Bible Pathways - Rose Kendall

One Year Bible - November 13

2012-01-24T18:10:00.001-06:00

EZEKIEL 27:1 - 28:26
TYRE: The Mistress of the Mediterranean with an insatiable desire for THINGS. (27:27) All those who bought and sold, called the "kings of the earth" in Rev 18, will wail and mourn over her loss.

THE PRINCE OF TYRE (28:1-10): Verses 2 and 9 say that this is a "MAN". He makes the claims of deity: himself on the throne of his heart, human wisdom and understanding, riches, arrogance and conceit. This is the Spirit of Tyre (antichristian world-spirit) that Ezekiel is dealing with. NOTE: A majority of the church world now looks on this and on Isaiah 14 as explaining the origin of Satan. NOTE: These two portions of Scripture (Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 12) are the ONLY ones that have been used and twisted to make it look like the devil was once a holy angel. God's throne and God's holiness did not NEED to be guarded by anyone or anything.   LUCIFER is not even a name in the Bible. It is used in the Catholic Bible for the Hebrew word "heylel" which means "shining one". Sometimes I think people want a devil who "fell" into sin so they won't feel so bad when they do it!

BUT WHAT IF GOD CREATED SATAN JUST LIKE HE IS? God is sovereign and responsible for all things. He is in charge of the universe - - - not Satan, not man. If God did NOT create Satan, and did NOT intend for Satan to offer opposition, then He is not in control and cannot determine the outcomes. When God created light, He also created darkness. When He created day, He also created night. God is in control, and nothing happens that He does not have in His plan and He knows how this will all end. So, why did God put opposition and resistance in the world?   So WHY? (1) Opposition and testing builds spiritual muscle and strengthens our faith. (2) Opposition gives us the opportunity to share Jesus' victory.

THE KING OF TYRE: ADAM IN EDEN: (28:11-19) This is just a glimpse of Man's heart, one that is "desperately wicked and deceitful" (Jer 17:9). "The anointed cherub that covered" was originally the OX, one of the four living creatures (Ezek 1). Adam was God's covering for the earth! Iniquity was found in Adam, tho he had walked up and down in Eden with God. He tried to OWN what God gave him to have STEWARDSHIP over. Adam's heart was lift up and he corrupted his wisdom. Adam was cast out of the garden and brought down to the curse of the dust. He defiled his sanctuary (himself) and corrupted his walk with God.

ZIDON: The 7th nation to be destroyed for following the footsteps of Tyre and mocking Jerusalem. It was the headquarters for the idolatrous and filthy worship of Baal, Ashtaroth and Tammuz. They shall know that God is in charge of the nations.

RESPONSE: The real issue is now and always has been: WHO IS IN CHARGE? Has God lost control of His creation? Has He relinquished control of it? If He is in control, then why am I responsible for what I DON'T DO? That's what Romans is all about - why we are all without excuse. The fear of God is so that I always know that my actions have consequences and I am accountable. Obviously God does not tolerate opposition to His plan, and we should be warned about NOT living to please God.

HEBREWS 11:17-31
CONTINUITY AND CHARACTERISTICS OF FAITH: (Being "in faith" is being "in rest".) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses were all pushing ahead for the same goal: being found in "God's Rest", the obedience of faith, even if it meant suffering - because their faith was defined as the "substance and evidence of the unseen world". Visible things are also temporal, passing away, and lack "substance". These generations all lived as if God were presence and visible. They had all obtained the "Life lived by faith" (Heb 10:38; Hab 2:4). They trusted God in this life and in the resurrected life beyond the grave. Faith transcends death! We have ALREADY been resurrected (a "better resurrection"); and we shall never die! (John 11:26; 1 Cor 15:22;2 Cor 5:8) That is their secret. The visible, temporal things in life became IRRELEVANT. Another secret to faith is that it demands perseverance in the midst of unbelieving people. God must be our focus all the time. Faith is a distinction that sets us apart. Rahab stood out among the unbelieving Jericho-ites, and lived by faith. Faith takes courage and perseverance!

RESPONSE: My biggest opposition comes from my own feelings. My ugly feelings come from my perception of truth. When I keep my focus on the goodness and greatness of God, my thoughts protect me and keep me "girded with truth" (Eph 6:14). When I think I have to "be good" in order to be considered righteous and "in fellowship with God", my confidence with God fails me and I start thinking dark thoughts about myself. It is "work" to walk in faith - not "works" - but the labour of staying in God's rest (Heb 4:11).   When I feel myself slipping (like Hebrews says - discouragement, carelessness, apathy, drifting, not caring), then I quickly raise my hands and my voice and begin pressing toward God. My righteousness comes from Jesus! It is entirely by grace! If I mix grace and works, there is no place for faith to work! My life is centered ALL on the grace of God. vSometimes I surprise people at Wal-Mart! I surprise them in my kitchen!   I continuously reach and grab for what's INVISIBLE and draw it to me because I am confident that those things are also PERMANENT and ETERNAL! If I look at myself and my circumstances, I won't have what it takes for the "better" things of Hebrews. Thank God that what God has provided is all "ETERNAL".

PSALM 111:1-10
This is one of the "Deuteronomy" Psalms, making it about "Living by faith in the Rest (the Land) of God". I love this last section of Psalms, because it tells me how to think and what to say so I can rest, and believe and behave by faith. This Psalm demonstrates how to "delight ourselves in the Lord". We speak of His excellence, His splendor, His magnificence, His covenant-keeping faithfulness, the "works of His hands", the fact that nothing God does will pass away. He is the eternal One.

PROVERBS 27:15-16
An argumentative, criticizing wife can't be avoided. In fact, she can't be hidden either.

RESPONSE: I think a wife who is always criticizing her family members is probably in a lot of emotional pain and has issues with trust. This can only be healed by trusting Jesus - which comes from training your own emotions that it is the right things to do, and it is the beneficial thing to do. This is done through speaking out loud to your own heart - dwelling on God's goodness and God's greatness. He is faithful and He knows our hearts. We can't hide from Him.

One Year Bible - November 12

2011-11-11T16:25:00.005-06:00

EZEKIEL 24:1 - 26:21
MARK THE DATE: "The delight of Ezekiel's eyes" was obviously his wife, just as Jerusalem and the Temple were the delight of Judah's eyes. Both were taken in one overwhelming blow on the same day. Ezekiel was wounded by the stoke of God and not allowed any outward expression of grief, and now he must finish his ministry in a state of hidden grief. The people were not allowed to mourn or grieve for Jerusalem. The sorrow is too great for words - Ezekiel would be stupefied dumb for almost three years during the siege. The date was exactly set and Ezekiel made a note of it because now it was personal. What remained of the city was killed or taken captive. The great loss of the temple and the nation is too deep for tears.

JUDGMENT AGAINST THE GLOATING NATIONS (Chap 25-32): "The nations" represent the mind of the flesh, the self-life, the world-spirit that is antichristian (Rom 8:7; James 4:4). These prophesies were given two years after the siege was over and Jerusalem was destroyed. Seven nations were singled out for condemnation for delighting in Jerusalem's demise. The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel all have similar lists. One day, the Lord will gather His people from all these nations, His glory will be over all and He will be there in the midst of His creation.

AMMON: They are descendants of Lot, and therefore represent a MIXTURE of our flesh and the spirit. The carnal mind and world-spirit lords it over us and wants the adulation and commitment that is meant for God. It is seductive because of its appearance of power and its ability to intimidate us. .

MOAB: Incestuous descendants of Lot. They accused Judah of being no different than a pagan (sound familiar?). Haughtiness and secret delight in someone else's misfortune is unseemly. Because of their contempt they would be turned over along with the Ammonites to marauders.

EDOM: They are descendants of Esau, who represents the FLESH, and are related closer to Israel than the other two nations. David had conquered and almost annihilated them, and so they took advantage of this situation to avenge themselves.

PHILISTIA: Our perpetual enemy - the flesh. They, too, were motivated by revenge. Consider the damage that bitterness and vengefulness can produce in our hearts. The acid of resentment brought judgment on themselves. Vengeance is idolatry, taking the place of God.

TYRE: Tyre and Sidon were two chief cities of Phoenicia. During the reign of David and Solomon, Israel had a good relationship with these cities, who in fact, contributed to the building of the Temple. By the time of Ezekiel, Tyre was selling Jews for slaves and mocked the fall of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre for 13 years and finally subjugated it. Tyre represents the arrogance and pride, and materialistic greed of demonic influence. God judged Tyre because Tyre took financial advantage of the situation.

RESPONSE:   1 Peter 4:15-16, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." We are not to render evil for evil. In fact, in Matt 5:39 Jesus said, "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." We leave judgment in the hands of God.

This is because the OT figures of our enemies does not represent people, but THE FLESH. We "revenge all disobedience" (2 Cor 10:6) of our natural minds. We don't tolerate any opposition to the Spirit. Any antichristian thoughts, ideas, attitudes, reasonings, opinions, affections, intentions, etc. etc. must be avenged. God will help us by His Spirit and by His Word, and by circumstances of life. Every circumstance becomes an opportunity to deny the flesh, thus avenging ourselves.

HEBREWS 11:1-16
WHAT EXACTLY IS FAITH? The context of Hebrews is how faith works in difficult situations. Faith directs our response to Truth. Faith is rightly resting on Truth. What we really believe, determines what we do, and how and why we do it. Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is the "substance" and the "evidence" of invisible Realities. The physical realm is a "shadow" of the spiritual realm and has no true substance. The visible realm is external, temporary, corruptible, shakable, changing. The invisible, spiritual realm of Grace and Truth is internal, eternal, unchanging, unshakable, and incorruptible. Faith is NOT a subjective attitude, but an objective, decisive commitment based on Truth.   It is confidence in the Reality of our Invisible God. Faith is NOT "non-doubting", but is a demonstration that the invisible is our reality, and everything visible is a shadow and is temporary. Being "in faith" is what it means to "Rest". It is living life in the awareness of those invisible realities - God and what God has promised. True faith possesses, it does not "claim" anything! Faith holds fast to God as if He were visible and Present, obeying Him and then leaving the outcomes to God.

"RESTING" BY BEING "IN FAITH": Chapter 11 is where "the tire meets the road". It explains exactly what is so much "better" about living by faith. In Chap 11 there are three (3) "better"s: 11:16 "better country"; 11:35 "better resurrection"; 11:40 "better thing". They all point to the same thing: resting in the Presence of God both here and after the resurrection. We can go through anything when we know that God is with us, and that God will ultimately triumph. The ultimate reality that our faith rests on is the resurrection of Jesus and our own resurrection.   The reason we have victory over suffering, over rejection, over death, over hostility, even over martyrdom, is because our faith rests on the resurrection! Even in Heb 11:35, where some elderly women raised dead sons from the dead, that was only a temporary resurrection. Those sons still died at some point. The "better resurrection" refers to being resurrected into the immediate, manifested presence of God at the Throne of heaven. Being "in faith" , believing that God is Present, gives rest. Feeling disconnected from God, alienated from God, brings UNrest.

THE LIST....... What I find interesting about the list of "faith heroes" in Hebrews 11, is that being "in faith" does not guarantee that I won't suffer! Or die! Or be on the bottom of the pile! In fact, being "in faith" almost guarantees that we will suffer all kinds of hostility, precisely because we don't attach undue importance to visible things, and because we live as if the Unseen God were Present (which He is, in fact). But just look at what our faith is resting upon: the Reality of God, and that fact that God keeps His promises - a foundational promise being that of the "better resurrection".

CHARACTERISTICS OF FAITH: These human examples are given to show the continuity of our faith from OT to NT, and to demonstrate the characteristics of faith.  These are manifestations or outward evidences of what takes place when we "rest". Abel: Abel was declared to be "righteous". His righteousness was a GIFT that he inherited because He pleased God with his faith, receiving "a good report" from God. Abel's faith got him killed, but his faith also reveals God's faithfulness beyond the grave.   Enoch: pleased God by his faith and did not die. While Abel suffered and DIED "by faith", Enoch escaped death "by faith". Enoch's faith enabled him to "walk with God" - he lived as tho' God were present and visible. Noah: also inherited "righteousness which is by faith". " Remember, righteous is a GIFT and it is perfect righteousness because it is "the righteousness of God". It is interesting to note here that in v. 7 that the opposite of righteousness is "judgment" (condemned and destroyed). The righteousness of God is divine approval. Another characteristic of faith that Noah demonstrates is OBEDIENCE, especially in the midst of opposition, because he trusted in things "unseen".   Abraham:   Abraham connects you and me to the OT promises concerning "the Land" and "the blessing". V. 13-17 tell us that "the Land", the inheritance, and the promises" ARE NOT CANAAN!   (In fact, Joshua 23:14 tells us that all those temporal, external fulfillments concerning the Land have already been fulfilled!) In fact, Hebrews 11 tells us that the REAL "land" is "a city... whose Builder and Maker is God." This is referring to God's Presence - where we can dwell right now, by faith! Faith demanded that Abraham separate (make a distinction) himself from the unbelieving world. The main characteristic of faith demonstrated by Abraham and Sarah is Gr: "dunamis" - strength to obey and fulfill God's plan and purpose for our lives.

A "GOOD REPORT": Hebrews 11:2; 4; 39-40 lets us know that all the OT saints "were assured of God's promises, embraced them, and called themselves strangers and pilgrims" on the earth because of their faith in the "better resurrection" - life beyond this temporal, visible life. The words "good report" are just one word in the original language: "martureo" or "martus", from which we get the word "martyr." It means "bear witness to". Here GOD is the one giving testimony: that faith always triumphs because of the resurrection! Faith triumphs over suffering, over ridicule, over rejection, over death, over every circumstance - whether we, by faith, bring order or righteousness to a situation, or whether we are martyred for our stand. Either way is a victory! The whole chapter is "a good report" about "the just living by faith" (10:38-39)!

RESPONSE:   Our faith is based on Truth, on the reality of the invisible world. Wouldn't you rather base your life on what is really real - than on something that won't even be here in a few years? Everything we can see is passing away! But not the "better" things and the "eternal" things of Hebrews. If we continue to live by rules, by external religion, by self-interest and self-preservation, we forfeit all the "better things". My mother used to say, "if it won't matter in 100 years, it doesn't matter." That's because most of what we are so involved in, won't be here in 100 years! It is "passing away", just like Hebrews says. So we must "live by faith" and enter into "God's Rest" so that we can also receive "a good report". Let my life testify of the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Because He is enough for me, any external loss becomes irrelevant.

PSALM 110:1-7

This is the most-quoted passage in the Bible. It describes the authority and power of the king-priest ministry of Jesus and His followers. That is why Melchizedek is mentioned here - one of only three places in the Bible (Genesis & Hebrews), Melchizedek being a king-priest. The "womb of the morning" and "Zion" both refer to the presence of God. The king-priest is one who lives as if God is present and visible. He "rules" from that position, "judging among the heathen" with courage, strength, authority, willingness, submission to Jesus Christ.

PROVERBS 27:14
Exaggerated praise and flattery bring a curse back on the person who utters them, in that people despise him for uttering them.

RESPONSE: I think it is fitting that our first glimpse of Melchizedek shows him serving (Gen 14:18-19). Being a king is not about privilege, but about responsibility. This is why it is important to blend the two ministries: priest and king. To be a king without priesthood would make us tyrants. And, to "rule" (which really means "to shepherd") without being "in the womb of the morning" - or in God's Presence, leads to self-interest. God must always be the center of our lives and of everything we do.

One Year Bible - November 11

2011-10-19T17:40:00.006-05:00

EZEKIEL 23:1-49

REALLY GROSS HARLOTRY: Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom; Jerusalem the capital of the Southern Kingdom. They are the "harlot sisters", children of Israel, the "mother of harlots" (Rev 17:5). "Bloodshed and harlotry" : they killed their prophets and prostituted themselves with the nations and their idols. We see God revealed here as the Husband of His "elect". Friendship (if you can call it that) with the world-spirit is called "harlotry". They were called "lewd", so insatiable is their appetite for "things of the world" (1 Jo 2:15). Spiritual unfaithfulness carries the seeds of punishment right in it; it is called "consequences". It is impossible for us to be completely satisfied with the substitute lovers we have chosen. Not only that, but our lovers become our punishment! Our "pleasure" becomes the thing that gives us pain. The things of the world that we love will be raised up against us, driving us back to God. Nothing will satisfy us then, but to be with Jesus. We are dead to all our old lovers, but alive unto God (Rom 6:22).

RESPONSE:   This is so disgusting that I wanted to check to be sure I was still in my Bible! We need to see our substitutes for God for what they really are! When we lust for food, for excitement, for thrills, for booze, for power, or whatever "rings our bells", we are like those "old whores"! I will never look at forbidden candy the same way again.

HEBREWS 10:18-39
If we left our flesh to do whatever it wanted to do with us, we would wander away from God. Our tendency is to do whatever is convenient at the time. We are especially prone to resist the rest of God, because it is not available by fleshly means. And so, in Hebrews chapter10, three times says, "Let us..." This isn't just a suggestion, it is a command: (V.22) "draw near" without fear because God NEVER thinks about our sin or guilt. (V.23) "hold fast" without fear because God is FAITHFUL, even if we are not. (V.24) "keep an eye on one another" without being critical, but rather encouraging each other to continue on. And stay together!

FOURTH "WARNING": (Heb 10:26-39) It is interesting to note that Jesus said (Heb 10:5) that He came to prepare a Body in the earth, that reflects Himself....and over here in v. 26 we are warned against thinking outside of that Body! To refuse to join with other Believers and try to "go it alone" - is to despise the WHOLE GODHEAD: Father, Son and Holy Spirit! What was happening here was what we call "guilt by association". There is persecution associated with being a Christian believer, and if you are associating with other believers, they assumed that you ARE one! To refuse to pay the price as a believer is to insult God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.......all of Who are working together to mold us together as One Body. This portion of Hebrews is speaking of those who try to hide the fact that they are Christian Believers when they are out in public, so they won't suffer persecution or rejection.

ABOUT FAITH.....: There are only two positions: Living by faith OR "drawing back unto perdition/ruin". Our lives are ruined if we draw back from living by faith. We sometimes feel as if our lives are being ruined when we DO walk by faith because of the accompanying persecution and rejection that comes. Doing the "will of God" (v.3) doesn't always bring an immediate result. Real faith is always tested by delay.  It takes faith AND patience to receive "the promise". Heb 4:1 tells us that "the promise" is "God's rest". Heb 6:15 says that through "faith and patience", Abraham "obtained the promise". Abraham's promise was the Land. It is thru Abraham that we and Jesus have the claim on the Land - which Hebrews declares is "God's rest", and is also interpreted in Heb 10:39 as the "saving of the soul". It says here that I can handle the rejection and the insults and the persecution when I live like a Christian believer because I have "a better and enduring substance in heaven".

What is that "better and enduring substance?" Heb 11:1 says the "substance" is the essence of faith - what faith is made up of. Heb 1:3 translates the same word "Person" - Jesus is the "substance" of God. Our "better substance" our "promise" is God's rest and the perks that come with it: "rightgeous, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Now that you mentioned it: what is the "saving of the soul"? Jam 1:21; 1 Pet 1:9 also speak of the "saving of the soul". Heb 4:12 talks of dividing the spirit from the soul as being possible ONLY by the Word of God, and for the intentions of provoking growth in us as the flesh dies. The NT Greek word for "soul" is "psuche" which is also translated "life" in Matt 10:34-39; Mar 8:34-35; Luk 17:31-33; John 12:24-25, where we learn the "salvation of the soul" is actually when it is handed over to DIE - when we deny it, refuse to be swayed by it, disregard it as unworthy of obedience.

RESPONSE:   Faith is based on hearing God's voice in His Word, in our hearts, thru someone or something around us. "Faith" and "believe" are the same word, actually. To have faith is to believe God. Others can tell what you really believe by what you do! Do you fall apart when you receive bad news? What is your first reaction to rejection because of your faith in Jesus? Are you easily swayed by public opinion? I don't know if I could "take joyfully" (v.34) the "spoiling of my stuff" - whether it was stolen or vandalized. Maybe if I KNEW it was because I am an outspoken Christian believer, it might be easier - because I'd know it didn't happen because I had done something or said something stupid.

Here we also learn that the opposite of living by faith is to draw away from Truth to where God does not "have pleasure" in us any more! On the other hand, when we obey God, we give Him pleasure and sometimes I can actually feel His pleasure in me!

PSALM 109:1-31
Remember that Psa 109 is one of the "Deuteronomy" Psalms, making it about "Living by faith in the Rest (the Land) of God". I love this last section of Psalms, because it tells me how to think so I can rest, and believe and behave by faith. Psa 109 is the last of what are called "imprecatory Psalms" - prayers that call down judgment on our enemies. This particular one is about JUDAS, the betrayer of Jesus. The principle here is that betrayal and character assassination cause pain, but God will vindicate us, and we must never defend ourselves. The curses that this prayer call down are actually the fruit of the enemy's own choices and deeds. They forfeited away the goodness of God.

PROVERBS 27:13
If you are making a loan to someone you don't know very well, you better make sure you get plenty collateral! Myself, whenever I loan ANYONE money, I consider it a "gift".   It works like forgiveness, with the forgiver bearing the loss. This is how we get wisdom thru experience.

RESPONSE:   Philippians is the book that tells us to (1) Never defend ourselves; (2) Never demands our own rights or our own way; (3) Never complain. We have to keep reminding ourselves that when the OT tells us to kill all our enemies, it is speaking of our own flesh with its desires lurking in our members. The flesh is what gets us to betray our covenant with God, and so it must be dealt with, without mercy. In fact, of all our enemies as listed by various Bible texts: the world, the flesh and the devil, the flesh is the only one we are told to kill or to avenge ourselves against. That death, or crucifixion, comes when we deny the flesh, or when we submit and obey God when something in our flesh is telling us not to. When the world rejects us or slanders us, or even oppresses or hinders us in some way, if we were wrong, then we go to the person and repent. If we were being persecuted wrongly for our faith, then we rejoice as we share in Christ's sufferings.

I have trouble with my own brain persecuting me. Whenever I have to do a distasteful job, like cleaning a toilet, my flesh tells me, "You deserve better than this. Make someone else do it." So, it is important to keep our heads straight by studying the Word of God and listening to the Holy Spirit.

One Year Bible - November 10

2011-10-13T15:53:00.014-05:00

EZEKIEL 21:1 - 22:31                                                                                                      OVERTURN, OVERTURN, OVERTURN": (21:26-27) The devil and his crowd have been brought low three ways: body, soul, and spirit. Power and authority were taken from Zedekiah and retained by the Father until the day He sent His Son (Col 2:15). Zedekiah is "profane", worse than the king of Babylon, and his day has come. Israel would be blotted out and the Ammonites would be judged in their own land by "brutish men", fire and sword, and then blotted out also.

