I have a lot of scripture here that and will let it speak for itself. These verses come from 2 chronicles. A little background. King David was a man who was a man after Gods own heart. His son Solomon was also successful. Solomons son Rahaboam lost the nation of israel but kept Judah. Israel fell into Idolatry, and all the priests of the true God fled to Judah. Now Judah was not without blame as they had alters to idols in their land as well. Now lets take a look at some scripture.
[13 :1] In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah. [2 ] He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.
Now there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. [3 ] Abijah went out to battle, having an army of valiant men of war, 400,000 chosen men. And Jeroboam drew up his line of battle against him with 800,000 chosen mighty warriors. [4 ] Then Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim that is in the hill country of Ephraim and said, “Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel! [5 ] Ought you not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt? [6 ] Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his lord, [7 ] and certain worthless scoundrels gathered about him and defied Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and irresolute and could not withstand them.
(2 Chronicles 13:1-7 ESV
] “And now you think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David, because you are a great multitude and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made you for gods. [9 ] Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes for ordination with a young bull or seven rams becomes a priest of what are no gods. [10 ] But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests ministering to the LORD who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service. [11 ] They offer to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt offerings and incense of sweet spices, set out the showbread on the table of pure gold, and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening. For we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken him. [12 ] Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.”
(2 Chronicles 13:8-12 ESV
] “And now you think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David, because you are a great multitude and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made you for gods. [9 ] Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes for ordination with a young bull or seven rams becomes a priest of what are no gods. [10 ] But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests ministering to the LORD who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service. [11 ] They offer to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt offerings and incense of sweet spices, set out the showbread on the table of pure gold, and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening. For we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken him. [12 ] Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.”
(2 Chronicles 13:8-12 ESV
[21 ] But Abijah grew mighty. And he took fourteen wives and had twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters. [22 ] The rest of the acts of Abijah, his ways and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.
(2 Chronicles 13:21-22 ESV)
So we have gathered here that trusting in God and leaning on him gives a nation, peace, strength, honor, and prosperity. Not to mention being on the side of right. All this is accomplished even when the odds are not in your favor from a human perspective.
Asa
[14 :1] Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days the land had rest for ten years. [2 ] And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. [3 ] He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim [4 ] and commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment. [5 ] He also took out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the incense altars. And the kingdom had rest under him. [6 ] He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the LORD gave him peace. [7 ] And he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side.” So they built and prospered.
(2 Chronicles 14:1-7 ESV)
Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. [10 ] And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. [11 ] And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.” [12 ] So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. [13 ] Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar, and the Ethiopians fell until none remained alive, for they were broken before the LORD and his army. The men of Judah carried away very much spoil. [14 ] And they attacked all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the LORD was upon them. They plundered all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. [15 ] And they struck down the tents of those who had livestock and carried away sheep in abundance and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
(2 Chronicles 14:9-15 ESV)
Again even when the odds are against you from a human perspective God can and will deliver you.
[15 :1] The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, [2 ] and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. [3 ] For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law, [4 ] but when in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. [5 ] In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. [6 ] They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress. [7 ] But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”
(2 Chronicles 15:1-7 ESV)
Now this is very interesting. "If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you." Now where it says, "God troubled them with every sort of distress." would be considered by E.W. Bullinger to be the hebrew idiom of permission. Essentially to allow the enemy of Israel to defeat them because they turned their back on God. According to this idiom this is to say that God allowed it. This is more defined in Bullingers book, "Figures of Speech." You can decide for yourself if this interpretation is correct.
As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the LORD. [9 ] And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. [10 ] They were gathered at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. [11 ] They sacrificed to the LORD on that day from the spoil that they had brought 700 oxen and 7,000 sheep. [12 ] And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul, [13 ] but that whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. [14 ] They swore an oath to the LORD with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns. [15 ] And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around.
[16 ] Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron. [17 ] But the high places were not taken out of Israel. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true all his days. [18 ] And he brought into the house of God the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vessels. [19 ] And there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa.
(2 Chronicles 15:8-19 ESV
Asa responded and peace, health and prosperity followed when he put God first.
