“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them…all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light.                                                                                                                            (Ephesians 5:11&13 a.)

“And Jesus rebuked him…” (Mark 1:25)

 

In Scripture there are doctrines that seem to be very similar yet there is a fine line that distinquishes them from each other. Some examples being: sanctification as there are at least (4) four ways a child of God is sanctified by the Persons of the Godhead; Repentance and confession are similar but different; the doctrine of salvation and the doctrine of adoption, again similar but different as they teach us different aspects of our Father’s plans for us. Likewise Reproving and rebuking are similar but differentiated by a fine line.

What distinguishes the two?

1. The attitude of the recipient
2. The place and the timing
3. The cause for the reproof or rebuke.
4. Reasons for the reprove or the rebuke.
5. Tone
6. Urgency
7. The Spirit’s directive, prompting and or compelling.

The attitude of the the recipient is a consideration in determining whether to reprove or to rebuke. Two examples: I know a man that overheard (2) two persons, in a line to enter a building, talking about Hell being a party with their friends. These (2) ignorant persons were carrying on and carrying on about the party in Hell. The man turned and ?’end them on their comments asking, “What did you just say?” and rebuked them for their jesting over a most serious subject. He continued to charge them with their folly and explained to them that Hell is not a place of revilry but of eternal torment and condemnation. One of the persons simply shrugged their shoulder as to say, “whatever,” and that was the end of the matter.  These persons were in need of a sharp rebuke due to the attitude, discussion matter and the timing and place. The reason for the rebuke was to remove any and all ignorance and to seek to bring them to a place of knowledge and understanding. The tone was sharp because the situation was urgent and the Spirit of God put a burden upon the man to deliver the rebuke.

The same man was in a bookstore and overheard two persons discussing some major storm damge to one of the person’s properties. The other person, a nice lady that worked in the bookstore, showed her concern and shock by repeatedly using the Name of our Lord and Saviour…at least (10-15) ten to fifteen times. The man that overheard this conversation hyperbolyzed by stating his ears were about to bleed from the offense of his Master’s Name being used in such a vain and profane manner. He thought to himself that this signified the unbeliever’s default position of calling upon God in time of trouble or shock. The man left and he sought to intercede on the lady’s behalf before God.

However, the burden of this use of God’s Name went with him. A month later he visited the store again and behold, as he was leaving this young lady appeared to begin her shift. Not believeing in coincidence and still having his burden he approached the young lady….

Persons can respond in all manner of ways when being reproved, rebuked, criticized, or corrected. Solomon said the wise man will receive instruction and will be thankful but the fool would not. One never knows how someone will react or respond to a correction. While the person delivering the correction is not responsible for the receiver’s reaction he will still be the recipient of that reaction. To deliver a correction, whether in the form of a reproof or a rebuke is, metaphorically, entering into a lion’s den or a fiery furnace. However, the one delivering the correction should know that the Lord stands with him.

…as he approached the young lady he said, “Miss, this is going to come from left field. It is not meant to offend. It comes from a place of concern and care and not from a place of judgement… A month ago I was here and I over heard you using God’s Name in vain and I wanted to tell you that He takes that very seriously.”  She responded with…

When our Lord would rebuke demons and expel them from persons they would depart Sometimes they would depart peacefully and sometimes causing injury to the vessel of their former inhabitance. Some would speak and others would hold their peace but their reactions were different and true to their nature. When Christ would rebuke Peter it was received properly, when The Lord would rebuke the priests, Pharisees, scribes, lawyers, and Sanhedrin they would react with a desire to murder him. When David was rebuked by Nathan the prophet, David went to God in tears and with a contrite heart. The responses and reactions vary from knee jerk retaliation to studied self examination and confession or repentance.

…the lady, in the bookstore, responded with a meekness and receptive spirit. She acknowledged the man’s concern and admitted it was not appropriate in public and that she often forgets the weight of her words. The man then wished her God’s speed after stating that whether it is in public or in private God’s Name is to be revered.

Q. Who should correct through the use of reproof or rebuke?  A. The Christ-ian, who is called by God to “judge all things,” and to prove whether they are good/evil; truth/false; right/wrong (1 Corinthians 2). In the passage that states that we judge all things seems to imply that to judge is natural to the new creature in Christ. To judge and to discern is part and parcel of the Christ-ian. While we do not decide any kind of punishment and we are not judgemental in our discernments we are still called to discern and reprove and or rebuke as that is part of our calling…it is letting your Light so shine before men that they might glorify God as Ephesians 5:13 from above cites.

Intentions and preparing to deliver correction:

1. Intent: Your intention is to help a beloved and to bring glory to God. This action must come from a spirit of love and never from condescention.
2. Before you deliver any type of correction you must examine youself and make a good confession before God. You must remove the beam from thine own eye before seeking to assist another in the removing of the speck in their eye.
3. Remember you are acting as a little Jesus (respectfully and reverentially written) and not a little Holy Spirit. Your task is not to guilt or convict but to persuade and to convince using the Word of God.

 

The differences between the reproof and the rebuke are these: *A reproof is used when there is sufficient time to discuss the situation and to explain your concern from Scripture. *A rebuke should be used when little time is afforded and it is used when the one rebuked is aware of what they are doing. *A reproof is used with a believer who seemingly is off track or headed off track. *The rebuke is used when a person has left the narrow path and backslid. *A reproof is a calm and loving correction and or education or instruction in righteousness. *The rebuke is a charge and a warning delivered with a tone of authority and is meant to shock and cause confession and repentance. *The reproof is delivered with an opened Bible and (2) two opened minds. *The rebuke is delivered with an authority and from a place of potential church discipline. *A reproof is delivered with a countenance of mercy and grace. *A rebuke is the entire weight of Scripture being dropped upon the recipient of the rebuke. *A reproof is delivered with the hand in a velvet glove. *the rebuke is delivered with a stern countenance and an iron fist….on a flat surface and not to the face.

A word of counsel: We/ you/one should not march around Christendom seeking out opportunities to reprove or rebuke. A reproof or a rebuke is used when a problem or cause for concern presents itself. I have know of persons that were quick to rebuke, passing right over the reproof. I know a guy that would call members of a church if they missed a service. This guy would call them with a rebuke and cite Scripture or rather misapply Scripture to make his point. This rebuker is now in the wind; he attends no church.

The best persons to offer a reproof or a rebuke are persons who themselves have received the same from a caring pastor or believer or from God, Himself. The reproof or rebuke should come from a person who cannot excuse the sin(s) or action(s) or attitude of someone but can certainly understand them as we are all “Simul justus et peccotor” or saints and sinners at the same time.

Conclusion, To offer or deliver a reproof or a rebuke it must come from a place of love, concern, sympathy, empathy or understanding; it must come with God’s glory and the recipient’s best in mind; it must come from a person of moral, ethical and spiritual authority and/or maturity if the person is to be taken seriously. Without the above criteria it is a fool’s errand and if the above is not present one is not a messenger of understanding, instruction and loving correction but is instead a hypocrite.

If you know the Lord at all you know His position and thoughts concerning hypocrites and their pride-filled self righteousness and their overblown view and opinion of self and self worth. He likened them unto vipers. In other words, He likened them to a viper that slithers pridefully, looking down their nose at the plebians, and appraising a persons worth, all the while they themselves are worthless in terms of bringing glory to God and being a help to others.

“But Barnabas took [Paul], and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and how he had preached boldly in Damascus in the [N]ame of the Jesus.” (Acts 9:27)

“Joshua …wrestled a {M]an until the breaking of day.”  (Genesis 32:24)

 

 

Introductions are important. In Acts 9:27, Barnabas introduced and vouched for Paul, who was a former persecutor of those in Christ. Without Barnabas it would have been far more difficult for Paul to be introduced to the disciples. An introduction can be considered as a referrel, like from a doctor. The referral validates the person and the purpose. When I meet a new person I seek to find out what their thoughts are concerning Christ. This helps me to discern and to read the new person. I am then, generally speaking, more confident in my engagement with this person.

