Straining at Gnats and Swallowing Camels

I had new insight into this verse: Matthew 23:24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
Here Christ is taking the pharisees to task for their hypocrisy over their observation of the law.
Lev 11:20 'All flying insects that creep on [all] fours [shall be] an abomination to you.
Lev 11:4 Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you;

Both species are unclean under the law, but Christ was using a metaphor to show that the pharisees were meticulously observing the minor details of the law, while ignoring the greater matters of the law. Strain out a gnat speaks to the kosher observance of straining water to make it kosher. Later in the chapter, Jesus shows that the "camel" was metaphor for their willingness to murder the prophets, breaking the second greatest commandment (to love one's neighbor as one's self).

For Christians there are obvious parallels in this we too, even though we are not under the law, get caught up in things that are not important to the detriment of things that are.

Submission in Christian Marriage

I have two daughters who are of the marrying age so to speak. One of their concerns is the scripture in Ephesians:

5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Marriage--Christ and the Church
(cf. Col. 3:18, 19)
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, [fn5] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

As you see above, most people who like to put topic headings in the Bible, start the "Marriage, Christ, and the Church" heading at verse 22. I personally like to start it at verse 17. For verse 17 is a crucial key to successful Christian marriage. Notice that Paul instructs the believer to first be filled with the Holy Spirit. A believer who is not filled with the Holy Spirit cannot fulfill the rest of the chapter. Next we see in verse 21 that all believers are to be submitted to one another in the fear of God. That means that as fellow believers, the husband and wife are to be submitted to one another. OOPS. Most preachers leave that little tidbit off when they're doing marital counseling. Following those instructions, Paul then tells the spouse to be submitted to the husband as to Christ. Then the husband is charged to love, give himself, cleanse her, nourish and cherish her.

Unfortunately too many have the idea that submission means you become a door mat. But not in the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught what Christian Leadership is to look like in Matthew 20:

25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

For the world, leadership = domination
For the church, leadership = servanthood

I imagine the Christian divorce rate would be a lot lower if this idea of mutual servanthood were emphasized. Unfortuantely again, many marriages are based on the narcissitic view that "my" needs are more important than my spouse's needs.

I think this will be a test on the "asking one of my daughters to marry" quiz.

James

A thought about the book or epistle of James (I think we say "epistle of James" when we want to impress people with our knowledge of "Christianeze".) Please forgive me for straying. I was reading in James today because that's where the Lord seems to lead me frequently. I need a lot of help from the Holy Spirit in the Book of James apparently. I was wondering, while knowing that the Holy Spirit is the author, if James was being moved to write out of his own experience. Was James double minded? Was his tongue set on fire of hell? Are these things he overcame in the power of the Holy Spirit? These are problems that I have faced. Double minded? Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever be single minded. The Bible says the double minded man doesn't receive anything. I know my tongue has been set on fire of hell a few times, that was right before I had to extract my shoe from my mouth. Mayby yelled at my kids. Said something in a gossipy way about someone (that killing people with your tongue is about as nasty a habit as you can have.)
Tongue set on fire of hell, contrasted with tongues of fire symbolic of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible. What do we know. Controlled fire is good. For we Christians, we are supposed to let our tongue be controlled by the Holy Spirit. When I first knew this, I thought it was just not cussing. That was good because when I gave God control over my tongue, he took all cussing out. But there is always a deeper work that the Holy Spirit wants do, with our tongues, it's to cut off that link to hell. We have to link up our tongue to the Holy Spirit. That means a disconnect from the tongue connected to the fires of hell. It means discipline in edification & exhortation. Speaking blessings and not cursings. Speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. Uh oh, there's that extreme thing that passed away. No, it didn't pass away, because perfect has not yet come. Perfect is on His way, but we have work to do and that is helped along if we can totally disconnect our tongue from hell and turn it over to the Holy Spirit. So, did James live this out before he wrote it out? I think there's a good chance he did. Blessing on you today through Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior.

Jesus The I Am

I give credit to Jack Hayford for opening my eyes to the aspect of Jesus fulfilling the types of the promises portrayed in the wilderness.

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Jesus here is claiming I Am (Yahweh) equivalence. This is a reference to the wanderings in the wilderness and would have been easily understood in it's symbolism to be refering to God's provision of bread and water in the wilderness.

