Life Issues

Faith On Display

/ 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.

Looking for Power

/ T. A. Blankenship / Leave a comment

There are some things in history which I find fascinating.  One of those fascinating things is to thing that some men who have wielded such power could be so blind to superstition.  Here is a story from a Reader’s Digest book called FACTS AND FALLACIES,  and the article is called “The Spear of Longinus”.  Now, Longinus  is supposed to be the name of the soldier who pierced the side of Jesus, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” (John 19:34).

Here is the article —

“THE SPEAR OF LONGINUS’

‘IN 1909 IN THE Hofburg Museum in Vienna, a thin, pale, shabby young man stood before the treasures of the House of Hapsburg.  Jeweled crowns glittered in their cases.  But what transfixed the observer was one small item: the remains of a spear, dull and black with age.  The unprepossessing visitor was Adolf Hitler.  The object  he worshiped was the Spear of Longinus.

The spear is reputed to be the one that pierced Christ’s side as He hung upon the cross.  Hitler discovered that there were at least three other ‘holy’ spears in Europe at that time.  One was in the Vatican.  A second had been taken to Paris at the time of the Crusades.  Another was to be found in a church in Cracow, Poland.  But the spear of Longinus, named after the Roman centurion who wielded it,  had commanded most attention.  The reason: attached to its handle is a nail reputedly used in the Crucifixion.

The spear is said to have acted as a powerful talisman or charm for Constantine the Great, first Christian emperor of Rome; Charles Martel, who drove the Arabs out of eighth-century France; the emperor Charlemagne; and the Holy Roman emperor Frederick Barbarossa.  According to tradition, all who possessed the spear were victorious.  It was the mystical qualities of the Spear of Longinus that so fascinated Hitler.

An occult obsession

The man who revealed Hitler’s obsession with the Spear of Longinus was an Austrian scholar, Dr. Walter Stein.  He struck up a friendship with Hitler prior to 1914 and came to know the man well.

According to Stein, Hitler’s belief in the supernatural powers of the spear led him into the darker realms of magic and the occult.  he saw himself as a reincarnation of Landulf II of Capua, a terrifying ninth-century Sicilian tyrant who was also supposed to have obtained possession of the spear.  Stein believed that Hitler’s rise to power was aided by black magic and the Spear of Longinus.

When Hitler annexed Austria into the Third Reich in 1938, one of the first things he did was to revisit the Hofburg Museum, to claim his ‘Spear of Destiny.’  He arranged for it to be taken by special train, under armed guard, to Nuremberg.  There it was placed in a church that, on his instruction, was turned into a Nazi shrine.

When the Allies bombed the city, Hitler ordered the spear hidden in a special-purpose vault deep within the foundations of Nuremberg Castle.

Finally, on April 30, 1945, U.S. troops, who had fought their way into Nuremberg in the face of fierce resistance, entered the vault and came upon the spear.  Hitler, by then isolated in his bunker in Berlin, did not know this had happened.  But only hours later, he shot himself.

Today, the spear is back in the Hofburg Museum, and ancient relic with a notorious past.” 

From FACTS AND FALLACIES by Reader’s Digest, pp.304 & 305; published in 1988.

If there is a message we can learn from this and that is the worship of things will lead to death.  The worship of Jesus Christ alone, the One and only One who gave His life to save us, is the only true worship.

It is like the lust of the flesh and the lures of power to lead to destruction.  If you want true, pure power and authority it is only in Jesus Christ.

Pray Wisely

/ 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.

Invitation To Life

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Genesis 7:1-24 continues…

When we search through all of Scripture there are many invitations which God extends. Most of them use the word “Come” including verse one here in our text. The LORD says to Isaiah, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters…” Isaiah 55:1. Jesus says to Peter, Andrew, and James and John, “Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” Mark 1;17 (KJV).

There is an ivitation in the Beginning book of God, and there is a final one in the final book of God, “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come’. And let him that heareth say, ‘Come’. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” Revelation 22:17 (KJV).

“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” Genesis 7:1 (KJV).

Methuselah, God’s last chance before judgment is come, is now dead. He could have died the day this invitation is given to Noah. For 969 years God has been merciful. The darkness of evil has increased upon the earth. For the last 120 years it has progressed at “breakneck” speed. For 100 of those years Noah has been preaching, warning people of God’s coming judgment and preparing the ark for himself and his family.

The ark which Noah built by God’s command is where God’s presence dwelt. The invitation itself gives us clear evidence that God is in the ark. “Come” is the word God uses. It is a call to move in the direction of the One who is speaking; even to move to the exact location of the speaker; who in this case is GOD. Where is God when He speaks the word, “Come”? He is in the ark. The invitation is “Come…into the ark”. He did not say, “Go into the ark”, but “Come” implying very strongly that He Himself was already inside.

We are told that, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Noah had done nothing to deserve this grace. God did not look down on Noah and say, “This man has a good heart”, or “This man has great potential for My glory”; God simply saw him the same way He did all the others and chose to show him grace. He showed him grace, and called him “Righteous”. Before He called Noah “Righteous” the LORD would have Himself paid his sin debt. That is God’s privilege. That is God’s mercy. That is God’s grace. He will have compassion on whom He will have compassion.

Give With Caution

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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

/ 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.

Problem With Mixed Marriages

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Genesis 6:1-22 continuing…

In chapter four we had the story of the genealogy of Cain, and that was following his murdering his brother Abel. Cain’s record is a record of the ungodly. “Cain went out from the presence of the LORD…” (4:16). The New Testament speaks of Cain as being one who hated God; Jude 11 mentions “the way of Cain” that would be not to seek the Lord, and attempt his own way of worship. First John chapter three and verse twelve tells us, “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”

In chapter five we have the story of the genealogy of Seth, “The Appointed”, and within it the story of redemption and the glory of God. Its story runs from Seth through Noah, and includes his three sons; Shem, Ham and Japheth.

It is my conclusion that since we have the genealogies of Cain and Seth here – back to back so to speak – that chapter six is referring to the Cainites as producing the “Daughters of men”, and the “Sons of God” are reference to the lineage of Seth. That does not give us a real bright picture of Seth’s sons, but that is how I will be presenting this.

