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II Peter – Salvation

v.3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  v.4 – Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

II Peter 1

v.10 – Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, v.11 – and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

II Peter 2

v.3 – In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. v.4 – For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; v.5 – if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; v.6 – if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; v.7 – and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men v.8 – (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— v.9 – if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. v.10 – This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.  Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; v.11 – yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. v.12 – But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.

v.13 – They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. v.14 – With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!  v.15 – They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. v.16 – But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

v.17 – These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. v.18 – For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. v.19 - They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. v.20 – If they have escaped the corruption ofthe world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. v.21 – It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. v.22 – Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,”and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

2 Peter 3

v.14 – So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. v.15 – Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. v.16 – He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which agnorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

v.17 – Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. v.18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

July 08 2010 | New Testament - Salvation | No Comments »

I Peter – Salvation

v.3 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, v.4 – and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, v5 – who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. v.6 – In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. v.7 – These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. v.8 – Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, v.9 – for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. v.10 – Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, v.11 – trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. v.12 – It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

I Peter 1

v.22 – Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. v.23 – For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. v.24 – For,

“All men are like grass,

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

25but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that

was preached to you.

 

 

 

I Peter 2

1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy,

and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,

so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted

that the Lord is good.

 

I Peter 2

7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not

believe,

“The stone the builders rejected

has become the capstone,” 8and,

“A stone that causes men to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey

the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people

belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out

of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now

you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have

received mercy.

 

I Peter 2

24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to

sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

 

 

I Peter 3

17It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing

evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the

unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made

alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits

in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of

Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all,

were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves

you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good

conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels,

authorities and powers in submission to him.

 

I Peter 4

17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it

begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the

gospel of God? 18And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit

themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

June 08 2010 | New Testament - Salvation | No Comments »

Genesis 21:1-7 – Promise, with a Capitol “R” – Don’t Blink

I suppose, the daily walk of faith is all about the promises of my Father, God – bringing His Word and my humanity – into ”R”elationship - Does that make sense?  And I suppose that promises, can often take longer than we might like, for them to be fulfilled. 

When I consider Abraham’s daily Walk of Faith and compare it with my own – I keep finding out how very similar they are and how imperfect they are – while the Father God – continues to work his promises, in various ways and in His own time, through the years – bringing His Word and my humanity – into Relationship – with a capitol “R”. 

…. Walking…  Genesis 21:2 – Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. (Genesis 17:21; 18:10-14)

A lot can happen in 100 years!  I mean, consider just a few of the highlights from the last one hundred years,… DON’T BLINK!

The Panama Canal was completed cutting travel time between California and the East Coast in half – The first long-distance telephone service was established between New York and San Francisco – Henry Ford’s innovations in automobile assembly brought the price of a Model T down to $290.00 from an original cost of $850, in 1908 – Charles Lindbergh piloted the Spirit of St. Louis on a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, landing in Paris, France 33 hours after taking off from New York – the Stock Market crash of the 1920′s sparked the Great Depression, the Xth Summer Olympiad was held in Los Angeles in 1932 – The Federal Housing Administration was established creating a form of mortgage insurance for homeowners – the Golden Gate Bridge opened in San Francisco – Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States entered World War II in 1941 – World War II ended and a post-war economic boom began – The Korean War began with North Korea and later Chinese troops opposed United Nations forces – The de Havilland Comet, a British-built plan became the first jet airliner – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 500 for the first time in the 1950′s – in the 1960′s The United States began a slow but steady escalation of troops in Vietnam, a small Southeast Asian nation.  The Vietnam war sparked impassioned opposition and unrest – The Beatles came to New York – Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, widely admired for her style and grace married Aristotle Onassis, a wealthy Greek businessman – NASA’s Apollo 11 mission landed on the moon – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 1,000 for the first time in the 1970′s – The United States of America celebrated 200 Years in 1976 – The United States Men’s Hockey Team, not thought to be a serious contender, upset the Soviet Union and Finland to win the Gold Medal at the Lake Placid Winter Games – A former actor, head of the Screen Actor’s Guild and Governor of California, Ronald Reagan began a new job as the 40th President of the United States in 1981 – 52 years after hosting the Xth Olympiad Los Angeles puts on the Games of the XXXIIIth Olympiad – Christopher Reeve starred in the last of four Superman movies – Superman IV: The Quest for Peace in 1987 – The First Persian Gulf War erupted after Iraq invaded neighboring Kuwait, and ended with a U.S.-led coalition victory. – After 3 decades of laughs, comedian Johnny Carson ended his thirty year run as the host of The Tonight Show – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 5,000 for the first time in 1995 – Senator John Glenn, Jr., the first American to orbit the earth, takes another ride into space, in his 77th year – aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on a 9 day flight, becoming the oldest person to fly in outer space – The new millennium 2000-2001 is celebrated and a global sigh of relief is felt as “Y2K” fears of a mass computer meltdown vanish – 9.11.01 – The Second Persian Gulf War began as U.S.-led forces launched into battle – …….