16 :1] In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. [2 ] Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the LORD and the king's house and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying, [3 ] “There is a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you silver and gold. Go, break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.” [4 ] And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. [5 ] And when Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah and let his work cease. [6 ] Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Baasha had been building, and with them he built Geba and Mizpah.
(2 Chronicles 16:1-6 ESV
So God delivered Asa when he was badly outnumbered. God gave Asa 30 plus years without war for seeking God and putting him first. So it makes all the sense in the world that Asa would look Benhadad and give him the wealth from "the house of the Lord" because he was scared of his enemy. What?:O Asa knew better. He wasn't leaning on the Lord but through his own understanding. He sought out worldly help instead of help from God. The record doesn't say Asa looked to God first. No, he plundered the house of the Lord and gave the riches of it to Benhadad for "safety" !!! But that's not what he got is it? Read on.
[7 ] At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. [8 ] Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, he gave them into your hand. [9 ] For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” [10 ] Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks in prison, for he was in a rage with him because of this. And Asa inflicted cruelties upon some of the people at the same time.
(2 Chronicles 16:7-10 ESV)
11 ] The acts of Asa, from first to last, are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. [12 ] In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians. [13 ] And Asa slept with his fathers, dying in the forty-first year of his reign. [14 ] They buried him in the tomb that he had cut for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier that had been filled with various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumer's art, and they made a very great fire in his honor.
(2 Chronicles 16:11-14 ESV)
Even in death Asa did not look to the Lord. He looked to physicians. No problem with seeing a doctor but remember all healing comes from God first. Your body is designed to heal itself. So all a doctor can do is assist your own body to heal itself. Had God not designed the body to heal it wouldn't do so no matter how good a physician is. Therefore, all healing comes from God. Asa became cruel, turned his back on the God who delivered him. This is an important lesson to all of us. Your not going to have an army to contend with during our day (well not yet). However, do you trust in worldly systems like IRA's, 401k's, your job, your brothers uncle, whatever, do you see that as your security FIRST????? If you do I promise you they will fail you. What Asa went through is not uncommon today. Yes the circumstances have changed but the principle remains intact. What so ever you put before God is an idol, period. And yes we all have them, or have had them. If you seek safety from anything above God that is putting your faith into that IDOL, and it will disappoint you. It's not that saving money, or planning to take care of your family is wrong. It only becomes wrong when you trust it more than God. This can be very subtle. I have to admit I've had to do a check up from the neck up more than once. And yes, I will probably have to do it again in the future.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
God has our back.
"Psalms 118:4 Let them now thatfear the LORD say, that his mercyendureth for ever. 5 I called uponthe LORD in distress: the LORDanswered me, and set me in alarge place. 6 The LORD is on myside; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Proverbs 11:8 The righteous isdelivered out of trouble, and thewicked cometh in his stead.
Romans 8:31 What shall we thensay to these things? If God be forus, who can be against us?"To stand strong in this spiritual battle is ours to do.
It is God's power that provides the victory through them who stand. God bless your heart Marc. Your brother and servant in Christ, Pastor Rick
The above was sent to me on my myspace account. At times in this world we all need our spiritual brothers and sisters to help us realize were the ones that ultimately get the victory. Though at times in this world it definately can appear bleak at times. Remember, it is the victory we have through Christ that will get us through our most challenging moments. Without Christ and our Father in heaven we would all be lost. In Phillipians 4: the word tells us to cast all our cares on him and to be anxious for nothing. God has our back. Thanks to Pastor Rick from Texas for the much needed reminder. I was praying about the course of this world last night, and these words were exactly what I needed. One might even ask if he was inspired.
Proverbs 11:8 The righteous isdelivered out of trouble, and thewicked cometh in his stead.
Romans 8:31 What shall we thensay to these things? If God be forus, who can be against us?"To stand strong in this spiritual battle is ours to do.
