I've been thinking about my siblings a lot lately, and it prompted me to, once again go over the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. The story begins in chapter 37 and it ends to book. Most of you know the story about Joseph having his dream and trying to share it with his siblings and they were angry with him because they supposed they would have to "bow down" to him at some point in life.
Anyway, to relieve themselves of this problem they threw him in a deep pit, took his multi-colored tunic and after they slaughter a male goat, they dipped the coat in its blood so they could take it to their father and prove that Joseph was dead.
Problem was that their story of Joseph's death was the "first" lie and we all know that when you tell a lie, you have to tell several others in the process of covering up that lie. Anyway, I won't try to take up all the pages to tell the entire story except to say that even though Joseph experienced some terrible difficulties, God never removed His hand from Joseph and at the end his brother's and Father did, indeed, bow down to him not even realizing who he was and it was the heart of Joseph, tendered and fashioned by God, that made sure that they were cared for.
It is a sad and difficult story to read but I seem to be able to relate to it very well. I feel so alone some times in my life today. Oh, my kids and grandkids keep me busy and love me and are "always" all over me and Barb when we are around, but not unlike the Joseph of the bible, I have always had a longing to have a relationship with my siblings. But to this day, that has been a near impossibility. I went my way and attempted to follow the path chosen by God and they all went there way and it seems like "never the two shall meet", so to speak.
I suppose I wanted to write this tonight, especially to myself, because unlike others, I try NOT to hold any grudges and anger against them. I guess that since I am feeling emotional in this manner, I just thought it would be good if my story could turn out similar to Joseph's story with his brothers in the end. I always pray for them and am very "uncertain" about their relationship to God (you know the old story, of the fruit bearing tree).
Anyway, I was just thinking about them and remembered the story of Joseph and I'm never sure which of these devotionals will be the last one I write so I thought I would suggest to all of you, that his story in Genesis 37:1 - 50:26 would be a wonderful story for you to take the time to read. It is an experience in pain, suffering, danger, deception, imprisonment, dreams and their interpretation, fear, promotions, love and forgiveness.
Today I see the signs of the times that so many people have waited for before they would believe that God even exists and as I watch our world crumble before our very eyes, I wonder what it has to get to before we put our arms around those that we love and cherish so that we can ask for and give forgiveness.
Can you relate to Joseph's story? Perhaps you should sit down and read the story and allow it to minister to a broken heart you may have.
Dave
Crazy Papa
I'll make 'um an offer
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
And God Saw That It Was "Very Good"
In Genesis 1:31, "And God saw all that he had made and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." For those of you who are up-to-date on the book of Genesis, you already know that on this day God created Man and Woman and He created us "in Our image, according to Our likeness..."
And then it was God's command that "they should rule over the fish...birds...cattle...and creeping things." and that is the first day that God stated that "it was VERY good." God was pleased in His creation and Revelation 4:11 verifies that our creation was for the very purpose of bringing pleasure to God. Look at what He says: "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created."
Is there any doubt to question our "very existence" here on earth? I say no! Because "AFTER" God spent five days creating the beauty we call home currently, He saw fit to create and give this beautiful home to us, the "Very Best" of His creation.
Stop and realize as you think of God right now and understand that His number one, only purpose, main agenda for creating Man & Woman was to have an intimate fellowship with Him. He is good and deserving of our worship and praise.
The next time you see something that you recognize as being created by God, remember that on the sixth day, He, His Son, and His Holy Spirit, came together to create the very best for His worship and praise. I hope that when you think of this, that you feel the level of love God spreads on us each and every day.
God created us to love Him.
Dave
And then it was God's command that "they should rule over the fish...birds...cattle...and creeping things." and that is the first day that God stated that "it was VERY good." God was pleased in His creation and Revelation 4:11 verifies that our creation was for the very purpose of bringing pleasure to God. Look at what He says: "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created."
Is there any doubt to question our "very existence" here on earth? I say no! Because "AFTER" God spent five days creating the beauty we call home currently, He saw fit to create and give this beautiful home to us, the "Very Best" of His creation.
