First of all, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I hope that 2015 brings much happiness and joy to all of you who read the blog. I have several reviews planned for the upcoming months.
I also have some new series planned for the Weekend Sermon. After we conclude our series about kings, I think that I will begin a series of messages on I Peter. I also would like to do a series of messages on the parables of Jesus. I may do a series on another of the Minor Prophets, possibly Micah or Amos. It is all dependent on the leading of the Lord.
2014 was an interesting year for me to say the least. At the beginning of the year, I was sick and on the verge of homelessness. Writing work was scarce, and I could not find another job. In February, the Lord provided a job, and I worked at that job until November. That job helped me get back on my feet a little bit. Thankfully, although the old job is sadly over, Jesus has provided a new job starting in mid-January. Writing also has picked up nicely over the course of the year.
It is my goal in 2015 to sell the house and pay off the debts that I have. If there is any money left, I will save it to help finance my ministry I want to start. I hope to sell much of what I own, and then work a couple of years or so at the new job. This will give me the funds to finance a mission trip or a larger ministry whichever way Jesus leads.
In matters spiritual, 2014 had its ups and downs. I am still looking for a good church to attend on a regular basis. Much effort will be put into this in 2015. I don't believe that I made the most of all of the witnessing opportunities at my old job. I feel badly about this. I have definitely remedied this at the part-time job I have now, and I will endeavor to be a much more faithful witness at my new job. I will strive to continue to spread the message of the love of Jesus on this blog.
I had great fun writing the blog in 2014. I really enjoyed doing the Weekend Sermon series on the miracles of Jesus, and I am currently enjoying the series on kings. We also did a series on Hebrews. We had a lot of good books to review this year as well. Sometime in 2015, I will have a post on my animal book of the year.
Now on to the recommendation. Last week, I saw a fantastic DVD called "Lost Land of the Tiger". This was a National Geographic video that focused on the search for tigers in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Dr. Alan Rabinowitz of Panthera led a group of scientists as they sought out tigers. The scientists used camera traps and visual observation to locate tigers. They even used a specially trained Labrador retriever to sniff out tiger poop. I won't tell you what they discovered. You will have to look at the DVD to find that out. I highly recommend this DVD.
Once again, Happy New Year to all. May God bless you. Thanks for reading the blog in 2014.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Monday, December 29, 2014
Verse of the Week
Luke 15:7 -- "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Weekend Sermon -- New Year
Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope that everyone had a merry Christmas.
I had a nice Christmas. We had a nice holiday party at work. I spent Christmas day with my brother, my sister-in-law, my nephew and his wife. We had a good time. As I have mentioned already this week, I received a really nice Christmas present due to the fact that I was offered a great job with good benefits. That job starts in mid-January. Thanks be to God.
As you go to prayer this week, let us all pray for peace on earth. I was thinking a lot about this this week. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and He call all of us to be peacemakers. There is so much war and violence in this world. Let us pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Libya. Wherever else in this world where there is violence and turmoil, Lord, let there be peace.
Today's sermon may seem somewhat disjointed. Please bear with me as I have some things to say that may not seem related, but I will attempt to draw it all together. I hope.
As I approach each new year, one passage of Scripture that is important to me is found in Philippians 3:13-14. In this passage Paul states, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
This verse is important to me each new year because it reminds me to forget about the bad things that may have happened in the year before. As many of you know, 2014 held good and bad things for me. During this year, I reached one of the lowest points in my life. The year started out with me in desperate financial shape and on the verge of homelessness. Thankfully, I got a job, and I thought that things were looking up. Unfortunately, that job didn't turn out to be what I expected it to be or what I was told it was going to be.
Over the course of the year, events transpired at that job that hurt me a great deal. I don't think that I can express how badly I felt about all that happened. People that I thought were my friends turned out to be nothing close to that.
Thankfully, I found a small job to keep me going until I found something else that was better. Praise be to God that He has provided for me with a new job. Also, writing has really picked up, and I have had quite a bit of work lately.
As the new year approaches, it is time to lay aside the hurts of 2014. The past is past, and it is now time to go into 2015 with the hope of new possibilities. I feel that it is important to try to forget the hurts of the past for two reasons. For one thing, people can be very mean and do things that hurt you. When this happens, I remember what Joseph said to his brothers in Egypt. They meant what happened to Joseph for evil, but God meant it for good.
Joseph had a bad time of it. His brothers sold him into slavery, and then he was falsely accused of a crime and thrown in prison. But, God meant it for good. Joseph rose to become the savior of the nation of Egypt and his family.
This year, people wanted bad things to happen to me. They wanted me to lose my job. Things looked bleak. People meant it for evil. However, out of that bad situation, the Lord Jesus brought good things. I found my love of writing again, and I am back working hard at it. I also have a much better job with better pay and benefits coming.
You may have faced something very negative and hurtful in 2014. I hope that you will try to put it behind you and move ahead to new and better things in 2015. It is not easy. Believe me I know. However, I know that if we ask the Lord Jesus to help us and guide us, He will assist us by the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome and get the victory.
Hebrews 12:15 is an important verse to keep in mind when dealing with hurts from the past. This verse talks about not letting a root of bitterness spring up in our hearts lest we become defiled by it. The past is the past. Letting the past hurts just keep churning through our hearts and minds just hurts us not the people who hurt us. It's best to let it go, and focus on Jesus.
I've had a lot of hurts and pain in my life caused by people. It hasn't always been easy. But as I have looked back over the course of my life, I have come to see that the Lord has brought good things from the bad. He had watched over me and caused all things to work towards His will for my life.
Along with me, let us all try to leave the bad of 2014 behind and trust in the goodness of the Lord as we move into 2015.
Now, the new year is also a time to reflect on what we want to do in the coming year. We have left the bad behind in 2014, so what are we going to do in 2015 that is positive and good for the service of the Lord.
One thing that I have resolved to do is to work harder at sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those that I know. I want to be a witness to those that I know that Jesus saves. Right now, there is a man at work who has become a good friend in a short period of time. I am trying to share with him about Jesus. It is my goal that before I leave this job and move to my new one that I can really tell him about the love of Jesus.
In 2015, I also want to move ahead with my plan to serve the Lord by getting all of my debts behind me and getting into full-time ministry. This will take some time, but I can make significant steps toward that goal in 2015.
I also want to work more with the environmental and animal causes that I hold so dear. I am passionate about saving endangered species, and I want to work more in that regard as I did in the past.
These are just my ideas that I believe the Lord has placed upon my heart. I hope that you will ask Jesus what He wants you to do for Him in 2015.
Whatever we do in 2015, serving Jesus should be the goal. Jesus said that it doesn't profit a man to gain the whole world if he loses his own soul. He also told us to lay up treasure in Heaven and not treasure on earth. These are important sayings to keep in mind as we move into 2015.
Finally, Hebrews 12:1-2 are verses that I like to think about as the new year approaches. This passage states, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Let us keep running the race in 2015. Put aside the bad and the hurts with the help of Jesus. Lay aside anything that is holding you back from serving the Lord. Look to Jesus.