It is God's power that provides the victory through them who stand. God bless your heart Marc. Your brother and servant in Christ, Pastor Rick
The above was sent to me on my myspace account. At times in this world we all need our spiritual brothers and sisters to help us realize were the ones that ultimately get the victory. Though at times in this world it definately can appear bleak at times. Remember, it is the victory we have through Christ that will get us through our most challenging moments. Without Christ and our Father in heaven we would all be lost. In Phillipians 4: the word tells us to cast all our cares on him and to be anxious for nothing. God has our back. Thanks to Pastor Rick from Texas for the much needed reminder. I was praying about the course of this world last night, and these words were exactly what I needed. One might even ask if he was inspired.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
In my profession I constantly find others reading the bible and on occasion praying. I'm always delighted to see others looking for a spiritual connection to our father. I look for opportunities to talk with others about Gods word, and the other day was no exception.
What I found was a gentleman discussing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He had his own belief on what this subjects interpretation means, as many do. He even asked me to look it up and research it myself because he felt my understanding was off. Always looking to make sure I have my own head on straight I went for it. Plus, to be honest I don't argue with others. Most people I've ever met are stuck in their ways of thinking, and some have accused me of heinous things in the past. However, I do listen, check my own understanding, and am very willing to change my thinking if I find I'm off the word. So I looked.
Mark 3:22-30
-And the scribes that came down from Jerusalem said, "He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils." And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shallblaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme agasint the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:" Because they said he hath an unclean "spirit."-
For me the real question comes in "why?" They blasphemed against the Holy Spirit by accusations against our Lord that he was casting out devils by the power of Satan. But why? If they didn't believe in God they would have been happy for the healings and went about their business. If they were truly working for the one true God they would have rejoiced that God worked through this man even if they didn't believe he was the Son of God. So the real question is WHY. Why were they so quick to dismiss it?
John 8:42-44
Jesus said unto them, "If God were your father ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand My speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (emphasis mine)
John 8:48-49
Then answered the Jews, and said unto Him, "Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?" Jesus answered, "I have not a devil; but I honor my father, and ye do dishonour me.
So from this will can conclude that the Jews in John A) sold out to the devil, and B) accused jesus of being possessed with a devil, which is exactly what was happening in Mark. So blasphemy against the Holy Spirit may very well have been accusing Jesus of casting out devils by the power of Satan. However, what came before that? What causes a man to accuse our saviour of being possessed? It would make sense that such a man had already given his life to Satan. I don't know if the Jewish leaders of that time knew they had sold out to the Devil. Many people in the old testament sold out to devils in Ashtaroth, Molech and other pagan gods. I'm not saying that people can't have a change of heart and turn from Budda to Christ. I am saying that many of the hard core leaders in any movement have already sold out to their God. The followers of such leaders do many times find Christ. However, the guys in the seats of power (the gurus if you will) have sold out to their god. Unfortunately, they just don't realize yet that they've sold out to the wrong one.
In the end I hope this was beneficial to you. Please do the research yourself. I have found many many interpretations of this passage, but mostly find that people theorize that because it's never mentioned again it must mean: X,Y,and Z. I know what I believe to be the truth through prayer and study. But who's to say I'm right? Please do your own reseach on this subject.
Below is a opinion slightly different from my own that I got off the web (with the site listed). My objective here isn't to get you to believe me but to do your own research and believe the truth.
Go to below site for a differing opinion
http://www.gotquestions.org/blasphemy-Holy-Spirit.html
What I found was a gentleman discussing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He had his own belief on what this subjects interpretation means, as many do. He even asked me to look it up and research it myself because he felt my understanding was off. Always looking to make sure I have my own head on straight I went for it. Plus, to be honest I don't argue with others. Most people I've ever met are stuck in their ways of thinking, and some have accused me of heinous things in the past. However, I do listen, check my own understanding, and am very willing to change my thinking if I find I'm off the word. So I looked.
Mark 3:22-30
-And the scribes that came down from Jerusalem said, "He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils." And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shallblaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme agasint the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:" Because they said he hath an unclean "spirit."-
For me the real question comes in "why?" They blasphemed against the Holy Spirit by accusations against our Lord that he was casting out devils by the power of Satan. But why? If they didn't believe in God they would have been happy for the healings and went about their business. If they were truly working for the one true God they would have rejoiced that God worked through this man even if they didn't believe he was the Son of God. So the real question is WHY. Why were they so quick to dismiss it?
