1 Cor.
{2:1} And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with
excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the
testimony of God. {2:2} For I determined not to know any
thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
The IMPORTANT thing- not excellency in speaking; not excellency in wisdom; not holding a PHD in religion, or in public speaking, or in charisma- but rather KNOWING Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
We tend to give credit to people who are naturally attractive and well poised. We tend to give our attention to those who can make us feel good about ourselves. We look up to people who are sheer genius and go- now why couldn't I have done/thought of that? Our hats go off to those who are accomplished in society. We applaud those who can come across as someone you can trust just by speaking to us. How many people have lost millions of dollars over the years to those who have 'talked them' out of their life savings? These brilliant, captivating people who seemingly have an excellency of speech with a healthy side order of wisdom can bilk hundreds, thousands of people and yet we still are amazed and wowed by those who make us feel good about OURSELVES. A man cannot talk another man into investing thousands of dollars unless they've made the person feel good about what they are doing. The best way to talk a man out of his money is to make it seem like he is doing the SMART thing, the WISE thing, the GOOD thing, the thing that will prove to be right in their own eyes. The more you can convince a man of HIS own genius the more money you can take from him.
Is it any wonder at all that Paul says here - I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God. It really is no wonder at all. Paul wasn't a smooth talker, able to sway with his special charasmatic manner or brilliant wisdom as the world knew. Paul was determined to just know Jesus Christ and Him crucified- that's it! To know Christ! To know the wonder of the cross! If more of us would seek the wonder of the cross and get our minds off ourselves and the superficial things how much better off we would be. If instead of looking to Christ to puff ourselves up we looked to Him just to KNOW Him our eyes would be taken off our selves and trained up the only righteousness that exists, Christ's.
I've heard the saying- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Have you heard that? Maybe you've had a disagreement with someone and there's a bit of arguing and the retort that is thrown into your face is- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Arguments usually result when one person believes they are right and another not quite so right. One person believes their thoughts and such are on the right track, while another's aren't. The last argument you had- think about it if you can, did you want to drive your own opinion, your own beliefs, your own point home? Did you want to get the other person to somehow agree that you are in the right over them? If they'd just stop arguing and listen to... who? You? Yes. If they'd just stop all their fussing and see reason, why they'd surely see your point of view on the matter. Why do they have to be so stubborn?
Don't you see, it's all about US.
When it should be all about JESUS and Him crucified. The power of God is in the cross. Knowing Jesus and Him crucified should be our ONLY concern.
The other saying, 'What would Jesus do?' Is very appropriate in the sense, what would the Lord Jesus have me doing in light of His crucifiction; what would Jesus have me do to glorify Him to point all others and myself solely to Him and the cross? We can't get caught up in this - I know what Jesus would do and bad me, I'm doing just the opposite or I know what Jesus would do and look at me, I'm doing it. Our doing anything other than seeking Him in the wonder of the cross is nothing. We could help fifty old ladies across the street because we believe that's what Jesus would do, but unless we know Jesus as our constant and personal Lord and Savior we could do what Jesus would do forever and still not be known by Him.
May the Lord turn our eyes solely upon Him and His wondrous sacrifice. Make we seek to know Christ and Him crucified first and foremost. That is- KNOW CHRIST, not know ourselves. We must seek to know CHRIST not self even in the light of Christ. Christ first always!
By His mercy, by His grace, by His love and sacrifice we are saved, now and forever.
Amen.
8/6/10
Hannah- bring Samuel to Eli at the temple--
Sa 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
1Sa 1:25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
1Sa 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
1Sa 1:27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
1Sa 1:28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
The LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.
Therefore also I have LENT him to the LORD.
As long as he liveth he shall be LENT to the LORD.
And he worshipped the LORD there.
Lent to the Lord.
When we think of lending something we don't think of it as a permanent lending or else we'd just say we are just giving that thing away, no lending involved. Hannah was giving Samuel- her longed for son- to God. Yet she didn't say she was giving him to the LORD she said she was lending him and then she clarified that. She was lending her son to the Lord for as long as he LIVED. So why the lending? Maybe there's some deeper meaning of all this I'm missing, something to explain the whole 'lent' thing, but in my simple thoughts it speaks volumes to me. The Lord granted Hannah a desire that she had in the depths of her heart and in response to that granting, Hannah promised to give back the very thing she longed for. The very answer to her prayer and she was offering to give it up if she received it. Doesn't that seem sort of strange? What if Hannah's lending Samuel was stated that way because Samuel would forever be part of her life. Part of Samuel would never leave Hannah. The wonderful miracle of the answered prayer, the fulfilling of a heart's desire, this would always be with Hannah, always. The miracle of carrying a child, or being part of that amazing act of bringing life into the world- this was Hannah's desire. Having that child to care for and raise was what she longed for. Her husband had children by another, and even though he treated her even better than his other wife and children she still wanted children. It didn't appear as if she want a child to make her husband happy. It didn't appear as if her husband thought less of Hannah for her lack of child bearing. This desire of Hannah's was something coming deep from within her and as a woman, I can relate to this particular desire. The fact that Hannah was going to give up the very thing she longed for is something I can't completely relate to. The idea of giving up my longed for child would have been unimaginable to me. Even now I want to have my hand in the lives of my children. This selfless act of Hannah's was amazing. Hannah really meant she was lending Samuel to the Lord, the Lord had lent Samuel to her and she was giving Him back to serve the Lord.