“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.” Genesis 6:1-2 (KJV).

In looking at this we have to take it back to even before the lineage of Cain is given. It was then that people were beginning to populate the earth. We must remember that Adam and Eve had other children other than what is written in the pages in the early chapters of Genesis. With Cain and Seth we are given the truth of God that there are generally two types of people on the earth. Those who love God, because they have themselves received God’s love for them; and then, there are those like Cain who had no heart for God. This is the story that must be seen if we are to believe that men/women are accounted for their actions.

The women or “daughters of men” must have been very alluring, attractive, and seductive. Sometimes even the best of men will fall for something of beauty. These daughters of men, being from the lineage of Cain would, most likely, had no problem deceiving, luring, and lying to the sons of God, in order to achieve what they desired, thus luring many of them away from God. Those men who are named in the godly line of Seth were probably the ones who maintained somewhat of a fellowship with God, the LORD. It this is all there were, then, wickedness would surely have had a strangle hold on their society.

There are some who believe that the “sons of God” are fallen angels, as those mentioned in Jude 6, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day”, and also they refer to Job 1:6 and 2:1 where it says, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.”, and 2:1 stating, “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.” My question concerning this idea is, What would an angel, even a fallen angel, see in the “daughters of men”? There is no problem with seeing these “sons of God” as being from the lineage of Seth. As a matter of fact it solves a whole passel of problems. I am not going to deal with the matter of the angels here, because I do not see them as being involved in this text.

You could call the joining of the godly line with the ungodly line a case of “Mixed Marriages”. That is forbidden by God in the Scriptures today, though, there would have been no law concerning the matter in the early parts of the Beginning. Surely some sense of decency and thoughts of right and wrong would have been there, but maybe not. God now definitely forbids the Christian from marrying a non Christian. There are far too many “Mixed Marriages” in our society and it could be a death knell to the family. We are told in the New Testament,

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (KJV).

Now there are many people who have heard this taught and preached again and again. Young ladies who know better, professing to be Christian; marry a man who is the dream of her life, but he is not a Christian, and she finds out later that life with this man is a nightmare, they cannot agree on much, if anything, and he gets more and more rebellious toward the things of God as life goes along. In some rare cases the man comes to faith in Christ, and things can get better. God does not approve of Mixed Marriages concerning faith.

Speak the Truth

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Matthew 5:21-48 continued…

“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” Matthew 5:33-37 (KJV).

As we look at these words of Jesus it seems like everything concerning morality and righteousness is essential, yet Jesus had great grace and mercy toward all. Jesus intended that when we spoke a word; in private, before a group of people, or in a courtroom that we speak with the highest degree of integrity, honesty and valor which is possible. It starts with keeping our word; our oaths; with the LORD. It grieves His heart when we do not do so. It is better not to give your word at all than to give it, and then you swallow and devour everything which you said.

Is it wrong to “Swear on a Bible in a court room”? I personally do not believe it is. You are giving your word that you are going to tell the truth. If you won’t tell the truth without using the Bible you probably won’t using it. The whole issue of this matter has to do with a man’s or woman’s honesty, integrity, and character. If you are in the habit of lying then, you will probably lie no matter what.

Even if it hurts be honest. Tell the truth concerning things you testify of. Jesus says, “Let your communication be, ‘Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

A Writing of Divorce

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Matthew 5:21-48 continuing…

“It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” Matthew 5:31-32 (KJV).

We live in a day when divorce is running rampant. The Christian family is as infected as is the people outside the Christian faith. The percentage runs about 50 percent. Half of all marriages end in divorce according to statistics. For me to say that Christians are getting divorces as much as those who are not Christians really grieves my heart.

I cannot believe that anyone who has been divorced entered the marriage thinking, “I am going to get married for a few years, and then, get a divorce”. I may be wrong, but I cannot imagine that. I do believe there are some who give their vows to one another thinking, “If this does not work out we can always get a divorce”. I think that is why many get a divorce. There is no bonding. No commitment to the relationship.

It seems that Jesus is referring to a passage of scripture in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 having to do with the process of divorce. The religious leaders of the day had been teaching that a man could divorce his wife for burning the toast. The divorce laws today just as well not exist. They are so lenient that there is no reason needed to get one. NO FAULT divorce.

It might help us to understand this law better to realize that women in the time of Moses had no rights in marriage. The woman was at the mercy of her husband, and in almost every situation if not every situation, she had to marry whom her parents – her father – decided. The only legitimate divorce was if there was proof that she was not a virgin when she and her husband were married. When a husband brought such charges, and if they were false, the parents had the wedding night bedding, and could produce evidence of her virginity. If they had no proof of her virginity, then he could give her a writing of divorce, and she could go and be another man’s wife (See Deuteronomy 22:13-21). Women had no legitimate means of support, except a husband. In many situations their only other alternative was harlotry/prostitution. For a man to give a writing of divorce for another reason other than that mentioned caused her to commit adultery by marrying another man, and the man committed adultery as well. If a man became jealous suspecting his wife of unfaithfulness they had a means of caring for this also (See Numbers 5:11-31).

Jesus’s words on divorce are quite strong. It causes many of us to question what He meant. It is clear. The only reason for a man to divorce his wife was for “the cause of fornication”, ie., sexual sin, sexual impurity. If a man divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and she marries another she commits adultery, and the man who marries her commits adultery. This can also be reversed for the woman and the man concerning our day. In Jesus’s day the woman was not allowed to seek a divorce. Women today can seek a divorce, so that is why I say the thing can be reversed with the woman seeking a divorce.

Divorce, as it is practiced in our society of 2007, does not make sense. It is almost always a losing proposition. The man loses, the woman loses, and if there are children they are the biggest losers, but not of their own doing.

Just a Thought

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Matthew 5:21-48 continued…

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30 (KJV).

