Tag: Encouragement

God Asks Questions

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Exhortation, Genesis 16Leave a comment

Genesis 16:7–8 (MEV): The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness. It was the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from and where are you going?”
And she said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.”

I love the patterns established in Genesis. This particular exchange leads us back to God seeking Adam and Eve after they sinned.

Genesis 3:8–13 (MEV): Then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. The Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
He said, “ I heard Your voice in the garden and was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself.”
And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”
Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?”
And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

There is a simplicity here that is often overlooked. When God seeks a lost one, one that has sinned, He seeks them out. Let’s remember that all of this happens before the law was given and before Jesus came. God seeks the sinner in order to restore the broken relationship.

When He finds the one, He gently leads to the problem by asking a question. He’s not asking for information, there is another purpose to His questions.

In each of these examples, God asks a question and it is followed by a confession of sin.

Oh, I know some of you are going to scoff. You’re going to say that there is no contrition or sorrow in the responses… As if feelings have anything to do with a confession of truth.

Sometimes just a simple acknowledgement of our foibles in the presence of a Holy yet loving God is all that is needed. We don’t have to pound our chests, or cry rivers of tears. A simple confession saying this is the problem is the first step to conquering the problem together.

When you sin, don’t wait until you actually feel sorrow or remorse for what you did. Go to your Heavenly Father and confess it. He’s waiting.

The King of Nineveh

On By In Jonah 3, RepentanceLeave a comment

When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself in sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he made a proclamation in Nineveh:
“By decree of the king and his nobles:
No man or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not eat or drink water. Both man and animals shall cover themselves with sackcloth and cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. Who knows? God may relent and change His mind. He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.”

Jonah 3:6–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jonah continues in his service to God. As the people’s hearts changed, word eventually came to their leader. Can you imagine any of our political leaders in the US covering themselves in ashes, in repentance of their own proclivities and those of the people they lead?

It is an interesting picture to ponder in your mind.

Consider the decree of the king that went forth. It was a national fast for food and water, even to the extent of not feeding and watering animals. People afflicting themselves with no food and water have a choice in how to react, an animal doesn’t. The crying mightily from the people would also be punctuated by that of the animals who had no choice.

We aren’t given much about what Jonah preached to Nineveh. I think we can glean some ideas from the proclamation. As a prophet, he surely spoke the truth, “In forty days’ time, Nineveh would be overthrown.” The judgment of God was coming. Perhaps this is another example of Jonah’s reluctance in his preaching. Was there any good news?

Who knows. Perhaps God may see our acknowledgment and repent (change His mind.)

The Bible tells us the wages of sin is death. The folks in Nineveh were given a respite from that debt. They were also given a preacher. They availed themselves of his words to them and turned from their evil ways on the chance that God might relent… And He did.

When God saw their actions, that they turned from their evil ways, He changed His mind about the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

Jonah 3:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Nineveh was saved from destruction by a merciful God.

Now this greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord! Is this not what I said while I was still in my own land? This is the reason that I fled before to Tarshish, because I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in faithfulness, and ready to relent from punishment.

Jonah 4:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Maybe in Jonah’s reluctance to proclaim what he knew God to be… Gracious, merciful, and slow to anger… He neglected that part of the message.

Jonah serves as a reminder to us. Some of us are more than willing to proclaim the destruction coming upon people as a result of sin. We must be careful that doesn’t become the gist of our message.

God is gracious. He’s waiting for each of us humans to come to Him.

Shipwrecked Faith and Disqualification

On By TimIn 1 Timothy 01, Eternal SecurityLeave a comment

This command I commit to you, my son Timothy, according to the prophecies that were previously given to you, that by them you might fight a good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 1:18–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I am certain most of us have encountered this passage, either in our own readings, or most likely because it was employed to scare others about losing salvation. The phrase used is shipwrecked faith.

Without spending too much time in the original languages, suffice it to say the idea conveyed by the term shipwreck means to suffer loss by living through it.

