What do I want for Christmas?
I want to always recognize and know that the LORD is the owner of all that I possess, and that I am only a steward of the things in my care; that I may be found faithful.
The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1 (NKJV)
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2
What do I want for Christmas?
I want people of Jenkins, Missouri; the State of Missouri; the United States of America; the North and South American continents; and the world to know that they are sinners, apart from God, lost, condemned and dying; and that Jesus Christ the Son of God, and God the Son died on the cross, was buried, and bodily arose again for you (for us all) that we might be redeemed to God, and have the peace of God which passes all understanding.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)
“And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”” Luke 19:9-10
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to see God work in a powerful, glorious way that all the world will have no excuse to refuse Him, or deny that He is.
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”” John 6:28-29 (NKJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
This being the Lord’s Day February seventh, two thousand sixteen I want for Christians in Jenkins, Missouri; the State of Missouri; the entire U. S. of A. and the world to realize the importance of attending your local Church; and begin today to attend, and share your presence with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
When Jesus spoke to the Churches, it was to seven local congregations…
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write…
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write…
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write…
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write…
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write…
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write…
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write…
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'” Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14-22 (NKJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
That the world may know that we are Christians by our love for one another.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to desire what God desires for my family, friends, neighbors, the world and myself; to desire what God desires.
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:1-3 (NKJV)
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4
There is nothing new about evil. It has been in the world from the beginning of Creation. Since Adam and Eve fell in the garden of Eden there has been evil in the hearts of humankind.
We are a fallen race. We are born into the world separated from God; and our hearts are evil. The words of the prophet Jeremiah; “The heart is deceitful abouve all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The words of the apostle Paul, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But God has intervened, and sent us His Son.
The apostle Paul speaking to Jews in a synagogue said,
“For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” Acts 13:47-49 (KJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ was meant to be a light to the Gentiles; all the rest of the world; as well as to the Jewish people. The Gentiles of Paul’s day rejoiced in that.
O, people, the world needs Him today. We do not need our own conception of Him; we need the Biblical Jesus. The One who came to die for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose and came out of the grave alive.
We Jesus the Christ the Son of the Living God, God the Living Son. You need Him today if you have not fallen on your knees and face before Him. Believe Him today.
There is a lack of patience in me. There is a lack of patience in me toward other people at times; especially when I am driving down the highway; or in the city. I must often correct my mind and thinking as I am driving. Many times; probably all the time; that correction comes from God’s Spirit in me.
In the 49 plus years that I have been born again I can see that God has grown me, and improved my patience and understanding for others, and probably less for myself. Where am I going with the “Patience” thing? I am going to tell you about a man who had waited for many years for the coming of Messiah; the first coming.
It is written,
“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him.” Luke 2:25-33 (KJV)
Simeon had been promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Christ [Messiah] of Israel, and Saviour of the world.
Now, here was a man who was patient; waiting for the coming of Christ. I am fairly certain he must have occasionally thought that it was not going to happen; but he keeps holding on to God’s promise.
You see faith is not the absence of doubt; it is believing in spite of the doubt. The enemy will continuously throw detours, roadblocks, and lies at you; but you just keep believing. You must keep believing and trusting God, and His Word. God has never failed, and He never will.
As Christians in 2015, and beyond, we believe that God has promised that His Son Jesus is returning soon; and Jesus has said Himself, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself…” (John 14:3); so either we patiently await His coming, or we quit believing, and in doing; and so we end up saying, that God is a liar. He is faithful, and will bring to pass every word He has spoken.
Let us patiently wait. Wait and occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13). He is coming. Get ready by calling on His name, believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and He bodily rose from the grave; and He is alive today.
“The LORD reigneth, He is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.” Psalm 93:1 (KJV)
The Bible never makes any secret of the fact, the truth that there is God; that He is supreme; that He is Sovereign over all the earth, and the Universe He has made.
The Psalmist states it very clearly “The LORD [Jehovah; YaHWeH] reigneth”. He not only reigns, but He is clothed with majesty, strength, and it has come from Himself. He has done it Himself. He is GOD, and there is none else.