John 8:42-44
Jesus said unto them, "If God were your father ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand My speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (emphasis mine)
John 8:48-49
Then answered the Jews, and said unto Him, "Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?" Jesus answered, "I have not a devil; but I honor my father, and ye do dishonour me.
So from this will can conclude that the Jews in John A) sold out to the devil, and B) accused jesus of being possessed with a devil, which is exactly what was happening in Mark. So blasphemy against the Holy Spirit may very well have been accusing Jesus of casting out devils by the power of Satan. However, what came before that? What causes a man to accuse our saviour of being possessed? It would make sense that such a man had already given his life to Satan. I don't know if the Jewish leaders of that time knew they had sold out to the Devil. Many people in the old testament sold out to devils in Ashtaroth, Molech and other pagan gods. I'm not saying that people can't have a change of heart and turn from Budda to Christ. I am saying that many of the hard core leaders in any movement have already sold out to their God. The followers of such leaders do many times find Christ. However, the guys in the seats of power (the gurus if you will) have sold out to their god. Unfortunately, they just don't realize yet that they've sold out to the wrong one.
In the end I hope this was beneficial to you. Please do the research yourself. I have found many many interpretations of this passage, but mostly find that people theorize that because it's never mentioned again it must mean: X,Y,and Z. I know what I believe to be the truth through prayer and study. But who's to say I'm right? Please do your own reseach on this subject.
Below is a opinion slightly different from my own that I got off the web (with the site listed). My objective here isn't to get you to believe me but to do your own research and believe the truth.
Go to below site for a differing opinion
http://www.gotquestions.org/blasphemy-Holy-Spirit.html
Friday, May 15, 2009
pray and be humble
2 Kings 20:1-ff
In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prphet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, "Set your house in order, for you shal die and not live." Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to hm saying, Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, "this says the Lord, the God of your father David, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you.
God goes on to tell Hezekiah what to do to be healed (and you better bet if he didn't do it the healing wouldn't have happened). The point here is that Hezekiah was told by revelation through Isaiah that he would die. Hezekiah humbled himself and the revelation changed. So things arn't set in stone!
Deutoronomy 34: 4-5
Then the Lord said to him, "This is the land I swore to which I swore to Abraham, Isaac and jacob saying, 'I will give it to your descendents'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there." So Moses the sevant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.
It's important to remember that Moses was told by God earlier that he wouldn't go into the promised land. Moses asked God to reconsider so God let him see it. Look up the record. However, God did not just ignore Moses request. Why Moses was not to go into the promised land will become evident when you read the entire record earlier in the book of moses with prayer on your part of course.
1 Samuel 3:11-14
The Lord said to samuel, "Behold I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to judge his house foreverfor the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever."
What did these sons of Eli do?
The king james will refer to them as being the sons of belial, The new american standard as worthless men. Men in the old testament at times would commit themselves to another God Baal. It could be that these men made themselves the sons of Baal (aka the devil). In any case we know they didn't know the Lord and that they slept with the women that worked there. Read the early chapters of 1st Samuel, you'll get the idea.
So Samuel tell Eli what God told him at Eli's request.
1 Samuel 3:18
So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he (Eli) said, "It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to Him."
Eli didn't humble himself like Hezekiah did. besides in 1 Sam 3:11-14 we learn that Eli was told this before by God and he did NOTHING. Obviously God gave the guy more than one chance to humble himself, and God might have changed his mind if Eli would have gotten a clue. Eli was apathetic. Slumber, and lazy would describe him well. He put his two devilish sons above God. God gave Eli a chance.
1 Samuel 4:11 And the ark of God was taken and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
Such is whats promised to all those who work for the devil.
1 Samuel 4:18 is where Eli dies (read the first four chapters I can't do it justice)
The major points here are as follows:
1.Revelation can change. If one humbles themselves God will have mercy on them. However, that individual will need to follow through on what God tells them to do. God doesn't repeat himself much in the bible. If God ever talks to you and tells you to do something it might not be a bad idea to write it down.
2. Think of Eli. He put his sons above God. He allowed Gods people to be abused (even sexually) to protect his sons. God spoke to Eli about this and he did nothing. God finally told Samuel about this, and Samuel told Eli what was going to happen to him. Eli wasn't humble he was indifferent. How can God work with someone who doesn't care?