In professional wrestling there is the collar and elbow tie-up, this is how the combatants introduce or engage one another. With out this tie-up the competitors would simply circle one another. When I was began my jiu jitsu training I learned how to “shoot.” Shooting is the manner in which one grappler engages his opponent. It must be done quickly in order for it to be successful. If one fails in his shoot, the opponent may get the upper hand. The shoot, the introduction, the tie-up , the engagement must be done properly in order for things to begin.

With the Lord helping me, I we are transitioning into a more regulated lifestyle, where as before I would stay up late at night and eat whenever the urge presented itself. In other words, I am giving up a bit of liberty that is not expedient for me. When one gives something up or stops something it must be replaced with something good; kind of like what the Lord teaches us on the expulsion of demons;  He said that a demon may be expelled and the house (the possessed mind and body) will be swept and cleaned, however, the demon may see this, return and bring (7) seven demons worse than itself. In other words, a vacuum must not be left or other worse things may takeover. I wrote that to say this, As I was thinking about a more regulated life style, IE. getting up at a set time each morning and eating a good and healthy breakfast I will need something to replace the sleeping in.

I thought a good replacement for sleeping in would be a morning Bible reading with my family. One member of my family said that it may be rough to do that as there is so much going on in the A.M.. Another family member said she didn’t think it would be a problem. Then I thought about preparing for morning the night before. I remembered Pastor Ruben’s (6) six P’s…”Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.” Therefore, in order to to replace sleeping in we will prepare for an A.M. Bible reading the night before. With all of that running thru my mind I began to think about the Bible and the reading thereof.

The engagement of the Scriptures and being engaged by the Scriptures is something, methinks, is taken for granted.

Imagine, if you will, you are scheduled, (DV) to meet an august person or a person that is celebrated for their works, a person like a president or a leader of state or anyone that you consider important. You would prepare yourself for this engagement or introduction….first impressions…you know. A lady would prepare her hair and make up; she would choose the proper attire and a gentleman would also prepare himself by choosing proper attire, combing his hair, wearing nice shoes, and putting on a tie [Sidenote: belt should match shoes and a tie should match up with socks].

Now imagine you are about to engage the Lord Jesus in a time of fellowship, how much more would you prepare? What would you do, what would you wear, what will you say, how would you introduce or present yourself to the King of kings, Who knows everything about you? The last sentence speaks to the outside presentation, but the inside excitement matters as well. On the inside we would experience literal awe and literal amazement. I am reminded of David’s joyous outburst, “Such knowledge is to wonderful for me.” We would experience humility and gratefulness, we would be able to finally express our thankfulness to Him in a terrestial manner. We would explode with great expressions of His great worthiness. We would be rejoicing in His Presence because of His Presence. It would be an internal, spiritual celebration like none other.

I write all of this to say this, …we must; we must; we must approach… engage… tie-up with the Word of God in a or with a spirit or mindset of reverence, honour, priviledge and love. Both our Lord and the Scriptures are called, The Word of God. The Bible, along with baptism and the Lord’s Supper, is our tangible introduction and spiritual engagement with our Lord Jesus. To engage the Scripture is to engage the Living God.

In preparing ourselves to engage God we must make certain preparations because we are going to be in His Presence.

Matthew Henry said concerning prayer -the first thing is aiming and directing our prayers to God. That sounds simple enough …it seems. It is not. We must approach the Scriptures as if we are approaching our Lord because we are, in all senses, approaching and engaging God. We are engaging God in love, in logic, in the spirit and in humility. [Think Vulcan Mind meld].

“Deep calls to the deep.” As we are engaging The Word of God, the Living Word of God is engageing us as well. This should be our mindset. Reading and meditating on the Word of God equates to sitting at His Feet. We should read the Word  prayerfully and expectationally. We should prepare to engage God thru His Word and expect to be engaged by The Word. The Word speaks to us and we must listen. ..The still small voice is present.

The engagement of God’s Word will call us to repentance and prayer.

 

 

 

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13)

 

When one is serious about the Scriptures one will be certain to gain the Author’s purpose, meaning and intent in his words. This is the answer to the “Yeah, but that’s your interpretation” arguement. To grab a passage of Scripture and wrest it to one’s personal needs at that moment is to betray one’s self as a novice or one who is not serious about the Scriptures or God. We must always remember that we are handling the Word of God and He has given warnings…plural through out Scripture. These warnings are against adding to or taking away from the Word. This, I personally believe, includes taking verses and or passages out of context or twisting them to fit a personal liking or to make a point.

Philippians 4:13 is one of those verses that have been taken out of context and misused and abused. When or if you walk into a Christ-ian bookstore you will find this verse plastered on t-shirts, sweat shirts, mugs, plaques, pens, hats, braclets, rings, necklaces, bumper stickers, etc. It is my concern and contention that when persons read this or wear this verse on themselves their “interpretation” is God will strengthen them to carry out their purposes and plans.

When I was a young man I wanted to be a pro athlete. Could I take 4:13 and say, “I can become a pro-athlete because I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me?” Would that be a proper use of this text? It is not. What then is the meaning of 4:13?

To gain the proper understanding of any passage or verse you must look at the verses before it and after it. By doing this you will be able to understand the context in which the verse is set. To know the context of Philippians 4:13 you would begin with verse (10) ten of chapter (4) four. Paul is speaking of the care he has been given by this Philippian church. In v. 11 he states “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” There you have it, the teaching of 4:13 is contentment in whatsoever state you find yourself. In v. 12 Paul continues, “I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer (endure) need. Then Paul wraps up his thoughts in 4:13. In 4:14 Paul compliments them and acknowledges their love and care for him.

Philippians 4:13, then is not a verse that you should grab and run out and do as you please expecting God to strengthen you along your way and remove all obstacles. 4:13 has nothing to do with a person getting their way. This passage is about contentment in whatever state, condition, or circumstance you find yourself in. Paul when in prison sang songs praising God. This is contentment. Job said after losing so much, “The LORD giveth and the LORD taketh away,” “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him,” and “We have received good from the LORD, shall we not receive evil also?” These are comments made by a man that had learned contentment.

Why is contentment important for the Christ-ian? To be content in your current state tells God, “Not my will but Thine be done,”  “Where He leads I will follow,”  “Have Thine own way, Lord,” and  “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”  The spirit of contentment tells God that you trust Him and you are happy with that which he provides and with-holds. To be content is to say to God, ” Thou doeth all things well.”

Philippians 4:13 is a verse that can comfort and confirm. Some believers, especially those in the legalist camp tend to think that when something unpleasant happens or if bad news is received that it is due to sin. 4:13 shows us clearly that even a saint such as Paul was at times hungry and suffering need and at other times he was full and abounding.

Contentment is related to the word rest. To be content is simply to rest in the knowledge that *God knows, that *God is Good, and *God is Sovereign. If you, dear and beloved reader,  grasp those (3) three truths, by the faith He has given you, contentment can be yours and your contentment will glorify God.

An important rule of thumb is to be grateful and to acknowledge God with much thanks when you are full and abounding. When you are hungry and suffering need, thank Him for the times of fullness and abounding and seek His sufficient grace to endure this time of suffering and or affliction and thank Him for the knowledge that this time “shall come to pass.”

Paul exhorts us to be thankful in all things meaning whatsoever state you find yourself in to be content and be thankful. How often do you thank God? There is always a reason to be thankful…always.  Methinks that an unthankful spirit will hinder prayers more than sin. According to Paul in Romans 1, Unthankfulness is the gateway to other grievous sins. It certainly is the door way to back sliding.