I said when I started that I had a lot of different things to say, but it all comes down to one thing. Wherever the new year takes us. Wherever life takes us. Let us keep are focus on Jesus. Serving the Lord Jesus is the greatest thing that any person can do in this life. If we keep our focus on Him, we cannot go wrong. Jesus will guide us. He will be with us, and He will show us the way as long as we keep our eyes fixed on Him.
If you have never asked Jesus to be the Savior and Lord of your life, the best thing that you could do to start 2015 off right is to come to Jesus. Jesus said that whosoever will may come. He said that whoever would come to Him, He would not cast out. You can repent of your sins and seek forgiveness and salvation from Jesus today. Make Him the Lord of your life, and He will lead you in the path that will take you to an eternal home.
Next week, I will post the verse on Monday. Hopefully, I can get a review in on Wednesday. I will post a new sermon on Saturday. Next week, we will continue our series on kings. May God bless you all. Amen.
I had a nice Christmas. We had a nice holiday party at work. I spent Christmas day with my brother, my sister-in-law, my nephew and his wife. We had a good time. As I have mentioned already this week, I received a really nice Christmas present due to the fact that I was offered a great job with good benefits. That job starts in mid-January. Thanks be to God.
As you go to prayer this week, let us all pray for peace on earth. I was thinking a lot about this this week. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and He call all of us to be peacemakers. There is so much war and violence in this world. Let us pray for peace in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Libya. Wherever else in this world where there is violence and turmoil, Lord, let there be peace.
Today's sermon may seem somewhat disjointed. Please bear with me as I have some things to say that may not seem related, but I will attempt to draw it all together. I hope.
As I approach each new year, one passage of Scripture that is important to me is found in Philippians 3:13-14. In this passage Paul states, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
This verse is important to me each new year because it reminds me to forget about the bad things that may have happened in the year before. As many of you know, 2014 held good and bad things for me. During this year, I reached one of the lowest points in my life. The year started out with me in desperate financial shape and on the verge of homelessness. Thankfully, I got a job, and I thought that things were looking up. Unfortunately, that job didn't turn out to be what I expected it to be or what I was told it was going to be.
Over the course of the year, events transpired at that job that hurt me a great deal. I don't think that I can express how badly I felt about all that happened. People that I thought were my friends turned out to be nothing close to that.
Thankfully, I found a small job to keep me going until I found something else that was better. Praise be to God that He has provided for me with a new job. Also, writing has really picked up, and I have had quite a bit of work lately.
As the new year approaches, it is time to lay aside the hurts of 2014. The past is past, and it is now time to go into 2015 with the hope of new possibilities. I feel that it is important to try to forget the hurts of the past for two reasons. For one thing, people can be very mean and do things that hurt you. When this happens, I remember what Joseph said to his brothers in Egypt. They meant what happened to Joseph for evil, but God meant it for good.
Joseph had a bad time of it. His brothers sold him into slavery, and then he was falsely accused of a crime and thrown in prison. But, God meant it for good. Joseph rose to become the savior of the nation of Egypt and his family.
This year, people wanted bad things to happen to me. They wanted me to lose my job. Things looked bleak. People meant it for evil. However, out of that bad situation, the Lord Jesus brought good things. I found my love of writing again, and I am back working hard at it. I also have a much better job with better pay and benefits coming.
You may have faced something very negative and hurtful in 2014. I hope that you will try to put it behind you and move ahead to new and better things in 2015. It is not easy. Believe me I know. However, I know that if we ask the Lord Jesus to help us and guide us, He will assist us by the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome and get the victory.
Hebrews 12:15 is an important verse to keep in mind when dealing with hurts from the past. This verse talks about not letting a root of bitterness spring up in our hearts lest we become defiled by it. The past is the past. Letting the past hurts just keep churning through our hearts and minds just hurts us not the people who hurt us. It's best to let it go, and focus on Jesus.
I've had a lot of hurts and pain in my life caused by people. It hasn't always been easy. But as I have looked back over the course of my life, I have come to see that the Lord has brought good things from the bad. He had watched over me and caused all things to work towards His will for my life.
Along with me, let us all try to leave the bad of 2014 behind and trust in the goodness of the Lord as we move into 2015.
Now, the new year is also a time to reflect on what we want to do in the coming year. We have left the bad behind in 2014, so what are we going to do in 2015 that is positive and good for the service of the Lord.
One thing that I have resolved to do is to work harder at sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those that I know. I want to be a witness to those that I know that Jesus saves. Right now, there is a man at work who has become a good friend in a short period of time. I am trying to share with him about Jesus. It is my goal that before I leave this job and move to my new one that I can really tell him about the love of Jesus.
In 2015, I also want to move ahead with my plan to serve the Lord by getting all of my debts behind me and getting into full-time ministry. This will take some time, but I can make significant steps toward that goal in 2015.
I also want to work more with the environmental and animal causes that I hold so dear. I am passionate about saving endangered species, and I want to work more in that regard as I did in the past.
These are just my ideas that I believe the Lord has placed upon my heart. I hope that you will ask Jesus what He wants you to do for Him in 2015.
Whatever we do in 2015, serving Jesus should be the goal. Jesus said that it doesn't profit a man to gain the whole world if he loses his own soul. He also told us to lay up treasure in Heaven and not treasure on earth. These are important sayings to keep in mind as we move into 2015.
Finally, Hebrews 12:1-2 are verses that I like to think about as the new year approaches. This passage states, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Let us keep running the race in 2015. Put aside the bad and the hurts with the help of Jesus. Lay aside anything that is holding you back from serving the Lord. Look to Jesus.
I said when I started that I had a lot of different things to say, but it all comes down to one thing. Wherever the new year takes us. Wherever life takes us. Let us keep are focus on Jesus. Serving the Lord Jesus is the greatest thing that any person can do in this life. If we keep our focus on Him, we cannot go wrong. Jesus will guide us. He will be with us, and He will show us the way as long as we keep our eyes fixed on Him.
If you have never asked Jesus to be the Savior and Lord of your life, the best thing that you could do to start 2015 off right is to come to Jesus. Jesus said that whosoever will may come. He said that whoever would come to Him, He would not cast out. You can repent of your sins and seek forgiveness and salvation from Jesus today. Make Him the Lord of your life, and He will lead you in the path that will take you to an eternal home.
Next week, I will post the verse on Monday. Hopefully, I can get a review in on Wednesday. I will post a new sermon on Saturday. Next week, we will continue our series on kings. May God bless you all. Amen.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas
Since the library will be closed tomorrow, I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas today. This Christmas, I have really felt a feeling of great awe and wonder when I think of the fact that the God who created the universe came to us in the form of an infant on Christmas morning. What love Jesus has for us that He would do this. Thank you Jesus for your love. Happy Birthday to you Jesus. May your name be praised forever and ever. Glory be unto your name.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Thank You Lord
Today I want to publicly give thanks to the Lord Jesus for allowing me to get a good job. Yesterday, a major company in the city where I live offered me a good job with a good salary. This will allow me to move forward with my plan to sell the house, pay off the debts and get enough to start a larger ministry or go to the overseas mission field. Thank you Jesus. May Your name be praised.