We all have desires in our hearts. We all know what it means to pray from the heart, crying out to the Lord for the thing we long for. Sometimes God answers us exactly as we expect, other times God answers us in what we might consider a roundabout way. God desires that we give Him thanks for the gifts He bestows on us, the prayers He answers. God also desires that we hold true to our word if we give it to Him. We have to be very careful what we pray don't we? It's easy to pray to God and promise Him this, that, and the other thing, people do it all the time. Do people always hold true to their promises? No. Does God expect them to ? Yes. Hannah promised God something if her prayer was answered and Hannah held true to that promise. In her heart she wasn't losing a son, she was lending Him back to the Lord, a promise made, a promise fulfilled.
There is much more here to study and I'm going to continue to do so but not tonight. The Lord is wonderful and He knows our heart's desires, He knows our everything there is to know about us. May He answer my prayer to know Him and for Him to know me, to bless me, to forgive me, to love me. May this be the prayer of us all.
By His Grace!
In His LOVE!
Amen.
II 8/6/10
Hannah prayed after she brought her very young son to live with the High Priest Eli. Biblical scholars estimate that Samuel- Hannah's son- was between 3 and 5 years old.
( 2Ch 31:16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses)
Hannah did not bring a child who couldn't understand instruction and follow commands. Hannah did not bring a child who had to be cared for in every little thing. Hannah brought a child that was old enough to listen and obey, she brought a child that could tend to his own needs- feed himself, wash himself. It's not really a stretch to imagine Samuel 4 or 5 years old, the age we send most children to kindergarten. Samuel was to be molded by Eli- taught the ways of God because Hannah lent Him to God for the rest of His life.
1Sa 2:11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
Elkanah- Hannah's husband- returned to Ramah, Hannah with him, leaving Samuel at the temple and what did Samuel do? Samuel MINISTERED to the LORD before Eli the priest! Yes, Samuel definitely had to be out of his infant/toddler stage and right on up there into his childhood when Hannah brought Him to the temple and lent him to the Lord. I can just imagine the life Samuel had to have led with his mother. He had to have been taught daily about the Lord He was promised to. Hannah wouldn't have been cruel and kept Him in the dark as to his future. She knew from the moment she realized that she'd conceive that the child in her womb was only loaned to her by God. Upon his birth I can only imagine Hannah's thoughts of joy even knowing she would one day be without her son. Can you just picture her looking down into the little scrunched up newborn's face, his tiny fingers wrapped around one of hers as she told him right then and there that He was God's. Hannah laid no permanent claim to Samuel and he grew up knowing this. He was promised to God and he would go to the Temple when he was older and there he would serve God by serving the High Priest. He knew this from the moment he could comprehend Samuel understood that his life was spoken for. Samuel knew he would be leaving his mother and father as well as the only home he knew and he also knew it was an honor, a great thing that he would be doing-- something to be much desired. Hannah's love of God was instilled in her son. Going away to the temple wasn't something dread but a day to look forward to. Hannah left her son but not in tears of sadness. Was she going to miss him? Yes. Would he miss her? Of course he would. God's greater purpose was what ruled their lives and nothing else.
Some might argue that Hannah's desire for a child was pure selfishness, that her heart aching for a child of her own was wrong, that she should have just trusted that God would allow her to have a child or not as He wills. Others might say that God knowing Hannah's every need understood that she might need a child and Hannah lacked the trust she should have had in God by praying as she did. What matters most is God and His will, not ours, not even our understanding. We don't know all of what Hannah prayed--
1Sa 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
1Sa 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1Sa 1:12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying
She continued praying, how long she prayed, what she prayed we do not know. We do know that she was being watched and Eli, the High Priest believed her to be drunk. Intervening he asked her how long she'd drink and told her she should put away the wine. Eli didn't know that Hannah's sorrowful prayer- of the sort that would cause her actions in prayer to be misinterpreted as a drunken woman's- was coming from the depths of her heart. Eli didn't know what Hannah prayed for, what her heart's affliction was. But when Hannah answered him with respect and explained herself as only one that wasn't drunk could, Eli said this…
1Sa 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Go in peace.
The God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Eli's response was one of genuine understanding. He wanted the very sorrowful Hannah to go in peace not in upset, he wanted her petition- the petition of such intensity- to be granted and he didn't even know what it was she'd prayed for.
Hannah's response was one of gratitude. Here the High Priest in God's Holy Temple was telling her that he was right there with her- wanting God to hear her and answer her as she desired. Faith, belief in God and trust in those God has called into His service- so amazing. Hannah left Eli…
1Sa 1:18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
…and was no longer sad. Amazing. The faith she revealed was wonderful. God rewards faith, time and time again we can read of how much God rewards those who truly believe in Him, even if the rewards aren't always immediate. We can believe in all God promises.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Hannah was no longer sad, she believed that God would indeed grant her petition and He did. Amazing.
No, even the most sincere, heartfelt prayer can go seemingly unheard, the petition not granted, but God has His plans, His ways and we need to belief, we need to have that faith that can make us turn away from our heart wrenching petitions and no longer be sad.
More on this study to come. : )
All glory to our Savior!
All praise to our Creator!
By His mercy!
By His grace!
Forever and always God's will be done!
Amen.
8/6/11
God's holy word,
God's holy prophecies.
Act 17:11 ... in that they received the word with
all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things
were so.
Searched the
scriptures DAILY.
Luk 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is
written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God.