Stop and realize as you think of God right now and understand that His number one, only purpose, main agenda for creating Man & Woman was to have an intimate fellowship with Him. He is good and deserving of our worship and praise.
The next time you see something that you recognize as being created by God, remember that on the sixth day, He, His Son, and His Holy Spirit, came together to create the very best for His worship and praise. I hope that when you think of this, that you feel the level of love God spreads on us each and every day.
God created us to love Him.
Dave
Monday, October 12, 2009
Side Note For JW Witnessing
I received a comment from a 36 year former JW with extremely good comment which is what I hoped to receive. Perhaps a dialogue can be started from this original comment. Please take a moment to read my blog about Jehovah's Witness Society and make sure you read his comment. Now there are two of us you can contact for support. Thank you so much Mark for a heart that is willing to share and care.
God's absolute best to you my brother in Christ,
Dave
papadave3@gmail.com
God's absolute best to you my brother in Christ,
Dave
papadave3@gmail.com
Yes God, I Need A New Lawnmower!
Here is a very famous quote from a person who seriously did NOT believe that Jesus was the Christ, until after His death, burial, and resurrection. After seeing the risen Lord, James, the half brother of Jesus went on to become one of the most outspoken of all the disciples.
In James 1:5 he said, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." In other words, ask of a "living God" for your needs. Now I'm NOT talking about "hey dude, my Toyota just came unglued so I need a new Cadillac" kind of request. James was referring to your spiritual needs. ("But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil 4:19). But don't lose sight of the fact that His riches in glory have nothing to do with materialism. Don't be confused.
God wants to give you the desires of your heart and He expects your heart to desire pleasing Him. Now ask yourself how it is that a brand new Cadillac will please God. Right! Now you've got it.
He also said to ask and God will give generously and "without reproach" which means "a cause or occasion of disgrace or discredit". So if you ask for wisdom from God He will certainly NOT be disgraced or discredit your request, in other words, He will give to you graciously and abundantly.
Want something from God? Ask Him! But make sure its your heart asking and not your wallet.
Dave
In James 1:5 he said, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." In other words, ask of a "living God" for your needs. Now I'm NOT talking about "hey dude, my Toyota just came unglued so I need a new Cadillac" kind of request. James was referring to your spiritual needs. ("But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil 4:19). But don't lose sight of the fact that His riches in glory have nothing to do with materialism. Don't be confused.
God wants to give you the desires of your heart and He expects your heart to desire pleasing Him. Now ask yourself how it is that a brand new Cadillac will please God. Right! Now you've got it.
He also said to ask and God will give generously and "without reproach" which means "a cause or occasion of disgrace or discredit". So if you ask for wisdom from God He will certainly NOT be disgraced or discredit your request, in other words, He will give to you graciously and abundantly.
Want something from God? Ask Him! But make sure its your heart asking and not your wallet.
Dave
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Approached by a JW? Here's A Start!
Quick Tips
(After reading this along with dozens of other pages, I thought this important enough to copy and share with others. I take no credit for this article but believe it the depth of its reasoning...Dave)
Witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness By Jason Carlson and Ron Carlson
When teaching on the cults, rarely do we encounter someone who hasn’t had a Jehovah’s Witness come knocking on their front door. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are notorious for their aggressive door-to-door evangelistic strategy. And while many people might view the Jehovah’s Witnesses at their door as an annoyance, they are literally a mission field at our doorstep. Therefore, we try to encourage Christians to view their visits as an opportunity, an opportunity to open their eyes to the truth and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them.
The next time the Jehovah’s Witnesses comes to your front door, instead of simply turning them away, why not spend five minutes and sow some simple seeds of truth into their lives? You may not convert them to true Christianity right there at your doorstep, but you can give them some important truths to consider, truths which may eventually bear genuine fruit of repentance and conversion in their lives.
