Tag: faith

NEW WINE IN OLD WINESKINS

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Luke 5:33 And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” 36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

The new wine would ferment more and release gasses that would cause the old wineskin to burst since the old wineskin had already shrunk all that it could schrink. The new cloth would shrinnk when washed, thus pulling away from the old cloth it was sewn to b/c the old cloth. That’s pretty easy to understand. So new wine needs to be put in new wineskins so that the new wineskin can expand as the new wine ferments.

So what is the lesson in this parable? Jesus is introducing new thinking to the legalism of the Pharisees. They were content with the old, “keep the Law” strictly, way of thinking. Jesus would introduce things like “you have heard don’t commit adultery, but I say unto you don’t lust”. They were more concerned about keeping the rituals of the Law rather than the purity of the heart. Jesus’ teaching would be the new wine and the new cloth. The Pharisees’ hypocrisy and legalism would be the old wineskins and the old cloth.

So how does that apply to me? Many of us have been brought up in churches where keeping the commands was the emphasis. Nothing wrong with that unless your strict law keeping ends up making you legalistic, judgmental, and self righteous. You might be exposed to some new spiritual thoughts that should expand your belief in the Bible or in Jesus and you are just closed minded and don’t give the new thoughts a fair chance. Don’t get me wrong. There is a lot of new thinking in churches that LGBQT is an acceptable way of loving. I am closed minded on that b/c the Bible clearly says that is a sin. But then I attend one of those mega churches that has a contemporary worship service with the band and the 7/11 music (repeating the same 7 words 11 times). My old church upbringing makes me a little skeptical. Is this entertainment or worship? Our legalistic preachers in the past told us it was entertainment. But while I was there, the lights were down low and I sat by a co-worker and her family and felt a peace that i was needing. I watched my co-worker’s little 9 year old girl singing every word with emotion, swaying to the music, and I thought, “I never did that as a kid. Maybe I need what she has.” I am anti-paid preachers and big churches, but I watched probably a thousand people worship in 3 different services that morning.

I heard a sermon from probably a $100,000+ preacher that challenged me. He was preaching on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 where Paul said that he focused on just preaching the gosel without using persuasive words of wisdom. How Paul preached out of weakness (his thorn in the flesh?) and was not an elegant speaker like Apollos. He said Paul would be turned down for preaching at most big churches today. He mentioned men like David Brainerd, the apostle to the North American Indians, who was kicked out of Yale b/c of his “spiritual enthusiasm” that had been stirred up by George Whitefield (the 2nd Great Awakening movement). He lived with tuberculosis most of his life and suffered greatly from it, dying at the age of 29 from his disease. In later life, he suffered from depression, loneliness, and lack of food. He died staying in the house of Jonathon Edwards. He probably only converted a few Indians, but he influence men like William Carey, the father of Protestant missions., and Adoniram Judson, the missionary to inland China. John Wesley said ‘Let every preacher read carefully over the Life of David Brainerd‘.

Back to the worship service I attended and the sermon. The preacher challenged the audience, “have you been called to preach, which I thought was strange since he was preaching to an audience with probably no one there who was called to preach. Then I wondered if he was talking to me! He said it was the Spirit speaking through the word in sermons so maybe it was the Spirit.

My point is that the Spirit is trying to put new, fresh, spiritual thoughts in our hearts and minds all the time if we will just tune in. You have to tune in to your favorite radio program, to tune in to the frequency of that program, in order to listen to your favorite music. You have to change your old way of listening to other radio program frequencies to get the new one that will edify you. So I leave it with you to do that in your own experiences. I shared mine and I imagine you have things like that to share also. I need to look at the wordress site and see if there is something I can click that would allow readers to share comments with one another. Hey, that might be new wine.

Jesus concluded the parable with  “and no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” I think that means that people tend to prefer what they are familiar with and are reluctant to try something new, even if it might be better. We are kinda stuck in our old ways and way of thinking.