We live by
eating. No one will dispute the fact that without physical sustenance we would
die. When someone is in the hospital and they can't eat solid food they are
given nutrition in a bag, not just a normal IV filled with liquid, but liquid
that has additives that give that liquid nutrients as if the person were
actually eating solid food- all the vitamins, minerals, and everything they need
without actually eating. When a
loved one of mine was in the hospital and hadn't eaten for five days they had to
call in a nutritionist to calculate what should be put in his liquid nutrition.
It wasn't a matter of simply hanging up yet another bag of fluids with the ones
already there. This was a very special bag of liquid food they were making- why?
Because the body needs food, it needs to eat, it needs the nutrition we get
from food in order for it to stay alive. A person can and many unfortunately
do- starve to death without the necessary food. Ideally we are meant to eat daily. And the best of saints along with the
worst of sinners must eat food daily.
The difference between saint and sinner is the saint knows that they
might as well be dead than live without the daily bread that is the WORD of GOD.
The daily bread - our daily sustenance does not bring full life- but the WORD of
GOD brings full life- life eternal-spiritual life. Yes, we must eat food to
live, but just eating food to live will not give us spiritual life. The WORD of
GOD will feed our spiritual life.
We need spiritual food daily every bit as much as we need physical food,
but people don't seem to fully comprehend this.
People are
starving spiritually, barely existing on maybe one spiritual meal a week. Others are spiritually dead not even
receiving that weekly spiritual feeding. If we wonder why we might not be
spiritually strong could it be we are not getting our daily bread? Could it be
we are trying to live by bread alone and not by every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of God?
Hunger pangs
tells us we need food. Spiritual hunger pangs hit us ALL the time and we choose
to ignore them and in their place substitute other things- thinking that'll take
care of the spiritual hunger pangs. We shove alcohol, pills, sex, video games,
online games, people, work, play- we shove everything we can into our spirit
void wanting to dull the pangs of life with all those things that can never
ever fully satisfy the spiritual hunger inside us all.
It's true also
that people who eat don't always get the proper nutrition while they're eating
still end up dying because they didn't get the proper nutrition.
Silly? No. Take scurvy for one example. Up to a million people over the
course of many, many years have died from scurvy-lacking vitamin c in their
diets- these people were mostly sailors who would exist on dried salted meats
and dried grains as they took their sea voyages. So they had food but it wasn't
necessarily all the food they needed, the proper food, the correct
nutrients.
Spiritually was
shove all sorts of food into our spiritual life hoping to feed the spiritual
hunger that exists inside us, but all that food being shoved into our spiritual
life isn't necessary the spiritual food we truly need to live a Spiritual life
in Christ- the source of all things truly spiritually necessary.
Daily we need
spiritual food every bit as much as we need tangible food.
Means what? Every day.
Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the
commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my
necessary food.
Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and
follow me.
Act 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every
house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Daily teaching
and preaching Jesus Christ. Daily
learning. We must daily learn more and more of our Savior. If we study ANYTHING
in God's word and it does NOT point us to our Savior then we are NOT studying as
God would have us study. Every
prophecy we study is with the realization that the prophecy points towards one
ultimate fulfillment- Christ and
His return bringing His kingdom with Him.
Some will lose
interest in prophecy studying quickly because there is so much history
involved, and to many history is boring.
People have gone to great lengths to make prophecy lectures and whatnot-
exciting. Babes in the word of God need that simple feeding, those enticing bits
that piqué interest. Those who are
NOT babes in the word need much more than a simple feeding, they need something
they can chew. Those who are not babes understand that a tough bit of meat may
take a long time to chew, and while the goal is biting, chewing, and ultimately
swallowing our food it's not always something that is done in a few seconds.
Have you ever had food in your mouth that has made your jaw tired from chewing?
I know I have. The word of God can mean studying things that cause our minds to
ache, our spiritual teeth to hurt.
Sure we can live on spiritual baby food, never, ever studying to the
point we are wresting with things to gain understanding. We can believe that all
we are required to do is read simple, easy to understand verses about God's love
and never, ever try to comprehend the harder things of Scripture- leaving them
for greater minds than ours- but that isn't what our God wants from us. God
wants us to grow up in our spiritual lives every bit as much as we grow up in
our physical lives.
How many, many
hours of tedious schooling did you have when you were growing up? And all that
tedious schooling, all those hours of homework, all that time spent studying
was to prepare you for a future giving you knowledge.
We find it heartbreaking when we hear of children being denied the chance
at an education. We think about how much knowledge the children are missing out
on when they don't attend a school, or get schooling at home. While some are
great advocates of something called 'unschooling'
allowing children to learn only that which truly interests them, that
doesn't mean they are opposed to schooling children- they give those children
access and means to LEARN only the focus is on their interests.
The children who are taken out of school, or never have an opportunity to
go, those who don't even have the opportunity to be school in things of their
interest are those we understand innately are being deprived of a chance to grow
mentally. People have fought hard to be able to gain the right to be taught,
the right to learn rather than stay in a set routine of life- following only
down the path of their forefathers.
People today pay thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars for
higher education- for MORE learning than is deemed required by our various
governments. Our secular learning
is that important, yet all the secular learning in the world, all the degrees in
the world, all the education we can possibly gain means NOTHING in the eternal
realm. If we neglect our
spiritual education and only focus on our temporal flesh education we might have
a great secular, temporary life but lose life eternal.