The basic error of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is what we call a “theology of denial”. Jehovah’s Witnesses basically deny all of the central doctrines of the Christian faith; most significantly, they deny the Deity of Jesus Christ. Jehovah’s Witnesses wrongly believe that Jehovah alone is God almighty, Jesus is only a god created being (actually the archangel Michael), and the Holy Spirit is simply an active force. This is a far cry from the true biblical doctrines of the Trinity and the Deity of Jesus Christ.
Now, if you only have five minutes to spend with a Jehovah’s Witness, try walking them through the following passages of scripture, passages that bear witness to the reality of the Deity of Jesus Christ (and the beauty of sharing these passages is that you can even use the Jehovah’s Witness’ false version of the Bible, the New World Translation):
1) Begin by reading with the Jehovah’s Witness from Revelation 1:8.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “Who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
After reading this verse together, ask them the following question, “Who is the Alpha and the Omega?” They will respond by saying something like, “Well, it says right there, the Alpha and the Omega is the Lord God (or Jehovah God in their translation).”
2) Next, ask them if they will read another passage of scripture with you, and read from Revelation 22:13.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End”
After reading this verse with them, ask them, “Now, who exactly is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last?” And they will probably respond by saying something like, “We just saw who the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last is, he is the Lord God (or Jehovah God in their translation).
3) Lastly, ask them if they’ll look at one more passage with you, and read with them from Revelation 1:17-18.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last (stop here and ask again, ‘who is the First and the Last?’). I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!”
After reading this last passage of Scripture with them, ask the Jehovah’s Witness, “So, when exactly did the Lord God (or Jehovah God in their translation) die?” And most Jehovah’s Witnesses will just look at that passage in bewilderment, for you have just shown them conclusively, even from their own translation, that Jesus is the Lord God (or Jehovah God).
If you want to demonstrate this reality even further, read with them from Revelation 22:13 & 16, where the Alpha and the Omega says, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.”
This series of passages can be a powerful tool when witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness. These passages demonstrate that Jesus Christ is the Lord God, or Jehovah God. Jesus Christ is not simply a god, a created being; he is the eternal Lord God.The next time the Jehovah’s Witnesses come to your front door, instead of simply turning them away, why not try sharing these 3 passages with them? God could use you to powerfully impact the life of a Jehovah’s Witness… and it only takes five minutes!
©2005 Christian Ministries International, Inc.
(Knowing that this will offend some who read my blog, I personally invite you to contact me at papadave3@gmail.com for an online and personal discussion about my views as there is not a "soul" without value to the Lord Jesus Christ and after posting a statement like this, some, of that faith may feel offended. My purpose is not to offend ((even though Jesus would have without apology)) but rather to inform and discuss for the purpose of the Kingdom of God. BTW as the JW to leave his/her Watchtower at the door - only use the Bible - and not theirs).
Saturday, October 10, 2009
That Small Quiet Voice Within
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27,28)
In this passage of scripture from John 10:22-30, Jesus asserts His deity to those Jews who would question Him. If fact they asked Him "plainly" in verse 24 saying, "If you are the Christ, just tell us" And of course it was never the motive of Jesus to keep them in suspense however, His statements are clear: "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these bear witness of Me." and then he states that they do NOT believe because they are "not of My sheep."
When Jesus speaks to me, I can hear him very plainly. It's not as though there is an audible voice ringing in my ears, but rather my heart becomes impressed with His message and I try to comply to His will and requests. That's why He say "My sheep hear My voice..."
Another thing is the relationship with Him in my heart. He says He knows His sheep and they follow Him. This is not a "blind, spiritless" following that I believe I have. In my heart, I truly believe that He commands my life and naturally it is of my "own free will" that I follow and try to obey. I say "try" because as we all know, we are not always children of obedience. Yesterday I was outside with my grandson and his shoe was untied and I told him to come to me and allow me to tie his shoe. And of course, the more I prompted him, the farther away from me he would go. To him, a little game, but to the Son of God, a request (command) intended to be followed without question. We do, as Christian men and women, "follow" Christ and obey His commands as He speaks to our hearts, because we ARE His sheep and He knows us.