CHANGE MY HEART OH GOD

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Mark 7:14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

The Pharisees had just criticized Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before eating. In parenthesis, Mark explains that this was their tradition of washing hands when they came from the market place, which means washing away touching anything that a Gentile had touched, thus making them unclean. This was not a command under the Law for all Jewsalthough the priests were commanded to wash their hands before serving in the tabernacle or temple, so this was just a tradition of the Pharisees. Jesus then went on to show how hypocritical the Pharisees were. They held to their hand washing tradition legalistically, condemning those who disobeyed, and yet they would avoid supporting their parents in need, using a hypocritical oath saying they had given their money to God and didn’t have any for their parents. Mark 7:6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

That led to a teaching by Jesus of what defiles a man. He was not saying that he Jews should no longer follow the laws of not eating unclean meats. That would contradict what Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” The Law would not be abolished until 70 AD according to Hebrews 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” That verse was written around 60 AD predicting the vanishing of the Law in 70 AD. Even the Jewish Christians continued to keep the Law during the transition period from 30 AD to 70 AD.

What Jesus is saying is that it’s not really what you eat that defiles you. What you eat is digested and the wastes come out. It’s what is in your heart that defiles you and what’s in your heart will always end up coming out of your mouth, your mind, your actions. Here’s a great image.

As the capital one commercial says, “What’s in your wallet?” What’s in your heart?

These verses comfort me and scare me. The other day in inservice at school, teachers in groups were asked to give a positive comment to all the teachers in their group. All the compliments given me were “Nicky has a lot of knowledge that he shares.” That’s good but other treachers got comments like “John really cares about the kids and loves them.” Why am I known more for my knowledge than my love.

Bottom line, it’s comforting to know that God looks at the heart. David was a man “after God’s own heart”. He committed adultery and murder, but God forgave him b/c David had a pure heart even though he really messed up. He later begged God, “Create in me a clean heart” again. I have so many bad things in my heart but it is comforting that the grace of God will forgive me just as He forgave David.

But then it’s scary to know that God looks past all my knowledge, good deeds, Bible teaching and preaching, and mission work to see what’s really in my heart. He knows when I am being hypocritical, unloving, judgmental, bitter, proud. He saves me by His grace but He expects me to change my heart, to try to get rid of all the bad things in my heart.

He gives me the Spirit to help me do that b/c my flesh is so evil that I can’t do it by myself. Ezekiel 36: 26 And I will give you ia new heart, and ia new spirit I will put within you. iAnd I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God.” (Romans 8:6-8) When you have those evil thoughts in your heart, if you ask the Spirit to help you get rid of them and replace them with pure thoughts, then He will help you. It’s called the “renewing of your mind” b/c the heart is just an organ and it’s really all about the mind. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

So we will never have a perfectly pure heart. That’s the scary part. We can fall from grace and lose our salvation. I need to try harder to allow the Spirit to change my heart. In Acts 8, Simon had been baptized but then he wanted to buy the apostles’ gift of laying hands on believers to give them miraculous gifts. Acts 8:20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” That means that a baptized believer could be in serious trouble with God if his/her heart is not right before God.

So this article is to enoucrage me to try harder to let the Spirit help me change my heart.

Here’s a great song to close with. Please listen to it for your devotional thought for the day and then pray, “change my heart oh God, make it ever new…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlSmG-_eJTU



LORD I NEED SOME ANSWERS

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Have you been there? You have some things really troubling you? You might even be a little depressed? You have some key decisions that you need to make? You are thinking about quitting in some way? You feel like others don’ appreciate you? You are starting to imagine some conspiracy plots against you?

But you also know that maybe you deserve some of the things that are troubling you? You know your secret sins even if others don’t. You know that you have had some ulterior motives that you don’t want others to know about.