Now, consider that in the first 100 years of Abraham’s life - many of those years were spent walking through each day by faith, however imperfect, - but faith none-the-less – in a promise, that he had received – from God – the Father – the Creator! — that his wife Sarah would give birth to a son – and that God would bless every nation through Abraham’s descendants!  For sure, Abraham saw many things happen during those first 100 years of his life – wars, among nations and between family members, poverty, riches, the rise and fall of political and military leaders – and while we are never told that Abraham or anyone else during his time, ever journeyed into outer-space – and while that is surely a major highlight from our last 100 years – still among the highlights from Abraham’s first 100 years, must have been, the visits he received from the Lord God and from the angels! from “outer-space,” as it were    I suppose, that our last 100 years, pale in comparison – don’t they? 

I mean, everything that happened in those first 100 years of Abraham’s life led up to this text!

Genesis 21:1-7

The Birth of Issac:  Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.  Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.  Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.  When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him.  Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.  Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”  And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?  Yet, I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Everything that had happened in those 100 years was in preparation, in one way or another, for this day! – while, nothing quite explains it – except, that GOD does it!  Consider that biologically it was considered improbable if not impossible for Sarah to be having a child at the age she and her husband were! – while, theologically it is improbable – NO, impossible! for God to fail in delivering on a promise!

I suppose, what is amazing about this story is that God is at work here – in a life of faith, however imperfect – bringing into “R”elationship, with a capitol “R” – His Word and our humanity.  I mean, Abraham and Sarah – much like you and me – bring to the promises of God – only our helplessness, imperfection, our sinful nature, our tired, weary and sometimes worn faith – while, God brings 100′s and 1000′s of years of involvement in His world – creating and resurrecting promises among us, that ultimately fulfill what He began -  resurrecting for us, over and again, the promises of our imperfect faith – often, just when we are in the middle of giving up and giving in – lying face down on the ground in despair and sorrow.

In my daily walk of faith, help me Father to live beyond the improbable and the impossible – to live by your promises!  Use my faith, however imperfect to bring into “R”elationship, with a capitol “R” – Your Word and my humanity!  Amen

Don’t blink! 

May 13 2010 | Fathering Moments - The Daily Walk and Living in the Word | No Comments »

James – Salvation

The Book of James– passages specific to God’s Plan for Man’s – SALVATION

James 1

v. 12 – Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

v.21 – Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you which can save you. v.22 – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says. v.23 – Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror. v.24 – and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  v.25 – But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.

v.26 – If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.  v.27 – Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 2

v.5 – Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?  v.6 – But you have insulted the poor.  Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?  Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?  v.7 – Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

v.12 – Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, v.13 – because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.  Mercy triumphs over judgement!