Wouldn’t it be really great to have “Thought Police”. Of course, it would have to be someone who could read your mind and thoughts. They would also need to know the intent of your heart in order to make a righteous judgment. Now, Jesus is saying what the law has told us, “Thou shalt not commit adultery”. Is that not clear enough, then, He says, “But I say unto you…” Who is this? It is Jesus. You could be right in even saying, “He knows your every thought and the intent of your heart”. This One says, “…That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” On the outward appearance there are a lot of men who would be okay with just the law, since many have not committed physical adultery against their wives. Looking on the thoughts and hearts in the matter guilt would cover the world like a flood. Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!

This indictment against us is strong. I am guilty of having looked at some women with lust. May God give me a purer thought life, and a better heart for Him, and forgiveness for my sin.

Is it sinful for a man to look at a woman, and see her beauty, and form? Only if that leads to lust. Lust is the desire; lingering, longing desire, that is felt as a thirsty tongue for water in a dry and barren land. There is nothing wrong with admiring the beauty God has created. It becomes lust if you feel you must have it for yourself.

Is Jesus serious about plucking out the eye that offends, cutting off the hand that offends? He is showing how seriously He takes sin. How seriously did Jesus take sin? So serious He voluntarily went to the cross, laid down His life, and died. The plucking out of the eye and the cutting off of the hand, and casting it from us; shows us how seriously we should take sin. If our eye looks upon a woman with lust, it will not really do us any good to pluck out the eye; there will still be lust in the heart. It is a heart issue, not an eye issue. Change of heart will lead to a change of view. Some women may be reading this and think that this does not apply to them. Oh yes it does. Women can have a problem with lust as well.

Indifference Toward Anger

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Matthew 5:21-48 continuing…

The word “Apathy” is defined as, “Lack of emotion 2. lack of interest: indifference.” MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY. We become indifferent when we start accepting only outward appearance as what is acceptable to the holiness of God. Men, the male gender, if we are Christian men others will be watching the way we treat our wives, and the way we LOOK at other women. Whether we like it or not sometimes what is truly in the heart and mind comes out for all to see.

The actual deed is no less, or no more condemning than a harbored thought. The act of the deed begins with the thought. “Sow a thought, you reap a deed. Sow a deed, you reap a habit. Sow a habit, you reap a character. Sow a character, you reap a destiny.” UNKNOWN. When we become spiritually apathetic we will fall to our uncontrolled thoughts.

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” Matthew 5:21-26 (KJV).

The Law says, “Thou shalt not kill”, and there is no question about that. That is talking of premeditated murder – planning the killing sometimes far in advance of the time of the actual killing. Who ever murdered another was to be put to death. The family members of the murdered victim were the one’s responsible for putting them to death. It seems to be a needed item today, yes even in our “Civilized culture”. Maybe it would become a little more civilized.

Jesus deals with “Anger” in verse 22. The “Anger” which Jesus refers to is an emotional anger which continues adding fuel, and it continues growing hotter and hotter until it finally explodes in vengeance, that is basically revenge. Getting even. Settling the score. Jesus does not address the issue here, but let me say that there is a place for anger. I remember hearing someone say, “You can pretty well judge a person’s character by what makes them angry”. Paul wrote, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” Ephesians 4:26 (KJV). So there is a place for the right anger. Be angry when children are molested. Be angry when a man beats his wife. Be angry when a drunken driver kills a car load of teenagers. Be angry when you get loaded down with sin. Be angry when you see a brother or sister in Christ loaded down with sin. Be angry and act on it rightly. Put it to rest by the end of the day.

The anger for which Jesus addresses is the anger which leads to the act of murder. Murder is already in the individual’s heart. He is guilty of murder, even though the deed has not been done. In his/her heart it is as good as done. Someone might say, “Well! If I am guilty of murder due to the thought, then, I just as well go ahead and kill the dude.” Not so. With the thought you are destroying yourself, and condemning yourself. With the deed you destroy yourself, and the other individual, thus guilty of the thought and the deed.

If you are in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ there is no place to harbor this sort of anger. This anger leads to hatred which leads to murder. Hear what John the apostle says, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15 (KJV). If there is anger or hatred toward any individual in your life put that matter to rest today. Take it to the Lord, and receive peace. He forgave you for your treacherous act of sin. Surely you can forgive the one who has offended you. If not you have not been forgiven.

Enos, the “Mortal Man”

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Genesis 5:1-32 continues…

“And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan: And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.” Genesis 5:9-11 (KJV).

Enos, the son of Seth in the LORD God’s plan of redemption, is the mortal man. That is the meaning of his name – “Mortal man”. It could be that at the time of the birth of Enos Adam and Eve and all those living were just beginning to see the results of sins curse, ie., death. Continue to notice that Enos, was having sons and daughters, helping populate the earth. These sons and daughters of Adam, Seth, and Enos all needed redemption. Death would have surely been noticed by this time;  by the stillborn death of children, and of adults; by murder and disease. It could be also that young children would have died to sickness, and some forms of diseases brought into the world because of sin.

No matter what the cause Enos is seen as “Mortal”. The MIRRIAM/WEBSTER Dictionary states that ‘mortal’ means ‘Subject to death’. Whether we like to admit it or not, one day we will die. This old human body wrinkles, decays, and aches. Aging is a painful progress, and as someone has said, “Growing old is not for cowards”. There are many people today who do not take growing old very well. They go to their “Plastic surgeon” and have work done on their face. They follow the latest fad to try and preserve their body until some cure is found for the disease which got them down. We are all mortal. We will all one day die.

There are people who are still searching for that FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, and to no avail. The only hope of living forever is by trusting who you are to the care of our loving, gracious, merciful Creator. He made the way to live forever, and that is through faith in the Son Jesus Christ, who gave His life as a Substitute for all our judgment of sin. If we are to live with our Creator for all eternity, then, we must yield to His way.

Salt of the Earth?????

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Matthew 5:13-16 continuing…

So far in looking at the Sermon On the Mount we have looked only at the “Beatitudes”, and concerning our attitudes. Happiness in Christ is possible as we yield our all and all to Him. I have called these “Beatitudes” “A DISTINCTIVE SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE”, because attitudes are important. “Attitude” meaning ‘the position of something in relation to something else’, and in the case of the Beatitudes would be the position of our attitude in relation to “poverty”; in relation to “mourning”; in relation to “meekness”; etc… Our attitude should be that that will bring glory to our Savior and His Father.