I would also like to thank all of you who have prayed for so long on my behalf that the job situation might turn around. Thanks for reading the blog. Thanks for praying for me. May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be upon you.
I would also like to thank all of you who have prayed for so long on my behalf that the job situation might turn around. Thanks for reading the blog. Thanks for praying for me. May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be upon you.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Verses For the Week
Isaiah 9:6-- "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 7:14-- " Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Luke 1:31-33-- "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end."
Isaiah 7:14-- " Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Luke 1:31-33-- "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end."
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Thoughts On a Sunday Afternoon
I am not very good with the computer, but I finally put a picture of my friend Toby up here on the blog. He is engaged in one of his favorite activities which was eating chicken. If I get more comfortable with doing this, I will put up some more pictures in the future.
I really miss this old guy. Life would be so much better if he was around, but I am thankful to Jesus every day that He let me know Toby for the time we were together.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Weekend Sermon-- Christmas
Hello, and welcome again to another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I can't believe that it is almost Christmas already. Sometimes, it seems as if the days just fly by. I hope that all of you are having a wonderful holiday season.
This week, my friend's wife received a job offer. This is an answer to prayer. Thanks be to God. I am still working on my writing. I received another writing job this week, and I am still working at my other job, although I don't like it very well at all. Please pray that I can find a good job while I am in the process of getting my house and possessions sold. I am on target to start a bigger ministry if I can get things sold off and the back debt paid. It's hard, but I am trying.
In your prayer time this week, continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa. In the last report I heard from Doctor's Without Borders, the rate of disease is much less in Liberia, but things still look bleak in Sierra Leone. Let us pray for peace this week in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.
During the last few weeks, we have been in a series of messages on some of the kings of Israel and Judah in the Bible. For the next two weeks, we will be taking a break from this series.
Today, I would like to talk about Christmas. Specifically, I would like to just list some of those who were around the manger on that first Christmas night and just give you a few thoughts that I have on each of them.
Mary
Mary was the most blessed woman who has every lived. She was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. What a privilege and responsibility. In all likelihood, Mary was a very young woman when she gave birth to Jesus. She would have faced ridicule from those around her. I am sure that she was castigated for being pregnant before she and Joseph were married. In spite of this, Mary accepted the duty and privilege of being the mother of the Messiah. When she realized that she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary spoke one of the great passages recorded in all of Scripture. It is known as the Magnificat and is recorded in Luke 1:46-55.
Here it is in its entirety:
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hast put down the mighty for their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and his seed forever."
God didn't choose rich and powerful people to raise the Lord Jesus. He chose peasant people who were humble and righteous. Humanity looks on outward appearance. God looks on the heart.
Joseph
Sometimes, I think that Joseph is overlooked in the whole Christmas story. He was expecting to get married, have a family and live an ordinary and peaceful life. Instead, he finds out that his fiance is pregnant, and the child she is carrying is the Son of God. The Bible says that Joseph was a righteous man. He was also an obedient man. He willingly and without question did everything that God asked him to do. He took good care of Mary, Jesus and the rest of his family. To me, he is the example of a righteous man who followed God in spite of what it may have cost him in regard to his expectations.
Shepherds
These are some interesting characters. Here they are in the fields when the host of Heaven appear giving them the announcement of the birth of Jesus. They were astonished and filled with great joy at the same time. What is so significant about the shepherds is the fact that they were the ones with whom God first chose to share the good news of the birth of His Son. In that day, shepherds were viewed as outcasts and were looked down upon. People thought that they smelled bad, and most people in polite society didn't want to have anything to do with them. That's not how God felt. The Lord is no respecter of persons. He loves everyone. When Jesus entered His public ministry, He would have a care and concern for those that society and the religious establishment looked down upon. Jesus associated with tax collectors, sinners, lepers and the sick.
The Animals
Since Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, it stands to reason that there were animals present at the first Christmas. I like to think that the animals in the stable rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. Because Jesus had come into the world, their misery would one day be over too. The Bible says that all of creation groans in travail waiting for the day when deliverance comes. That will be the day when Jesus comes in His Second Advent.
Jesus
Christmas is about the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The Son became a man so that He might bear the sins of the world and provide redemption and reconciliation for humanity and the entire cosmos. When I think about the Second Person of the Holy Trinity coming as a helpless infant, it truly overwhelms my mind. What a miracle! What humility. What love. Just to think that Jesus would be willing to do this for me is beyond my comprehension. Jesus came as baby. He would go on to live a perfect, holy and sinless life. He would teach and provide us with a perfect example. Jesus would go to the cross and take upon Himself the sins of the world. Then, He would rise again on the third day conquering death, hell and the grave. We talk on Christmas of the first Advent. Jesus came into the world to bring a message of love and hope. One day, and I hope that it is very soon, Jesus Christ will come again. This time, He will not come as a baby in a manger. When Jesus Christ the Messiah comes again, He will come in power and great glory. When Jesus came the first time, His coming was attended by Mary, Joseph, shepherds and farm animals. When Jesus Christ comes again, all of the hosts of Heaven will come with Him. Every eye will see Him and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
During this Christmas season, I urge you to reflect upon your personal relationship with Jesus. Do you know Him as Savior and Lord? Have you repented of your sins? Have you believed in your heart that Jesus died for you and rose again? Have you invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life? If not, you can do so today. Pray and ask for forgiveness. Ask Jesus to save you and be your Lord. Wouldn't that be a great birthday present to give to the one who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death so that the world might be redeemed?
Next week, I will post the verse on Monday. I will try to post a review on Wednesday, but I am not sure about the library hours on Christmas Eve. The Weekend Sermon will appear next Saturday. May all of you have a Merry Christmas. Amen.
This week, my friend's wife received a job offer. This is an answer to prayer. Thanks be to God. I am still working on my writing. I received another writing job this week, and I am still working at my other job, although I don't like it very well at all. Please pray that I can find a good job while I am in the process of getting my house and possessions sold. I am on target to start a bigger ministry if I can get things sold off and the back debt paid. It's hard, but I am trying.
In your prayer time this week, continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa. In the last report I heard from Doctor's Without Borders, the rate of disease is much less in Liberia, but things still look bleak in Sierra Leone. Let us pray for peace this week in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.
During the last few weeks, we have been in a series of messages on some of the kings of Israel and Judah in the Bible. For the next two weeks, we will be taking a break from this series.
Today, I would like to talk about Christmas. Specifically, I would like to just list some of those who were around the manger on that first Christmas night and just give you a few thoughts that I have on each of them.
Mary
Mary was the most blessed woman who has every lived. She was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. What a privilege and responsibility. In all likelihood, Mary was a very young woman when she gave birth to Jesus. She would have faced ridicule from those around her. I am sure that she was castigated for being pregnant before she and Joseph were married. In spite of this, Mary accepted the duty and privilege of being the mother of the Messiah. When she realized that she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary spoke one of the great passages recorded in all of Scripture. It is known as the Magnificat and is recorded in Luke 1:46-55.
