The Day GOD Heard a Man

Tim A.'s avatarShiloah Baptist Church

Reading Joshua 10 – 12 today…

“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.”  Joshua 10:8 (KJB)

No one will believe this story unless they believe there is God who made all things, and will believe the Scriptures of Genesis through the Revelation.  There are probably many scientific reasons, and maybe quite reasonable reasons for saying this cannot happen.  However, it did.  There are many things science, neither the mind of men can explain.  Let us trust God, and believe His word.

Five kingdoms decided to team up against the inhabitants of Gibeon.  They (Gibeon – see chapter 9) had made, though  through deceit, a treaty with Israel.

Because Israel had promised in the name of the LORD to have this treaty they would stand by Gibeon and protect them as…

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Day Two Hundred Eighty and Three

What do I want for Christmas?

Many of you who read this blog knows that I drive a School Bus as well as being a pastor of a Country Church.  I have a pet peeve that really bothers me while I am driving the bus, and our own vehicles so my “want” for today is because of that “Pet peeve”.

I want people who are out driving in the early morning, just before sunrise, to drive with your headlights on.  Do you realize that you are not visible at times, and a good driver makes herself/himself as visible as possible. I want  you to be visible, be seen, in order that you and others might make it to work, and then home again in one piece.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

Even Jesus said “Let your light so shine”.

Sunrises and Sunsets

“The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.” Ecclesiastes 1:5-7 (KJV)

Since the beginning of time on earth the sun has never failed to rise in the east, neither has it ever failed to set in the west. At least that is the terms men have used for millennials of time.

I have been on this earth for a short 22,217 days; and everyday the sun has risen and set. I have missed a few of those; at least in seeing them. Some days have been clouded over, but I have known that the sun did rise, and it did set. I love sunrises. For the past 15 years or so I have been up in the morning early enough to witness all of them. Maybe missing a few days sleeping in. Everyday the sun rises and sets it is a reminder that God’s Word is true.

Notice Solomon’s words of the wind; going south, then north, and whirling about. Wind can be ferocious and fearful. On May 22, 2011 much of the city of Joplin, Missouri was destroyed by a tornado. Our son and his wife lost their home in that storm. Thankfully they, nor their dogs had a scratch on them, even though they were in the house when the tornado hit.

Winds can be refreshing. Winds can be wild, twisting masses of terror. Winds can be a short gust which makes you wonder, “Where did that come from?”, and then nothing. Jesus said of the wind,

“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

One evening (July 20, 2015) I was mowing our front yard.  When I started the temperature was 100 degrees. I was about to take one last break from the heat; had pulled the mower into the shade on the east side of the house, when I looked and saw clouds moving in, then thunder and lightening. That is when I decided I better just go ahead and finish the mowing. I finished the mowing, got the mower into the shed, shut it off, and the rain began. Wow! Could not have planned it better myself.

The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and the rain was pouring from the skies filled with lightening and thunder. God is so wonderful. His Son is so glorious. He is so worthy of our worship and praise.

All these things of God’s created order are reminders of God’s care. God’s care of His creation; His people, His world. Just as the order God gives this earth, and the Universe is sure; His love for you and me is sure. He loves us so much He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place for our sins.

He is sure. He is stedfast. He is faithful to do all that He has said He would do. Believe Him.  Trust Him.

Ruling in the Fear of God

“Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and His word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God; yet He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although He make it not to grow.” 2 Samuel 23:1-5 (KJV)

David realizes that the words he is receiving and giving to the reader are the inspired revelation from God. They are words for every nation, people and tongue.

David also knew that he had failed as a king to be just and righteous in the eyes of God; yet God had made an “everlasting covenant” with him, and he knew that the Messiah of Israel would be the ultimate fulfillment of that promise. The Messiah is Jesus the Christ, Son of David, Son of God, God the Son, and the Son of Man; the Rock of Israel.

In receiving the words of God David heard, as do we, that if a man is to be a ruler he must rule in the “fear of God”. “God” is “‘Elohim” the fullness of the Godhead; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This type of king is only the One who has come as a baby in a manger, died on the cross for our sins, was raised again bodily from the grave, and is returning as the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

All the kingdoms of men fail. None can stand before the Holy and Just King. Also see Daniel 4:17, 25, 32; 5:21.

Thanks, and Thanks Again

“Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto Thee do we give thanks: for that Thy name is near Thy wondrous works declare.” Psalm 75:1 (KJV)

One day a year the United States of America has a day of Thanksgiving.  I believe a few other Nations also have a day of Thanksgiving some time in the year.

It is an awesome thing to thank the LORD God.  He is worthy of our thanksgiving and our praise.  Are you a grateful person?  Do you thank God every morning as you get out of bed for a new day; for the chance to start over?  Do you thank Him for the sunrise, or do you curse it?  If you curse the new day, you are guaranteed a rough day.

