It Will Surely Come

January 17, 2008 / Tim A. / 1 Comment

IT WILL SURELY COME

Habakkuk 2:1-4

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3 (KJV).

The verses of chapter one 12-17 are the comments of the prophet to the Lord. He seems to be recognizing God’s sovereign power, and that God can use the enemy to chastise and correct His children.

In chapter 2:1-4 the prophet is a watchman, but in this situation he is “watching” for an answer from the LORD. The prophet seems to be set on waiting for an answer. He is intent on getting an answer. The words “stand” and “set” imply that he will wait until an answer is given. Habakkuk is definitely exhibiting faith in God coming through with this act.

Strong’s word for “Set” Heb. 3320 yaw-tsab’ = ‘to place (anything so as to stay)’. Also the word “Stand” – Strong’s 5975 Aw-mad’ = to stand in various relations, abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish…. Standfast.”. Habakkuk was set to stand until he received an answer from God; as to how long it would be, when it would come to pass.

In verse two the LORD does answer and confirms His message to the prophet. Habakkuk receives the message to “Write the vision…”. The vision of judgment upon the nation of Israel to continue until God’s work is finished, and the vision of God’s judgment on the instruments of God’s judgment of His people.

He was to write it and make it “Plain…” so that it could be read easily and understood by all who passed by. The message of God’s Word should be made where a child can understand. Some preachers use such elevated vocabulary that they cannot be understood by even a college or university graduate. If you must use a word that is of questionable understanding explain its meaning.

God speaking to Hosea the prophet said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6). Could that be so today because, God’s Word is not presented by the preachers in an understandable vocabulary?

Verse three tells the prophet that the vision God has given has an appointed time. It may seem as though it is being delayed, but it has a time of its own – by God. When its time comes it will not delay. It will not ‘tarry’. When God’s time for carrying out His promises come; they will be fulfilled, and to the letter. There are many who because, the rapture of the Church, or the glorious appearing of our Savior has not occurred yet think it is not literal, or that it has already happened. It will happen – in God’s time (His appointed time), and it has not happened yet. It will, and will not tarry. This is just as a means of illustrating, but it does make the point – God’s Word will be fulfilled completely.

Verse four provides a word of ‘faith’. The one who is lifted up in pride in themselves is one who will not be edified in the LORD.

“The just shall live by his faith” and in Romans 1:17. One’s faith is God cast out and cast off all arrogance and pride which exalts itself against God. When pride is there; there is no faith. It is said that this is one verse which God used to open the eyes of Martin Luther, led him to faith in Jesus Christ, and delivered him from the bondage of the Roman religion.

When God’s Word is at work in your life your faith will grow, Jesus will be glorified, and you will be satisfied in Him.

When was the last time we stayed put, set or stood pat until we received an answer from God for something which troubled us? If it is something God wants us to know He will answer. God’s Word will be fulfilled just as He has said, and when it is time it will not tarry. It will move very quickly. IT WILL SURELY COME.

The Soul Seeks for God

January 16, 2008 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

THE SOUL SEEKS FOR GOD

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6

Jesus said, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Mark 12:29-30

Oliver B. Greene once said, “Man could not have written this book (speaking of the Bible) even if he would have wanted to; and he would not have written it even if he could have.”

Likewise God is not the creation of man.

Man does, however, create his gods. Men make their gods after their own imaginations. The gods of men are non-restraining, non-threatening, require nothing of their creators. They have eyes, but cannot see; ears but cannot hear; feet, but cannot walk. They that make them are like unto them. If there is no other reason for not making a graven image, that seems sufficient for me. I want to be like the Creator, not these flimsy, wimpy, panty waist gods, who cannot know today from the future, and who has no power over the affairs of men.

THERE IS NO IMAGE OF GOD – EXCEPT MAN.

NOTE: To make an image for worship is to lower ourselves. “They that make them are like unto them; so is everyone that trusteth in them” (Psalm 115:8).

The “Zodiak” are images in the stars. The images of “Terot” cards. Some worship men, including themselves.

THERE IS A DESIRE IN MAN TO WORSHIP. We must worship something, someone. Even an atheist worships – either herself/himself, education, academia, government, science or something. Wherever your heart is, there is what you worship.

Go to any continent, nation, city, or tribe and you will find worshipping people. In some places you will find people who worship the sun, moon, stars, and or planets. In other places people who worship the elements – water, wind, fire. There are many, probably on every continent who worship the dead through “seances” “necromancy” – wanting to know the future. In many places, and probably on every continent, there are those who worship God in Spirit and Truth.

God has placed this place in mankind’s hearts. Without God our lives are empty and without purpose. God has put “eternity in man’s heart” so that the things of this world can never satisfy (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV, NIV).

Humans can search the world over for significance, peace, and for something worthy of their worship, but they will find none of those until they come to God by His Son Jesus Christ.

WORSHIPPING ANOTHER AND LESSER BEING. In God’s laws this is forbidden for the people of God.

Why does God forbid worshipping others? First of all, He says, “I am a jealous God”. He alone is responsible for our existence and sustenance. He is the One who has done everything to bring us to Himself. He is protective, loves us and desires that we be love Him. Secondly, He knows that whatever we worship is what we become in likeness. The Psalmist expresses this sentiment in Psalms 115, and 135. If we worship an impersonal idol with no restraints we will live with no restraints. The third reason is that He created us to worship Him, and to love Him and glorify Him.

When human beings devote themselves to another god they rob themselves of God’s glory.

To worship another is to add another burden to life. Idols have to be carried (Isaiah 46:1-2). I prefer the God who carries me.

WORSHIPPING ANOTHER AND LESSER BEING will not bring you peace, joy, fulfillment in worship, and will leave you condemned, and yet; in the end God will be glorified.

THE IMAGE THAT SEPARATES FROM GOD. “Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’ name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.” (2 Kings 18:4). It is obvious in looking at the totality of Scripture that images do not necessarily break the commandment. In Numbers God tells Moses to build a bronze serpent on a pole for the people to “look upon” – an act of obedience and faith in God (NUM.21:7-9). It is when the heart turns to that image and away from God and obedience to Him that is forbidden – to make the image an object of worship. In 2 Kings 18:4 the image of the bronze serpent on a pole is destroyed and called nothing but brass (“Nehushtan”= “That bronze thing”). King Hezekiah was angry with the people who worshipped this thing that had been a means of expressing faith in God.

Anything, from a “serpent on a pole” to a church building can become an idol. If it does it should be destroyed – at least in the heart of the one who worships it. Any object that is purposely built by another culture as an object of worship should be forbidden in our homes. To worship anything, but God is to worship demons; “What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” (1 Corinthians 10:19-22).

What is THE IMAGE THAT SEPARATES FROM GOD? Anything or anyone that takes your heart and soul away from devotion to God and seeking Him.

THERE IS NO IMAGE OF GOD EXCEPT HUMANKIND. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:3-9. Though that image has been marred by sin, it is fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

Man is the only part of God’s creation of which God has said is made in His image and after His likeness. Remember, everytime you look at another human being you are looking at the image of God. Though this image is darkened by sin; there is light for thier soul. To murder the unborn in the womb is to murder the image of God. To curse another human being is to curse the image of God. To lie about another is to lie about the image of God.

IN SUMMARY –

I. DIRECT YOUR DESIRE FOR PEACE, SHELTER, GLORY AND WORSHIP TO THE ONE WHO IS WORTHY.

II. TO WORSHIP ANY OTHER IS TO LOWER YOURSELF TO THAT IMAGE, AND BECOME LIKE IT – WORSHIP GOD.

III. WORSHIP THE GOD OF CREATION, AND NOT THE CREATION.

IV. YOU ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD;

It has been marred by sin, but you can offer true worship to God through Jesus Christ – He is the image of God unmarred by sin.

Admit you have sinned, confess your sin and trust in Jesus who fulfilled all the law by meeting the demands of the law by His death on the cross, by His burial; carrying all our sins away, and by His resurrection.

God of Purer Eyes

January 12, 2008 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

GOD OF PURER EYES

Habakkuk 1:12-17

“Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.” v. 12 (KJV).

Habakkuk seems to begin to understand the immutable [unchanging] character of God. He even refers to Him as ‘mine Holy One. He realizes that God is definitely going to use these godless people, the Chaldeans to judge His own sinful people. The judgment of God, must begin at the house of God; “Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.” Ezekiel 9:6 (KJV). NOTE: “and begin at my sanctuary”. In the New Testament Peter says something very similar, and may have had this verse in mind, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17 (KJV).

The prophet realizes that God is not going to completely destroy Judah, but, he still has questions. Judah will be corrected, and made right with God through the process of cleansing of the fire.

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?” v. 13 (KJV).