But what does it really mean?

Consider a practical application. Shipwrecked ships are no longer suitable for the purposes that they were designed to be employed to do. Shipwrecked ships can no longer be used to convey people and goods. Shipwrecked ships cannot stay afloat keeping the cargo out of the water.

It’s the same way with your faith. If faith is shipwrecked, It’s no longer useful for its intended purposes. That is, it is useless to bear fruit for Jesus.

It doesn’t mean salvation is lost or forfeited. It cannot mean that, as persons live through such things as shipwreck and disqualification.

That’s an important concept to understand when reading the Bible. If a particular passage is about salvation, there is no ambiguity. When Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” It’s a clear command.

In a similar manner, those important topics are unambiguous. The soul that sins, it shall die. Or men die once and then comes the judgment. The dangers of perdition are clearly presented.

When it comes to a topic such as losing salvation, are there clear passages?

I would say emphatically, no. The Bible doesn’t tell you emphatically, to be careful you will lose your salvation. Instead, the idea is derived from ambiguity and euphemism as if it exists.

With that concept, let’s examine another term Paul employed and is often misused in a similar way to shipwreck.

Do you not know that all those who run in a race run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain it. Everyone who strives for the prize exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. So, therefore, I run, not with uncertainty. So I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I bring and keep my body under subjection, lest when preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In this case, Paul is using the idea of running a race to teach self-control. Just as an athlete prepares for a race by disciplining his body, Paul extends that to the same discipline of self-control we ought to have as believers. Self-control, not because we might lose salvation, but self-control that we might remain eligible to receive a prize.

To each of us, we make think salvation is a prize won. It is not. It is a gift given to us by a gracious God. Running a race for the prize brings a reward for a job well done.

Lack of discipline can lead to disqualification. That can put anyone in a position of ineligibility to win that race.

Shipwrecked faith and disqualification are not metaphors for losing salvation. They are metaphors for unemployability in being fruitful for the purposes of God. I will say that most of the Bible teaches us to be employable for the purposes of God. The initial part of that is to be saved.

That moves us to the potter.

Paul outlines this idea in Romans 9. This passage is often misused to say something it doesn’t. This isn’t about salvation, but employability by God.

Does the potter not have power over the clay to make from the same lump one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

Romans 9:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He uses the familiarity of a potter making vessels. In this case, it serves as a sort of analog to God making men for particular purposes. Humans are not pots. But they are vessels made for use. And they are made from the same clay. And each is made for useful employability by God in a specific way.

The honor and dishonor part speaks to the employability, not the particular usage of the vessel. Humans think a jar to hold wine has an honorable purpose, while a chamber pot made from the same lump of clay has a less-than-honorable purpose. To the potter, both have the same value inherent in their employability and usefulness.

Paul used this idea in another place.

In a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some are for honor, and some for dishonor. One who cleanses himself from these things will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, fit for the Master’s use, and prepared for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:20–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

From a human perspective, honor is measured by a different value than God uses. God measures honor by something being fit for the Master’s use. Can the vessel do the job?

Humans are not wine jars and chamber pots. Though like those, we are made for different purposes from the same material. The honor comes in our being sanctified, which is set aside and ready. That requires the discipline Paul spoke about. When we are in that position we are fit for the Master’s use. That is an honor.

But, wait! You might say, “I messed up. My faith is shipwrecked and I’m disqualified!”

I am going to tell you…

God gives mulligans.

Paul’s usage of the potter pays homage to something he would be very familiar with being an Israeli. It is the writing of the prophet Jeremiah.

“Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was making something on the wheel. Yet the vessel that he made of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Jeremiah 18:2–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I do love this entire chapter. God calls Jeremiah to the potter’s house. He is called to watch. In the lesson, the thing being formed becomes marred in the potter’s hand.

Note something else absent from the text. The potter didn’t mar the clay. It became marred. The potter didn’t discard the clay. Instead, he reforms that clay into a vessel of another purpose.