There is a hymn that sings, “Count your blessings one by one.” When we would “lead” singing (I was so bad) we would change the words to, ” Count your blessings ton by ton.”

 

“And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.                                                                                                                                           (Romans 12:2)

“Be confident of this very thing, that [God] which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ…”                                               (Philippians 1:6)

“And the LORD looked upon [Gideon], and said, “Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have I not sent you? And [Gideon] said to Him, Oh my Lord, wherewithal shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manaseh, and I am least in my father’s house.”                                                                        (Judges 6:14,15)

A question that all Christ-ians should answer for themselves and their well being and comfort: Can God not do anything? Is anything too great for the LORD? Is His Arm shortened?

We all would answer these questions with God is able to do anything. The Scriptures are replete with verses that state God is able to do any and all things, even that which may seem to us as impossible. Christ even said, “with God all things are possible,” and He did not qualify the all. In this case all did mean all.

Here is my confession: I preach strong on the sovereignty of God and that God is Able…”He is Strong and Mighty and there is nothing He can not do…”

But there have been persons in my past that I have, in my mind, labeled. Some of these persons have been told by me to stop trying to be a preacher or youth pastor and get a job. I have told them that they do not have what it takes to be what a minister needs to be. They did not have the backbone or the intellect or the presence to stand up for God’s truth. It sounds worse than it was…I was tactful and caring when I said those things, but it matters not if the guy that shoots you is tender hearted or stone cold, the effects are what they are and who am I to judge any of God’s servants?

I sat one night and heard a person, who I “counseled” to stop trying to be a minister of any type and get a job, teach a Bible study. I sat there not knowing that the pastor that normally leads this study was not in attendance…I then deduced that this person I had labeled was going to direct the Bible study. I thought good for him, atleast he is trying.

What a fool am I? I have answered matters before hearing them in the past and been proven wrong and proven to be Solomon’s fool; you would think I would learn from these follies, but obviously I have not.

This quiet, unpretentious man sat in the teacher’s chair and taught a well organized Bible study that showed heart, knowledge, and experience!!! He taught me, a man who is “learn-ed” in the Scriptures and has been “self” (Holy Ghost) taught, a man that others look to for counsel, so much that I was OVERWHELMED….so happily, wonderously, and joyfully OVERWHELMED and awe-struck.

I can say, like Paul, I saw the grace of God. This man continued teaching and using some of his past and present experiences, that were not pretty and most “men” would like to keep secret, to show us that God can take bad things and make them new. Admittedly, I have known that since my new birth, but my faith was made sight that night by this man’s experiences and openness.

I wept later that night and confessed my sin and unbelief before God and a pastor, I was forgiven and was so very thankful for having learned an important lesson. And yes, I also confessed this to the man of whom I speak.

My point or rather the lesson I learned is this: man cannot change himself. No one can change another person into another person. God, however, can, does, and will change the old creation in Adam into the new creation in Christ and once He has changed a person He Can, does, and will continue to shape them as a potter shapes clay.

I have seen others changed by God too.  My brother in law…….my brother and friend, as a young man, was quiet and very reserved. As he was this way, one would not expect much out of him, in terms of being outstanding and comfortable in public view. My brother has grown with God at His side, directing him and guiding him into a man of steadfastness and courage. He is a man that many could look at as an example of a Christ-ian man to pattern themselves after as the book of Hebrews tells us. I have been humbled by and yet made so very proud by these persons in my life and so strengthened by what God is able to do in the lives of His chosen and greatly loved people. These persons are God’s Trophies of Hope and Grace.

I know others, outside of Christ, that are the exact same person they were (20 and 30) twenty and thirty years ago. They prove the addage, “Once a liar always a liar; Once a cheat, always a cheat.” Persons that were arrogant and brutish remain arrogant and brutish, they may have learned, like any psychopath or sociopath, to curb there sharp edges or to hide their real selves, but they are still there. This can be observed in the lives of Saul and David. Saul would try to hide his contempt for David but eventually he would betray himself and throw the javelin. This truth is rather simplistic,

1.”It is what it is, period.”

2. A person is who that person is; they may pretend to be someone else, but they are who they are, period.

3. A person is not what you want them to be; they are who they are, period.

4. A person is not who they think they are, they are who they are, period.

5. No one, no matter how hard they try, can change another person, period.

Once you learn this you’ll see persons in the right light and you may understand yourself better too. However, let me say again, Though a person cannot change themselves, God can, does, and will, as He pleases. God has changed me and I have seen God change others, too…in big ways.

So here it is: If you meet a person from your past and they seem different, either they have been changed by God or they are still the same but hiding their personality. If they have been changed by God, it will show and they will tell. If they seem changed but do not give God any glory, they have not change. Very simple.

Godspeed.

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breated into his nostrils the [B]reath of life; and man became a living soul”  (Genesis 2:7}

“For as the heaven is high above, the earth, so great is [H]is mercy toward them that fear [H]im.

 

Ashes to ashes and dust to dust. I am indebted to Mr. Sherlock Holmes (a great Christ Figure, by the way…Doyle authored him to be such, I believe. In fact, Holmes is based upon a man named, Joe Bell, who was a good sound Calvinist. One of the more well known quotes from Holmes is, “You see, but you do not observe.” That quote is not original to Doyle. No it was “plagiarized” from Isaiah, God’s prophet. Holmes makes many references to the fact that God must be.) Any Whooooos, I am in debted to Holmes for teaching me to look at, appreciate and never under estimate the “little things” for from these one may draw great inferences.

The Bible shows us that our Master, was a or rather The (to be pronounced THEE) Man that looked at the Little things,…”And He perceived their thoughts”; He knew what was in man”; I  saw you under the fig tree.” Comments like this show Him to be a Master Observer from Whom Holmes would, or did learn from. Whether our Master used Omniscience or omniprescience to know certain things or He used His fine tuned skills to observe does not matter, He observes everything…every little thing.

Onto our article. When it comes to the debate of Evolution v. Creation…I write Evolution first because it is the challenger to the Truth or some think it is. I once had a 220 lb man, a boxer and Jiu jitsu “expert” challenge me. I pretty much dislocated his shoulder from it’s socket in under (20) twenty seconds. I weighed at that time around (140lb) one hundred and forty pounds. You see…from the little thing you can draw large dislocated sockets and humility. That is what the evoltution v. Creation match is like, Evolution seems to be the big challenger [or that is the left’s thought] that proves that the less believed Creation theory [fact] has been beaten. But No, Creation is the Champion and it can be shown by little things.

1. In science or in observable life, has any non-living thing given life? By non-living, I mean, never having lived. A rock is non-living for it has never lived. In science, has there ever been observed and then repeated (2) two rocks procreating a baby rock? Methinks, No.
2. In science or observable life, has there ever been a living functioning, intelligent entity that has given life to another life? In other words, has there ever been a woman or animal who has/that has, from her body, ever produced another living soul? If so, has it been observed and repearted? Methinks or rather meknows, Yes.
3. If I were to add 2 + 2, would I get another number or would I get a vegetable or a letter? No I wouldn’t, 2 + 2 would produce another number, it would produce the number (4) four. This could be summarized by confidently saying, “like begets like.” In other words, (2) two animals of the same species will produce a life of like species. Therefore, If a living sperm and a living egg, from (2) two living people were to join together and form one existing substance, would that substance be non-living? or would that substance or entity or being be a living being? Common sence, logic, and the philosophy of better safe than sorry, and the Scriptures would all agree with the latter, it must be a living being.
4. Here is the irony…The persons that are pro death are more likely than not going to be atheist. Here is their argument.  In the beginning a non living something gave life to all things. In other words, they believe that (2) two living beings do not produce a living being but a nonliving something does.