These distinctive spiritual attitudes will then lead us to “A DECISIVE SPIRITUAL ACTION”. What is the work of the Christian? How are we to live? We just learned in the previous studies that we are to be HAPPY, ie. fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Will our attitude determine our action, or at least have an impact on our actions? I certainly believe so.

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” Matthew 5:13 (KJV).

Does one’s attitude have any affect on their actions or behavior? I would think that there are many lives that bear witness to the truth of the statement, “Yes one’s attitude has an affect on their actions and/or behavior”. I know of myself, if I have a bad attitude about something my actions or/and behavior is usually bad. Several years ago I was going to our Associational Children’s Camp at Baptist Hill. I was going so that I could help in the kitchen. That is what I was told they needed me for, and that is what I went for. I had a good attitude about that. However, when we arrived at the Hill, they were short of Counselors; and the counselors had to sleep with the children, play with the children, teach the children, keep the children under control. They then told me they had plenty of kitchen help, “Would you mind being a counselor?” I was there. I was handy. I was sure disappointed.

Please do not misunderstand me. I had purposely gone at other times to be a counselor for children, for a total of about 10 years, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and one year had the privelege of leading about five boys in my room to faith in Jesus. When they asked, I said, “Okay. I will”, but I said it with a whole lot of reservations. None named; only in my attitude. I want you to know, that, I had a long miserable week; and I probably made the boys lives miserable too.

That attitude affected my being salt to those boys. It affected my bright and shining, smiling personality :). I am dreadfully afraid that my salt that week was trampled under foot and some of those boys went home, never to return to any camp again.

Along toward the end of the week I did realize how I had been. I asked God’s forgiveness and I began to have the right attitude, but I still fear that those first two days were torture to some at camp.

A few years later, I volunteered to go back to camp as a counselor. I had the right attitude. I had the love for those boys that I should have had. I enjoyed telling them about Jesus. The week went by so swiftly, it was as though I had never left home. I learned a lot about attitude and behavior or actions that one long week. I am still learning, however.

Adam, Say Something

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Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons” Genesis 3:6-7.

So many times and far too much of the time we are a fickle lot of people. We see, hear, and believe only what we want to. The lie of the devil was very enticing, but it was a desire and longing in Eve’s heart that overcame what she knew to be right. “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15). Turning, and walking away from what tempts us is so difficult, because, what is tempting us to sin, is what we are desiring, even if we know it is wrong, and evil.

There are three phases of temptation – Adam’s and Eve’s and our’s; 1) “The lust of the flesh…’; 2) ‘the lust of the eyes’; and 3) ‘the pride of life” (1 John 2:15-17). Notice how this appealed to Eve: 1) It was appealing for the satisfaction of the physical; 2) it was attractive to look upon; and 3) it offered to make her powerful. These things are very hard to resist. They have appeal to all of us. It seems especially so in the world today. We want immediate gratification NOW, so what ever appeals to our pride, longing for beauty, or satisfaction of physical appetites we do. If you look at the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) you will see that the devil used these same three temptations to try and tempt Jesus away from and around the cross.

Remember Eve was innocent. Innocent does not mean incapable of sin. She was unfamiliar with temptation. Eve was like a very young child who is told not to touch a hot stove. It is, most times, experience that teaches them why they should not touch it. Eve’s temptation had far greater consequences than a child touching a hot stove, but by becoming disobedient to God mankind has felt the heat.

Where was Adam while this was going on? Apparently, he was there “with her” according to the text (v. 6b). We have no clue as to Adam’s silence, but this is certainly one point where silence was not “golden”. Reading this text makes me want to scream, “ADAM, SAY SOMETHING. SAY NO! JUST SAY NO!” He could have taken Eve by the arm and said, “Let’s go”, but he did not do it. It could be in their innocence that neither had a place of ‘rulership’ over the other, but stood equal, and because of this Adam remained silent. We really do not know.

We can certainly learn that as men, as husbands and fathers there are times as the prophets, priests and kings in our families we must speak up. Our wives and children need clear direction fromt he Lord, and often times the way they receive that is through us. We must speak or let our families go to ruin.

The saddest state of all is their pride. They realize that they had sinned and were disobedient to the commandment of God. They know they are not alone – God is there. They make themselves a covering of “Fig leaves”. Maybe good enough for man’s and religion’s approval, but not God’s (Isaiah 64:6). It was a fig tree which Jesus cursed. A curse upon the works of righteousness which man can do. A curse of empty religion. Cursed because of fruitlessness (Matthew 21:18-20), offering nothing pleasing to God, or for the real hunger of mankind.

Fig leaves will not cover sufficiently, nor effectively; only the shed blood of the Lamb of God Jesus Christ can cover our multitude of sins.

They Shall Inherit the Earth

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 The Be-Attitudes continuing…

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5 (KJV).

Someone has defined ‘Meekness’ as “Strength/Power under control”. If there was ever a picture of meekness in men it came from Jesus Christ Himself. It is also said of Moses. ” (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Numbers 12:3 (KJV). Meekness can also be called ‘gentleness’. Meekness comes when we realize the greatness of God.

The meek are those who know and realize who they are in Christ, but do not seek to exploit their position, power or person above others. The meek are not quick to defend themselves, but will be quick in defending others, and standing for the righteousness, holiness, and justice of God.

The meek are those who will not complain about the rough spots in their lives, but are grateful, thankful, and trusting that they are in the care of God, and that all things are under His control. This attitude would be the position of the meek in relation to their world. The meek would see the positon of themselves as apposed to the thinking of the world.

The inheritance of the ‘Meek’ is the earth. This is mentioned in the Psalms; “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” Psalm 37:9-11 (KJV). Those who are always out for themselves; never defend the holy; never defend the helpless, but are always stepping on others to get their way – they will be “Cut off”; but the “Meek shall inherit the earth”. Notice that it says that of “…Those that wait upon the LORD..” as well.

Which Tree Is It?

