Don't you hate that? Not that I'm a Chrysler guy, and I'm sure the name isn't going to vanish, but it just seems as though some of our 'icons' are crumbling in this country. That's sad for several reasons. I was a child in the 70's, which weren't the greatest economically. But about the time I started to pay attention in the 80's we were entering a time of unparalleled prosperity in the US. I was proud to be an American, for sure. As I grew a bit older yet, I started to realize that God does this from time to time - setting up world powers and bringing them back down. It's all up to Him. Why does He do it?
For one, it will create a marked difference between our meager empires and the one He will set up on earth. We will see that sans corruption, a nation does not have to disolve or atrophy from within over time. His regime will not be subject to corruption. His power will not peak and wane. His sovereignty will be undeniable to every leader on earth, and there will be no freedom to protest Him publically at all - until the end. The Bible says He will rule with an iron scepter - that means He will be unmoved in His policy. It will be a great time to be 'all in' as a Christ-follower. It will be a horrid time to be an enemy of the Lord.
Unlike some, I do not think that technology will disappear during the Millennium. It will be in use during the entirety of the Tribulation. For those who survive it, it won't simply disappear. Jesus will most-likely reign over a modern society - proving that technology is not the cause of our sin. If my speculation is accurate, then that is good, good news for the car companies of the future.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Flu
Have you seen the pictures of Mexico lately? Not only of the earthquake today, but of all the people wearing masks to protect from the swine flu. Scary stuff. Is it a sign?
You bet.
Things happen on earth often as a picture of what is happening spiritually. We have already talked about the bees disappearing.
People are wearing masks to keep from breathing in a virus - something in the air - that has the potential to make them extremely sick.
Poison air is not only a physical truth these days. There's so much garbage being taught - even in the church.
2Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
People are breathing poison air - and the people that Timothy was speaking of will NOT be willing to change their minds. So for all my friends and family that - despite their occupation - have given themselves to the ministry of God, remember this:
2Ti 4:5
(5) But you be clear-minded in all, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your ministry.
Peace.
You bet.
Things happen on earth often as a picture of what is happening spiritually. We have already talked about the bees disappearing.
People are wearing masks to keep from breathing in a virus - something in the air - that has the potential to make them extremely sick.
Poison air is not only a physical truth these days. There's so much garbage being taught - even in the church.
2Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
People are breathing poison air - and the people that Timothy was speaking of will NOT be willing to change their minds. So for all my friends and family that - despite their occupation - have given themselves to the ministry of God, remember this:
2Ti 4:5
(5) But you be clear-minded in all, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your ministry.
Peace.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
"Priests"
Back in the apostle John's time, there were a group of people called the Nicolaitans. These guys did not get rave reviews from Jesus.
(Rev 2:6) But you have this, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
(Rev 2:15) So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Here are two very strong sentences from the Lord. Why would He have such a hatred for the teachings of these people? Most scholars on the subject believe that this was a group who were interested in profiting from religion. Nico - means 'control', and 'laitan' from the word we get 'laity' - or church folk. So, a group who wanted to control the church members. They did it by telling them that only they (the 'priests') were able to translate the text properly. Therefore, the common folk were to come to them for all matters spiritual - including forgiveness. No wonder Jesus had nothing good to say about that. It's exactly what He died to remove - the need for an intermediary between us and Him!
I was watching TV this weekend - the History Channel. There is some good stuff on the History Channel... it's never on when I'm watching. Actually some of this was good. It was a bunch of scientists talking about the validity of end-time prophecies: could they happen... could they be imagined...
Basically they were asking a bunch of scientists if there was a chance the Bible could be true (or any other apocalyptic books). As you might think - some said yay, some nay. They all had these highly scientific reasons why or why not.
It struck me. Science has its own priesthood. If some high-educated person is telling me that the depletion of the earth's magnetic field could in fact draw in more sunlight, thus warming the globe, thus creating dangerous fungal blooms in the oceans, thus creating red-tide, thus granting credence to the biblical promise that the oceans will turn to blood, who am I to argue? What do I know about that level of science?
What does anyone know about that level of science? Only a scientific priesthood, of sorts. What a dangerous thing - seeing as a good portion of the world puts much more faith in science than they do the word of God. Why be sheep to a scientific shepherd? Be a sheep of the Good Shepherd - who has shared His plan with you and wants to educate us all! But beyond that - know that it's a safe place. God is never wrong - nor does He abandon His sheep. If we are His - He takes care of the details.
(Rev 2:6) But you have this, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
(Rev 2:15) So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Here are two very strong sentences from the Lord. Why would He have such a hatred for the teachings of these people? Most scholars on the subject believe that this was a group who were interested in profiting from religion. Nico - means 'control', and 'laitan' from the word we get 'laity' - or church folk. So, a group who wanted to control the church members. They did it by telling them that only they (the 'priests') were able to translate the text properly. Therefore, the common folk were to come to them for all matters spiritual - including forgiveness. No wonder Jesus had nothing good to say about that. It's exactly what He died to remove - the need for an intermediary between us and Him!