Habakkuk also begins to see that God is pure, and recognizes this in Him when he says, “Thou are of purer eyes than to behold evil…”. This is a correct observation of the prophet. It seems, though, that the question is still lingering in his mind. How can God use this wicked people, when He is of purer eyes than to look on iniquity, to judge the people whom He has chosen?

Is the prophet wanting God to judge the sins of Judah? That is my question. If God is of purer eyes than to look on sins of people, surely it must begin with those who are His own. Another question I must ask is, ‘If God does not judge the sins of those who are His, how can He justly judge the sins of those who are wicked?’ In all fairness He cannot. Since the Holy One [using Habakkuk’s words for God] cannot look on sin, because He is of purer eyes, than to do so, He must judge His people’s sins. Especially, when they defiantly wear His name and practice the evil of their hearts.

Maybe Habakkuk is realizing that God is going to have His way in the hearts of His people, and in the hearts of the Chaldeans, as well. It is not God’s plan to wipeout His people, but to cleanse them. However, He will judge, later, those who mistreat His people, and He will do it with vengeance. Woe be to the man, or nation who mistreats the child of God, or the people of God.

For verses 14-17 the MacArthur Study Bible note says, “Lest God had forgotten just how wicked the Chaldeans were, Habakkuk drew attention to their evil character and behavior. Life was cheap to the Chaldeans. In the face of their ruthless tactics of war, other societies were ‘like fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler over them.’ In light of their reputation (vv. 6-10), how could God have unleashed this ruthless force upon another helpless people?” (NKJV version pg.1319).

“And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?” vv. 14-17 KJV).

In looking at the context of verses 14-17 it seems that these, “…wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he” Habakkuk 1:13 (KJV) and, verse 15 would go together. The Babylonian/Chaldeans only see other people and nations as “fish to catch”, a prey to kill. Because they so overwhelm their prey they believe their gods are the ones to worship. This should cause us, I am sure it did the prophet Habakkuk, to realize they have brought shame to the name of GOD.

The prophet sees the people of God, though, defiled by sin, living in sin, and rebellious to God; as being the more righteous (v. 13). He sees the nations, including Judah, as being seen by them like ‘fish of the sea’, and all they [the Chaldeans] have to do is drop a hook or a net and pull them in.

Habakkuk has acknowledged in verse twelve that he realizes that the coming of the Chaldeans is the judgment of God upon an unholy people of Judah; who have forsaken the Lord their God, and worshipping empty vessels.

Sometimes it does seem that trouble just abounds, and comes to us like an enemy taking us like fish from the sea. Like the prophet, though, we can turn to our GOD and trust Him with the questions we may ask. When our faith is in Him, they are not questions of accusation, but, rather questions for faith learning and growing.

A Heart of Devotion

January 8, 2008 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

The following article is a continuation of the study began last week. Whether we admit it or not we are not free to violate the Law of God as born again believers. We do however have the freedom in Christ Jesus to do as He did, and that was fulfill it through Him.

A REQUIRED HEART OF DEVOTION

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Ex 20:1-3 (KJV)

How does the Ten Commandments, the New Testament and modern man fit together? Does modern man fit with the ten commandments at all? In some people’s minds we live in a civilized society that is better than any need for these “archaic” laws. Do these Commandments fit with the New Testament? Let’s see what Jesus said.

Jesus puts them into just two commandments; 1) Our relationship with God, and 2) Our relationship with our fellowman. “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31 (KJV). The apostle Paul teaches that the law is a “School master” to bring us to Jesus, “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:21-26 (KJV)“.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law according to Romans 10:4. Since Jesus Christ fulfilled the law is it ended? No man except Jesus obeyed the law, but in Christ all can be saved.

If we are “free from the law” does that mean we can break the Ten Commandments? Jesus answers that in the gospel of Matthew “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 5:17-20 (KJV)“.

These commandments show us that we are always coming short of the glory of God. Complete obedience to these laws is required if one is to get into fellowship with holy God. Where does modern man fit into this?

It is quite apparent that much of modern man cares nothing for the law of God, and since caring nothing for the law of God, cares even less for the laws of men. With church burnings, vandalisms, and thefts of church property that shows there is no fear of God in the heart. With the lack of honor toward parents, teachers, and authority of any kind, and an increase in murders, adultery, stealing, lying, and desiring others property so badly they would do “anything” to get it shows there is no respect for our fellowman, or the things of our fellowman.

Seeing the above things, let’s look at this first commandment.

I. GOD IS GOD WHO SPEAKS – HE EXPECTS US TO HEAR.

Because He is the promise keeping God He is worthy of our obedience and trust. He speaks words of life. We are to have no other gods in our life at all. In truth there really are no other gods. Only One.

He speaks words of prevention and protection. Preventative maintenance on an automobile, or any mechanical thing; when it is needed; can prevent unexpected breakdown. God’s laws are prevention from breakdown – sin – when obeyed.

The modern individual would do well to hear the law of God, realize it is hopeless for salvation, then turn to the Holy One – Jesus Christ – and trust Him and His finished work of the cross for salvation.

II. GOD IS GOD WHO LEADS – HE EXPECTS US TO FOLLOW.

Israel had to follow God’s leadership out of Egypt. God not lonly led them out, but He led them out with much bounty from the people of Egypt. They came to the Israelites begging them and paying them to leave.

When you follow God’s leadership you will prosper, though it may not always be with material possessions.

When we follow His leadership He does give all spiritual blessings in Christ (Read Ephesians 1).

III. GOD IS GOD WHO DELIVERS – HE EXPECTS US TO TRUST HIM.

To trust is to place the utmost confidence in something or someone. Trust can be established by words and actions being complimentary of the other. It is also established by a proven record of reliability. God certainly has a proven record of reliability.

God’s words and actions are one, and the same. What ever God says He will do He does. All that is was established by His Word.

You can trust Him concerning salvation. You can trust Him concerning your health. You can trust Him concerning your material needs. You can trust Him with all your worries and fears. He has it all well in hand.

IV. GOD IS GOD WHO DESERVES WORSHIP – WORSHIP HIM AND NO OTHER.

If you worship many gods you do not worship the one true God. To worship is to give complete devotion and allegiance to that one, and no other. There is no room around God’s throne for the worship of more than Him. A man cannot love his wife as “Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for her” (Eph. 5:23), if he has other women in his heart and life – he, in fact, is of a divided heart, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8. Someone “double-minded” is in fact committing an act of adultery, by having divided loyalties. The Lord likens a divided heart to Him as adultery. That is what the nation of Israel, in fact, was charged with by God through the prophet Hosea.

In Jesus’s temptation satan tempted Jesus to worship, but Jesus refused, saying, “Get thee hence satan: for it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). Satan was actually tempting Jesus to commit an act of adultery against God. Adultery is actually an act of betrayal; the giving of something you have, but do not own, to another. Worship belongs solely to God, and no other. Worship belongs to God. To give it to anyone other than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is an act of spiritual adultery, and far more damaging than the physical act of adultery. No one who is truly worshipping God would commit the physical act of adultery.

To worship God is to be wholly devoted, and committed to Him alone.

V. GOD IS GOD OF GLORY – BE LIKE HIM.

“Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead. For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:9-13.Moses spent time in the presence of God and his face radiated with the glory of God when he came out before the people (Exodus 34:29-35). He covered his face with a veil because it frightened the people. He also covered it so they could not see the glory fading; “And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:” 2 Cor. 2:13. The law was a frightening and condemning thing. It also would be fulfilled and lose its effect of condemnation and guilt by the precious blood of Jesus; whose blood, the blood sacrifices of the law represented.

The glory of God is His Son Jesus Christ. By faith in Him we rightly worship only one God. By that faith we are free from the fear, condemnation, and guilt of the law. By that faith we radiate the glory of God without a veil.

In conclusion, THE PEOPLE OF GOD MUST SET THE STANDARD AND LISTEN TO GOD WHEN HE SPEAKS. Secondly, WE MUST FOLLOW HIM WHEREVER HE MAY LEAD – it is better to be in a pit in the will of God, than in a mansion out of God’s will. Another thing, YOU CAN TRUST GOD TO DELIVER, but it may not always be like you think it should be. A fourth thing, WE MUST WORSHIP GOD ALONE – HE IS WORTHY, and there is no other. Finally, WE RADIATE HIS GLORY BY BEING LIKE HIM; He is holy, righteous, pure, and He tells us to be holy. “Be ye holy, for I am holy…”

In this way we show the HEART OF DEVOTION

The King…and His Coming

November 30, 2007December 8, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

The King, Persecution, and His Coming

“And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” Matthew 10:21-23 (KJV)

These verses seem to allude to an eschatological meaning. Especially with the last part of the twenty third verse saying, “till the Son of man be come”. He is the one saying it, so must surely be speaking of His “coming again”, because while He speaks it His presence is without question. So in these times called the “latter times” or “Last days” we again must be diligent, and vigilant about living the gospel and proclaiming the gospel in our everyday lives.