"THE SWORD OF THE LORD": When mercy and grace didn't win us, God used the sword. It is actually Nebuchadnezzar's sword as the means of judgment. "Sword" is used 14 times in this chapter. Jesus said He came to "bring a sword" (Mat 10:34). As Joshua entered the Land, as Jesus began His ministry, and again in Revelation, Jesus appears with a sword in His hand. The "Sword of the Lord" is symbolic of His assertion of power and authority in judgment.   It doesn't mean that God is in heaven, leaning down to swing the sword this way and that way, killing all who stand in the way, although it may appear that way.   But He uses our enemies to wield the sword against us.

GUILTY OF BLOODSHED: Matt 23:31-37, Jesus said: "So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,..."

Nothing has changed. Ezekiel's people turned their backs on God, and the bunch in the NT killed Him! The City of Blood had nothing of value in it any more. The refining furnace could find nothing but dross in Israel - it all melted and was disposed of.

PROPHETS, PRIESTS, PRINCES, & PEOPLE: (22:23-31) Leadership failure! ...This is the big reason why the church found itself in this condition.  When that happens, there is no real ministry, no discernment, no true authority. No man to stand in the gap as an intercessor to plead with God to spare the Land.

"I will remove your filthiness out of you." (22:15) The purpose of discipline of the righteous is to cleanse, not to destroy. The fire consumes all that is flammable - the works of the flesh, ("wood, hay and stubble" - 1 Co 3:12-15) and leaves us with what came from God: eternal things that aren't corrupt.   The afflictions of the righteous are the opportunity to rid us of corruption, of the flesh, of the self-life. God's keen eye knows there is gold and silver in us!

RESPONSE:   When I am actually going THROUGH THE FIRE, I don't think of it as a good thing. It isn't until later that I can see the value of it. In fact, in a later trial, I am amazed at the change that had come in me! My reactions (attitudes) to circumstances are changing. I don't realize that God had scrubbed something off until I "missed it"!   This is why it is so important to use these opportunities to deny our flesh (and let it die) when they come. We lay our lives down over and over again, until those fleshly things finally die. Then we lay our lives down again when the opportunity comes. Paul said, "I die daily" (1 Cor 15:31).   Today's trials (opportunities to die) are preparation for tomorrow's trials. When we see the changes take place, we rejoice because Jesus did it all! We just lay down our lives. If we don't lay our lives down as a sacrifice, they will be wasted.

HEBREWS 10:1-17

OUT WITH THE OLD (chap 8)....IN WITH THE NEW (chap 9-10): While this is speaking of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, it also speaks to our generation about the old way we lived (trying to please God, trying to do better, etc.) and the way that Hebrews is encouraging us to live - by faith in the "eternal covenant, eternal redemption, et al".

WHY WE REJECT OR LOSE THE "NEW": From the first chapters of Hebrews, we see that living by faith, driven by our love for God, is something we must "labour, strive, fight" for. The evidence of living by faith is our "entrance into the Land" , which is the "Rest" of God. Living by faith brings rest because we trust God with the outcomes. This kind of living takes practice, repetition, the formation of new "good" habits (Rom 12:21). This process is called "sanctification". The alternative is to try harder, resulting in frustration, fear, and failure. The "five warnings of Hebrews" tell us why we stay in such a negative condition: Heb 2:3 warns us of apathy, carelessness, and indifference. Life by faith requires an aggressive pursuit, along with the acknowledgment that details and "small stuff" does matter. Heb 3:7-4:1 warns us of "an evil heart of unbelief". Self-preservation and bitterness cause us to betray Truth because we want to preserve our flesh, leading to hardness of heart (unbelief). We have to "hold fast" to the Truths of God's goodness and greatness by constantly instructing our hearts. Heb 6:4-6 warns of the impossibility of continually "starting over" as Christians. We can't keep "getting saved" so we can start over. Our sin has been removed and forgotten. Forget the wasted years and go on, using your spiritual knowledge for life's situations. Allow your fleshly deeds to be burned, and keep pressing toward God. Heb 10:26-31 warns of loss, not doom, when we refuse to pay the price of being identified as part of Jesus' Body. We get to this condition from despising the rewards of being faithful to the Lord, as not being worthwhile. Desiring to escape man's judgment, we fall into the "hands of the living God"¸which leads to loss of rewards, and even death. Heb 12:12-29 There is grace (God's enablement) for every situation of our lives if we would press past our flesh and focus on the goodness and greatness of God. When we despise this "Rest" (as being too difficult to get into or as not worth the trouble), and choose to complain and indulge our flesh instead, we have to settle for what is temporary or earthly and fleshly, because the eternal rewards are lost to us.

THE "ALTERNATIVE" TO ENTERING INTO THE REST: It is NOT hell. ( NOTE: Moses went to heaven, but not into the Land.) The alternative to "rest" is a frustrating, guilt-ridden life in the here-and-now. There is more to the Christian life than just being saved from hell. We must also LIVE SAVED, by faith in Truth. What is at stake here is not heaven, but forfeiture and loss of God's Rest of faith. Chapter 10 of Hebrews contrasts it like this:

FIRST/OLD COVENANT (ALTERNATIVE TO FAITH)        NEW COVENANT (LIFE OF REST
v.1: a shadow (outward appearance) of what's real              Spiritual reality (inward working)
v.1-4 Sin-consciousness and focus            God-consciousness, sin removed & forgotten
Guilt and condemnation                                                    Freedom from guilt & condemnation
v.1&14 Cannot "make perfect" - effect inner change             Sanctified by His Blood
Tries to be holy                                                                 Christ is my Righteousness
Led by senses, reason, "standards", fear.                          Led by faith in "better promises".
Sacrifice & rituals (repeated cycles)                               New & living way to God's Presence
Impossible to remove sin                                                       Remission of sin
"Passing away" - external & temporary                                Eternal & never-changing
Restricts the flesh & tries to control it.                             Image of Jesus being formed in me -
                                                                                          I live by His Life in me.
Fear and lack of intimacy                                                     Boldness in God's Presence
Taken away (violently by force)                                                   Established for eternity

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: Heb 10:5: "As Jesus was coming into the earth (womb)" -   Literally, as He made the passage from heaven to earth, these were His words to His Father: He (Jesus) was coming to earth to enact the Father's will and purpose: to bring forth a Body; "many sons", who would be the image of Jesus in the world. In order to do that, Jesus "taketh away the first, that He may establish the second."

RESPONSE:   I have been caught up in that cycle so many of us are in: sin → repent → try harder → sin again → repent, etc. (sounds like Romans 7, huh?) That cycle is the result of being sin-conscious. We are behaving as though we were "under the law". Freedom from sinning is from being God-conscious, knowing He has removed and "forgotten" our sin, our condemnation, and our guilt. Jesus is the Righteous One IN me. I live by His Life in me, not my own life. This redemption is "everlasting" or "eternal” (Heb 9:12). When I try to control my flesh, I am doomed to failure. The flesh has to be denied and crucified. It can't be repaired or restored! Hebrews 6:1 says to "go on" from "the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.." Now our repentance is about being self-sufficient, about relying on the law to control our flesh outwardly, about unbelief.... NOT about specific deeds. The OT word for "repentance" is to "turn" - to turn toward God and cling to Him. Re-connect with Him as being a branch to His Vine. If you haven't done that, then you really haven't repented.

Jesus is teaching me how to be a true servant.   When confronted with that, I have trouble with being self-centered and selfish. I don't like being at someone's "beck-and-call" all the time. Sometimes when I am expected to drop everything and do something for someone else, I feel resentful. (After all, I was having time with God.)  As soon as I detect that resentment, I am tempted to think, "You aren't such a great Christian, after all!" "What would people think if they could hear your thoughts now?"   So now, I have learned to open my mouth IMMEDIATELY and start singing, "Jesus, You are wonderful. Jesus, you are my strength, my help, my ability, my know-how. You are worth every sacrifice. I give you all of me. I want all of You." You know what I mean................whatever it takes to turn my mind back toward God and connect to Him. I must "strive to enter the rest". That's how I do it most of the time. Sometimes I do a little dance. Sometimes I laugh out loud. How do you do it?

PSALM 108:1-13
When pressure comes against us, (and it does) we must be "immovable" ("fixed"). We must not give in to the flesh. It seems like there is always some kind of pressure to say the wrong thing, to complain, to argue, to lose my temper, to get lazy, to defend myself, to want candy, to think I deserve the credit for something, etc. How does one get his heart "fixed" during pressure? Heb 13:9 says it is established "with grace" - with God's enablement. This means I must keep my focus on God's goodness and greatness. This Psalm tells us we can be confident that God owns it all, and He will act in my behalf....as I force my heart into a fixed position by speaking Truth to myself....God is calling out His army and will "tread down our enemies."

PROVERBS 27:12
Oftentimes evil can be foreseen. When it is, the "prudent man" (cautious man) seeks safety until the evil passes by. A fool can't be bothered to change anything he's doing.

RESPONSE: To "fix my heart" - to attach it to God so it can't be moved - requires God's grace, not another rule of action. We can't really change anyone's mind or make others think like we do. Psa 108:12 says that "man's help is vain" - it is unsatisfactory. There are three rules in Philippians that we should never forget: (1) Never defend yourself. (2) Never demand your rights. (3) Never complain. Those things are OPPOSITE to being "fixed" - connected to God as our Source of strength, protection, nurture, being cherished. If we do not fix our hearts to God, we will be shaken and unstable. This is because external things are temporary and are passing away.

One Year Bible - November 9

2011-09-28T12:31:00.004-05:00

EZEKIEL 20:1-49

LAST WORDS: (Chap 20-23 - Last prophesies before the FALL): The Land is the Land of the Spirit, the Land of the Presence of God, the place of being in the Rest of God by faith. (See Heb 3 and 4) To walk and talk with God any time we want. To feel His love, His strength, His mercy. And Ezekiel's people have thrown it all away. They rebelled and were idolatrous in Egypt. They rebelled in the desert, not keeping the commands or the Sabbath. The new generation was warned not to do like their fathers, but rebelled anyway, even in the Land. They did not keep the Law or the sabbath, and they became idolaters. Now they are being scattered to the nations, where they will be WEANED from their sin. The rebels will be purged out, the others "bound" by covenant to God. Judah will be destroyed by the fires of judgment because it is polluted. The elders hardened their hearts and told Ezekiel they couldn't understand him! With that excuse, they avoided applying the message to themselves.

RE-GATHERED: Re-gathered, to return with Ezra and Nehemiah. But ultimately, the re-gathering with the new heart and new spirit will happen ONLY WITH JESUS and the "everlasting covenant".

RESPONSE:   Sometimes I think I have to be hit over the head with a board before I "get it" . I can rationalize sin and justify bad behavior sometimes, and get deceived about what I'm doing. But God is faithful, and He doesn't let it go on long. This is why it is a good idea to repent immediately because then we don't have a chance to think up a good excuse. Also, when we delay repentance, we begin hardening our hearts. Then it takes a "hard hit" to get our attention! We don't want sin to become habitual. We can no longer sin with impunity, or do whatever we want any more. We cannot act like ordinary people or go our own way. Sin is not the same in us as it is with those who belong to the devil (2 John 3:8-10). We will be corrected. We are bound to God and He is bound to us. He is our Father.

HEBREWS 9:11-28
FIVE "ETERNAL'S" OF HEBREWS (exclusively): (5:9) Eternal Salvation: Jesus was the slain Lamb in eternity and salvation was all worked out before the foundations of the earth (Rev 13:8; 1Pet 1:20; Eph 1:4, et al). That makes salvation "eternal". Jesus' work on the cross is called "perfect" ("complete") in Hebrews 5. Nothing more can be added to it. (6:2) Eternal judgment: For the believer, judgment has been made against Jesus on our behalf. It is just as eternal as our salvation. Our "works" now get judged, mostly as we go along, fleshly works burning and redemptive works bringing rewards both now and later. These "works" are the result or evidence of salvation, not the means. (9:12) Eternal redemption: By His Blood, Jesus made redemption for us once for all. There is no longer any need for sacrifice for our salvation. My husband puts it like this: We owe a huge sin-debt. Every year, the OT priests made an interest payment, but never were able to pay anything on the debt itself. Jesus picked up all the I.O.U.'s! The debt is gone. Jesus assumed the loss in Himself. (9:14) Eternal Spirit: We all know that the Holy Spirit, being God, is eternal. The point being made here is that the Holy Spirit eternally "purges our conscience from dead works". He removes the guilt. We go free. God does not deal with us as guilty sinners anymore! (9:15) Eternal inheritance: Our inheritance is NOT HEAVEN! Heaven isn't even our reward. It is our HOME. Our inheritance is "the Land" - which Hebrews has shown is "God's Rest by faith". It is our call to live in God's Presence for all eternity (which is NOW). We inherit because Jesus died, not because we have died!

"BETTER SACRIFICE": (9:23) The OT tabernacle with its sacrificial system was just a "figure": a corresponding illustration of something invisible. This is why Moses was cautioned to make it exactly the way God showed him. The tabernacle was a visible representation of heaven itself! Jesus, as our High Priest, BY HIMSELF, went once into the Holy of Holies in heaven, and placed His blood on the heavenly mercy seat for all time. He "put away sin" - He cancelled it, disannulled it, brought it to nothing "by the sacrifice of Himself". The "end of the world" (9:26) refers to the end of Judaism, the Temple and its rituals. Jesus has come! The effects of His sacrifice is eternal, making it "better" than that of bulls and goats. Jesus was the last sacrifice. All God's wrath was wrung out on Jesus as He hung dying on the Cross. IT IS FINISHED!

RESPONSE: Some people like to think that Hebrews is primarily about the "Five Warnings" against apostasy. I believe Hebrews is about the "Five Eternal's" that are found only in Hebews. (There is another in Heb 13:20 that is found elsewhere). I don't believe that salvation is what is at stake here in Hebrews! It is "the Land", which chapters 3 and 4 tell us is "God's Rest" that comes as we live by faith. Living by faith means to release the outcomes to God. Living by faith means to place our confidence in the "eternals" of Hebrews. Ask yourself: Is Moses in heaven? I believe so, as evidenced by his appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luk 9:30). Did he enter the Land? No. Is he still "saved"? Of course he is. Can you be saved, but miss out on something important? I believe that's what Hebrews is all about - don't forfeit God's Rest, that comes with a life of faith. Keep the context in mind: Hebrews is the first in the series of NT books "all about faith". God's Rest (in this life) can be forfeited by unbelief, by "drifting away" (excuses), by fear, by ignorance. Living in God's Presence is "better" because our inheritance is a life of freedom instead of bondage, joy for sorrow, peace for anxiety and fear, confidence in Jesus' righteousness on our behalf, knowing we are loved and blessed by God.

PSALM 107:1-43

Speaking of "the Land", here we are at the beginning of the "Deuteronomy Psalms" (107-150). On the threshold of the Land, you would think there would be some warfare instructions, but instead, we find in Deuteronomy the word, "Remember". In a time with no writing tablets, no television or radio, "remembering" was done orally. We must "remember" out loud - especially today when there is too much information coming at us. Remember what? Psa 107 says to remember how God led us to Himself, dealt with us in our spiritual growth, humbled us so we'd depend on Him, and how He protected us, to dwell in His Presence beginning right now. Remember, this is not speaking of entering heaven - but of entering and living in God's Presence NOW, by our walk of faith.

As we come into God's Presence every moment of every day, "the sacrifice of praise" is our entrance fee - it opens our own hearts, not God's (His is already open). Then, four times (v. 6, 13, 19, 28) it says that when they cried out to God, God delivered them from their troubles. Did they (we) deserve it? NO! Did they (we) work for it? NO! Does it say that they (we) regretted their sin? NO! But they did turn toward God when they "cried". True repentance is when we turn from being self-sufficient and learn to lean on and depend on God.

V. 9 says "He satisfies the longing soul, fills the hunger soul with goodness." HOW? We learn to eat and drink from Him thru our WORDS: we praise Him "for His goodness and for His wonderful works." V. 17 tells us that all unbelief is foolishness. It is considered rebellion against God's eternal purpose for us (v. 11) to reflect Himself in the earth in order to glorify God. When we behave like fools, God allows us to come to the end of ourselves - all the while luring us toward Him. "God's goodness leads us to repentance." (Rom 2:4)

PROVERBS 27:11
Children who pursue God are a credit to their parents and to their upbringing.

RESPONSE: Isn't it something that as parents, we like to take credit for our children doing things we are proud of. When they do foolish things, then we make excuses for ourselves, letting the children take the full blame for their bad behavior. I am glad that God does not cast me off when I "screw up".

One Year Bible - November 8

2011-09-17T14:22:00.004-05:00

EZEKIEL 18:1 - 19:14                                                                                                        INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY: "Behold, all souls are Mine." Not just "in general", but in particular. And "The soul who sins is the one who will die." A just man, refusing impurity and unrighteousness, etc.: if his son is a sinner and an idolater, committing abominations, the father will "live" and his son shall "die". OR the father is wicked and an idolater, and his son takes warning and repents, embracing righteousness and justice. The son will not die for the iniquity of his father, but shall surely "live". But his father shall "die" for his own sin. Suppose a sinner turns from all his sins and submit to God? (18:21-23) His sin shall not be remembered against him. (See also Heb 8:12 & Heb 10:17) Suppose the righteous turn away from his righteousness and commit iniquity and abominations? (v.24) His past righteousness will NOT be remembered and he shall die in his sin.

GOD IS NOT FAIR!   So they say. They want their righteous deeds remembered, and their sin forgotten. Or if their fathers are "saved", they think they should be considered saved too! But God judges us individually, not collectively or genetically.

REPENT! (18:30-32) The obedience of faith results in life, disobedience produces death. Obedience is the outward manifestation that there is true spiritual life inside! It is a sign of a "new heart and a new spirit". ONLY JESUS and the "everlasting covenant" can produce such a thing as a new nature, and with it, obedience. Our part is to cling to Him.

FALLEN LEADERS: Jehoahaz and Jehoiachim are the only legitimate leaders since Josiah, and they were carried away captive where they were caged like animals. Zedekiah (puppet king), is a usurper in Ezekiel's eyes, and needs to repent because he will shortly share their fate. The "strong branches" were all broken - there are no more left to sit on David's throne. Fire has consumed the Land and its fruit. It was not because of weakness that the "lions" fell; nor by reason of strength that Egypt and Babylon prevailed. God's elect turned from righteousness to sin, and now they pay the consequences in captivity and death. The Scepter (dominion) lives in a "dry and thirsty land" and will return in power, just a surely as He died in weakness.

RESPONSE:   It appears from what these Scriptures say, that salvation and deliverance are NOT a question of birth or ethnicity. We each stand or fall on our own faith. And that it doesn't matter how we begin our race, but rather how we end up.

I bring this up because Ezekiel looks suspiciously like Hebrews in places. They were actually writing to the same crowd! In NT Hebrews, Jerusalem and the Temple was about to be destroyed and burned AGAIN (70 AD)! Ezekiel's crowd had turned their backs on God, and the NT crowd had killed Him! Both generations are warned to repent and keep moving forward with God. Both are warned that their own way of doing things, the impersonal, idolatrous, adulterous abominations that substituted for real relationship to God - - - were all about to crash and burn.

HEBREWS 9:1-10
"TIME OF REFORMATION": (9:10) We are coming up on the 4th "warning" in Hebrews against allowing our hearts grow cold toward God. It is possible to get so hard that it's almost impossible to get back to God - or even want to. Even when we sin, even when we don't feel like it, even when we don't think we're saved any more - - - we are encouraged to repent and "turn" because what God has done for us and in us, is ETERNAL. It's not that we don't GET TO get saved over again; it's that we don't NEED TO. The reason we don't NEED TO is that Jesus, our "better priest", has initiated a "better covenant", with "better promises", and a "better hope".

"ETERNAL REDEMPTION": When something is "eternal", it has originated in the heart of God and it is not effected by what I do or don't do. All of God's wrath was poured out on Jesus on the Cross. God is not mad at me when I sin! According to Heb 8:12 and 10:17 He doesn't even think about it!

"Example, shadow, pattern, figure, type": These are all pictures that represent something invisible. These must be true pictures, as they represent spiritual things, things in heaven. Our whole Old Testament falls into this category, because Jesus Himself said that everything in it is a figure or a type of Him (Luke 24:27). Heb 8-10 tells us that the Tabernacle of Moses was patterned after heaven itself!

ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE TABERNACLE: First of all the Ark of the covenant is a picture of Jesus: gold-plated humanity (Son of God, Son of Man). Its contents: the Law, Aaron's rod, and the manna - all representing man's rebellion from God, from authority, and from God's provision. A lid, called a Mercy-seat, was put over it, and then it was covered with blood - its contents never to be seen again! The Holy of Holies, the innermost room where the Ark was kept, represented the Presence of God. Note, the high priest could go into God's Presence once a year - and it wasn't for fellowship, but to apply the blood against God's wrath. And even that "could not make him that did the service perfect." (v.9). This had to be done every year - because their sin was COVERED, not REMOVED.

RESPONSE:   Our sin has been REMOVED, not just COVERED by the "better blood" of Jesus (12:24). 2 Cor 3:7 calls the Law the "ministration of death" and 2 Cor 3:9 calls it the "ministration of condemnation". Yet, many of us still try to "be good", as if it will earn us something with God. Hebrews is written to people like us, who need to understand that Jesus has initiated the New Covenant - that it contains all the "better" things listed in Hebrews. Discard the "old wineskin", and quit trying to restore it! Our "time of reformation" HAS COME! This refers to my whole Christian life! The way into the Holy of Holies has been opened - and I can worship God face-to-face.

PSALM 106:32-48
This is the last "Numbers" Psalm (Psa 90-106). Psa 106 covers the Exodus to the Babylonian captivity, and reveals to us that not one lesson was learned; and that even tho Israel failed and disobeyed, God is still faithful and full of mercy.

SOMETHING SCAREY: We all know the story in Numbers 20:8-13: It is the second time in the Wilderness that there was no water. Against God's instructions, Moses struck the Rock to get water for the people, when God had already told him to speak to the Rock this time. Disobedience is outward evidence of unbelief. But what really bothers me is that Psa 106:33 says that Moses disqualified himself because "he spoke unadvisedly with his lips." In the original language, it means that Moses spoke without thinking - because he was mad! And over in 1 Cor 9:27 Paul says that at that instant, Moses was "a castaway" - someone who had disqualified himself for the the Land, which is "God's Rest" (see Heb 3-4). Getting angry and blowing up disqualifies us for God's Rest of faith. It manifests unbelief and self-reliance, that's why.