Here it is in its entirety:
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hast put down the mighty for their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and his seed forever."
God didn't choose rich and powerful people to raise the Lord Jesus. He chose peasant people who were humble and righteous. Humanity looks on outward appearance. God looks on the heart.
Joseph
Sometimes, I think that Joseph is overlooked in the whole Christmas story. He was expecting to get married, have a family and live an ordinary and peaceful life. Instead, he finds out that his fiance is pregnant, and the child she is carrying is the Son of God. The Bible says that Joseph was a righteous man. He was also an obedient man. He willingly and without question did everything that God asked him to do. He took good care of Mary, Jesus and the rest of his family. To me, he is the example of a righteous man who followed God in spite of what it may have cost him in regard to his expectations.
Shepherds
These are some interesting characters. Here they are in the fields when the host of Heaven appear giving them the announcement of the birth of Jesus. They were astonished and filled with great joy at the same time. What is so significant about the shepherds is the fact that they were the ones with whom God first chose to share the good news of the birth of His Son. In that day, shepherds were viewed as outcasts and were looked down upon. People thought that they smelled bad, and most people in polite society didn't want to have anything to do with them. That's not how God felt. The Lord is no respecter of persons. He loves everyone. When Jesus entered His public ministry, He would have a care and concern for those that society and the religious establishment looked down upon. Jesus associated with tax collectors, sinners, lepers and the sick.
The Animals
Since Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, it stands to reason that there were animals present at the first Christmas. I like to think that the animals in the stable rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. Because Jesus had come into the world, their misery would one day be over too. The Bible says that all of creation groans in travail waiting for the day when deliverance comes. That will be the day when Jesus comes in His Second Advent.
Jesus
Christmas is about the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The Son became a man so that He might bear the sins of the world and provide redemption and reconciliation for humanity and the entire cosmos. When I think about the Second Person of the Holy Trinity coming as a helpless infant, it truly overwhelms my mind. What a miracle! What humility. What love. Just to think that Jesus would be willing to do this for me is beyond my comprehension. Jesus came as baby. He would go on to live a perfect, holy and sinless life. He would teach and provide us with a perfect example. Jesus would go to the cross and take upon Himself the sins of the world. Then, He would rise again on the third day conquering death, hell and the grave. We talk on Christmas of the first Advent. Jesus came into the world to bring a message of love and hope. One day, and I hope that it is very soon, Jesus Christ will come again. This time, He will not come as a baby in a manger. When Jesus Christ the Messiah comes again, He will come in power and great glory. When Jesus came the first time, His coming was attended by Mary, Joseph, shepherds and farm animals. When Jesus Christ comes again, all of the hosts of Heaven will come with Him. Every eye will see Him and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
During this Christmas season, I urge you to reflect upon your personal relationship with Jesus. Do you know Him as Savior and Lord? Have you repented of your sins? Have you believed in your heart that Jesus died for you and rose again? Have you invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life? If not, you can do so today. Pray and ask for forgiveness. Ask Jesus to save you and be your Lord. Wouldn't that be a great birthday present to give to the one who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death so that the world might be redeemed?
Next week, I will post the verse on Monday. I will try to post a review on Wednesday, but I am not sure about the library hours on Christmas Eve. The Weekend Sermon will appear next Saturday. May all of you have a Merry Christmas. Amen.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Recommendation -- An Interesting Nature Film
Usually, I do a review of an animal book or a religious book for the Wednesday post. Today, I would like to recommend a very interesting film I have just watched. Nature on PBS is one of my very favorite programs. Right now on their website, http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/, there is an episode in its entirety called "Invasion of the Killer Whales." This program details the effects of global climate change on the ice in the Arctic region. It also gives great information about the predatory behavior of Orcas. The visuals are stunning. I hope many of you will watch this program. There are several other full episodes available on the Nature website as well.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Verse For the Week Luke 8:16
Luke 8:16 -- "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth is with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed: but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light."
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon.
Last night, I was thinking some more about the fact that everything that I have comes from the gracious hand of the Lord Jesus. Sometimes, I really get depressed thinking about my finances and some other things. I often feel that life hasn't gone the way that I wanted it to at all. However, I believe that the Lord showed me something different last night and early this morning.
Because of God's goodness and graciousness, I can truly say upon reflection that God has allowed me to accomplish what I set out to do in life. It just has happened, in some instances, differently than I expected. I'll give you some examples.
One of my dreams as a young boy was to have a great dog. My parents raised collies and pugs and took them to dog shows. This may seem strange to people that haven't been in the dog show world, but I always wanted a dog that placed in group. My Mom had a collie that actually won a best in show, but I didn't have a group placer of my own. I didn't show collies or pugs. I had a Rottweiler and two Dobermans.
Besides having a group placing dog, what I really wanted was what I call a lifetime dog. This is a dog like my Dad's dog Quincy I told you about a few weeks ago. I wanted a special dog that was a once in a lifetime friend.
By the grace of the Lord Jesus, I received both of these dreams in one package. My friend Toby who the Lord gave me to be my friend was not just my lifetime dog, he had actually won second place once in the Herding Group. The Lord gave me the desire of my heart in this case. Only the Lord could have brought the two of us together. If you would like to read more about my friend Toby, I posted all of the chapters of my book about him here on the blog about a year ago.
Another dream that I had was to be able to be involved in music. I wanted to play an instrument and be in a choir. I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to do both. I was able to learn the trumpet and tin whistle. The Lord allowed me to play the trumpet in church and to play the classical, jazz and worship music that I love. I was also able to sing in the choir in two churches. Jesus also allowed me to sing in the choir while I was in college.
I have been very depressed over the last several days about how, in my opinion, I failed to follow Jesus' call in my life to be a minister of the Gospel. At a young age, I felt called to be a minister of the love of Jesus. Due to a vast variety of circumstances, I never entered the ordained ministry. Yet, I should add. This has really hurt me of late. But the Lord Jesus spoke to my heart this morning and revealed to me that He is not displeased with how I have tried to serve Him. Not in an audible voice, but in my spirit, the Lord spoke to me concerning the fact that I have been able to minster for Him in several ways. He allowed me to do extensive evangelism ministry in the church. Through my writing, I have been able to reach people around the world. And, I hope that I am reaching people here on this blog. I am trying to be a God minister of the love of Jesus through the sermons and other writings.
Also, the Lord has allowed my dreams to come true in writing. When I first started writing, I didn't think that it would go very far. I have accomplished more with the Lord's help than I ever thought that I would. By allowing me to be a writer, the Lord also provided the means so that I could be around the house to take care of my parents when they had such serious health issues and needed around the clock assistance.
So, I guess my life hasn't been that bad. My finances are terrible. That hasn't changed, but I feel that the Lord is working even now to help me out of this wilderness of life.