When brothers, fathers, parents turn against us and our faith in Christ we must remain firm in Christ. It is hard to imagine but there are many stories of individuals who have been saved out of Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam, only to be shunned by their family, lose their jobs, even stoned by family members. This form of persecution is happening today in many parts of the world. A Christian brother by the name of Salim suffered rejection from his family after he received Jesus Christ as his savior, and he and his wife have been persecuted by beatings. Family members turning against their child because they have chosen to love Jesus.

MacArthur Study Bible on:

“24:13 endure to the end…be saved. Cf. 10:22. The ones who persevere are the same ones who are saved –not the ones whose love grows cold (v. 12). This does not suggest that our perseverance secures our salvation. Scripture everywhere teaches precisely the opposite: God, as part of His saving work, secures our perseverance. True believers are “are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation” (1 Peter 1:5)”

We have tended to get a little ahead of ourselves in some missions causes. We are sending missionaries to hostile lands, and I am not persuaded that that is a good policy. We have Jesus telling us, “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye to another.” I am not certain that my thinking is correct on this, but when we send missionaries into a hostile environment we are violating their laws; and just what does that say to the leaders of that Country? This is something Missions Boards and agencies need to be in earnest prayer about, and the lives of those that we send. Is there an open door if we enter it when they are hostile to what we are proclaiming? Is God really leading us to a place where the message of Christ is not welcomed? That seems to be what Jesus is referring to earlier (Matthew 7:6) about casting pearls before swine, and giving what is holy to dogs.

This calling of being a missionary to go into foreign lands requires much prayer, discernment, dedication and diligence to follow God’s direction. Though this does seem to be linked to the latter days, and the time near the second coming of the Lord Jesus, it is practical advice for the Christian disciple today as well. The time of His coming is near; nearer than ever before. No call to follow Jesus as a disciple should ever be taken lightly. The cost of following Jesus, until He comes, is your life.

Habakkuk’s Questions

November 29, 2007November 29, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

HABAKKUK’S QUESTIONs

Habakkuk 1:1-4

“The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.” Habakkuk 1:1-4 (KJV)

When we think of a burden we think of a load. When you are driving a automobile it has more get up and go when only you, and nothing else, is in it. If you load it down – a truck or car; it just does not have the same performance.

Now, is that the type of “burden” the prophet is writing of. Some translations call this an “oracle”, but it seems to me that there is something more here than mere words. If it is the mere speaking of words, it is an utterance of doom. So why have a problem with “Burden”. To answer the question – it is similar. It was not a physical load. It caused him to ask questions. It eventually caused him to “see God” as righteous in His dealings, and always just in His judgments.

Habakkuk has been accused of accusing God of three different things –

God is indifferent – like He does not even care;
God is inactive – He sees the corruption, sickness and disease, immorality and debauchery, and does nothing about it;
God is inconsistent – He seems to judge wickedness in some cases, but not in the ones the prophet sees.

Are these things so? Is that what Habakkuk really means? These certainly are not true. When we look at these verses it is quite clear that the prophet is speaking to God/YHWH, has these burdens and questions, and really just wants to know what is going on. He does not understand. Like so many of us today, in 2007, we do not understand why it seems that the wicked prosper, and the righteous suffer. The prophet was not really going to like God’s answer either.

The prophet’s first question – “O LORD, how long shall I cry and Thou will not hear?” NOTE: The KJV has these as exclamations. It seems more reasonable to see them as questions. Remember, punctuation was added by others. It is not the inspired text.

The Baker’s Encyclopedia of The Bible – “The main purpose of Habakkuk’s prophecy is to explain what a godly person’s attitude should be toward the presence of evil in the world. It also addresses God’s justice in punishing moral evil.” (pg. 907).

Baker’s Encyclopedia of The Bible also sees two complaints from the prophet –

In verses 1-11 of chapter one including the questions the prophet asks, and how God could use a wicked and vile people such as the Chaldeans to judge His people;

Chapter 1 verses 12 through chapter 2 verse 5 – wondering how God – since He is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity can use these Chaldeans and why He does not judge these godless people.

The prophet’s second question – “…Even cry out unto Thee of violence, and Thou will not save?” Of course, these seem to be related in dealing with the same complaint of the above mentioned reference.

A third question – “Why dost Thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance?”

The prophet seems to see no justice or judgment on the sin of God’s people. It seems to the prophet that the wicked trample all over the righteous and nothing is done –

There is no law – it is powerless;
There is no righteous judgment;
The wicked overpower the righteous;
The wrong people suffer.

It just seems to me in reading and studying these words of the prophet that nothing has changed with God’s people. We still fall into sin. There are still some who are burdened about sin, and asking the same questions. Somehow, we in the United States of America think that judgment cannot come from an outside source. Remember 9-11-01?

God’s judgment is still not without precedence in any age; even our own.

The Embracer

November 22, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

WHO IS HABAKKUK?

The meaning of the name “Habakkuk” is derived from a Hebrew word which means “embrace” or “embracer”. It seems in my mind that this is a name which fits him to a tee. He may have been a Levite engaged in the temple choir, and had a great concern for the direction his people were taking, away from God.

Let me quote here from the Criswell Study Bible. “Realizing Israel’s iniquity and need for punishment, Habakkuk is perplexed with the moral dilemma of how a holy God could employ the more deplorably wicked Chaldeans to chastise His Children.” I can understand his dilemma. In looking at God’s holiness, though, I would have to say, that He is more concerned with His glory, than He is with how things may appear to us. To continue the quotation from Criswell – “God responds by asserting His sovereign prerogative as to the choice and the timing of His retribution. Though it may appear unreasonable, His way is best. Thus the prophet learns that to believe what God says and to heed His warning is to be numbered among the righteous who shall live by faith (2:4). Consequently, Habakkuk’s theme is faith triumphant over apparent difficulties.”

Habakkuk was a prophet who had a heart for God’s people, and a heart for God. That is after all what a prophet. He speaks with God about the people, their sins and problems. He speaks with the people of God, His Word, His way, and the direction of their lives.
The prophecy of Habakkuk was a “burden”, ‘a heavy load’, and that is due to the message contained here. The prophet prophesied near the beginning of the Babylonian exile. The people were going to face severe judgment. Habakkuk did understand that judgment was coming by God from an unholy source.

Are we, who are Christians, in the United States of America not also facing judgment from an unholy source?

Habakkuk was a prophet who cared, yet spoke the truth. Bless the Lord. May every pastor and preacher of God’s Word, and the gospel do the same.

The King’s Messengers Going

November 21, 2007November 21, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

The King’s Messengers Going

As we look at this tenth chapter we will see some great things concerning those who were Jesus’s disciples during that time while He walked as man among mankind whom He created. We also see some great things concerning disciples of Jesus through all of time.

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” Matthew 10:5-15 (KJV)

The disciples of the King are sent forth and they go where He sends them. He tells them not to go to the Gentiles. His message is first to the house of Israel; His people by birth (“He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” John 1:11 KJV). This was a “Command” of the King. “Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”, and as Paul the apostle wrote, “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”.

Jesus will not always send His disciples to the most comfortable places. For the most part the places where it is needed that we go may be the most uncomfortable, and seemingly forsaken. It is the King’s command to go. He sends us to where He will.

Of all the people who should have known and recognized Him it should be the house of Israel. Why? They had the writings of the Word of God. They were a called out people to a special task. They had been chosen by God to receive the oracles of God, preserved them, present them to the world, and to live them for the glory of the Lord. They had continually received the mercy and the grace of God; and were on display to the world of the graciousness of God.

The very fact that their Messiah would send His messengers to the house of Israel shows that He saw their greatest need. That greatest need was not miracles. It was Himself; but they finally would reject Him, try Him, find Him guilty, mock Him, crucify Him, but ultimately they will be delivered by Him.

The message of the heralds/disciples is that the kingdom of the King is at hand. The kingdom for which Jesus addresses is His kingdom, and it is near. The time of His rule on earth is coming soon. Some may look at this and think, “Well! It has been nearly 2000 years since He spoke these words and it is not here yet”. On that I would differ. He has said that it is near and that it is “In you”. The message of John the Baptist was “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” Matthew 3:2 (KJV). The message of John and Jesus were the same. A call to repentance because the kingdom was approaching soon.