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Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

“And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” Genesis 3:2-3

The serpent had implied in verse one that God had said they could not eat from every tree of the garden, not just the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve being innocent caught the “error”, and proceeded to correct the snake. Surely, she found it fascinating that a serpent was able to speak in the first place. It was, most likely, not an event that was supposed to happen, except in this rare event. There must have been questions racing through Eve’s mind – ‘Where did this serpent with the ability to speak come from?’; ‘Is this the only one, or are there others?’; ‘Is this the only beast that can speak or can all the others?’ All these racing through her mind and distracted from the deception that was taking place.

Eve does answer the serpent correctly in this first phase of her answer. “We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden…” God had not forbidden Adam and Eve from eating any of the fruits of the garden, except the one tree. We must remember there were two trees in the “midst of the garden” (Genesis 2:9). In this part of the answer Eve’s answer becomes a little unclear. She says, “…Of the fruit of the tree which is in the MIDST OF THE GARDEN, God hath said,,,”. Now, which tree was she speaking of? Her answer there is unclear. She did not specify which tree. The serpent had her in his grasp. She was not clear on what God had said, or at least had not quoted God correctly, then, she goes on and adds more it seems. Since these last words she uses, “…Neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” are not mentioned previously it seems that she has added to God’s Word; on that the serpent has her again. It would have probably been a good thing to not touch the fruit lest the temptation be stronger, but to add it as a commandment of the LORD God was a mistake.

Let’s have a refresher on what God had said, ” And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” Genesis 2:16-17. Eve was in error of not saying which tree in the midst of the garden, and she was in error for confronting the devil with what she may have assumed to be God’s Word. The MacArthur Study Bible note for this phrase, “Nor shall you touch it” states, “An addition to the original prohibition as recorded (cf. Gen. 2:17). Adam may have so instructed her for her protection“. I do believe that Eve had her own fellowship with the LORD God not based on Adam’s. If Adam did tell her this without instructing her that it was his own words and not the LORD God’s then, Adam was in error in doing so.

We can learn much from these two verses. One is that when we are tempted we better know the Word of the Lord. We cannot stand in this fallen world without God’s Word hidden in our hearts and lives. It is given us for our protection and keeping. “How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto, according to Thy Word” Psalm 119:9. “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11. Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Thy truth; Thy Word is truth” John 17:17. None of us can face the devil/serpent alone. We, as Christians, have the Spirit of Christ Jesus within us and the Word of God directing and cleansing us.

Liar of All Liars

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Genesis 3:1-24 continuing…

If you are somewhat like me you sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have lived in the Garden of Eden in a state of innocence. The temperature was perfect. The atmosphere was perfect. There was a human strength that would probably been unbelievable compared to our strengths and abilities. The air was clean. There were no battles, no wars, not even between Adam and Eve. The lion and the lamb came and drank from the same pool of water, and at the same time and there was no fear in the lamb, and no aggression in the lion. The wolf and the kid [goat] ate together, slept near one another, and none was aggressive, and none was fearful. In the whole of the garden, there was no fear. What a world. Then something dreadful, terrible, sad, and deadly happened.

In verse one we read, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” The first thing we read about in the third chapter is a serpent; a snake; and that this serpent is “more subtle than any beast of the field…” Did God create this snake to be subtle, that is cunning, crafty, and could even add prudent? It appears so. Subtle does not always mean a bad thing, but when it comes to the meaning of the serpent in this case it does. This serpent was used by a more intelligent being. One thing I do want to point out here is that there is no mention that this ‘serpent’ is Satan or the devil as we often call him. We can rightly assume this is a serpent who has been possessed by the devil or Satan. In the book of Ezekiel we find a description of the devil in chapter 28. It is also a reference to the king of Tyre. The king of Tyre was being influenced; if not empowered; by the devil. Notice in Ezekiel verse 13, “You were in Eden, the garden of God…”, also in verse 14, “You were the anointed cherub who covers…”, and then in the Revelation he is referred to as “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years…” (20:2). That is part of the places we are justified in calling this serpent in the garden an associate of the devil.

The snake is stealthy, sneaky, and can kill. This snake of our text begins with a question intended to deceive. Not only was this beast subtle, but also had a cunning beauty about him. If you can look closely at some snakes today, there is some of that beauty still with them. Even the deadly rattlesnake, or the not as venomous copperhead, have a beauty in the patterns of their skins. That is why we are warned in the New Testament that “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” 2 Corinthians 11:14.

The devil has no love for any of God’s creation, because he has no love for God. He is seeking to destroy God’s creation, especially the creation which God made in His own image. It fits very well that one of the most beautiful of angels, having lost his position would choose a beautiful creature to deceive and destroy.

The lie of the serpent is one of casting doubt. Questions when dealt with rightly, and in faith can strengthen the faith. Satan, the old serpent, loves casting doubt on the Word of God. He loves it even more when doubt breeds unbelief. He appears often as that “angel of light” mentioned above for the purpose of deception. It is easy to identify many of the devil’s works in the world – murder, heresy (though this one is becoming very controversial due to pluralism, pragmatism, and political correctness), hatred, homosexuality (kind of in the same category with heresy), adultery, premarital sex, envy, greed, injustice, mercilessness, no fear of God, etc., but it is more difficult to identify his work when he appears as an ‘angel of light’. That is why Jesus commanded us to “Watch”.

To get Eve’s attention he implied that none of the trees could be eaten from. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Twisting the Word of God is a tool of the devil, and he will use that to destroy you. Jesus used the Word of God against the attacks of the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). We must learn how to do so also.

The First Wedding

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Genesis 2:1-25 concluded..

These verses begin by showing Adam performing his God ordained task, as a matter of fact, he is showing a God-like quality. Just as God named the earth, the heavens, and man; Adam is given the ressonsibility to name the animals. This shows man in his ability to reason and to rule.

“And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.” (v. 20). As these animals pass before Adam he is shown that there is none like himself. This shows us that man is himself unique, and needs a unique help meet.

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” (vv. 21-22). In these verses we find the first surgery performed, and the FIRST MARRIAGE. This was a very unique surgery. A rib is removed from Adam. The rib taken from Adam is then, ‘Built’ into the likeness of Adam in female form. The way she is designed is even unique. Instead of being formed from the dust of the ground she is built from the side of the man “For Adam was first formed, then Eve” 1 Timothy 2:13. It has been said, “Woman was not taken from man’s feet to be trampled by him, or from his head to rule over him; but from his side, to be near his heart, and loved by him”. UNKNOWN. In name and nature man and woman were made for one another.