This to me, is probably the greatest and most comforting feeling I can have in life. "He knows me" and therefore He knows that I will eventually follow His desires for my life.
Finally in verses 29 & 30 He says such a comforting statement even to those who would be plotting to kill Him when He says "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." Oops! There He goes again, claiming to be God. How cool is that?
Do you hear His voice deep within your heart? Do you try as best as you can to follow Him? We all fail Him, naturally and that in and of itself was the reason for the Cross at Calvary. But are you one of those sheep that follow at His command? If not, you need to search within your heart and find out why not. I remember an old saying I heard from Pastor Greg Laurie a long time a go. "Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger." Our churches are full of people who have been deceived. Can you hear his voice? Do you desire to follow Him? These are the question you need to answer from within.
Romans 10:9 says "if you confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you SHALL be saved (SHALL emphasized by all caps), and he goes on in verse 10 "for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." Is salvation yours today? Only you can answer that question. And if it is still a question go to the 4 Spiritual Laws (written 4/26/09) within this blog for more help.
Listen, listen, He is trying to speak to you,
Dave
In this passage of scripture from John 10:22-30, Jesus asserts His deity to those Jews who would question Him. If fact they asked Him "plainly" in verse 24 saying, "If you are the Christ, just tell us" And of course it was never the motive of Jesus to keep them in suspense however, His statements are clear: "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these bear witness of Me." and then he states that they do NOT believe because they are "not of My sheep."
When Jesus speaks to me, I can hear him very plainly. It's not as though there is an audible voice ringing in my ears, but rather my heart becomes impressed with His message and I try to comply to His will and requests. That's why He say "My sheep hear My voice..."
Another thing is the relationship with Him in my heart. He says He knows His sheep and they follow Him. This is not a "blind, spiritless" following that I believe I have. In my heart, I truly believe that He commands my life and naturally it is of my "own free will" that I follow and try to obey. I say "try" because as we all know, we are not always children of obedience. Yesterday I was outside with my grandson and his shoe was untied and I told him to come to me and allow me to tie his shoe. And of course, the more I prompted him, the farther away from me he would go. To him, a little game, but to the Son of God, a request (command) intended to be followed without question. We do, as Christian men and women, "follow" Christ and obey His commands as He speaks to our hearts, because we ARE His sheep and He knows us.
This to me, is probably the greatest and most comforting feeling I can have in life. "He knows me" and therefore He knows that I will eventually follow His desires for my life.
Finally in verses 29 & 30 He says such a comforting statement even to those who would be plotting to kill Him when He says "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." Oops! There He goes again, claiming to be God. How cool is that?
Do you hear His voice deep within your heart? Do you try as best as you can to follow Him? We all fail Him, naturally and that in and of itself was the reason for the Cross at Calvary. But are you one of those sheep that follow at His command? If not, you need to search within your heart and find out why not. I remember an old saying I heard from Pastor Greg Laurie a long time a go. "Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger." Our churches are full of people who have been deceived. Can you hear his voice? Do you desire to follow Him? These are the question you need to answer from within.
Romans 10:9 says "if you confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you SHALL be saved (SHALL emphasized by all caps), and he goes on in verse 10 "for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." Is salvation yours today? Only you can answer that question. And if it is still a question go to the 4 Spiritual Laws (written 4/26/09) within this blog for more help.
Listen, listen, He is trying to speak to you,
Dave
Friday, October 9, 2009
Our Humility Gives Him The Glory
I believe that humility is one of the hardest things that we as Christian men and women try to live with in today's society. It is so cool to be able to share with someone an accomplishment we have achieved and sometimes the things we do are because we are prompted by God and we just want to "shout it from the roof tops" when it was done right. I can remember when Jesus did some of His most famous miracles (like cleansing the Leper), he would tell the person as he went away "See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and present the offering that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them" (Matt 8:4). I know if that had been me I would have been running through the streets shouting how Jesus healed me!