Faith and Deeds

v.14 – What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save him?  v.15 – Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  v.16 – If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  v.17 – In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  v.18 – But someone will say, “You have faith, I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

v.19 – You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.  v.20 – You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? v.21 - Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? v.22 – You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. v.23 – And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

v.24 – You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. v.25 – In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? v.26 – As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 5

v.7 – Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. v.8 – You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! v.10 – Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. v.11 – As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

May 08 2010 | New Testament - Salvation | No Comments »

Hebrews – Salvation

The Book of Hebrews– passages specific to God’s Plan for Man’s – SALVATION

Hebrews 2

v.1 – We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. v.2 – For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, v.3 – how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?  This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. v.4 – God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 2

v.10 – In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. v.11 – Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. v.12 – He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” v.13 – And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” v.14 – Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. v.16 – For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. v.17 – For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement forthe sins of the people. v.18 – Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 3

v.6 – But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

Hebrews 3

v.14 – We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. v.15 – As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

Hebrews 3

v.18 – And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? v.19 – So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Hebrews 4

v.1 – Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. v.2 – For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. v.3 – Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” v.5 – And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”  v.6 – It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. v.7 – Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” v.8 – For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. v.9 – There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; v.10 – for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. v.11 – Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

v.12 – For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. v.13 – Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

v.14 – Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. v.15 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. v.16 – Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 5

v.1 – Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. v.2 – He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. v.3 – This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 5

v.7 – During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. v.8 – Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered v.9 – and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him v.10 – and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6

v.4 – It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, v.5 – who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, v.6 – if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, becauseto their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

v.7 – Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. v.8 – But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

v.9 – Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. v.10 – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. v.11 – We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. v.12 – We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 7

v.18 – The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless v.19 – (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 7

v.23 – Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; v.24 – but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. v.25 – Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

v.26 – Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. v.27 – Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. v.28 – For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Hebrews 8

v.7 – For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. v.8 – But God found fault with the people and said:

“The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

v.9 – It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.

v.10 – This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord.  I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. v.11 – No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

v.12 – For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Hebrews 9

v.1 – Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. v.2 – A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. v.3 – Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, v.4 – which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. v.5 – Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

v.6 – When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. v.7 – But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. v.8 – The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. v.9 – This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. v.10 – They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

v.11 – When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. v.12 – He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. v.13 – The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.

v.14 – How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

v.15 – For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

v.16 – In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, v.17 – because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. v.18 – This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. v.19 – When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. v.20 – He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”  v.21 – In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. v.22 – In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

v.23 – It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. v.24 – For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. v.25 – Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. v.26 – Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. v.27 – Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, v.28 – so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 10

v.1 – The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. v.2 – If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. v.3 – But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, v.4 – because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

v.5 – Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; v.6 – with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. v.7 – Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.’ ” v.8 – First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). v.9 – Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. v.10 – And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

v.11 – Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. v.12 – But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. v.13 – Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, v.14 – because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

v.15 – The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: v.16 – “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord.  I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” v.17 – Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” v.18 – And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. v.19 – Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, v.20 – by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, v.21 – and since we have a great priest over the house of God, v.22 – let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. v.23 – Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. v.24 – And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. v.25 – Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

v.26 – If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, v.27 – but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. v.28 – Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. v.29 – How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? v.30 – For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” v.31 – It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

v.32 – Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. v.33 – Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. v.34 – You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

v.35 – So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. v.36 – You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. v.37 – For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.  v.38 – But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” v.39 – But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Hebrews 11

v.1 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. v.2 – This is what the ancients were commended for. v.3 – By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. v.4 – By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

v.5 – By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. v.6 – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

v.7 – By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

v.8 – By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. v.9 – By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. v.10 – For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

v.11 – By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because heconsidered him faithful who had made the promise. v.12 – And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

v.13 – All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. v.14 – People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. v.15 – If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. v.16 – Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

v.17 – By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, v.18 – even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” v.19 – Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

v.20 – By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

v.21 – By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

v.22 – By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

v.23 – By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

v.24 – By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. v.25 – He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. v.26 – He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. v.27 – By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. v.28 – By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

v.29 – By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

v.30 – By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

v.31 – By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

v.32 – And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, v.33 – who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. v.35 – Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. v.36 – Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. v.37 – They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— v.38 – the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

v.39 – These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. v.40 – God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 12

v.1 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. v.2 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. v.3 – Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. v.4 – In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. v.5 – And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, v.6 – because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

v.7 – Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? v.8 – If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. v.9 – Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! v.10 – Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. v.11 – No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12

v.14 – Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. v.15 – See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.  v.16 – See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. v.17 – Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.