I was watching TV this weekend - the History Channel. There is some good stuff on the History Channel... it's never on when I'm watching. Actually some of this was good. It was a bunch of scientists talking about the validity of end-time prophecies: could they happen... could they be imagined...
Basically they were asking a bunch of scientists if there was a chance the Bible could be true (or any other apocalyptic books). As you might think - some said yay, some nay. They all had these highly scientific reasons why or why not.
It struck me. Science has its own priesthood. If some high-educated person is telling me that the depletion of the earth's magnetic field could in fact draw in more sunlight, thus warming the globe, thus creating dangerous fungal blooms in the oceans, thus creating red-tide, thus granting credence to the biblical promise that the oceans will turn to blood, who am I to argue? What do I know about that level of science?
What does anyone know about that level of science? Only a scientific priesthood, of sorts. What a dangerous thing - seeing as a good portion of the world puts much more faith in science than they do the word of God. Why be sheep to a scientific shepherd? Be a sheep of the Good Shepherd - who has shared His plan with you and wants to educate us all! But beyond that - know that it's a safe place. God is never wrong - nor does He abandon His sheep. If we are His - He takes care of the details.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Going Deeper
God is bigger than we think. He does things for our benefit, whether we ever take advantage of them or not.
Have you noticed that He creates things like supernovas and binary stars, knowing full-well that most of us will never see more than an artist's rendition or a computer simulation.
He creates Mt. Everest, knowing that most of us will never get within a thousand miles of it.
He creates tube worms and vampire squid that live miles below the surface of the sea - far out of sight, reach, and in most cases... knowledge.
But all of that is there - part of His creation - done for our benefit to declare His glory.
His Word is much the same. It is a deep as one cares to explore. The Word is boundless, just like Him. How far do we wish to go with Him? Enoch went further than most of us. He walked with God - then he was not, because God took him. Why would God take him? Did he know that was coming? Were they so tight that God offered the prospect to Enoch and Enoch said, "Wow Lord, that sounds fun. Let's do it!" Just imagine what Enoch got in on. He went up - with God - to God - like Elijah did. Up. Now, back then, most went 'down' - into Abraham's bosom. So Enoch went where others did not go. He observed from an entirely different perspective, in all liklihood. He still is!
If we really want change, it's available to us. Most of us, however, have no real desire to change. We've made peace with the rut we are in. We are content to watch Everest on TV and look through our telescope at the heavenlies.
Enoch scoffs.
Have you noticed that He creates things like supernovas and binary stars, knowing full-well that most of us will never see more than an artist's rendition or a computer simulation.
He creates Mt. Everest, knowing that most of us will never get within a thousand miles of it.
He creates tube worms and vampire squid that live miles below the surface of the sea - far out of sight, reach, and in most cases... knowledge.
But all of that is there - part of His creation - done for our benefit to declare His glory.
His Word is much the same. It is a deep as one cares to explore. The Word is boundless, just like Him. How far do we wish to go with Him? Enoch went further than most of us. He walked with God - then he was not, because God took him. Why would God take him? Did he know that was coming? Were they so tight that God offered the prospect to Enoch and Enoch said, "Wow Lord, that sounds fun. Let's do it!" Just imagine what Enoch got in on. He went up - with God - to God - like Elijah did. Up. Now, back then, most went 'down' - into Abraham's bosom. So Enoch went where others did not go. He observed from an entirely different perspective, in all liklihood. He still is!
If we really want change, it's available to us. Most of us, however, have no real desire to change. We've made peace with the rut we are in. We are content to watch Everest on TV and look through our telescope at the heavenlies.
Enoch scoffs.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Not For The Curious
1Ki 6:4
(4) And for the house he made windows of narrow frames.
When Solomon built the temple, he placed on it narrow windows near the top, most likely. They were functional for allowing light in, and possibly allowing smoke out. They were not created to allow the curious to peer in, nor for the servants to look out.
The temple is a picture of our body.
1Co 6:19
(19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom you have of God? And you are not your own
What goes on within the confines of your spirit is really not for outsiders to know. There were certain people who were not allowed within the temple - namely 'gentiles'. The gentiles among us are those who do not belong to the Body of Christ. Even though we were all lost at one time, there is a difference between those who are searching for the Lord and those who are only curious - or perhaps 'dabbling' in 'religion'. Certain things were hidden from those who sought Jesus to satisfy their worldly curiosity.
Mar 4:33-34
(33) And with many such parables He spoke the Word to them (the curious onlookers), as they were able to hear it.
(34) But he did not speak to them without a parable. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
If interested, also read Joh 12:36-40.