John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

Another I Am statement, indicating there is but one way to be saved and that is through Christ Jesus. In the wilderness, there was one way to be saved at the Red Sea, and that way was provided by God opening the way and then closing the way to the enemies of God. Also before the Exodus, the blood of the lamb had to be painted on the door in order for the Children of Israel to be saved from the destroying angel.

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

I AM the light. In the wilderness, the Children of Israel were led by a glory cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. As we follow Jesus daily looking for His light to guide us we will never be lost or confused

Martyr or Mass Murderer?

For the Christian in practice, a martyr is someone who has been killed at the hands of another because of their stand of faith. You're not a martyr unless you fall in to a very narrow category. First you must be actively involved in proclaiming or defending your faith. Secondly the death must come at the hands of others, not yourself, who kill you because of what you have said about your faith. Martyrdom is not suicide. Martyrdom is always murder.




This whole topic comes up because the whole concept has been co- opted by media and Islamic terrorists. I suppose figuring out what martyrdom is depends on what religion is defining a martyr. To the Islamist, at least in practice, it appears that a martyr is a devout individual who goes out with an explosive device strapped around himself, or on an fully fueled airplane i.e, and kills as many innocent people as he can, regardless of who among his own religion happen to be innocently in the crowd. I suppose the goal is to kill mainly people who do not believe in his religion, to terrorize the rest of the populace to convert to his "true religion". There is also the ulterior narcissistic erotic motive of being rewarded with a gaggle of virgin wives. In fact Islamist terrorist do create martyrs, but they are not Islamist martyrs. An Islamist terrorist is simply a mass murderer.

For a contemporary picture of Christian Martyrdom, rent and watch "End of the Spear"

After The Mount Comes The Valley

It seems that without fail, after I've been to a wonderful retreat or seminar, I come back to a valley. It's kind of been that way the last few days. I can take solace that just about everyone in the Bible had similar experiences. We've all heard it; you can't appreciate the mountains if you haven't had some time in the valleys. I suppose what is shocking is that I never seem to be prepared for it. Some valleys like this one that I photographed in Northern New Mexico are somewhat dry, but they also have their own beauty. So I suppose the task for me is to find the beauty that the Lord has placed in the valley. After all, we really don't spend most of our time on the mount.

Mountains after all can be cold and foreboding if you're there at the wrong time. I took this photo on the inside passage in Alaska, close to Skagway. That was a cold and foreboding place that day. I guess this all just goes to say that there are seasons when it's good to be on the mountain and there are seasons when it's good to be in the valley.
See if you can see the woman on the mountain.



Now here's a nice valley, it's also in Northern New Mexico. I took this photo at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. This used to be a mountain until it blew up and left this beautiful valley that is the caldera. Nothing simple about mountains and valleys. But God's in charge of them all:

Luke 3:4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
So I suppose our only concern should be to prepare the way of the Lord, whether we're in the valley or on the mountain or somewhere in between.

Click on the photos to enlarge. Look but don't copy. Be honest.

Spiritual Advance

More I should say a spiritual recovery. Went to "Ministry Team Training: Foundations for Power Ministry" in Houston Saturday at Calvary Community Church. The sessions I attended were foundational. Dr Steve Meeks who is senior pastor at CCC taught our sessions. Dr Meeks has an excellent book (Relational Christianity: Experiencing Intimacy and Companionship with the Living God). Dr Meeks teaches that it is necessary to know AND experience God. He speaks of how much of the church has become an "informational" model instead of, or as opposed to a relational model of Christianity. We in many instances just try to gather and give more information about God while neglecting the experiential move of the Holy Spirit. "My sheep hear my voice." When was the last time you actually heard God's voice? Can you be his sheep if you're not hearing his voice? This scripture tells us that God is speaking and calling to us. It tells us He is a relational God who wants communion with us. I am very much "into" knowing God through His word. I think that is the primary way to know God and to set boundaries on human fantasy about God. For instance, I could tell you that I want you to go pick up my wife at the airport. If that was all the information you had, you would be left to ask every person at the airport if they were my wife (I include in our current culture the thought that you could not rule out that I was a homosexual and considered a man to be my wife). But if I gave you information (a picture or at least a detailed description {She's 5'2, caucasian, eyes of blue, blond hair, wearing a white blouse and pink slacks, and carrying a zebra print purse}). Then you would be much more able to pick her out of the crowd. If I gave you further information about what flight she was on and the expected arrival time, you would be much more likely to quickly and correctly identify her. I could also give you information on how to behave, such as telling you that you are to catch her eye, smile and wave when you see her, but by no means are you to hug or kiss her. You are to take her bags and escort her to the car and open the door for her. That is information, and information is what we get from the Bible on identifying God and His Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Bible also puts boundaries on our Christian behavior. In the example of my wife, you have gained information on how to identify and act, but you do not really know her because you haven't experienced being around her and interacting with her, seeing her laugh and cry, or having hours of conversation with her. Through the Bible we can gain much information about God, about Jesus and about the Holy Spirit. But until we have spent time with Him, until we experience Him, we can't say we have a relationship with Him. And if we go back to Genesis 2:9 and the Garden, isn't that what God wanted with us? Relationship. It was when man was tempted with information that he fell from grace. Information can lead us to grace, but it cannot provide us with grace, only a restored relationship with God through His Son Jesus can do that.