IDOLS, DEMONS & DEVILS: Reading the rest of Psa 106, taking in 37-39, we find that God has equated idols with devils, and both of these were equated to "playing the harlot" - or worshipping substitutes and counterfeits for God. V. 41-42 says that the end result is that they were ruled by people who hated them. "NEVERTHELESS"...... God loved them anyway and relented.

PROVERBS 27:10
Never forget someone who has been a long-time friend to your family. They are actually worth more to you than a blood relative who keeps his distance. We have all experienced Christian brothers and sisters of "like precious faith" (2Pet 1:1) who are closer to us than our actual family members, who might not be born again.

Our family has such a friend. When we were children (6 of us), we lived on a farm out in the countryside, 4 miles from town. A Christian family who lived even further from town, befriended us, eventually leading our mother to the Lord for salvation. From that point on, the two mothers became friends for the next 50 years! They met to pray at least once a week, praying for one another's children to be born again, etc. They upheld one another in encouragement, strengthening, correction, comfort, teaching, etc. etc. Of course, we kids all benefited because we always had a ride to church, to youth activities, and vacation Bible school. Although both women are close to 90 years old, they maintain contact to this day. We consider this friend like part of our immediate family.

One Year Bible - November 7

2011-09-06T14:42:00.006-05:00

EZEKIEL 16:43 - 17:24
HARLOTS & WHOREDOMS: Israel's "lovers" (those countries she "slept with" instead of seeking help from God) will turn on her and devour her in the end (Rev 16-17). Israel's behavior exceeded that of her "relatives", Sodom and Samaria, whom God already destroyed! The reversal of their captivity would come through Jesus. We need a NEW NATURE to "cure" us of whoredoms (fulfilling our deep hungers with substitutes for God). The cure is by the "everlasting covenant" of grace. (16:60 - which Hebrews tells us is a covenant for the CHURCH) But, even Israel can be restored! In Christ, there is no ethnicity, no gender, no class distinction. Gal 3:27-28.

NEBUCHADNEZZAR, THE GREAT EAGLE: EGYPT, THE SECOND EAGLE. Nebuchadnezzar represents Babylon, the world-spirit of antichrist. God holds Israel guilty for turning to Egypt in order to get out of Babylon. This is like using the power of the flesh and the natural world to "free us" from bondage we are already in. Any time we look for power or information from anywhere other than God, you may be assured that there are strings attached.

RESPONSE: Any time we trust the "cosmos" to deliver us, there is a price to pay. The "cosmos" is the world-system (represented by Egypt and by Babylon) ruled by an antichristian spirit and driven by desire; it is in alienation from and in opposition to God. These are substitutes and counterfeits for God. What is it that I want so bad that I am willing to sin to get it? Everything I need is to be found in God, through Christ Jesus. God calls us harlots for seeking "outside" help! Loving or coveting the "things of the world" will put us in opposition to God. This is one of the justifications for destruction that God gave Ezekiel!   WE NEED A NEW NATURE that hates sin and delights in God. The consequences of sin should drive me toward God. Running to Egypt for comfort and relief is placing myself smack-dab in the clutches of the enemy! Run to God! He guarantees that He will give us enough of Himself to satisfy us and keep us close (Jer 31:25). Call on Him! He will come and stand before you! Thank Him that you can trust Him. It is a sin to attempt to find a substitute for God.

HEBREWS 8:1-13
AN AMAZING DECLARATION! Verse 12 contains an incredible statement: "their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more."   Under the New Covenant of the "Melchizedek/Jesus" priesthood, our sins are not remembered. Jesus paid the price for our sin: past, present and future, on the cruel cross. Remember, when Jesus died, ALL our sin was future! The old way, the way of the Law (what WE have to do), not only remembered our sin, but it was impossible to conquer that sin or to change us in any way! It only addressed the outward, external behavior, but never the origin of the sin - my heart! This is what makes our new priesthood better: we don't live to satisfy the law any more! If we sin, we are already forgiven.

WHO ARE THESE PROMISES FOR? The Church. This chapter is quoted from Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8 is PROOF that the "New Covenant" is for the Church, not just Israel. In Luke 22:20 Jesus said, "This cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood, which is shed for you." The new covenant or testament was inaugurated by the Blood of Jesus and secured the "remission of sins" (Mat 26:28). The promise given in the new covenant is that the revealed will of God (His "laws" and commands) is "written in our hearts". It becomes an INTERNAL work. We do God's will because we want to. The living God inside of us is bringing forth Life in us, as opposed to the death that worked in us under the Law (2Co 3:7).

**MOST IMPORTANT **WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SIN? The whole point being made here is that we don't go back and start over again when we fall. We get up, knowing God's grace is still with us, His forgiveness, His power and His love and His fellowship and His approval are still with us, His enablement to live for Him is still in us. Because He "remembers our sins and our law-breaking no more". Why do we repent then? Because when we sin, we are rebelling from the Truth. We are turning our backs on God's love and enablement. REPENTANCE is the means by which we put our own independence behind us and cling to God. ... return to God as the Source of Life.   As we "turn" (OT word for "repent) from our substitutes and counterfeits, and turn toward God, this is repentance. It is a process of retraining my heart away from independence, arrogance, insensitivity and self-sufficiency, so that I am free to rest in faith. Abandon all the substitutes and counterfeits. ("Return to Me.....and put your abominations out of My sight." Jer 4:1) We can have confidence before God because Jesus has truly done it all. Whenever we find our focus on ourselves and on what we do, we have gone backward into our old covenant ways and need to repent - turn our focus back on Jesus and what He has already done. Remember, if it walks like a duck (law), talks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's a duck! Don't fall for it - if the focus is on people, it is NOT GOD'S GRACE.

RESPONSE: No wonder "Gospel" means "Good News". Somehow we've made it the "Bad News" because now we can't sin and enjoy it! The truth is that sin is only enjoyable "for a season" (Heb 11:25) - and then "the law of diminishing returns" kicks in, and it isn't any fun any more. In fact, sin has the power to bring us under its dominion (1 Co 6:12; Rom 6:16). The Truth is that we don't have to sin any more!   It isn't that we don't get to. Anything outside of God lacks the ability to satisfy us, fulfill us, or keep us contented.

If we sin, God picks us up, we repent of not availing ourselves of the grace that was available to not sin, and keep moving forward. We must be GOD-conscious, not SIN-conscious. Back in high school, when I took typing, we were instructed that when we made a typing error, to immediately dismiss it from our minds; otherwise we would keep making errors. We tend to gravitate to whatever we focus ourselves on. Staying focused on God and His power and His grace and His goodness toward us - keeps us from sinning in the first place!

PSALM 106:13-31
This is the last "Numbers" Psalms (Psa 90-106). Psa 106 covers the Exodus to the Babylonian captivity, and reveals to us that not one lesson was learned; and that even tho Israel failed and disobeyed, God is still faithful and full of mercy.

PRESUMPTION : Verses 13-15 give us the "inside scoop" on what it is like to demand our own way when God has something else in mind for us. As Christians, we can have whatever we want; everything is "legal" for us (1Co 6:12; 1Co 10:23). We hear people talk about "the permissible will of God" all the time! But is there really such a thing? In Numbers 11 the people complained that they were tired of manna and wanted meat. They whined and cried until God gave them the quail - knee-deep and coming out their noses! God gave them what they wanted! "but sent leanness into their soul". The literal meaning is that they "self-destructed; they shrank until there was nothing left". Their glory was consumed. (see vs. 20) They no longer lived up to their calling; they couldn't because they were a whining, rebellious people. They had turned aside. When we press God for something we think we really want, we should be sure it isn't quail! (presumption - something God gives us because we whine).

WHEN WE AREN'T CONTENT WITH WHAT GOD GIVES US: Numbers 25 tells us that Israel "committed whoredoms" with outsiders of the church (people in the world). That is, they went to a substitute or a counterfeit instead of what God had already provided for them. When we substitute offerings for faithfulness, or food for prayer, or anything else that gives us temporary comfort, insight, strength, power, etc. - God views that as spiritual adultery. We are "cheating" on Him! In this particular case, the Israelites even worshipped the same gods as their spouses and ate the fruit of their worship! (Psa 106:28) It so provoked God that He started killing them with plague (sin & death)! One couple, in particular, dragged their "issues" into God's face in the church, and when the high priest (Phinehas) saw them, he ran a spear thru both of their bellies and killed them . . . and that stopped the plaque, but not before 24,000 had died. Sin is costly - it cost Jesus His life.

PROVERBS 27:7-9
Sometimes when we hear the Gospel over and over again, we can become jaded. When that happens, we must refresh ourselves in God's Presence. Rehearse out loud all God's goodness and greatness until the honeycomb tastes good again. Thank Him. Gratitude will keep us from complaining and leaving the nest. Remember how it was before we knew God - always hungry and never satisfied.

RESPONSE: Many years ago, I was complaining to God about living up North where it snows in winter. I wanted to live on the beach where there are palms trees and sand. I complained and complained. That summer, my husband and I drove to the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama for vacation. We planned to look at houses and job possibilities while we were there. As we travelled down the highway that intersects with the beach road, we stopped and picked up job applications. Just before we got to our turn-off, we saw a huge billboard outside a restaurant. On it was a picture of a quail! The sign said, "Quail! All you can eat!" No one had to interpret the real meaning of that billboard. We stopped and took pictures of it because we thought it was so funny, but we didn't complete any job applications. I repented of my complaining and reminded myself of God's faithfulness and God's goodness to me.

One Year Bible - November 6

2011-08-17T14:58:00.004-05:00

EZEKIEL 14:12 - 16:42
GOD IS IN CHARGE: God began at the throneroom with Ezekiel's revelation because God's purpose is above all, behind all, beyond all. God's won't be thwarted in His eternal purpose, which is to manifest Himself in a people made in His image and likeness. As believers, we are to be an expression or outward manifestation of God's thoughts. The basis of God's success is the living union between us and Himself, through Jesus Christ. The "glory of God" is the product of God's presence.   When Ezekiel saw the glory of God enthroned on the four living creatures, he saw the God enthroned on His creation, revealing that everything exists by and for God's pleasure and purpose.

JUDGMENT: In the OT the glory of God was accompanied by fire, light and power. (John 1:14 says it is "full of grace and Truth".) The glory of God cannot co-exist with evil. So, when God's Presence fills a place, it is to either judge it or to grace it. With God's judgment on Jerusalem already declared, they endured 20 years of being besieged by Babylon. God spent twenty chapters showing Ezekiel WHY. The first thing God showed Ezekiel was the abominations committed with holy things. The leadership treated them like they were common, turning their backs on the altar.

NOAH, DANIEL, JOB, MOSES & SAMUEL: (Jer 15:1 adds Moses and Samuel) These must have been God's favorite intercessors or prayer warriors. Even if THEY prayed, they can't delay or prevent judgment from happening. They couldn't even save their own children! "The sword, the famine, the wild beast, and disease". However, there will still be a REMNANT who are unwilling to compromise, who will be marked for preservation.

NO HOPE: The "parables" of chapters 15-17 show that there is no hope of deliverance from out of God's hands (Heb 10:31). The only thing certain vines are good for is to burn for firewood. They are worthless and fruitless. And if they were useless before they were burned, just how much more useless they will be afterwards. The people living in Jerusalem are those "vines". They will burn because they are unfaithful. They CHEATED ON GOD by preferring their counterfeits and substitutes.

God's elect are an UNFAITHFUL WIFE. But they have taken it several steps further: they have prostituted themselves - giving it away! They "slept with" Egypt, the Philistines, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians. What makes this so abominable is that God's love and grace were meant to bring about repentance, not betrayal. But man is ever an idolater and whoremonger. We need a new nature! God rescued them when they were poor little cast-off orphan babies. He gave them everything, then married them, conferring royalty on them! Now they are punished as an ingrate and a harlot! A queen who became a prostitute! They have not lived up to their call! They fell far "short of the glory" that God had planned for them.

RESPONSE: Everything was made by and for Jesus Christ. It was created for His pleasure and for His purpose. When we go astray, God is jealous, not in a weak, whiny way, but with strength of ownership. God considers us USELESS, apart from Himself! When we go to substitutes and counterfeits for our hungers, God says we have prostituted ourselves! And many times we don't even get "paid for it"! We get nothing out of it except hunger for more. Addictions are like that. "The law of diminishing returns." That's how they draw us in. The benefits don't last long, and we need another "fix". This is proof that we need to spend more time in God's Presence, because we aren't getting satisfied! God had spoken through Jeremiah and promised us that we do not need to drink from our "broken cisterns". He would satisfy us with Living Water. Are we so self-centered that we prefer our addictions over God? Are we so unbelieving that we don't trust God to be sufficient? God will satisfy us to the place where we will keep wanting Him and keep coming for more, and can then resist temptation from substitutes. Remember, when we call Him, HE STANDS BEFORE US. He IS love - so He showers all that love on us. Believe that and you will be saved.

Jude 1:21 says, "Keep (guard & protect) yourselves (preserve, watch over, protect) in the love of God." This means that God's love has the ability to protect us - to draw us close to Himself and save us from harm. We can depend on God to love us. We don't need to prostitute ourselves. We can set ourselves to be satisfied in God's Presence - determine not to leave until He fills us up.

HEBREWS 7:18-28
CONTEXT: Hebrews thru Revelation are all about "faith". Hebrews, in particular, shows us the goal of faith - maturity ("perfection"). Of course, growing up has its price; the self-life is dead and stripped away, and our "spiritual babyhood" must be let go. And so, Hebrews demonstrates how our new "spiritual adulthood" is "better" than all that we leave behind. This particular section of Hebrews, chapters 7 & 8, are a continuation of the third "warning" in Hebrews, beginning with 4:14, of the falicy of continually "starting over". If we go back to the starting line every time we fall, we will never finish!

HE CAME OUT OF NOWHERE! Who is Melchizedek? Some think he is a pre-incarnate appearance (theophany) of Jesus. Comparing this passage with Genesis 14, we find that Melchizedek was a king and a priest ("royal priesthood" (1Pet 2:9; Rev 1:5-6). "Melchizedek" actually means "king of righteousness". He was "a priest of the Most High God". He has no past, and an endless future. But the Bible doesn't really identify him otherwise. If it really mattered, God would have told us. As it is, he is a type of Jesus first, then the matured believer. Melchizedek is in contrast with the OT priesthood of Aaron's line, the tribe of Levi, who served God and the Temple, and ministered the Law.

"ANOTHER TRIBE": One purpose for Melchizedek, NOT from the tribe of Levi, is to prepare the way for Jesus. When Jesus was on earth, He could not serve as a priest because He was of the tribe of Judah. There are many other contrasts set up here to show us that Jesus' priesthood, and thus OUR priesthood as well, is "better" than what had been experienced so far. We must not MIX these together, or we will never grow up because grace can't have its work in us. So this is important. The biggest contrast is that the Law ministered by the Aaronic priesthood can NEVER produce the image of Jesus in us, but the Melchizedek priesthood of grace and righteousness DOES.

AARONIC PRIESTHOOD                                 MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
Based on human descent                                  Based on Divine appointment
Based on the Old Covenant of Law                  Based on New Covenant grace.
Temporary                                                           Permanent and unchangeable
Priests subject to death                                     Eternal and everlasting
Priests to one nation                                          Ministers to all the earth.
"weak" and sinful.                                               Entered Heaven itself,
                                                                                   "separated from sinners"
Impotent, in that it cannot reproduce Jesus.    Brings "perfection" - the image of Jesus in us.

"BETTER HOPE": Our hope is NOT the rapture! If that were true, then the Gospel here on earth is irrelevant. NOTE: 1 John 3:1-3 tells us that our hope is that we will be like Him - conformed to the image of Jesus. Heb 7:18 tells us that the former priesthood served a covenant with (the Law) commandments that were "impotent" - they were unable to produce the Son in me; so Jesus set it aside because He is the "potent one". Our hope is based not on Levitical requirements, but on the Life of God at work in us. Furthermore, Heb 7:25 tells us that Jesus saves "to the uttermost" - to completion.

"BETTER COVENANT": Heb 8:6 tells us that our covenant is better because it is based on "better promises" and it is "everlasting". We will read further in Hebrews 8 how the first covenant ministered blame, shame, and death. Our "better covenant" made by Jesus Christ ministered righteousness, freedom, and life, bringing "perfection" - spiritual maturity.

"TITHE": Let's just tell the truth - too many people think that their money is their own! When we don't tithe, we are declaring our independence from God and documenting our ingratitude! No where in the NT does it say that the tithe is "done away with" or no longer expected. ALL our money belongs to God.   Money represents our labors, our strength, our attention and our hearts (the Bible calls it "treasure").   God is willing to settle for 10% as representative of the whole (and sometimes He specifies every more than 10%!). In Matt 23:23 where Jesus chided the church leadership for tithing their herbs and spices, He didn't tell them to quit it! He told them that they "should" tithe! And then here in Hebrews 7, God lifted the tithe right into the spiritual realm - because that's the real issue: Where is your treasure? When we DON'T give, we document our ingratitude and our unbelief.

RESPONSE:   There is a new King in town! He is able to bring "many sons" into glory! By fulfilling and abolishing the Old Covenants, Jesus then made the New Covenant effective and IRREVOCABLE (Heb 13:20). We are free to grow up thru the influence of God's Presence in us. However, we can't have both. We must not combine the old with the new, or we won't have ANYTHING! The wineskin will burst and leave us with NOTHING (Mark 2:22). We cannot combine childhood rules (external boundaries) with the freedom of grace (internal working). God must be the center of our lives. We must keep bringing our minds back to Him. We have no life of our own! We have His life!  This is "better" than whatever we must let go of!

PSALM 106:1-12
This is the last "Numbers" Psalms (Psa 90-106). Psa 106 covers the Exodus to the Babylonian captivity, and reveals to us that not one lesson was learned; and that even tho Israel failed and disobeyed, God is still faithful and full of mercy.

"SIN": To sin is to forfeit because of falling short of the goal (Rom 3:23; Heb 4:1) It exposes us to danger from our enemies. We don't just grieve the Holy Spirit or injure our conscience, we forfeit GOD'S REST. INIQUITY: to be perverse in turning aside from reflecting Jesus. WICKEDNESS: is when we violate Truth and it causes unrest and inner chaos.   Psa 106:2-5 is the contrast, showing the blessing and favor and glory that we inherit when we submit and obey and love God.

PROVERBS 27:4-6
"Envy" goes deeper than wrath or anger, and is often hidden until it erupts. "Open rebuke" does NOT mean public, it just means "spoken out loud".

Proverbs 27:5-6 are not written to encourage a criticizer to keep criticizing. It is written from the standpoint of a person who has just received correction - that this correction is better for you than the pats on the back from someone who doesn't love you enuf to tell you the truth. They are only thinking about themselves and won't risk the backlash. And, those "kisses" may even be hiding hatred or envy.

RESPONSE: Sometimes the people who don't really like us will tell us things that our "friends"won't. And sometimes what they are saying is TRUE! Always check it out with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. If it's God, it is specific; and if it is the "accuser", it is usually too general to know exactly what you are doing wrong. If it is God, it is to the point and pierces the heart; and if it is the "accuser", it is blunt and brusing. If it is God, we can repent and feel clean; if it is the "accuser", repenting doesn't help and we still feel guilty.

One Year Bible - November 5

2011-07-23T12:28:00.003-05:00

EZEKIEL 12:1 - 14:11
WHEN YOUR LIFE IS FALLING APART: It is a sign to you that you need to repent and call on the Lord for deliverance. Those people who "pet" you and say that God wouldn't tear your life up, will be judged for prophesying out of their own heads. But these idolaters have their pants on backwards. They didn't believe anything Ezekiel told them! Of course, they hadn't believed Jeremiah either. And obviously, they didn't believe God because judgment was delayed until they didn't believe judgment was coming anymore! They actually supposed that they were getting away with something. But, read what the Holy Spirit is saying, (Eze 12:23-28 and Heb 3:7-15) It is the enemy's bait to tell you that judgment is a long way off! The flesh does not like God's interference, and sees God's commands as intolerance. And because sin is deceptive, we believe that stuff!

PRETENDERS, FAKES AND HYPOCRITES: These are claiming to have wisdom and knowledge and the ability to lead, but they are just saying what you want to hear. Not only are they condemned by God, but they are taking you with them! It says that they (13:2) "follow their own spirits and have seen nothing!" They have the unmitigated gall to say, "The Lord said...." They don't want God to keep you from them, because they want you to serve THEM instead! They are overbearing, condescending, flattering, and phony. They are seducers and manipulators. They refuse to "go up into the gaps" or to "make up the hedge" or to "stand in the battle". They could get hurt! No! They expect YOU to do it, though! These false leaders expect you to sacrifice yourself for them. Real leadership is a living sacrifice, and they go first, modeling and leading the way. Imagine being so twisted that God declares you to be His enemy!!! They were undermining God's Name and God's glory, and had to be flushed out and flushed down. Their names were blotted out of the registry and they lost any claim on the Kingdom of God.

When manipulation and seduction didn't work, the women used MAGIC to seduce people to think they could prolong their lives. That they would be spared by their arch-enemy if they stayed faithful to their charms. These women were pandering for food! God said He would neutralize their power in order to rescue some from their clutches. RESULT? 1 Tim 4:1-2 says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" Those trapped in this deception are made bold in their opposition to God. Their lifestyle appears easier than being righteous. It was the softer, more acceptable route to take. Going against the flow brings rejection, humiliation, persecution, isolation. But if you are on the easy road, you will die of starvation and drought, or in battle. Spiritual food and drink can ONLY come from the Lord.

The pretenders, fakes and hypocrites have one more trick up their sleeves: (chap14) "Let's pretend to ask God what to do, even tho we have no intension of obeying Him." But God isn't stupid. God is street-smart and savvy. They thought they could insult God by worshipping "idols of the heart" and shamelessly lead others astray - - - and then expect God to give them "a word". God wants to recapture their hearts and the hearts of their followers.

REPENT: (14:6-11) Repentance is necessary because of estrangement. It is defined as "turning away your faces from all your abominations" (14:6). The OT word is "turn" or "return". Re-connect with God in dependency. He must be the center of your life - going to Him about EVERYTHING. An "idol of the heart" is secret - it causes the estrangement because it takes God's place. It is a counterfeit or a substitute. A "broken cistern". Without repentance, God will set His face against you. (14:8) James 4:4 puts it this way: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" And again in James 4:6-7, "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." When we refuse to repent, judgment is inevitable.