I am not sure what the future holds for sure, but right now, I believe that Jesus is calling me to take a bold step. I will see if it is the Lord or just my own mind as the process unfolds. To get out of debt and become a missionary, I feel that the Lord is leading me to sell my house and pay off what I owe. I will also try to sell most of my possessions except for my pictures and my dog mementos and personal items that have special meaning. Hopefully, this will provide the money to pay off what I owe and give me enough to start either an inner-city ministry, a larger Internet ministry or let me be a missionary overseas for at least a period of one or two years. I am really serious about this, and I hope that you all will pray for me over the next two to three months as I attempt to execute this plan with the Lord's help.
In the meantime, I will continue working my new job and try to find some extra work. I will continue my writing projects and I will keep writing on the blog. With the Lord's aid, I will attempt to hold depression at bay and keep going.
Because of God's goodness and graciousness, I can truly say upon reflection that God has allowed me to accomplish what I set out to do in life. It just has happened, in some instances, differently than I expected. I'll give you some examples.
One of my dreams as a young boy was to have a great dog. My parents raised collies and pugs and took them to dog shows. This may seem strange to people that haven't been in the dog show world, but I always wanted a dog that placed in group. My Mom had a collie that actually won a best in show, but I didn't have a group placer of my own. I didn't show collies or pugs. I had a Rottweiler and two Dobermans.
Besides having a group placing dog, what I really wanted was what I call a lifetime dog. This is a dog like my Dad's dog Quincy I told you about a few weeks ago. I wanted a special dog that was a once in a lifetime friend.
By the grace of the Lord Jesus, I received both of these dreams in one package. My friend Toby who the Lord gave me to be my friend was not just my lifetime dog, he had actually won second place once in the Herding Group. The Lord gave me the desire of my heart in this case. Only the Lord could have brought the two of us together. If you would like to read more about my friend Toby, I posted all of the chapters of my book about him here on the blog about a year ago.
Another dream that I had was to be able to be involved in music. I wanted to play an instrument and be in a choir. I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to do both. I was able to learn the trumpet and tin whistle. The Lord allowed me to play the trumpet in church and to play the classical, jazz and worship music that I love. I was also able to sing in the choir in two churches. Jesus also allowed me to sing in the choir while I was in college.
I have been very depressed over the last several days about how, in my opinion, I failed to follow Jesus' call in my life to be a minister of the Gospel. At a young age, I felt called to be a minister of the love of Jesus. Due to a vast variety of circumstances, I never entered the ordained ministry. Yet, I should add. This has really hurt me of late. But the Lord Jesus spoke to my heart this morning and revealed to me that He is not displeased with how I have tried to serve Him. Not in an audible voice, but in my spirit, the Lord spoke to me concerning the fact that I have been able to minster for Him in several ways. He allowed me to do extensive evangelism ministry in the church. Through my writing, I have been able to reach people around the world. And, I hope that I am reaching people here on this blog. I am trying to be a God minister of the love of Jesus through the sermons and other writings.
Also, the Lord has allowed my dreams to come true in writing. When I first started writing, I didn't think that it would go very far. I have accomplished more with the Lord's help than I ever thought that I would. By allowing me to be a writer, the Lord also provided the means so that I could be around the house to take care of my parents when they had such serious health issues and needed around the clock assistance.
So, I guess my life hasn't been that bad. My finances are terrible. That hasn't changed, but I feel that the Lord is working even now to help me out of this wilderness of life.
I am not sure what the future holds for sure, but right now, I believe that Jesus is calling me to take a bold step. I will see if it is the Lord or just my own mind as the process unfolds. To get out of debt and become a missionary, I feel that the Lord is leading me to sell my house and pay off what I owe. I will also try to sell most of my possessions except for my pictures and my dog mementos and personal items that have special meaning. Hopefully, this will provide the money to pay off what I owe and give me enough to start either an inner-city ministry, a larger Internet ministry or let me be a missionary overseas for at least a period of one or two years. I am really serious about this, and I hope that you all will pray for me over the next two to three months as I attempt to execute this plan with the Lord's help.
In the meantime, I will continue working my new job and try to find some extra work. I will continue my writing projects and I will keep writing on the blog. With the Lord's aid, I will attempt to hold depression at bay and keep going.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Weekend Sermon -- Uzziah -- 2 Chronicles 26
Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am glad to be with you today, and I hope that this day finds you all doing well.
I talked to my uncle on the phone this afternoon. He is suffering from severe arthritis in the back. Would you all please pray that my uncle Richard will feel better shortly. Also in your prayers, thank the Lord that my friend's wife had a good job interview this morning.
I am thankful to the Lord for my job at the research company. I also want to thank the Lord that I picked up a couple of new writing clients this week. I am still looking for more work, so I would ask you to continue to pray about this. I might discuss some more of my thoughts on all of this tomorrow.
Last week, we examined the life of Solomon. Solomon had so much going for him, but he let it all slip away and turned away from the True and Living God to worship idols.
In today's message, I want to focus on another king who started out well, but in the end, he had great difficulties.
Uzziah became the king of Judah when he was just 16 years old. He would rule over Judah for more than 50 years. The Bible says that Uzziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 26:5 states, "And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper."
Uzziah was a strong king and successful military leader. With the Lord's help, Uzziah won victories over the Philistines and the Arabians. The Ammonites were also subject to him. Uzziah believed in military preparedness, and he took several steps to strengthen the nation's defenses and to provide for the armed forces.
The Bible also records that Uzziah was very interested in husbandry. He had a large number of cattle and built several wells to meet his flocks needs. He also hired many vine dressers to care for his many plants.
So far, so good. Uzziah seems to have been a really great leader and a devoted follower of God. However, like what happens with so many people, pride got the better of Uzziah. 2 Chronicles 26:16 states, "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense."
When Uzziah went into the temple to burn incense, Azariah the priest stopped him. He told the king that only Levites were allowed to minister in the temple.
Uzziah became very anger at this news. He took an incense censor in his hand, and as soon as he did it, the Lord smote Uzziah with leprosy. Uzziah was thrown out of the temple. He also could no longer act as king. Uzziah's son Jotham served as co-regent until he became king in his own right upon his father's death. Uzziah was not even allowed to be buried with the other kings because he was a leper.
So, what was so terrible about what Uzziah did. First of all, there had to be more to it than the king trying to act as a priest. During the Maccabean period, several of the Hasmonean kings acted as High Priest. They, however, were members of the tribe of Levi. Only the tribe of Levi was designated by God to serve in the temple. Part of Uzziah's sin was that as a member of the tribe of Judah, Uzziah was trying to go against the commands of God. In other words, Uzziah thought that he was so important that God's commandments didn't apply to him.
Also, I think that it is possible that Uzziah was beginning to fall into the trap that so many rulers in that time fell into. They became so puffed up with their own importance that the felt as if they were gods themselves.
What can we as 21st century followers of Jesus learn from all of this. We need to learn the danger of pride and arrogance. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:3 that no one should think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
What we all need to remember is that everything that we have has been given to us by the grace of the Lord. Every good and perfect gift comes from above says the book of James. We are nothing in and of ourselves. All of our strength and ability comes from the hand of God Almighty.
