when we were unlovable. Out of the abundance of God's love poured out on us, we turn and love others.

If the offender repents and receives God's mercy and grace, then the ETERNAL consequences of his actions are forgiven.

As individuals, we are to love everyone, even the worst of offenders. You can love a person, and at the same time, hate their behavior. Part of love is to hold others accountable for their behavior (Prov 13:24).

True, it is in the best interest of the family and victims to forgive and move on -- keeping in mind that forgiveness does not mean immediate restoration of position and trust, and does not mean that the offender escapes accountability for his behavior. As individuals, we are to forgive after the same manner that we are forgiven.

Governments, however, are bestowed with a different set of responsibilities.

Law was instituted because of the hardness of people's hearts.

Mercy bestowed on a loving person is appreciated and promotes better behavior.

Mercy bestowed on a cold-hearted person is interpreted by that person as a reward for their behavior, and encourages more of whatever behavior is rewarded.

Governments and judges are charged with the responsibility to hold offenders accountable for the temporal consequences of their behavior. When they fail to do this, it comes across to society as permissiveness, advocating, and promotion of that behavior.

What this judge is saying is that it is OK, excusable, and justifiable to molest a child.

Instead of pitying the offender, what about the victims? When is it OK for someone to act out their own selfish desires on an innocent child? What about the children whose lives have been ripped apart at the seams?

Seems to me if anyone was to deserve pity, it would be the victim.

Train Up a Child Part II

Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

There is a difference between TRAINING and EDUCATION.

Education is all about knowledge. Education typically involves someone dumping a bunch of information on a student and then seeing what percentage of it sticks.

Training on the other hand is different. Training is all about behavior. Training is about changing existing behavior or creating a new behavior.

With training, the trainee performs a task over and over again until they get it right.

That's why the military, police, firefighters, etc all use training techniques to ingrain new behaviors into the trainees.

As parents, we are instructed to use training when it comes to our children.

In their youth, children are not mature enough to get anything out of having a bunch of information dumped on them and then use reasoning to discipline themselves into new behaviors.

We as parents are to train up our children. Children must perform an activity over and over again until they get it right. Behaviors trained into a child during their youth do not easily disappear later in life.


Part I

Notes on Guidance

Proverbs 16:3 (Amplified Bible)

Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.


Psalm 37:23 (New King James Version)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.


John 10:4-5 (King James Version)

And when he [The Good Shepherd] putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.


Keep in mind that you come to "know" a voice by hearing it repeatedly over and over again. What "voice" you expose yourself to most, you will recognize and be sensitive to. Voices you ignore and/or do not expose yourself to, will become strange to you.

You get to know Jesus' voice by reading, hearing, and speaking His Word.

Focus

God gave Adam and Eve everything they needed in the Garden.


Gen 2:8-9

And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Notice that even the Tree of Life was available for them among the variety of other trees that were good to eat from.

Gen 2:15-17

And the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it. For in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die."


Next, notice that all satan had to do was to get their attention off of everything else that God had provided them and on to the one thing they didn't have.


Gen 3:1-7

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, "Yea, hath God said, `Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" And the woman said unto the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, `Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it,lest ye die.'" And the serpent said unto the woman, "Ye shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and ate, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he ate. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves
together, and made themselves things to gird about.


Adam and Eve had a perfect environment, a perfect relationship, and all of their physical, soulish, and spiritual needs met. I believe that since He is the same yesterday, today, and forever that they could even ask any questions of Him that they wanted during their cool of the evening walks and He would gladly share His wisdom.

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.

Yet instead of focusing on and being grateful for everything they had that God had freely and liberally given them, they got focused on the one thing they didn't have, and ended up loosing everthing.

Compromise

Folks today are so quick to compromise. We practice compromise daily on little things, and get far too comfortable just going along with the crowd. Is it really difficult to imagine that many who consider themselves christian will give little thought to compromising even in the last days even when the warning is clear and the
ramifications undeniable?

Rev 13:16-18
And he [the beast] causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

How will we provide for our families if we can't buy or sell? If we do not believe that God is our source and provider now, then how will we believe that God will provide for us if we choose not to take the mark?


Rev 13:9-11
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.


Rev 16:1-2
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.


Rev 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Foolish Comparisons

Probably the most damaging, stress and contention causing behavior we can engage in is comparing ourselves to other people...


2 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV)

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.


2 Corinthians 10:12 (AMP)
Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.


Instead we need to examine ourselves and the only comparison we should make is ourselves to Jesus...

2 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP)
Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you--unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?

Treasure

Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 6:45 (Whole Chapter)
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of his heart his mouth speaketh.

Matthew 12:35
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.