On to the little thing that, to me, should settle things for intellectually honest persons:  What is dust?  Science says it is the sheddings of different things, which includes the sheddings of human skin…Humans shed dust?????????????? Does not the Scriptures state, factually, that we are made from dust; That God formed us from dust? Let’s use an analogy: When you purchase a bag of shredded cheese, where did these srhedding or sheddings come from? Of course, they come from Cheese. Therefore, if we shed dust, from where did it come from? God created us from dust. Am i being too redictionistic? Methinks, Neh. Methink it all makes perfect sense.

As for the enemies of Truth, they may not like it but they too beget likeness….Non-sensical persons beget nonsensical ideas. Yes, the Nonsensical shed non-sense. Those with common sense and who hold the Truth of God within must start and or continue shedding Truth. Truths like:

1. God is
2. God is Good. Kind, Merciful, Gracious
3. God is Sovereign
4. God’s Son’s Name is Jesus Christ and He is Lord over the living and the dead; He is Lord over heaven, hell and earth, He sees everything, He knows everythig, He is everywhere.
5. To this Lord every knee will bow, either voluntarily with great joy or involuntarly and in derision.
6. God has laws and He demand all to submit to them, if not; you are rebellious and you will face judgement.
7. These laws are simple: Love God, Worship God, Obey God, Do not use His power and authority is vain, wasteful ways to get what you want, Worship Him on His Day,  Don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t break vows of marriage which are your promises to Him as well as your spouse, Don’t lie about other people to protect yourself or to gain anything, Honour God’s authority by obeying those he puts in places of authority, and be content with what God has provided you and be thankful, always…in fact, look for things and ways that you might acknowledge God and acknowledge your thanfulness to Him.
8. These laws are not grievous if you are pure in heart.
9. If these laws are grievous you do not have a pure heart.
10. Call upon God and seek His forgiveness and a new heart that is pure of wickedness and self. A heart that is full of goodness and love for God and man and that is Christ-centered.

Those who hold the truth of God must not let the seemingly bigger side of evil intimidate. I remember years and years ago, I ran a landscape crew. On this crew was a guy that was a pro-body builder. He was buffed, ripped and shedded, as they say. During our lunch breaks the guys and I would often play around and wrestle in the grass. I wrestled this guy with all the muscle; one would think I, being thin and lanky would be easily dispatched or submitted, however, I found the muscle man to be rather light and weaker than I thought. He was easily dispatched. This is no sleight against him. He was not big in order to grapple, he was big in order to contend in muscle shows. The point is: the opponent may seem big but they also may be all show, with nothing to back them up.

Another point, when you see a person [A bully type] that is large and intimidating and you think, “I should be careful around him, he is big and strong and he could hurt me,” the truth is he has probably never been in a fight. He has used his bulk to intimidate so he never had to fight. You, on the other hand may be small and being small, you may have been picked on in your youth and you had to learn to defend yourself… the reality is, you have more going for you than the big guy does.

I observed the big bearded, leather attired motor cycle type and I have, in my mind’s eye, shaved their beard, taken away their leather, taken off the big rings, cut their hair short and studied their hands and I found them to be ordinary, and inexperienced in any kind of man to man combat…this does not fit them all but it fit most, therefore, any person small in stature, with any kind of fight skill could be able to easily dispatch the big bearded, leather clad, scary look’in bear type.

The point is, We that may seem to be smaller and therefore, weaker than “them”  are probably not. Always remember…….Your meekness hides great strength and courage.

As to our (3rd) third title above, “God remembers; we don’t” It is a passage of great comfort and confirmation. God remembers we are made of dust. Some hold themselves to such a high standard that causes them great distress…..to them God would say, ” Stop, dear child, I remember you are made from dust and so should you…Now, relax and enjoy your God.

To those who think, “I am dust, I am important to no one I say,….”Friend, Yes, your are dust, but you are God’s dust and He has breathed His life into you, making you a person of great importance and of great worth to Him and others.

To those who think God is waiting for you to mess everything up just so He can pounce upon you and your sin or failings, Let me say, “He remembers you are dust and it is time you remember that to or it is time for you to learn that. He expects nothing from you except that which He will lovingly call you to do. He knows that there is nothing in this world that you can give Him or do for Him that will make Him love you more. If you love Him know this….You love Him because He loved you first. His love called upon your love and you answered.

Godspeed.

BKL

“And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that says, I know Him, and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”                                                                                                                        (1 John 2:3-4)

“If you continue in My [W]ord, then are you My disciples indeed.”  (John 8:31)

Could anything be more simple than the [W]ords before us? 2+2=4 is not any simpler. With that said and I trust it has been accepted with your approval, I will now tell you that this basic truth has gotten preachers into more trouble than almost anything else they pr/teach. This foundational truth is a teaching or gateway teaching to the holiness of the believer, to Examining one’s self to make certain that one is in the faith, as well as out right calling someone to the wood shed.

It is sad to say that it is more common to cross paths with a false believer than a true one. Reader, you can see why this truth gets preachers into trouble. You, reader, might have thought to yourself, “How does he know who is false and who is real….who does he think he is??!!!?” My answer?  “I am one who reads and believes his Bible. I am one who trusts in the texts, sited above.”

Not only has this gotten other preachers into trouble, it has put me into trouble with professing believers AND with preachers, pastors, and many other church leaders. I have been called, in the past, “the salvation police” by a good friend and fellow pastor. Some would, maybe, calm down on their “investigations” but not this detective or meddler. If I did I would be doing a dis-service to the flock and I would be found “abusing my fellow servants,” in other words, I would displease my Master. We have written before that any man called to pastor a flock has been called to meddle, snoop, sniff around, interrogate, investigate, detect, check the bookcase, look for all the dead bodies, look under the rugs and inside the closets, and the freezers, so to speak. Readers, there is a reason that fictional clergy detectives sell so well.

Let me say this,  We are never happy or pleased when we find a “so-called believer” to be a “called out deceiver.”  I have suffered many a broken heart when someone is discovered to be a “so-called brother or sister.”  It is my job to do so, though.  All shepherds must watch out for the wolves in sheeps’ clothing and we must dispatch them from the flock or we are not doing our job.  We also, as shepherds, must use our rod and staff to look under the sheeps’ wool to check for hidden infirmities. The rod and staff, to a pastor, can represent, the Word and pastoral authority, or the two sided nature of the Word…to build up and to knock down, to hurt and then help.

I said above that to evade the responsibility of being “salvation police” is to fail at your calling and to fail your Caller. This, unfortunately, is true of many of the leaders in the church(es) and of the elders that are to keep him in line. And we do need to be kept in line at times….not from doing wrong but from doing good in questionable ways.

“By their fruit, you shall know them.”  Who do you think said that? If you answered Christ, you are right. If you answered any of the human instruments that wrote Scripture you would still be write. The human authors of the New Testament and the prophets of the Old wrote more about false teachers, preachers, ministers, and brethren than on the love of God. This is because we do not question or need to question God’s love; we, however, very much need to question those that seek our trust and love.

Imagine with me an alternate universe (I mean the following reverently). Judas did not kill himself but continued on as the (12th) twelfeth disciple. Judas is still the Judas of the Gospels, the only difference is that he is alive. Now onto our “supposal” as Lewis would call it,

How would you feel if you were the person to recommend or solicit pastorates for Judas, only to find out later that he has been robbing this/these church(es) and God? What would you do? or how would you feel? or what would you think? You might think back to all the times Judas would try and persuade the Master to “save” the coin instead of spending it. You might remember the times Judas would comment on others “misuse” of funds. You might also remember the time Judas showed his love for money over his love for Lord Jesus when the woman washed the Feet of her Lord and Saviour with very expensive ointment. After recalling these incidents you would say to yourself, “How could I not have seen it? If I had seen it I could have stopped him and Lord Jesus would be here today.” [of course, nothing would stop the death of Christ, not even His own prayers nor would anything or anyone delay or stop His resurrection (3) three days later.] In this alternate universe, the death of THE loved One was the cost of not policing the flock.