Do-overs are available. Get the do-over, and couple that with some self-control. And God has a vessel set aside to be employed in honor as the Potter intends.

Before the Beginning of Sorrows

On By TimIn Last Days, Matthew 24Leave a comment

Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled. For all these things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, epidemics, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Matthew 24:4–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We are just about at the point of mass deception on this timeline. That would be before the beginning. Jesus did give this intel in a private briefing to a few of His disciples. They wanted to know what signs would come with the end of the age.

The deception we experience today isn’t even what comes in the “beginning of sorrows.”

Make no mistake, the governments of the world are aligning in unity quickly. They are already practicing the precursors and cover stories to obfuscate the things Jesus said.

  • Deception.
  • Wars. Rumors of wars.
  • Nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom.
  • Famine.
  • Epidemics.
  • Earthquakes.

Each of these is actively propagandized, even in the United States. Pay attention to what is happening.

UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena formerly known as UFOs) will bring the new Jesus. These will bring our so-called space brothers. The story will be that the massive disappearance of people happened because they are not fit for the next evolution of humanity. These are removed by the brothers who seeded life on the earth.

The mass movement of troops isn’t preparation for war. Outfitting neighborhood police departments with military-grade gear isn’t normal.

Need I say Ukraine… anyone?

Look at the empty shelves at the grocery store. There are things that are periodically hard to find. Food supply lines are being disrupted. That is usually the cause of most famine in our world. People are starved not because there is no food. It is purposefully kept from them.

CV-19 introduced us to the age of the pandemic. That certainly guarantees that more pandemics will not be unexpected.

Did you know earthquake data from the US often doesn’t match location and intensity as other governments’ sources? This link is old but explains the problem.

We aren’t even at the beginning of sorrows.

At the risk of TL;DR… That is possible to be to your own detriment.

The point of the beginning of sorrows will be marked by a mass disappearance of a lot of people. Christians call this the rapture. The powers-that-be already have a cover story prepared. You have been groomed to accept it as true by popular movies, TV, fiction, and music. Falling for it may very well be the impetus that seals the fate of those caught up in it. What I mean is that most people are not going to think any of this suspicious and will dutifully go along with the story they are told.

Jesus is coming.

He is coming to judge the world. The judgment will come after the wrath of God is poured out on the world that is ambivalent toward Him. Even before all of that, Jesus is coming to whisk His own church away.

In a harmonized account of the briefing, Jesus drops a hint about this at the end of what He says.

When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When we go up, they will come down.

There is still time for you. You can repent (change your mind) and believe Jesus. Believe that He rose again to save you. Confess your sins.

You don’t have to obey the Ten Commandments, be a good person, give to the poor, or do any other things… Save believe Jesus died and rose again for you as He is your only way to God.

Of course, if you’re just gonna wait it out, I’d say good luck. But there is no such thing. You could listen to a favorite band… And a cool song. But, really… Trust Jesus.

Pray Toward the Temple, Part One

On By TimIn 2 Chronicles 6, Prayer, Prophecy2 Comments

And he said:
“O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like You in the heavens or on the earth, who keeps covenants and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their heart. You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father. You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.

2 Chronicles 6:14–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the dedication prayer offered by Solomon at the completion of the temple He built for God. He reminds God (as if, but I think it is a form of worship) of keeping His Word to those who have followed Him with all of their heart. He cites that God kept His promises to David. Given the immediate context, it follows that David must have walked before God with all of his heart. We know in other places, God calls David a man after His Own heart.

But we know David. We know his foibles. There is encouragement in this for us.

“And now, O Lord God of Israel, keep what You promised Your servant David my father saying, ‘You will not lack a man sitting on the throne of Israel before Me, if only your sons take heed to their way to walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’ And now, O Lord God of Israel, may Your word be confirmed which You have spoken to Your servant David.

2 Chronicles 6:16–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God has promised to David a man of his line sitting on the throne of Israel continuously. Like prophetic statements, this one is a pattern, one that is identified near-term and completed later. It holds true here.