All He has made is established, and it cannot be changed; it cannot be moved. His word is sure. What He has said is sure. Not one word will be diminished.
You and I can believe and trust this One who has made all things. We can even see Him as we look at His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. Hear what Jesus says,
“Philip saith unto Him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake.” John 14:8-11
Note what Jesus said, “He that has seen Me has seen the Father”. Jesus the Son of God, and God the Son. By Him were all things made that are made (John 1:3; Colossians 1:12-17).
He is clothed in Majesty, and the whole world is in His hands accomplishing His will and purposes for His own glory.
“Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” Psalm 90:1-2 (KJV)
This Psalm is called “A prayer of Moses the man of God”. Though I cannot prove it; I personally believe that Psalms 90 -100 are Psalms of Moses, because of the way they are written and references to the wilderness, and to God; that only a man who lived there would know.
The best place for any generation, for any individual to dwell is in the Lord. He has made that possible through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. How was Moses, the children of Israel able to dwell in God? Today we are saved, and dwell in God because we look back to the cross, and believe. The children of Israel, Moses, and all the believers of the Old Testament looked ahead to the cross of Christ and believed., and dwell in God
Moses, and all who believe in Him, dwelling in Him, knows that He is everlasting; that He is God, and we dwell in Him. He is the Sovereign; the Almighty. In Him we can trust. In Him we dwell.
“Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.” Psalm 56:1 (KJV)
O how I need mercy. I pray that I am just as merciful as much as I need it; for I need it greatly. The world needs mercy. We need God’s mercy. Being gracious; having pity upon another is the meaning of mercy.
Of this verse Spurgeon has written,
“Be merciful unto me, O God.” In my deep distress my soul turns to thee, my God. Man has no mercy on me, therefore double thy mercy to me. If thy justice has let loose my enemies, let thy mercy shorten their chain. It Is sweet to see how the tender dove-like spirit of the Psalmist flies to the tenderest attribute for succour in the hour of peril. “For man would swallow me up.” He is but thy creature, a mere man, yet like a monster he is eager for blood, he pants, he gapes for me; he would not merely wound me, or feed on my substance, but he would fain swallow me altogether, and so make an end of me. The open mouths of sinners when they rage against us should open our months in prayer. We may plead the cruelty of men as a reason for the divine interposition – a father is soon aroused when his children are shamefully entreated. “He fighting daily oppresseth me.” He gives me no interval – he fights daily. He is successful in his unrighteous war – he oppresses me, he crushes me, he presses me sore. David has his eye on the leader of his foes, and lays his plaint against him in the right place. If we may thus plead against man, much more against that great enemy of souls, the devil. We ask the Lord to forgive us our trespasses, which is another way of saying, “Be merciful unto me, O God,” and then we say, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” The more violent the attack of Satan the stronger our plea for deliverance.
From THE TREASURY OF DAVID by C. H. Spurgeon
Are you feeling desperate, down hearted, discouraged, or hated by others? Plead for God’s mercy. He will give it. Even David the king of Israel asked for mercy. The mercy of God is given to us everyday; even though many do not realize it. Believe it and receive it.
“Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for My Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” ~Jesus (John 14:28-31)
“And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,‘ (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.” (John 9:1-7)
“My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but Me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for My time is not yet full come.” ~Jesus (John 7:6-8)
For Those Who Love His Appearing
2 Timothy 4:8
purpose: If a Christian truly believes in the return of Christ, then the life of that Christian will be vastly different from those around him/her who are out for what the world offers; will live a life in accordance with the Spirit of God within.
1. First, Let Us See Why Paul says there was a Crown of Righteousness for himself.
a. Verse 7 says, “I fought a good fight, …kep the faith”.
b. We know of Paul’s conversion in Acts 9; and he “finished the race”.
c. Though works do not save us they are evidence of the work of grace in us.
2. Second, Let us see where this crown, and the other crowns in Scripture, will be given out.
a. 2 Corinthians 5:10 speaks of the “Judgment Seat of Christ”; this is where Christians will be judged for their part in the race.
b. One most likely place these awards will be handed out; There are other crowns; 1) Crown of life (James 1:12); (2) Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4); (3) Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thes. 2:19); (4) Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor. 9:24-27).
c. At the Judgment Seat of Christ there will be no judgment for sin; only for how we have done in the “race”.