So…..How does one meddle, police, investigate, inspect, examine the flock?  The answer is simple. The answer is given in our quoted texts above. We can be safe, more or less, calling a person a true Christ-ian believer if they simply keep His Commandments. We that keep His commandents, do so [Super]naturally and not robotically.  We keep His commands out of pleasure and love, not fear or tyranny.  John said it best in his (1st) first epistle (5th) fifth chapter and (3rd) third verse, “His commandments are not grievous .”  Let me ask you, “Are His commandments grievous to you?”  My hope is that you reply with, “They are not grievous at all for His law is our delight…our great delight.”

Other ways to detect a false believer:

1. Start talking about Christ and see how long they can stand it.
2. Ask them about their salvation out of nowhere. We learn this technique from the Master as He would often ask questions out of no where and without warning, “Who do you [Peter] say, That I am?” Our Master is the Master of catching persons off guard.   Watch our Master at work…..Nicodemus: speaking, speaking, speaking, speaking, and still speaking….THEN OUT OF NO WHERE…BAM, “Nicodemus, Ye must be born again.”  Nicodemus: Wait!?! what did you just say?” Now he was intrigued.
3. Ask them questions like, “Is Timothy an Old or New Testament book?
4. Your spirit will testify to their spirit or it will not. This should not be taken lightly, use this but also seel other evidence
5. Ask them if they have read the Book of Hezekiah and see what they say….[there is no such book….I sure hope you knew that].
6. The best way to know a person other than their attentiveness to the Master is by asking them, “What think ye of Christ Jesus?” Their answer should provide you with your answer.

Always remember: we do not examine others out of pleasure but out of responsibility and love for the flock of God, nor do we examine other persons just to examine them. Before you even think about checking their fruit, there must be a reason.  If you examine without reason you are simply judging one of Christ’s own and that is unacceptable. If you find pleasure in the examination of others, please…please examine yourself to see if you are or are not in the faith.

Another very important, if not the most important rule to follow is to examine thyself before you seek to examine others. Through the responsibility of examining others, God has built in an examination of self. God knows His own and He knows our needs, both spiritual and physical.  To God be all the Glory….Praise Him, Praise Him, all of you that have breathe, Praise Him, Praise Him.

Godspeed

“My name is Legion.”  (Mark 5)

“And they found the stone rolled away.”  (Luke 24)

 

“He is a monster.”  This is a statement one, invariably, hears after someone goes on a spree kill, commits mass murder, or a serial killer is caught.  Another comment you will, invariably, hear is, “He was such a nice guy.”  A comment you usually hear from a victims family is, “She lit up the room.”

None of these comments are true and here is why.

1. There is no such things as monsters. There is only depraved humanity that seeks to destroy itself.
2.  He was not “such a nice guy,” You just did not know the real him.
3.  The victim did not “light up the whole room.”

 

Let me begin with number (3) three. The victim did not light up the whole room when she walked in. However, she did light it up for those who knew her and loved her so much.  When my wife or daughters enter a roon it lights up for me. If my wife and daughters walk into a department store they do not. Number 2.  This murder was not a nice guy. This guy put up with you as a cover to his real self. This “nice guy” viewed everyone as disposable. To this “nice guy” humans are no more than tissue paper or a menstral clothe or anything else one would cast away after it has served it’s desired purpose. Number 3. There are no such things as monster. Some might argue and suggest or object and say, “JeXXXX XAHMeX was too a monster.”  They may name any number of killers….XaXX……Let’s not name them and give them any kind of distorted or perverted glory. None of these MEN were monsters, they were merely men….humans…human beings…..J-U-S-T  L-i-k-e you….[if you know not Christ and are not a new creature in Him.]

Why are they called monsters then? As we say in wrestling, “to cause separation.” We want the killer to be different from us because if they’re different from us; we are much better. This is not true. The main difference between a killer and a non killer is the amount of time they have thought about killing and the motive and the opportunity.

Let a person’s liberty or reputation be threatened and let them run out of humane ways of dealing with this problem….many will kill. They have thought about nothing else than self and a way out and sooner or later murder will find a way into their thinking.

We see it in Scripture with King David and Bathsheba and the Chief Priests v Christ. We see it again, in the life of David, when Absolom seeks the kingdom. We see it depicted in history…Caesar and Brutus, Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. We see it in the news, when a man or woman kills their spouse or child. You see, murder finds it’s way into the thoughts of desperate, self-centered, self-seeking, self-imortant and self-loving person and then opportunity and motive will be found.

With the likes of the royalty above, they see themselves as gods and therefore, they answer to no one (in their thinking) and they can decide the fate of anyone and everyone. They will do anything to keep this god-like power, even kill their children. The,”normal persons,” however, do not see themselves as gods, though in killing, they act like one. They kill to perserve their reputations, their livelihoods, they money, their sexual life, their liberty, or for revenge. Sometimes it is due to a mental distubance but not as much as we would tell ourselves.

If we do not hear someone say, “He is a monster,” they will say, “He was sick…he must have been sick.” Sometimes a person is sick but not as often as we would like to tell ourselves. This “sick” comment is to cause separation, as well. Most of the time killers are not “sick” and they are never monsters.” They are people without Christ.

I sais many times now that killers are ot monsters because there is no such thing.  Allow me to now use a great big…..HOWEVER.

However, there are demons. Demons or devils are the minion of (s)atan….but one must make this addendum after writing the last sentence. Demons and devils may be (s)atan’s minions but (s)atan and his minions are God’s lap dogs and they must do as He commands and they can only do what He allows. It is thought by the biblical illiterate that (s) atan is equal to God in power and that they are fighting a battle over the souls of all mankind. The Biblically illiterate further believe that (s)atan is in hell right now ruling a kingdom and he is dressed in red, has horns, and carries a pitch fork.

The truth is that (s)atan and his minions are busy going “to and fro” in the heavenlies. This we learn in Job, 1 Chronicles 21, in the Gospels and in Ephesians and Revelation. (S0atan is a “free agent” working against God’s people. He does take the lost man “captive at his will” as well as weak Christ-ians.  (s)atan is running huge corporations, he works in politics, he preaches from Christ-ian pulpits, and he or his dominions possess human wills to bring about destruction in human lives.

We repeat, there are no monsters, but there are some who have been some who are being and some who will be possessed by demonic entities to cause great pain in the lives of many. There is many a crime reported that have (s)atan’s signature signed to them. Don’t get me wrong, human’s are very capable of committing horrific crimes but sometimes there are some murders performed that are certainly tainted with (s)atan’s scent or rather stentch and stink and it is not sulfur.

Therefore, stop causing separation by calling killers monsters, and be honest with yourself, these killers are human and without Christ just like so many.

In our title we asled about Super Heroes. We said, just like there are no monsters, there are no Super Heroes…………………Well, there is (1) One.

This Man has defeated every single enemy that has ever challenged Him. He has defeated every demon, devil, and their master. This Man defeated and vanguished death. He has taken all the power away from the grave. He has taken away their power and sting! This Super Hero has defeated the cause of death which is sin.  This Man has apprehended and subdues many, many, so very many men and women of this world, past, present, and future. I sayfuture because they are already defeated and do not know it yet!!! This Man has defeated and destroyed entire nations and civilization…sometimes by simply willing it and sometimes by giving a measure of His great power to a tiny army of men.