All it takes for the child of God to be thankful is not out of obedience, but seeing the glories of God’s creation around us.  His works do declare that He is near.  Look at the birds as they soar, and fly through the air, and the sky.  Listen to them as they sing their praises every morning, and all day long.  Look at the wonders in the weather; the beauty, and the purity of the snow, falling and covering all the imperfections that are on the ground and in the trees.  Thank Him.

For the Christian thanks is the way to begin the day, and end the day.  It is even the way to live through the day.

As the apostle Paul has written,

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Science, Christianity, and The Bible

Science, Christianity, and The Bible

There are some who are trying to tell us that science and the Bible cannot agree. That, Christianity and the Bible are in complete opposition to science. There really could be nothing further from that thought.

Just what is the meaning of “Science”? The word itself means knowledge. The Bible cannot be in opposition to “Knowledge” because that is what is within the pages of God’s Word – the Bible. There must be some thought put to having knowledge.

There is a so-called knowledge which endeavors to tell us that the earth, and the universe in which we reside; as well as the occupants of this world and universe are products of an accidental explosion, without any order, and all of this just happened to come forth out of the chaos. Is that real “Science”? Is that “Knowledge”? Real science would acknowledge that there is order in the universe. The order allows the true scientist to figure out the time of the morning “sunrise”, and the setting of the evening “sunset”.

Real science can give you the dimensions of an archaeological discovery of an ancient city wall, and tell you that it had a maker, and can sometimes even discover who that maker was. Real science can tell you that 1 + 1 = 2, and that if there was no order to this universe they would not be able to tell you anything of any real significance.

Could a tornado hit a scrap metal yard, and a car just happen to pop up out of the chaos? What would the chances of that be? I have heard the figures on that, but it is so astronomical, there wouldn’t be enough room for anything but zeros in this article. So there would be absolutely no chance of that happening. How about a house being built by that same tornado as it swept through a forest? Probably the same amount of zeros. Where is the science – the knowledge – in evolutionary thought. It seems to truly be without thought.

Let’s think about this thing called SCIENCE. True science recognizes that there is order to the universe. True science knows that 1 + 1 = 2, and 2+2=4. It also knows that it takes a builder to build a wall or a house; and true science will truly recognize that there was a builder, designer for something so much more grand, beautiful, and larger as this universe; and all that is in it. True science would recognize the grandeur of the human body; its design, its many vessels throughout, the muscles, the eyes, the ears. Not recognizing a designer is to deny sense, sensibililty and true science.

The true scientific mind will recognize the truth. Science will rely on the evidence, and all evidence for the universe and all that is in it is clearly to the clear thinking, and knowledgeable mind; there is a Creator. He designed it and everything within the universe. He designed the earth, and all life upon it; and He designed and made one special creation in His own image. That is man.

In my mind it is a bit unclear why some of those who are made in their Creator’s image want to say that their Creator does not exist. They try to throw out the Creator for the lie. They want to rule their own lives, and never have to answer to anyone, but themselves.

The Bible, Christianity and Science fit quite well together. As a Christian I recognize that there is order in the universe; and recognize that houses are designed by designers/architects, and built by builders. I know that, because I have helped build a few, and worked on remodeling others, and it does not happen by accident. To say anything else would just be clear foolishness.

The Bible tells us that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). That tells me that science, ie., true science must begin with God. If you begin anywhere else it is faulty science. Science will not give you knowledge of the Bible, but the Bible will give you knowledge of science. In this previous sentence it could really be worded like this: “Knowledge will not give you knowledge of the Bible, but the Bible will give you knowledge of knowledge.” Strange right? But nevertheless correct. Do not fall into the trap of interpreting the Bible with science; interpret science with the Bible.

If you are searching for truth in science, then you must begin with God. Remember, “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1). Beginning anywhere else will lead to grave and dangerous error; and it could be at the expense of your God – given eternal soul.

I once met a man, an atheist, who was highly educated. I introduced myself, and told him what I was doing, making visits as the pastor of a small town church, and meeting some people; and I started to question him of what he believed about God. His answer somewhat surprised me. “Haven’t you realized that the geological evidence clearly proves that the earth has no creator”, not necessarily verbatim, but close. He proceeded to say he did not believe there was a god of anykind. My answer was, “You mean to tell me that you can believe that the house you live, the one you are standing in now, could’ve just popped up here by accident?” Do you know what his answer to that was? “That has nothing to do with it.” Then he proceeded to tell me of his education, his major in geology, and his degree in geology; as though that should be proof enough. It really did not do anything profound for me. He asked my degree of education, to which I responded, “NO college”. I do have enough sense to know that it takes a Designer to build something so vast and wide as this universe, and its living inhabitants. Christians do not despise education, nor science; true science.  All science must begin with God.  Anything else, science, religion, or education that begins with man, or earth, or anything worldly will fall short or truth.  That is SCIENCE; that is BIBLE; and that is what I believe as a CHRISTIAN.

-by Tim A. Blankenship