There is a bit of prophetic utterance here. Jesus is a son of David and has walked in the law. He will be the future King.

And now comes the point of his prayer. He explains how to walk before God with all his heart.

“For will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, are not able to contain You, much less this house that I have built. But respond to the prayer of Your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, to listen to the cry and prayer of Your servant who prays before You, that Your eyes might be open toward this house both day and night, to the place that You have said that You will set Your name, in order to hear the prayer of Your servant for this place. And listen to the pleas of Your servant and Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. And may You respond from heaven, the place of Your dwelling, so that You hear and forgive.

2 Chronicles 6:18–21— Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In answer to his rhetorical question, Solomon explains that the temple cannot hold God. But it can serve as a reminder to a vast audience as they pray. Though he cited Israelites, I think the broader audience may surprise some.

Though I like that last word in this selection, forgive. I want to draw some attention to that. Forgiveness is the point and purpose of prayer. We seek forgiveness for ourselves and our own deeds. We are also to seek forgiveness for the deeds of others and those we share life with including our people as a nation.

Forgive

“If a man sins against his companion, and the companion swears and puts him under a curse, and the wronged man comes with an oath before Your altar at this temple, then You will hear from heaven, and You will act and judge Your servants, to repay the guilty one by bringing his way on his own head; and to vindicate the innocent one by rendering to him according to his righteous behavior.

2 Chronicles 6:22–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I know God hears the cries of injustice. I know God avenges. God will certainly repay.

Let’s think about this for a moment. There is a broader application that might be a bit imperceptible. Say you did something to someone inadvertently, and they were set back, upset, and maybe even mad. You didn’t intend to offend and do not know of the offense. But the wronged party asked God to avenge. Would you want that vengeance or mercy?

It is this idea of going to God for forgiveness, as the wronged party has put vengeance in God’s hands. When we ask forgiveness for our own foibles, the disposition of punishment is God’s. He is to avenge.

It seems to me that this seeking after God’s heart is both we see our own need to be forgiven. If we let God sort things out, He does justly.

It is this idea presented by Solomon as he says God will judge His servants. The word is plural. Solomon makes the matter a bit vaguer. He says God will repay the guilty one and vindicate the innocent.

I see room to consider that our first assessment of guilt in the matter might depend on other factors. In my opinion, this reminds us of our own condition before God.

There is the temporal judgment of sin in this life. It’s not that sudden death comes, but other things. These drastic conditions come to remind us to point ourselves back toward God to seek forgiveness.

The Calamity of War for the Nation of Israel

“If Your people Israel are struck before enemies because they have sinned against You, and they return and confess Your name and pray and seek Your favor in this house, then You will hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and You will bring them back to the land that You gave them and their fathers.

2 Chronicles 6:24–25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We also bear responsibility in seeking forgiveness for the sins committed in our national homes. We are all collectively responsible in those situations. I am responsible for the U.S. and there are times I neglect to pray for the forgiveness of the grievous things done to God by the nation. I can list more than a few. The responsibility is mine to pray.

Though the instruction is given to Israelis, I do believe it is a general principle we all can live by.

The Calamity of Natural Disaster for the Nation of Israel

“When the sky is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, then You will hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and Your people Israel because You will teach them the good path in which they will walk, and You will send rain on the land that You have given to Your people as a possession.

2 Chronicles 6:26–27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sometimes what befalls a people isn’t warfare, but natural calamity. Solomon reminds the nation in his prayer, to turn collective attention back toward God. Part of turning back is turning away from sin. It is in this latter part that the rise and catastrophic fall of nations are strewn throughout history.

Yet when they do turn, God then promises to teach them. Perhaps it is a slightly hidden demonstration of principle. One which we don’t ever have to fix ourselves up before turning from corrupt ways toward God. He is responsible for clean-up and encouragement.