3. 1 Samuel 3:1 states that the word of the Lord was infrequent in those days. And that, visions were infrequent." Thats because the spiritual leaders were out to lunch. God doesn't waste his time talking to people who are to stubborn and arrogant to listen. Even in Hezekiahs case the word had to come through Isaiah. The point is you have to be in prayer, close to God, paying attention. Doesn't mean God is going to be pounding you with revelation (he probably wont, most of what we need we can find in his word). However, you will be able to feel him gently lead you in certain situations if you allow him. Remember, 1 Kings 19 (read it if unfamilar).
God Bless you,
Marc
In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prphet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, "Set your house in order, for you shal die and not live." Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to hm saying, Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, "this says the Lord, the God of your father David, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you.
God goes on to tell Hezekiah what to do to be healed (and you better bet if he didn't do it the healing wouldn't have happened). The point here is that Hezekiah was told by revelation through Isaiah that he would die. Hezekiah humbled himself and the revelation changed. So things arn't set in stone!
Deutoronomy 34: 4-5
Then the Lord said to him, "This is the land I swore to which I swore to Abraham, Isaac and jacob saying, 'I will give it to your descendents'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there." So Moses the sevant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.
It's important to remember that Moses was told by God earlier that he wouldn't go into the promised land. Moses asked God to reconsider so God let him see it. Look up the record. However, God did not just ignore Moses request. Why Moses was not to go into the promised land will become evident when you read the entire record earlier in the book of moses with prayer on your part of course.
1 Samuel 3:11-14
The Lord said to samuel, "Behold I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to judge his house foreverfor the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever."
What did these sons of Eli do?
The king james will refer to them as being the sons of belial, The new american standard as worthless men. Men in the old testament at times would commit themselves to another God Baal. It could be that these men made themselves the sons of Baal (aka the devil). In any case we know they didn't know the Lord and that they slept with the women that worked there. Read the early chapters of 1st Samuel, you'll get the idea.
So Samuel tell Eli what God told him at Eli's request.
1 Samuel 3:18
So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he (Eli) said, "It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to Him."
Eli didn't humble himself like Hezekiah did. besides in 1 Sam 3:11-14 we learn that Eli was told this before by God and he did NOTHING. Obviously God gave the guy more than one chance to humble himself, and God might have changed his mind if Eli would have gotten a clue. Eli was apathetic. Slumber, and lazy would describe him well. He put his two devilish sons above God. God gave Eli a chance.
1 Samuel 4:11 And the ark of God was taken and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
Such is whats promised to all those who work for the devil.
1 Samuel 4:18 is where Eli dies (read the first four chapters I can't do it justice)
The major points here are as follows:
1.Revelation can change. If one humbles themselves God will have mercy on them. However, that individual will need to follow through on what God tells them to do. God doesn't repeat himself much in the bible. If God ever talks to you and tells you to do something it might not be a bad idea to write it down.
2. Think of Eli. He put his sons above God. He allowed Gods people to be abused (even sexually) to protect his sons. God spoke to Eli about this and he did nothing. God finally told Samuel about this, and Samuel told Eli what was going to happen to him. Eli wasn't humble he was indifferent. How can God work with someone who doesn't care?
3. 1 Samuel 3:1 states that the word of the Lord was infrequent in those days. And that, visions were infrequent." Thats because the spiritual leaders were out to lunch. God doesn't waste his time talking to people who are to stubborn and arrogant to listen. Even in Hezekiahs case the word had to come through Isaiah. The point is you have to be in prayer, close to God, paying attention. Doesn't mean God is going to be pounding you with revelation (he probably wont, most of what we need we can find in his word). However, you will be able to feel him gently lead you in certain situations if you allow him. Remember, 1 Kings 19 (read it if unfamilar).
God Bless you,
Marc
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Trials of life.
Well to say the least I've had a larger period of time between my first post and now. Since the last time I was on here I've read the books of Moses. This post will be a little different since I'm not going to quote any verses. I'm just going to think out loud what these books meant. In the words of a Mr. Torrey, "Think!" Or, such was his response when asked what the one thing every student needed to do if they wanted to understand the bible. So here's me thinking about the books of Moses.