In John chapter 13 there are a couple of wonderful examples of the humility of Jesus as he prepares to share in the Lord's Supper with His disciples. Jesus after speaking had prepared to wash the feet of His disciples and as He "laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about..." I am sure the disciples were somewhat confused as to His actions.
He began to pour water into a basin and started washing the feet of His disciples and He came to Peter and Peter said "Lord, do You was my feet?" And with the wisdom that only God could have had, He simply said "What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter." At first Peter refused and as Jesus taught him the lesson in humility Peter was ready to be given a full bath. Of course, after Peter recognizes the importance of the action Jesus helps him to understand that "he who has bathed need only have his feet washed" and so a valuable lesson in humility was taught that night.
Today we want everything done and we want it done right now and especially by someone else. When was the last time you stopped your car to allow a little old lady to push her basket across the path in from of a Wal-Mart store or actually said "excuse me" for walking in front of someones path?
We seem to be a different "unkind" breed of people today, even those of us who refer to ourselves as "children of the King" however, Jesus has commanded us to practice humility in everything that we do. I have seen so many stories on Face book alone where the story is full of "I, I, I, and if I hadn't done this or that..." When will we kneel down and wash the feet of another (figuratively speaking) to show our humility.
Nothing that we do for the Father has the word "I" in it. The only power given to us, just as it was with Jesus, was from our Heavenly Father. When will we finally give Him the credit deserved for the actions He prompts in our lives. Oh it's wonderful and gives us a great joy to have gone out and passed out lots of "tract" at some large sporting event or walking through the Mall and we marvel in the excitement of some of the responses but in John 13: 31,32, Jesus says, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately." Begin to recognize where the glory is coming from in your life. Are you the main character in the event or is it the Lord of Glory who has prompted you to act?
Humility is a hard "trait" to practice today especially when we want people to see how well we can do some things but try to do something nice for someone this next week without telling a soul. Believe me, you will be blessed and God will be glorified.
Dave
In John chapter 13 there are a couple of wonderful examples of the humility of Jesus as he prepares to share in the Lord's Supper with His disciples. Jesus after speaking had prepared to wash the feet of His disciples and as He "laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about..." I am sure the disciples were somewhat confused as to His actions.
He began to pour water into a basin and started washing the feet of His disciples and He came to Peter and Peter said "Lord, do You was my feet?" And with the wisdom that only God could have had, He simply said "What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter." At first Peter refused and as Jesus taught him the lesson in humility Peter was ready to be given a full bath. Of course, after Peter recognizes the importance of the action Jesus helps him to understand that "he who has bathed need only have his feet washed" and so a valuable lesson in humility was taught that night.
Today we want everything done and we want it done right now and especially by someone else. When was the last time you stopped your car to allow a little old lady to push her basket across the path in from of a Wal-Mart store or actually said "excuse me" for walking in front of someones path?
We seem to be a different "unkind" breed of people today, even those of us who refer to ourselves as "children of the King" however, Jesus has commanded us to practice humility in everything that we do. I have seen so many stories on Face book alone where the story is full of "I, I, I, and if I hadn't done this or that..." When will we kneel down and wash the feet of another (figuratively speaking) to show our humility.
Nothing that we do for the Father has the word "I" in it. The only power given to us, just as it was with Jesus, was from our Heavenly Father. When will we finally give Him the credit deserved for the actions He prompts in our lives. Oh it's wonderful and gives us a great joy to have gone out and passed out lots of "tract" at some large sporting event or walking through the Mall and we marvel in the excitement of some of the responses but in John 13: 31,32, Jesus says, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately." Begin to recognize where the glory is coming from in your life. Are you the main character in the event or is it the Lord of Glory who has prompted you to act?
Humility is a hard "trait" to practice today especially when we want people to see how well we can do some things but try to do something nice for someone this next week without telling a soul. Believe me, you will be blessed and God will be glorified.
Dave
Thursday, October 8, 2009
A God of Power and Perfection!