My idea of the kingdom of heaven is probably unlike many of our day, particularly in Baptists circles. The kingdom of heaven is the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in all creation. It is not the salvation of the lost, though, it could include that. It is not a program to get Christians active in doing the “work of the kingdom”. It is the present activity and reign of Jesus Christ in the hearts and lives of people, and all the created order. We cannot help but be involved in it. We can decide whether we will be active or passive in our involvement, in proclaiming the message of His kingdom. The message of repentance for the kingdom of heaven is at hand is still a needed, and pertinent message. We must proclaim the kingdom of our King.

Usually when we decide to go somewhere, particularly if it is of some distance and will take some time, we prepare and get ready to go. This commissioning/sending is urgent. It requires leaving without preparation, packing, and there is certainly no time for parking. People are perishing is the urgency of the call. This is not saying that one does not need to be prepared with knowledge of the Word of God, and dealing with people. When you have got filled up body, mind and soul, the work of the gospel of the kingdom is not one that requires a lot of baggage. The beginning of Abraham’s journey of faith shows us quite clearly that when we begin the journey with excess baggage God has a way of getting shed of it. On the beginning of his journey his father died. When they got into the Promised Land to stay the herds of Lot and Abraham grew where the herdsmen of both men began to quarrel, and so they separated there, thus Abraham is now without the baggage he began with.

The things Jesus spoke of in verses 9-10 was baggage. Baggage they would only have to keep up with. It was a way of dealing with only what is important in life. It is the way of the King to say, “You will need to trust Me on this mission. You may not understand, but I will provide all your need, as you walk with Me”. There will be those on the journey who will come to your aid, and you will not be tied to all those worldly possessions. It allows us to do what we must do with diligence and haste, in the fear of the LORD.

Wherever the disciple/herald of the King goes he needs to be a stable influence on the people where he/she is. If the disciple moves from one good home to another there is absolutely no picture of stability. John Gill writing on this writes:

“and there abide till ye go out; of that city or town, to another city or town: for to be often changing houses would bring upon them an ill character, as if they were difficult to be pleased, not content with the provision made for them; and would look as if they sought to serve their own bellies, and gratify their appetites, more than to do good to the souls of men; and besides, moving from the house of a bountiful man, might bring some reproach upon his character, as if he had not used them well, and therefore left him. In short, Christ’s meaning is, that he would not have his disciples be difficult, and dainty, or fickle, and inconstant, but be content with such things they should have provided for them; and not seek for other, and better quarters, nor fear being troublesome where they were.” From e-Sword commentary on Matthew 10:11.

The disciple is to be a source of faith and stability, and not one that seems to be always uneasy, unsure, and dissatisfied. How stable do the Christians of 2007 and beyond appear before a world who needs the message of the King, and the King Himself.

One thing that is most needed by the disciple of Jesus Christ is discernment. It looks to me like there are many Christians who are laying “discernment” aside for the sake of “Unity” so called. Giving up on presenting the Christ like life as one of holiness, sound thinking and a sound mind. Many are more concerned with what draws a crowd than they are with holiness, and being separate from the world. Use it if it draws the people is the pragmatic approach in “ministry” of the day. The early disciple never used that approach. What did they do? They proclaimed the message of the King, and left the results up to the Spirit of God and each individual heart who heard the message of the kingdom.

Most of us, I am fairly certain, have been in the home of an individual where you had been invited in, but you just did not feel at all comfortable. As a matter of fact your thoughts were, “I am getting out of here just as quickly as I can”. It is sad to say, but in far too many homes the Christian and the message of Jesus Christ is not at all welcome. They do not want to hear it, most of them will tell you so, and there is no light in that house at all. The disciple of Jesus is not to have any part in that house, but go to the other where there is a warm welcome waiting.

When those disciples went into a house or a city and they were not welcomed warmly, that place was to be treated as though they were heathen by the Jews. “Shake off the dust of your feet” was the words of Jesus. Sodom and Gomorrah would be treated better in the day of judgment than that house or city who does not welcome the disciple of Jesus. Some do not agree, but the Bible does teach degrees of punishment in eternal hell. Verse 15 here in our text, and others. From Vine’s Word Study of e-Sword:

“Mat 10:14 – Shake off (ἐκτινάξατε) “The very dust of a heathen country was unclean, and it defiled by contact. It was regarded like a grave, or like the putrescence of death. If a spot of heathen dust had touched an offering, it must at once be burnt. More than that, if by mischance any heathen dust had been brought into Palestine, it did not and could not mingle with that of ‘the land,’ but remained to the end what it had been – unclean, defiled and defiling everything to which it adhered.” The apostles, therefore, were not only to leave the house or city which should refuse to receive them, “but it was to be considered and treated as if it were heathen, just as in the similar case mentioned in Mat_18:17. All contact with such must be avoided, all trace of it shaken off” (Edersheim, “Jewish Social Life in the Days of Christ”). The symbolic act indicated that the apostles and their Lord regarded them not only as unclean, but as entirely responsible for their uncleanness. See Act_18:6.“

The disciple of Jesus the King needs to realize the tragedy of rejecting the message of the King and His kingdom. We should also warn all those who are in the way of rejection. God is never pleased that the wicked perish. (Read Ezekiel 18. See verses 23 and 32). Thus, the message of the King’s kingdom must continue. Receive the King and His kingdom.

The Power of the Disciples

November 20, 2007 / T. A. Blankenship / 2 Comments

The Power of the Disciples

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.” Matthew 10:1-4 (KJV).

We could look at the disciples as ambassadors for the King. Ambassadors are chosen by the ruler of their nation, and sent to be representatives of other nations. They are given power by the ruler of the nation they represent. The ministry they do is in the name of the ruler of their country.

According to Matthew Jesus had called unto Him His twelve disciples. We have seen where He called some of them previous to this account. Matthew is called in chapter nine beginning in verse 9. In chapter 4 we see where Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John, and these four are always mentioned first. Peter and Andrew are brothers; and James and John are brothers. These were fishermen, and when they were called were fishing, and mending their nets.

When we have come to faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Spirit of God, it is because we have been called or chosen by King Jesus to be His disciple as well as a child of God. A disciple is a follower. There are many who do not like to be followers, but that is what a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is. The disciple of Jesus Christ is a follower of the King.

It is a great honor and priviledge to be called and chosen by the King of heaven, the King of Jerusalem, and the King of souls. This King Jesus is the Lord of our Salvation. He is our Redeemer. When you have been called by Him and chosen by Him it should be counted as a gift of grace, because we are unworthy servants. We are condemned and dying sinners. To be called and chosen by the King means we have been called to turn from our sins and past to follow the King into a the life of grace, faith, glory and power.

If the disciple is also an ambassador representing the King and His kingdom, we are then equipped with the power and authority of the King. There are several times in the New Testament where we are told, “All power/authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” chapter 28:18. “But you shall receive power…” (Acts 1:8). Paul writes to Timothy and said, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7). This power comes only from the King Himself. There is another verse which I must not overlook, and that is John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power/the right to become the sons of God, to those who believe on His name”. Where does this power come from? The King.

It seems that we the people of God’s creation are a hungry lot. The thing for which many crave is power to rule. There are some who crave it for the popularity. Some crave it to lord over others, and have all the material possessions that they can cheat or steal away from others, and sometimes that is done by evil governments through taxes. The greatest power of all the the power that is Jesus Christ Himself, and He will not allow His chosen ones to lord over people or to take from them. Those who try will quickly fall.

Resting in the power of Jesus Christ our King, and Him alone is the way of blessing and the glory of the King.

The ministry of King Jesus is the ministry of His disciples or ambassadors. An Ambassador of the United States in the country of Israel is there not representing Israel, but the United States of America. When he appears before the ruling agencies of Israel he presents the desires of the President of the USA, or at least he should. The same is true of an Ambassador to any other country.

What is the ministry of the disciples of the King? They are listed here. The disciple of Jesus Christ has the ministry of casting our “unclean spirits”, and this is done through the power of Jesus’s name. Another ministry is that of healing “all manner of diseases”, and we are not healers, but God in His sovereignty and will does so at His own will and discretion. There is also the ministry of “healing sicknesses”, this is sicknesses such as fevers, even leprosies, etc., but by the power, will and discretion of the Lord Jesus. Now with the first disciples they had that power for the purpose of showing forth the power of Jesus Christ, preparing people for the coming kingdom. It would not surprise me to find out that many of those who applauded Jesus for His healing power and miracles may have been at His trial crying our “Crucify Him, crucify Him”, and they had received such wonders from Him.

These first disciples were given this power to show forth the glory of Jesus as the God-man come to earth. Would the Jews receive Him as their Messiah? He gave orders to the disciples that they take the message only to the “house of Israel” (vv. 5-6). The nation saw the power of Jesus, their Messiah, but they hated Him, rejected Him, tried Him, then hung Him on a cross where He died for the sins of the world.