Hebrews 12

v.25 – See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? v.26 – At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” v.27 – The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

April 08 2010 | New Testament - Salvation | No Comments »

Genesis 20:8-18 – Rock of my faith!

….. Read Genesis 20:8-18

Then Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children.  Genesis v.17

You might read the entire chapter again, for clarity. 

Do you feel anything like ”gravity” in this situation – in the way this story about Abraham’s faithlessness is unfolding, again?  Sometimes, when we are honest, it feels as though - the force that has us firmly attached to this physical earth – is pulling even our “eternal” purpose” – literally to the ground?  I mean, think about it this way for a second – - – what makes us unique - as Christians – as God’s children – is that we have an eternal purpose, right?  Abraham sure had an eternal purpose, didn’t he – at least, that’s the way the “story” goes, right?  – - – I can’t help feeling that in this chapter of Abraham’s walk – he must have been feeling the same sort of – “gravitational pull” – the human condition – pulling his “eternal purpose” – to the ground, as it were.  The same sort of feeling I sometimes have - when I find myself “tied down”, as it were – to this old earth and beyond that – my humanity keeps getting in the way, of my eternal purpose, if I believe I have one.  I know there are lots of moments in my life when that sort of “gravitational pull” – seems “heavy” on me.  Maybe you feel it too, on occassion.

And while I am much more comfortable when I think that others see me as: “self-accomplished, mature and independent, or possibly even as a “spiritual-rock”, of sorts … upon which others might even, lean” – - – I find myself more often than not, wishing that my “testimony” before the world (how others see Christ, in me – or not) wasn’t so very flawed – - – and I am all too aware - of how human I am - and that I am no “spiritual rock”!

Consider further, that while it is certainly important that we live lives that are as consistent as humanly possible, with the Will and the Word of our Father – I suppose, sometimes we might actually misuse this truth - maybe to avoid responsibility.  I mean, sometimes I actually find myself inclined to keep silent about my faith in Christ because I fear that my “testimony” has been so poor – that others might not want to trust Jesus.  Sometimes the “message” of my life falls very short of what I “testify” about with my lips and my life - and so, I keep silent about my faith in Christ.  Ever been there? 

Do you feel the “gravity” of this situation?  …. Am I making any sense?

Hmmm?

I once heard a story about a true believer who was saved – no joke – through the testimony of a drunken sailor!  This fella, when he was an unbeliever, had scolded a drunken Christian for his behavior.  The drunk protested – that even though he knew that he was a “discredit” to his Lord, he was never-the-less - eternally saved and secure!  This fella, well he could not imagine how such a thing could be truth.  But because of the certainty of this drunken Christian about his spiritual security, this fella – well, he studied the Scriptures for himself, to see if this could be true – and as grace would have it, as a result, he was saved! - to one degree or another – because of the ”testimony” of a drunken sailor.

Now I suppose, that while I should certainly strive to live in such a way, as to create an interest in that which makes me unique as a Christian – an eternal purpose – I may, more often than not – fail to realize – that the “gravitational pull” of all of my human failures – does not necessarily – prevent others from being drawn to Christ, as their Savior.  What I am trying to get at is that - One thing seems to keep jumping out at me,  about Abraham and his walk of faith – - – and that is that even at the very low moments in our Christian experience – our God can use us to draw others to Himself!!   Hello!  The daily walk with God – isn’t about me at all – it is all about my God – my Lord and Savior!!!

Read Genesis 20 again and consider the “gravity” of the situation!