The Holy Spirit Jeremiah Knew

I've several thoughts about postings, first is this one which is a continuation of my study of the Holy Spirit flowing from the New Testament Book of Hebrews. More about that below. I also want to post on Signs and Wonders, and on Faith. Those will come later.

Hebrews 10: 15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," 17 then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

Two things we can conclude (other than the obvious that Hebrews in general is talking about the supremacy of Christ as our only sufficient High Priest). One is that the Holy Spirit is being quoted. The second is that the quotation comes from Jeremiah 31:33-34. Jeremiah's "Thus Says Lord" is a reporting of what the Holy Spirit has said. One could read it "Thus says The Holy Spirit." If you read then what the Holy Spirit says, it greatly expands our knowledge of His character. Of course He is one with God the Father and God the Son in the Trinity so He is not speaking of Himself

John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

The conclusion I have drawn is that when Jeremiah says thus says the Lord throughout the book, he is in fact saying thus says the Holy Spirit. What is important about this. It is important to expand our understanding of the Holy Spirit, to get Him out of our little "Dove" box. The Holy Spirit is truly a Holy and Awesome member of the Trinity. Gentle yes, but capable of great passion and even anger. Bringing comfort, but also judgement. Not so one dimensional after all.

On Max Lucado and other miscellaneous stuff

I started reading another devotional by Max Lucado today. He is such a good communicator. He draws word pictures that bring aspects of God's grace sharply into focus. Today I read a selection about the disciples asking Jesus who was to blame for a man's blindness. Lucado focused on the aspect of the blind man being within earshot of the disciples as they asked their question. Max was exploring how we as Christians size up and label people and then deal with them or dismiss them according to the label we've given them. I confessed and asked God's forgiveness for that. Also I asked to be led by the Holy Spirit to not label people, but to see them with eyes of compassion. Compassion is a commodity that is in short supply in this world. I would like to be a vessel of that commodity. However, as with Paul, I find myself doing the opposite of what I desire. I desire to be compassionate, but too often find myself dismissing with labels. Lord God help me to see as you see.

My daughter who is on the mission field is doing better this week. She is seeing God move on those they are officially and unofficially ministering to. We prayed for her language skills and got almost immediate feedback that the Holy Spirit is giving her utterance in a known language. One that she has studied extensively and used in this country and another where it is spoken, but the new opportunity is in a country where it has developed quite differently. At any rate, God is blessing and moving her to greater usefulness as she depends on Him.

