Saturday, June 29, 2024

sacred conscience

Is there a hotter topic in politics than abortion? I don't think so.

Should abortion be a topic for political debate? I don't think so.

IMHO abortion is a matter of conscience. I believe that our conscience is a sacred connection between us and God. NO human being should interfere with that connection. NO human being should tell another human being what is right and wrong. It's between an individual and God.

Does this mean that I believe that abortion is right? Absolutely NOT! But it does mean that I feel that I don't have a right to interfere in the sacred connection between God and an individual human being.

It's up to us to listen to God speaking to us through our conscience. Let God alone be our judge. After all, judging others is way above our pay grade. Only God ALONE knows what's in our conscience because only God can put it there. 




attribution: Brett Jordon and flickr



Thursday, June 20, 2024

explaining the inexplicable


"The Bible teaches that Satan is the author of sin. Sin is the reason that we have afflictions, including death. All of our problems and our suffering, including death itself, are a result of man’s rebellion against God. But God has provided a rescue in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. That’s why Christ died on the cross. That’s why He rose from the dead.

Jesus suffered and died for us on the cross, but God raised Him from the dead. Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of God the Father and He sees our suffering. He sees our life every day and knows exactly where we stand.

The Bible teaches that we are to be patient in suffering. That’s the hardest thing of all, to be patient, to have songs in the night. Ask God to help you have a trusting, patient attitude, and flee from bitterness.

In suffering there is also, I believe, a message of warning. Are you prepared to meet God? What do you have to do to be ready? God took the initiative in giving His Son Jesus Christ. God says, “I love you. I want to forgive you. I want you to go to Heaven.” But you must respond to Him.

Receive Jesus Christ into your heart as Lord and Master and Savior. Follow Him and serve Him from this moment on. You can know that you are prepared to meet God, whatever the future holds."




attribution: David Campbell and flickr



Saturday, June 15, 2024

Jesus, "consubstantial with the Father ... incarnate of the Virgin Mary"

"I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man."

"Consubstantial is simply one possible translation of the Latin equivalent of the Greek term homoousios (literally, “the same substance”). This term was not added to the Nicene Creed; rather, it makes this the Nicene Creed. In AD 325, the bishops of the Catholic Church were invited by Emperor Constantine to gather at Nicaea in modern-day Turkey to address an extremely controversial issue raised by Arius, an Egyptian priest. The bishops took an existing creed used at Baptism and inserted the term homoousios."

"The virgin birth refers to the supernatural birth of Jesus Christ apart from the normal, physical process of procreation. Instead, Jesus was uniquely conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. The virginal birth is the means by which the eternal Son of God became incarnate as fully human."

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Luke 18: 18-23

18 An official asked him this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.

20 You know the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother.’” 

21 And he replied, “All of these I have observed from my youth.”

22 When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

23 But when he heard this he became quite sad, for he was very rich.


How much wealth inequality was there in the U.S. in 2023?
  • "The top 10% of households by wealth had $6.7 million on average. As a group, they held 66.9% of total household wealth.
  • The bottom 50% of households by wealth had $50,000 on average. As a group, they held only 2.5% of total household wealth."



How does Luke 18: 18-23 apply to Christians in the U.S.? Does it mean that those households with wealth above the bottom 50% should sell all of their possessions and give the proceeds to the poor? Not necessarily. 

What about those Christians who are in the top 10%? Where did their wealth come from? Where did the wealth of the rich man in Luke 18: 18-23 come from? I believe that our wealth comes from God.

What about those of us whose wealth is between the bottom 50% and the top 10%? We can show are gratitude to God for what God has given us by offering some of our excess wealth back to God. 

Should we have a "rainy day fund"? Perhaps. What about what's left over after we die? Once we've raised our families and met all of our obligations, should we take what's leftover and give it back to God in gratitude? It's something to think about.



attribution: Martin Beek and flickr



Thursday, June 6, 2024

John chapter 6


26 Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

27 Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”

28 So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

30 So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do?

31 Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

32 So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

36 But I told you that although you have seen [me], you do not believe.

37 Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,

38 because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.

39 And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day.

40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”


"The day after feeding thousands and hearing their praises, Jesus tells people that He, Himself, is the Bread from Heaven (John 6:51). By explaining that His ministry is essentially spiritual, not material, Jesus alienates most of those who had been eager to follow Him. This, of course, only goes to prove Jesus' accusation: that the people were not there to learn or to receive truth, but rather to once again be given free food (John 6:26).

In between these two moments of public preaching, John chapter 6 includes the fifth of his seven miraculous signs, as well as a "bonus" miracle. Jesus is seen walking on the water after the disciples' boat encounters a storm (John 6:19). The hidden miracle is the one mentioned in an almost off-handed way: when He is taken into the boat, it is "immediately" at its destination (John 6:21).

The end of chapter 6 features the third of seven instances where someone in the gospel of John professes belief in Jesus' divinity. Here, Peter will refer to Jesus as the "Holy One of God" (John 6:68–69)."