What a humbling experience it must have been for Abraham to intercede on behalf of Abimelech.  Talk about a sense of “gravity” – not to mention, unworthiness – that must have come over him, as his humanity got so very much, in the way of his eternal purpose – and in plain view of those around him!  I mean, I can only imagine that Abraham too, much like me – must have felt, to some degree or another - very uncomfortable, that instead of others seeing him as: “self-accomplished, mature and independent, or possibly even as a “spiritual-rock”, of sorts … upon which others might even, lean” – - – they saw him instead - as he truly was.  A human, a liar – flawed and imperfect in his faith.  Not as a spiritual rock, at all!

Hmmmm?

I suppose, what I am learning from walking with Abraham – in his daily walk of imperfect faith – is that – to be sure – the Rock of my faith is not me!  It is, indeed, my Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ!

My prayer, continues to be – Father, that you continue to bless my walk – with your incredible grace, my great God!  Saving Grace – that works in the midst of sin and ignorance, arrogance and willfulness.  My ”testimony” is never worthy of Your goodness and greatness.  My sin is a constant reminder - of my true position – and my need for You!   I strive to live every moment in continuing hope that you will finally lead my wandering feet into the path of truth and discipleship.  Amen

April 03 2010 | Fathering Moments - The Daily Walk and Living in the Word | No Comments »

Genesis 20:1-7

….. Read Genesis 20:1-7

Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.”  And King Abimelech of Gerar sent and took Sarah. v.2

Can you believe it?  There he is again, flat down on his face – in his walk, living faithlessly.  Hello!?!  Abraham!!!!  Wake up!!!!  How could he make the same monumental mistake, again?  What in the world could he have been thinking?? ….

…. In our daily walk – I suppose, we do expect that we will improve, in the very least to grow to make smarter and wiser decisions.  Isn’t that what is supposed to happen in a ”daily walk with God”, after all?

…. Stay with me here for a second – Consider that – while betterment-of -self and a better knowledge of how to live in God’s truth is most certainly an expected result from a daily walk with God – I suppose, it is rather possible and maybe even likely – that we can be tempted to put too much emphasis on ourselves, and our own achievements and abilities – concerning spiritual things, much like we tend to do concerning physical things …. does that make sense?  Of course, when we put too much emphasis on self – we tend to take matters into our own hands – and make decisions motivated, too often - from a position of self-confidence, rather than by faith.  We do have a record of being rather, “self-achievement oriented,” don’t we? 

I mean, from reading through God’s Word and walking along (as it were) with Abraham’s daily walk - and the rest - I am finding myself aware – that while my “personal” - “daily walk with God” - is important to my spiritual growth as a believer – it seems, that I may at times overlook how important it is for me, not to loose sight of my need for God and for a total dependance on Him – - -  perhaps I may fall into a bit of a “hidden-trap” - placing too much importance, in my daily walk, on obtaining some “righteous position” – that might bring me to a point where I begin to feel that I no longer have to be as dependent on God….does that make sense??

Don’t loose me here

I suppose, walking along with Abraham – and seeing him making the “same mistakes” over and over again …. well … I think that makes me a bit uncomfortable with my own “recurring” and often “repetitive” mistakes.  My first reaction might be to be critical of Abraham and “call out” the obvious errors he continues to be making.  While, what I might actually be doing – by posturing myself in such a way – is avoiding the guilt of my own mistakes.  After all, my pursuit of a daily walk with God is supposed to be making me better and smarter and wiser, isn’t it??

I suppose, when I am truly honest with myself - I too, make more than my share of mistakes – over and over and over again.  I know that I do!  Some of which, I have even made promises to myself, to others and to my Father God – that I would never do again!  I don’t much like to admit that.  Makes me feel like others will look at me and my mistakes, some of which are too often, repetitive – and will think that I am not growing in my spiritual walk!  I am much more comfortable when I think that others see me as: “self-accomplished, mature and independent, or possibly even as a “spiritual-rock”, of sorts … upon which others might even, lean.”

Hmmmm…..?????