We may ask what is in the names of these disciples. The first four mentioned are always mentioned first, and are the ones who seemed to have participated most in ministry with Jesus. Jesus’s home base of ministry was in Peter’s home at Capernaum. From the MacArthur Study Bible note on the names,

“10:2 the names of the apostles. The 12 are always listed in a similar order (cf. Mark 3:16; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:13). Peter is always named first. The list contains 3 groups of 4. The 3 subgroups are always listed in the same order, and the first name in each subgroup is always the same, though there is some variation in the order within the subgroups–but Judas Iscariot is always named last. Peter…Andrew…James…and John. The first subgroup of 4 are the most familiar to us. These two sets of brothers, all fishermen, represent an inner circle of disciples often seen closest to Jesus.” MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE, p.1409, (NKJV).

Jesus knew these disciples by their names. It is a representative thought that He knows all those who are His by name. He choses and calls us by name; equips us by name, and sends us out by name.

If your name is not known by the King of all creation, then you are in a bad lot. There are some who are going to say, “Well! He knows all people by their names.” I Biblically beg to differ. There is a day coming when He will say, “I never knew you. Depart from me; ye workers of iniquity” (7:23; 25:12; Luke 13:27). We are also told of a book where the names of all He knows are written called the Lamb’s book of life. If your name is not written there, then He does not know you (Revelation 20:27). With Jesus you are not a number, but a name. When you are in Christ Jesus you are as good as in heaven.

Set the Captives Free

November 16, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Captives Set Free

“And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.” Genesis 14:13-16 (KJV).

Paul the apostle of the New Testament wrote, “I have fought a good fight…” Faith requires fighting. It is not a fight against those who are of like mind and faith. It is faith’s fight agains all that is evil and wrong. Abraham had a warrior faith. We Christians use to sing a song quite often, “Onward Christian Soldiers”, but I do not hear it much anymore. According to some the soldier analogy is not a good one for the day. A good Greek word for that is “Baloney”. We are in a constant war. It is a war that will never cease until Jesus the Captain of our salvation is come. So sing on with the song, “Onward, Christian Soldiers” onward.

It does not appear to have taken Abraham long to prepare for battle. We too should always be prepared (Ephesians 6:10-20). All the preparations needed seem to have been just getting the men and weapons together and travelling approximately 120 miles to fight the battle.

Notice some great spiritual truths here in this historical event:

1. These servants were “born in his own house”; Abraham’s house was a house of faith. Every born again child of God is a soldier in Christ’s army. There are no exceptions from battle. Paul’s command inspired by the Holy Spirit in the book of Ephesians is not just to the church of Ephesus, but for all who are in Jesus Christ. Also see Romans 13:11-14. Those who are born of God overcome the world (1 John 5:4).

2. These servants were armed for battle; The Christian is also given weapons for our warfare. Our weapons are not carnal (2 Corinthians 10:4), and equal to only two. Some will say one, but I believe their are two, and they are all we need, because Jesus is the source of them both. The first one is the Sword of the Spirit, “which is the word of God”, and the second one is prayer (Ephesians 6:17-18). The Sword is an offensive weapon and is of no benefit unless it is read, studied and activated in the Christian life. There is nothing magical about the leather and paper on which the Word of God is written. The Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God is for the purpose of fighting the deception of the devil and his lies, and overcoming all evil. Prayer is the place from which we are encouraged, empowered, and the place before the Captain’s station for receiving our orders.

The deception and lies of the devil includes the doubts, and fears we struggle with.

3. The servants were trained; “One of hte purposes of the local church is to train God’s people how to use the Bible effectively, how to pray, how to recognize the enemy, and how to follow orders as soldiers in the army of Christ.” Warren Wiersbe.

If we fail in the battle it is only the fault of the soldier, not of the Captain. And if we do fail it will be for our good and the glory of the Captain/King.

4. The servants believed in their leader; Our leader, like was Abraham’s is to be the Lord. When we follow the Lord’s direction there can only be victory. If we expect to defeat the enemy and win victories we must trust the Lord and obey His orders.

5. The servants were united; There are three kingdoms united for a common cause. They were one army, not three, and they had one commanding officer – Abraham.

The Church cannot serve Jesus Christ effectively unless there is unity. Far too many times in our local churches there are power grabbing mongrels who want things their own way and cannot be unified for anything. Battles cannot be won and captive souls set free when the Church is not in unity.

6. The servants were single minded; Their focus was on warfare, setting Lot and his family free; not on getting back home, or the material possessions they might gain from a victory. Rather, they were focused on the victory and setting the captives free.

When it comes to battles in the Church it is often with one another, rather than the enemy. There are brothers and sisters in Christ who are in bondage to worldly things. They were caught in the middle and carried away captive by their selfish desires. Not only do we need to focus on setting captive saints free, but also setting the imprisoned souls of the damned free.

Abraham had a right attitude. He had a prepared army. By the hand of God he conquered the enemy as his achievement.

The picture or image of the “Onward Christian Soldiers” is still a good one. Maybe more so in our day than many would like to think. Not soldiers for killing, maiming or destroying; but soldiers of the grace, mercy and love of God; fighting the attacks of the devil against our fellow man, and his attempts to destroy, kill or maim. My brothers and sisters in Christ let’s stand strong in the battle against the evil one, and set the captives free.

Backsliding Lot

October 26, 2007 / T. A. Blankenship / 1 Comment

Backsliding By Looking Only On the Surface

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” Genesis 13:10-13 (KJV).

When Lot heard the words of Abram he was thrilled. What ever land he would choose was his. Lot, like most people looked only on the surface of things; he looked at the fertility of the land without looking at the ultimate price that would be paid. He did not know what was in the future, however, it was evidently known by him of the depravity, perversity, and immoral behavior permeating the area. He was only considering the material without any consideration to the destruction this could bring to his family.

Lot did not even consider the Lord in the choosing. he “lifted up his eyes” guided by his desire for the material and led his family to destruction. Finally, now Abram was “Separated” from his kindred as the Lord had directed when He first called.

The infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah have a story and a history that warns all who will read and hear it. It is hard to imagine a man, whom God calls “Just” (2 Peter 2:7), would become a part of the wickedness. Maybe it should not be so hard, because many Christians put themselves in situations similar to Lot, because they have been carried away by the lust of their hearts, rather than being led and controlled by God’s Spirit.

Lot may not have been an actual participant in their sin, though by his silence, and his “leadership” he condoned the behavior. He could have warned the people of their wickedness, but instead he adapted.

The phrase “Pitched his tent” means to make his abode; his habitation with. We know from God’s Word we are not to “Dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10b); but to “…Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

Lot bore little fruit. Maybe the only fruit he had was faith, and it was small because he did not exercise it. The way to bear fruit is to abide [make our habitation] in Jesus. He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye except ye abide in Me.” John 15:4

Growing Up…Faith

October 22, 2007 / T. A. Blankenship / Leave a comment

Growing Up in the Faith

“And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” Genesis 13:5-9 (KJV).

After their return to the Promised Land from Egypt the LORD blessed Abram and Lot in their herds. The place where they lived had become quite crowded with the livestock. Both have been extremely blessed materially. Their herdmen were at strife with one another due to the close quarters. Part of the crowd was also local natives.

Living by faith or having a maturing or growing faith does not mean one does not sin. It does mean continuing on the journey despite our sins, and at times yielding our rights to others and letting them choose their course in life, even at our expense.

The one who was growing in faith toward maturity gave first choice to the weaker of faith. Remember God’s promise of the land was to Abram, not Lot. Abram gave Lot the first choice in order to cease the strife which was brewing between them and their herdmen. The land was Abram’s by God’s promise, but he chose to go which ever way Lot did not.

We will see in a later chapter of Genesis what is emphasized throughout all of the Scriptures; “Abraham believed God” (15:6; Hebrews 11:8-10). Believing God is more than believing in God. The former is an abiding trust and dependence upon; the latter is only a knowledge of existence. You know that airplane to exist, but there is no trust extended to it until you get on board and fly away. To believe God is to get on board. Abraham’s faith was so extensive that he believed if Lot chose the most fertile land, then the land he himself would receive would be blessed by God. He believed it better to be in the desert with God, than in the fertile lands without Him. That is a Growing Up…Faith.

Getting Back to the Promise

October 19, 2007 / T. A. Blankenship / Leave a comment

Getting Out of the World

“And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.” Genesis 13:1-4 (KJV)

Abram and Sarai and Lot came up out of Egypt; the picture of the world, and all its wealth; for that was not the place of God’s call or blessing or presence. Abram had left that when a famine had come into the land. He had deserted the altar, his dwelling, and had sought after comfort. On the way to Egypt he and Sarai had plotted and schemed together of how to save Abram’s life; at the risk of the Promise.