RESPONSE: This really tears me up. I WANT to repent for the people I love. I want them to "get it".   I don't want to see them suffer, but know that it is inevitable because of their hardness of heart. Hardness of heart makes them blind and deaf to the truth.  They can't understand it anymore. That is how people get deceived and way "out there". Trying to deceive God leads to self-deception. So, if that's you - "TURN".

HEBREWS 7:1-17
This is a continuation of the 3rd warning about refusing to "grow up", but instead allowing our flesh to be sacrificed to obedience, and taking responsibility as a Christian. Part of that responsibility is to become a priest of the Lord. God's original purpose (Gen 1:26-28; Gen 19:6; 1 Pet 2:5; Rev 1:5-6; 5:10) was for a "nation of priests" - that's us! But this is a "better priesthood" (Heb 7:7) than anything that pre-existed because it is able to get results. The great point in this chapter is that with no more sacrifices and a better covenant, this new system has the power to perfect and mature the sons of God.

WHO IS MELCHIZEDEK? Jesus is our forerunner - meaning He expects us to follow His example and be priestly like He is. Melchizedek was given as a living example of what is expected and what grace is given to us to fulfill our purpose.   The first useage of the word "priest" in the Bible is associated with Melchizedek (Gen 14:18), which makes the Melchizedek priesthood much more ancient than that priesthood of Aaron. Melchizedek, like true believers, has no past and has an endless (eternal) future. The fact that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek signifies that the Melchizedek priesthood is superior to that of Aaron. The tithe is hereby lifted into the spiritual realm and is a spiritual matter, no longer under the law. It is for the mature believer.

RESPONSE: Being a "liberated" 21-Century person, I used to think of MY money as "mine"! But in Hebrews 7 we learn that the tithe was around BEFORE the law, and even AFTER JESUS!  The tithe is an acknowledgement of our dependence on God, and not on Mammon (any substitute for God that sustains our lives). It also documents our gratitude to God, Who gives us "all things" (1Tim 6:17; Heb 1:2; 1 Co 6:12; 10:23; 2 Co 6:10; Phil 3:8). ALL our money actually belongs to God, but He is willing to accept the tithe as representative of the WHOLE.

PSALM 105:37-45
THE WORLD IS GLAD TO GET RID OF US! That's what Psa 105:38 says! This is not talking about a "rapture", but an escape from the enemies of our soul. When we leave the world system and their claims behind us (getting born again), the enemy is chasing us, breathing threats. It is when we usher in the Presence of God - go into His Presence as we walk thru Wal-Mart, then the enemy is AFRAID of us! Now he's running from us! We don't work to overcome the enemy. We work to stay connected to God - denying our flesh, denying our own agenda, our own rights, our own arguments - because being with God is "better" (see Hebews). "Praise ye the Lord!"

PROVERBS 17:3
God is being compared to a "melting pot" and a "fiery furnace". We can come easy, or we can come hard. The fire (distress, pressure, hindrances) will reveal what's in us. My mom used to say, "What you are when you are offended, is what you are." Ouch!

RESPONSE: My first reaction to being "in the fire" is usually, "Get me out!" I didn't believe that God could get me THRU the fire. He actually doesn't exactly get us thru the fire INTACT! The parts that are not God get incinerated. He wants to get rid of the arrogance, the independence, the rudeness, the selfishness, the lying, the fear, and anything else that will hinder God from being manifest in us. We cover Him up with our flesh! Isn't this interesting: GOD is the heat - not Satan! So stop rebuking the pressure! Succumb to it and let the junk burn. We do that by focusing on the goodness and greatness of God - by speaking to Him, singing to Him, shouting to Him how great He is! How faithful He is! How fabulous He is! We can get thru anything if God is with us! Let the flesh be humiliated and burn.

One Year Bible - November 4

2011-07-15T15:28:00.005-05:00

EZEKIEL 10:1 - 11:25

ICHABOD: (1Sam 4:19) The glory departed. It is gradual, and before we know it, He's gone. This is how people backslide - in increments. But God is in control of all the forces of judgment that He uses. God's judgment comes from the midst of His revealed character in the Wheels. The LINEN-ROBED Person will then scatter fire from the chariot-throne and burn the City.

THOSE CHERUBIM: Remember, the elders believed that God had already left the country and wouldn't see their abominations. And here the cherubim are, COVERED WITH EYES. God's Presence sees everything. The face of the OX, the burden-bearer, is missing and is now a cherub! The ox was sacrificed and now God's Presence (cherubim) covers the earth.

Two cherubim covered the Mercy Seat of the Ark of Covenant. (See Psa 80:1; 99:1; 2 Sam 6:2). They were ONE (in union) with the Mercy Seat. They were in the Holy of Holies, the Throneroom of God. They had fire that went up and down among them. The Spirit was in the wheels. They were full of eyes and had hands and wings and straight feet, as well as wheels. As Ezekiel watched, the glory of God departed the threshold and stood over the cherubims. Then the cherubims carried Him away.

THE PRINCE AND THE PROPHET: A group of 25 men still in Jerusalem, led by the princes, are plotting revolt against Babylon, saying they must free Jerusalem, for Jerusalem is now a boiling pot doomed to destruction. They think that because they are still in the Land and not in captivity yet, that they have God's favor. God told them, however, that those in exile are the "sanctuary of God's Presence" - for it is God's Presence that make the Sanctuary, not the other way around. Filled with the Spirit, the prophet, Ezekiel, tells them they will be destroyed if they continue in their rebellion.   While he is still prophesying, his prince falls dead at his feet. Heartbroken, Ezekiel falls down and cries out to God wondering if God will destroy even the righteous REMNANT!

A FUTURE HOPE: There will be a re-gathering through the Cross.   We will have an "undivided heart" and a "new spirit", a "soft heart". But the idolaters will be destroyed. Then the cherubim went out of the city and rested on the Mount of Olives, foretelling the day when Jesus would leave the Temple courts, pronouncing judgment on them, and make His way across the Kidron to the Mount of Olives from which, after His crucifixion, He would ascend to the Father.

RESPONSE: I used to think my mother was covered with eyes, too. She seemed to see everything we did! Even if she didn't actually see it, she knew about it. God's Presence is even more invasive. He knows our thoughts before we express them. There is no such thing as secret idolatry from God.   If there is anything that we use as a substitute for God to satisfy the hunger in our soul, God knows about it.   The glory of God is hesitating at the threshold, waiting for us to repent.   God considers our substitute an "image of jealousy". Don't wait for the fire. Repent now.

HEBREWS 6:1-20
BACKGROUND: This is a continuation from chapter 5, and contains the third warning. Keep in mind that the books of Hebrews thru Revelation are ALL ABOUT FAITH. Hebrews teaches us the purpose of faith - to push us thru self-sacrifice and into spiritual maturity. The motive given here is that everything on the "other side" is "better" than what we've known in our spiritual IMmaturity. There are two opposite results given here: The five (5) warnings of NOT going on to maturity OR having access to five (5) "eternals" that are discussed in Hebrews.

FIRST WARNING: Heb 2:3 warns us of apathy, carelessness, and indifference on our part. Our flesh wants nothing to do with "God's Rest" - which is entered thru self-sacrifice. It is a condition of being "in faith" - resting in God's promises. It is "natural" to be self-centered, self-serving, and selfish. It goes against our flesh-nature to be self-sacrificial and God-centered. We have to re-program ourselves by forming new righteous habits (the process of "sanctification"). EXHORTATION: Stay aggressive and purposeful about your pursuit of God and His Presence. Consciously go after God, constantly remind yourself to stay God-centered.

SECOND WARNING: Heb 3:7-4:1 warns us of "an evil heart of unbelief". Whenever we refuse to obey God (those promptings) because of fear or self-preservation, our hearts "harden" and over time, we become "dull of hearing"- and deceived. There is no rest in that condition, and we are in danger of dying "in the wilderness" - without ever achieving our purpose or our spiritual goal of Christlikeness. EXHORTATION: Hold fast to what you know. Exhort one another. Continually instruct your own heart with Truth about God's goodness and greatness.

THIRD WARNING: Heb 6:4-6 warns of the impossibility of continually "starting over" as Christians. We can't keep "getting saved" so we can start over.   INSTEAD, once we are born again, if we "fall", we must truly repent and then show the fruit of repentance - an EXchanged life (His for mine, letting my SELF die thru obedience).   When we sin, we have an Advocate (1Jo 2:1-2) and we go to Him, Jesus, for forgiveness, and then "go on unto perfection".   Don't get tangled up in that cycle of sin -> repent -> sin the same sin -> repent again -> repeat -> repeat.   Instead, consider the wasted years, wasted efforts, wasted life burned up ("thorns and thistles") and begin producing "better things...that accompany salvation." "go on" in the original language means "endure; bring forth fruit; be driven by the wind". It is aggressive, pushing forward; leaning into it. You are overcoming spiritual inertia. It will require ALL your "rocket boosters" to get you back into orbit, so to speak. YOU MUST GROW UP, AND IT WILL COST YOU EVERYTHING. You are not "starting over" - you are going on from here - you can't go back to the beginning - you MUST go on and grow up and show "the same diligence ... to the end." If we don't "go on" and gain maturity, we are in danger of God's discipline, and a failure to "inherit".   We WILL suffer losses in eternity for sure, and forfeitures here.

Something we learn from the people of the Wilderness is that bitterness causes unbelief, and hardness of heart comes from complaining against God for how He deals with us. Our choice is to surrender or to rebel. This THIRD WARNING is about using our spiritual knowledge in life situations - making our faith practical - and growing up. There is more to the Christian life than just being saved from hell. We must also LIVE saved. Because we can't be saved more than once, everything we do after we are born again, will be examined, judged, and either burned or blessed (see also 1Co 3:13-15).   It is not that our good works done along our way are not noted and appreciated, but that God expects us to live up to our full potential, finish our course in faith, in pursuit of Him. Faith is manifested in obedience and in patient endurance. Unbelief is manifested in loss and forfeiture.

GOD'S IMMUTABLE (UNCHANGEABLE) PURPOSE": God's purpose is so good, so holy, so powerful, that it is impossible to pervert it. God's "unchangeable purpose" is also our "anchor of the soul" and it is this: that we become a family of sons in God's image, who minister in His Name and in His place (Gen 1:26-28; Psa 8; Rom 8:17-18,30; Heb 2:6-10). God's "Divine nature" being produced in us keeps us stable (anchored).   That "HOPE" (our hope is that we will be like Him 1 Jo 3:2-3) is "within the veil" - and to access it, will COST US EVERYTHING because the veil represents the "rending of our flesh". Jesus preceded us thru the veil of His own flesh as our "forerunner" - meaning that it is His intent that we follow Him AND follow His example.   EXHORTATION: Press forward. Don't keep repeating the same cycle - repent and go forward from here. It is better to let it all burn than to forfeit everything. (Mat 5:29-30) Submit and obey, conquering your pride and letting it die the humiliating death of crucifixion. We are not victims; we are sacrifices. It only FEELS like being a victim because our flesh isn't used to being denied yet.

"BETTER": Heb 1:4 says we will obtain a "better Name" of "son" that speaks of responsibility, obligations, and relationship to the Father. Now Heb 6:9 speaks of "better things...that are fruit of salvation" which is talking about access to and fulfillment of the promises of God in our lives (because of our new maturity (see Gal. 4).

"ETERNALS": Heb 5:9, "eternal salvation" , refers to the Life (Jo 3:16) that is set on a foundation of unchangeable absoluteness. It is a quality of practical life that we inherit when we "obey Him". It is accessed thru "crucifixion of the flesh" (Gal 5:24*), which are opportunities for self-sacrifice in everyday life. The "eternal salvation" that takes place is the salvation of our LIFE - not just our spiritual parts. Heb 6:2 "eternal judgment" refers to judgment that is past, present and future. It is what tells us that we "messed up" and must repent. That is a good thing! Repent and go on. Don't dwell on it. The thing judged will then be burned or blessed. That is also a good thing! I don't want to drag "thorns and thistles" around with me! The "eternals" are about a saved LIFE, not just going to heaven some day.

RESPONSE:   I get "hung up" on Heb 6:15 and obtaining the promise thru "patient endurance". It means to "not lose heart". It is the word "loooooong-suffering".   It is faith that is not relaxed by waiting!   Faith must continue to be lively, aggressive in believing and in speaking in order to obtain the promise of spiritual maturity. Faith is always tested by delay. ***That interval of "patient endurance" must be accompanied by blameless, obedient walking, because one of the purposes of delay is to DEVELOP OBEDIENCE!!!!***

PSALM 105:16-36

This Psalm, one of the "Numbers" Psalms, was originally written to celebrate the coming of the Presence of God into our midst. It instructs our hearts of the faithfulness and the power of God. Vs. 16-45 trace the history from Joseph to the Exodus (Gen 37-50). Some interesting information is gleaned here that must have been passed down by oral tradition: Joseph was kept in stocks that were painful, while in Egypt's prisons (13 years), and it caused "iron to come into his soul" - it made Joseph more determined than ever to glorify God with his life. The "word of the Lord" (God's promises) "tried him" (destroyed his SELF-life with fire). We also learn that it was God who caused Pharaoh to deal with the Israelite slaves deceptively. V.30 tells us that God put frogs in the kings' toilet! The important point made here is that God is in complete control, even tho it APPEARS as tho His people are being victimized. Appearances can be deceiving; God does what He says He will do, despite appearances.

PROVERBS 27:1-2
Preparing is okay; presuming is not.

One Year Bible - November 3

2011-07-03T16:46:00.004-05:00

EZEKIEL 7:1 - 9:11
"THE END HAS COME": Disaster is here. (7:5-6) Doomsday is here (7:7, 10). Gold and silver will not buy your way out. The "Day of the Lord" refers to when God Sovereignly intervenes in history. God is shown as "coming" in judgment, on the clouds, out of heaven, melting the mountains, setting fire to the earth. In Isa 64:1-3 Isaiah prayed for God to come down and destroy creation. What he meant was for God to manifest Himself. The "judgment-comings" of God in the OT were His interventions in human events with His wrath. What accompanies "that Day"? Idols (counterfeits and substitutes) will be dealt with and those things that we depended on will "burn up" in judgment. And "They shall know that I am the Lord that smiteth." (7:9) Everything is so overwhelming that the people are paralyzed from action.

PICKED UP BY THE HAIR: It is still five years before Jerusalem is destroyed, and the Holy Spirit translated (by the hair) Ezekiel "home" to see what was going on. In contrast to "the glory of the Lord" Ezekiel sees "the image of jealousy" in the Temple. It greatly provoked our jealous God.  Idolatry and orgies inside the Temple drove God out of His own sanctuary! There were dirty pictures on the walls of the Holy Place and an antichristian deity enthroned in the Holy of Holies! Some priests were actually worshipping the sun in secret. Their attitude was despising of the House of the Lord. And these were the leaders! They "ministered" under the influence of evil spirits! Keep in mind that in order to internalize this Scripture, that our soul is the Holy Place, our spirit is the Holy of Holies. We ARE the Temple, and the Sanctuary of God Almighty. Are we hiding secrets? Do we allow wild thoughts to come in and stay? Or have we asked God to so fill us that the thought of sin is abhorrent? Are we sensitive to the approach of evil?

"GOD HAS LEFT THE BUILDING": Here we have the slaughter of the idolaters. The ones with the marks on their foreheads were preserved. The righteous intercessors, "who sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done", were "sealed". THE MAN IN WHITE LINEN: is Jesus in the midst of the Candlestick with six additional branches (the human Church). Jesus marked the remnant while the other six carried out the executions. In this massacre of the idolaters, the "glory of the Lord" has moved out to the threshold, on its way out. But it lingers - - - waiting for a change of heart in the people. There is still a remnant and the "the Lord knows those that are His" (2 Tim 2:19). God's judgment on the rest was because of: (9:9) "iniquity, perverseness, ... bloodshed."

RESPONSE:   God said, "Begin at My Sanctuary". Orgies in the Temple: What would idolatry in the church look like? Counterfeit worship? Substituting knowledge for experience? Misplaced values? Leadership with secrets? Do we "sigh and cry" over abominations, or do we look the other way?

We are the Temple and God no longer dwells in a building "made with hands". So contemplate "orgies in the Temple" from that standpoint: Indulging in a secret thought-life. Living to gratify SELF. Pride and arrogance. Bigotry, hatred, unforgiveness, hardness of heart. In Ezekiel we saw judgment "begin in the House of the Lord" (1 Pet 4:17).

HEBREWS 5:1-14
THIRD WARNING: Fortunately for us, God "has compassion on the ignorant". There are TWO Greek words for "ignorant". This one is "agneo" which just means "I don't know." The other word is "idiotes" which means "I don't want to know." The warning is actually over in chapter 6, but the discussion begins here: Some people "miss it" because they just don't realize what they are forfeiting every time they give in to their flesh. You see, it says here that "eternal salvation" is for those who "obey Him". They have been tamed to submission - not weak, not doormats, not passive, but obedient to God. In fact, that obedience is some of the most dangerous, courageous, outlandish things you will ever do!   It caused Jesus to "suffer". When we don't obey God, we become CALLOUSED. Soon, we grow "dull of hearing" - we lose our edge and become sluggish. We don't enjoy pleasing God like we used to.

THE GOAL AND THE PRIZE - REST: Salvation is the Remedy, not the Goal! God's Presence is our goal, and it is there we find "Rest", which is the prize. You've probably heard of the "Law of First Usage". It states that the meaning of words in the Bible get their understanding from the first time it gets used. The word henceforth is interpretated from that first setting. This word "rest" is first used in Genesis 5:29, and it is Noah's name. "Noah" actually means "Rest". His father named him that because Noah was consolation for all their hard work. Then in Genesis 8:21, when Noah emerged from the Ark, the first thing he did was to build an altar and make a burnt offering to the Lord. "And the Lord smelled a sweet savor..." The words "sweet savor" in the original language (Heb) is "the odor of rest" or "a restful smell". What is "the odor of rest"? It is the smell of self-sacrifice. The burnt offering that Noah made represented himself. When Noah "entered in to rest", he acknowledged God as being sufficient and gave it all while he built the ark in faith and obedience (Heb 11:7). When we are consumed in self-sacrifice, it gives off an "odor of rest" to God, that the Bible calls "a sweet savour".

"HABITS": V. 14 Says we become skilled at living righteously by "use" - which is the word for "habits". Rom 12:21 says we overcome evil habits (selfishness, self-centeredness, etc.) with "good" - or better habits. When we are pressured, we rely on "muscle memory" - a habit we developed when there was NO pressure. So, make it a righteous habit to force your mind to think about Jesus, about God's goodness and God's greatness. About God's faithfulness. Do it while you drive your car, while you fold the laundry, while you mow the lawn, while you make supper, etc. That way, when pressure comes to fire a retort, to lose your temper, to manipulate someone, to speak unadvisedly - or to grab a candy bar - whatever your vice is - you will DEFAULT to your new habit in God. Otherwise you will stay UNskilled, UNtried, UNproven, INexperienced. This passage says that this is spiritual babyhood! Jesus understands this - He had to "learn obedience through the things He suffered" also! Our habit must be self-sacrificial, and this requires that we force our hearts to enter His Rest.

"ETERNAL SALVATION": No - this doesn't mean that there is another salvation that isn't "eternal". What this means is that this particular salvation spoken of in Hebrews 5-6 comes from eternity and into our lives when we allow ourselves to mature through obedience. It is the salvation spoken of in Phil 2:12 that we "work out", the salvation of our SOULS (1 Pet 1:9), the redeeming of our practical lives, not just a spiritual salvation.   But it only comes thru obedience. This "eternal salvation" puts us in direct communication with eternity - or heaven and its resources. Isa 57:1 5 says that God "inhabiteth eternity". That eternity is a "high and lofty place". It is the unseen, invisible realm (2Co 4:18), the LIFE (John 3:16; John 10:10) that is set on a foundation of unchangable absoluteness. It is a quality of life that we inherit when we "obey Him".  This "eternal salvation" is for those "that obey Him". When we choose to opt out and submit to our own flesh, we forfeit all that, including the "Rest".

RESPONSE: I have always had the mistaken idea that my growth-rate is my business. I thought that I moved along at my own pace! I didn't know about the consequences of all my big screw-ups (which we'll read in chapter 6). So what if I stayed immature? Well, there are consequences, the chief one of which is not being able to please God because I was always overwhelmed by circumstances.

PSALM 105:1-15
IMPORTANT: Please refer back to the background information of Psalm 90-106: the "Numbers" Psalms - "Labouring" to enter in to God's Rest."

This Psalm was originally written to accompany the Ark on its return to Jerusalem, from being at Obed Edom's house. It is a celebration of the coming of God's Presence and rejoicing in His faithfulness and power. Keep in mind that this is an outward expression. V. 4 uses two different words for "seek". One means to habitually draw near to look, expecting Him to come near. The other word means to diligently pursue Him with the expectation of apprehending Him. This means we must NEVER give up "making contact" with God when we worship. We keep at it until we know He is near. V. 8 says He remembers His word - James 4:8 says when we draw near to God, He DOES draw near to us. Exo 17:6 says He "stood before" - right in front of - Moses. Psa 16:8 says I can "set the Lord always before me" - immediately in front of me. That is cause for rejoicing! Usher Him in with singing!

PROVERBS 26:28

Why is it that when we lie about someone, when they find out and are hurt by it, we get mad at them? We should be upset with ourselves!

A "flatterer" is someone who smiles while they put a knife in our backs.

RESPONSE: We should all resolve to be very careful about what we say. My mother used to say, "if you can't say something nice about someone, then don't say anything at all."

One Year Bible - November 2

2011-06-22T20:49:00.005-05:00

EZEKIEL 3:15 - 6:14
THEIR BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS: A "watchman" in the Bible is a person who prays, then warns when he sees danger coming. When you know that someone is in danger and don't warn them, God will hold you accountable. The results of your warning are not your problem, however. Some people choose to persist in their danger, in this case, their backsliding and apostasy.

FOUR SIGNS OF JUDGMENT: (1) The "tile": God would fight against Jerusalem, not for it. (2) Sleeping position: Left side = Israel; right side = Judah. Both had turned against God to worship their substitutes and counterfeits ("broken cisterns" Jer 2:13).   (3) Polluted bread, cooked over human dung: because the people have polluted themselves, famine and drought will hasten the siege and many will die. (4) The shaved head & beard: After the famine, Judah will suffer the humiliation of military defeat by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.   After shaving off all his hair, Ezekiel was to divide it into three parts: one part would die in the city by famine & disease; one part would be killed in battle; and one part scattered to the winds. Yet, there would be a righteous REMNANT, "bound up in thy skirts" - protected and preserved by God.