When Calamity one’s to Individuals

“When there is famine in the land or when there is pestilence, blight, mildew, winged locust, or grasshopper, or when enemies besiege them in the land up to their city gates, in whatever plague or sickness, whatever prayer or plea that is made by any man or by all your people Israel, when each man knows his own affliction and his own sorrow, and stretches out his hands toward this house, then You will hear from heaven, the place of the habitation of Your dwelling, and forgive, and You will render to each according to his conduct, for You know their hearts (for You alone know the heart of people), so that they may fear You and walk in Your ways all the days that they live on the land that You have given to our fathers.

2 Chronicles 6:28–31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Then there are things that happen individually to people. The previous point of judging each for conduct is highlighted again. Instead of seeking to sort things out ourselves, we put the responsibility back to God. We turn our hearts to Him.

God does forgive sin.

Again, I would remember this is written to Israel about Israel. There are still principles to glean for our own conduct. These serve as models to follow.

“When foreigners are not from Your people Israel and come from a distant land, because of Your great name, mighty hand, and outstretched arm, and they come and pray toward this house, then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, and act on everything for which the foreigner calls on You, that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel; and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name.

2 Chronicles 6:32–33 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This my favorite part. It is where Solomon talks about gentiles.

Solomon is asking God to hear the gentiles’ prayers. The prayer of a gentile directed toward God is heard. God does what is asked. Everything a gentile asks for God to do, He acts!

I think it pertains primarily to seeking the forgiveness of sin. That seems to be the point of praying toward the temple. Rest assured, God hears and it is done.

A gentile never was kept from approaching God. A prayer of seeking forgiveness directed toward the temple was never not heard.

There is a Deeper Truth Here.

Then the Jews said to Him, “What sign do You show us, seeing that You do these things?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

John 2:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There it is. It should have already come to you. A prayer directed to this Temple is always acted on. It points to Jesus.

It also shows that gentiles were never excluded from salvation.

Surely Goodness and Mercy

On By TimIn Encouragement, Eternal Security, Good, Peace, Psalm 023Leave a comment

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s a beloved passage. Many have it memorized as it brings comfort in stressful times.

Have you actually pondered the ideas in the last verse?

There is a hymn we sing called “Surely Goodness and Mercy.” It is this last line of this Psalm. The religion of the verse drives an important point.

Goodness and mercy shall follow me.

We get that language from the King James Version. The word shall hints at a deeper meaning of the Hebrew word it is translated from to form the verb shall follow. The Hebrew root is radaph. It is translated correctly.

But let us look in another version of the Bible that may add some higher definition.

Surely goodness and loyal love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will stay in the house of Yahweh
for a very long time.

Psalm 23:6 — The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012)

Yes, the word can be translated as pursue, here. Other meanings include chase and persecute.

This goodness and mercy of God doesn’t ever give up. It is always there, chasing and persecuting us… Forever.

Hang Up on the Hangups

On By TimIn Encouragement, Ephesians 04, Exhortation, Freedom, Justification, SinLeave a comment

Do not give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul is speaking of giving the enemy rights. He has no way to bother you unless you give him permission and grant him the right.

What do I mean by right?

This could trigger some uncomfortable feelings.

Think about something that happened to you when you were young, something you remember clearly. Do you instantly become overwhelmed by the feelings of that situation?

It could be good, but it most likely might not be. In that case, the feelings of fear and anxiety come… Especially with traumatic events. The feelings can be crippling.

Sometimes those feelings come because of something we’ve done and now regret. A feeling of guilt can obliterate a person.

These crippling feelings of guilt, fear, anxiety, despair, and/or others can create a cascading physiological response with an adrenaline surge. This may lead to something that grieves the Holy Spirit.

These are things the enemy uses as a foothold. It’s a place to gain access. And if we are not aware of that fact we can be blindsided. I know. It happens to me.

None of us are made to fear. We are not made to have guilt. Paul gives ample remedy for how to avoid giving rights away.

But what of those things in the past?