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Luke 11: 29-32

29 While still more people gathered in the crowd, he said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.

30 Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

31 At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.

32 At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.

Luke 11: 29-32


Footnote: [11:29–32] The “sign of Jonah” in Luke is the preaching of the need for repentance by a prophet who comes from afar. Cf. Mt 12:38–42 (and see notes there) where the “sign of Jonah” is interpreted by Jesus as his death and resurrection.


38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”

39 He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.

40 Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

41 At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here.

42 At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.

Matthew 12: 38-42


"Christ promised that there should be one sign more given, even the sign of Jonah the prophet; which in Matthew is explained, as meaning the resurrection of Christ; and he warned them to improve this sign. But though Christ himself were the constant preacher in any congregation, and worked miracles daily among them, yet unless his grace humbled their hearts, they would not profit by his word. Let us not desire more evidence and fuller teaching than the Lord is pleased to afford us. We should pray without ceasing that our hearts and understandings may be opened, that we may profit by the light we enjoy. And especially take heed that the light which is in us be not darkness; for if our leading principles be wrong, our judgment and practice must become more so."

Matthew Henry's concise commentary, 

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

righteousness

"Our hunger for God could be determined by the way we see spiritual things. As you get ready for work, school, or whatever it is you are planning to do, will you make time for the Word of God? Do you hunger for what God has to say to you as you start your day? How about prayer? Is that something you make time for as well?

Happy people are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They want to be right with God. They want to walk with God. They long for these things. That is where happiness will come from—not from the things of this world.

Do you starve for a holy life? Do you hunger for God's best for you? If you do, then you will take practical steps to get it."




Sunday, May 26, 2024

God's Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins 
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. 
Amen.

1988, English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC)


We see good and bad every day,
in the world and in ourselves.
We rejoice at the good. 
We grieve at the bad.

We don't know, but we believe.
Only God knows good and bad.



Thursday, May 23, 2024

God's Providence

"Divine providence is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. The doctrine of divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things. He is sovereign over the universe as a whole (Psalm 103:19), the physical world (Matthew 5:45), the affairs of nations (Psalm 66:7), human destiny (Galatians 1:15), human successes and failures (Luke 1:52), and the protection of His people (Psalm 4:8). This doctrine stands in direct opposition to the idea that the universe is governed by chance or fate.

Through divine providence God accomplishes His will. To ensure that His purposes are fulfilled, God governs the affairs of men and works through the natural order of things. The laws of nature are nothing more than God’s work in the universe. The laws of nature have no inherent power; rather, they are the principles that God set in place to govern how things normally work. They are only “laws” because God decreed them.

There are some who say that the concept of God directly or indirectly orchestrating all things destroys any possibility of free will. If God is in complete control, how can we be truly free in the decisions we make? In other words, for free will to be meaningful, there must be some things that lie outside of God’s sovereign control—e.g., the contingency of human choice. Let us assume for the sake of argument that this is true. What then? If God is not in complete control of all contingencies, then how could He guarantee our salvation? Paul says in Philippians 1:6 that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” If God is not in control of all things, then this promise, and all other divine promises, is in doubt. If the future does not belong completely to God, we do not have complete security that our salvation will be made complete.

Furthermore, if God is not in control of all things, then He is not sovereign, and if He is not sovereign, then He is not God. So, the price of maintaining contingencies outside of God’s control results in a belief that God is not really God. And if our free will can trump divine providence, then who ultimately is God? We are. That conclusion is unacceptable to anyone with a biblical worldview. Divine providence does not destroy our freedom. Rather, divine providence takes our freedom into account and, in the infinite wisdom of God, sets a course to fulfill God’s will."





attribution: Dr Michael D Evans and flickr



God's grace

 "No aspect of God's dealing with his creation does not involve His grace. A gracious God cannot fail to demonstrate grace in all He does.

That I exist is through his grace. That the sun shines and the rain falls is due to his grace. My salvation, standing with God, and eternal future with Him. It is all because of His grace.

Even God's justice and the eternal punishment of unbelievers reflect his grace. God gives every opportunity for repentance. But, in His grace, He does not force himself on anyone.

Praise God for his all-encompassing grace. His grace that reached even one like me. And His grace keeps me safe and secure in him, both now and through eternity. It's all about God's overwhelming grace."

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

WWJD

"The WWJD movement started in 1989 when the youth group at Calvary Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan, studied Charles Sheldon's 1896 novel, In His Steps. In the novel, parishioners preface every thought and action with "What would Jesus do?" and begin to see the difference it makes. Calvary's youth took Sheldon's model to heart and made up colorful woven bracelets to wear as a tangible reminder of that powerful question. Soon people throughout their community were wearing the bracelets, and it mushroomed from there. By the late '90s, the letters wwjd could be found on a multitude of books, T-shirts, and other Christian merchandise. To date, an estimated 14 million bracelets have been sold.

So what would Jesus do? He would seek the Father for the strength and wisdom to embrace, restore, confront, teach, serve, and equip the people around him.