You know that pride could be part of your problem. It might be that the Lord has already been trying to answer your questions and lead you in a good path but your pride has kept you going on your own path. God said, “My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not your thoughts”. Maybe you have been relying on your own thoughts and ways instead of God’s. Maybe God is testing you. Maybe God is trying to humble you. Asa, Uzziah, and Hezekiah were great men of God until they were lifted up with pride. You don’t want to let your pride cause you to make some really, stupid, rash decisions. You want to just selfishly pull away from people, from the things you have been involved in. The future looks bleak. You have so much to be thankful for, but you are in a real funk. You might even have considered trying to drink your problems away, although that is not characteristic of you. You dont know who to talk to and who to turn to for help.

Lord, I need some answers. How do I get them? Well it starts with humbly asking God for wisdom. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” Then in faith trust God that He will give you some answers and lead you in the best path for you to take. Then, the hard part, wait for Him to clearly show you the answers. You look for signs or indicators of God’s leading. You try not to just look for the signs that might want to find, but be totally open to any and all signs. You think you have a sign and then you look for confirmation of that sign. Gideon asked God for a sign: a wet fleece on dry ground. He got it, but then he asked for confirmation: a dry fleece on a wet ground. I can’t believe the Lord gave him the 2nd sign without scolding him for his lack of faith.

I know some people who are just so decisive. They survey the situation. They make decisions and take action. They never second guess themselves or look back if they make a bad decision. But some of us don’t have as much confidence in our decision making skill. We have trouble making decisions. We second guess our decisions. We are always asking “What if I hadn’t don that, or what if I had done that”. We worry about making a decision and we worry if we made the right decision. That doesn’t sound like a lot of confidence that the decisions you make are in harmony with what the Lord wants you to do. If you feel like the Lord is helping you make a decision, then you make it and then the results and consequences of your decision over to the Lord.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” I am in need, Lord, please hear my prayer and help me.

“Lord, I am feeling lost and uncertain right now. I come before you with a heavy heart, seeking your guidance and wisdom. Please, reveal your answers to the questions that trouble me, and help me to see clearly the path you want me to follow. I trust in your love and your perfect plan for my life. Amen.” 


So I prayed and now I wait. I am afraid He will give me some answers that I don’t want to hear even though I say that I want answers. I was going to quit, maybe make a big show of quitting with an bad attitude. What if he tells me to get my act together, quit my pity party, and don’t quit. What if he tells me that he had me in just the right spot that he wanted me to be in.

Things will usually look better in the morning. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5 These troubling, uncertain times are when you find out how much you really depend on and trust God to lead you. Use them to grow closer to God.

If this article seems to be just what you need to hear today, then that’s great. Praise God and pray. Pray that prayer several times. William Carey was the father of Protestant mission work. He had a dream of preaching the gospel to the heathen Hindus in India. He met resistance from his Calvinistic preachers who said that, if God wanted that done in India, then God would send the Spirit directly to get it done without anyone even going there. But Carey had a saying: “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” He went. He had many difficult times and lost his family, but he ended up printing, not preaching. He printed to Bible in the native Indian dialects that led to the conversion of thousands. His picture is on a commemorative stamp.

Once you think you know what the lord wants you to do, then be bold. Expect great things from God. Attempt great thing for God. If He closes a door, then he will open another door for you.

God bless you (and me) as we try to seek answers from the Lord. If this article doesn’t fit where you are right now, then be assured it fits someone else. Go encourage them. Let God use you to help someone who is down right now.

START YOUR DAY WITH THESE 7 THINGS

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Philippians 4:4 Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.

5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” ESV

The secret to having good days is to start the day right. A great place to do that is Philippians 4.

1 Rejoice, be filled with joy. If you have eternal life, why does anything on earth really matter. The worst case scenario might be the health or death of loved ones, but when we all get to heaven, sickness and death here on earth will seem like a minor illness that you had 30 years ago.

2 Be kind and gentle. Try a little kindness. Instead of focusing on my problems, my work to be done, my stuff, let your mind think of ways you can show little acts of kindness to others today. It will bring joy to you and it will get your mind off your stressors.