We NEED a spiritual education that NEVER ends. We need a spiritual
feeding daily, and the food we eat will vary. Some days our spiritual food will
be light and easy to comprehend, to digest. Other days our spiritual food will
be tough and not so easy to comprehend, or digest.
We cannot shun the food meant for those grown up no longer needing just the milk of babes in Christ, we
have to be willing to chew.
To me these
prophecy studies are filled with a lot of tough spiritual meat that will make us
chew long and hard before we can swallow it. Because the studies are such tough meat
it will take perseverance to get
through it all, but we can by the grace of God. I'm not looking to make these studies
light and fluffy so everyone will want to gobble them up, I'm looking to make
these studies filled with TRUTH!
Those who desire truth enough to read through all the boring stuff will
be rewarded, right? When truth is presented it pushes out the untruth, is
shoves aside the doubts that Satan will push at us trying to get us to falter
and fail.
Let's read the
following and while we are reading it note how prophecy is mentioned--
Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power,
did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Act 6:9 Then there arose certain of the
synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and
Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the
wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Act 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We
have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Act 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the
elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to
the council,
Act 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said,
This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the
law:
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this
Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which
Moses delivered us.
Act 6:15 And all that sat in the council,
looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Act 7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these
things so?
Act 7:2 And he said, Men, brethren, and
fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was
in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
Act 7:3 And said unto him, Get
thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I
shall shew thee.
(PROPHECY) If
Abraham were to listen a land would be shown him- a prophetic - conditional
happenstance.
Act 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the
Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he
removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
Act 7:5 And he gave him none inheritance in it,
no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to
him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
(PROPHECY) a
promise that Abraham's seed after him would inherit- and Abraham had no
children!
Act 7:6 And God spake on this wise, That his
seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into
bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
Act 7:7 And the nation to whom they shall be in
bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve
me in this place.
(PROPHECY) Four
hundred years of evil would befall Abraham's seed.
A prophecy encompassing four hundred future years!
Act 7:8 And he gave him the covenant of
circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day;
and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
Act 7:9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy,
sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
Act 7:10 And delivered him out of all his
afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of
Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Act 7:11 Now there came a dearth over all the
land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no
sustenance.
Act 7:12 But when Jacob heard that there was
corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
Act 7:13 And at the second time Joseph was made
known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
Act 7:14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father
Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
Act 7:15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and
died, he, and our fathers,
Act 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and
laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of
Emmor the father of Sychem.
Act 7:17 But when the time of the promise drew
nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Act 7:18 Till another king arose, which knew not
Joseph.
Act 7:19 The same dealt subtilly with our
kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young
children, to the end they might not live.
Act 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was
exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:
Act 7:21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's
daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Act 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom
of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Act 7:23 And when he was full forty years old,
it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
Act 7:24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he
defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
Act 7:25 For he supposed his brethren would have
understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood
not.
Act 7:26 And the next day he shewed himself unto
them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are
brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
Act 7:27 But he that did his neighbour wrong
thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
Act 7:28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the
Egyptian yesterday?
Act 7:29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was
a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
Act 7:30 And when forty years were expired,
there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a
flame of fire in a bush.
Act 7:31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the
sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
Act 7:32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers,
the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses
trembled, and durst not behold.
Act 7:33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy
shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
Act 7:34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction
of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come
down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
Act 7:35 This Moses whom they refused, saying,
Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a
deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
Act 7:36 He brought them out, after that he had
shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the
wilderness forty years.
Act 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the
children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your
brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in
the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our
fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Act 7:39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but
thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
Act 7:40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go
before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we
wot not what is become of him.
Act 7:41 And they made a calf in those days, and
offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Act 7:42 Then God turned, and gave them up to
worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye
house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space
of forty years in the wilderness?
Act 7:43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of
Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them:
and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
Act 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of
witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he
should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
(PROPHECY) Fulfilled!
What was told to Abraham came to pass.
Act 7:45 Which also our fathers that came after
brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out
before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
Act 7:46 Who found favour before God, and
desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
Act 7:47 But Solomon built him an house.
Act 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in
temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my
footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of
my rest?
Act 7:50 Hath not my hand made all these things?
Act 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in
heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do
ye.
Act 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your
fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming
of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Act 7:53 Who have received the law by the
disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Prophets
persecuted, prophets slain, those which showed the coming of the SAVIOR. The Savior betrayed and murdered.
Act 7:54 When they heard these things, they were
cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost,
looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing
on the right hand of God,
Act 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens
opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Act 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice,
and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and
stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet,
whose name was Saul.
Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon
God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Act 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a
loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this,
he fell asleep.
Prophecy. Stephen recounted the importance of
prophecy in his last speech. Did
he say- 'Hey everyone, prophecy is important, so read it, study it.' ? No. He didn't use those words but His
entire speech revealed prophecy and how it'd been fulfilled and was even then
being fulfilled. He pointed out to
the very people who were about to murder him that their fathers had done the
same thing to other prophets-murdered them. We want truth, all truth, but so many just want
fables and fancy.
We are given
prophecy- not just to shove it away as being overcooked meat too tough to even
bother to chew. We are given prophecy so that we can comprehend the fullness of
truth found in our Savior!
Having said all
this… let's continue tomorrow with our prophecy studies …for those who want meat
to chew keep reading, those who don't, I'm sure there are a lot of blogs out
there that suit more of what you desire and by the grace of God may we all find
the spiritual eternal life we seek in our Savior, in His righteousness!
In His love!
Amen.