WHY IS GOD SO ANGRY? (5:6-7) There are unbelievers who behave better than some of us do!   (5:10) Heart hungers and addictions drive us to do independent-from-God things.  (5:11) When we act on those hungers outside of God, we defile our hearts and our bodies.  In the end, "They shall know that I am the Lord." (6:7, 10, 13, 14) Delayed judgment is NOT permission to rebel. It is mercy.

RESPONSE: What does it take to get someone's attention? How could anyone get this far away from God? Why does it take such ultra-conditions to get them to repent? And even when their world was torn apart and destroyed, most STILL persisted in their rebellion. Only a handful of hair remained in Ezekiel's skirt!

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: God does not accept "excuses" for turning our back on Him. When God judges sin, His purpose is not destruction, but restoration. (like a farmer burning over a spent field). Some "reasons" for apostasy are given in Ezekiel and Jeremiah: (1) Unmet spiritual hunger - and subsequent grasping for substitutes. (2) Fear and unbelief when God "changed things up". They "pull away", rather than confront their issues (Heb 10). (3) Intellectually and morally "outgunned" by unbelievers or by leadership who are working to deceive us while they are deceived themselves. (4) Self-preservation that leads to being easily offended. They put externals and temporals above what is internal and eternal. External "treasures", even if they are SELF, are HOOKS.   (5) "Love of the world and the things in the world" (1 John 2:15-17). Again, they are "treasures" that serve as HOOKS to draw us away. Hooks lose their allure when we satisfy our hungers with God.

HEBREWS 4:1-16
SECOND WARNING: Be "afraid" of coming short of God's Rest. Rom 3:23 calls it "coming short of His glory". Remember, this isn't speaking about salvation from sin, but of salvation from sinning; of growing up into being a "son" (Galatians 4:1-7), of being "in faith".

The importance of this passage is that we learn that salvation from sin and death is not God's goal for us. It is only our entrance to God's Life. Getting saved is how we "qualify" ourselves to live for God. So many of us have been born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit, and have never realized that there is MORE! We think we have heard it all, seen it all, and even done it all - and have gotten jaded or even bored! Then Hebrews is the book for you! There is not only more, but we are warned to be AFRAID of missing it!

WHY AFRAID? The original language word for "fear" here is "phobos", from which we get "phobia" - an exceedingly terrible, unreasonable fear.   We are accountable for the call God has extended to us. Everything in the Bible is about God drawing us to Himself. That is His desire. When we act independent from Him, when we go whole days without even talking to Him, when we don't desire Him, God is not pleased. God's rest is found in His Presence. It takes faith to "labour to enter" His Presence ("the Land"). We train, instruct, and teach our own hearts and minds that God is trustworthy and great and wonderful (Rom 12:2; Mat 22:37; Rom 8:7; Eph 4:23; 1Pet 1:13, et al). We don't wait for the right thoughts to come into our minds. We TELL our minds and our hearts what to think! We can actually push ourselves into being "in faith" by telling our hearts and minds about God's goodness and God's greatness, OUT LOUD. Deuteronomy, the book about entering the LAND, (God's Rest) has for its theme: "Remember God's goodness and God's greatness". This keeps us out of unbelief. It saves us from fear. God LOATHES an "evil heart of unbelief".   I don't want God to "loathe" me! Nothing feels as good as knowing you've pleased God. Nothing feels as terrible as knowing you've displeased Him. We should be afraid to back away from God for fear that He won't be enough.

WE HAVE "HELP": Praise God! We have the Word of God and we have Jesus. If sin has deceived us into thinking the world is man-centered and that what God wants does not matter - then the Word of God will UN-deceive us! It has the "power" and the "life" in it to pierce through our misconceptions, our deceptions, our preconceptions - and show us what is really in us.   Even if we are hardened.   Because God's Word is "sharp" enuf. And when Truth is laid bare to us and we are laid bare to Truth, we have a "priest" (the one who used the Word to cut us open in the first place) who totally understands us. THEREFORE, we come BOLDLY - knowing God wants us with Him, knowing Jesus has made a way for us and drawn us forward - and obtain "grace to help".

SPECIAL WORD: I love this. The Greek word for "help" is "boetheia" which is the Old English word "fraps". Fraps are the ropes and chains that are wrapped around a ship in a storm, to keep it from being dashed to pieces. A diver drags it underneath and it is drawn upward from the sea and wound around and around to hold the ship together. It is used in Acts 27:17, "helps", referring to the ropes and chains that undergirded the ship. "Grace to help" is intended to keep me from falling apart when I go thru storms of life.   It undergirds and holds me together.   I obtain it when I push into God's Presence by insisting that God is great, and God is good.   By acknowledging that He is greater than anything that comes into my life. That God is in charge, God is working His plan, God will not be thwarted. My rest comes, not because I am weary, but because I am satisfied and content with just God. This is the inheritance of a "son", whom Galatians 4 says has been changed from the inside-out. A real, inward change has taken place.   Gal 3:25 says, "faith has come."

RESPONSE:   My biggest problem is in loosing my focus. When I "forget God" - don't keep Him in focus, then I get all obsessed with myself again, wanting life to be "fair" - whatever that is.   When I keep my mind wrapped around God's goodness and God's greatness, I am actually CHOOSING to be happy and content, no matter what is happening! Christian maturity is measured by how much we are conformed to Jesus' image and likeness. How content am I? How satisfied with Him am I?   Have I learned to delight in the Lord? Or do I need something else in order to be happy?

PSALM 104:24-35
Everything created is dependent on God for sustenance. According to v. 29-30 God is in attendance at every death and every birth. Even tho His creations come and go, His glory endures forever.

MY CHOICE: I can CHOOSE to be happy. How?   By deciding right now to sing praise to God as long as I have a voice. By deciding that I will draw my satisfaction from God, that whatever I think I may need, I WILL go to God to fill my hungers. My "meditation" (what I tell myself) of God will be "sweet" - give me pleasure, and in turn, please God.   NOTE: The wicked are gathered out of the earth, so that the "meek inherit the earth" (Psa 37:11), not the other way around!

HALLELUJAH! "Praise the Lord" is originally written, "Hallelujah". Psa 105 also ends with "Hallelujah", and Psa 106 begins and ends with "Hallelujah". Also Psa 104 begins and ends with "Bless the Lord, O my soul". This Psalm is intended to push us over into God's Presence, as we instruct our hearts with God's goodness and God's greatness.

PROVERBS 26:27

This reads like an American cartoon show: Wile E. Coyote builds a trap for the Roadrunner, then falls into the trap himself. Roll a stone boulder uphill to lie in wait to push it onto an enemy, and as you near the top of the hill, the stone comes rolling back over your own head to crush you.

RESPONSE: It is foolish to seek revenge or to plot someone's harm. God sees it, and turns it on us instead. We may reap before we've actually even sown!

One Year Bible - November 1

2011-06-21T22:09:00.004-05:00

EZEKIEL 1:1 - 3:15
WILD MAN: "Ezekiel" means "Strength of God" and comes from the Hebrew word "chazak" which refers to the decisive and resolute strength of an eagle that keeps his gaze straight ahead. It is the singlemindedness that acts like a man, instead of panicking or giving up. It is translated "encouraged" in 1Sam 30:6. It is the strength that comes because we know how to hold fast to God. That pretty much describes this young prophet-priest. When we first meet him, he is married, has been a captive in Babylon for 5 years already, with no home, no Temple, no altars, no ministry. He is 30 years old, about the same age as his contemporary, Daniel, who has been in Babylon about 11 years longer than Ezekiel. They know each other, obviously. Jeremiah is an old man by now, living back in Jerusalem - and both Ezekiel and Daniel know of him and of his ministry, too. Ezekiel was outspoken, passionate, daring and unusual. He had the most bizarre visions pictured in the Bible, and saw the glory and the majestic throne of God. It was Ezekiel who kept the faith alive as, amazingly, the captives persisted in their disregard for God's commands.

EZEKIEL'S AUDIENCE: The Babylonian captives were prisoners of war. They were disobedient and spiritually calloused. During the siege of Jerusalem, they were idolatrous and violent. They were naively believing that God would "forgive and forget" and protect them from their enemies, even though they were unfaithful, idolatrous, perverse blasphemers. Just as Jeremiah prophesied, 1/3 were destroyed by famine and disease, 1/3 died in battle, and 1/3 went into captivity. (Actually this is not speaking of equal thirds, but of three unequal parts. Over one million actually died from famine, disease, and battle. Only 14,600 are listed as being taken captive.)   HOWEVER, the first 24 chapters of Ezekiel cover the time BEFORE that final, fateful siege that ended in the total destruction of Jerusalem. Those 24 chapters cover 7 years of trying to get people's attention! Then he prophesied during the siege (chap 25-32), and after the siege (chap 33-48). God called the people to whom he was sent "impudent and hardhearted". Think of stubborn relatives, who have heard the truth and rejected it because of the moral implications.

THEME: "They shall know that I am God." This phrase occurs 62 times. Ezekiel's job was to convince the captives that they had brought this on themselves because of their unspeakable abominations, that God's judgment was righteous, and then to offer hope IF they would repent.

THE GLORY OF GOD: This phrase is used 16 times in the book. We learn that when we depart from the "glory of the Lord", that the "glory of the Lord" departs from us. God has a plan and His plan will not be thwarted! He SHALL have a people made in His likeness through whom His glory would be revealed! It should be noted that Revelation is almost PARALLEL to Ezekiel. Both REVEAL (not conceal) "Who is in charge"!

WHAT IS THE GLORY OF GOD? Ezekiel saw "the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." (1:28) "Glory" is the full potential of a thing.   It is God's goodness and greatness (Exo 33:18-19). Glory is what gives a person weight, so it includes power, majesty, influence, honor, wealth, wisdom, superiority, authority, splendor, magnificence, privilege, abundance. The throne is always linked with God's glory because of its power, authority and majesty.

CHERUBIM: The "cherubims of glory" are in the Holy of Holies, which is God's throneroom and also the place from where He communicates with us (Heb 9:5; Exo 25:18-22).   They are first seen at the entrance of the Garden of Eden, holding flaming swords - to be sure man finds it! I believe they have some kind of tractor seat on them because the root word is "cherub", which means "to ride". Ezek 9:3 suggests that the glory of God rested on the cherubims. In 1 Kings 7:27-38 we see the cherubims acting as the agents of cleansing as they cry, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come" (Rev 4:8). They are full of eyes so that they can see beyond the chaos and see God's purpose. God rides on the cherubim, which form God's throne-in-motion, the vehicle of His Presence (2 Sam 22:11).   God is enthroned on His creation (four faces), which means that everything exists for His pleasure and His purpose.

GOING DEEPER: What grabs my attention is the fact that these creatures have wheels! They DART to the four corners of the earth. They contain the elements of lightning, fire, whirlwind, and great noise. These creatures are not only God's dwelling place, but are a revelation of the character of God. The face of a man suggests human compassion and understanding. The face of a lion suggests kingship and dominion, strength and fearlessness. The face of an ox suggests patient and enduring service, even in weariness and pain. The face of an eagle suggests living above the world, with insight and wisdom. The four are one creature, with singleminded purpose; no indecision, but prompt execution of the will of God. Emanating from the wings was "the Voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech". Their sound is gone out into all lands, and the words to the end of the world. Various commentators from the earliest times in Church history have recognized Ezekiel's vision as a prophetic revelation of the detailed structure of the whole Bible, given many centuries before it was completed. The most obvious correspondence is between the Four Faces and the Four Gospels. The "wheel in the middle of a wheel" is the New Testament hidden in the allegory of the Old Testament! And we see the GOSPEL speeding its way to the four corners of the world.   God is seen in the wind, the cloud, and the fire. HE IS "FIRE...FROM HIS LOINS UP, AND HIS LOINS DOWN", meaning He sits on the earth (loins down) and in heaven (loins up).

EZEKIEL'S CALL: "BRIARS, THORNS AND SCORPIONS":   A Life of hardship and persecution. The people to whom he was sent are bitter because of all their losses, convicted because of their guilt, and are being forced to see the connection between their sin and their punishment. Ezekiel was to eat the scroll that contained his message of man's failure. (The teacher always has to live it first!). If we do not EAT the book and digest it until it becomes bitter to our flesh and transforms us so that we live it, even tho it is sweet to our mouth, we forfeit our calling and have no power. Ezekiel was to speak ONLY what God told him.   No one around him acknowledged Ezekiel as a "prophet", but he must preach and declare the "word of the Lord" whether anyone listens or not!   But note, Ezekiel's "trump card": (2:2) "the spirit entered into me" AND "the hand of the Lord was strong upon me." (3:14) Our call is to obey in our real-life circumstances. Ezekiel's situation was dismal, but God would use him there, even without a church in which to carry out his duties. God calls us to faithfulness, not success. Ezekiel's life would be one of knowing and hearing God in the context of discouragement. . . . but, with the awareness of the glory, power, majesty, and sovereignty of God.

RESPONSE: God vindicates His holiness. He won't tolerate uncleanness and unfaithfulness forever. The only reason to delay judgment is to give us opportunity to repent. But people are "hardheaded". Ezekiel's passion for God would have to sustain him through some tough times. The people he is called to have lost everything, even family members. Some have boiled and eaten their children! They probably feel that God has forsaken them. The hardest thing to grasp at a time like that is that we have brought this on ourselves. When we are rebellious, we never think we are responsible. We see ourselves as victims, and then blame everyone and everything else. The more Truth we hear, the harder our hearts (heads) become. Fortunately, "For the word of God is living and active (on wheels). Sharper than any double-edged (flaming) sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Heb 4:12) Our real problem is "the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb 3:13) which "hardens" us and causes us to become self-deceived. The problem with being "self-deceived" is that we don't know it!

HEBREWS 3:1-19
Hebrews" means "to cross over" and refers to the crossing of the Jordan into "the Land". Here in chapters 3 and 4, this is interpreted to mean "entering into God's Rest". It is the place of being "in faith", pleasing God. The Jordan River is the lowest riverbed in the world (1000 ft below sea level) and means "to descend". Our "Jordan River" is figurative to crucifixion of the flesh.

"GOD'S REST": There are two words used in the NT for God's "rest". The "rest" spoken of in the Gospels in reference to being born again, means "rest from weariness, rest from labor, rest from trying to save ourselves." It refers to inactivity. The "rest" spoken of in Hebrews 3 and 4 is the "Sabbath rest" spoken of in Genesis 1 and 2, and is the rest of being satisfied. This rest does NOT refer to inactivity.

God's rest is found in His Presence. "God's Rest" is not a rest because of weariness; it is the rest of satisfaction and contentment!   God rested because He had completed what He set out to do and was satisfied with it (Gen 1:31-2:3). For us to be in "God's Rest" is a condition where we are "in faith", manifesting Jesus as we trust Him to live in us. It is a place of trust (faith) and obedience. We get to this place by going against our flesh with obedience to the Word of God. Remember, Jesus meets us at the entrance of "the Life" with a SWORD in His hand, and He has and will open the way (Josh 5:14; Heb 4:12-13). We have God's permission to ASSUME that when we draw near to Him, He comes to us (James 4:8). Don't wait until your circumstances are "out of control" to connect with God. Speak out loud to your heart, instructing yourself to trust God, obey His voice and come. We instruct our heart to trust God with the outcomes, no matter what they are. That's rest. Our faith is to rest, confident that the outcomes are in God's hands.

"HEAVENLY CALLING": The word "son/s" is used 23 times in Hebrews, and this book urges us to grow up to be sons (see also Galatians 4). All through the book we read how being a "son", conformed to Jesus' image, is "better" than what we have experienced before. We must not allow ourselves to be satisfied with "good enuf" because we are afraid of crucifixion. This two-sided admonishment says that everything in "God's Rest" ("the Land") is "better" than settling for a life without meaning and influence, and without inheritance. Gal 6:7 and Heb 1:3 define "son" as the one who is "heir of God"/"heir of all things". The other side of that is that when we DON'T press forward to enter in, God "loathes" us (3:10; Psa 95:8-11) and will not allow us to come into His Presence.

"EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF" : The opposite of "laboring" to enter "God's Rest" is to have an "evil heart of unbelief". Heb 3:8-11 are a quote from Psalm 95:7-11, where the word "grieved" is the translation of an OT word "loathed and detested". How do we become the object of God's loathing? This passage tells us they forfeited their inheritance thru hardened hearts and unbelief, which are manifested in complaining and looking to substitutes for reliance on God. We harden our hearts every time we hear God's voice and refuse to respond in obedience. They "tested God"- to see whether He would fail them. They didn't bother to know "God's ways" which are the ways of obedience and rest. When we don't obey and enter God's rest, there is a disconnect, a departing heart from God. The end result: "an evil heart of unbelief" is rooted in FEAR and self-preservation.   The "deceitfulness of sin" is the lie that life is men-centered, and it leads to being self-serving.

FOR THE RECORD: What is our inheritance as "sons conformed to the image of Jesus"? Exactly what is our goal? Where is "the land" that we are headed for? What our inheritance IS NOT: heaven. Heaven is given to us when we are born again. We enter "eternal life" at our rebirth (John 3:16, et al). Hebrews 3 and 4 make it VERY CLEAR that "the Promised Land" is "God's Rest" and that it is still available in this life. To "inherit" something, I don't have to die, but the Person who leaves me something dies (Heb 9:15-17). 1Pet 1:4-5 says our "inheritance" is "reserved in heaven" - (heaven is the place of "God's Rest" and His Throne) which Greek word ("reserved") means that it is being held in reserve like a savings' account, so that we can access it and make withdrawals on it.   It is NOT being held until our death, but rather is for life NOW and we make withdrawals on it for the purpose of attaining God's goal: "that we might be partakers of the divine nature" (Heb 3:14; 2Pet 1:3-4). It is a "MUST" that we "enter in" to God's rest (Heb 4:6)....to partake of God, to be "in faith" - to give our SOUL rest (Mat 11:29). Using the allegory of the OT "inheritance", we may say that in the NT, we find that our inheritance is "God's Rest" - it is a state of mind of being "in faith", rather than having an "evil heart of unbelief" with its inherent unrest, fear, rebellion, disappointment, dissatisfaction.

RESPONSE:   In practical terms, what does all this mean? First of all, Hebrews says it is more glorious to be God's believing son (confirmed to Christ's image), than to be only His servant. So, when the opportunities come to "enter in" to God's rest, I must seize them, through self-sacrifice and obedience to God. The alternative, which is a form of self-preservation, is to back off in fear and unbelief because I don't really believe that partaking of God is "better" than serving myself. Fear of death and self-preservation is at the very root of unbelief. I used to always wonder what would happen to me? Who is going to look out for me? What about me?  Life in God (lived by faith) cannot be man-centered.

The other thing I had trouble understanding was that to access God's rest, took "LABOUR". I was supposed to WORK AT IT! We don't try harder; we train more (before we need to be armed against the fight). Each time we train ourselves to trust God and magnify Him, it gets easier to remember Him when situations arise.  When we refuse to deny our flesh at these opportunities, our heart hardens against God.  We can't wait until the challenge comes to train our hearts. We must train beforehand. We can't fight a battle without training.  We must train every day, all the time.

For example, someone insulted me and it made me mad. I can think of lots of "come-backs" to defend myself. However, God wants me to "rest" - trust Him, believe Him, be satisfied with what He gives me, be content to be loved and accepted by Him. How do I do that? Before this ever happens, I instruct my own heart every morning that God can be trusted. He is faithful. He has always been there for me. He has never left me or been unkind. He is full of mercy toward me. He has lost His heart to me and is totally in love with me. God wraps me in His arms when I ask Him to. God is mighty, a strong deliverer, a wonderful Friend. What I am doing is convincing my own heart that it is okay to trust God completely. I don't need to ever defend myself. Then, when the opportunity comes, when the insult is made, I tell myself (not out loud this time), that everything is okay. Nothing bad will happen to me if I don't react my "old" way. I refuse to harden my heart in order to get what I think I want. There is nothing that I want bad enough to sin in order to get it. I rest.   Anything else is "evil" and "unbelief". What follows is "better" than what I had going on before - a better position in God ("son"), and more to follow. The "rest" that I have is from being completely satisfied with God; He is all I really need.

PSALM 104:1-23
IMPORTANT: Please refer back to the background information of Psalm 90-106: the "Numbers" Psalms - "Labouring" to enter in to God's Rest."

Psalm 104 is called "The Creation Psalm" because it parallels the six days of creation in Genesis.  In the midst of His creation, God is manifest as being full of majesty and power and greatness. He is greater than anything we may face. All of life arises and vanishes in total dependence on God. All of creation has Divine purpose, including me. When my heart fears or feels threatened, I can know that God's greatness has not been challenged or threatened. He owns it all; He formed it all; He can manage me. If He chooses, He has angel-servants to help me.

NOTE: V. 5 says that even though the earth is hung on nothing, it would remain forever. It is so permanent, that not even the shock of sin would destroy it entirely. (see Job 26:7) Nothing would disturb the earth's position in the universe. The earth hangs in mid-air, resting on its own foundations (gravity? - drawing everything toward its center? or is it Jesus, upholding it with the word of His power:Heb 1:3?). Psa 78:69 calls the earth "established forever", as does Eccl 1:4. The word for "earth" refers to the land, the solid ground, not the world systems that are man-centered and therefore temporary and doomed for judgment.

PROVERBS 26:24-26
This is in the context of things that destroy like fire. Here is a person with "hatred" in his heart. This hatred could be anything from "being set against" someone, to actual "malicious brooding". Either way, the person with hatred in his heart is UNTRUSTWORTHY. Even tho' he covers up his hatred with deception, with false friendship, with sweet-talk, eventually his heart will be exposed publicly. The Lesson Here: Don't be taken in by sweet-talking or by too-quick offers of friendship if you don't know the person well. Better yet, do like Jesus: "But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man." John 2:24-25. In fact, when it comes right down to it: 1 Peter 2:23 says, "He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly." We only trust people indirectly as we trust Jesus and the Father. We are motivated by what pleases God and by self-sacrifice. The only person who truly suffers harm from hatred is the one who has hatred in his heart. 1 John 3:15 says he is a murderer and does not have the life of God in him.