Knowledge is a firmer foundation than emotion.

You can renounce them. You can renounce how they make you feel. You can renounce the control they have over your emotions. Do it out loud, to God. For whatever it is that overwhelms you, whether you are the victim or not. Allow God to take the feelings, the anxiety, and the fear away. Read the rest of the text beginning at Ephesians 4:1 into Chapters 5&6. Learn how to put on the new nature and live in victory.

You can do it, by taking the first step.

Don’t be sidelined. Don’t be a spectator. Stand firm!

Give to the Lord, O Mighty Ones

On By TimIn Exhortation, Psalm 029, Worship1 Comment

“Give to the Lord, O mighty ones,
give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord all the glory due His name;
worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness.”

Clay Hecocks – “His Holiness“

I start with a paraphrase of a psalm turned into praise lyrics. This was something we used to sing in church some time ago. It has a gorgeous melody. I think it was written by Clay Hecocks. (Listen here: His Holiness.)

It was one of my favorite things to sing at church. I hope I can explain it well enough. (Don’t believe what I write. Check it out for yourself, Acts 17:11. Read the references above them and below them.)

Let’s start with the text from the psalm.

Give to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory of His name;
worship the Lord in holy splendor.

Psalm 29:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This has many levels of meaning, and it is centered around the Hebrew phrase beneha elim, translated as heavenly beings. In some translations, the term sons of God is used. That is also correct given the Hebrew phrase.

That phrase hints back to Job, where a similar Hebrew phrase is used: beneha elohim.

Recent scholarship thinks the term elohim describes a class of beings that includes the Most High God. This is similar to the English word gods that denotes a class of beings, with the capitalized singular form God meaning the Most High. (Of note, the Hebrew elohim is always plural, even when used as a proper noun, Elohim as a name for the Most High.)

These elohim are part of the family of God present in His mountain (the Garden of Eden.) They are His divine council written of in Psalm 82. That psalm points to something wrong happening in this council. Something that rocked the foundations of the earth. God will eventually judge these in the council and condemn them to die “like men.”

Can you imagine what that would be?

I think the Bible points to the insurrection that occurred in the garden and God’s necessary enslavement of the creation to futility. In today’s language, the term is entropy.

The purpose of His council is outlined in the first two verses of David’s psalm. Give to the Lord the glory due His name.

They failed at that task. God could create more beings for His council. But did it in what may seem is a peculiar way. Peculiar, because there’s nothing else like it.

The Adoption

You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul begins an important point in one sentence that he will elaborate upon. He sums it up this way…

God sent forth His Son, born from a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth into our hearts the Spirit of His Son, crying, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Galatians 4:4–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I hope that your mind is making connections here. Not much is ever said about this, though it is an important concept to grasp.

There was an insurrection. Some of those members of the divine council fell miserably. Jude says they left their first estate. (Think of the impetus for the flood in Genesis 6. I am purposefully being vague to leave you some crumbs for your own pursuit.)

Back to what Paul is saying of… The adoption. We Christian saints of this age have a unique purpose. We are called sons of God.

Could it be we replace the failed members of the divine council?

I think so. There are far too many references. The Bible says we will judge angels. Look at that Psalm 82… Who is it that judges angels?

I’m not saying we will be God. But somehow, someway, we have such an intimate relationship within the Godhead. Jesus said it.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You. May they also be one in Us, that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory which You gave Me, that they may be one even as We are one: I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfect in unity, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17:20–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus speaks of an intimate unity just as He has with the Father, “May they also be one in Us.” Furthermore, it says Jesus gives us the glory that the Father gave Him. The significance of that statement ought to rock your socks off!

I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images.

Isaiah 42:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This isn’t a contradiction. Paul is correct in saying we are adopted sons. We are joint-heirs. What Jesus gets, we get.

I can’t even begin to fathom such things. But that’s what is there… Plainly. It short-circuits my brain because I have no real concept of all that it entails.