That Glen Campbell song Try A Little Kindness is great:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvswocNN-g8

 If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say, “You’re going the wrong way”

… You’ve got to try a little kindness
Yes, show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

… Don’t walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way

 3. Don’t worry. 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.” ERV It’s nice to be able to write down on a piece of paper the things that you are concerned or worried about (there is a fine lline between the two) and then just hand that paper over to someone whom you trust, who has the capabiltiy and resources to take care of everything you put on that paper, and to just tell that person “Take care of these things for me, please”, and then relax and trust the person to take care of it all. It frees you to do other good stuff.
Luke 10: “Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.” ERV

4. Pray. Have A Little Talk With Jesus. That song goes back to 1937, first sung by The Stamps Quartet.

I may have doubts and fears
My eyes be filled with tears
But Jesus is a friend who watches day and night
I go to him in prayer
He knows my every care
And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right

Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry
And He will answer by and by

And when you feel a little prayer wheel turnin’
And you will know a little fire is burnin’
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right

5. Be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be full of joy. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.” ERV I pray with the ACTS model: Adoration (praise), Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplecation (for others or requests). Sometimes I start with the T instead of the A. Often if we just start with thanking our Father for all the good things he has given us, it minimizes the bad things that we might be concerned about.

The song Count Your Many Blessings is always a great one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v18f_y2wA8

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
    And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

6. Tell God your requests, what you need, what you want. That’s the S (supplecation) in the ACTS model. Philippians 4:6, which says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” NASV The word “supplication” comes from the Latin “supplicare” which means “to plead humbly.” The Greek word for supplicaation is deésis: Derived from δέομαι (deomai), meaning “to beg” or “to ask. “From biblebasedliving.com “Supplication is an essential aspect of prayer as it involves making specific requests to God. It goes beyond general prayers of praise or thanksgiving and allows believers to bring their specific needs before the Lord. When we engage in supplication, we humbly acknowledge our dependence on God and His ability to meet our needs. It is an act of surrendering our desires to His will and seeking His guidance in all matters.” Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”
Make your requests known to him (He already knows what you are thinking or wanting or needing, but He wants to hear you ask, showing your dependence and trust in Him. Then, leave the answered prayers up to God. “Thy will be done”. Whatever you think is best, Father, I’m ok with that.

7. Find the peace of God. Let the peace of God “guard” against all negative emotions and feelings. The Greek for guard is phroureó: To guard, protect, keep watch over. “The term “phroureó” would have been familiar to early Christians as it was used in both military and civilian contexts to describe the act of keeping watch or protecting something valuable.” 2 Corinthians 11:32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.” A military or civilian guard keeps anyone or anything out that would endanger the thing or person that he/she is guarding. The peace of God will keep out fear, doubt, worry, bitterness, anger, wrath, hate, envy, jealousy, lust, pride, frustration, guilt, disgust, helplessness, loneliness, confusion, sadness, shame, self-criticism, judging others, contempt, stress, inadequacy, resentment. The peace of God will not allow those emotions to keep you from rejoicing in the Lord. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” The Greek for rule is brabeuó: To rule, to arbitrate, to decide, to govern. From the root word βραβεύς (brabeus), meaning “an umpire” or “a judge.” From AI: “In ancient Greek culture, athletic games were a significant part of society, and the role of the umpire was crucial in ensuring fair competition. The umpire, or “brabeus,” was responsible for enforcing the rules and awarding the prize to the victor. This cultural backdrop provides a vivid metaphor for the spiritual life, where believers are encouraged to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts, much like an umpire ensuring harmony and order.”

The song Peace, Perfect Peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibqgZxWa6bM

I need to read this article every morning and listen to these songs!


KING JEHOSHAPHAT: THE RIGHTEOUS KING WHO DIDN’T SAY “NO” TO AHAB

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Jehoshaphat was the 4th king of Judah.  Second Chronicles 17:3–6 gives this commendation: “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.” In addition, Jehoshaphat sent men throughout the kingdom to teach the people the Law of God (2 Chronicles 17:7–9). He removed the male cult prostitutes (1 Kings 22:46). Judah and Israel had been fighting constantly since the kingdom split, but he made peace with wicked king Ahab of Israel.