Egypt was not the place where God had called Abram to abide. That was back at the place where there was a famine. There are some who would question the sanity of a person who would stay in those troublesome circumstances. However, if we look at the life and ministry of Jesus His whole life was lived for a vital and important climax – His death. he could have left Israel (the land of promise) and remained alive. Jesus knew, however, that He would not be fulfilling the will of His Father. In order to live, we must die.

Abram came out of Egypt a wealthier man. Verse 2 declares “…In cattle, in silver, and in gold”. We should in no wise take this to be a reward for going to Egypt. Instead it became a test and temptation of its own. We can see that Abram was a blessed man. God’s hand was on him, guiding, protecting, providing, and blessing him; even when he was out of place.

After being virtually run out of the country by Pharoah of Egypt he returns to his proper place of residence; the promise still in place. He went back to where he had his tent in the Promised Land. Abram also went back to the altar. There, once again, he “…called on the name of the LORD”. In Egypt he had no altar. When God’s children get out of God’s promise they will have no altar, no worship of God, and no peace with God.

Judging the Doctrines of Men

September 12, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Judging Doctrines of Men

” Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV).

Again, it seems to be needed to state that Jesus’s intent was not against making judgments, but doing it with the wrong idea. Judgment of motive would be something you or I could have no clue. Only God alone could make that kind of judgment.

By our looking at verse 15 it seems we are required to make judgments by action, words spoken, and behavior. A “False prophet” is to be identified as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. How does one discern a false prophet? By the words they speak and the lives they live. There are a couple of Old Testament passages which tell us how to make that determination. The first says;

“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’ — which you have not known — and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst” Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (NKJV).

“And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken? — when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (NKJV).

So the Old Testament gives us two ways by which we may discern or judge a prophet, whether they are from God or not. The first we determine by whom he calls on to worship. Even if the message comes to pass just as proclaimed, if he directs his people to turn away from the true God he/she is a false prophet, and cannot be trusted, and is worthy of death. The second means of discernment is when the prophet speaks, and what he/she says does not come to pass, then, you know they are not of God.

Usually, false teachers/prophets like having a large following. They are dependent upon the applause and accolades of the people. The true prophet of God proclaims the Word of the Lord, and is not motivated by men, money, or mention. The prophet of God will preach the Word of God even while he is being stoned, and hated and despised. The prophet of God will preach even when it seems no one is listening, or seems that no one cares.

One of the fruits of a true prophet of God is his faithfulness to the Word of God. The false prophet on the other hand will seek to twist it and make it easier to be heard, or use the word to help people feel better about themselves, rather than calling people to a holy, righteous way of life.

The fruits give the verdict. The fruits of the true prophet of God will be that those who hear the Word of the Lord through him will be on their face before God, seeking righteousness, holiness, and the face of God. The fruits of the false prophet will be large screaming, applauding crowds, praising the gods of pleasant speech, pleasure, and success. In fact, the fruits of the prophet of God may not be seen immediately; they may come after the prophet is dead.

Any teacher who does not bring forth good fruit is of no use in the kingdom or our Lord and Savior. He even tells us, “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (v.19). The fruits of the prophet is the life he lives as well as the words he speaks.

Where Your Treasured Treasure Is

August 8, 2007 / Tim A. / 3 Comments

Where Your Treasure Is

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24 (KJV).

“The principle is simple and sobering: the way we look at and use our money is a sure barometer of our spiritual condition” John MacArthur from Vol. 1, p. 414 of Matthew Commentary.

One verse of this seems to be the key to the rest, and that is verse twenty one. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” That begs the question: What is your treasure?

If our hearts are right with the Father through Jesus Christ we will have the right attitude toward wealth, or even the lack of wealth.

Jesus warned us about living for the things of this world as being sin. To live for the gain of wealth is covetousness. Covetousness is idloatry – “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” Colossians 3:5 (KJV). Anything you use to try to fill the emptiness of your life, which only God is meant to fill, is idolatry.

When we are not guarding our hearts we can become enslaved to covetousness. Slavery to things means certain loss of our heart and mind (vv. 22-23). If our aim in life is wealth there will only be darkness within. We cannot serve two masters, there is only one worthy of our service and that is the Master, Jesus.

In the Ark and Safe

August 3, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

In the Ark and Safe

“And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.” Genesis 7:10-17 (KJV).

For seven days Noah and his family were on the ark, and that was before the rains started to fall, and the waters under the earth burst forth.

For seven days there was no more preaching, no more warning of God’s wrath to come. All hope was gone for the fearful and unbelieving element outside the ark.

Remember, according to chapter two, verse six, up until this time the earth had been watered by a mist. It had never rained. Now, suddenly the skies break forth in a deluge of water; drops falling like pebbles to the ground. The shock, to those outside, must have been unbearable. Not only did it rain, but the ground erupted with water shooting into the sky hundreds of feet, maybe even thousands of feet, and falling back to the ground with massive erosive impact. Homes, cities, markets, even centers of worship are completely destroyed. The water having no mercy on anything. The people and animals running to high ground trying to flee the disaster, even clawing, crying, and pleading at the sides of the ark as it began to jostle from side to side, as the waters rose, and picked it up from its resting place. Cries for mercy coming much too late. Once the judgment has begun, it is too late.

The rain fell, it pounded, its sound reverberating over the ark, upon the land and echoed through the canyons and valleys. The lightning, thundering were as deafening as the water which burst forth from the ground (v. 11).

While all of this was going on, Noah and his family were safe inside the ark protected by God’s own hand. They were sealed within the ark of safety. It is awesome and glorious to know that we are sealed in Christ Jesus for all eternity;

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV).

We can also see that it was the LORD God who “shut him in”. While the rain was pouring, and the floods were raging Noah and his family, safe in the ark, were “lifted up above the earth”. God’s saving power is awesome

The ark provides us with a two-fold typology. It represents Christ and the believer being called to abide in Christ and His atoning work. It also provides us with a type of the nation of Israel during “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) also called “the great tribulation”.

Those who during this ‘time of trouble’ are marked by God (Revelation 7:1-8) to proclaim the message of the kingdom, and are protected by God from the raging of the antichrist king (Revelation 12:6). We might make note, that Enoch, being translated, pictures the rapture of the church before the time of trouble.

Fast With Joy

August 1, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Matthew 6:1-34 continuing…

“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:16-18 (KJV).

This third characteristic of the kingdom heart and life should be when you are fasting FAST WITH JOY. It seems that the religious leaders very much wanted to be noticed for their fasting, and would have very somber and sad faces, so everyone would know when they were going without food. Let me say that there are several forms of fasting. One can fast from food to find God’s will in a certain need; one can fast for the purpose of seeking God for personal and national revival and renewing; but these must be done with the right heart and motive.

Fasting is right and good with the right motive. Jesus fasted. We have the most notable account of Jesus fasting in Matthew four where He fasted for forty days and nights (4:3). Members of the early church fasted – “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” Acts 13:2 (KJV).

Fasting is a means of disciplining the appetites of the body. It helps us keep our spiritual priorities straight. We focus more on God, His Word, and His will for our lives and living for Him, than on when the next meal is due. One of the most useful fast that I have found is when you are so involved in your study of God’s Word and prayer, that you do not even think of eating, the time passes, and you are into the Word so deeply, that it does not matter.

Fasting is more than depriving ourselves of food. It is time for the worshipping of God. A time for devotion to Him and giving all to Him.

True fasting is not for the purpose of drawing attention to one’s self, as did the hypocrites. To do so fits us into that category. Hypocrisy robs us of reality in Christian living. It substitutes reputation for character; it substitutes mere words for true prayer; it substitutes money for devotion of heart. Hypocrisy also robs us of spiritual rewards. Instead of God’s eternal approval we receive the temporary approval of men; We pray and receive no answers; We fast, but the inner man does not improve; We miss the blessing of God; and we lose God’s rewards when Jesus comes again. The first steps in overcoming hypocrisy: 1) Be honest with God in your secret life; 2) Fast seeking God with all your heart; 3) Pray from the heart; 4) Please God alone.

We will remain in hypocrisy if we tend to offer God pretty, lace and flower prayers, and fast to be seen and recognized by men. We will remain in hypocrisy if we pray only from a form or liturgical prayer that has been offered by someone else. We will remain in hypocrisy when we fast and pray to please others and do not care whether God is praised, honored and glorified or not. The purpose of fasting and prayer is to glorify the Lord, and then it matters not whether you get what you asked for yourself.