I am following with some interest the Southern Baptist Convention this week in San Antonio through Wade Burleson's blog. Interesting reading that. It seems that there's a battle going on for the soul of the SBC seminaries. I recall several years ago the battlefield was the same, against a very liberal drift in the seminaries. That battle was won, but now the pendulum has swung to the opposite pole and there is a very restrictive type of conservatism which to my mind has more to do with some private interpretations of doctrine by cessasionist theologians. Of course cessasionists believe that the work and power of the Holy Spirit ceased after the first century AD. The problem in the SBC is that a few are trying to cram this one narrow view down the throats of the entire SBC. One major problem is that the Holy Spirit didn't catch a shuttle off the planet in AD100. The Almighty Third Person of the Trinity has never left nor forsaken us, although many have left and forsaken Him. I am afraid that cessasionists are those who don't want the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, because they can't control Him, they fear and reject Him ( Acts 7:51 "You stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you."). The Holy Spirit can be resisted. In my previous post on "The Holy Spirit Moses Knew." I have shown that the Holy Spirit has been present from the very creation on the planet, went through the wilderness with the Children of Israel. Thus it was He who gave the Law to Moses and later it was He who sent Christ into the wilderness to pass the tests that the first children failed. Christ said it was better that He go away so that the Holy Spirit would come to us. Are we suddenly so much more spiritual than even the apostles, that we don't need the ministry and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives? How can even one sinner be convinced to repent and turn to Christ without the Holy Spirit. How can the Church thrive without the edification of the Holy Spirit through the Ministries and Gifts that He gives to the Church? Why would anyone who is teaching students at a professional level be afraid of unknown tongues? It can only be that they are afraid themselves to submit to the Lordship of Christ and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Has that which is perfect come? Then why is the Church such a mess? Pray for the SBC; it is a wonderful evangelical organization with such potential to reach much of the world for Jesus. Pray that the leadership will cooperate with, not resist, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit Conference at Trinity Church

I was able to attend the first night of the Holy Spirit conference Sunday night. Dr Larry Kefauver kicked off the conference and his being there was what drew me there. I was a member of Trinity when Larry was in transition to the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I cannot say we were close, but I admired his teaching. More lately I have enjoyed some of his writings, such as the series on Smith Wigglesworth. Check here for some of his books: http://www.strangdirect.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17667&cat=0&page=1
Sunday night Larry lead us into the presence of the Holy Spirit in a very powerful way. Hopefully the podcast will be available at Trinitytoday.com soon. I checked tonight and the link is not working.

Got a call from my wonderful younger daughter who is on the Mission Field overseas. This is her first long distance mission trip and she's a little homesick, so she called today. It was good to hear from her and cheer her up a little. Will be in prayer for her. If you're reading this and are a Christian of faith, I would ask you to pray for her and the rest of her team of fellow college students; that they would be strengthened and encouraged, that they would quickly pick up the dialect of the language, which is quite different than what they studied in school, that they would be able to boldly proclaim God's word to those they're ministering to. Pray for strengthening, encouraging and empowering of the Holy Spirit. Also pray for safety as they travel in-country.

A False Dichotomy

According to Elitist Liberal Robert Reich:
“The great conflict of the 21st century will not be between the West and terrorism. Terrorism is a tactic, not a belief. The true battle will be between modern civilization and anti-modernists; between those who believe in the primacy of the individual and those who believe that human beings owe their allegiance and identity to a higher authority; between those who give priority to life in this world and those who believe that human life is mere preparation for an existence beyond life; between those who believe in science, reason, and logic and those who believe that truth is revealed through Scripture and religious dogma. Terrorism will disrupt and destroy lives. But terrorism itself is not the greatest danger we face." The American Prospect; July 2004; pg. 40

Notice how Reich sets up a false dichotomy between secularists and people of faith:

Modern civilization VS. anti-modernists

Primacy of the individual VS. Those who believe in a higher power.

Priority to life in this world VS. Preparation for an afterlife.

Science, reason and logic VS. Scripture and religious dogma.

Terrorism Bad VS. Faith Worse.

In Reich's black and white thinking, people of faith are "anti modern, superstitious, illogical and supremely dangerous." Reich's is the ultimate in anti-religious bigotry. I of course think that we would have none of our great universities were it not for the "anti-modernists" who founded most of the institutions of higher learning in the world. Isn't it those who believe in a higher power who actually fight for the primacy of the individual to live, to not be aborted nor to be euthanized. Who (such as a Mother Teresa, World Vision and countless other faith based organizations from skid row to Dafur) minister to life in this world. My scientist PHD fellow believers would be somewhat amazed that Reich has concluded they are on the "wrong side" of Reich's legal pad. And finally Reich concludes that persons of faith are worse than those who fly airliners into skyscrapers, walk onto school buses with bombs strapped around their waists. Reich proclaims that people of faith are the ultimate enemy to be defeated in this century. Reich unfortunately is a wee little man with a wee little mind whose shallow examination of faith doesn't hold water.