Well, I suppose – not so much unlike our Father of Faith – Abraham – we too, when we are honest, find ourselves – again and again -  flat down on our face, faithless.   Abraham here, not only sins, but he repeats the same sins – over and again, because he had used Sarah this way before.  Interestingly enough - it is the character in the story who has no religion at all, Abimelech, who seems to be the one who is seen having some ”integrity” – rather than the one we might have been expecting to have seen as “self-accomplished, mature and independent, or possibly even as a “spiritual-rock”, of one sort or another … upon which others might even, lean” – a “Father of Faith”, as it were.

I suppose the lesson is that, this daily walk of Faith – isn’t really about me, at all!  It wasn’t about Abraham, either.  The daily walk of Faith is all about God - talk about a  “Spiritual Rock”.

And as far as what other people may see or say about me, as I walk along - my primary concern must not be how others see me - but do they see the Faithful God of my imperfect faith?  Do they see how my Faithful God does so much for me and my imperfect walk of Faith! 

Faithful Father, I return to you daily, and fall down on my face, putting my imperfect faith in the hands of your perfect mercy.  I know, Father, that I don’t learn very fast - I repeat – time and again – old sins.  My pride and my fears – too often get in the way of your promises.  Forgive me?  I am dependent on You to walk with me in the way of faith, again and again – by your grace.  Amen.

March 08 2010 | Fathering Moments - The Daily Walk | No Comments »

Titus – Salvation

The Book of Titus – passages specific to God’s Plan for Man’s – SALVATION

Titus 1

v.1 – Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness – v.2 – a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, v.3 – and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, v.4 – To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus 2

v.11 – For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  v.12 – It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, v.13 – while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  v.14 – who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Titus 3

v.3 – At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  v.4 – But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, v.5 – he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, v.6 – whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, v.7 – so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  v.8 – This is a trustworthy saying.  And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

March 08 2010 | New Testament - Salvation | No Comments »

II Timothy – Salvation

The Book of II Timothy – passages specific to God’s Plan for Man’s – SALVATION

II Timothy 1

v.8 – So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.  But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, v.9 – who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, v.10 – but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  v.11 – And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.  v.16 – May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because, he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.  v.17 – On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.  v.18 – May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!  You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

II Timothy 2

v.1 – You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  v.2 – And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.  v.3 – Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  v.4 – No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.  v.5 – Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.  v.6 – The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  v.7 – Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

v. 8 – Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.  This is my gospel, v.9 – for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.  But God’s word is not chained.  v.10 – Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

v.11 – Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;

v.12 – if we endure, we will also reign with Him.  If we disown him, he will also disown us;

v.13 – if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

II Timothy 2

v.24 – And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  v.25 – Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, v.26 – and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

II Timothy 3

v.1 – But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  v.2 – People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, v.3 – without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, v.4 – treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – v.5 – having a form of godliness but denying its power.  Have nothing to do with them.  v.6 – They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, v.7 – always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.  v.8 – Just as James and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth – men of depraved minds, who as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.  v.9 – But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

II Timothy 3

v.14 – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, v.15 – and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. v.16 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, v.17 – so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

II Timothy 4

v.6 – For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  v.7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  v.8 – Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

II Timothy 4

v.18 – The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.  To him be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

February 08 2010 | New Testament - Salvation | No Comments »

Know where to run? – Genesis 19:30-38

I suppose – to one degree or another – most everyone is – at one time or another - ”running from something” or “running toward something”.  For me, I have seen too many - children running away - from pain in their little lives – and adults and parents, too – running – this way and that – sometimes chasing and sometimes retreating – sometimes escaping and sometimes pursuing – sometimes lashing out and other times withdrawing for refuge.  But all of them – too many of them – running.

Having run away from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah – Sarah having turned her heart back toward the evil, reduced to a mound of salt – Lot and his girls found themselves, very much afraid and feeling rather desperate - retreating, escaping, withdrawing for refuge, in a mountainous cave, – perhaps feeling like they had barely escaped with their lives – I suppose – unaware, to one degree or another, that they were comfortably within the protection of the Father God.

Death and destruction of everything and everyone they had known - was just there – behind them – in the ruins of the valley below - and now alone, up in the mountains  – desperation and fear about what was to become of their future – - – hopeless and afraid - it seemed, I expect – they felt as if, there was no place left to run.