Friends of Israel

July 31, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

The nation of Israel is often denied their rights. They have given up land in order to maintain peace in the Middle East. They are a peaceful nation. To the Christian Palestinians let me say this. Israel will own the land. That is according to God’s promise. Accept that and believe the whole counsel of the Word of the Lord.

Dr. Thomas Ice writing in Midnight Call Magazine, the November 2003 edition has an article titled “Christian Zionism”. In his conclusion he writes this:

“In spite of our critics, who unjustly attempt to cast us in a bad light, dispensational premillennialism has always been the best friend the Jewish people have ever had within Christendom. For many years, many in Israel have recognized this. Amazing is that in the last few years, even the Orthodox community has come to realize that it has friends and supporters within the conservative Christian community. At the same time that we support Zion, dispensational premillennialists have been the leaders of evangelizing the Jewish community during the present Church Age. I believe that such support of Zion by Christians will continue to be the case from now throughout all eternity. Maranatha!”

From p. 33, MIDNIGHT CALL, November 2003.

Israel is so often, too often maligned, and accused of being the aggressor, when the truth is she has often shown restraint, and even withheld in attacking when she has been attacked. May the leaders of our country begin taking a stronger stand for Israel. Are we truly standing with them, supporting them when we advise them, that, for the sake of peace give back the land? Not in my estimation. It is their land. God gave it to them, and one day it will all be theirs again. It will be more then, than what they have possessed since 1948. God’s will will be done

Faith On Display

July 30, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Genesis 7:1-24 continuing…

” And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.” Genesis 7:7-9 (KJV).

By faith Noah built the ark. It was also by faith he entered the ark. The ark must have seemed a dark and imposing object to the mind of flesh. However, to the mind of faith it was the place of light and the only means of salvation. The only means of natural light would have been in the lone window through which the one created in the image of God could communicate with his Creator.

It was upon God’s invitation alone that Noah had faith to enter. The ark was built by God’s heavenly design, and man entered it only upon God’s invitation.

Imagine if Noah would have spent 100 years building the ark, then, upon God’s call to enter balking, shirked, then pulled away and not entered. He would not do that, because the faith that caused Him to build (his work) also led him to enter into it.

We, people of faith in Christ Jesus, build an ark of safety by living out our faith for all to see. Without saying a word we testify to our faith in Jesus by faithfully attending worship in our local church. Your lost neighbor watches you as you go there every Sunday. They also see you as you faithfully discipline your children to behave rightly. That unredeemed work associate watches as you work and labor faithfully or unfaithfully. What do they see? You are building an ark for their redemption. Be faithful to God, His call, and His word and work.

God is the One who brings all these things to pass in us. We are the one’s who must work them out for others to see.

Pray Wisely

July 25, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Matthew 6:1-33 continues…

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:5-15

The second character we should have is concerning prayer. We ought always to PRAY WISELY. Jesus knew the heart of every one. He therefore, probably knew that the only time the hypocrites, He spoke of, prayed was when they were in public, and to call attention to their “Great wisdom and lofty words of speech”. I would imagine most of the people saw it too. We need to spend most praying in private. Each and every Christian should have a time of day when they meet with God, in His Word, in prayer seeking His counsel, His wisdom, and guidance for the day ahead.

Before praying in public you should have much time praying in private. Our Lord prayed privately (Mark 1:35). Elisha the prophet prayed privately (2 Kings 4:32-33). Daniel the prophet was also a man of prayer who spent time in prayer privately. There are some who will not pray in public and will say that the Bible tells them we are not to pray publicly. If that is how they really believe, and not just an act of self-righteousness, then, they better stick to it. There is nothing wrong with public prayer. It is public prayer that has had no private prayers backing it up from this individual’s heart and life.

We ought to pray genuinely and sincerely (vv. 7-8). God will not answer prayers which are not sincere, and yet He might not give you your answer, but if it is from a sincere and devoted heart He will answer. The “Vain repititions” are those using formed, liturgical, always repeating the same things over and over, as though the repeating of them has some magical formula to them. Jesus assures us that the Father knows our needs even before we asks them.

We ought to pray according to God’s will (vv. 9-13). Warren Wiersbe has stated, “Prayer prepares us for the proper use of the answer”. BE COMMENTARY p. 26. Jesus teaches His followers how we ought to pray. Here is something most marvelous and wonderful in all of scripture. The Lord teaching us how we ought to pray. These words are often referred to as THE LORD’S PRAYER, however, it seems to be more proper to entitle it THE MODEL PRAYER, because it is quite clear that He is teaching, and not praying. To see the Lord’s Prayer read John 17. There Jesus is praying. It is most marvelous too.

Here is how Jesus taught us to pray: 1)Praise and glorify the Father; 2) Ask for the things of His heart (you must know His heart in order to ask these things); 3) Ask for your daily needs, and I take this to mean shelter, food, clothing, health, peace, wisdom, grace, mercy; 4) Ask for forgiveness of sin debts that you owe, that would be against your fellow man and God; 5) Ask for the power of the Word of God to work in your life to keep you from falling, and keep you from the evil one; and finally, but not least, once again ascribe praise, honor and glory to God your Father and your Savior.

When we pray we ought to pray with forgiveness toward those who have wronged and even those we feel have wronged us. They should not be a hindrance to our prayer, but forgiven (vv. 14-15). Having experienced God’s forgiveness equips us, and gives us the ready mind to forgive. The lack of forgiveness shows a definite lacking of fellowship with God. That cannot be restored until all is forgiven. If God forgives you all your wickedness, depravity, and hatred, then, surely you can forgive any wrong done you.

Only because of Grace.

Design: By GOD

July 20, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Genesis 6:1-22 conclusion.

“Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Genesis 6:14-22 (KJV).

Having chosen Noah by His grace, God gives him command to build an ark. This ‘ark’ is a tool of safety, deliverance, and salvation. It is also a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. The ark is a place of refuge from God’s judgment, because He has already received and paid the price for judgment for us.

The ark is to have rooms within which are probably designated for certain animals and items which will be on the ark. This could refer in type to John 14:1-3 indicating Jesus preparing “A place” for all who will believe and receive Him. There is room being prepared for all.

There is a wonderful picture of atonement deliberately given us by God in the word “Pitch”. “Pitch it within and without with pitch”. Pitch is used, which is a tar like substance to seal the wood to protect the ark from seepage and leaking. It is amazing that this word , in Hebrew, is the same word “Atonement” in Leviticus 17:11. The atonement is only beneficial for those who would enter and remain in the ark. Once inside, at God’s invitation there was/is no way out. The inhabitants were protected from the cataclysmic destruction which came upon man. Sealed within by the Atoning work of God, and His Spirit.

The dimensions of the ark are quite impressive. To believe a work of this magnitude took place should do away with any thoughts of the preflood ignorance of architectural designing; of course, God gave Noah the designs, but Noah built it.

If we measured this ark using the smallest measurment for the cubit which is around 18 inches, and usually measured from the elbow of a man to the tip of his fingers; the ark would be equal in length to one an one half football fields [450 feet], and its greatest measurement 600 feet long; Its breadth would be 75 feet or 100 feet wide; and its height would be 45 feet to 60 feet.

There are some unique features God patterns in the ark. There is a window apparently one cubit square and evidently placed in the ceiling/roof area. A window toward heaven for times of distress and fear that the man and his family might look to God for help and strength. There is a door placed in the side, that the provisions for the well being of the man, and that the man himself might go in and be safe from judgment. There were three stories inside the ark. Probably one story, and most likely the top floor, was for the man and his family; one story would be for the storage of food provisions; and the other for the animals. We could learn from this that the things of the world are less important than a relationship and fellowship with God. It is for man whom God provided a window to Heaven.

In verses 17 and 18 it is again declared what God is about to bring upon the earth. God makes covenant with Noah. Before the ark is ever completed Noah is assured of deliveance from the great flood. Before our salvation is completed by the reappearing of Jesus Christ we are assured of deliverance.

God always gives every evidence of providing for the needs of His people. Even the things which are for beauty. Animals of every kind provide not only a balance in the created order of things, but also a beauty, pleasure and even the sense of man’s dominion upon the earth. God could have just saved the man, but He knew the benefit of the animals to us. After all, He created it to be so.

Food was to be brought into the ark. This was for the provision of man and beast. There was no provision made for any on board to eat flesh. All would eat grains, fruits, vegetables, and provender. Only God could change the nature of all these animals, back to their prefall state, from which many had become flesh eaters since, but now they will eat “Straw”. There is only a supernatural explanation for this.

Only God in His grae could provide a man to continue the human race. Look at the man. He was brought out of the world of wickedness. he too was a sinner. He also was condemned, but God in His mercy and grace chooses one man to continue humanity. What did Noah have to offer God? Nothing! What did God do for Noah? Everything. Grace, mercy, faith, and because of faith is it said in verse 22, “According to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Would to God that could be said of me. Not for salvation, but because of salvation.