{2:1} And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with
excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the
testimony of God. {2:2} For I determined not to know any
thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
The IMPORTANT thing- not excellency in speaking; not excellency in wisdom; not holding a PHD in religion, or in public speaking, or in charisma- but rather KNOWING Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
We tend to give credit to people who are naturally attractive and well poised. We tend to give our attention to those who can make us feel good about ourselves. We look up to people who are sheer genius and go- now why couldn't I have done/thought of that? Our hats go off to those who are accomplished in society. We applaud those who can come across as someone you can trust just by speaking to us. How many people have lost millions of dollars over the years to those who have 'talked them' out of their life savings? These brilliant, captivating people who seemingly have an excellency of speech with a healthy side order of wisdom can bilk hundreds, thousands of people and yet we still are amazed and wowed by those who make us feel good about OURSELVES. A man cannot talk another man into investing thousands of dollars unless they've made the person feel good about what they are doing. The best way to talk a man out of his money is to make it seem like he is doing the SMART thing, the WISE thing, the GOOD thing, the thing that will prove to be right in their own eyes. The more you can convince a man of HIS own genius the more money you can take from him.
Is it any wonder at all that Paul says here - I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God. It really is no wonder at all. Paul wasn't a smooth talker, able to sway with his special charasmatic manner or brilliant wisdom as the world knew. Paul was determined to just know Jesus Christ and Him crucified- that's it! To know Christ! To know the wonder of the cross! If more of us would seek the wonder of the cross and get our minds off ourselves and the superficial things how much better off we would be. If instead of looking to Christ to puff ourselves up we looked to Him just to KNOW Him our eyes would be taken off our selves and trained up the only righteousness that exists, Christ's.
I've heard the saying- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Have you heard that? Maybe you've had a disagreement with someone and there's a bit of arguing and the retort that is thrown into your face is- 'You are making this ALL about YOU.' Arguments usually result when one person believes they are right and another not quite so right. One person believes their thoughts and such are on the right track, while another's aren't. The last argument you had- think about it if you can, did you want to drive your own opinion, your own beliefs, your own point home? Did you want to get the other person to somehow agree that you are in the right over them? If they'd just stop arguing and listen to... who? You? Yes. If they'd just stop all their fussing and see reason, why they'd surely see your point of view on the matter. Why do they have to be so stubborn?
Don't you see, it's all about US.
When it should be all about JESUS and Him crucified. The power of God is in the cross. Knowing Jesus and Him crucified should be our ONLY concern.
The other saying, 'What would Jesus do?' Is very appropriate in the sense, what would the Lord Jesus have me doing in light of His crucifiction; what would Jesus have me do to glorify Him to point all others and myself solely to Him and the cross? We can't get caught up in this - I know what Jesus would do and bad me, I'm doing just the opposite or I know what Jesus would do and look at me, I'm doing it. Our doing anything other than seeking Him in the wonder of the cross is nothing. We could help fifty old ladies across the street because we believe that's what Jesus would do, but unless we know Jesus as our constant and personal Lord and Savior we could do what Jesus would do forever and still not be known by Him.
May the Lord turn our eyes solely upon Him and His wondrous sacrifice. Make we seek to know Christ and Him crucified first and foremost. That is- KNOW CHRIST, not know ourselves. We must seek to know CHRIST not self even in the light of Christ. Christ first always!
By His mercy, by His grace, by His love and sacrifice we are saved, now and forever.
Amen.
8/6/10
Hannah- bring Samuel to Eli at the temple--
Sa 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
1Sa 1:25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
1Sa 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
1Sa 1:27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
1Sa 1:28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
The LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.
Therefore also I have LENT him to the LORD.
As long as he liveth he shall be LENT to the LORD.
And he worshipped the LORD there.
Lent to the Lord.
When we think of lending something we don't think of it as a permanent lending or else we'd just say we are just giving that thing away, no lending involved. Hannah was giving Samuel- her longed for son- to God. Yet she didn't say she was giving him to the LORD she said she was lending him and then she clarified that. She was lending her son to the Lord for as long as he LIVED. So why the lending? Maybe there's some deeper meaning of all this I'm missing, something to explain the whole 'lent' thing, but in my simple thoughts it speaks volumes to me. The Lord granted Hannah a desire that she had in the depths of her heart and in response to that granting, Hannah promised to give back the very thing she longed for. The very answer to her prayer and she was offering to give it up if she received it. Doesn't that seem sort of strange? What if Hannah's lending Samuel was stated that way because Samuel would forever be part of her life. Part of Samuel would never leave Hannah. The wonderful miracle of the answered prayer, the fulfilling of a heart's desire, this would always be with Hannah, always. The miracle of carrying a child, or being part of that amazing act of bringing life into the world- this was Hannah's desire. Having that child to care for and raise was what she longed for. Her husband had children by another, and even though he treated her even better than his other wife and children she still wanted children. It didn't appear as if she want a child to make her husband happy. It didn't appear as if her husband thought less of Hannah for her lack of child bearing. This desire of Hannah's was something coming deep from within her and as a woman, I can relate to this particular desire. The fact that Hannah was going to give up the very thing she longed for is something I can't completely relate to. The idea of giving up my longed for child would have been unimaginable to me. Even now I want to have my hand in the lives of my children. This selfless act of Hannah's was amazing. Hannah really meant she was lending Samuel to the Lord, the Lord had lent Samuel to her and she was giving Him back to serve the Lord.