Psalms 2:1-6
1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."

The Holy Spirit Moses Knew

"The Holy Spirit Moses Knew" A post about the Holy Spirit. My starting point is the New Testament Book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 3:7-11
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. 10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.' 11 So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.' "

This is a quote from Psalm 95

Psalms 95:7-11
7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: 8 "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. 10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.' 11 So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.' "

Psalm 95 refers to the Israelites tempting God in the wilderness as recorded:

Exodus 17:1-7
1 Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, "Give us water, that we may drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?" 3 And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, "Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" 4 So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" 5 And the Lord said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

All of these references are here to show that when this scripture is referenced in Hebrews, the author clearly attributes the "Lord" of Exodus to be The Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit who was tested and tried and whose works were seen, and who was grieved 40 years and who had wrath with them. It was the Holy Spirit who led the Children of Israel in the Wilderness.

Now bring that forward again to the New Testament where we have the Holy Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness:

Luke 4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness...

I have often thought that Jesus testings in the wilderness were an answer to Israel's failures in the wilderness. In each instance, the tests are very similar in their substance if you compare them side by side. In each case Jesus passed the test where Israel had failed.

Another observation: We kind of have this idea about the Holy Spirit that He is some kind of squishy nice-nice Santy Claus type of etherial divine being who goes about sprinkling gifts on Christians so they can be sort of super Christians.

The Holy Spirit who Moses knew, was an awesome God. First met as fire in the bush, who demanded first that Moses respect Him by taking off his sandals.

The Holy Spirit is awesome and he is Holy, only to be approached on his terms. We have lost some of that fear of God we should have. Yet The Holy Spirit invites us to commune with him.

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Indeed, May it be so to you today!

Cart before the horse religion

The whole issue of Mormons (LDS) and their (self) righteous style of living came up in Sunday School. The person who brought it up felt they were a model for Christians. On the surface, one could certainly agree that most Mormons, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. live pious lives. The problem and distinction for them is that they have to live that way to prove themselves worthy to God to get into heaven. Biblical Christianity however teaches that man is not saved by works of the law, but that it is only through the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross that we can be saved. All other religions get the cart before the horse.

Ephesians 2:4-10
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Galatians 2:11-21
11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

Grace comes first, then the works; not vice versa.

Dallas Soul Food

March didn't go out like a lamb. We travelled to Dallas this past Friday and there were some serious "severe thunderstorms" and tornado watches starting about 70 miles after we left home, mostly until we got to Dallas. It was some tense driving for 5 - 6 hours. At one point I saw that even though the storm was moving northeast, the clouds were moving south over us on the highway. I believe that clockwise rotation happens when the storm is about to spit out a tornado. God saw us through it though and we had no serious incidents. We were going to Dallas to go to a cooking class. We had a lot of fun cooking Cajun food, crawfish bisque, crawfish crouquettes, breaded fried green tomatoes, "Mock Shoe" and a tasty chicken dish I can't pronounce. The chef cooked bananas foster, which I didn't really think I'd like to repeat or even try again. Then Sunday morning we visited Gateway Church. We had good worship and the message by Pastor Robert Morris was very good. We got to eat some Louisiana "soul food", and got our souls fed on Sunday. The trip back was very pleasant. Then it was back to work today.

Christian Podcasts & Tribute to Kenneth Copeland.

Right now Internet Explorer is down for some reason, but fortunately I have Mozilla, which is working.
I have discovered the wonderful world of podcasts. Our church's Sunday sermons are now posted on I tunes and can be downloaded and then from there I can get them into my MP3. I also like KCM.org. Kenneth Copeland has been very important to my spiritual growth from the start of my walk with God.
Tribute to Kenneth Copeland: Shortly after salvation, I was in Clovis New Mexico and was able to get a hold of Copeland teachings. My faith was built by him teaching me how to trust in God and His Word. (I know there are critics, in fact I've discovered in my 27 years as a Christian, that there are some people around who make it their mission in life to run down the ministries of those who are out on the front lines. Shame on them. Pharisees of the modern age, not helping people get to heaven or get delivered from their problems; just criticizing those who are out there doing it. Remember the pharisees who criticized Jesus when he healed on the Sabbath, they're the same sort. Run, do not walk, away from "ministers of criticism", who've never lifted a hand to get someone saved or healed or delivered from their afflictions; but only major on the minors.)
Kenneth Copeland can be depended upon to build your faith in Christ, to teach you to trust in the Lord and the Word of God.