These seven priorities should drive us back to the gospels to take a fresh look at how Jesus lived. The fad phase of WWJD may be over, but we need to hold on to those bracelets and keep asking ourselves—What would Jesus do? It's a great question. But remember: If you're not sure what Jesus actually did in his life, then you're just guessing at what he might do in yours."




attribution: Ben R and flickr



Monday, May 20, 2024

Armageddon

"Bible prophecy peaks our curiosity and it makes us spend much time in watching world events and trying to tie them into what the prophecies say. The problem with getting too entangled into prophecy is that it takes our eyes off of Christ. It makes us more a student of prophecy than a disciple of Christ. Jesus wants us to keep our eyes on Him and keep looking up. There is nothing for anyone to be concerned about in the world news or in Bible prophecy if they have placed their trust in Christ. Who can separate us from our Saving God? Short answer: No one or no thing! As Paul wrote, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35, 37). Paul was “convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). That about covers it all! If you haven’t put your trust in Christ, you will be separated from God for all eternity. My prayer for all of those who are reading this is that they will trust in Christ. Then nothing “will able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Amen!"

https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-is-the-battle-of-armageddon-a-bible-study/



attribution: Sharon Tate Soberon



Saturday, May 18, 2024

Have you ever been arrested?

He was a celebrity.
Huge crowds followed Him.
He was praying when He was arrested (John 18: 1-14).
It was chaos. 

He was tried by religious and civil authorities,
was sentenced to die,
and was executed.


Christians can sometimes find themselves in chaotic situations. They may be on their way to work in early morning darkness. Maybe they're focused on their work that day. Maybe they're tired. Maybe they're hungry. Maybe they're praying.


We, fellow Christians, may be able to sympathize with Scottie Scheffler. Please pray for him and others who may find themselves in similar situations.



attribution: Stephen Zucker, Smarthistory and flickr



Wednesday, May 15, 2024

the final test

 13 and do not subject us to the final test,
but deliver us from the evil one. 
Matthew chapter 6, NAB

explanatory note to verse 13: 
"Jewish apocalyptic writings speak of a period of severe trial before the end of the age, sometimes called the “messianic woes.” This petition asks that the disciples be spared that final test." 
from another source:
"...praying to be delivered from the "final test" is the same as praying to be delivered from personal temptations when we understand that Jesus' victory on the cross was the final victory over ALL sin and evil. When we pray to be delivered from temptation, we are asking God to help us apply the finished work of Jesus' universal victory over evil, to our personal struggles with evil. Praise God that His victory through Jesus IS ENOUGH!!
And what we gain by today's study is that Jesus, as the good Shepherd, goes ahead of His sheep to face the wolves, to face the danger, and He doesn't desire that we should have to face a monster that we cannot handle. That is why we can say with the Psalmist: "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For You are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." (Psalm 23). This doesn't mean that we will never suffer for our faith. Actually, Jesus assured us that we would suffer persecution. But it does mean that Jesus will never allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear and He will never allow us to go through a test which He hasn't already passed and made a way through for the rest of us. "Where I go now," Jesus told His followers, "you cannot come. But afterwards, you will."



attribution: jaci XIII and flickr



Tuesday, May 14, 2024

lead us not into temptation

"Although the Greek of this sixth petition of the Lord’s Prayer is unambiguous, its meaning is certainly elusive and has exercised the minds of Christians for centuries. The key word is peirasmos, which may mean “temptation” in the sense of “enticement to do wrong.” But against this possible meaning, James 1:13 states a truth that admits of no exceptions: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘I am being tempted by God.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.” Consequently, it is impossible for God actively to lead people into wrongdoing; he cannot contradict his nature.

This prompts the interpreter to consider the other, more common meaning of peirasmos—“trial,” “test,” or “testing.” Thus the NAB translates the verse, “Do not subject us to the final test,” the trials or tribulations destined to occur at the end of the age (compare Rev 3:10). But the difficulty here is that the noun peirasmos lacks the definite article, which would be expected if the meaning were “the (well-known) final test.”

So what does “lead us not into temptation” mean? It means asking God to keep our faith strong and avoiding the kind of temptation that ends in turning our backs on God and dishonoring him."



The Lord’s Prayer

9 “This is how you are to pray:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread;

12 and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;

13 and do not subject us to the final test,
but deliver us from the evil one.

14 If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

Monday, May 13, 2024

deliver us from evil

The Lord’s Prayer

9 “This is how you are to pray:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread;

12 and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;

13 and do not subject us to the final test,
but deliver us from the evil one."

Matthew 6: 9 - 13


"... deliver us from the evil one."


"Pray, “deliver us” from evil done to us

Rabbi Judah ben Tema is said to have prayed, “Let it be thy good pleasure to deliver us from impudent men, and from impudence: from an evil man and an evil chance; from an evil affection, an evil companion, and an evil neighbor: from Satan the destroyer, from a hard judgment, and a hard adversary.” So, when you pray “deliver us from evil,” it’s a prayer to be delivered from armed robbery, from debt and bankruptcy, from crop failure, from liars, gossips and thieves, from evil affections, evil companions and evil neighbors. From every trick and technique of your enemy, the devil, who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV).

It’s a simple prayer, but one that is rich in purpose and power. Pray it daily, fervently, for yourself and for others. Pray it in faith, believing that Jesus would not have taught His followers to pray it if it were not a prayer that would be answered."



7 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

8 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour.

9 Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.

10 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.