I noticed over and over again how men who believed God would do one thing and yet God didn't always tell them to do it. Perfect example is when Abraham took Hagar in to give him a son. He didn't wait for the promise of God to come true. He was going to make it happen himself. God didn't tell him to have a child with Hagar; though God did help Abraham deal with the situation after the fact.
When I first read through Exodus through Deut. I often wondered why the children of Israel didn't believe Gods promises. I somehow thought in my heart that I was automatically "better" than them. God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and across the Red Sea by parting it. The children of Israel then went and built themselves a Golden Calf because Moses took too long on the mountain. Over and over again they wanted to go back to Egypt. Back to men who ENSLAVED THEM!!!! Are we that different?
If one if honest with themselves they will see some of the same charecteristics in themselves that we read about concerning the children of Israel. Think you haven't made for yourself a graven image? Have you ever put anything above God. I know I did when I was in a band. Music was number one and God was number two. I didn't realize I had made a golden calf of my own. God promised them a land of milk and honey. Yet the generation that came out of Israel never did get to take possession of the land. It was their children that got to finally take of their inheritance. Why? The children of Israel wouldn't walk out on Gods promises, and as such they didn't get to go in to the land of milk and honey. God wouldn't go beyond what they were willing to do. He is a free will God after all. So how are you limiting God? I have recently limited God by worrying about things I can't control instead of letting God do his business. If I could do everything, and knew everything I would be perfect. I'm not perfect and I need to believe God and his promises. Read through the records you'll find more of yourself than you realized if your willing to look.
I have often heard people accuse God of causing their pain. "God inflicted me," they'll say, "God must be testing my faith." They'll even say that God tempted them (there is a verse that states that God tempts no one). Remember the record of Joeseph? Ya his brothers sold him into slavery, and his dad was left to believe he was dead. You will notice that God didn't give Jacob revelation telling him his son was alive, and if you read the record you will see that Jacob was in deep emotional distress. I always find it funny that people think there will be no pain in this world. I'm not a doom and gloom guy, but lets face it we have an advesary, a devil in this world. He's not here to make our lives easy (just read Job). Needless to say Joeseph also got put in jail by Pharoah for not sleeping with his wife. Oh she lied and said Joeseph came onto her (he was actually running the other way). This brings me to another point. The bible says Pharoahs wife was drop dead gorgeous. Joseph was a very young guy and the bible doesn't record that was having sex with anyone at the time. This beautiful women came on to him. Yet he turned it down. He spent a long time in jail for doing the right thing. Think about that! Between Job, Joseph, and ultimately Jesus Christ they never blamed God for the woes of life. Jesus Christ didn't do anything wrong. If he had some trouble in this life I think you can make a safe bet that you'll have some troubled times too. Doesn't mean you get all bitter about it. After all in Phillipians God tells us to rejoice in all things. Never allow the devil to get you to turn your back on God. Remember, God isn't tempting you. The devil, other people, or your own decisions can be very hard to live with sometimes. God won't go against free will, but he can turn lemons into lemonade if you ask him for help.
God Bless You,
Marc
I noticed over and over again how men who believed God would do one thing and yet God didn't always tell them to do it. Perfect example is when Abraham took Hagar in to give him a son. He didn't wait for the promise of God to come true. He was going to make it happen himself. God didn't tell him to have a child with Hagar; though God did help Abraham deal with the situation after the fact.
When I first read through Exodus through Deut. I often wondered why the children of Israel didn't believe Gods promises. I somehow thought in my heart that I was automatically "better" than them. God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and across the Red Sea by parting it. The children of Israel then went and built themselves a Golden Calf because Moses took too long on the mountain. Over and over again they wanted to go back to Egypt. Back to men who ENSLAVED THEM!!!! Are we that different?