Nothing but good is said about him until 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18. Jehoshaphat goes to visit King Ahab in Samaria. He joined with wicked King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel to retake Ramoth-gilead from the Syrians. Ahab has replaced the 450 prophets of Baal that Elijah had killed in 1 Kings 18 with 400 more prophets of Baal. They tell Ahab what he wants to hear, that he will be victorious in the battle. Jehoshaphat demands that a true prophet give his prediction, and Micaiah predicts that Ahab will die in the battle. You would think that Jehoshaphat would break off this partnership with Ahab and head home to Jerusalem, but instead he still joins Ahab in the battle. Ahab is killed by a God-guided random arrow even though he disguised himself as a regular soldier instead of wearing the kingly garments.

2 Chronicles 19:1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” To his credit, he apparently received that rebuke and continued to be a righteous king. The same prophet Hanani had rebuked Asa (Jehoshaphat’s father) but Asa imprisoned Hanani. Jehoshaphat then appointed Levites and priests as judges, warning them to give impartial judgements and not take bribes.

After the rebuke by Hanani, Judah was attacked by Moabites and Ammonites. Jehoshaphat led a long, humble prayer asking God for help, acknowledging that he was powerless without God’s help (2 Chronicles 20). The prophet Jahaziel told Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah, “Don’t be afraid for the battle is not yours but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Did you ever wonder where that song “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” came from? The Lord set an ambush for the attacking enemy. Apparently they ended up fighting among themselves and with the Edomites and were all killed. The army of Judah didn’t even have to fight. When they arrived, all they saw was dead bodies. They took great spoil for 3 days and then on the 4th day they celebrated and praised God with musical instruments and singers.

But we have to ask ourselves, “Why would a righteous king like Jehoshaphat even go visit Ahab? Why would he join with him in a battle that a true prophet of Yahweh warned against, one that he insisted on hearing his prediction?” This all goes back to 2 Chronicles 18:1 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab.” This is referring to a marriage between Jehoram, Jehoshaphat’s son, to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Jehoram succeeded Jehoshaphat as king and was an evil king, restoring pagan worship in Judah. Athaliah was the daugher of the wicked Queen Jezebel of Israel who fed 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah at her own dinner table, and desperately tried to kill Elijah. Jezebel was the main ungodly influence of her husband King Ahab. After marrying Jehoram and become Queen of Judah, Athaliah turned out to be “like mother, like daughter”. She restored and promoted Baal worship in Judah, and even built a pagan idol in the temple of God. Ahaziah (Athaliah and Jehoram’s son), succeeded Jehoram as king of Judah. Jehu was appointed by Elijah to kill Ahab, Joram (Ahab’s wicked son who succeeded him), all of Ahab’s descendants, Ahaziah, 42 of Ahaziah’s descendants, Baal’s worshippers and prophets (those 400 prophets of Baal who told Ahab he would be victorious in battle?), and Jezebel. After Athaliah’s son King Ahaziah was killed by Jehu, Athaliah killed all of the royal household of Ahaziah (yes, that would be her grandchildren) and made herself queen for 6 years. Only the baby Joash was spared through the efforts of his nurse Jehoshaba. He was hidden for 6 years in the temple until the priest Jehoiada had Athaliah killed and Joash made king at the age of 7.

Jehoshaphat’s father, King Asa, was a righteous man (for most of his reign until his pride caused him to imprison Hanani) and Jehoshaphat followed in his righteous footsteps. But Jehoram (Jehoshaphat’s son) did not follow in his father’s righteous footsteps. He chose to marry wicked Athaliah. Could Jehoshaphat not have stopped that marriage? That’s a tough question b/c many of us have not been able to stop our children from entering what we feel is a bad marriage. Samson’s parents were not able to stop Samson from marrying the Philistine woman which led to all kind of problems. But that marriage alliance was the beginning of Jehoshaphat’s problems. That no doubt led to a visit to Ahab in Samaria, which led to joining Ahab in a forbidden battle.