I was just thumbing through my Bible this morning and found some very interesting facts that I thought were worth commenting on. Did you know that the word "God" appears 4379 times in the Bible. Also the word "Lord" appears 7738 times in the Bible. I use the New American Standard Bible so there may be some slight differences depending on which version of the Bible that you use.
As I was looking at these facts this morning (naturally I didn't do the counting but rather am depending on a "factual" portion of my Bible to give me accurate information), these two simple facts seemed to have stood out for a reason.
I learned a lot of years back in the Old Testament that the word "God" (used the very first time in Genesis 1:1 had the Hebrew translation "Elohim" which means "a God of Power"! Then Moses continued to use that Hebrew word for God throughout the first to chapters of the Bible and on up to chapter 2 verse 4 when he refers to God as "Lord God" and understood that the phrase "Lord God" carried a different meaning in the Hebrew language. The phrase "Lord God" was translated in the Hebrew language as "Jehovah Elohim" which means "a God of Power and Perfection; or a finishing God"!
These two translations seem to work perfectly through the Bible as "In the beginning" God started, with His power to create the "Heavens and Earth" and all the things in the earth. and then upon completion of His task, Moses saw fit to refer to our Father in Heaven as a "God of power and perfection, and added "a finishing God".
If you look very closely you can see that the phraseology doesn't change until after the 7th day of creation when in chapter 2 verse 3 it says, "Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." And then in verse 4 He becomes the "Lord God" (Jehovah Elohim, the God of power and perfection, a finishing God).
Why do I bring this up. A little known fact for which I am not trying to surmise some fantastic "theological" correlation but it made me think of the last time that Jesus, the Son spoke on this earth as the embodiment of a man when He said, "Father, into thy hands I commit My spirit" (Lu. 23:46). Again I am not trying to develop some GREAT THEOLOGICAL recognition for this thought only to say that it seems to be with very emotional greatness, that Jesus' last words as the God Man would be "Father"! For literally centuries God has been know in the Hebrew dialect as a "God of power and perfection, a finishing God" and here on the Cross at Calvary, Jesus sees fit to refer to this entity of the Godhead as "Father". More intimate than a "God of Power!" More explosive than a "God of power and perfection, a finishing God" but as a "Father", an intimate and close relationship that can only come from God Himself.
What I saw here was the intimate development throughout the Bible of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son and finally, as soon revealed, God the Holy Spirit.
I claim no theological basis for the above statements but rather appeal to the emotional side of mankind to look at the "Father" that Jesus saw and see Jehovah Elohim, A God of power and perfection, a "finishing" God. And as trials and troubles come your way, as they will, you can remember that Your God, had the ability to "Finish" the task.
Dave
As I was looking at these facts this morning (naturally I didn't do the counting but rather am depending on a "factual" portion of my Bible to give me accurate information), these two simple facts seemed to have stood out for a reason.
I learned a lot of years back in the Old Testament that the word "God" (used the very first time in Genesis 1:1 had the Hebrew translation "Elohim" which means "a God of Power"! Then Moses continued to use that Hebrew word for God throughout the first to chapters of the Bible and on up to chapter 2 verse 4 when he refers to God as "Lord God" and understood that the phrase "Lord God" carried a different meaning in the Hebrew language. The phrase "Lord God" was translated in the Hebrew language as "Jehovah Elohim" which means "a God of Power and Perfection; or a finishing God"!
These two translations seem to work perfectly through the Bible as "In the beginning" God started, with His power to create the "Heavens and Earth" and all the things in the earth. and then upon completion of His task, Moses saw fit to refer to our Father in Heaven as a "God of power and perfection, and added "a finishing God".
If you look very closely you can see that the phraseology doesn't change until after the 7th day of creation when in chapter 2 verse 3 it says, "Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." And then in verse 4 He becomes the "Lord God" (Jehovah Elohim, the God of power and perfection, a finishing God).