Jesus told us not to 'cast our pearls before swine'. That means that the treasures we hold within us should not be shared with those who have no appreciation (or use) of them. Why? What can the enemy do?
Isaiah asked the question to Hezekiah:
2Ki 20:15
(15) And he said, What have they seen in your house? And Hezekiah answered, They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures which I have not shown to them.
Then the king of Babylon came, beseiged the city and carried all of the treasures off to his own country.
When we are not careful with what we treasure in our hearts, the enemy will beseige us and convince us - eventually - that what we once thought was treasure is in fact worthless. He has hauled our treasure off to Babylon.
Maintain your narrow windows. The enemy constantly tries to destroy what we hold dear - our testimonies, and our joy. Be watchful for that. Concentrate on showing only the love of Jesus and His good news to the unbelieving world.
(4) And for the house he made windows of narrow frames.
When Solomon built the temple, he placed on it narrow windows near the top, most likely. They were functional for allowing light in, and possibly allowing smoke out. They were not created to allow the curious to peer in, nor for the servants to look out.
The temple is a picture of our body.
1Co 6:19
(19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom you have of God? And you are not your own
What goes on within the confines of your spirit is really not for outsiders to know. There were certain people who were not allowed within the temple - namely 'gentiles'. The gentiles among us are those who do not belong to the Body of Christ. Even though we were all lost at one time, there is a difference between those who are searching for the Lord and those who are only curious - or perhaps 'dabbling' in 'religion'. Certain things were hidden from those who sought Jesus to satisfy their worldly curiosity.
Mar 4:33-34
(33) And with many such parables He spoke the Word to them (the curious onlookers), as they were able to hear it.
(34) But he did not speak to them without a parable. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
If interested, also read Joh 12:36-40.
Jesus told us not to 'cast our pearls before swine'. That means that the treasures we hold within us should not be shared with those who have no appreciation (or use) of them. Why? What can the enemy do?
Isaiah asked the question to Hezekiah:
2Ki 20:15
(15) And he said, What have they seen in your house? And Hezekiah answered, They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures which I have not shown to them.
Then the king of Babylon came, beseiged the city and carried all of the treasures off to his own country.
When we are not careful with what we treasure in our hearts, the enemy will beseige us and convince us - eventually - that what we once thought was treasure is in fact worthless. He has hauled our treasure off to Babylon.
Maintain your narrow windows. The enemy constantly tries to destroy what we hold dear - our testimonies, and our joy. Be watchful for that. Concentrate on showing only the love of Jesus and His good news to the unbelieving world.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
A Bunch of Broke, Wealthy People
I just took a look at my bank statement. Not pretty. For the most part, I just don't seem to be in any danger of getting rich. Work is work... success is always 'right around the corner'. The current market-place mood is 'hey, you've got a job - be happy with it'. Success at this point is a cost-of-living raise, right? Wow...
But even the rich folks are worried these days. Economic stability is extremely rare. They are rioting in London - attacking banks and throwing eggs at financiers.
Church sure is good, though, isn't it? I mean... isn't it? I'm here to tell you, I'm living for the weekends and prayer night. The Holy Spirit is alive and well and moving and doing the miraculous and sustaining people and surprising people right and left! People with no health are getting healed. People with no money are paying bills. People with no furniture are having it dropped on their doorstep (I, myself, have experienced this within the last month).
What a bunch of broke, wealthy people! There is NOTHING like being a child of the Most High. He does provide. He does care. He does intervene. He does repay. He does notice faithfulness and loyalty! Stay encouraged! Stay faithful! He doesn't want us to WASTE 10 seconds of our short lives feeling safe because of our bank account. Maybe THAT is why we're still driving the Kia. Maybe THAT is why Applebee's only comes along once a month (*sobs*). Maybe THAT is the reason I have to scalp my own lawn this year.
Ahh... do you know HIM?
But even the rich folks are worried these days. Economic stability is extremely rare. They are rioting in London - attacking banks and throwing eggs at financiers.
Church sure is good, though, isn't it? I mean... isn't it? I'm here to tell you, I'm living for the weekends and prayer night. The Holy Spirit is alive and well and moving and doing the miraculous and sustaining people and surprising people right and left! People with no health are getting healed. People with no money are paying bills. People with no furniture are having it dropped on their doorstep (I, myself, have experienced this within the last month).
What a bunch of broke, wealthy people! There is NOTHING like being a child of the Most High. He does provide. He does care. He does intervene. He does repay. He does notice faithfulness and loyalty! Stay encouraged! Stay faithful! He doesn't want us to WASTE 10 seconds of our short lives feeling safe because of our bank account. Maybe THAT is why we're still driving the Kia. Maybe THAT is why Applebee's only comes along once a month (*sobs*). Maybe THAT is the reason I have to scalp my own lawn this year.
Ahh... do you know HIM?
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