This isn’t pantheism. It isn’t panentheism. (Search engines are friends.) This isn’t me saying we are going to be God. But we are destined for something intimately special with God because of Jesus.

Give to the Lord, O mighty ones. That’s going to be us believers. Give to the Lord glory and strength. From Whom did we get glory and strength?

Give to the Lord all the glory due His name. Worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness.

Lukewarm Christian?

On By TimIn Encouragement, Revelation 03Leave a comment

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth.

Revelation 3:15–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus is speaking to the church at Laodicea. His indictment of their works as a body is lukewarm. And if that continues, the church would wither away.

This is not an indictment or a judgment on any Christian. It doesn’t mean that any of those Christians in the church lost their salvation. In fact, it has nothing to do with salvation. Nor does it have anything to do with individual behavior, even though the church as a body is made up of individuals.

It is a judgment on a church body.

A Christian doesn’t lose his salvation, nor do his works have anything to do with his salvation, whether helping it or not. In fact, good behavior isn’t the fruit-bearing that Jesus looks for in a person. It can lead to it and make it more bountiful, but bearing fruit is not the same as obeying the law.

Be Like the God You Worship

On By TimIn Psalm 115, WorshipLeave a comment

Those who make them are like them;
so is everyone who trusts in them.

Psalm 115:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the previous discussion, we learned about those who make idols for adoration and worship. They eventually become like them. Their idols can’t see, hear, or talk… They have no way to get around. It will be interesting to find how this idea will be repeated.

O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:9–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The psalmist’s admonition to us is to trust the Lord. He is a real help and a shelter in times of trouble. This is also how we become like Him: we shelter those who trust us. We do not betray their trust.

That’s a hard one. It’s hard for me, but it used to be said in the U.S. a man’s word was his bond. It isn’t much like that today. People go back on their words. Let it not be so with us. Let those who trust us not be hurt by our frivolities.

The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless those who fear the Lord,
both the small and great ones.

Psalm 115:12–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God is mindful of believers. Sure, these promises are to the Israelis and the house of Aaron, but we share in those promises because of our position in Jesus. We are grafted-in to them to bear fruit for God.

To be like our God means to be mindful of others. It also means to bless them. That is hard! We ought to be willing to bless others… Those that are meek and those not so much alike.

The Lord shall increase you more and more,
you and your children.
You are blessed of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 115:14–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The more you become like God, the more you want to serve Him, and by extension His people. His people could be the unbelieving Israelis we meet every day. His people are also other Christians, whether we fellowship locally with them or not.

His blessing is on these. And He calls them blessed. If you are a believer, He calls you blessed, too. Imagine that, the One Who made the heaven and the earth increases your reach and takes the time to call you blessed.

The choice is yours: you can try to increase your own reach and blessing by your own hard work, or you can present yourself to God and let Him work through you. Trust me, the latter is far better and healthier. It is also easier, though it may seem daunting now. Remember, trust in the Lord; He is a shield.

The heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth He has given to the children of men.

Psalm 115:16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God has given the earth to humans. The usurpers have stepped in by insurrection and hijacked it. Yet here is the psalmist singing the truth. In so doing, it’s a hint to the coming second Adam who put those entities to shame. He is the One worthy to take possession of it. We also know the New Testament calls the believer (you and I) joint-heirs. Let that thought sit in your mind for a moment.

Remember when Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth?

That’s Jesus, and us joint-heirs with Him.

Praise God!

The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any who go down into silence.

Psalm 115:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the future for those who die in their sins. Those who do not have Jesus and His gift of eternal life—they perish into silence. It’s not annihilation or ceasing to exist. It is a conscious descent into silence where there is no escape. Is that similar to not having limbs that work, hearing, or speaking, just like their idols?

My hope and prayer are that none of you reading this are like those.

But we will bless the Lord
from this time and for evermore.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 115:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We believers, are not mute… Or deaf… Or not-seeing. We can stand and raise our arms and shout…

Praise God!