Just because we find ourselves in a favorable circumstance in life, that is no reason to look down on others or to make the claim that we got to where we are in life as the result of our own effort. We should not think that we are better than someone else because we have more money, a higher position or are more successful according to the standards of this sinful world.
There is an old saying that states, "There but for the grace of God go I." Without God's grace upon my life, I know that I would be nowhere. God has graciously allowed me to have a job, food, good parents and my friend Toby. Everything good I have ever had has come from the Lord Jesus.
The Bible clearly gives us the way to avoid being proud. It presents us with the example of the Lord Jesus Himself. Philippians 2:1-11 tells us that we should follow the example of humility given by Jesus. Jesus was God. However, He took upon Himself human flesh at the Incarnation. He suffered and died on a cross bearing the sins of humanity. He did not have to do this. He humbled Himself and did it.
Jesus is our example. If we look to Him, we will know how to have a humble heart of service, and we will not be lifted up with pride as Uzziah was.
There is another lesson we can learn from Uzziah. It is that we should respect the power, majesty and holiness of God. It is interesting to note that Isaiah the great prophet saw the throne room of Heaven in the same year that Uzziah died of leprosy. Isaiah 6:1 states, "In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple." This chapter goes on to detail the majesty of God. When Isaiah saw the Lord he said, "Woe is me, for I am undone."
The majesty and power of an earthly king was nothing compared with the glory of the Lord revealed to the prophet Isaiah.
We must always remember that God is holy, and He will not share His glory with another. We are mere humans. It is incumbent upon us to obey the Lord and not become so prideful that we think that we know more than God does.
The Lord is more majestic than any world leader. The leaders and the powerful and the rich people of this world think that they are important and superior. They try to exercise their power over others through physical and economic exploitation. They are nothing in the sight of God.
One day, all of those who think they are powerful and important will bow before the mighty hand of God. When the Lord Jesus returns, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I am looking forward to that day with great expectation.
Next week, I will post a verse on Monday and a review on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon next week will have a Christmas theme. May God bless you. Amen.
I talked to my uncle on the phone this afternoon. He is suffering from severe arthritis in the back. Would you all please pray that my uncle Richard will feel better shortly. Also in your prayers, thank the Lord that my friend's wife had a good job interview this morning.
I am thankful to the Lord for my job at the research company. I also want to thank the Lord that I picked up a couple of new writing clients this week. I am still looking for more work, so I would ask you to continue to pray about this. I might discuss some more of my thoughts on all of this tomorrow.
Last week, we examined the life of Solomon. Solomon had so much going for him, but he let it all slip away and turned away from the True and Living God to worship idols.
In today's message, I want to focus on another king who started out well, but in the end, he had great difficulties.
Uzziah became the king of Judah when he was just 16 years old. He would rule over Judah for more than 50 years. The Bible says that Uzziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 26:5 states, "And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper."
Uzziah was a strong king and successful military leader. With the Lord's help, Uzziah won victories over the Philistines and the Arabians. The Ammonites were also subject to him. Uzziah believed in military preparedness, and he took several steps to strengthen the nation's defenses and to provide for the armed forces.
The Bible also records that Uzziah was very interested in husbandry. He had a large number of cattle and built several wells to meet his flocks needs. He also hired many vine dressers to care for his many plants.
So far, so good. Uzziah seems to have been a really great leader and a devoted follower of God. However, like what happens with so many people, pride got the better of Uzziah. 2 Chronicles 26:16 states, "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense."
When Uzziah went into the temple to burn incense, Azariah the priest stopped him. He told the king that only Levites were allowed to minister in the temple.
Uzziah became very anger at this news. He took an incense censor in his hand, and as soon as he did it, the Lord smote Uzziah with leprosy. Uzziah was thrown out of the temple. He also could no longer act as king. Uzziah's son Jotham served as co-regent until he became king in his own right upon his father's death. Uzziah was not even allowed to be buried with the other kings because he was a leper.
So, what was so terrible about what Uzziah did. First of all, there had to be more to it than the king trying to act as a priest. During the Maccabean period, several of the Hasmonean kings acted as High Priest. They, however, were members of the tribe of Levi. Only the tribe of Levi was designated by God to serve in the temple. Part of Uzziah's sin was that as a member of the tribe of Judah, Uzziah was trying to go against the commands of God. In other words, Uzziah thought that he was so important that God's commandments didn't apply to him.
Also, I think that it is possible that Uzziah was beginning to fall into the trap that so many rulers in that time fell into. They became so puffed up with their own importance that the felt as if they were gods themselves.
What can we as 21st century followers of Jesus learn from all of this. We need to learn the danger of pride and arrogance. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:3 that no one should think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
What we all need to remember is that everything that we have has been given to us by the grace of the Lord. Every good and perfect gift comes from above says the book of James. We are nothing in and of ourselves. All of our strength and ability comes from the hand of God Almighty.
Just because we find ourselves in a favorable circumstance in life, that is no reason to look down on others or to make the claim that we got to where we are in life as the result of our own effort. We should not think that we are better than someone else because we have more money, a higher position or are more successful according to the standards of this sinful world.
There is an old saying that states, "There but for the grace of God go I." Without God's grace upon my life, I know that I would be nowhere. God has graciously allowed me to have a job, food, good parents and my friend Toby. Everything good I have ever had has come from the Lord Jesus.
The Bible clearly gives us the way to avoid being proud. It presents us with the example of the Lord Jesus Himself. Philippians 2:1-11 tells us that we should follow the example of humility given by Jesus. Jesus was God. However, He took upon Himself human flesh at the Incarnation. He suffered and died on a cross bearing the sins of humanity. He did not have to do this. He humbled Himself and did it.
Jesus is our example. If we look to Him, we will know how to have a humble heart of service, and we will not be lifted up with pride as Uzziah was.
There is another lesson we can learn from Uzziah. It is that we should respect the power, majesty and holiness of God. It is interesting to note that Isaiah the great prophet saw the throne room of Heaven in the same year that Uzziah died of leprosy. Isaiah 6:1 states, "In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple." This chapter goes on to detail the majesty of God. When Isaiah saw the Lord he said, "Woe is me, for I am undone."
The majesty and power of an earthly king was nothing compared with the glory of the Lord revealed to the prophet Isaiah.
We must always remember that God is holy, and He will not share His glory with another. We are mere humans. It is incumbent upon us to obey the Lord and not become so prideful that we think that we know more than God does.
The Lord is more majestic than any world leader. The leaders and the powerful and the rich people of this world think that they are important and superior. They try to exercise their power over others through physical and economic exploitation. They are nothing in the sight of God.
One day, all of those who think they are powerful and important will bow before the mighty hand of God. When the Lord Jesus returns, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I am looking forward to that day with great expectation.