3. Thirdly, When that Judgment will be done.
a. When the “race” is finished, and all the saints are gathered at the judgment seat.
b. At this judgment there will be none of the condemned.
c. When Jesus comes in clouds to take His chosen people to glory (1 Thes. 4:13-18).
4. Fourthly, For whom this Crown of Righteousness is reserved.
a. The one’s who love the appearing/the second coming of Jesus in glory.
b. These are ones whose lives are marked by strange living according to the world.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad Him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, ‘Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he suffered Him.” Matthew 3:13-15 (KJV)
Coming to John the Baptist for baptism; these are the first words of Jesus spoken in the Gospel of Matthew. The baptism of Jesus was for the purpose of fulfilling the righteousness of God. Jesus certainly did not need to be baptized; except for that purpose. John recognized it and baptized Him.
Since the first words of Jesus recorded in Matthew were concerning righteousness; I would believe that righteousness is a very important part of Christian living.
Righteousness is doing the godly thing. The right thing. Thinking and acting Biblically in a corrupt world. If you are living like the world; you are not living righteously.
And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; and He spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe. Moreover He said unto me, ‘Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that roll. And He said unto me, ‘Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee.’ Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.” Ezekiel 2:9 – 3:3 (KJV)
How important is the Word of God? For the Christian it is the very sustenance of life and faith. For the world it is just as important as is the Creator.
-T.A.
The City of Jerusalem of the land of Israel is a hot topic. It causes many people to get furious over it, because it seems to be; in their minds; there religions city. Israel claims it, Catholicism claims it in the name of Christianity, and Islam claims it in the name of Mohammed. Thus there is much struggle over the city.
Scripture calls it the “City of David” (2 Samuel 5:7; 6:10; 1 Kings 2:10; and several other references in 1 Kings), and “City of God” (Psalm 46:4; 48:1, 8; 87:3). David was the King of Israel, who had the heart of God.
David wrote,
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6 (KJV)
There are many events; some of them very catastrophic which happen in and around Jerusalem today. Many arguing and fighting for a Palestinian State. I do not see a Palestinian State mentioned in Scripture; the main purpose of the “Palestinian people”, by many of their own people is to destroy Israel. So Jerusalem does need our prayer.
When the Psalmist writes this he is not asking us to pray for the peace of the “Church”, or Islam, but the peace of the City of David and of God. It seems there has always been a struggle between the holy and the unholy, good and evil over this city.
Someone has said something like this, “As goes Jerusalem; so goes the world.” When we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and her people Israel we pray for the peace of the world too.
Jerusalem is the place where our Lord Jesus walked and where He died on the cross and was burried and from which He rose again to life. It is also the place to which one day, and I believe soon, will return and make things right in this world (Zechariah 14). There will be peace in Jerusalem through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
-Tim A. Blankenship
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU…
1 Peter 5:7
…When The Challenge Seems Impossible
Daniel 2:1-23
purpose – To display the need for Christians to be sober, courageous, and bold enough to seek the Lord’s guidance, and information from Him in difficult situations and circumstances.
In this the second chapter of Daniel we find that Nebuchadnezzar is a man of troubled dreams. What we will find later, by the power of God, through the prophet Daniel is that this is a dream related to the history of the Gentile nations throughout human history from Nebuchadnezzar until the appearing of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lord.
In this first message from chapter two we will see an enormous requirement put on the “wisemen” of Babylon. It is so impossible it leads the Chaldeans to respond that no one can give the dream, “…except the gods”. The enormous task was that, before they could interpret his dream they had to first, tell him his dream, and then he would know they were being truthful about its interpretation. Pretty smart of the king; at least I think so.