This Super Hero did not wear a letter or animal on His Chest, though He created both the Alphabet and all Creation. He is known, however, by Symbols. He is known by a Cross and by an Empty Tomb!!!  He has also been called “The Lion” and some think of Him when they see an Eagle. He is known by the greek letters for “A and Z.” He is also called, “The First and the Last.”

When he was in disguise, He was a Carpenter, and a Teacher. But when His secret Identity was revealed, He was recognized as the Christ, the Son of God!!!  However, He was recognized only by those to whom He chose to reveal Himself.

This great Hero, however, had a task that none could understand. His task was to die for all of those that did and would recognize Him. He was put on trials by wicked, envious, and frightened men. He was found to be guilty and the people, who at first, loved Him cried out for His death by Cross. After He was brutally and sadistically beaten by wicked or possessed men, he was crucified. To be crucified a mans was nailed to a cross. Large, very large nails were driven through His wrists and through His crossed feet. Those, that hated him, mocked and cried out hateful slurrs against Him.

After He was thoiught to be dead, the soldiers, stuck a large javelin into Hid right side and both blood and water fowed out. This was proff of His death. This Man, Who was thought to be  Super Hero was taken down and placed into a borrowed tomb.

There were soldiers put there to make sure no one would steal away the Body and then claim He has risen from death. For (3) three days this Man lay dead in the tomb.

HOWEVER>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On the (3rd) third day, some of His broken hearted and greatly disappointed friend , who were now hopeless, approached the tomb. To their shock and their great joy….and to their hopefilled hearts, “found the stone rolled away.” They ran and ran and ran to tell the others but the others would not believe.  Through out the morning the Risen Hero would show Himself to His disciples at different times.

It is written that over the next (40) forty day over (500) five hunded men saw Him alive!!! Our Hero would spend time with His disciples over the course of these day and would teach them of the great power that God, His Father has and that they should go into the world and tell others of Himself and His Father. Finally, as days like this must come, our Hero said goog bye for now to His firends and He flew up into Heaven where He would await the time for His great and glorious return. As His friends stood about watching (2) two angels asked them, “Why are you standing about? He will return in like fashion…go and tell others.”  And they did.

I said earlier that our Hero had no super suit. He will have one when He returns. He shall return in “the Clouds of Glory” as He sits at “the Right Hand of Power.” He will return to defeat His enemies and they will stand no chance.

I also said above that He will return someday. I meant He will return in the same Body He left in but this time it will be a Super Body. I point out the type of Body He will return in because He has, by His Holy Spirit, came to live within all that see Him as their Super Hero. When the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us, that believe, He brings an infusion of great power. He brings with Him the ability to love the Bible, love other believers, and to love Him with all that we are and with all that we have and all that we will ever be or ever had.

He grings to us the power to pray to His Father, As He lives in us He will start to develop the likeness of the Hero out of us.  We will start to be like the Super hero that Jesus Christ is. He will bring to us the divine nature of the Super Hero and we will be given all blessings that allow us to live right while we await His Glorious return.

 

The above may sound a bit like it was written for a child and maybe it was. This can be shares with kids.

“And They found the Stone Rolled Away.” (Luke 24)

“My name is Legion.” (Mark 5)

 

If you are asking yourself, “Didn’t he just do an article on this?” The answer is, “Yes, we did.”  If you are asking yourself, “Why is he doing another?” I would make (2) two remarks. 1. Congratulations on noting this and 2. I am doing another article similar to a previous article because so few, as far as I can tell, read my articles. However, this does not discourage me as I write these for the few that take the time to read them and if God Alone read these I would be honoured beyond words and He does, in fact, read them!!!!! Another comment: someday when these humble articles are in a book, those who take the time out of their days to spend time with me will be able to tell others that. Those who could not take time out of their day to spend time with me will not.  I mean that very seriously.

Those who spend time with me benefit for this and those who do not, do not.  Have you ever wondered why you do not grow in the Spirit?  It is because you do nothing to do so.  Very few of you attend church on a regular basis nor do you spend time with God in His Word, nor do you spend time with men like me! If this sounds arrogant? If so, it is because you do not spend time with men like me or read your Bibles or attend church and neither do you pray!!!

How do I know these things? 1. I talk to people all the time and I mean all the time: I ask them, “What church do you go to?” They, invariably, say, “In the city” or “I do not attend regularly.” When I push and I do push and ask them,  “what city church do you attend?” they cannot give me a name nor can they name their pastor.” They can, however, tell me every player on their favorite ball team or favorite Sunday night television program.  If I ask them their favorite Bible book or Bible verse they will answer, “John 3:16.” Naming John 3:16 as a favorite Bible verse is like asking a person their favorite pro wrester in the 80’s, they will always say, “Hulk Hogan,” Everyone knew Hulk Hogan and when they answered Hogan you knew they weren’t fans.  To answer Michael Jordan as one’s favorite ball player in the 90’s meant the same thing.

Another way we can tell about a person’s Sunday activities is they rarely speak Scripture or that Sunday’s message. They will complain about Christ-ianity or they will gripe about legalism. To be fair, though, I know some believers that do not attend regulary but will spend hours with me and talk Scripture. These will discuss Scripture with great depth and sincerity. They can speak about Christ with tremendous knowledge. In fact, they can light my soul unlike many a preacher!!! I’ll speak this about these persons and about these persons alone: These persons would attend services, however, they truly are pinned to the mat with very real reponsibilities.

After spending hours with these persons, they are so thankful. They act like I was a doctor  who made a house call and saved their child’s life.  It is obvious that they recognize how much they have benefitted by spending time with the Word and a man of God. I, on the other hand, drive home in a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude. I spend my time praising God for the hunger of SOME of His people. I realize that the time spent with these believers was as much for me as it was for them….I now will pause and weep with thanksgiving and praise…for God knows the needs of His people.

The people of God share such a unity that it is impossible for others to know or imagine.  Others attemt to imagine as so many organizations brag about how much a “family” they are. I remember once stopping my boss during a company meeting and correcting him on this very topic. ” We said to this boss, “Sir, with all due respect (I had very litte), We are not a family. We are simply a group of individuals that work together. Families do not fire each other or speak ill of each other behind one another’s back.” That was the day the boss decided to terminate me or rather eliminate my position months later. He was also very offended when he walked past my desk and found his Reformed preacher grandfather’s Bible standing prominately for all to see. He had just thrown it out and one of the crews, that I supervised, brought it to me as they knew it was wrong and I would want it….I have worked with some very good men; men that have all heard the Gospel. My boss, as I said, was very offended and probably embarrassed as he recognized a rebuke when he felt it and he recognized all the room was aware. He never said a word…to me…until he “eliminated my position.”  I was told by a” source” weeks later that the boos (not a misspelling) admitted to his great dislike of me and that was why I was no longe there.

Would you like another boos story? I have noticed that we have drifted from our title but God will do this sometimes…I have learned long ago to roll with it and I have never been sorry. One must go where He leads.

One men I worked for was a very, very militant atheism  I did not know this when I had put a tract in his work mailbox. After reading this, as I have been told by another “source,” this boos had a great big fit. He called in the upper management ( I was middle) and demanded to know who is putting this “feces” in mail boxes (plural). My supervisors and good friends gave me up immediatley and they were good friends because they wanted to see this little tiny, loud mouthed boos confront me in the next company meeting. This tiny little man went on a tirade after my friends gave me up. He said, “I want to talk with B.K. and I am going to tear his “backside” up.” He then went on to attack the Lord Jesus with very blaspemous words. We will not repeat them. My friends and the rest present, however, removed themselves from his vicinity as they feard lighting to fall upon the tiny man at any second. Lightning would fall but not in the form they expected. Any way, after they began to talk about my fate and how the tiny man was going to humilate me in front of everyone, my friends and supervisors began to laugh in a very expressive manner. The little, tiny man asked why they laughed. They responded, Yeah, you should do that and do it in front of every one. B.K. will destroy you!!! After I was informed of this, I simply placed another “tract” in his mailbox…. from a lawyer; this one educated him on my rights to give tracts and they invited him to stop the Gospel.