So, that night they got him drunk with wine, and the older daughter went in and had intercourse with her father.  He was unaware of her lying down or getting up again. v.33

It seems that fear and desperation, of one sort or another - pushed Lot’s daughters, not knowing where else to run, to get their father drunk and trick him into getting them pregnant.  ”… that we may preserve our family line through our father,” they said.

I have a bit of difficulty with the “reasoning” of Lot’s girls – I suppose you might, too.  As well, I have some difficulty with Lot himself – that he might allow himself to be in such a position with his daughters.  What’s more troubling to my understanding of this story - is that, frankly, if it weren’t for the apostle Peter - I might never have known – that this “pathetic fella”, Lot – was a “true believer”!!!  Hello!?!?    - – - I know, but Peter describes, that God rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men – and that he was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard.  2 Peter 2  I find myself thankful for Peter and his gospel – because I might not have quite understood Lot – and his running – and his bad choices …. quite the same as I do, knowing – that – - - Lot with all his faults – was considered by God – a “righteous man”!?!?!

The story went that Lot - chose, “life in the city” – while Abraham chose – life as a sojourner.  Lot also chose to take the best lands for himself and left what might remain, to Abraham in the countryside.  I suppose, even then – Lot was “running” from something – perhaps from a weak opinion of himself, or worse.  He seized opportunities that seem to have been motivated by a desire to create a destiny - made of his own hands, rather than God’s - a destiny to create for himself – something more than who he actually was.  What we know is that he and his family ultimately, found themselves living among sin – so great - that God became aware of the crys of those souls suffering from its consequences – while at the same time caloused by prolonged exposure - – - all of them, I suppose – too many of them – running about, while unable to determine “where they were running to.”  I can easily imagine – cities of people, running about – this way and that – chasing this and that, retreating, escaping, pursuing, lashing out, withdrawing for refuge – and I imagine – Abraham, the sojourner – from some high hill – in the countryside – looking down on the cities pain – and weeping, as it were – for his family.  I imagine, too – Lot and his girls – - – having ultimately “run away” from it all – - – a “way out” provided by the Lord, urged by Abraham, and still – - – not knowing – - – just how or why or even – where, they were running to.

I suppose – to one degree or another – most everyone is, at one time or another – “running from something” or “running toward something”.  For me, I have seen too many sad results of abuse – of all kinds – often the result of folks “running” from something – unsure of where they might ought to be running – while running all the same - and often smack in - to alcohol or drugs or illicit behaviors, of one sort or another – running, knowing that they must run – but not knowing where to run, at all.  Once, kind parents – becoming harsh with their children - – or harsh with their spouses - many having run in to, too much “wine” - of one sort or another – like Lot and his girls found themselves running, too – not knowing where to run, but running all the same.  Exceptional teens and adults - failing in life – because of dependence on one drug or another – broken pieces of hearts and thirsty souls – running about – not knowing where they are running to.  Folks addicted to pain medicines and other mood-altering prescriptions.  The list of things we run to – for escape – is endless.  Running away – it seems – running in general - is all too common, among us.

In the Walk of Faith – when we often find ourselves running – away from something – perhaps from dangers we dared to get too close to – - – I suppose - knowing when to run – is very important! – while – knowing where to run to – is rather important, too!!!!

…  Perhaps, having found ourselves – “on the run” – stumbling across a place to rest – after catching our breath – when we look around us, we might find that – now in a strange place – we begin to feel overwhelmed and desperate, all over again.  Too often - it is desperation that causes us to make decisions that we later, regret.  It seems that, Knowing where to run to, becomes rather important, now!

Consider that Peter, about Lot, said that … if the Lord “condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;  and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from their trials”

In your daily walk – you may find yourself running - - – In  The Running – RUN – TO THE LORD! 

February 03 2010 | Fathering Moments - The Daily Walk and Living in the Word | No Comments »