In type [portrait] we see Christ giving His life for His Bride. Here is how it can be seen; 1) Deep sleep – death; 2) the side opened – the spear thrust into His side, and the blood and water flowed. Jesus died on the cross. His side was opened by a soldier’s spear (John 19:34). Even as Adam awoke; Jesus arose from death and the grave. When Adam awoke he discovered the most beautiful of all of creation. When Jesus arose from death He had prepared the way for the building of His bride. Just as God brought Eve to Adam, God brings us to Christ, also ultimately into the garden (Rev. 22:1-2).

The first husband and wife are truly one – Eve was taken out of Adam. Just for noting: Adam does not name give the woman the name “Eve” until the twentieth verse of chapter three, and that is after the fall. They were one in purpose, one in flesh, one in God and in worship.

In their innocence they were unashamed. They were open. Everything was revealed. They expressed genuine love for one another without shame or fear of reprisal. Their communication with one another, and with God was straight forward. There was no need for politics, political correctness, diplomacy or tact. It must have been wonderful. There is no way at all we can begin to understand the joy they shared together.

Here in this portion of Scripture is given direction for all marriages to come. The man begins his own family and is to, himself, become the head of his wife; not his mother, father of her mother and father.

God performed the first wedding ceremony. If God were allowed to be central of every wedding/marriag, and the couples; there would be no spousal abuse, divorce, adultery, etc., except because of sin.

It seems that in this year of 2007 Domestic abuse or Spousal abuse is up over much of our country. O, that those who are married would love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25ff). Too many times the husbands are always expecting to receive from the wife, when it is our privilege to give to the wife the very best that we can give, even to our lives.

Looking At The Beatitudes

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Matthew 5:1-12 continuing…

We will be looking at each of the Beatitudes individually through the next few posts.

LOOKING AT THE BE-ATTITUDES

Matthew 5:1-12

When we begin looking at the Sermon on the Mount we see how Jesus expects His dedicated followers to live. There are far too many professing Christians that are saying and believing, “We are not required to obey the law any longer”, thus we have a bunch of reprobate professors of Christianity. There could not be anything further from the truth.

Where the law only told us the way, but did not provide aid in the way; Jesus came fulfilling the law and because of His Spirit living within also enables us to live the law in our lives. The law which once was only written in cold hard stones, and could not reach stone cold hearts, is now written in hearts of flesh.

Anyone professing today that they live by the Sermon On The Mount had better read it before they make such a bold announcement. It is far more binding, and has much more it requires than does the Ten Commandments. We will look at some of those things when we get to those areas.

In this lesson of the ‘BE-ATTITUDES’, using a little play on words; we find the attitudes the individuals who are in the Kingdom of Christ Jesus the King, are to have.

There are nine “Blessed(s)” given. The meaning of the word “Blessed” is ‘happy’. That is a “Beatitude”. Each “Blessed” is a reference to more than happiness – it has most certainly to do with spiritual joy. Happiness (as often defined or thought of) is determined by circumstances; events which take place in one’s life which can either add great excitement and temporary happiness, or great distress and sorrow. If it is an event which brings temporary happiness and excitement, it is only fleeting. Spiritual joy is an attitude attainable only by faith in Jesus – having a close personal relationship with Him. The happiness of which these Bible Blessings speak of is an enduring happiness, an inner joy, which is everlasting, and cannot be taken away.

Matthews Gospel tells us that it was the disciples whom Jesus taught. After having multitudes following Him He probably felt a need to get away. If not only for His disciples sake. This is the first major teaching of Jesus in this Gospel. It covers chapters five through seven. It could be called PRINCIPLES FOR KINGDOM LIVING. This was the King’s way of setting up His kingdom, and preparing the hearts of His people for what was to come. It was a different kingdom, than what the religious rulers had heard and taught. For some reason they missed the part of the “Suffering Servant” (Isaiah 52-53), dying by the hand of God, and taking away our transgressions. We see by these that there is happiness, fulfillment, and joy in the kingdom of our Lord and Savior.

In the Gardens

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“And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:8-9 and verses10 – 15.

For the sake of commentary we must mention that there are four gardens mentioned in Scriptures which have a great importance for us. The first garden is Eden which we will see shortly in Genesis; the second is Gethsemane found in John 18:1, and was the garden where Jesus prayed on His last evening; then, there was a garden at Calvary according to John 19:41-42 – that is the place where Jesus was laid after His crucifixion; and finally, there is the garden of the Heavenly Paradise found in the Revelation of Jesus Christ 22:1-2 – it is not there called a garden, but the Tree of Life is there and it is bearing fruit; it is surely a new Garden of Eden.

Of the first and the last gardens the only way into these is by God’s placing them/us therein. God created Adam and placed him in Eden. He makes us a New Creation, and places us, by His grace, into His heavenly paradise. The cross of Christ has made all things new in those who trust and believe Him.

There were two trees in the midst of the garden; the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The first was for eternal life, the second brought death.

This garden [Eden], as is also the Heavenly Paradise, is watered by a river which flows through and out of these gardens. The river which flows out of Eden is said to disperse into four rivers. Not much can be known of all these rivers, except one still has its original name [Euphrates], and Hiddekel is thought to be the Tigris River.

This river which flowed through the garden was a source of life. The river of water flowing through, from the throne of God, the Heavenly Paradise, is a source of eternal joy, and life.

We learn here, that God is the Giver of life and eternal life. “He that believeth on Me as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water”, Jesus said, in John 7:38. Also see John 4:14. Jesus is the source of life, and those who drink from Him are the branches of water which go out to the rest of the world.

JUST AS THE LORD God PREPARED A PLACE FOR ADAM AND EVE HE HAS A PREPARED PLACE FOR ALL WHO TRUST HIM.

And On the Sixth Day…

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Genesis 1:14-31 concluded

“And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Gen. 1:24-25.