A Russian Prophet; Solovyov

http://www.christendom-awake.org/pages/soloviev/biffi.html. I have been alerted to the Prophet Solovyov who prior to his death in 1900 predicted much of the turmoil taking place in Europe, and Europe's decline into accepting the Anti-Christ. No Catholic I, but I have read some of Cardinal Biffi's writings (link above), and am struck by Solovyov's description of the decline of Europe, and his prediction that the Anti-Christ would be "an admirable philanthropist, a committed, active pacifist, a practicing vegetarian, a determined defender of animal rights. He will not be hostile "in principle" to Christ. Indeed, he will appreciate Christ's teaching. But he will reject the teaching that Christ is unique, and will deny that Christ is risen and alive today." Biff contrasts the ideals of the day as
"The mental attitudes prevalent today, even among many ecclesially active and knowledgeable Christians, are very far indeed from Soloviev's vision of reality. Among many, here are a few examples:
* egoistic individualism, which is ever more profoundly leaving its mark on our behaviors and laws;
* moral subjectivism, which leads people to hold that it is licit and even praiseworthy to assume positions in the legislative and political spheres different from the behavioral norms one personally adheres to;
* pacifism and non-violence ... confused with the Gospel ideals of peace and fraternity to the point of surrendering to tyranny and abandoning the weak and the good to the powerful;
* a theological view which, out of fear of being labeled reactionary, forgets the unity of God's plan, renounces spreading divine truth in all spheres, and abdicates the attempt to live out a coherent Christian life."
Ever more we should pray for the Church and oppose narcissism, moral subjectiveism, pacifism which won't oppose tyranny, fear of men, and political correct speech and thought control which denies the absolute truth of the gospel.

The Lord's Desire in My Heart

Psalm 37: 3. Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. We discussed this verse in our Reunion Group (Emmaus Small Group) this morning. I had always read it that if I delighted myself in the Lord, he would give what I desired. My friend Dana said he had a revelation that it really means that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will put His desires into our heart. How powerful is that? I would much rather have God's desire in my heart than my own desire. My prayer is: " Lord God Almighty, help me to delight in you and place your desires in my heart. May I desire what you desire. In Jesus Name. Amen"

I Got My Jesus Bones!

Or so an unnamed "documentary" maker is asserting, along with the self proclaimed "investigative reporter" who wrote the book. A lot of bloggers are already commenting (http://kerussocharis.blogspot.com/). I'll leave that to them. The only exception I'll make is to NOT WATCH THE PROGRAM. Not because I'm just a dupe of my shallow beliefs, but because that's the whole point of messers Cameron and etc. They want us to spend our money, enrich them and become true non-believers as a result. People of faith are not concerned about this. We know The Lord Jesus Christ's bones weren't kept in a box in South Jerusalem. There are after all historians from the period and the Jesus story was a well known one at the time. There would be documentation, say from Josephus, that a bunch of deluded followers had missed the fact that Jesus got married, had a boy or was it a girl (ala DV Code), and was buried in a tomb with his mother Mary. All that Christian hogwash about Mary probably dying in Ephesus, Jesus being wrapped in a shroud, other guys with the name Jesus. Well anyway, you get the point. I just hope that what usually happens when this stuff is published, doesn't happen this time. A lot of people in the Church go overboard and end up giving the heretic what he wants, more publicity, more controversy etc, which ends up with more money in their pockets. The anti-Christ, DV Code, Jesus Bones in a box, Last Temptation, Superstar, etc crowd won't stop until Jesus returns and (horrors of horrors) they're staring into the lake of fire thinking "O my god (who I don't believe in); it's all true." We evangelicals have a job; that's to go into all the world in the power of the Holy Spirit and rescue as many as we can from the fire. Check out Kirk Cameron's efforts at http://www.wayofthemaster.com/. Much better than James Cameron and his attempts to lead thousands of people into eternity without a savior. Ever heard of Jim Jones? Following James Cameron is like drinking that purple poison Jones got his followers to drink. If you don't believe in Christ, or are unsure, Just pray this prayer. "Dear Lord; I'm not even sure if you exist, but if you do, would you let me know today that you're there and that you're real?" I have faith that your prayer will be answered if you're truly seeking an answer. In Jesus name.