INTRODUCTION OUTLINE –
I. THE KING IS TROUBLED BY DREAMS (v. 1).
II. THE KING ASK FOR THE “WISEMEN” TO TELL HIM HIS DREAM THAT HE HAD DREAMED (vv. 2-9).
III. THE KING SENDS OUT A DECREE TO KILL ALL THE ‘WISEMEN’ (vv. 10-13).
IV. THE MAN OF GOD (DANIEL) SEEKS THE KINGS DELAY WHILE HE AND OTHERS PRAY (vv. 14-18).
V. GOD REVEALS THE DREAM AND ITS INTERPRETATION TO DANIEL (vv. 19-23).
I. TROUBLING DREAMS, FEARING WHAT MAY BE AHEAD (v. 1).
With a world in economic, political, and moral failure there are many who are having troubling dreams, even fearing what may lie ahead. Many of us may have dreams while sleeping that we don’t even remember, and some we do, however, Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by his dream. His dream was one that God had given him.
There should be no trouble in understanding the meaning of “the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign”, and the three years of training for the Hebrew children; as it is possible to have three years involved in two years of reign. In some reckonings of time a part of a year is counted as a year. In school years of out time we have one school year taking place in two parts of different years. You have a school year beginning in August 2009, ending in May 2010; another schoold year beginning in 2010 and ending in 2011; then, another school year beginning in 2011, and you have three years. I think that is enough to give some understanding in this matter.
In the commentary by his name Matthew Henry writes of Nebuchadnezzar, “Nebuchadnezzar was a troubler of God’s Israel, but God here troubled him; for He that made the soul can make His sword to approach to it” If there is ever a proof of the love of God it is or should be seen in the trials everyone endures; if indeed they endure them. Maybe it should be said every trial we go through. Can we not see the wondrous love of God?
In history we can learn from our mistakes; but looking ahead to trouble is only anguish. Learning from history is great; if indeed we learn, and then don’t repeat the past. Looking ahead in faith is not troubling, but peaceful. When you know who holds tomorrow, and leave the outcome to the One who is in charge you will have peace with the past and the future. No matter what dreams you dream.
“For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.” Ecclesiastes 5:7 (KJV)
II. WHEN THE SEEMING IMPOSSIBLE REQUIRES TRUSTWORTHY PEOPLE (vv. 2-13).
The supposed wisemen of Babylon were wise in the ways of the worship of demons; yet not knowing they worshipped demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-21). Thus the wisdom of the world has no power but will be pulled down by the mighty power of Almighty God.
The challenge which went out to the magicians, sorcerers, Chaldeans; and whatever else they were called was one they nor any other Gentile sorcerer had been asked before. “Tell me my dream”. Who can tell another man what they dreamed? No man can. Only the God of all creation; the God of the universe; the God of all the things; who holds the worlds in His hands. Only He can tell a man what He has dreamed.
It is my belief that the king lies about not remembering the dream only to check out the response of the “wisemen”. It is a thing of God to elevate His man to the position to bring glory to Himself. The king is dependent still upon the old witchcraft, and demonism of the day; and God is preparing Him to hear from God, drawing the king to Himself.
Matthew Henry writes concerning the Chaldeans, The “…confession of the divine omniscience is here extorted from these idolaters, to the honour of God and their own condemnation, who though they knew there is a God in heaven, ‘to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secret is hid,’ yet offered up their prayers and praises to dumb idols, that ‘have eyes and see not, ears and hear not.”
The Chaldeans; which probably includes all these titles referred to in the text could not believe the king would ask such a thing and even confess “There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” vv.10-11 (KJV). The king is furious and he seeks to have all these people killed; and do away with any who are connected with this lying sect.
The king was angry with a “trusted” group of men who were being tested for their honesty, and not proving worthy of trust. He understood that if anyone could tell him what he had dreamed they would actually be able to give him its true interpretation. However, he was hasty in ordering the destruction of this sect of people. He had either forgotten about Daniel and his friends or it didn’t really matter to him.
By this hasty decree the lives of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were threatened as well; but by the sovereign hand of God He worked and got the attention of the king; and the king gave Daniel time to consult with the King of kings.