We all have desires in our hearts. We all know what it means to pray from the heart, crying out to the Lord for the thing we long for. Sometimes God answers us exactly as we expect, other times God answers us in what we might consider a roundabout way. God desires that we give Him thanks for the gifts He bestows on us, the prayers He answers. God also desires that we hold true to our word if we give it to Him. We have to be very careful what we pray don't we? It's easy to pray to God and promise Him this, that, and the other thing, people do it all the time. Do people always hold true to their promises? No. Does God expect them to ? Yes. Hannah promised God something if her prayer was answered and Hannah held true to that promise. In her heart she wasn't losing a son, she was lending Him back to the Lord, a promise made, a promise fulfilled.
There is much more here to study and I'm going to continue to do so but not tonight. The Lord is wonderful and He knows our heart's desires, He knows our everything there is to know about us. May He answer my prayer to know Him and for Him to know me, to bless me, to forgive me, to love me. May this be the prayer of us all.
By His Grace!
In His LOVE!
Amen.
II 8/6/10
Hannah prayed after she brought her very young son to live with the High Priest Eli. Biblical scholars estimate that Samuel- Hannah's son- was between 3 and 5 years old.
( 2Ch 31:16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses)
Hannah did not bring a child who couldn't understand instruction and follow commands. Hannah did not bring a child who had to be cared for in every little thing. Hannah brought a child that was old enough to listen and obey, she brought a child that could tend to his own needs- feed himself, wash himself. It's not really a stretch to imagine Samuel 4 or 5 years old, the age we send most children to kindergarten. Samuel was to be molded by Eli- taught the ways of God because Hannah lent Him to God for the rest of His life.
1Sa 2:11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
Elkanah- Hannah's husband- returned to Ramah, Hannah with him, leaving Samuel at the temple and what did Samuel do? Samuel MINISTERED to the LORD before Eli the priest! Yes, Samuel definitely had to be out of his infant/toddler stage and right on up there into his childhood when Hannah brought Him to the temple and lent him to the Lord. I can just imagine the life Samuel had to have led with his mother. He had to have been taught daily about the Lord He was promised to. Hannah wouldn't have been cruel and kept Him in the dark as to his future. She knew from the moment she realized that she'd conceive that the child in her womb was only loaned to her by God. Upon his birth I can only imagine Hannah's thoughts of joy even knowing she would one day be without her son. Can you just picture her looking down into the little scrunched up newborn's face, his tiny fingers wrapped around one of hers as she told him right then and there that He was God's. Hannah laid no permanent claim to Samuel and he grew up knowing this. He was promised to God and he would go to the Temple when he was older and there he would serve God by serving the High Priest. He knew this from the moment he could comprehend Samuel understood that his life was spoken for. Samuel knew he would be leaving his mother and father as well as the only home he knew and he also knew it was an honor, a great thing that he would be doing-- something to be much desired. Hannah's love of God was instilled in her son. Going away to the temple wasn't something dread but a day to look forward to. Hannah left her son but not in tears of sadness. Was she going to miss him? Yes. Would he miss her? Of course he would. God's greater purpose was what ruled their lives and nothing else.
Some might argue that Hannah's desire for a child was pure selfishness, that her heart aching for a child of her own was wrong, that she should have just trusted that God would allow her to have a child or not as He wills. Others might say that God knowing Hannah's every need understood that she might need a child and Hannah lacked the trust she should have had in God by praying as she did. What matters most is God and His will, not ours, not even our understanding. We don't know all of what Hannah prayed--
1Sa 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
1Sa 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1Sa 1:12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying
She continued praying, how long she prayed, what she prayed we do not know. We do know that she was being watched and Eli, the High Priest believed her to be drunk. Intervening he asked her how long she'd drink and told her she should put away the wine. Eli didn't know that Hannah's sorrowful prayer- of the sort that would cause her actions in prayer to be misinterpreted as a drunken woman's- was coming from the depths of her heart. Eli didn't know what Hannah prayed for, what her heart's affliction was. But when Hannah answered him with respect and explained herself as only one that wasn't drunk could, Eli said this…
1Sa 1:17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Go in peace.
The God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
Eli's response was one of genuine understanding. He wanted the very sorrowful Hannah to go in peace not in upset, he wanted her petition- the petition of such intensity- to be granted and he didn't even know what it was she'd prayed for.
Hannah's response was one of gratitude. Here the High Priest in God's Holy Temple was telling her that he was right there with her- wanting God to hear her and answer her as she desired. Faith, belief in God and trust in those God has called into His service- so amazing. Hannah left Eli…
1Sa 1:18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
…and was no longer sad. Amazing. The faith she revealed was wonderful. God rewards faith, time and time again we can read of how much God rewards those who truly believe in Him, even if the rewards aren't always immediate. We can believe in all God promises.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Heb 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Heb 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Heb 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Heb 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Hannah was no longer sad, she believed that God would indeed grant her petition and He did. Amazing.
No, even the most sincere, heartfelt prayer can go seemingly unheard, the petition not granted, but God has His plans, His ways and we need to belief, we need to have that faith that can make us turn away from our heart wrenching petitions and no longer be sad.
More on this study to come. : )
All glory to our Savior!
All praise to our Creator!
By His mercy!
By His grace!
Forever and always God's will be done!
Amen.
8/6/11
God's holy word,
God's holy prophecies.
Act 17:11 ... in that they received the word with
all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things
were so.
Searched the
scriptures DAILY.
Luk 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is
written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God.