I said, cryptically, above, that “lightnng did strike” but not in the form they expected.

When I right this next paragraph please undertstand  1. I am not bragging or boasting.  2. I am bragging and boasting.

Each of the companies that have placed a stumbling block before the Gospel, in the form of attempting to stop us (I do not use the word, persecute) have all closed down and have been purchased by the companies that allowed the Gospel It’s freedom. Those that allowed me evangelistic freedom are all still in business and are thriving. Many of the men that crossed the Gospel have suffered great loss in their lives, whether it be family or physical. To this I do not glory. I do, however, praise God that has promised to avenge His elect quickly.

I said, “I am not bragging or boasting” and I’m not. I believe this happens very often to companies and their leaders but other explanations are given for their demise. What I am saying is that I am not special in this anymore than any of God’s beloved. However, I am special as I am one of God’s beloved. I also said, above that I am bragging and boasting and I am. I brag and boast upon my God and His great faithfulness and the way He always demonstrates His Presence in my life. I brag and boast upon my God as He always keeps His word to the lowliest of His new Creation.

There are other ways I have seen God work but if I reported those I would lose my credibility. How sad it is that I, as a man of God, can not share with you the ways God has shown Himself Present and Faithful. I cannot share them because you would not believe. This is to your shame and not mine. You would not believe because you may not have experienced God in this way and that is to your shame also. I have enjoyed demonic activities that I dare not share as, again my credibility would be lost…again, this is to your spiritual shame. I know of other men and women that have experienced demonic activities but they will not share them with many. This is to the shame of all.

This is the shame of all because Christ-ianity has lost it’s mystical aspect. To speak of miracles, angelic visits, or demonic activities or attacks is to be thought as “crazy” talk….by other believers!!! My brother has brought up the subject of Genesis 6 and some have thought that he is going a little over the top. The fact is these “some” haven’t even begun to explore the mystical side of our faith.

Our enemies on the other hand will give touring lectures and pronounce the Crucifixtion as cruci-fiction. They will say such things as:

1. Christ never died on the Cross, but was brought down and given medical aid. He lived on and had a family.

2. Christ was never crucified, it was a look alike.

3. Christ was buried in a shallow grave and dogs ate His Body.

4. Jesus Christ never existed.

5. His disciples stole His Body.

6. ETC. ETC. ETC…………………………………….

These bogus explanations are happilyaccepted and believed by the militant atheists of our day. They have all been debunked even though they need no debunking. These lies and discredited, out of hand, theories sound like someone is trying to sound ridiculous, yet they are accepted by the atheist, “hook, line and sinker.”

The above is to our shame. The atheists will accept ridiculous lies and fabrications at first glance. However, we “believers” that have a God-Inspired Book are not as willing to accept the truths right out of God’s Mouth. Q. Does the Book speak of miracles?  A. Yep!   Q. Does the Book speak of Angel intervention?  A. Yep!   Q. Does the Book speak about demonic activity and attacks in the life of believers?  A. Yep!   Q. Do All “Bible-believers” believe these Bible Facts?   A. Nope!  This is to our shame.  The atheists have more faith in their baseless lies than we do in our God-breatherd Bible that proves itself daily.

What have we learned or what have we attempted to teach in this biting article?

1. We must be willing to roll with God and to follow where He leads. This was seen in the change of article topic.
2. You may think you work for a company and a man, but you, in fact, work for God. you must be faithful to God above any flesh or business. This is easily said, I know, but if lived, God will certainly honour. In my flesh I was nervous when we stood up to man for God, but in the spirit, after “stepping into the Red Sea,” we were fearless and each time we stood, He stood with us and it got easier and easier.  My brother, My Sister, You work, single-mindedly, for God and He has appointed a man to supervise your daily activity, but this person, also, works for God whether s/he knows it or not. As We wrote above, if this person stands in the way of the Gospel, this person will be fired.
3.  If you are not taking advantage of these articles or other sound article you are greatly missing out and you are telling God, “I have more important things to do.”
4. If you are not attending Church…..You know.
5. If you are not spending time with God in His Word….You know.

Readers, you are not here to work for flesh. You are not here to make money for someone else. You are not here to “Make a living.” You are not hear to fret for your job(s). Readers, Hear me loud and clear, You are to do the above while you are living for and serving God!!! The above are only the places where you do it. But these are also the places and these are also the persons you are meant to share God with. In other words, “If you work at X-Mart, you are working for God at X-Mart.”  If you are working for a Fortune 500 company and making big money, you are working for God at that company and you are there to make big money while sharing Christ!!!!

In closing, Readers, If you are missing out on the things of God, it is to your shame and you are at fault!!!  Open the Bible and read, Go to church and worship and be fed by the Word and the Fellowship. Read good materials that keep you on track and maybe most importantly, PRAY!!! but you must know to Whom you pray and the way to know Him is by the above means.

“…[F]or the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb to the day of his death.”                                                                                                                                       (Judges 13:7 b.)

 

Samson is one of my favorites from the Old Testament Record.  Please note that We called it an Old Testament record and not a story. Also note we did not say Samson was one of our favourite characters. The events in Scripture are not stories and the persons in Scripture are not characters. I am concerned when someone calls these events stories and these real people characters. My reason? The sub-conscience hears story and thinks fiction and the sub-conscience hears characters and may think cartoon or fictional character. Sherlock Holmes may seem more real than Christ because they are both called characters. The enemy is subtle. He begins with kids and cartoons.

Years ago there was a program called “Bear in the Big Blue House.”  In one episode there are (2) two chipmunks that go to find acorns. One is lazy and procures little but the other works hard and brings in a great many acorns. The Big Pinko Bear comes along and tells the hard worker that he should “Share” with the lazy chipmunk. If the hard working chipmunk shared on his own that would be fine, but since the pinko Bear “shared” for him it is communism. Our enemy is subtle and he strikes the young.  Dora the explorer, in my opinion, is meant to desensitize the younger generation into amnesty for illegal aliens. Our enemy is subtle.

On to Samson, our subject.

I said in the title that he was a Christ figure that has gone rogue. There are many similarities between our Sinless Master and the sinful judge.

1. Both Samson and our Lord had their births announced by an angel of the LORD.
2. Both Samson and our Lord had many trials.
3. Both had dangerous enemies.
4. Both fought a lion, Samson a literal lion and our Master defeated the lion that is our sworn enemy.
5. Both had a mission, Samson was to “BEGIN” to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines and The Lord Jesus would deliver His elect from THE Philistine.
6. Both died in order to defeat the enemy. Whereas Christ was fully successful, Samson was partly successful as he killed only the Philistines in attendance to his humiliation.
7. Both died in the shape of a cross. Christ upon the literal splintery cross and Samson in the form of a cross between (2) two pillars.
8. Christ rose on the (3rd) day and Samson woke up in Paradise awaiting deliverance from the One he foreshadowed.
9. Both were betrayed by a “friend.”

That which sets Samson apart was the Nazarite vow. In this vow he was not to ingest any grape products, he was to touch no dead anything, and he was to never have a razor shave the hair from his head. This law is found in Numbers chapter (6) six. The vow was very strict. In fact, if one of his family members were to die during the Nazarite vow the one that vowed must not defile himself by being near his lost loved one. The Nazarite vow was normally taken voluntarily and for a time but in Samson’s case he was brought to this vow before he was even concieved and it would be for life!!! The Angel of the LORD charged Samson’s mother not to ingest any grape product.