Next week, I will post a verse on Monday and a review on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon next week will have a Christmas theme. May God bless you. Amen.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Book Recommendation
I am sorry that I was not able to post the review yesterday. I had to take my car into the mechanic, and I was running very late. I am here today, so here goes.
The book that I would like to recommend today is entitled "War Dogs" written by Rebecca Frankel. Frankel writes a weekly blog entitled "War Dog of the Week" for Foreign Policy Online. In this new book, Ms. Frankel provides readers with a wealth of information about the history of war dogs in the United States military. Much of the book deals with how dogs are currently being used in Iraq and Afghanistan to detect IEDs and other types of explosives. By using dogs in these areas of conflict, countless lives have been saved.
One of the most interesting topics in the book is about whether or not dogs have the capacity to love. Surprisingly, many of the handlers told Ms. Frankel that they didn't believe that their dogs loved them. They described the relationship more as a partnership. The reader will see, however, the handler's actions with their dogs, and vice versa, demonstrates a loving relationship.
I found this book to be very well-written and interesting as are the writer's weekly columns for Foreign Policy.
The book that I would like to recommend today is entitled "War Dogs" written by Rebecca Frankel. Frankel writes a weekly blog entitled "War Dog of the Week" for Foreign Policy Online. In this new book, Ms. Frankel provides readers with a wealth of information about the history of war dogs in the United States military. Much of the book deals with how dogs are currently being used in Iraq and Afghanistan to detect IEDs and other types of explosives. By using dogs in these areas of conflict, countless lives have been saved.
One of the most interesting topics in the book is about whether or not dogs have the capacity to love. Surprisingly, many of the handlers told Ms. Frankel that they didn't believe that their dogs loved them. They described the relationship more as a partnership. The reader will see, however, the handler's actions with their dogs, and vice versa, demonstrates a loving relationship.
I found this book to be very well-written and interesting as are the writer's weekly columns for Foreign Policy.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Verse For the Week
Mark 3:35 -- "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Thoughts On A Sunday Afternoon
I heard an excellent message on the radio this morning that I would like to recommend. Charles Stanley had a sermon about the importance of believing in the virgin birth of Jesus. You can listen to it on his In Touch website if you wish.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Weekend Sermon -- Solomon
I am here posting another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I thank the Lord Jesus for this opportunity to share His word each week. It is my hope and prayer that each of you has had a wonderful week.
My new job has been going well. I give thanks to the Lord for His provision in this area of my life. I also want to thank the Lord that I have been getting quite a few writing jobs recently.
In your prayers this week, please continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa. Also, pray that the Syrian refugee crisis will be resolved. I heard on NPR this week that the aid agencies are having great difficulty providing food for all of the people who need help. Pray for the Philippines as well. I heard on the news this morning that that nation may be hit by a large storm. I know that there are some people from the Philippines who read the blog. I am praying for your safety. Pray for peace is Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
For the last several weeks, we have been in a series of messages about some of the kings of Israel and Judah. Last week, we studied the life of Jehoshaphat. He was one of the better kings. He really tried to do his best for his people, and he tried to serve the Lord. He wasn't perfect, but no one is perfect expect Jesus Himself.
Today, we turn our attention to a king that I just don't understand at all. Here is a man who had everything in the world going for him. He was highly favored by God, but he ended his life in a mess. The king we will study today is Solomon.
Let me state right away that some of the things I will say about Solomon will be controversial. Many theologians will disagree with my negative assessment of him. I will strive to provide Scriptural support for my arguments.
Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba. If you recall, David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then conspired to have Bathsheba's husband killed. David and Bathsheba's first child did not live very long. Solomon was their second child. When David died, Solomon became king after a short dispute with one of his brothers as to who was the rightful king.
Solomon started off very well. Shortly after assuming the throne, God appeared to Solomon in a dream as recorded in I Kings chapter 3. God asked Solomon what he would desire from the Lord. Instead of asking for wealth and power, Solomon asked for wisdom in order to rule justly and wisely. Solomon's wisdom is evident in the book of Kings and the book of Proverbs which he penned the majority of.
David had wanted to build a temple for the Lord while he was king. However, since David had been in so many wars and conflicts, God did not let him build the temple. The duty to build a temple for the Lord was given to Solomon. Several chapters in I Kings are devoted to a description of the temple and its construction. After the temple was completed, Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant into the temple and prayed the prayer of dedication.
After the prayer, God once again appeared to Solomon. In I Kings 9, God said that He would honor and bless Solomon and his descendants as long as Solomon walked in the ways of God and did not turn to false gods.
In spite of the fact that God appeared to him twice, and in spite of all of the blessings that God bestowed upon him, Solomon turned on God. This is what I just don't understand about the man.
At some point in his life, Solomon became very pessimistic. This is clearly evident from the book of Ecclesiastes. Some scholars do not believe that Solomon wrote this book, but I believe that it is highly likely.
Many Evangelical scholars have a different take on Ecclesiastes than I do. We can get into that in another message. For now just let me say that I believe that much of Ecclesiastes expresses a view that is not in keeping with what we will see revealed by Jesus. Remember, Jesus is the interpretive framework of Scripture. Jesus is the Word. Jesus did not express an attitude about life as does Solomon in Ecclesiastes.
The Bible tells us in I Kings 11 what happened to Solomon. Contrary to what God had commanded, Solomon married many women from the surrounding nations. The Bible records that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. I Kings 11 beginning with verse 4 states, "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burned incense and sacrificed unto their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him to him twice."
So, what was the end of Solomon. God said that the majority of the kingdom would be taken from him. This happened when Jeroboam led a rebellion against Solomon's son. The ten northern tribes followed Jeroboam with only two tribes following Rehoboam.
Now for the controversy. Was Solomon lost? Did he forfeit his salvation because he turned from the Lord? Many Evangelical scholars will say no. I am going to say that I cannot judge a person's salvation. I will say this. Jesus was very clear in His teaching that if someone turns away from following the truth, that person is lost. You cannot serve God and mammon, Jesus said. You cannot serve God and idols. Many Evangelicals believe in a doctrine of absolute eternal security. I have stated in the past that I believe that Scripture teaches that apostasy is possible. While I do not believe as some Arminian scholars believe that you can sin your salvation away, I do believe that you can make a conscience decision to stop following Jesus. This is reflected by Peter's teaching in 2 Peter 2:17-22.
Solomon also is a great example of another teaching of Jesus. Jesus stated that if someone does not hate father, mother, family and even their own life they are not worthy of Him. Solomon cared more about pleasing his many wives than he cared about following God.
I really have a hard time understanding Solomon. He had God reveal Himself twice to him. God gave him wisdom, wealth, peace and power. And Solomon didn't care. He turned on God anyway. I just don't get it.
So, what can we learn from all of this. What I learn is that we must remain diligent in our walk with the Lord. If someone who had all of this can fall away, any of us are vulnerable. The only way that I know to stay on the straight and narrow path of following Jesus is to daily commit to following Him. To me, being a Christian is a daily acknowledgment that I will this day follow the Lord. It is a daily commitment.