On the beginning of the sixth day God created the final part of His creation before He created His crowning achievement.. He made all the provisions, necessities for human life, and comfort before He created the one made after Himself. When we see ourselves as we were originally made we will have a higher view of God, and eventually of ourselves, and others.

When the false teachers of evolution tell us that we are nothing more than a glorified animal, if even given that much credit, we find that there is no purpose for life, living, and that there is really no need for law. It would really come down to the teaching of THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. If we would take an honest look at our world and societies of the day we would find that people are becoming more and more unkind to one another. The evolutionits try and tell us that man is progressively getting better and better. If we are honest about it, though, we must conclude that there is little concern for human life. There is more concern for our life comforts, pleasures, conveniences, personal health and success, than there is for the unborn child. “The female of our species” can determine that this “thing” growing inside of her is nothing more than a mass which needs to be removed, comparing it to cancer. That is the result of being nothing more than another of the animal “species”, rather than having been created in the image and likeness of our Creator – God.

Often times, we as Christians, do not value the life of other created beings in the way that we should. I must say there have been times I was guilty of that. We should have a respect for all of life; even the life of the whale, dolphin, deer, elk, moose, cattle, horses, and all livestock, etc. However, that must be held within the perimeter of God’s Word. We have been told that, “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” Gen. 9:3-4 – of course we must realize this permission was given after the flood of Noah’s time. We are also told in the Proverbs, “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious” Proverbs 12:27. I may aggravate a lot of hunters when I say this, but I will write it anyway. If you are a “Trophy hunter” and you waste the meat, and hunt for only the purpose of having a trophy, then you are nothing but a killer; a taker of precious life. There is nothing wrong with hunting and bringing in the meat for food, but when it is only for a trophy you fit into the role of “The slothful man”.

God has given to the creature created in His image and likeness the ability to think, to rationally think things through, to be logical, to dream, to achieve, to create – from materials which exist, and to build. The ultimate thing which God has given us is freewill with which to worship and adore Him.

When God made these cattle, and creeping things, and beast of the earth after his kind…we are told that, “God saw that it was good” Can you imagine this animal kingdom at peace with one another? The lamb and the lion feeding together; the ox and the tiger laying under the shade in the heat of the day sun; the child playing over the serpents den. This is the way it was in the beginning. There was peace in the “Animal kingdom”. The lamb and the lion; the ox and the tiger were eating the produce of the ground; “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.” (vv. 29-30).

Of man God says, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (v. 28). Nowhere does this mean mistreatment of animals, and nowhere does this mean they have as much or more value than human life. Of man God also tells us, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (2:7).

In verses 29 – 31 we find what has been called the Edenic Covenant. A covenant is an agreement between two parties. Sometimes a covenant may have conditions on both parties, or it can have conditions for only one of the parties. In the case of the Edenic Covenant God placed conditions on Adam and Eve in order for them to stay in Eden. These conditions are, 1) To multiply and fill the earth; 2) To subdue the earth for human use and the glory of the Lord; 3) To rule/have dominion over the animal creation, for their keeping and well being; 4) To eat herbs and fruits brought forth by the trees and vegetation in the garden; 5) To till and care for – Keep (Guard) – the garden; 6) To abstain from eating the fruit from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”; and 7) With the understanding of the penalty of death for eating the fruit of the forbidden tree.

Though we were made in the image and likeness of God; this image and likeness was later marred by sin when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. The bond between Adam and God was shattered by sin; by disobedience; and this image was restored by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It was not until the creation of the crown of His creation that God said, “It is very good”, and He said it of all that He created. Just think, if He could say that about the creation of the natural, what He will say when the New Creation is completed. The New Creation being every individual who has come to God through Jesus Christ’s shed blood, burial and resurrection. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” 2 Cor. 5:17. The evening and the morning were the sixth day.

On Day Five

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Genesis 1:14-31 continuing…

“And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day” Genesis 1:20-23 (KJV).

 

We come now to the creation of the Fins [life within the waters], and creating of the Feathers [life of the fowl] (vv. 20-23). “Let the waters bring forth abundantly…”. Jesus said to the woman at the well, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” John 4:10. Jesus also said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” John 7:37-38. It was the fifth day that life was given in the waters of the earth. Remember who is doing the creating. The voice of God; the Living Word, and the Living Water.

In looking at these verses it almost would appear that the recent declarations by some evolutionists concerning fish and birds coming from the same form of life could have some merit. The only ‘merit’ I give them is that these were both created on the same day, and it does almost seem that you could make an argument for them coming from the water. I will not give them that, though. It does tell us that each was made “After his kind”. The fish was made for and after the fish. The bird [fowl] was made for and after the bird. It did not take hundreds, thousands, or millions of years to make these or any other part of creation. We are told this creating was all done in a period of six days. It is measured by the “rising and setting” of the sun, or one rotation of the earth. God tells the fish and creatures of the waters to fill the waters, and He tells the fowl to fill the earth. This was the fifth day.

Remember God’s order! 1. The heaven and the earth was created; 2. Light is created, ordered for the earth; 3. God puts a protecting sphere or canopy over the earth made of water; 4. Plants begin to grow, ‘After his kind’; 5. The light giving bodies are created becoming the permanent sources of light; 6. Aquatic and fowl life are created to reproduce “After his king’; 7. The land creatures are created – the cattle, horses, etc. – this also includes the creature created in ‘God’s image’. When there is such order how can anyone with a reasoning, thinking, mind of logic see anything but a Creator?

The Second Day

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Genesis 1:3-13 continuing…

“And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day” Genesis 1:6-8 (KJV).

On day two the waters of the earth were to be divided. The water of the surface of the land, and the waters in the sky. This does leave us with the knowledge that there is water above us, even in our time. We know that because of clouds, rainfall, snowfall, icefall, etc. On this second day of creation this water above the earth seems to have been much more massive than that of today.

One thing that should be noticed is the orderly fashion in which God created. Of course, it is obvious to us that it should be done this way. However, far too many times we humans get the proverbial “Cart before the horse”. This is further evidence of the All-Wise, All-Powerful Creator.