What you dwell on and focus on becomes your treasure.


Romans 12:2
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.

Inoculation

I heard Billy Graham talking about how he would have to get cholera shots before going to some foreign countries. He described how the shot would give him just enough cholera to keep him from getting the "real thing".

He went on to say that many folks who call themselves Christians are like that. They get just enough religion in them to keep them from getting the Real Thing.

Stumbling

Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble.

When you walk in darkness, you know not at which you stumble

Renewing Your Mind

Most folks think that they spend time on what they desire.

The reality of the situation is, you build a desire for what you spend time on.

Whatever you give attention to, that is what you are going to desire.

Attend to the Word. Seek the Kingdom of God.

Spend your time and attention on the Word and renew your mind, renew your desires.

Change what you give attention to and your desires, appetites, personality, and entire world view will change.

Opposite of Love

Up until yesterday, I had always thought that the opposite of love is hate.

It isn't.

The opposite of love is selfishness. Love is the focus on giving into the lives of others.

Interestingly enough, hate can actually be a component of love. If you love God and people, then you will hate things that hurt God and people.

No Worries

God is not the author of confusion. We are not given a spirit of fear.

If you are confused then you are trying to figure something out yourself and have crossed the line from attentive concern into "worry". If you are in fear, then you aren't trusting God.

When you realize you are confused and in worry, you should stop yourself and cast your cares on Him.

How do you cast your cares on Him?

Casting your cares on Him is not the same as "blowing it off". Casting your cares on the Lord is taking action in Faith and Trust that God will be there to help you through it. More often than not, a solution will present itself or come into your mind that you would never have considered by yourself.

1. refocus your mind on God, He will keep you in perfect peace
2. pray, ask God for His wisdom in dealing with the situation. He gives wisdom liberally to all who ask
3. praise God, worship God
4. thank God that He is there for you to help you
5. get the focus off of yourself, refocus on loving others
6. seek God and His kingdom first, and everything else will be added to you
7. encourage yourself in the Lord
8. when you know not how you ought to pray, pray in the spirit\

1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Judges 20:22 - And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.

1 Samuel 30:6 - And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Jude 1:20 - But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost

Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Who's Your Daddy?

There is a choice of either life or death.

You are either of the Father which art in heaven, or a child of the father of lies, satan.

There is no in between. You can either submit yourself to God, and let God reveal to you who He created you to be, or you are wandering around letting the world tell you what you want and who you are.

We only operate at optimum efficiency if we function in the way we were created to function. We can only find satisfaction and peace if we are functioning the way we were designed to function.

Character of Love

Love suffers long
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not promote self
Love is not puffed up
Love does not behave unseemly
Love seeks not its own
Love is not easily provoked
Love thinks no evil
Love does not rejoice in iniquity
Love rejoices in the truth
Love bears all things
Love believes all things
Love hopes all things
Love endures all things
Love never fails

Abide in Faith, Hope, and Love; and most of all, in Love

1Cor 13:4-8,13

Evil Communications Part 2

1Cor 15:33 - Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

If you think that listening to, reading, or watching evil communcations has no effect on you, then you are deceived.

Now, don't go and blame television or the media for your behavior. Don't blame your gossiping friends or your complaining coworkers for your bad attitudes.

Don't shift blame and responsiblity for your thoughts and behavior to anyone or anything else.

Now that you know that these things will impact you, you now know you need to take action to minimize that impact.

Even if the evil communications provided the seeds you have a choice in how far they develop.

There is a process in which seeds develop into weeds. They get distributed, planted (exposed but not resisted), germinate (concieve the idea), develop roots (impacts thoughts, overrides your resistance and rationalizes), develop leaves (begins impacting speech and behavior), and finally bear fruit (result in sinful behavior).

The earlier you interrupt this process the better.

First, in the vast majority of cases you have the choice in whether you expose yourself to corrupt seeds. If you are never exposed to it, then you are never tempted by it. The things you see or hear the most will dominate you.

Being that we are in the world, we cannot expect to prevent all exposure. We can still interrupt and reverse the process.

To prevent the seeds from developing into weeds, you must first recognize them as counter to God's Word. To do this, you must actually know what God has to say about the subject by having spent time in the Word. Once you recognize it as wrong, then remind yourself repeatedly of God's view on the subject.

Additionally, you must starve out the weeds by not feeding and watering them. Repeated exposure, daydreaming wrong things, or idle conversations go to reenforce and grow the weeds.

(Updated 3 Aug)

Part I

You Reap What You Sow

Galatians 6:7 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Did you realize that "what goes around, comes around" was a biblical principle?