Why do I bring this up. A little known fact for which I am not trying to surmise some fantastic "theological" correlation but it made me think of the last time that Jesus, the Son spoke on this earth as the embodiment of a man when He said, "Father, into thy hands I commit My spirit" (Lu. 23:46). Again I am not trying to develop some GREAT THEOLOGICAL recognition for this thought only to say that it seems to be with very emotional greatness, that Jesus' last words as the God Man would be "Father"! For literally centuries God has been know in the Hebrew dialect as a "God of power and perfection, a finishing God" and here on the Cross at Calvary, Jesus sees fit to refer to this entity of the Godhead as "Father". More intimate than a "God of Power!" More explosive than a "God of power and perfection, a finishing God" but as a "Father", an intimate and close relationship that can only come from God Himself.
What I saw here was the intimate development throughout the Bible of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son and finally, as soon revealed, God the Holy Spirit.
I claim no theological basis for the above statements but rather appeal to the emotional side of mankind to look at the "Father" that Jesus saw and see Jehovah Elohim, A God of power and perfection, a "finishing" God. And as trials and troubles come your way, as they will, you can remember that Your God, had the ability to "Finish" the task.
Dave
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Peace And Safety!
Tonight I was watching one of my favorite commentary programs on Fox News. It was the Glenn Beck Show. Now I know that there are those who believe him to be a "conspiracy theorist" and others just believe that he is an inebriated "Paul Revere". That bothers me very little. Because I listen intently to what he says and I research what he means.
Tonight his program caused me to think of a passage of scripture that goes a little like this: "Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and Safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober." This comes from 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6 and in today's society, it is an important piece of scripture to learn and stand by.
I don't intent to make you believe that I have any more concrete information on when the Lord plans to return for His Church, however, the Bible has given us ample warning and many, many, many of the events of the day are encroaching upon us as though we were being "smothered" by the changes our country is going through. Naturally an in depth study of "end times" will help, but the point I am trying to make is that we, as Christian men and women need to "NOT" have our heads in the sand over the current events.
Now perhaps there are many "Paul Reveres" in the country right now who are trying to warn us of impending doom and that is not my call to make. I only bring you to the Holy Word of God as the Apostle Paul warns us to be on our guard against the injustices of our Christian faith.
You have need of nothing more to do than to make sure that your heart and hearts of your family are in order and prepared to meet and greet Jesus as He returns for His "Bride" the church.
Don't be like the farmer who said, "I'll wait until just prior to the bad weather and then begin my crop." For him it will be too late. If you do not understand these things I have a specific blog that you can go to and it will assist you in getting a better grip on God's role in your life. You can find it within this blog on the front page and it is the very first link that refers to the "4 Spiritual Laws". Just click on that link and it will take you to all the information you need to know to make a responsible decision for Christ. And remember that no decision is a decision against the Lord as your Savior. You should also be able to click here to get to the 4 Spiritual Laws!
God bless you this day,
Dave
Tonight his program caused me to think of a passage of scripture that goes a little like this: "Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and Safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober." This comes from 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6 and in today's society, it is an important piece of scripture to learn and stand by.
I don't intent to make you believe that I have any more concrete information on when the Lord plans to return for His Church, however, the Bible has given us ample warning and many, many, many of the events of the day are encroaching upon us as though we were being "smothered" by the changes our country is going through. Naturally an in depth study of "end times" will help, but the point I am trying to make is that we, as Christian men and women need to "NOT" have our heads in the sand over the current events.
Now perhaps there are many "Paul Reveres" in the country right now who are trying to warn us of impending doom and that is not my call to make. I only bring you to the Holy Word of God as the Apostle Paul warns us to be on our guard against the injustices of our Christian faith.
You have need of nothing more to do than to make sure that your heart and hearts of your family are in order and prepared to meet and greet Jesus as He returns for His "Bride" the church.
Don't be like the farmer who said, "I'll wait until just prior to the bad weather and then begin my crop." For him it will be too late. If you do not understand these things I have a specific blog that you can go to and it will assist you in getting a better grip on God's role in your life. You can find it within this blog on the front page and it is the very first link that refers to the "4 Spiritual Laws". Just click on that link and it will take you to all the information you need to know to make a responsible decision for Christ. And remember that no decision is a decision against the Lord as your Savior. You should also be able to click here to get to the 4 Spiritual Laws!