One Year Bible - October 31

2011-05-25T11:49:00.002-05:00

LAMENTATIONS 4:1 - 5:22                                                                                              DISGRACED BECAUSE OF UNREPENTED SIN: The city (Jerusalem) has fallen into such horror and cruelty, no one would have thought it possible. This was one of the most terrible sieges of all time. Jeremiah is looking right at all those dead bodies now. There is no more denying the judgment against sin. Israel had forced God's hand. The destruction was so terrible, that even the foundations were burned! Prophets, priests and kings were primarily to blame, and they bore the brunt of the punishment. They had utterly failed to discharge their ministry. It is an unpleasant event when God has to discipline His own. The believer and God are both disgraced when it happens.

HOPE: "Your punishment will end." (Lam 4:22) And God will still avenge us on our enemies. We cannot turn to God without His help, and so we cry, "Restore us to Thyself, O Lord, that we may be restored." (Lam 5:21) Even though we are thoroughly disgraced because of our sin, God restores. Chapter five details the utter despair and deep distress when we are being disciplined by the Lord. But again, in a flash of insight, "But Thou, O Lord, reign forever; Thy throne endures to all generations." We may die of sorrow, but God endures and remains faithful.   Even if we DIE in the midst of our grief, we came that far with God and find Him to be enough.   Whatever we are going through today, is in preparation for tomorrow.   After what we have been through with God, it is tougher to touch us, overthrow us, trouble us, upset us.   It is important to face sorrow, disappointment, devastation, and catastrophe with the grip of Jeremiah. This will strengthen us in the face of what lies ahead of us. God never does anything without a purpose.

RESPONSE: Things to remember when I am in trouble: (1)God loves me too much to allow me to continue in my sin and uncleanness. (2) I can come easy or I can come hard, but I MUST obey God or die. (3) God is righteous and I may not sit in judgment of God. (4) If I cry out to God in repentance, He will hear me. (5) God is faithful and does all that He says He will do, regardless of appearances to the contrary. (6) God is my portion; everything else is temporary. (7) My hope rests on the character of God, who is just, righteous, merciful, eternal, sovereign. (8) His mercies are new every morning, and never get used up. (9) The purpose of discipline is RESTORATION, not DESTRUCTION. (10) When I don't know how to pray, or what to say to God, I had best sit down and shut up. (11) Everything on my plate - - God put it there. (12) If it weren't for God's mercy, things would be much, much worse.   (13) God's discipline does not last forever. (14) When I can't help myself, God takes up my cause. (15) When everything is gone, God says, "Fear not". (16) Life is hard - God is good. (17) As horrible as Lamentations is, the word "steadfast love" or "pity" is used 32 times in five chapters. (18) God never holds the past against us, once we repent. (19) My best option is always to REPENT, which Jeremiah defines as "turning" away from my substitutes and toward God.   (20) If Jeremiah can weep and sing at the same time, so can I.

HEBREWS 2:1-18 "THE HEAVENLY CALLING"
Please see yesterday's background material on the Book of Hebrews.

Chapter 2: OUR "GREAT SALVATION" IS THE PROVISION FOR US TO BE LED BY CAPTAIN" JESUS.   Joshua 5:14 shows us Jesus meeting us at the border of "the Land" (Heb 3-4 The Land is symbolic of "God's Rest"), and He is called "Captain of the Lord's army". As Captain, Jesus goes first, opening the way and setting the pattern for the rest of us. Jesus does not ask us to do anything that He Himself has not already done and made provision for! Jesus is there to get us past the GIANTS who guard "the Land". The FIRST WARNING in Heb 2:3 is against this first giant: apathy, carelessness, and indifference on our part. Let me explain: Yesterday when I woke up and got out of bed, instead of my usual early morning prayer with the Lord, I "skipped it" - I had too much on my mind (carelessness and indifference). I had a list of things to do and all of them were urgent. My attitude was that "I'm going to heaven some day and that's enuf. I can manage this by myself." That ruined my day! I was not happy, not content, and so I whined and complained all morning about how busy I was. I snapped at people and everyone knew something was wrong with me. I had neglected my "great salvation" and did not have rest. I didn't "escape" either! (escape into the Life of God) I believe that this warning is put first because it is the most likely to happen. In today's world it is easy to get too busy, too tired, too distracted - and grow careless about involving God with all of our life.

Jesus is with us, sword in hand, to lead us thru "suffering" and into "perfection", which Hebrews defines as "obedience". The suffering is in the crucifixion or denying of our flesh. We cannot protect and preserve our own flesh, our own opinions, our own agendas, our own feelings, etc. and still be conformed to the image of God's Son, Jesus. This is what Jesus' sword is for! I must not be apathetic about my walk with God - I don't just "miss the mark"; I miss the Kingdom Life!

What is the "great salvation"? This is confirmed with "gifts of the Holy Spirit" - so we know this is more than being saved from hell.  Salvation from hell and death is attested to by Jesus' Blood and His Resurrection. The "great salvation" in Hebrews is talking about the baptism in the Holy Ghost! When we don't rely on His Spirit in us, when we don't both to pray in the Spirit, when we deny the strength and power of God, we don't escape our misery!

How does our "great salvation"get closer to God?   We must grow up and follow our "Captain", because God intends for us to rule the earth, to put everything under subjection: every idea, every opinion, every thought, every motive, all of it . . . beginning with ourselves. We have been crowned with "glory and honor"! This means we can realize potential to the fullest, if we obey God and do like Jesus did. Our "Captain" - which word in Greek means "to go first so as to open the way".   And how does He bring "many sons to glory"? THRU SUFFERING! Hebrews 5:8 says that this suffering was because He "learned obedience". We must deny our flesh to obey God. All self-preservation must be crucified out of us, or we will find an occasion to deny Christ. But we need not fear: Jesus defeated fear when He took away the power of death from the devil. This is because all phobias find their power in the fear of death. SO NOW WE GO FORWARD BOLDLY (Joshua chap 1 & 5).

RESPONSE: God is interested in character-formation. Hebrews is all about growing up, taking responsibility for our spiritual health, and pressing forward toward God. Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters - God's family of sons - - - when we have been "sanctified". That is, set-apart solely for God's use, living to give God pleasure, living to please God. I used to think that it was impossible to live that way all the time! I had habitual behaviors that did not please God, that I thought were just part of me. I didn't know that "sanctification" is really just a series of NEW habits! We don't break old bad habits; we form new habits that replace the old ones (Rom 12:21). "Captain" Jesus has opened up a way to do that! He gave me the Holy Spirit to empower me for it and to remind me to do it. Now God orchestrates my circumstances to give me opportunities to deny my flesh and submit to God to please Him. I don't have to be afraid of what will happen to me when I do that, because Jesus removed the fear when He conquered death and took it OUT of the devil's control. Now I don't have to defend myself or insist on my "rights" - because Jesus does that for me if it is necessary. My part is to submit to God, please Him thru obedience. If I am EVER going to realize my full potential in God, this is basic.

PSALM 103:1-22
IMPORTANT: Please refer back to the background information of Psalm 90-106: the "Numbers" Psalms - "Labouring" to enter in to God's Rest."

Psalm 103: Laboring to enter God's Rest, the life of faith, has benefits (bountiful rewards). Overcoming apathy or indifference to God is worth it. Overcoming our own selfishness and obsession with ourselves is worth it. Overcoming what other people think of us is worth it. There are benefits to staying connected to God (John calls it "abiding"). As we practice staying in His Presence, it is uncomfortable at first, and even difficult - but keep at it: the benefits are worth it! "The Land" is symbolic for "God's Rest" we learn in Hebrews 3 and 4. "God's Rest" is where we trust God for outcomes.

Sometimes when my heart needs to be FORCED into God's Presence because I feel too busy, too hurt, too tired, too hurried, etc......I repeat this list of BENEFITS:
(v.1) Everything about me is meant to submit itself to God.
(v.2) "benefits" means "bountiful bestowments", "abundant rewards". God has been GOOD to me and there is plenty more where that came from!
(v.3) Two of those benefits: He forgives All MY iniquities (when I know better and do it anyway) and heals all my diseases.
(v.4) He redeemed my life from the pit and crowns me with grace and mercy (made me truly happy).
(v.5) He fully and completely satisfies my heart and soul, and fills me with new life and joy.
(v.6) God is in charge of justice and rightness, and I can trust Him fully.

(v.7) He reveals Himself to us, shows me the way He thinks and the way He acts.
(v.8) God is never severe with me, but always ready to forgive. It is His nature to have compassion on me, and His mercy is plentiful, therefore He is slow to anger.
(v.9) He will correct and fight us when we refuse to repent, but even that comes to an end.
(v.10) He has not dealt with us according to our crimes of revolt and forfeiture, nor our wrong deeds.
(v.11) Keeping the fear of God protects me - as long as I am accountable to God for my Life, He shows mercy toward me when I screw it up.
(v.12) Even when I don't obey, when I repent, God does not hold that against me!
(v.13) "Pity" is the Hebrew word, "racham" which is actually from the word for "womb." It is the action of the mother's womb on the fetus to cherish, nourish and protect it. God regards me with lavish affection and gets joy out of watching me.
(v.14-18) He knows what I am made of, and that my time on earth is short, but He is with me forever and ever, showing mercy and justice.
(v.19-22) When I live to please God, there are even angels assigned to obey the "voice of God's word" where I am concerned.

To sum it up, God supplies, rewards, forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies, renews, loves, protects, avenges, fills, lavishes.

PROVERBS 26:23
Lips that speak of love and fidelity, but are actually covering up a wicked, hateful heart are like a clay pot painted with glossy silver. It's still ugly underneath.

One Year Bible - October 30

2011-05-18T13:08:00.005-05:00

LAMENTATIONS 2:20 - 3:66                                                                                        MAINTAINING FAITH IN THE MIDST OF OVERWHELMING DISASTER: During the time of judgment and discipline from the Lord, it is easy to feel loneliness and a sense of abandonment. That is part of the process. God uses that time to show us that our discipline is deserved and we cannot sit in judgment of God or blame Him when the pain hits. During this time, we will be broken and cleansed. There has to come a "tearing down" before He can rebuild us. Brokenness removes our resistance to the restoration process. Repent and reconnect with God, "pour out your heart like water before the Lord".

LIFE IS HARD; AND GOD IS GOOD: Chapter 3 is the longest - 66 verses (3 verses for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Chapter 3 describes our pain when we refuse to repent, either because of ignorance or because of rebellion and selfishness. It feels as if God has turned against us. We can feel torn in pieces, abandoned, falling apart, weak, trapped, broken, bitter, devastated.   In fact, (v. 22-33) says, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not." These are some of the most beautiful words about God in the whole Bible. God's "mercy" never fails! God "causes grief" and He "afflicts", and so often the "mercies of God" are hidden and hard to see. He "does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men". James 5:11 says that the "outcome of the Lord's dealings" are "that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful."

Lam 3:22 is also translated, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies shall never come to an end." The Hebrew word for "steadfast love", also translated "mercy", is "racham" which is actually from the word for "womb." It is the action of the mother's womb on the fetus to cherish, nourish and protect it. It is used 32 times in Lamentations! This "love, compassion, or pity", is never used up, finished, or completed. There is always more. While there is nothing "new" about God, our experience of Him is always new. The past is never held against us, and every day is a fresh start. "The LORD is good to those who wait for him". This is because it is HOPE that lies behind and buttresses our FAITH. Our hope rests on the attested-to character of God.

ANCHOR FOR MY SOUL: Looking at the mass of dead bodies, young and old alike (over one million), and seeing and smelling the fires burning, Jeremiah raises his voice and sings again: "For the Lord will not cast us off (reject us) forever. But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies." The purpose of discipline is restoration, not destruction. In the midst of death, he sings of Life. Never once did he ask, "Why God, Why?" But instead, he sang it: God's mercy is dependable - something you can count on when things are falling apart. As bad as things were, it could be worse. If God, then, puts or permits anything hard in our lives, be sure that the real danger, the real trouble, is that we shall be destroyed if we flinch or rebel. Instead, we "sit in silence" like Jeremiah says, and put our confidence in the character of God: full of pity, full of mercy, full of compassion, righteous, just, constant, faithful, patient, eternal, loving.

WHEN GOD SEEMS TO HIDE HIMSELF: When all we SEE is devastation all around us, when "outsiders" mock us for trusting God, and our hearts are broken, truly broken....(v.50) we wait for God to see from heaven. (v.52-54) We feel pursued, buried and cut off. "We call on the Name". "GOD DREW NEAR"...(v.57) and said, "FEAR NOT". "You have redeemed my life" - - - words spoken from the pit.

RESPONSE:   You may find this hard to believe, but I have actually been here, on a place where I didn't believe God would or could do anything to help me. I probably deserved whatever God "dished out", but I didn't feel that way at the time. I just remember feeling so "cast off" by God. No matter how much money we spent, who we hired to help us, how much we prayed, how much we begged God, nothing seemed to do any good. The pain I was feeling was from grief and it felt at times like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. But, backed into a corner, I knew that it was God or nothing. I must admit that I did not come quickly to the place where I rejoiced or gave thanks like it says in 1 Thess 5:16-18. For a long time, I believed that God had abandoned me and life became unbearable. These verses in Lamentations 3:53-59 became my lifeline. Jeremiah knew what he was talking about. He had lost it all, he had borne it all, he had felt it all - - - and still he said, "Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord."

HEBREWS 1:1-14- "THE HEAVENLY CALLING"
WHO IS THE REAL RECIPIENT OF THIS LETTER?   Heb 3:1 tells us this letter is for "partakers of the heavenly calling", "holy brethren". The name, "Hebrew" means "to cross over to the other side", "to transition". There are 86 OT references in Hebrews. The Book of Hebrews serves as a commentary and explanation of Numbers, confirming that the OT is, indeed, symbolic and to be spiritually understood. In Numbers, the "crossing over" was over the Jordan River and into "the Land" - and it is likened in Hebrews to crossing over into "God's Rest" by faith (chap 3 & 4). Just as, in Numbers, going across the Jordan River represented a death to the Old Man and a resurrection on the other side to "newness of life" (Rom 6:4), we find that to enter "God's Rest" requires us to go thru the "veil of flesh" - we must die to SELF! The focus and emphasis of Hebrews is JESUS and our calling to be like Him, ("the heavenly calling"), and so there is no record of the human author of the book.

THEME: The most significant theme of Hebrews is to press on with God because the rewards are "better" than the pain of pressing. The real issue in Hebrews is not heaven or hell, but submission and obedience of faith. When pressure comes in our Christian walk, we are tempted to retreat to the familiar ways of handling them. But there comes a time in our Christian walk when we have reached the point of no return. We know too much to go back to being ignorant babies, and now we have enough grace to finish our course, but no grace to go back.   Don't come this far in God, then turn back because of fear and unbelief. Everything we are reaching for is "better" than what we are coming out of. "Better" = "stronger, more vigorous, more useful: used 13 times in Hebrews. "Let us" is used 13 times also. Hebrews is a book of movement toward God. The "heavenly calling" must be PRESSED into.

FAITH: This last section of the New Testament (Hebrews thru Revelation) is all about faith - - - what it is, how to use it, the "energy" of faith, growing in faith, strengthening faith, the practical relevancy of faith, expressions of faith, unfailing faith, etc. etc. The purpose of Hebrews is to encourage us to persevere in faith. This is probably one of the most exciting portions of the whole Bible!

Our covenant relationship with God is like a marriage covenant. It is forever. It is binding. It requires more than just a wedding; it requires a marriage! It is relationship with God. Faith in your wife doesn't mean that the man believes she exists and that they got married at some point in time. Yet, that is how some people view salvation! Faith in God is not stationary - it has movement toward God. It requires both "labour", and self-sacrifice.   Our thinking changes, our motivation is different, our values change, and our behavior surely is different! "All things are become new." (2 Cor 5:17) It turns out that our "heavenly calling" defined in Hebrews, requires mature faith, and that "salvation" isn't just an escape from hell!

FIVE WARNINGS: Hebrews shows us that Jesus' work is truly "finished". He has done it all and we are without excuse. John 10:10 says Jesus came to give us "THE LIFE" - abundant life of purpose. When we don't access that Life because of neglect, hardness of heart, willful sin, etc. we will be judged. The warnings in Hebrews aren't about heaven or hell: they are about this life and the consequences of not aggressively going after God.   We face judgment and loss here and now, and even lose rewards in heaven. For sure we won't access God's Rest that faith supplies. Like the fearful and unbelieving generation who died in the Wilderness (in Numbers), we will spin out our 70 years or so and die without rewards, never realizing our potential in God.

Chapter 1: DEFINING THE "HEAVENLY CALLING": The bottom line for everything we do or believe is JESUS. He is not only our Savior, but He is our EXAMPLE. Jesus IS our definition of what the "heavenly calling" is. It is called "the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" in Philippians 3:14. So what is it? In a word, sonship. John 1:12 says " But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:" And 1 John 3:1, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:" Heb 1:6 calls Jesus the "firstborn" - the first of many. See also Heb 2:10. This is a position of intimacy, love, power, authority, privilege and obligation. It is also being the "heir of all things, the heir of God." (Gal 6:7; Heb 1:3) What is the principle obligation of a son? To be the "brightness of God's (the Father's) glory and the express image of His (the Father's) Person."   (Rom 8:29) We have as our goal to be an accurate expression of God. All that we do and say is to bring "glory" to our Father. We are to manifest God's image. It says here that "prophets" and "messengers" ("aggelos"- or "angels") only brought "fragments" or "pieces" (like puzzle pieces) by "various methods"; but the Son, Jesus, brings the REALITY, the whole picture. Our position in Christ is "much better than angels" because we don't just bring a message; we are the message. A son, being made in the image of his father, more accurately knows his father's heart, his father's vision, etc.   According to Galatians, this TITLE, "son", is for any saved Believer who has been trained to obedience (Heb 5:8-9). The principle characteristic of sons is obedience and "righteousness" - righteousness is conformity to God's expectations and order of things, carries the connotation of justice and is built on the foundation of holiness.

RESPONSE:   I used to jokingly tell people that "I don't think I will go to hell when I die; I'm ALREADY in hell!" My life was full of chaos, bitterness, darkness, unbelief - just a grim digging in. My misery was based on ignorance and unbelief. WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW CAN HURT YOU!!! Get into the pursuit of the heavenly calling! If you are reading this, you are called to it! WARNING! It will cost you everything. Hebrews pretty much sums up what God is really after: a family of sons, who reflect His image and His likeness.   HEBREWS: If I had read it and believed it and then obeyed it, I wouldn't have wasted all those years being bitter and unhappy. DON'T YOU FALL INTO THAT TRAP!

PSALM 102:1-28
IMPORTANT: Please refer back to the background information of Psalm 90-106: the "Numbers" Psalms - "Labouring" to enter in to God's Rest." HOW do we achieve "GOD'S REST" (Heb 3 and 4)? We give thanks and praise to God for His goodness, greatness and glory. This reassures our own hearts that it's right to trust God. (see Rom 8:7) It also excites our emotions to produce the "joy of faith" (Phil 1:25).

Psalm 102: When my heart is overwhelmed, my faith stays unshakable in a never-changing God. Prayer is like breathing. Prayer is what sustains the Life of God in me, no matter what is going on around me. Notice, that although the first 11 verses define overwhelming emotions that leave us weak and exhausted, IT DOESN'T END THERE. When we put our attention on our feelings during tough circumstances, we say things like "God is hiding from me." "My feelings are dried up." "I can't eat and now I'm just skin and bones." "I can't sleep at night." "I cry all the time." "I am withering away."

"BUT" (v.12) "There is an appointed time...." when God will extend His grace and respond to me. "He will respond to the prayer of the destitute..." This is because God "sits enthroned forever", "will arise and have compassion", "will be revered by everyone", "will hear the groans of the prisoners" (trapped in the "vanity" of the earth)... and "release: us. My circumstances are temporary. God is forever!

COUNT ON IT...... The principle of RESTORATION is as strong as God. Instruct your heart to trust God. Future generations count on you. You are not witnessing to just those around you! "Principalities and powers" (Eph 3:10, et al), "the great cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1), and now "a generation to come" are watching to see what God does!

PROVERBS 26:21-22
Strife, arguing, tension, bitterness, anger and hatred are all like fire - they consume and destroy. Quarrelsome people don't just add "fuel to the fire", they start the fire! It's like they just seem to need the action. Gossip appears delectable - something we might enjoy hearing. BUT, gossip actually damages us deep inside, where our spirit resides. It acts like poison, leaving a residue of suspicion and distrust. We know in our hearts that gossip is wrong and that it is only a matter of time before the gossiper is saying something about us.

RESPONSE:   For many years, I suffered from depression. Depression steals our strength and energy, our zest for life, our joy and enjoyment of life, many relationships, time when we could be doing other things, and on and on and on. I believe that, to some extent, depression is self-inflicted. I'm not talking about mental illness or a physical problem with brain chemicals, etc. I am talking about what is usually called "situational depression" - we have chosen to be negative about life's circumstances. I loved to tell people that "behind every silver lining, there is a cloud". I not only saw the half-cup as being half empty, I wanted to know who drank the other half!

Life wasn't fair. Of course, I blamed everyone else for my depression. "If only I had a handsomer, younger, more sensitive (to my needs) husband." "If only my children were more compliant and spent more time with me." "If only I had a job where everyone appreciated all I do." "If only I lived in a different neighborhood in a bigger house." "If only I had a lot of money...........was thinner..............was prettier...............was popular............" The truth is, none of that stuff would ever be enough.

When our circumstances, or our personal feelings OVERWHELM us, it is up to us to take it to God in prayer. It is our choice. Our real problem is not depression; it is unbelief! That is serious and it demands repentance. God takes it very seriously when we don't believe Him. Psa 102 says, "But Thou, O Lord...." and it tells us that He will act on our behalf. Whining and complaining is a very immature behavior. It is self-centered and self-righteous. Choosing to be a victim of our circumstances or our feelings is also very immature. It locks us into position. It puts us in a cage and locks the door. Not only that, but we doom our children to living in the same cage. We have to TALK our way out, or die in our cage.

My own mind is my worst enemy. Romans 8:7 says my natural mind hates God and cannot do anything God wants it to. That means that if I go by what my head or my feelings are telling me, I will self-destruct. Prayer is what SUSTAINS the spirit of a man. When we don't pray, our spirit suffocates and eventually dies. Prayer is not a whining session. It is a time, like Psa 102, when we reaffirm our trust in God. When we tell Him we believe Him, know that He is in charge and is working His purpose. He never changes, and in fact, He is eternal. As we speak these things out loud, our own heart is reassured and is forced into "God's Rest", or the life of faith. We have to tell ourselves what to believe. We are not trying to bring something into being; we say it because it is already true, whether our natural mind believes it not.