If you think you can go around sowing contention and strife and not have it come back to you, then you are deceived.

Additionally, whatever you sow will always come back to you multiplied.

If you sow a kernel of corn, you will get several ears worth of corn and thousands of kernals back in return when it comes time for harvest. Same goes for a grain of wheat, you get a header of wheat that has hundreds and thousands of grains just in that one plant.

Different kinds of seeds give different kinds of harvests. Corn and wheat cycle just for one season. Other kinds of seeds, like apple seeds, can result in trees that give multiple harvests over many seasons for the lifetime of the tree.

Be careful what you sow, it will come back to you. If you want to harvest love, you need to sow it.

Evil Communications

1Cor 15:33 - Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

You can turn this around and say it another way:

"If you think you can listen to, read, or watch evil communcations and not be effected, you are deceived."

Just turn on the television, listen to the radio, or flip through a magazine at the supermarket. Within in 5 minutes you will be exposed to more perversity and obscenity that most folks might have been exposed to in an entire lifetime not 50 years ago.

All around us, every form of media seeks to push the limits and go to another level of extreme in order to get our attention. The reason they have to keep going to extremes to get our attention, is that we get desensitized to what we are repeatedly exposed to. A side effect is that once they sink to a deeper level of depravity or go to another level of extreme, we become desensitized to what once we had an emotional reaction to.

Desensitized simply means that we are no longer sensitive to it, that it no longer provokes the emotional reaction it once did.

Desensitized DOES NOT mean that it no longer has an impact on us. To the contrary, it merely means that our guard is now totally ineffective, and we now let these media messages come pouring into our minds without any check or balance.

Things that were once abhorrent are now the subject of sitcoms that we blithely laugh along with the prerecorded audence to. All the while our minds are being conditioned to accept and even support things that are an abomination before God.

Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!


Part II

Train Up a Child

Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The bible says that a child needs to be trained in the way they should go.

God puts responsibility for training up kids in the hands of parents.

Children don't come out of the womb knowing right from wrong. Children come out of the womb instinctively self-centered and ruled by thier appetites, needs, feelings, and emotions.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

We, as parents, are the ones who have to show them right from wrong. We are responsible for managing their "appetites" until they learn to do so for themselves. We are responsible for helping them learn to manage their emotions and desires.

Prov 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Children have a natural tendency from the flesh to want sweets and junk. Unchecked, they will fill themselves with empty calories that will rob them of health.

We are responsible for training their tastes to appreciate more healty forms of food. Without our intervention, they would never develop a taste for what will build them up.

So it is with what they spend time doing. Without any external guidance, they will have a natural tendency to spend time watching and doing things that feed the flesh instead of their spirit.

Many of the things of God require time and repeated exposure in order to develop a taste for them.

As Godly parents, we must make sure our children are being exposed to the Word of God and things that are pleasing to God.

Otherwise, our children will grow up without ever having developed a taste for those things and learn nothing other than how to gratify the flesh.

Part II

Fear Hath Torment

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment, He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

God is not a tormenter. Satan is the tormentor. If you are overlording over someone, or use threats and fear tactics to get your way with someone, you are working the works of satan and tormenting them. You might get temporary compliance, but you are planting seeds of contention and strife that will reap an evil harvest in your home.

What possesses you?

Deuteronomy 11:16 - Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

How much time do you spend upset about "things".


You know how strong a hold "things" have on you by how much time they occupy in your life.


How many idols have possession of you?


We are instructed to "take heed of ourselves". Otherwise it is up to us to continually keep ourselves in check in order to keep ourselves free from making an idol out of commonplace things. If we are not watchful, then according to this verse we will be deceived.

5 Things Not to be Deceived About

Deuteronomy 11:16 - Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;


Luke 21:8 - And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.


1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.


1 Corinthians 15:33 - Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.


Galatians 6:7 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Priorities

Think about it. On your death bed, what will you be thinking? Will you be regretting not having more money? How about having watched more TV? Putting more hours into work, watching sports, getting one more promotion, getting the fancier car, spreading more gossip?

Will you be regretting time wasted on things instead of people?

On your death bed, what you will regret will be lost opportunities to build more and stronger relationships.

You can't take money, jobs, cars, or TV with you when you die. These things are temporal and do not last.

The only thing you can take with you are the relationships you have built. The only thing that lasts forever are the time and efforts invested in developing relationships. Your relationship with God, your spouse, your kids, your relatives and friends will last on into eternity. Relationships with saved loved-ones will last forever in heaven.

Your #1 priority while here on earth is building these relationships. You will not find satisfaction in any other activity.