We live by
eating. No one will dispute the fact that without physical sustenance we would
die. When someone is in the hospital and they can't eat solid food they are
given nutrition in a bag, not just a normal IV filled with liquid, but liquid
that has additives that give that liquid nutrients as if the person were
actually eating solid food- all the vitamins, minerals, and everything they need
without actually eating. When a
loved one of mine was in the hospital and hadn't eaten for five days they had to
call in a nutritionist to calculate what should be put in his liquid nutrition.
It wasn't a matter of simply hanging up yet another bag of fluids with the ones
already there. This was a very special bag of liquid food they were making- why?
Because the body needs food, it needs to eat, it needs the nutrition we get
from food in order for it to stay alive. A person can and many unfortunately
do- starve to death without the necessary food. Ideally we are meant to eat daily. And the best of saints along with the
worst of sinners must eat food daily.
The difference between saint and sinner is the saint knows that they
might as well be dead than live without the daily bread that is the WORD of GOD.
The daily bread - our daily sustenance does not bring full life- but the WORD of
GOD brings full life- life eternal-spiritual life. Yes, we must eat food to
live, but just eating food to live will not give us spiritual life. The WORD of
GOD will feed our spiritual life.
We need spiritual food daily every bit as much as we need physical food,
but people don't seem to fully comprehend this.
People are
starving spiritually, barely existing on maybe one spiritual meal a week. Others are spiritually dead not even
receiving that weekly spiritual feeding. If we wonder why we might not be
spiritually strong could it be we are not getting our daily bread? Could it be
we are trying to live by bread alone and not by every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of God?
Hunger pangs
tells us we need food. Spiritual hunger pangs hit us ALL the time and we choose
to ignore them and in their place substitute other things- thinking that'll take
care of the spiritual hunger pangs. We shove alcohol, pills, sex, video games,
online games, people, work, play- we shove everything we can into our spirit
void wanting to dull the pangs of life with all those things that can never
ever fully satisfy the spiritual hunger inside us all.
It's true also
that people who eat don't always get the proper nutrition while they're eating
still end up dying because they didn't get the proper nutrition.
Silly? No. Take scurvy for one example. Up to a million people over the
course of many, many years have died from scurvy-lacking vitamin c in their
diets- these people were mostly sailors who would exist on dried salted meats
and dried grains as they took their sea voyages. So they had food but it wasn't
necessarily all the food they needed, the proper food, the correct
nutrients.
Spiritually was
shove all sorts of food into our spiritual life hoping to feed the spiritual
hunger that exists inside us, but all that food being shoved into our spiritual
life isn't necessary the spiritual food we truly need to live a Spiritual life
in Christ- the source of all things truly spiritually necessary.
Daily we need
spiritual food every bit as much as we need tangible food.
Means what? Every day.
Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the
commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my
necessary food.
Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and
follow me.
Act 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every
house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Daily teaching
and preaching Jesus Christ. Daily
learning. We must daily learn more and more of our Savior. If we study ANYTHING
in God's word and it does NOT point us to our Savior then we are NOT studying as
God would have us study. Every
prophecy we study is with the realization that the prophecy points towards one
ultimate fulfillment- Christ and
His return bringing His kingdom with Him.
Some will lose
interest in prophecy studying quickly because there is so much history
involved, and to many history is boring.
People have gone to great lengths to make prophecy lectures and whatnot-
exciting. Babes in the word of God need that simple feeding, those enticing bits
that piqué interest. Those who are
NOT babes in the word need much more than a simple feeding, they need something
they can chew. Those who are not babes understand that a tough bit of meat may
take a long time to chew, and while the goal is biting, chewing, and ultimately
swallowing our food it's not always something that is done in a few seconds.
Have you ever had food in your mouth that has made your jaw tired from chewing?
I know I have. The word of God can mean studying things that cause our minds to
ache, our spiritual teeth to hurt.
Sure we can live on spiritual baby food, never, ever studying to the
point we are wresting with things to gain understanding. We can believe that all
we are required to do is read simple, easy to understand verses about God's love
and never, ever try to comprehend the harder things of Scripture- leaving them
for greater minds than ours- but that isn't what our God wants from us. God
wants us to grow up in our spiritual lives every bit as much as we grow up in
our physical lives.
How many, many
hours of tedious schooling did you have when you were growing up? And all that
tedious schooling, all those hours of homework, all that time spent studying
was to prepare you for a future giving you knowledge.
We find it heartbreaking when we hear of children being denied the chance
at an education. We think about how much knowledge the children are missing out
on when they don't attend a school, or get schooling at home. While some are
great advocates of something called 'unschooling'
allowing children to learn only that which truly interests them, that
doesn't mean they are opposed to schooling children- they give those children
access and means to LEARN only the focus is on their interests.
The children who are taken out of school, or never have an opportunity to
go, those who don't even have the opportunity to be school in things of their
interest are those we understand innately are being deprived of a chance to grow
mentally. People have fought hard to be able to gain the right to be taught,
the right to learn rather than stay in a set routine of life- following only
down the path of their forefathers.
People today pay thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars for
higher education- for MORE learning than is deemed required by our various
governments. Our secular learning
is that important, yet all the secular learning in the world, all the degrees in
the world, all the education we can possibly gain means NOTHING in the eternal
realm. If we neglect our
spiritual education and only focus on our temporal flesh education we might have
a great secular, temporary life but lose life eternal.