If one if honest with themselves they will see some of the same charecteristics in themselves that we read about concerning the children of Israel. Think you haven't made for yourself a graven image? Have you ever put anything above God. I know I did when I was in a band. Music was number one and God was number two. I didn't realize I had made a golden calf of my own. God promised them a land of milk and honey. Yet the generation that came out of Israel never did get to take possession of the land. It was their children that got to finally take of their inheritance. Why? The children of Israel wouldn't walk out on Gods promises, and as such they didn't get to go in to the land of milk and honey. God wouldn't go beyond what they were willing to do. He is a free will God after all. So how are you limiting God? I have recently limited God by worrying about things I can't control instead of letting God do his business. If I could do everything, and knew everything I would be perfect. I'm not perfect and I need to believe God and his promises. Read through the records you'll find more of yourself than you realized if your willing to look.
I have often heard people accuse God of causing their pain. "God inflicted me," they'll say, "God must be testing my faith." They'll even say that God tempted them (there is a verse that states that God tempts no one). Remember the record of Joeseph? Ya his brothers sold him into slavery, and his dad was left to believe he was dead. You will notice that God didn't give Jacob revelation telling him his son was alive, and if you read the record you will see that Jacob was in deep emotional distress. I always find it funny that people think there will be no pain in this world. I'm not a doom and gloom guy, but lets face it we have an advesary, a devil in this world. He's not here to make our lives easy (just read Job). Needless to say Joeseph also got put in jail by Pharoah for not sleeping with his wife. Oh she lied and said Joeseph came onto her (he was actually running the other way). This brings me to another point. The bible says Pharoahs wife was drop dead gorgeous. Joseph was a very young guy and the bible doesn't record that was having sex with anyone at the time. This beautiful women came on to him. Yet he turned it down. He spent a long time in jail for doing the right thing. Think about that! Between Job, Joseph, and ultimately Jesus Christ they never blamed God for the woes of life. Jesus Christ didn't do anything wrong. If he had some trouble in this life I think you can make a safe bet that you'll have some troubled times too. Doesn't mean you get all bitter about it. After all in Phillipians God tells us to rejoice in all things. Never allow the devil to get you to turn your back on God. Remember, God isn't tempting you. The devil, other people, or your own decisions can be very hard to live with sometimes. God won't go against free will, but he can turn lemons into lemonade if you ask him for help.
God Bless You,
Marc
Sunday, September 21, 2008
You shall Not Surely Die
You Shall Not Surely Die!!!!
Let me open this original post by saying that I am not a biblical scholar. I'm just an average guy he wants to know, honor, and respect my God and my Lord Jesus Christ. That being said I will post post biblical concepts I am learning on this blog from time to time. I won't post everything I study on here just things I think could be of benefit to others.
Genesis 3:1-24
The Devil worked through Eve, and said "Did God Say" that casted doubt in Eve's mind. It is good to note that God did say they would DIE if they ate the fruit from the tree he told them not to eat of. The Devil said "Did God Say" to introduce doubt.... Given that many doubt Christianity, the resurrection, and just about everything else I would say the Devil has been making a lot of people doubt in our time.
Eve than in referenceing what God said stated the following, " You shall not eat from it or touch it." If you have your bible open you will notice that God never mentioned anything about touching the fruit; Eve did that all on her own!!!! Thus far she has made a few mistakes 1. opened up a conversation with the devil 2. added to God's word....
The Devil than says, "You will not die." But God clearly said "you will die." next the serpent said, "You will be like GOD knowing both good and evil." So what was it that Eve really wanted here? To be like GOD.... Where was Adam? Notice that evil serpent didn't take them on together? Divide and conquer!!!! This is no different than what he tries to do to your marriages ladies and gentlemen. Do you talk with your spouse about issues between you, or do you talk with your buddies? Why didn't Adam protect his wife? Why did Adam sin when his wife offered it to him? What did Adam do when God confronted him about his sin? Remember, he really blamed God by telling him it was the women that he gave him. There are many questions we could ask ourselves to understand this passage (and you should), but the truth can be fully understood with one question: Are Adam and Eve alive today?
This first encounter in Genesis is very revealing to anyone studying the Bible if they really look at it. God tells the truth/the devil lies... Eve added to God's word and it bit her in the rear end. Eve was the first person to create her own denomination.... The Devil didn't take on Adam and Eve together. It was divide and conquer. Also Eve was finished once she entered dialogue with the devil. All he needs sometimes is a small crack to get in and all of a sudden down the road BOOM!!!! You will wonder what happened... All the wickedness of man kind can be traced back to this... How did it start? with a simple question, "Did God say?"