One Year Bible - October 29

2011-05-10T13:54:00.005-05:00

LAMENTATIONS 1:1 - 2:19
THE MESSAGE: (1) Backsliders must forsake iniquity and return to the Lord. (2) All sinning will be judged by God; without repentance, the sinner will end in bondage and death. (3) God will forsake those who forsake Him. (4) Sin breaks the heart of God. (5) Delayed judgment is for the purpose of waiting for us to repent and is an expression of God's love. (6) It is foolish and vain to forsake the living waters in order to drink from broken cisterns. (7) After death and cleansing, there is resurrection. (8) Repentance means "to return" - submitting and re-connecting to God in dependence. (9) God broods over His creation and goes to the utmost to bring us back to Himself. (10) The New Covenant puts away sin once for all and provides forgiveness and holiness within to satisfy the Law. (11) Obey God or die. (12) Breaking faith with God results in judgment. (13) The mercy and compassion of the Lord is still available, even while we are still suffering as the result of our sinning.

THE SADDEST BOOK OF THE BIBLE (background) : This represents the punishment, pain and grief Jesus bore for our sin. It also reveals the results of sinning without repentance. God never does anything half-way. He warns us and warns us and then warns us again. The Pentateuch is full of graphic warnings of what God will do if we turn away from Him. We saw in Jeremiah that the end of sin is captivity and death. As Jeremiah watched, dumbstruck and in agony, Jerusalem was beaten down, ransacked and burned to the ground. The Temple was stripped and looted of anything valuable, then ripped down and burned also. (Lam 2:17) “The LORD has done what He planned; He has fulfilled His word, which He decreed long ago. He has overthrown you without pity, He has let the enemy gloat over you, He has exalted the horn of your foes.” Nebuchadnezzar had made three invasions of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was partially destroyed in 606 BC (deportation included Daniel), devastated in 597 BC (deportation included Ezekiel), and finally destroyed by fire in 586 BC after 20 years of suffering. 2 Kings 24:14 says he carried away 10,000 captives to Babylon, plus the 4600 of Jer 52:30.   We know there were at least 50,000 who returned 70 years later. Psalm 137 is commentary on their exile. The Jews considered Nebuchadnezzar to be Evil Incarnate, and he reigned and controlled the nations with terror and executions. It is said (by Josephus, a Jewish historian of that period) that Nebu executed over 80,000 Jews, in addition to over one million who were slaughtered in battle!

THE PLAYERS: There are several groups represented in Lamentations and Jeremiah. We belong to any one of those groups at different times.

"THE NATIONS" (non-believers): They are shocked when we fail, but mock us and our God when we do. They ask themselves why anyone would serve a God Who did that (judged and destroyed) to His own people. They will all be judged at the same time as Jerusalem.

BABYLON (the enemy): This is our flesh, which gnashes on our Spirit and on God, and is proud and untrustworthy. We think we are compromising with our flesh when we sin, but then our flesh destroys us at the end with bondage and death. It's leader is a cruel antichristian spirit, symbolized here by Nebuchadnezzar.

ISRAEL (God's elect who are living in sin): They have brought judgment and destruction on themselves with their neglect of God. When God disciplined them, they rebelled. They don't want God or His prophets telling them what to do, and when the message includes suffering, they want no part of it. They firmly believe that grace will cover their sins of rebellion and iniquity, and God will protect them from evil. They love their substitutes and counterfeits for God because they are comfortable with them. Idols don't require accountability or responsibility.

JEREMIAH (God's elect and obedient): Jeremiah represents those who cling to God and are willing to go against the crowd.   He does not deserve what happened to him, but experiences the siege and the destruction with God's elect. He is there to serve and to represent God (the influence of the Throne). He accepts the suffering (mental, emotional, and even physical) as part of his lot as a chosen son of God. He maintains his faithfulness to God through repentance, praise and thanksgiving. He is changed by his circumstances, becoming outspoken and strong, just like God said he would. Nothing will ever scare him, deter him, or overwhelm him again after this.

BOOK of LAMENTATIONS is divided into five chapters, the first four being poems or SONGS and the last one being a prayer. In the original Hebrew, the verses (except chap 5) are acrostic, each verse starting with a succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet (22 letters). Lamentations makes it clear that sin and rebellion were the causes of God’s wrath being poured out (1:8-9; 4:13; 5:16). Even though Lamentations is written from the bottom of a prison hole, with each chapter, there is HOPE AND FAITH expressed that God will restore as He promised.

MAINTAINING FAITH IN THE MIDST OF OVERWHELMING DISASTER: The first chapter (poem) deals with the loneliness and sense of abandonment, likening us to a "widow": Judah has no "Comforter" (Lam 1:2, 9,16,17,21). This disaster was deserved. Suddenly in verse 18 he says, "The Lord is righteous, for I have rebelled against His commandments."  Jeremiah is done "blaming" God for his troubles, for it carries the implication that God is not just.   It is impossible for God not to be right, and it is impossible for man to be more just than God, because our sense of justice comes from God in the first place! We cannot sit in judgment of God.

The second chapter (poem) deals with the brokenness of being judged and disciplined by God. God is ruthless when it concerns holiness and cleansing. Everything is destroyed, there is nothing left. "In the day of the Lord's anger none escaped nor remained." But insight came again: "He has fulfilled His Word that He had commanded in the days of old..."   Deut 28 tells us the negative terms of covenant, and Jeremiah has seen the curses named, come to pass. Delayed judgment is to give us room to repent.   And even though they are in the midst of the terrors of Divine judgment, v.19 instructs us to "cry out in the night: ...pour out your heart like water before the Lord, lift up your hands toward Him...." It is never too late to repent and connect with God. That probably won't erase the consequences of your foolishness, but God will still have mercy on your soul and send the "Comforter".

RESPONSE: Job 10:21-22 rightly defined "death" as "darkness", and "lack of order" (chaos). When we refuse to repent for our sinning, that is what our lives become - dark and chaotic. Sin can't be compartmentalized. If we are sinning, we are sinners and reap the consequences. Our whole life will be "out of order" and disoriented from living in darkness. God will tear us up to get at our hearts! There comes a "tearing down " before we can be restored. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Heb 12:11)

PHILEMON 1:1-25        RESTORING A BROTHER WHO REPENTS
We have two dynamics going here: PHILEMON: A Colossian, who was defrauded by his runaway slave, and was being asked by Paul to forgive and restore the man. ONESIMUS: Who was a runaway slave living in Rome, who was born again (thru Paul's ministry) and radically changed (godliness), being sent back to his owner, perhaps to be executed. Oddly enough, PHILEMON means "tender love", and ONESIMUS means "useful". 1 Tim 4:8 says "godliness is profitable/useful." No matter what Onesimus was guilty of before he was born again, now that he was "a brother beloved" (v.16) his godliness was manifested in being useful. In fact, he was so useful to Paul (the "old prisoner") that Paul didn't want to send him back!

"FOR LOVE'S SAKE": (V.9) Philemon's name comes from the Greek word, "phileo" which is "tender affection, brotherly love", but the word used in V.9 is "agape” - that self-sacrificing love that comes from God living in us. What is being asked of Philemon (us) to do "for love's sake"? When we are taken advantage of by another believer, what does love demand of us? V.12-15 "Receive him as a "brother beloved". In other words, we must dismiss the debt (forgive) and restore this one to a better place than he occupied before! WHY? v.19 We owe a debt we cannot repay! Yet God restored us. V.20 It refreshes the heart of other believers to see us dwell in unity. V.21 We are obeying the Lord when we restore others. V.22-25 We are accountable to the rest of the Body of Christ; we don't live in a vacuum.

RESPONSE: While there are many reasons to restore fellow-believers after they repent, here we are shown two good reasons: (1) "for love's sake" and (2) so that they can be "useful" again.

PSALM 101:1-8
IMPORTANT: Please refer back to the background information of Psalm 90-106: the "Numbers" Psalms - "Labouring" to enter in to God's Rest." HOW do we achieve "GOD'S REST" (Heb 3 and 4)? We give thanks and praise to God for His goodness, greatness and glory. This reassures our own hearts so that they "rest".

Psalm 101: Entering into God's Rest must be done in context of our daily lives. Too many Christians live fractured lives. They haven't learned to revolve their lives around God in everything they do. Because God isn't included in their daily lives, He is really irrelevant as far as they are concerned. Saved, going to heaven, but living in Hell here on earth. What good is that? If that is true about us, we are no better off than the beggar on the street.

Experiencing the "rest of faith" in our daily lives produces "perfection". Bible "perfection" does not mean "sinless", but "blameless". Bible "perfection" means we are manifesting Jesus in us. We are dead to SELF, submitted to God, and "abiding in the Vine". We are not deceptive about our own lives, and are careful not to associate closely with people who are evil. NOTE: This is all done in the context of the home.

RESPONSE: Every morning I pray (sometimes singing my prayer) for wisdom (good judgment) and compassion for that day. I ask God to help me "remember" Him - that He stays close because I stay close (Jam 4:8). Then I ask Him to "set a guard on my mouth" (Psa 141:3) And, of course, I always ask Him to manifest Himself in me. Then I tell Him I trust Him, I believe Him, I am grateful for His faithfulness and His mercy. He is the Greatest! Psa 16:8 says "I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."

PROVERBS 26:20
Strife, arguing, tension, bitterness, anger and hatred are all like fire - they consume and destroy. Backbiting and fault-finding adds fuel to the fire.

One Year Bible - October 28

2011-05-04T14:07:00.005-05:00

JEREMIAH 51:54 - 52:34
CAST OUT OF GOD'S PRESENCE: Puppet king Zedekiah did "the evil" - idolatry (spiritual adultery) and God cast him and his country out of His sight. Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon and tried to make an alliance with Egypt. The hunger in Jerusalem was unbearable, and there was a mad hatred for God and His messenger (Jeremiah). The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar finally totally destroyed Jerusalem, burning what was left, including "the house of the Lord" (586 BC). Eighteen months of agony finally came to an end. As the Babylonians poured into the city, their officers sat in the "middle gate" (Holy Place) of the Temple, polluting it with their presence. Some of the priests were slain on the grounds. The captives were stripped naked and chained up, then marched away to Babylonian prisons. Only the poorest of the poor were left behind to tend the fields. All the remaining valuables in the Temple were taken back to Babylon to adorn their palace.   This is a symbolic picture of what awaits US if we turn our backs on God! Stripped, humiliated, broken, destroyed captives.

REVERSAL!!! Vs 31-34 is a cameo of the restoration that takes place in God's Kingdom. The king's head was "lifted up" (NEW MIND), he was "brought out of prison" (NEW FREEDOM), his throne was "set in position" (NEW AUTHORITY), he was given a change of garments (NEW CLOTHING - "put on Christ" - righteousness), a "continual feast" (NEW UNDERSTANDING of spiritual things), and "every day a portion" (NEW PROVISION), "all the days of his life" (NEW ASSURANCE).

RESPONSE:   Judah's pain was intensified and multiplied because they didn't experience God's Presence any more. Their counterfeits for God were poor substitutes. We don't have to live that way! John 6:37 says He won't cast us out!   The pleasure we seek can and should come from the Lord. His Presence is what thrills us - and we can train our hearts to believe this and experience this.   God lavishes Himself on us and anything less leaves us incomplete. Speak the Truth of the Word so loud that your heart can hear it. We look at HIM, not our own inabilities and limitations. He is our security.   He is our refuge. He is our safety and freedom. We don't need to resort to idolatry because God is AVAILABLE anytime. We remove any obstacles to being in God's presence through REPENTANCE. "Repent and believe". This connects us to God. We repent of our independence and of "forgetting" God and then re-connect to Him as our Source of Life.   Psa 63:8, "my soul clings to You".

TITUS 3:1-15
Chapter 3: Being Christian in a Heathen Culture: If anything should typify the life of a Christian believer, it is "grace". Usually when we think of "grace", we think of God's grace toward us. God's grace is "His willingness to use His power and ability in our behalf." When we show grace to someone, we are showing them "favor" and refers to our deeds being redemptive in nature. When we go out into the community, we must take our Christianity with us! Remember, we are to "garnish the Gospel" - make the Gospel look real, effective, and relevant. One way we do that is to "be subject" to people in charge. It doesn't matter whether we agree with them or not; we are to "be subject". We can actually be subject without obeying at times. For example, when the disciples were told to stop preaching Jesus, they didn't obey, but they went to jail without a fight (submitted to authority) (Acts 4). It is a matter of attitude. Unless the person in charge is going against Scripture, we must obey, however.

We must always be ready to do good deeds. Don't always be thinking about yourself or your well-timed agenda. Part of the "sound doctrine" that is taught is "speech that can't be found fault with" . (2:8)   This means that we aren't argumentative, but we are gentle, flexible (meek), not touchy, and don't speak evil of anyone.

"KINDNESS AND LOVE OF GOD" - manifested as God's great mercy when He washed us by regeneration and renewed us by the Holy Spirit.   If it weren't for the washing and renewing, we'd still be back where we were before Jesus claimed us. Every opportunity, we must do "good works", manifesting the "kindness and love of God".

"HERETICS" In the context of "Titus", a "heretic" was someone who came up with his own doctrine. The word actually came from a root that means "choices" and refers to someone who has chosen out what he wants to believe or disbelieve, and is now adhering to heresy - UNtruth. What they did was to combine and mix Christianity with whatever they believed before - whether it was Judaism or cultural philosophy. Paul calls them "warped and sinful and self-condemned." It is a waste of time to argue with them, so if they won't be corrected, ask them to leave.

RESPONSE:   All our works should be redemptive in nature. That's what our assignment was in Genesis 1:26-28 and is what God means by "dominion". It is the reason that Christians recycle and replenish. It is the reason we show kindness and mercy. It is our mission from Jesus to "go".   We are "reconcilers" (2Cor 5:18-21).

PSALM 100:1-5
IMPORTANCE OF PSALM 100: We have to ask ourselves, are these instructions for how to enter God's Presence? Or are "joy and gladness" requirements to gain admission to God's Presence? Or are they just feelings that prompt us to enter God's Presence? Or, are "joy and gladness" just ONE of many ways to go into God's Presence? Psalm 100 is one of these: instructions, requirements, feelings, or suggestions.

THE ANSWER: The answer lies in CONTEXT: One of the themes of whole Bible is about access to God. The Book of Psalms is the practicum: the steps we take, the understanding we need, what to do with our feelings, and even the words we use. This particular section of Psalms, known as the "Numbers" section (Psa 90-106) is about the actual passage, the crossing over or entrance into the Presence of God (called "the Land" in Numbers), and the consequences for those who "don't bother" because of fear and unbelief (self-preservation). Psalm 100, itself, is the door.

THE GOAL: While Jesus' death on the Cross is pivotal and a focal-point, it was never the goal. God's goal, all along, was to draw us close, for us to dwell in His Presence. Just like the Tabernacle of Moses, we were never intended to stay in the Outer Court at the altar of bloody sacrifice. The actual goal of the Tabernacle was the Holy of Holies where the Ark of His Presence was. God was with His people, in that He nourished them, protected them, and even cherished them. But only Moses actually looked God in the face and spoke with Him. Only Moses really knew God by experience, and not just words or instruction. Moses loved what God loved. Moses knew how God wanted things done. Moses wasn't easily provoked or shaken. God was the center of Moses' life. Everything Moses did revolved around God. This is what it means to dwell in God's Presence.

BACK TO PSALM 100: Our "labor" as believers is "to intensely go after God". Hebrews 3 and 4, in explaining Numbers, tells us that when we don't, we have "an evil heart of unbelief, departing from the living God" (Heb 3:12). It is either "draw near" or be "departing". Even being lazy is a form of unbelief, because we just don't believe God is worth all the trouble and sacrifice!   Our fears, feeling threatened, self-pity, complaining, are all manifestations of FEAR AND UNBELIEF!

I believe that the answer to our questions about Psalm 100 is a little of three: instructions, requirements and feelings; and certainly NOT a "suggestion" for one of many ways to go into God's Presence. If we are commanded to enter God's Presence in a THANKFUL ATTITUDE of FAITH, then anything else would be UNBELIEF.   Again, using the NT explanation for this in 1 Thess 5:16-18: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." And again, Phil 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

There is a reason why we MUST do this: Rom 8:7 says that our "natural mind" (thoughts, feelings, opinions) hates God! So we have to take it captive (1Co 9:27) and FORCE IT to submit to God with our mouths (James calls my tongue "the rudder" - steering-wheel). Praise and thanksgiving to God document faith and trust and take our flesh captive to the will of God. Anything else is "an evil heart of unbelief" . And so, "when I am afraid, I trust You" (Psa 56:3). When I am "in distress" I talk to "my own heart" (Psa 4).

Yes, we can come to God and tell Him what is going on. Read the Psalms. David did it. Yes, we can express what our self-centered, self-preserving hearts are telling us - but don't stop there. Bring all that stuff into submission to trusting God thru praise and thanksgiving. AND DO IT QUICKLY! Don't dwell in unbelief and fear - it will keep you from God's Presence! Praise God and thank Him that He is in charge of the universe. He is working His plan. I am NOT "collateral damage", but I am "the apple of His eye" (Psa 17:8). God loves me! God chose me and I am His!   That's what Psalm 100 is about! Express your praise and thanksgiving and your feelings will follow! Praise and thanksgiving, in order to come into God's Presence, are our instructions for how to command our whole self to go after God. They are the requirements to get beyond our flesh (especially our feelings, that only seem to cooperate when I am "happy") in order to experience God's Presence. They are feelings that provoke our desire and hunger for more of God.

PROVERBS 26:18-19
I hate sarcasm. When we say something insulting, and then say, "I was only kidding", the Bible says we are shooting firebrands. Sarcasm is a manifestation of ingratitude and self-righteousness.   "Sarcasm" actually comes from two Greek words that mean "to tear the flesh". Gal 5:15 says, "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

One Year Bible - October 27

2011-04-25T20:12:00.012-05:00

JEREMIAH 51:1-53
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF JUDAH: They violated the "everlasting covenant". (Isa 24:5) They had "forgotten" God (Jer 3:21). (Jer 3:13) They disobeyed God. In fact, the people plotted to overthrow God's influence and to undermine God's Voice and God's Word! They had compromised with the heathen and blended in. They were idolaters, preferring their substitutes (Queen of Heaven) and counterfeits to the living God! (Jer 2:12-13) They satisfied themselves with "broken cisterns", having forsaken God, "the fountain of living waters".

REASONS FOR THE JUDGMENT OF BABYLON the dwelling place for dragons: Bab Killed the prophets, murdered God's elect gleefully, arrogantly strove against the Lord, were enamored with their idolatry, blasphemously assumed power not theirs. God said, "I am against you, O proud one and your day has come." (Jer 50:31) Babylon would sink and never rise again (Jer 51:64). "Like lambs to the slaughter" (Jer 51:40). The destruction will be so complete that it will make the whole earth shudder!

RESPONSE: What makes people "forget" God and prefer substitutes? Even substitutes and counterfeits that don't give any satisfaction? We have three basic needs that we must trust God to fill:security; power; and status (wanting to feel like a person and not just a number) And so they made unholy alliances with the surrounding nations, worshipped their heathen gods, even compromised it all and married their women - - - looking to meet their basic needs with substitutes!

Jesus reassured us in John 7:37-39 that we could come and drink - "living water" - FREELY. If we draw near to Him, He promises to draw near to us so that we can drink in His Presence. (Jam 4:8) He comes to us ("draws near") with intensity, like a gushing fountain, without holding back. WHOOSH!!! The "living waters" come.   As we turn from our substitutes and couterfeits, and turn toward God, this is repentance.   He washes us first thing. We do this anytime, and as much as we want.   Jer 2:11-13 says that heaven is appalled when we don't! When we DISbelieve the grace of God to satisfy our hunger and thirst, we end up empty and desperate to find something that will ease the pain of being empty - and end up filling ourselves with substitutes.   We can LIVE in a GUSHER of the Life of God. WHOOSH!!! We don't have to live with emptiness, despair or loneliness. Jer 17:13 - God is the "fountain of life".  He gushes on us with love, His power, His goodness, His kindness, His power, His wisdom, His beauty, His protection, His sufficiency, His holiness, His righteousness.   Remember, God told Jeremiah that He wears us like underwear! (Jer 13:11) We'll be so close that our counterfeits with disgust us. The more we satisfy ourselves with God, the more our unwanted behaviors will drop off. We don't spend our energy trying to stop unwanted behavior, but in "abiding" (connecting ) to God. Anything less and we are doomed to failure. Jeremiah 31:25, "For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul."

TITUS 2:1-15 (Be sure to read yesterday's blog about Titus) LIVING GODLY
THE ATTACK! (against the invasion of the church by UNGODLINESS) Chapter 1 said first of all to set godly examples in front of people, who would demonstrate true godliness. But, even with that, be sure to guard against "rebellious talkers and deceivers - false teachers", whose behavior is no different than that of "outsiders". They must be attacked with TRUTH.

Chapter 2: Show them how its done in the context of daily life and routine! Our behavior is a manifestation of what we really believe (our doctrine) (Prov 23:7), so it is important WHAT we believe. "Godliness" can be defined as "behavior that adorns the Gospel (actual word used in the original language for "Gospel" is "doctrine") in all things" (Titus 2:10). This word "adorn" means to prevent harm, to garnish in harmony with its purpose, to make a thing look desireable, to put in order. What "adorns" the Gospel? V.7-8 say it is our "pattern of good works, showing integrity, honesty, sincerity, and speech that can't be condemned". We must never say or do anything that makes the Gospel, the Church, or Jesus look bad!

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? Titus 2:11-14 tell us it is by "God's grace", which is His sufficiency, His might, and His power. I like to define "Grace" as "God's willingness to use His power and ability on our behalf." Grace brings us salvation, that is, we are no longer rooted in independence, but are grafted into Jesus Christ, who lives in us. Grace does more than bring us salvation from sin, it frees us from the POWER of sin. As Christians, we only sin because we want to. Grace, on the other hand, teaches or trains us how to live godly. We don't try harder; we train better. Sanctification and purity are a series of new HABITS. Habits are our "defaults" - what we do under pressure. It is important to train new godly habits into us BEFORE we get pressured, BEFORE we are tempted to get angry, get afraid, wallow in self-pity, etc., etc. Rom 12:21 says we don't simply overcome bad habits (evil); we overcome evil with good. For example, to overcome a critical spirit, we express gratitude constantly (1Thess 5:18). To do this, we must express our thankfulness and praise to God for His goodness and His greatness (1 Thess 5:16-18), especially when we don't feel like it. We are forming a new habit of godliness and God will help us. God has "redeemed us from iniquity" - "Iniquity" is when we know the truth, are warned by the Holy Spirit, and then sin anyway! This is why it is so important that we "look for that blessed hope" - Christ's glorious appearing because it keeps us accountable for our behavior.