Growing Into The Love of God

I was reading Philipians this morning during my extended devotion time. (I was off for President's Day and took the opportunity to have an extended Bible reading.) I took special notice today of Chap 1 Vs 3. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. " Paul telling the Philipians that they are partners with him for their support. Those who send share in the benefits with those who go. Paul emphasized his unity with them and pleaded for them to be unified with one another. It is easy to get out of unity over things that probably don't mean a whole lot. If we love one another in the church, then we'll look to forgiveness, compassion and healing. Doctrine is important, and Paul didn't gloss over important doctrinal distinctions such as works vs grace. In fact, he called those who were pressing the Galatians to be circumcised, cursed. In Philipians, he calls them dogs (3:9). But there is a unity to be attained in the church over things that have no bearing on issues of salvation and sanctification. We cannot keep fellowship with someone who is living in open and unrepentant sin. Still it is my heart to grow into the love of God, that sacrificial love that gives itself with freedom from concern about self.

No Return

"Oh, It's a long, long road,

From which there is no return."

That stanza from "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" was running through my mind this morning as I was getting ready for work. A poignant moment as I realize how precious the time is that we have in this life. There's more road behind me than there is in front of me in this life. Of course eternity waits out in the distance somewhere. Making the tail end count is important to me now. What to do? What to do? I think we have to prepare for eternity. Make each day count for something important. Love your loved ones every day. Thank God for every day and the many blessings it contains. Live in the light of eternity.

There Is A Time

The Bible sort of fell open to Ecclesiastes 3:1 today. I have trouble with Ecclesiastes. I know it is one of Solomon's wisdom books, but it seems somewhat fatalistic. To some extent though it is comforting. It says that both good and bad happen, and in all of that we should "12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing,"

3:1 Whether good or evil.To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born,And a time to die;
A time to plant,And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,And a time to heal;
A time to break down,And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones,And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain,And a time to lose;
A time to keep,And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,And a time to speak;
8 A time to love,And a time to hate;
A time of war,And a time of peace.

It seemed apt today as I reread this to think about life with it's ups and downs. It is comforting to know that through it all, God is in charge and God is there. He doesn't leave in the bad times. I don't know why he allows them; perhaps the answer is in verse 14 "I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it.

God does it, that men should fear before Him."

Go Until God Says Stop.

Our pastor just returned from India and the Czech Republic. He taught from 1 Samuel 14 today. We were challanged to have a mindset like Jonathan vs the mindset of Saul. Saul had grown comfortable and "safe", camping out under the pomegranate tree. Jonathan decided to seek out the battle against the enemy. Instead of waiting to "hear from God", he did what was on his heart and had a victory given him by God. Pastor said sometimes we sit around waiting on a word from God when we ought to get up and move. Paul did this in Acts. He hadn't received a word from God, so he set out to visit churches, and God directed him in it. I think this is probably what we should do. Pastor said we should go until God says "stop", rather than waiting until God says "go." I am challenged to look at the next phase of my life and how to get ready for that. I've thought of getting my Master's in Christian Ministry through part time school over the next several years. I'm sure if God's in it, he'll provide the means.

End of The Spear

I am currently reading End of The Spear. I am enjoying the book a lot. In a previous post, I mentioned the movie. It had a lot of gaps that are filled in here. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to enter mission work or to know what it's like to reach "indigenous people." This has opened my eyes to a whole new world of Christian work. I don't think any of us can go into an "alien" culture and really understand it well without having spent years living there. I am reminded of my own naivette when I started working in Prison Ministry. The offenders (whom we called "Men in White" as that was the color of their prison uniforms had a way of thnking that was alien and shocking to me. I realized that it would be difficult for me to identify with many of them. In that ministry (KAIROS) we learned to "Listen, Listen, Love, Love." Without being critical, I think a great many Christians arrogantly think that Christianinty in an alien culture should look like a Norman Rockwell painting. My experiences and those I'm reading as related by Steve Saint, tell me God meets His children where they are.