Staying faithful to the Lord requires a daily commitment to obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Staying faithful also requires staying in communion with Jesus. We do this through prayer, meditation and through focusing on the teachings of our Lord. It requires great diligence as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to remain on course as we keep our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.
I also learn from Solomon that I cannot place anything or anyone above my relationship with Jesus Christ. Solomon placed his wives above his relationship with the Lord God. Scripture tells us the consequences. Anything on anyone that we place above Jesus is our idol. Jesus demands our total allegiance. He demands to be first. We may suffer great loss, and we may have to sacrifice much in order to faithful to Jesus. Jesus demands and deserves no less.
You may be in a situation similar to Solomon. You may find yourself drifting away from a right relationship with the Lord. That can be changed today. Confess your sin, and ask Jesus to forgive you. Then, commit yourself to following the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Next week, I will post the verse of Monday and a review on Wednesday. I will post the sermon on Saturday. May God bless you. Amen.
My new job has been going well. I give thanks to the Lord for His provision in this area of my life. I also want to thank the Lord that I have been getting quite a few writing jobs recently.
In your prayers this week, please continue to pray about the Ebola situation in Africa. Also, pray that the Syrian refugee crisis will be resolved. I heard on NPR this week that the aid agencies are having great difficulty providing food for all of the people who need help. Pray for the Philippines as well. I heard on the news this morning that that nation may be hit by a large storm. I know that there are some people from the Philippines who read the blog. I am praying for your safety. Pray for peace is Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
For the last several weeks, we have been in a series of messages about some of the kings of Israel and Judah. Last week, we studied the life of Jehoshaphat. He was one of the better kings. He really tried to do his best for his people, and he tried to serve the Lord. He wasn't perfect, but no one is perfect expect Jesus Himself.
Today, we turn our attention to a king that I just don't understand at all. Here is a man who had everything in the world going for him. He was highly favored by God, but he ended his life in a mess. The king we will study today is Solomon.
Let me state right away that some of the things I will say about Solomon will be controversial. Many theologians will disagree with my negative assessment of him. I will strive to provide Scriptural support for my arguments.
Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba. If you recall, David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then conspired to have Bathsheba's husband killed. David and Bathsheba's first child did not live very long. Solomon was their second child. When David died, Solomon became king after a short dispute with one of his brothers as to who was the rightful king.
Solomon started off very well. Shortly after assuming the throne, God appeared to Solomon in a dream as recorded in I Kings chapter 3. God asked Solomon what he would desire from the Lord. Instead of asking for wealth and power, Solomon asked for wisdom in order to rule justly and wisely. Solomon's wisdom is evident in the book of Kings and the book of Proverbs which he penned the majority of.
David had wanted to build a temple for the Lord while he was king. However, since David had been in so many wars and conflicts, God did not let him build the temple. The duty to build a temple for the Lord was given to Solomon. Several chapters in I Kings are devoted to a description of the temple and its construction. After the temple was completed, Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant into the temple and prayed the prayer of dedication.
After the prayer, God once again appeared to Solomon. In I Kings 9, God said that He would honor and bless Solomon and his descendants as long as Solomon walked in the ways of God and did not turn to false gods.
In spite of the fact that God appeared to him twice, and in spite of all of the blessings that God bestowed upon him, Solomon turned on God. This is what I just don't understand about the man.
At some point in his life, Solomon became very pessimistic. This is clearly evident from the book of Ecclesiastes. Some scholars do not believe that Solomon wrote this book, but I believe that it is highly likely.
Many Evangelical scholars have a different take on Ecclesiastes than I do. We can get into that in another message. For now just let me say that I believe that much of Ecclesiastes expresses a view that is not in keeping with what we will see revealed by Jesus. Remember, Jesus is the interpretive framework of Scripture. Jesus is the Word. Jesus did not express an attitude about life as does Solomon in Ecclesiastes.
The Bible tells us in I Kings 11 what happened to Solomon. Contrary to what God had commanded, Solomon married many women from the surrounding nations. The Bible records that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. I Kings 11 beginning with verse 4 states, "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burned incense and sacrificed unto their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him to him twice."
So, what was the end of Solomon. God said that the majority of the kingdom would be taken from him. This happened when Jeroboam led a rebellion against Solomon's son. The ten northern tribes followed Jeroboam with only two tribes following Rehoboam.
Now for the controversy. Was Solomon lost? Did he forfeit his salvation because he turned from the Lord? Many Evangelical scholars will say no. I am going to say that I cannot judge a person's salvation. I will say this. Jesus was very clear in His teaching that if someone turns away from following the truth, that person is lost. You cannot serve God and mammon, Jesus said. You cannot serve God and idols. Many Evangelicals believe in a doctrine of absolute eternal security. I have stated in the past that I believe that Scripture teaches that apostasy is possible. While I do not believe as some Arminian scholars believe that you can sin your salvation away, I do believe that you can make a conscience decision to stop following Jesus. This is reflected by Peter's teaching in 2 Peter 2:17-22.
Solomon also is a great example of another teaching of Jesus. Jesus stated that if someone does not hate father, mother, family and even their own life they are not worthy of Him. Solomon cared more about pleasing his many wives than he cared about following God.
I really have a hard time understanding Solomon. He had God reveal Himself twice to him. God gave him wisdom, wealth, peace and power. And Solomon didn't care. He turned on God anyway. I just don't get it.
So, what can we learn from all of this. What I learn is that we must remain diligent in our walk with the Lord. If someone who had all of this can fall away, any of us are vulnerable. The only way that I know to stay on the straight and narrow path of following Jesus is to daily commit to following Him. To me, being a Christian is a daily acknowledgment that I will this day follow the Lord. It is a daily commitment.
Staying faithful to the Lord requires a daily commitment to obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Staying faithful also requires staying in communion with Jesus. We do this through prayer, meditation and through focusing on the teachings of our Lord. It requires great diligence as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to remain on course as we keep our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.
I also learn from Solomon that I cannot place anything or anyone above my relationship with Jesus Christ. Solomon placed his wives above his relationship with the Lord God. Scripture tells us the consequences. Anything on anyone that we place above Jesus is our idol. Jesus demands our total allegiance. He demands to be first. We may suffer great loss, and we may have to sacrifice much in order to faithful to Jesus. Jesus demands and deserves no less.
You may be in a situation similar to Solomon. You may find yourself drifting away from a right relationship with the Lord. That can be changed today. Confess your sin, and ask Jesus to forgive you. Then, commit yourself to following the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Next week, I will post the verse of Monday and a review on Wednesday. I will post the sermon on Saturday. May God bless you. Amen.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Upcoming Reviews
I am currently in the process of reading several good books about dogs and some religious books as well. In the upcoming weeks, look for reviews of "War Dogs" by Rebecca Frankel, "Bespotted" a book about dalmatians, and an interesting devotional Bible on the market.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Verses For the Week
Mark 9:35 -- "And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."
Luke 4:40 -- "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them."
Luke 7:22 -- " Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."
Luke 4:40 -- "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them."
Luke 7:22 -- " Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."
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