RESPONSE: When I worked in a secretarial position at a university, I made a little sign that I put on my computer that said, "Never make Jesus look like a jerk." I knew that most of the people around me knew almost nothing about the Gospel except what I demonstrated. That meant that my life had to "adorn the Gospel". We are supposed to manifest Jesus' compassion on people, Jesus' integrity, Jesus' transparency, patience, mercy, etc. etc. The key to that lifestyle is to get out of the way, and let Jesus live His life in us. We don't try harder, we train better - and our efforts go into learning to connect quickly with God, our source of power, might, and sufficiency.   And I connect thru praise, prayer and thanksgiving (say it, whisper it, sing it, shout it, get excited bout it). (1 Thess 5:16-18) Anyone who knows me, knows that I can't produce any kind of Christian life. I must draw from Jesus Who is in me.

PSALM 99:1-9
IMPORTANT: Please refer back to the background information of Psalm 90-106: the "Numbers" Psalms - "Labouring" to enter in to God's Rest."   HOW do we achieve "GOD'S REST" (Heb 3 and 4)? We give thanks and praise to God for His goodness, greatness and glory.  We must not "oppose God" when He rescues us from temptation. We submit, obey, and thank Him and praise Him out loud, and experience being lifted up.

Psalm 99: "Holy, holy, holy". (v. 3, 5, 9) We exalt the Lord: give Him preeminence in our hearts because He is absolutely HOLY, and even tho He judges unbelief, He also forgives without losing any of His holiness. "Holiness" refers to "distinction and separation". God Himself defined it in Exodus 13:2 by saying "It is Mine". "Holiness" implies consecration - something set-apart for a specific purpose, in this case, to give God pleasure. God's throne, God's Kingdom, God's masterplan are all founded upon and administered in HOLINESS. He is worthy of praise; God is absolutely faithful and He has absolute integrity. Everything about God is separate and distinct. And His saints belong to Him - are set-apart to give Him pleasure.

PROVERBS 26:17
Interfering in someone else's disagreement when not invited can be dangerous. Stay out of things that don't concern you. MYOB .

RESPONSE: On the other hand, don't be afraid to get involved in other people's troubles when you are asked and the Holy Spirit says "go". Jesus DID say, "blessed are the peacemakers." (Mat 5:9) Just remember that even if you are asked for help, they might not really want it when you give it, and you may still get bitten.

One Year Bible - October 26

2011-04-19T18:03:00.011-05:00

JEREMIAH 49:23 - 50:46

PROPHESY TO THE NATIONS: Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel all prophesied to "the nations", nine nations specifically. These nations represent the FLESH and the world-spirit with its compromise, seduction, arrogance, self-sufficiency, independence, rebellion against God, persecution of and gnashing on Believers, its antichristian thought, systems and behaviors.

REMEMBER: The OT is the "Scriptures" that are "profitable for doctrine...." (2 Tim 3:16) and the NT is like a Commentary on the OT, showing us how the OT is fulfilled in Jesus and in us who know Him. The NT explains all the types, shadows, symbols, examples, etc. from the OT. We know from the Scriptures that we have three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. We are not told to kill "the world", but to "overcome the world" (1 Jo 4:3-4; John 16:33). The devil is defeated and we overcome him too (1 Jo 2:13-14; Rev 12:11). The only enemy we are told to "kill" ("mortify"; "crucify"), is the FLESH (Gal 5:24; Col 2:20; Col 3:5;) therefore, the OT tribes that Moses and Joshua were told to destroy represent the FLESH.

So far, Jeremiah has addressed:

EGYPT: Represents the bondage to our sin nature that we came out of. Egypt is the lure to turn back from God to seek for personal satisfaction, rather than living for the glory of God.

PHILISTINES: The carnal mind that wallows in SELF. They want the blessings of God without commitment or relationship.

MOAB: proud, arrogant, self-sufficient, a mixture of flesh and spirit.

AMMON: Relative of Moab. The Flesh being "contrary to the spirit".

EDOM: Descendents of Esau. Antagonistic to the spirit, had a share in Jerusalem's downfall. Pride is idolatrous worship of myself! And they were prideful and felt secure because they lived in the mountains.

DAMASCUS (Syria) (49:23-27): Damascus represents Mammon and the "love of money", what we depend on to give us strength, authority and sufficiency. It says here that "it cannot be quiet", which is a metaphor for the fact that they are full of trouble, restlessness and discontent. It was a beautiful city set in an oasis in the Syrian desert, but not anymore. God would destroy it anyway. It reveals the restlessness of the flesh.

KEDAR AND HAZOR (49:28-33): These are descendents of Ishmael and represent the FLESH again. The meanings of their names reveal prejudice, hatred and war. They were Arabs, Bedouin tribes who inhabited the deserts of Saudi Arabia. They, too, represent the restlessness of the flesh, nomads who are never content, always looking for more. They tended to isolate themselves and be self-sufficient and self-confident. Independent.

ELAM (49:34-39): God characterized Elam by a BOW, the symbol of the ability to strike and injure at a distance. It would be like the "fiery darts of the wicked one" (Eph 6:16). The BOW is called "the chief of their might" - meaning they depended on it for power: "Might makes right" - which is a mark of immaturity, arrogance, a bullying spirit and self-sufficiency. Elam today is Iran and God said He would restore their riches (oil?).

BABYLON (CHAP 50-51): The destruction and overthrow of Babylon is assured (see Rev 17-19). The meaning of the name is "religious confusion" - and reveals the antichristian world-spirit and its destruction will be total. Babylon was the most influential power on earth. It was judged because: (50:11) their "glad" destruction of Jerusalem; (50:17) Nebu's cruelty to the Jews; (50:24) they strove against the Lord; (50:28) to avenge the destruction of the Temple; (50:29-32) pride against God; (50:33) refusal to release the captives; (50:38) their infatuation with idols.

RESPONSE: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Babylon reveals the strength and might of the FLESH and of the world-spirit of antichrist. The superstructure is already weakened. We dare not trust in anything the world has to offer. And certainly don't listen to our carnal minds. God told us to plant gardens and build houses while we are here in the hostile environment of the antichristian society. "Occupy till I come." He said (Luke 19:13). Use our influence. (1 Thess 5:14-18)

TITUS 1:1-16
TO TURN FROM BEING "CRETAN" TO GODLINESS: Titus is only 3 chapters long, but packed with goodies. It is a letter from the Apostle Paul to his convert and "fellowworker", TITUS. It helps to understand who Titus is: He was a Gentile believer, who refused circumcision when the Jews came after him in Jerusalem (Gal 2:3; Acts 15). We learn that after being mentored by Paul, Paul sent Titus to Corinth (2Cor 12:18) to "clean up" the immorality in that church. Now, in this letter, we learn that Paul sent Titus to Crete to "clean up" the hypocrisy and worldiness in the church of Crete. My conclusion is that Titus was tough! Firm but tactful. He had the courage of his beliefs to go into a church and straighten them out. Titus also had unquestioned integrity, honesty, and sincerity, and could minister from the standpoint of spiritual good health ("sound"). He knew and lived godliness.

CRETE: Titus 1:12-13 says that "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons...and this testimony is true!" In addition, 1:15-16 says that they are "detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good deed." The unbelievers formed a hostile environment for the church. When they got born again and added to the church, they brought all their habits and preconceived ideas about life with them! The church-people's ignorance of Scripture and the influx of false teachers added to the problem. In Crete, the world had invaded the church, instead of the church invading the world. It was time to PUSH BACK!

TA-DA! THE SOLUTION: "SOUNDNESS", which is spiritual health, that leads to godliness. Titus 1:9 and 2:1 speak of "sound doctrine", 1:13 and 2:2 tell of "sound faith", Titus 2:8 of "sound speech". Our beliefs determine our behavior so it is important WHAT we believe. To arrive at "soundness" we must be impacted with REALITY - with Truth as set forth by God. This is very basic. Man is changed from the inside-out. When we truly believe something, it changes our outward life ("good deeds" appears five times in Titus).

THE ATTACK: First of all, set good examples before the people. The men Titus would approve for leadership were the OPPOSITE of the average Cretan! They were "above reproach" - "blameless". (Elders and Overseers/Bishops are the same thing - one is personal character and spirituality, and other is their function.) Character is formed by our DOCTRINE - what we believe to be Ultimate Reality, Truth. One of their responsibilities as leaders and examples is to GUARD THE FLOCK against intrusion, so they must be able to teach Truth and "hold fast" against the Cretan and Jewish onslaught. As good examples, they don't lust after other women, do not nurse grudges, etc. etc.

RESPONSE: I think I would have liked Titus. He sounds like the perfect combination of insight, confrontation, and compassion. He had a touchy job, because no one wants to be told they are wrong. He probably had a good sense of who he was and what he was about, because I'm sure that some of the ones he confronted made accusations and tried to malign him. We can't let the criticism and accusations of others impact us or get "under our skin". Keep it on the outside. Our lives are made up of assignments from God - and when we keep our focus and remember Who we are working for (Jesus Christ), we can stay sweet.

PSALM 97:1-98:9

Please refer back to the background information of Psalm 90-106: the "Numbers" Psalms - "Labouring" to enter in to God's Rest." HOW do we achieve "GODS'S REST" (Heb 3 and 4)? We give thanks and praise to God for His goodness, greatness and glory, that's how. We must not "oppose God" when He rescues us from temptation. We submit, obey, and thank Him and praise Him out loud, and experience being lifted up.

Psalm 90: Habitual unbelief leads to a life of eternal insignificance. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Psalm 91: When I "abide in the secret place of the Most High" by choosing to believe God and cling to Him (thru praise and thanksgiving), He becomes my refuge, my fortress, and my shield from insults, hurts, and the pain of my daily experiences.

Psalm 92: It is ONLY praise and thanks to God, as the expression of my faith in Him, that gives me access to God's Rest and His Benefits.

Psalm 93: The fact that God is completely and totally in charge reassures my heart that it is safe to trust Him.

Psalm 94: I must never defend myself (make excuses), insist on my own way, or complain. God is the "judge of the whole earth" and will defend me if I need defending. I put my confidence in Him to uphold me. After all, He raised me up from the pit at a "dead lift"! (I didn't help at all!)

Psalm 95: By praising and thanking God out loud, I teach my heart to trust Him fully. NOT to do so reveals "an evil heart of unbelief" (Heb 3:12) and God will "loathe" me! (v.10) We will never find rest in our unbelief.

Psalm 96: We rejoice in the Truth that God reigns over all and brings righteous judgment. He made it all and will judge it all righteously.

Psalm 97: God is on His Throne and His Presence is full of terror and judgment as He righteously brings about His own purpose. The rebels are doomed and God's glory is revealed. "God preserves the souls of His saints and delivers them out of the hand of the wicked."

Psalm 98: Our God is Victorious! Our response demands "a joyful noise", "a loud noise", "singing". Even all creation rejoices and expresses its joyful gratitude to God. Everything is subject to our King!

PROVERBS 26:13-16
CHAPTER 26: DEALING WITH FOOLS (Please see last two days introducing this topic.) All discussion is from the book of Proverbs, where WISDOM is opposed to FOOLISHNESS. Fools are "worthless" by definition. Foolishness is contagious and fools cause dissension, strife, and destruction. Foolishness can, however, be "cured" if it is detected early (in childhood) and disciplined. Fools think they are not accountable for their beliefs or their behavior (they are "politically correct".), and hate what is holy and righteous. They do not possess wisdom, nor are they capable of getting wisdom, and would reject it if it offered itself to them - - - because he hates wisdom. They live in UNreality and UNtruth, and are disoriented to life as it really is. They are undisciplined and have a quick temper. He is a liar and deceiver and a gossip. He thinks that the only one he can rely on and trust is himself, ("wise in his own eyes") and thus, he is arrogant and self-righteous.

THE SOLUTION? The Cross of Jesus Christ. We drive foolishness from the heart of our children by teaching them the fear of the Lord (Prov 22:15). It is a waste of time to try to "teach" a fool right behavior. A fool must be taught the fear God, then to repent of his rebellion in trusting only in himself, and submit to the Gospel. WHAT DOES THIS TELL ME? For the Christian Believer, sinning is "playing the fool"!!! It is a form of "spiritual insanity".

(continuation on Proverbs 26:13-16)

(12) A fool makes excuses for his laziness.
(13) A fool looks like he is busy, but is really just going back-and-forth. He's not actually going anywhere or making progress.
(14) In fact, he is too lazy and insolent to even provide himself the necessities of life!
(15) Self-conceit - thinks he already knows all he needs to. He's too lazy and too conceited to bother with instruction, and so he can't benefit from another's wisdom. His mind is truly blinded (Matt 15:14; 2 Pet 1:9; Rom 1:21).

One Year Bible - October 25

2011-03-31T20:16:00.008-05:00

JEREMIAH 48:1 - 49:22 (continued from yesterday - the 9 nations to be destroyed)        MOAB: (48:1-47) Moab is the incestuous offspring of Lot and his oldest daughter. Moab was more civilized than the surrounding tribes, and so got the reputation of being proud, arrogant, and self-sufficient (48:29). The Moabites seduced Israel to idolatry and impurity (Num 25), and hired Balaam to curse them. SIN is what brought on Moab destruction, "for he magnified himself against the Lord," (48:26) boasting against God's people that whereas Israel was fallen, Moab still flourished. 48:11 tells us that "his scent is not changed." because he hadn't been purified from his "lees"(passed from conqueror to conqueror in order to get them to repent). MOAB is a type of the flesh whose characteristics are self-satisfaction, idleness, complacency, insolence, arrogance, refusing correction and won't mature, and thus manifest a MIXTURE. Moab helped Nebuchadnezzar against Judah, but later Neb turned on them and subdued Moab. Moab is now called "Jordan".

AMMON: (49:1-6) The present capital of Jordan is Amman. It is paired here with Moab because they are "relatives" and their characteristics are similar, with the addition here of aggression, violence, warlike and cruel. AMMON also demonstrates the principle of mixture. They, too, are incestuous descendants of Lot (Lot represents the flesh.)

EDOM: (49:7-22) Descendents of Esau, Jacob's twin brother. They, too, represent the FLESH, the natural man - - - "contrary to the Spirit" (Gal 5:17). God promised to eliminate this nation completely, and sure enough - there are no Edomites anymore. Edom had a share in Jerusalem's fall, and would be "stripped clean". (Obad 10-14) They were prideful and felt secure because they lived in the mountains. But pride is the idolatrous worship of ourselves, and so they were brought low.

RESPONSE: Everything of the flesh is marked for destruction. The flesh is the part of us that is rebellious, proud, self-satisfied (sometimes), and doesn't want to be corrected. Even the parts we've had all our lives! Even the parts that are ALMOST "Christian" - just a little flesh mixed with spirit. Places where we've really tried to be spiritual and haven't quite made it. Some of these things die and "fall off" from disuse, and we don't even notice they are gone until later. Others we have to dig out with a new habit that will kill it. For example, if you are a chronic complainer, you have to aggressively go after that with thanks and appreciation. It is harder to complain if you are thankful. And complaining is so self-righteous! Ugh!

2 TIMOTHY 4:1-22
HOLDING UP UNDER THE PRESSURE TO "TRY SOMETHING ELSE":
(1) chapter 1: Guard the Truth. V.13 says "hold fast the pattern of sound words". The Bible reveals the actual nature of Reality. So it is to be much more trusted than anything else.

(2) chapter 2: Be strong in the Lord. V.1 says "be strong in the grace of Jesus..." We RECEIVE God's "dunamis" in the inner man. "Dunamis" is the Resources of God in me. Additional synonyms are "might, ability, strength, sufficiency, force, wealth, dominion, valor". Our part in this is to STAY STRONG, to "cash in" on what is inside us from God. To actually partake of that strength. And we do that by staying committed like a soldier, by training rigorously like an athlete, being diligent like a farmer, enduring rather than denying the Lord, and watching out for the pitfalls - arguments over words, dangerous desires of the flesh (walk away from some; RUN from others; don't try to suppress them!), and rebellious or defiant attitudes.

(3) chapter 3: Form vs. Power: Rigorous training in the Scriptures will save you from pitfalls. (3:1-9) The easiest pitfall to fall into is to be self-deceived, leaving us without the power to be changed. "Going thru the motions" won't change us. Obeying the Church-rules won't change us. Joining the church won't change us. Reading our Bibles won't change us. God's Word (the Bible) has to get INSIDE us thru obedience, in order for us to be changed by it. It's not about what we DO, but about what we ARE on the inside. We are changed from the inside-out. Hebrews 5:14 calls this process the formation of "habits" ("practices"). We must form new habits of sanctification, to replace the "evil tendencies" of our flesh (Jam 4:6 Ampl.)

(4) chapter 4: Complete your assignment. This chapter is not speaking to "ministers" or "preachers". We are ALL called to "preach the Gospel" (Mk 16:15, etc.). This is our universal assignment as believers in Jesus. "To preach" here means "to tell", "to declare". It means "to make known the Truth of the Gospel" - whether by correcting, patiently coaxing, being consistent, never giving up. This can be done anywhere: over coffee, while standing line at the grocery store, in the office, etc. Remember, Jesus and the rest of the heavens are watching you, and you will give an accounting. There is no real curtain between the visible and the invisible worlds; "they" can see us (Heb 12:1). So tell everyone that God loves us, He pities us, He cares about our lives, He has given His life to redeem ours from the pit.

How to be sure that I complete my assignment of preaching the Gospel:
V. 2: Always be prepared and ready - whether anyone wants to hear it or not, because there is an urgency in getting the word out: there will come a time when people won't want to hear it any more.

V. 5: "Watch all the time" - Don't let yourself get apathetic or lulled to inattention, but stay alert to opportunities. Remember the urgency here. Look for opportunities to be a blessing and to talk about Jesus.

V.5: Endure hardship - Expect opposition, rejection or persecution. This is a war with the Kingdom of Darkness; of course it's hard. Don't be discouraged by it. Be a hero.

V.5: Evangelize - It does not say that you ARE an evangelist. It says to DO IT. Be pushy.

V.5 Finish your assignment: "make full proof of your ministry". We are the "servants of the Lord" (2Tim 24) and we don't have many options. We have obligations. Fulfill all the requirements of God's servants without complaining. Be faithfully obedient.

EXAMPLES: Paul wrote that he was ready to die because he had completed his assignment. He had "kept the faith", and did not deny Christ under pressure (even going to jail), and because he "fought a good fight" - he would receive a crown. On the other hand, Demas succumbed to external pressure and preferred "this present world" to Christ Jesus, which 1Jo 2:15 and Jam 3-4 equate to being self-serving and unfaithful to God. Alexander actually verbally opposed Paul, arguing against him in public.

FIRM ASSURANCE: 4:18 - "Deliverance and preservation". This does not mean that we are delivered OUT OF evil, but we will come THRU evil into eternity, into forever! The Lord will stand by us, He will strengthen us in difficulty and danger, and His Presence will more than make up for everyone else's absence. As you may have guessed, Paul was probably already dead by the time Timothy received this letter. He was martyred (beheaded) by Nero. And Timothy? According to Hebrews 13:23, Timothy went to prison.

RESPONSE: I have to admit that when I think about being delivered and preserved by God, I am not thinking in terms of eternity, but more like my present circumstances. Paul was executed for his faith, but yet said that God delivered him and preserved him! I must put things into perspective - this life is short when compared to eternity. It is better to be harmed in this life and go to heaven, than to be treated well here and then go to hell when we die!

PSALM 95:1 - 96:13

(Please refer back to the background information of Psalm 90-106: the "Numbers" Psalms - "Labouring" to enter in to God's Rest. HOW do we achieve "GODS'S REST" (Heb 3 and 4)? We give thanks and praise to God for His goodness, greatness and glory, that's how.

Psalm 95 is an encouragement to thanksgiving and praise because God is "a great God", and unbelief "grieves" Him. (actually, the Hebrew word means that He "loathes" or "detests" us!) We will never find rest in our unbelief, and we are the only ones who can change that! Hebrews 3 and 4 tells us that the Kingdom of God, the Land of Promise, and "Rest of God" - that place of living by the strength and energy of faith - these all refer to the same thing: some are symbolic, some are actual - but all require rigorous training of our hearts and minds. The opposite of entering into God's Rest by faith, is "an evil heart of unbelief" (Heb 3:12), which Psa 95:10 says is loathsome to God.

Psalm 96 is a call to worship the Lord, Who judges the whole earth "with righteousness ....and truth" (v.13). "He is to be feared above all gods." Every person, every living thing in the earth can be GLAD and REJOICE because God is in charge. As we read this Psalm out loud, our heart rejoices with them because this Psalm instills confidence in God's ability to reign, in charge of history, of my circumstances, of all outcomes. He is big enuf, mighty enuf, powerful enuf to handle whatever comes in my life. "The Lord reighs"!

RESPONSE: There are times when I can't see God in certain situations. I KNOW that He is working His own plan and His own purpose, and think that maybe I am just collateral damage (unintended civilian casualties of a military operation). That when God was destroying something evil, I just got too close to the action, and now I'm suffering too. NOW THAT'S JUST THE DEVIL TALKING.

The truth is that God loves me individually. He knows the number of hairs on my head. He cares about every detail of my life. How do I know that? Because it's the "little things" that can ruin our lives (Song 2:15) - the insignificant-seeming words, the minute facial expressions, the shortcuts in our work, the thoughts that no one knows about - - - God pays attention to all that stuff! He isn't just "generally" in charge - He is bigger than that! I BELIEVE THAT GOD MICROMANAGES!!! Challenges in life are OPPORTUNITIES. These "trials" actually help us to build spiritual muscle. They help us to know God in practical ways. Our "rigorous training" is important - as we develop our new habits (practices) of living by faith. We can't wait for a challenge to come to us before we develop a new "default". Under pressure, we will default to our HABITS and PRACTICES. So, let's use Psa 90-106 to see what those habitual thoughts and practices are!

PROVERBS 26:9-12
DEALING WITH FOOLS Prov 26) (fools are spiritual maniacs - not acknowledging accountability to God or any other authority.) Please see yesterday's comments.

(8) A fool condemns himself if he ever says anything that has any wisdom in it.

(9) A fool sins thru ignorance and shares the same punishment as the transgressor who sins knowingly.

(10) When we behave foolishly by relapsing back in sin, it is usually because we have forgotten how disgusting it (the sin) was.

(11) When we think we are so smart and so wise that we can't be taught, (opinionated and dogmatic), we are more hopeless than a fool (who knows he doesn't know everything).