“For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.” Amos 4:13 (KJV)
“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.” Psalms 139:2 (KJV)
III. THE TRUSTWORTHY ARE PEOPLE OF GOD AND ARE PRAYING PEOPLE, AND DEPEND ON ONE ANOTHERS BACKING (VV. 14-18).
It is certain that the Chaldeans were “praying” and “praising” in the wrong heart, the wrong way, and wrong place. There is one correct way of worship; true worship; and that is through the Son of God, God become flesh, whose precious blood was shed for our salvation. Daniel asked the king’s captain who was sent to kill them, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” (v. 15) This is one example of “haste making waste”; because it would have been waste to kill Daniel and his friends; and it was a waste of the time already put into the effort.
Daniel shows character and goes directly before the king. He asks the king for time to pray and seek the face and will of God concerning the king’s dream; and the king gives it. Would to God that God’s people; Christians; of the day were so bold as to approach the king concerning the matters of life and death. Concerning the matters of morality. We must, however, have the integrity and character of Daniel, and his prayer life.
Just as Daniel did not approach this matter alone, but went to his friends; Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and asked them to pray with him; so to must we realize that we must pray together. Daniel asks, “…that they might seek the mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret”, knowing the message would be coming from Him.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)
One of the things we must learn from Daniel is the power of prayer. Do you have something that may seem like a trite matter, a small matter in your heart yet it troubles you? Then go to God in prayer, seeking His face and His will in the matter. Another thing; get others to join you in praying about the matter. Of course this was a life and death situation for Daniel, his friends and many others too.
In the time which we live with the rapture of the church, and the second coming of Christ drawing nearer with every minute we must be walking with God, praying, praying, and praying even more. We must be praying for our walk with God to be ever closer; for the witness of Christians; for the life changing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be proclaimed with the power and authority of God and His Word; and the drawing power of His Spirit to work gloriously. We don’t need mushy stories, with heart breaking effort; we need Holy Spirit conviction convicting men and women and boys and girls of their sins to the point of repentance and belief in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross proven by the resurrection from the dead.
If we want to see the power of God to affect change in our life, church, community, State, and federal governments; then, we must pray, work and witness in the power of the Spirit depending on the Spirit to convict of sin and convince of the power of God to save.
IV. GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE REVEALS HIS SECRETS TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM (vv. 19-23)
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7 (KJV)
The prophets of God knew that they knew nothing but what God revealed it to them. There was and still is no message from God if He does not reveal it. When God is silent His prophets are silent as well. God was not silent in the days of Daniel. He spoke through Daniel and His friends and He still speaks through them. Do you hear Him?
The LORD asked Jeremiah the prophet, “Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27 (KJV) What seems impossible to the human eye is possible with God. When the situation seems hopeless and all seems lost; God, the LORD, who holds the universe in His hands can do what we cannot do; “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20), and He will do it for His own glory; not any glory of any human or humanity.
God revealed the secret to Daniel. It is not of man’s invention or intervention to tell other men their dreams. In a world filled with those who want to tell you your future there is only One who can. His name is Jehovah -YHWH. He reveals Himself to us through His Word, the Bible, and through His Son Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection.
“But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.” Jeremiah 10:10-12 (KJV)
Do you know the God of the impossible? The One who knows your thoughts and dreams? He does know you. Four times in the gospels Jesus used the phrase, “all things are possible” twice “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27); and He uses it two other times, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23 (KJV); and “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” Mark 14:36 (KJV)
Magnify the LORD. Lift up the name of the LORD.
Application –
i. Know that the LORD is Lord of all dreams and knows your heart and your fears and dreads.
ii. Believe the LORD when it seems as though the task, or challenge ahead of you seems impossible, and know that God takes care of you.
iii. When you are having trouble pray and ask others to join you in prayer; know also that when your community or nation is in dire straits that prayer is a cry to God for His action.
iv. Know that what lies ahead is revealed to us by God in His written Word through faith in His Living Word, and Holy Son Jesus Christ.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The pressures of the world are rushing ever near you. You feel like you should not have made that good move that you did. Things have changed, and right now it just does not seem like it was the right move to make. Hold on. Be strong. Be strong in the Lord; or as Moses said, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD…”
“And Moses said unto the people, ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14 (KJV).