God bless you this day,
Dave
Monday, October 5, 2009
Light Housekeeping
I removed the previous post that was titled "Heaven Is NOT Good Enough" from my blog early this morning. After reading it for the third time, I became even more confused with my thoughts (I'm sure that has happened to you before), so rather than post something that was either theologically confusing or not right altogether, I just removed it. I saved it into a "draft" and will look at it another time for re-evaluation.
Just wanted you guys who may have already seen it to know that I am still thinking and still trying to be as "true" to God's Word as I can be. It just did not feel right.
God bless you all and thanks for taking the time to read my posts.
Dave
Just wanted you guys who may have already seen it to know that I am still thinking and still trying to be as "true" to God's Word as I can be. It just did not feel right.
God bless you all and thanks for taking the time to read my posts.
Dave
You Are My Disciples
A passage of scripture that recently crossed my mind is John 13:34,35 and it is Jesus speaking. Here's what He has to say: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
A couple of questions: How do we do this? Where does the strength come from in order for us to accomplish this task with each other? I know people in this world that are very "unlovely" and I know also that I am sometimes "unlovely." Not being humble, just truthful. So what's the secret to this "love for one another?" I cannot live by the Old Testament law, that's for sure, but neither can I seem to live by this one either. What is the "sting" that keeps this action from me everyday of my life? There always seems to be people coming into and out of my life that I just don't love! Pretty harsh statement, huh? Well, you have them too. So why do I continue to allow Satan to have this much power over me - he is "nothing" in my life. He has no power that I do not surrender to him.
Here is the power we have been given by Jesus Christ while we attempt to "love one another" and it is in Acts 26:27-29 which says, "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." And Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." And Paul said, "I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."
This attitude is the answer to the questions I asked above. How do we do this thing; people are so "unlovely?" We take the position of Paul, standing before an earthly king, speaking on behalf of his life and saying "I wish that your spirit was free, like mine, without these chains that physically bind me." In other words, my heart wants you to know my Savior. You want to kill me; I want you to know the real King.
A couple of weeks ago the worship team at church sang these words to a song I am sure you will recognize: "Take me in to the Holy of Holies; Take me in by the blood of the Lamb; Take the coal, touch my lips, Here I am!" We can also find this surrender in Isaiah 6:8 where the Prophet says: "I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
Here am I, Lord (Dave); send me, send me, send me!" Help me to live this new commandment through You.
Dave
A couple of questions: How do we do this? Where does the strength come from in order for us to accomplish this task with each other? I know people in this world that are very "unlovely" and I know also that I am sometimes "unlovely." Not being humble, just truthful. So what's the secret to this "love for one another?" I cannot live by the Old Testament law, that's for sure, but neither can I seem to live by this one either. What is the "sting" that keeps this action from me everyday of my life? There always seems to be people coming into and out of my life that I just don't love! Pretty harsh statement, huh? Well, you have them too. So why do I continue to allow Satan to have this much power over me - he is "nothing" in my life. He has no power that I do not surrender to him.
Here is the power we have been given by Jesus Christ while we attempt to "love one another" and it is in Acts 26:27-29 which says, "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." And Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." And Paul said, "I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."
This attitude is the answer to the questions I asked above. How do we do this thing; people are so "unlovely?" We take the position of Paul, standing before an earthly king, speaking on behalf of his life and saying "I wish that your spirit was free, like mine, without these chains that physically bind me." In other words, my heart wants you to know my Savior. You want to kill me; I want you to know the real King.
A couple of weeks ago the worship team at church sang these words to a song I am sure you will recognize: "Take me in to the Holy of Holies; Take me in by the blood of the Lamb; Take the coal, touch my lips, Here I am!" We can also find this surrender in Isaiah 6:8 where the Prophet says: "I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
Here am I, Lord (Dave); send me, send me, send me!" Help me to live this new commandment through You.
Dave
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