Unlike Adam (the first Adam), Jesus Christ died on the cross for his bride (the church). Jesus didn't do what was easy he obeyed God to the death, and he knew about it in advance (Isa 53:6-ff). Death came from sin (just like God told Adam and Eve it would), but Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil (1 John 3:8). If you read this record in Genesis all the way through you will notice that God gave them the promise of Jesus Christ at the time of the fall, and that God gave them clothes. He took care of them... The Devil didn't do that.
Consider: Jesus Christ and Eve are the only two individuals who were directly tempted by the Devil...
What should we learn and obey here? Don't sin.... Don't get comfortable with sin because it is slavery and death. Freedom and salvation comes from God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Apply the word: Stand up for what you know is right! Imitate Christ, he didn't tolerate evil even if it was from his friends. Christ died for his bride. Men should be willing to do the same.
Read these verses: Genesis 2:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:20-24
Memorize these verses: 1 John 3:8, Romans 6:6
1 John 3:8
Let me open this original post by saying that I am not a biblical scholar. I'm just an average guy he wants to know, honor, and respect my God and my Lord Jesus Christ. That being said I will post post biblical concepts I am learning on this blog from time to time. I won't post everything I study on here just things I think could be of benefit to others.
Genesis 3:1-24
The Devil worked through Eve, and said "Did God Say" that casted doubt in Eve's mind. It is good to note that God did say they would DIE if they ate the fruit from the tree he told them not to eat of. The Devil said "Did God Say" to introduce doubt.... Given that many doubt Christianity, the resurrection, and just about everything else I would say the Devil has been making a lot of people doubt in our time.
Eve than in referenceing what God said stated the following, " You shall not eat from it or touch it." If you have your bible open you will notice that God never mentioned anything about touching the fruit; Eve did that all on her own!!!! Thus far she has made a few mistakes 1. opened up a conversation with the devil 2. added to God's word....
The Devil than says, "You will not die." But God clearly said "you will die." next the serpent said, "You will be like GOD knowing both good and evil." So what was it that Eve really wanted here? To be like GOD.... Where was Adam? Notice that evil serpent didn't take them on together? Divide and conquer!!!! This is no different than what he tries to do to your marriages ladies and gentlemen. Do you talk with your spouse about issues between you, or do you talk with your buddies? Why didn't Adam protect his wife? Why did Adam sin when his wife offered it to him? What did Adam do when God confronted him about his sin? Remember, he really blamed God by telling him it was the women that he gave him. There are many questions we could ask ourselves to understand this passage (and you should), but the truth can be fully understood with one question: Are Adam and Eve alive today?
This first encounter in Genesis is very revealing to anyone studying the Bible if they really look at it. God tells the truth/the devil lies... Eve added to God's word and it bit her in the rear end. Eve was the first person to create her own denomination.... The Devil didn't take on Adam and Eve together. It was divide and conquer. Also Eve was finished once she entered dialogue with the devil. All he needs sometimes is a small crack to get in and all of a sudden down the road BOOM!!!! You will wonder what happened... All the wickedness of man kind can be traced back to this... How did it start? with a simple question, "Did God say?"
Unlike Adam (the first Adam), Jesus Christ died on the cross for his bride (the church). Jesus didn't do what was easy he obeyed God to the death, and he knew about it in advance (Isa 53:6-ff). Death came from sin (just like God told Adam and Eve it would), but Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil (1 John 3:8). If you read this record in Genesis all the way through you will notice that God gave them the promise of Jesus Christ at the time of the fall, and that God gave them clothes. He took care of them... The Devil didn't do that.
Consider: Jesus Christ and Eve are the only two individuals who were directly tempted by the Devil...
What should we learn and obey here? Don't sin.... Don't get comfortable with sin because it is slavery and death. Freedom and salvation comes from God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Apply the word: Stand up for what you know is right! Imitate Christ, he didn't tolerate evil even if it was from his friends. Christ died for his bride. Men should be willing to do the same.
Read these verses: Genesis 2:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:20-24
Memorize these verses: 1 John 3:8, Romans 6:6
1 John 3:8
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