Satan and the world continue to try and sell anything and everything else as *the* source of fulfillment. These things may provide distraction or pacification for a short time. However, they cannot provide a source of fulfillment, purpose, and strength.


1. The first relationship you need to build is with God.

God has an unlimited supply of strength for you to draw on. He is your source of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If you expect to draw love from anyone else, you will drain them and sap the strength out of them. Your relationship with God must come first, in order for you to be continually filled to overflowing with love that in turn you can pour out on others around you.


2. Your next priority is to minister to your spouse.

The bible says that husbands should love their wives (Eph 5:25, Col 3:19). Notice this is not optional, nor does it say "love your wife when you feel like it". God wouldn't tell us to do it without giving us the ability to do it. You must decide and make a commitment to love your wife regardless of your feelings. Once you make the commitment and take action on it, your feelings will catch up. Loving your wife is your most important ministry. You need to treat your wife better than you treat anyone or anything else. You need to speak highly and kindly about your wife to other people whether she is around or not.

God's kind of love must be learned. (Titus 2:3-5) The natural, fleshly kind of love centers on self fulfillment and is only concerned with what it wants. God's love is not concerned about self, and instead is more concerned about the other person.

When the husband/wife relationship is out of balance, then there is strife and contention in the home. This strife is like a cancer that destroys everything else in the home and steals any and all blessings that God wants to pour out on the family.

Children look to the parents for love and security. If the parents do not have a loving relationship, then they cannot strengthen each other, and the parents do not have anything left to pour out on the children. The children then become a drain.


3. Train up your children

Next is to pour your love and attention into your children. Time is the most valuable asset we have. Children value time and attention higher than anything else. Too often we bend over backwards trying to buy the best, latest, and greatest toys out of guilt for not having spent enough time with our kids when all they need is your attention.

Train up your children in the way that they should go. If you do not maintain discipline over your children, you are setting them up for failure. They need to learn there are consequences for behavior. They need the consistency and security of a stable, firm, loving home environment. You provoke your children to wrath by being inconsistent with your discipline, or spoiling your children by not disciplining them. They are provoked to wrath because they gain an expectation of being able to get away with bad behavior and then resent being disciplined for things they have gotten away with in the past.

Children learn more from watching you. They learn how to develop relationships by watching how you develop relationships. This again leads back to the importance of a healthy husband and wife relationship in the home.


4. Know your role

God has especially created us to fulfill certain roles. We are "coded" and tailor made to fulfill specfic purposes in our lives.

Satan and popular culture have sold most of the world lies that fulfillment only comes from a career and accumulation of possessions. Those who buy into this lie, end up bitter and/or depressed due living an unfulfilled, aimless life.

We will only truly enjoy the things that we have been created to do.

The role of a husband is to submit to and willingly love and obey God, love his wife, and love his children. After that, his next priority is to provide for his family. The bible says that if a man doesn't provide for his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1Tim 5:8).

Only Human

Too often I hear believers say "Well, I'm only human."

If that is what you believe, then all you will ever get is human results.

The statement "I'm only human" is not true for a disciple of Jesus. You are no longer "only human". The bible says you are a new creature. If you have accepted Christ as savior, then you are born again in the spirit and one-third of you is "wall to wall" Holy Spirit.

If all you look at is in the natural, then all you will see is natural results.

Let God be true and every man a liar. Choose to believe God's Word and walk in the Spirit. Walk by faith and not by sight.

The Good News

There is a concept that pops up every now and again that the "Gospel" somehow overrides or is a more reliable revelation than the Bible. That the introduction of Grace somehow makes the rest of the Bible merely interesting reading. That the Gospel allows for us to go about and do whatever feels good and go about our business without any thought of consequences.

Unfortunately, this is a serious misrepresentation that leads many folks astray and away from all the awesome things God has laid out for us.

The truth is, the Gospel isn't one or two verses taken out of context, nor is it one or four books taken by themselves. The truth is, the Gospel is revealed through an understanding of the entirety of God's Word. The Old Testament points to and describes Messiah, the New Testament fulfills prophecies about and reveals Messiah.

The Gospel is not about being free to feed your selfish feelings, the Gospel is about being freed from your selfish flesh and being led by the Spirit. (Gal 5:16)

Feeding selfish desires only brings temporary and fleeting pacification that lasts only for the moment. Walking in the Spirit leads to ongoing peace and joy that are independent of circumstances and sources of strength not that are not only for the here and now, but have benefits that last into eternity.

Instead of serving your flesh and emotions, your body and emotions become your servants.

The Bible gives us the foundation for understanding the good news of salvation and prosperity. The entirety of God's Word is there for us to maintain balance and to use as a standard by which we can test the plethora of messages that are out there.

2Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.