The LORD had done many mighty, and marvelous things to bring the children of Israel to the edge of the Red Sea. There had been a complete destruction of the economy of Egypt, and their demon gods put to destruction as well. God the LORD had been exalted. Now they were in a tight situation. The Sea was before them, the rocks at their backs and the Egyptian army, with chariots and mighty warriors were coming with great speed, and they would be arriving soon.
When you have followed God’s plan, and you have reached the edge of decision, and it seems as though there is no place to go. That is the time to believe and trust the LORD God. It is not a time to complain, or wonder why did I leave where I was, thinking everything was fine, comfortable, and certainly did not have this problem coming at me.
It is time to see the salvation of the LORD. If He has led you out, then He will lead you through that barrier that is ahead of you. Trust Him. Believe, and you will see the salvation of the LORD.
-Tim A. Blankenship
I have heard the question asked so many times, “If there is a god, and if this god is good, why does he allow evil?” I guess I have even asked that question or one similar. There are many questions that need to asked along with this: Is God all powerful? Is God all knowing? Is God all present? Is God unchanging? Is God a god of love and mercy? If you answer all of those from a Biblical perspective then you can answer the question of evil.
Let’s look at part of the prayer of the Psalmist and his concern about evil.
A prayer of the Psalmist.
“Break Thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till Thou find none.” Psalm 10:15 (KJV).
One of the first things that comes to my mind as I read this is a question. “Who are the wicked?” To be extremely accurate about it, that would mean me, you, all of us. Because God is holy, righteous, and just, and He cannot look upon iniquity, ie. evil. Then He must rid the world of us.
I want to assure you that He has broken the arm of the wicked. The arm of the wicked was broken when sin was put to death with Jesus on the cross. “Boy, it sure doesn’t seem like it. Look at what’s happening in the world, and in my life”. Be assured that all sin has been paid for.
The way God has dealt with my evil and yours is by judging it on His Son Jesus Christ. He paid the debt for our sin. Ultimately there will be no more sin. It will one day reach a height, and plunge into the eternity of nothingness.
When Jesus comes into our hearts to live, abide, and stay evil is banished. You are no more evil. That begs another question. “Then, who are the evil?” All those who reject the free gift of grace in Christ Jesus.
One day, and it may be soon Jesus will come and all evil will be eternally put away. Even the lamb and the lion will roam together, and without threat to the lamb. The small child will be able to play over the den of the serpent without any fear (See Isaiah 11). There will be no more ruthless rulers in the world. Jesus will rule in the hearts and lives of people the world wide.
-Tim A. Blankenship
FRIENDS WHO KNOW GO TO THE ONE WHO CAN.
“And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.” Mark 2:3-12 (KJV)
Even though it was in Capernaum there were some there who believed in who Jesus was. They went to great extremes to see that their friend who could not walk would be able to walk when he met Jesus. There was a problem, though. That was a problem of a crowd who had gathered to hear Jesus speak. It was in a home of someone who had invited Jesus to stay there, most likely. They could not get their friend through the crowd, so they went to the roof and began tearing away the dried clay, wood, and what ever other particles there was until there was a hole large enough to lower a man on a “bed”. What friendship. What devotion. What a faith.
Jesus makes a statement which caused some discontent in the thoughts of some who were present for this great gathering. “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” These “scribes” of the law accused Jesus of blasphemy. “Blasphemy” = “irreverence toward something considered sacred’ MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY. For Jesus these Scribes were thinking of Jesus taking on the role of God, and that was blasphemy. To the religious leader of Jesus’s day “Only God can forgive sin”, and that is absolutely correct. By this statement Jesus was declaring to these “leaders” that He was God. In order to prove He had the power, privilege, and authority to forgive sin He healed the man who was let down through the roof and ceiling.
We have no idea how long this man had been sick and unable to walk. It really does not matter though, because Jesus healed him and he got up, took his bedroll and went home. This event is in all three of the synoptic gospels. It is very similar in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew reckons the statement of the “Scribes” as “evil”. Jesus said, “Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4), after they were thinking Jesus being blasphemous. Luke’s version is, “What reason ye in your hearts?”.