We NEED a spiritual education that NEVER ends. We need a spiritual
feeding daily, and the food we eat will vary. Some days our spiritual food will
be light and easy to comprehend, to digest. Other days our spiritual food will
be tough and not so easy to comprehend, or digest.
We cannot shun the food meant for those grown up no longer needing just the milk of babes in Christ, we
have to be willing to chew.
To me these
prophecy studies are filled with a lot of tough spiritual meat that will make us
chew long and hard before we can swallow it. Because the studies are such tough meat
it will take perseverance to get
through it all, but we can by the grace of God. I'm not looking to make these studies
light and fluffy so everyone will want to gobble them up, I'm looking to make
these studies filled with TRUTH!
Those who desire truth enough to read through all the boring stuff will
be rewarded, right? When truth is presented it pushes out the untruth, is
shoves aside the doubts that Satan will push at us trying to get us to falter
and fail.
Let's read the
following and while we are reading it note how prophecy is mentioned--
Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power,
did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Act 6:9 Then there arose certain of the
synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and
Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the
wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Act 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We
have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Act 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the
elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to
the council,
Act 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said,
This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the
law:
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this
Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which
Moses delivered us.
Act 6:15 And all that sat in the council,
looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Act 7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these
things so?
Act 7:2 And he said, Men, brethren, and
fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was
in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
Act 7:3 And said unto him, Get
thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I
shall shew thee.
(PROPHECY) If
Abraham were to listen a land would be shown him- a prophetic - conditional
happenstance.
Act 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the
Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he
removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
Act 7:5 And he gave him none inheritance in it,
no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to
him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
(PROPHECY) a
promise that Abraham's seed after him would inherit- and Abraham had no
children!
Act 7:6 And God spake on this wise, That his
seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into
bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
Act 7:7 And the nation to whom they shall be in
bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve
me in this place.
(PROPHECY) Four
hundred years of evil would befall Abraham's seed.
A prophecy encompassing four hundred future years!
Act 7:8 And he gave him the covenant of
circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day;
and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
Act 7:9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy,
sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
Act 7:10 And delivered him out of all his
afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of
Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Act 7:11 Now there came a dearth over all the
land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no
sustenance.
Act 7:12 But when Jacob heard that there was
corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
Act 7:13 And at the second time Joseph was made
known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
Act 7:14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father
Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
Act 7:15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and
died, he, and our fathers,
Act 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and
laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of
Emmor the father of Sychem.
Act 7:17 But when the time of the promise drew
nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Act 7:18 Till another king arose, which knew not
Joseph.
Act 7:19 The same dealt subtilly with our
kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young
children, to the end they might not live.
Act 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was
exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:
Act 7:21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's
daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Act 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom
of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Act 7:23 And when he was full forty years old,
it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
Act 7:24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he
defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
Act 7:25 For he supposed his brethren would have
understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood
not.
Act 7:26 And the next day he shewed himself unto
them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are
brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
Act 7:27 But he that did his neighbour wrong
thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
Act 7:28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the
Egyptian yesterday?
Act 7:29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was
a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
Act 7:30 And when forty years were expired,
there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a
flame of fire in a bush.
Act 7:31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the
sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
Act 7:32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers,
the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses
trembled, and durst not behold.
Act 7:33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy
shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
Act 7:34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction
of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come
down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
Act 7:35 This Moses whom they refused, saying,
Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a
deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
Act 7:36 He brought them out, after that he had
shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the
wilderness forty years.
Act 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the
children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your
brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in
the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our
fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Act 7:39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but
thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
Act 7:40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go
before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we
wot not what is become of him.
Act 7:41 And they made a calf in those days, and
offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Act 7:42 Then God turned, and gave them up to
worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye
house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space
of forty years in the wilderness?
Act 7:43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of
Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them:
and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
Act 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of
witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he
should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
(PROPHECY) Fulfilled!
What was told to Abraham came to pass.
Act 7:45 Which also our fathers that came after
brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out
before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
Act 7:46 Who found favour before God, and
desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
Act 7:47 But Solomon built him an house.
Act 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in
temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my
footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of
my rest?
Act 7:50 Hath not my hand made all these things?
Act 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in
heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do
ye.
Act 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your
fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming
of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Act 7:53 Who have received the law by the
disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Prophets
persecuted, prophets slain, those which showed the coming of the SAVIOR. The Savior betrayed and murdered.
Act 7:54 When they heard these things, they were
cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost,
looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing
on the right hand of God,
Act 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens
opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Act 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice,
and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and
stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet,
whose name was Saul.
Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon
God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Act 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a
loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this,
he fell asleep.
Prophecy. Stephen recounted the importance of
prophecy in his last speech. Did
he say- 'Hey everyone, prophecy is important, so read it, study it.' ? No. He didn't use those words but His
entire speech revealed prophecy and how it'd been fulfilled and was even then
being fulfilled. He pointed out to
the very people who were about to murder him that their fathers had done the
same thing to other prophets-murdered them. We want truth, all truth, but so many just want
fables and fancy.
We are given
prophecy- not just to shove it away as being overcooked meat too tough to even
bother to chew. We are given prophecy so that we can comprehend the fullness of
truth found in our Savior!
Having said all
this… let's continue tomorrow with our prophecy studies …for those who want meat
to chew keep reading, those who don't, I'm sure there are a lot of blogs out
there that suit more of what you desire and by the grace of God may we all find
the spiritual eternal life we seek in our Savior, in His righteousness!
In His love!
Amen.