Give With Caution

July 18, 2007 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Matthew 6:1-34 continuing…

Chapter six of the Sermon On The Mount deals with our true worship toward God. It involves our character. All practices of worship are to be focused upon the Heavenly Father and God of all creation.

Anything, short of God, which we seek for fulfillment, peace, joy, and/or justification, is idolatry and covetousness.

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:1-4 (KJV).

This may come across as sounding somewhat out of the norm, but we ought to GIVE WITH CAUTION. On one occasion as Jesus teaching in the temple and his disciples with him we are told,

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:42-44 (KJV).

Now, the reason Jesus tells us to “Take heed” to our giving and charitable deeds is because the Pharisees, and the wealthy made special note of your “Much giving”, thus being awarded the praise of man. God finds no pleasure in our boastful acts.

It is far better to give and no one know the amount of giving or even that you give, and glorify God, because He will know and He will be the one to bless you; than it is to give with pride, openly that all may see how much you give, and receive all the accolades of men, and miss the blessing of God. For the religious hypocrite giving is a means of gaining favor with God and their fellow man. In fact God frowns on the motive of self-exaltation (Acts 5:1-11). The praise and rewards of man hinders the blessing of God.

Give without calling attention to your act –

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:26-27

When we give with the sole purpose of giving back to God, recognizing His blessings to us, without calling attention to ourselves we grow spiritually; God is glorified, and others are helped by the generosity which came from our hearts. I would much rather have a blessing from the Lord, as to have a temporal recognition from God. Usually those who lavish recognition because of their giving, or works are doing what they are doing with the wrong heart and motive

The Spirit of Jesus Christ in Noah

July 16, 2007 / Tim A. / 3 Comments

Genesis 6:1-22 continuing…

“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Genesis 6:9-13 (KJV).

Noah is only the second man which the Bible tells us “Walked with God”. Of course, it is implied that Jesus “Walked with God”, because it tells us of Him that He did all things to please His Father.

It is most likely that Noah only began his walk with God after he realized he was a recipient of His grace. That is how most of us have done it. Noah was probably in the like state of all of mankind until our gracious Father spoke to his heart, and he believed God, and God counted it to him for righteousness. I do not believe I am stretching anything by saying this. It is a doctrine taught throughout all of Scripture. “He believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness”, and that is even in the New Testament.

Noah’s justness was only due to the grace of God. Justification is done by a decree from God Himself, and is not based on any merit of the recipient. The price has been paid to atone for the sins of the individual receiving the gift of justification. In this case, as in all cases of the giving and receiving of justification God paid the price. God called Noah out of wickedness, and bondage of this world to be a preacher of righteousness and to build the ark for the salvation of mankind.

The three sons of Noah; Shem, Ham and Japheth are thus destined to be the progenitors of all the human race, and races of people and nations.

Verses eleven and twelve tell us of the corruption of the earth, “For all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth”. There was no righteousness on the earth except for that of Noah, and that had been given him by the Lord. Noah, then, had a message to proclaim those 100 years he was building on the ark. The building of the ark was a message of itself – a message of warning, of judgment on the way.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” Heb.11:7.

” For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” 1 Peter 3:18-20 (KJV).

The Spirit of Christ in Noah was present at the preaching of Noah. The message of the ark was a message of condemnation if mankind did not repent, and they did not thus the world of men was destroyed by water. We are warned that the next judgment of the world will be a judgment of fire,

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:9-10

The ark of safety is only in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, His burial and His resurrection. Believe Him trust Him and you will miss the fire.

Becoming Like the Father

July 13, 2007 / T. A. Blankenship / Leave a comment

Matthew 5:21-48 conclusion…

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 (KJV).

Perfection. That is quite the challenge. It is a challenge which I cannot meet. It is a challenge which only God in His grace can give. Let me give you the MIRRIAM/WEBSTER Dictionary definition of the word “Perfect” – “Being without fault or defect 2 :exact, precise 3 :complete…” and there is more. Like I said, “I fall far short of that. Now, if the word means “Complete” in this context, then, that might be a possibility considering that God is the One who completes us.

Here is Strong’s on the word “Perfect” –

“G5046

τέλειος

teleios

tel’-i-os

From G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness: – of full age, man, perfect.” From E-sword.

Considering that the Greek means “Complete” what would this mean? Strongs has in the above “…Mental and moral character”. If we are to be perfect/complete in God that surely must have to do with the character of the individual which causes her/him to fall on their face before their Lord and Savior when sin has been committed, and seek forgiveness immediately following the realization of the sin. It has absolutely nothing to do with “Sinless perfection”. In truth; the closer we get to the One who is holy, the more clearly we see ourselves as being unholy. The man or woman who believes they have reached a state of sinlessness or “Sinless perfection” is farther away from God than they have ever been.

The Word tells us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you”. When we sin we should seek God’s forgiveness as quickly as possible. “Keep your accounts short”, and that would be especially so with our Lord. That would be the life of “Perfection” or being complete. Of course, it should be the goal of the child to become like the Father; and He is perfect in every way.

We are only complete when we are in the Father through Jesus Christ His Son and walking in the Spirit, walking by faith, walking with God. I just wanted to stress the point. Walk with the Lord.

Days of Evil Imagination

July 6, 2007 / Tim A. / 1 Comment

Genesis 6:1-22 continued…

” There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:4-5 (KJV).

Around the time the sons of Seth began to marry the daughters of Cain – the godly joining with the godless – there were “Giants in the earth”. It is clear that the “Giants” were here previous to the “Sons of God came unto the daughters of men”. These certainly may have been of great physical stature, but the gist of this seems to be their opposition to that which is holy. The MacArthur Study Bible note for verse four states

“giants. The word nephilim is from a root meaning ‘to fall,’ indicating that they were strong men who ‘fell’ on others in the sense of overpowering them (the only other use of this term is in Num. 13:53). They were already in the earth when the ‘mighty men’ and ‘men of renown’ were born. The fallen ones are not the offspring from the union of 6:1,2.”

These “Giants” are not the children of the mixed marriages. Note, “and also after that…” After the giants are “in the earth”. Who are the giants? There is no certain way to know. Greek mythology might give us an answer. The stories of Zeus, Hara, etc., must have began around this time. Stories which would have been started by the ungodly and inspired by the devil to lead people astray. There was such evil in the earth that according to verse three God was withholding the restraint of His Spirit. It is interesting to note, that, God does not reveal to us what kinds of wickedness was in the earth. He will not oblige the enemy by such things. He only says, “The wickedness of man was great..”, and “great” not meaning a wonderful thing, but rather a putrid stinch, and “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart only evil continually.” Jesus said, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” Matthew 24:37-38 (KJV). In the days before He comes Jesus says it will be like the days just before the flood.

Here are at least a couple of reasons I do not see the “Sons of God” as being fallen angels marrying the daughters of men: 1) Previous to this chapter we are given two genealogies, the first of which is that of Cains, and the second that of Seth; one is ungodly the other godly – the Holy Spirit’s way of inspiration to show us that their are two different people groups, not by race, but morally. 2) Angels, the good ones or the fallen ones cannot marry according to Jesus, “in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” Matthew 22:30 and Mark 12:25 (KJV); with the implication being Angels do not marry. When we look at verse five it begs me to ask, “Do we really need the help of wicked angels to be made more wicked?” Mankind left to himself would eventually destroy himself and the universe with it.

We can look around us today. If we believe these to be the “Last days”, then, we can see many similarities between the time before the flood and now. How sad it is to know that wicked men reject God, His Word, and want only to live their lives their own way; without God and, because of their rejection be eternally condemned to the fires of Hell. Contrary to what the wicked may think God is not the villian; He is our only salvation.

	Tim A. on The Work of the Shepherd
	Ray on The Work of the Shepherd
	The Judgment You Jud… on Judging
	Tim A. on The Time Had Come
	Cameron Cloud on The Time Had Come

The Fire and Hammer

"Is not My Word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29

Instruction

It Will Surely Come

The Soul Seeks for God

God of Purer Eyes

A Heart of Devotion

The King…and His Coming

Habakkuk’s Questions

The Embracer

The King’s Messengers Going

The Power of the Disciples

Set the Captives Free

Backsliding Lot

Growing Up…Faith

Getting Back to the Promise

Judging the Doctrines of Men

Where Your Treasured Treasure Is

In the Ark and Safe

Fast With Joy

Friends of Israel

Faith On Display

Pray Wisely

Design: By GOD

Give With Caution

The Spirit of Jesus Christ in Noah

Becoming Like the Father

Days of Evil Imagination

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