βλασφημία blasphēmia
blas-fay-me’-ahFrom G989; vilification (especially against God): – blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.
How they could accuse Jesus of blasphemy is beyond understanding. What He did He did in God’s name, He did for God’s glory – the crowd glorified God; and the man got up and went home. Because of the faith of these friends God is glorified and their friend is up walking, glorifying God as well as the throng of people who witnessed it.
In a world filled with turmoil it is great to know that we can still go to the One who can take care or our every need. Notice that “Need” not our every want. Go To The One Who Can. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.” Mark 2:1-2 (KJV)
“They crowded to hear Him, as we read in this passage, “until there was no room about the door.” They were amazed. They were astonished. They were filled with wonder at His mighty works. But they were not converted. They lived in the full noon-tide blaze of the Sun of Righteousness, and yet their hearts remained hard. And they drew from our Lord the heaviest condemnation that He ever pronounced against any place, except Jerusalem–“And you people of Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in Sodom, it would still be here today. I assure you, Sodom will be better off on the judgment day than you.” (Matt. 11:23, 24)” From J. C. Ryle Commentary
There is a need for humanity to hear the words of Jesus. It is a necessity of human beings; if we are to be eternally saved; to hear and heed His Word. The earthquake (December 26, 2004) which caused the tsunami in the Indian Ocean; and various other earthquakes, storms, and wars; should be a wake up cry to the world. God is still in charge of the world. The death toll has been staggering – to say the least – reaching into the hundreds of thousands, and many of those going into eternal fires of torment.
There is sin still in our world. Every one of us born of man is born into sin. We are sinners by birth and sinners by choice. It is because of sin that there is sickness, disease, death, tsunami, tornado, earthquake, storms, etc..
People will often gather; as they did for Jesus on the day we read here; to hear a great speaker, because of what they might see, receive, or to be entertained. The people of Capernaum were awed by Jesus, and the words He spoke, but they would not take heed to His words.
There are people who are asking, “If God is omnipotent and omniscient, then why did He not prevent this horrible disaster in the Indian Ocean?”, “Why did He not prevent the destruction of this tornado, earthquake, the death of my son or daughter; husband or wife?” God is Omnipotent [All-Powerful] and Omniscient [All-Knowing], and yes He could have prevented the disaster, but because of the fall “Nature” just as sin is allowed to run its course. We had just as well ask, “Why did my Dad die?” or “Why is there death in the world?” Most Christians would agree that death is the result of sin, because we know those verses that tell us “death came into the world because of sin” (Rom. 5:12-21).
The world needs to hear the words and message of Jesus because there is coming a judgment upon the world unlike which the world has never seen. It seems to me that God is screaming for mankind’s attention. Still there are those who keep asserting that “…these things are only a thing of nature, there is no God, and this tragedy only proves it.”
In stark reality it seems to me to show that God is truly gracious; for if He were to take His hand completely away from His creation; the universe and the world on which we live, and all that is in it would come to an abrupt end. And He would be completely just in doing so.
People in Ezekiel’s day would gather to hear a preacher preach, but not do according to his teaching (Ezekiel 33:30-33). Jesus said, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not what I say?” Good question. We as God’s people need to hear what God says and take heed to what He says. The people of the world need to hear what God says, they need to hear what He says about repentance and faith, about His Son Jesus and the way to eternal life through Him.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Jesus had been on the Mount where three disciples who were with Him had seen His glory. He was transfigured before their eyes; and He spoke with Moses and Elijah concerning the matter of His coming death and resurrection (Luke 9:30-31). While down below, at the foot of the mount, the other nine disciples were being unsuccessful delivering a man from the power, and torment of an evil spirit – a demon.
When Jesus came down from the encounter with His glory, Moses and Elijah; and Peter, James and John; He finds disappointment with the others. He says,
“O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.” Matthew 17:17 (KJV)
and then delivers the young man from this demon.
Here was a father with a son who is tormented by a demon, the disciples “faithless and unbelieving” and Jesus in His glory [temporarily] to give us a lesson of faith.