This second day is a recorded day of division. It should also be noted that this is the only day where it is not recorded that “God saw that it was good”. It seems that there is something of a sadness on this day. Could it be possible that this division typifies the cross of Jesus? The separation of man from God? The separation of the God-Man from His father as He becomes the sins of the world, and becomes the brunt of His Father’s judgment? “We believe that the ‘firmament’ here typifies the cross and sets forth its twofold aspect. There our blessed Lord was divided or separated from God Himsell — ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’; and there also He was separated from man– ‘Cut off out of the land of the living'”. A. W. PINK Gleanings In Genesis pg. 24. One thing we must realize when we recognize “Types, shadows, etc.” is that a type does not deny the historicity or truth of the text. If we can see this here, then, truly glory is given to the Creator, and we magnify Him. This may be the reason why there is no acknowledgement of , “God saw that it was good”, His heart was grieved, because He saw the price that He would be paying to redeem fallen man.

It should be noted that at the last day of creation we are told, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (v. 31). At the completion of God’s New Creation he will be able to say, through His Son Jesus, “Well done Good and faithful servant. His creation is “Good”. The completion of creation – the New Creation (2 Cor. 5:17) – is “Very good”. Man, not the material things, are the priority of God’s glory.

The Price of Security

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Matthew 4:1-11 continuing…

“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” Matthew 4:5-7.

This the second temptation. How secure was the Lord Jesus in who He was/is? Did He have to prove it? Jesus had all the basic desires that all humanity has. He had one thing going for Him which we did not, and that is that He was/is Deity, yet He did not boast of it. He boasted of His Father. When an individual is secure they do not need to prove themselves before, mocking, hateful, envious, despising crowds, or individuals.

Jesus Christ had the desire for security. Again, I want you to remember these disires are God-given and no sin in them unless they become perverted, and outside God’s purview. People today have desire for financial security, health security, retirement security, home security, and family and marriage security. Many times these items can become a source of worry and fear, and that shows a lack of faith and trust in the Lord.

Security, or obtaining security can become a source of self dependence, and not so much depending upon the Lord and His provisions. People spend hours per day laboring extra long and hard to be sure their job is secure. Many labor, to the point of being afraid of their job – meaning they are afraid if they do not work the extra hours, do all the boss ask them to do above and beyond the call of duty, they could lose their position. Anyone who must do that is not secure. If you are fearful of these things; not having them, losing them, or maybe of never having them; you are not secure.

When a man or woman has obtained these or reached a point where they feel they are secure they have fallen into an open door to temptation. There has been many a Lottery winner who when they had won their million or millions, or maybe a little less, believed they were “Secure” now. They had it made. Then, something happened, they lost it, security was gone.

The devil tried to get Jesus to throw Himself over the edge. “If you are the Son of God, the angels will catch you, and no harm will happen to you” was his words. If you are secure in your own mind, and you feel you must prove it; you are the least secure person there is. The one who is secure needs not depend upon any proof, but upon the peace only God can give, then you will presume nothing. When the time comes all will be exposed.

Jesus would go to the cross, be lifted up before all to see, He would ask the Father to forgive their sins, He would finish what the Father sent Him to do, and three days later He would rise from the grave alive. He went all the way to death – the death of the cross – and He arose. He was secure in the Father’s will.

The Voice of God

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AND GOD SAID…Genesis 1:3-13

 

“In the beginning God…” clearly refutes all things which exalt themselves against God. “Pantheism” says all things are god and god is all things, but this is clearly refuted because if ‘all things are god’ then, how did they come to be? If God is all things, then, why create?

“Atheism” is repudiated by the Bible’s declaration of God.

“Materialism” is refuted because God’s material creation are distinguished as being separate by Scripture.

In these first few words God is seen as the All-Powerful (Omnipotent) One who is before all things and holds all things in His hand. It is declared that “…He is infinite and omnipotent, for no finite being possesses the power to ‘create’, and none but an Omnipotent Being could create ‘the heaven and the earth’.” A. W. PINK, From Gleanings In Genesis.

If we are to find the answers to the questions of life we must begin with God, as has been stated in the previous message. We must begin with Him, because it all began when He spoke things; seen and unseen; into existence.

There are those who follow the C. I. Scofield belief of a “Gap theory” between verses one and two. They believe this was the time of the dinosaurs, and gives allowance for the seeming contradiction of earth’s age, and other things, between science and Scripture. A look at Revelation 21:1, without question disputes the ‘gap theory’. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea”.

The earth ‘without form and void’ would be much like a painters canvas. The artist has a picture in his mind, but no one else can see it until the work is almost finished. This was a creation which was only beginning. The painter had not yet began His work.

There does seem to be Scriptural evidence which supports the existence of large dinosaurs on earth, even during the time of Job. In Job chapter 40 we see a creature called ‘Behemoth’ beginning in verse 15 – “Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron” Job 40:15-18. Some commentators say this is speaking of something like a hippopotamus. The description sounds to me to be much more than a hippo. In chapter 41 another creature call “Leviathan” is seen as a “fire breathing” creature, “By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth” Job 41:18-21. The Bible teachers of a few years ago declared that this was a crocodile. “Flame goeth out of his mouth…” a crocodile? Now, come on. Job must have lived sometime after the flood. This would have been when these creatures died off, because of the change of environment, after the flood.

At the initial creation the earth was covered with water. There was no light until the Spirit of God “Moved upon the face of the waters”. The Holy Spirit brooded, like a hen sits on her eggs bringing forth the desired result. PLEASE NOTE – God did nothing without the work of the Holy Spirit, or His Word which became flesh (John1:1, 14). This is so of individuals who find their lives void, and without purpose or meaning. God was not pleased with the darkness on the ‘deep’, and He is not pleased when our hearts are dark and void. God’s Spirit broods, and stirs our hearts to move us to God.

Without the moving of the Spirit there would be no light. NOTICE THE TRINITY AT WORK IN CREATION – 1. “God created…; 2. The Spirit moved…; and 3. God said…”; the Word went forth. When the Word went forth there was light.

Just as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit were at work in the first creation, they are also fully at work in the New Creation bringing purpose, meaning and light into every life who is drawn to God’s grace and salvation.