The thing with Samson, however, is…….he broke every single tenant of his…..was it his vow? In truth Samson was chosen by God to again, begin the deliverence.

Samson had a wife that betrayed him and was given to another by her father. But he had another “fairer” daughter. Samson would pass on that offer and he set their crop to fire by (300) three hundred fiery foxes. Later he would meet Delilah but in the mean time….

“….Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her”…a dead thing.

After that he met Delilah ….”in the valley.”

The lords of the philistines came to her and told her they would give her riches if she told them the secret to Samsons strength. Delilah was worse than the first wife, atlest the first wife betrayed him out of fear for the death of her family, but Delilah will betray him out of greed!!! Delilah will ask him over and over the secret to his strength and he would fib over and over. But finally, he shared the secret and the lord of the Philistines fell upon him and took him.

Ultimately, the Philistines would put him on parade for the purpose of humiliating him, just as the One would be that he foreshadowed many years later.

As Samson was on public display his hair began to grow and he “called to the LORD, and said, O Lord God,remember me. I pray you, and strengthen me, I pray you, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my (2) two eyes.” Samson then took hold of the middle pillars and pushed them with all his might and all the dirty  Philistines in attendance died. He killed more that day than he had in all the days prior.

However, we are troubled by the words, “with all his might” and  that “I may be at once avenged of the Philistines.” All the great feats of strength came as, “the Spirit of the LORD came upon him,” but in the case of the pillars it is NOT written that the Spirit of the LORD came upon him. Did he pull this off in the flesh?  The power couldn’t have been the source of his strength…it was the relationship to God that gave him his great strength.

Also, he wanted to be avenged, but it was God’s reputation on the line. It was God vs. (d)agon. For the dirty Philistines praised their god, (d)agon, for delivering Samson, their enemy, into their hands. This would not do. Therefore, Samson killed all in attendance that came to worship (d)agon and to laugh at him. This reminds me of another spectacle…

In the book of Job we get an” inside the veil” look at how things work around here. Job would suffer the unimaginable for the purpose of testing his faith and love for God. Could this “inside the veil”  be another of (s)atan’s challenges?  If so, it would go like this: Leave Samson all alone…no Spirit of the Lord to come upon him and see what he will do. Samson does right. Samson calls upon his God-given faith to kill the (d)agon worshipers.

With all reverance to God, Samson seems to be a first draft or dry run of Christ in the hands of a hate-filled humanity. The Word of God was given a view of His upcoming incarnation.

O’ God, My God, if I have written something that is offensive to you, my God, I ask for your forgiveness But this is my understanding of the recorded events concerning Samson. If I am wrong please tell me.

Why did God stand by Samson when he was breaking the Nazarite vows?  To answer that question we need to visit Zechariah and Elisabeth. Zechariah prayed and asked God for a child. God answered his prayer with the news that he and his wife would have a child. But Zechariah doubted and he was struck dumb by the angel…he could not talk until the baby was delivered.

Methinks that the answer is in the asking. Samson did not ask to be a Nazarite, therefore God “winked” at his indisgressions. Zechariah asked but doubted and he was struck dumb.

Does this make sence? I hope so.

 

 

 

 

 

“Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called….” (Romans 8:30 a.)

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”  (Matthew 22:14)

 

 

 

There are several types of callings that come from God.  1. God calls powerful persons to do what only they can do. This type of calling can be seen many times in the Old Testament. God raised up or called various kings to bring about His will. These kings were the only ones that could do what they could. This is not say that God needed them for God is Self sustainable. However, since God has chosen to use man to bring about His will on earth these kings were used. Often times God would then punish these kings for what they did. God would use these pagan kings to cause the Israelites to cry out to God. Once the Israelites called out to God, God would deliver them and then punish the kings that brought about His will…..This is the God of the Bible.

2. In our lives, God calls others -saved or unsaved- to help us or to train us.  In Paul’s ministry and life he was helped by the unsaved Ephesian Counsel. Many of those around us are called and used of God to help train our longsuffering, patience, and forbearance.

3. From our quoted texts, we see that God calls many but few are chosen.  This means that many sinners are called by the outward call to repent and believe by God’s ministers and this call is true, honest and authentic. The call is to Whosoever. However, like Christ’s call to “Jerusalem, Jerusalem” they will not heed the call.

4. Also from our quoted texts, “few are chosen.”  The chosen; the elect will hear the call and they will answer it. They will answer it as there is a familiar and familial sound to it. The Shepherd’s voice and call is very recognizable. In fact, the sheep will not hearken to any other voice. This God-call is an inward and irresistable call. The inward call has a stronger pull than the outward.

An analogy: For a relationship between a man and a woman to be successful there must be more to it than physical attraction. There must be something more…something inside that attracts or calls to the other. There must be something inner about the woman that calls to the man and there must be something inner that calls to the woman. The strings draw from the inside, if you will.

The Call to Salvation is a call from Eternity. The Call to Salvation is the Most Personal of Any and All Calls. The Call to Salvation is the Call to Repentance and Submission. The Call to Salvation is the Call to Righteousness and Holiness. The Call to Salvation is the Call to Destiny. The Call to Salvation is the call from Love, Grace, and Mercy. The Call of Salvation is the Call to Hope. The Call of Salvation is the Call to Live under God’s Fatherhood, to walk with Christ and to be inhabited by the Holy Spirit of God in Christ.

5. The call to ministry: At the time of your call to Salvation you were also called to a specific ministry(ies). We were called to preach and to teach. Along with this calling and gifting came the gifts of discernment and counseling. The callings and giftings of God is without recall. The call and gift is forever. The gifting will be somewhat obvious. We say somewhat because others may see it plain as day but you may not. (1) One of the things you must never do with your calling is to “act” modestly.  You must not ever “aw shucks” your calling and gifting, for it will greatly offend the One Who has called you unto Himself and has chosen a certain gift, a particular gift and this certain and particular gift was and is for you and you alone.  If someone says to you and someone will say to you, “You are very good at what you do” simply say, “Thank you, my gifting is of God and I am nothing without Him. ”  If someone says, “You are the best at what you do,” see last sentence. If someone says, “I like you better than pastor X” Stop and reprove that person, for ministry is not a contest. The (1st) first (2) two glorifies God and keeps us humble and it also shows that humble-ness

6.  A calling and a filling: A minister may be called to a very certain task and with this call comes an increase in faith, and the ability to do what God wants done. This is being filled with the Spirit or being baptized in the Spirit. This is a sacred call as is our call to salvation. This calling is a calling to a certain Christ-ian. As far as God is concerned, this Christ-ian is the only Christian that can get His Will done. An example would be Samson. Samson was not meant to deliver the Israelites out of captivity. Samson’s call was to “begin” the deliverance and not to fully deliver the Israelites from their captivity.

7. Therefore, there is the calling to salvation; there is the calling to a particular ministry or service; There is the calling and filling for a certain God-ward purpose; There is the outward call to “Whomsoever will” and there is the call of persons, kings, queens, princes, princessess and politicians and authorities to do what only, they in their position, can do.

 

Finally, one last word: No person can “volunteer” [Volunteering is legalist talk] themselves for a calling. No one can force a calling or a gifting and be successful. We know a man that tried to force his way into the preaching gift. This man would preach but it was dead air.  This man did not give a message but instead he gave a lecture in the flesh. This man is a courageous Christ-ian. This man loves God and is loved by God. This man has done what others would not or could not. This man is refined gold. Preaching was not his calling. He forced it, but was not “at home” with the gift. He is now “in his element” and he is happy and others have benefitted greatly from his happiness and Joy.