Jesus knew of His impending death on the cross and the following resurrection, and that He was going away. In His absence -bodily – we would need faith. The disciples left at the foot of the mountain could be you and me, who are believing in Him, in the world today; and we have troubled people all around us.
People plagued by marriages, failing marriages, children, troubled children, elderly parents, sickness, disease, joblessness, fear; various fears concerning health, finances, world troubles, and as believers it seems sometimes that we have not much to offer a hopeless world. At least that is how we are seen.
After the disciples and Jesus leave the mountain they ask Jesus a question and He answers them –
“Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:19-21 (KJV)
Why do we seem so powerless in this day of trouble? Because we are not practicing the things of God. Prayer and fasting is often the farthest thing from our minds, and hearts. Prayer and fasting requires that our heart be on the things of Christ. If there is ever a time for prayer, communicating with our Lord, and denying ourselves the desires of the world it should be now.
Jesus is away from us bodily, but with us in His Spirit, living within guiding, comforting, convicting, teaching, and showing us all things concerning Jesus Christ. Are we listening? When we listen do we do what we know to do? What do we do when we don’t know what to do? Do what we know to do?
We are the disciples at the foot of the mountain awaiting the return of our King. Will He return and say to us,
“O faithless and perverse generation…”?
I pray not.
Let us who are the disciples of Jesus Christ be a people of faith, believing that Jesus will soon return, praying, fasting from the pleasures, and “tastiness” of this world; hearing the Lord Jesus speaking the words of peace as only He can. Get into His Word, read it, study it; let the Word by the Spirit of God read you; believe it, practice it, and let others see Jesus in you. When the world brings their problems – demons – to us then, by and in the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ – cast those demons – problems – out.
Let’s appropriate the power of the Spirit of Christ in us with that faith that declares Jesus is coming soon. The focus of genuine faith is Jesus Christ.
-Tim A. Blankenship
I have been silent; probably for too long; concerning the elections in Iran. Though I don’t generally comment on events such as these, the real atrocity is against the people of Iran. Like our country [USA] I am for freedom. All people should be free to make their own decisions in politics, in religion, in life; and make informed and clear decisions.
One sign of an oppressive government is when that government decides to stop all means of communication. Iran’s leading authority has tried to stop the out going communications to let the rest of the world know what is going on. They have failed in that, and it seems that today – June 20, 2009 – will be the day the government “puts its foot down”, and tries with its military might to silence a very angry, and large number of its citizens.
If they can hear these words today; Be strong, and turn your eyes toward the LORD of the earth, believe and trust in the Son of Jehovah Jesus Christ; He is the Supreme One, and will lead you to genuine peace; and that is so for all the world. The hope of Iran is not the Ayatolla Khameni or its government which is officially ran by the “strong arm” of Islam in Iran. It is a repressive government which eventually will end in the destruction of its own country.
The current administration has said many times “Death to Israel. Death to the United States.” And his intent is to see the destruction of any who oppose him.
How does Israel view this situation in Iran. Let me give you some quotes from the Jerusalem Post –
“FOR ISRAEL, the election in Iran boils down to one major issue – the nuclear program, and the chances of its being stopped, whether Ahmadinejad or Mousavi end up taking the reins.
One school of thought in the defense establishment is that Ahmadinejad serves Israel’s short-term interests. With his open calls to destroy the Jewish state and his public denial of the Holocaust, he helps Israel make its diplomatic case against Iran.”
It sounds as though Israel would be for keeping Ahmadinejad. At least they would know what to expect. It seems that no one knows what to expect of Mousavi. May all the Middle East know that those who come against Israel will fail, and their armies will be destroyed; not by Israel, nor by the United States, or any army of the world, but by the Supreme Ruler, the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe. Read Ezekiel 38 – 39 along with Genesis 12:1-3.
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the world is in economic straights, and in need of help, but from where. The only help for Israel, Iran, and the rest of the world can only be found in turning to the One who died for the sins of the world, and His name is Jesus the Christ; Son of the Living God.
Let us who are followers of Jesus Christ continue to pray for the “peace of Jerusalem” and for the people of the Middle East. The hope of the world is Jesus.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 