We don’t know what Jehoshaphat was thinking or what his motives were for joining Ahab. He had made peace with Ahab and there were no wars betwen Israel and Judah as had been in the past. Was he afriad that Ahab would turn on him and go to war with Judah if he refused to go to battle with him? Jehoshaphat was wealthy and that could hurt his cash flow, as war always does.

What we do know is that Jehoshaphat violated the principle in the rebuke by Hanani, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?” The same principle in 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? 15 Or what harmony does Christ have with Belial, or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,“I will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.”

God commands us to be the salt of the earth, preserving and adding godly flavor to a sinful world. To do that, we must be “in the world but not of the world”. Associating with the ungodly in this world is inevitable unless you live in a monastery. Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the greedy and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world.” At the same time, He warns us about making unnecessary friendships, partnerships, and associations with the ungodly. We must be careful about “why” we associate with the ungodly. We must ask, “Is this association or partnership, or. friendship something that God might use to His glory, or am I doing it for selfish reasons.

Apparently Jehoshaphat had a character flaw (don’t we all). For whatever reason or motive, he was afraid to say “no” to Ahab when asked to join him in battle. Or he selfishly saw some possible monetary reason for joining him. Do you (or I) have that same character flaw? Do you join the ungodly in drinking parties b/c you don’t want to be different? They say that the first semester in college is when many kids from Christian backgrounds and families first start drinking b/c they feel the pier pressure that “hey, that is the college experience, everyone does it”. It is hard for high school and college kids to say “no” when pressured by their peers to drink or do drugs. No one wants to be mocked b/c they are different, “better than thou” Bible thumpers.

But what about your business and friendship decisions? Do you get into business deals that make you money even though you know they might lead you to compromise your Christian values? Does hanging around with the ladies or guys in your friend group lead you to doing things that violate your conscience? Maybe doing that enhances your image or popularity?

BTW, you would think that Jehoshaphat would learn his lesson from the incident with Ahab, right? Wrong! 2 Chronicles 20:35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel (the son of Ahab and Jezebel), who acted wickedly. 36 He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber. 37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.” He got into trouble by joining Ahab and was rebuked by God. But then he makes another partnership, joining Ahab’s wicked son Ahaziah in a shipping venture.

Perhaps this shows that Jehoshaphat’s character flaw was the love of money. In the words of Paul, 1 Timothy 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” As someone said, “it’s all about the money”. We are so driven by the desire to have nice things, to keep up with the Joneses (whoever that is), to wine and dine with our friends. Many of us fell into that “snare” and are plunged into ruin and destruction. Can you think of some Christian men and women who started drinking and partying, hanging out with the wrong crowd, and now they have left the faith? I can.

Let us pray for ourselves first of all. Then pray right now for those whom you think have left the faith b/c of their love of money. Pray for our college students and high school students who face enormous evil peer pressure. Don’t give up on those who fall. James 5:19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

CONCIDENCES: CASTLE

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I am watching all the seasons of Castle on Amazon Prime. It’s one of those TV series, like Murdock’s Mysteries, where there is a constant romantic suggestion building between the male and female stars (Beckett and Castle). But the writers are brilliant. Castle is always coming up with crazy possibilities for solving crimes, but he always says “there is no such thing as ‘coincidence'” when looking at events in a crime. The events are always connected. The key to solving the crime is to find what the connection is.

That got me thinking about “coincidences” in life. A coincidence is a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. I was waiting for service on my car. I was trying to get hot water out of the machine. I pressed all the right buttons, or so I thought, and I got cold water. This Mexican lady and her husband were seated nearby. She saw my dilemma and stepped over, pushed the same buttons (or so I thought) and bingo, hot water for my tea. She sat down at a nearby table. I thanked her and waited a moment to see if she seemed to want any kind of conversation. She initiated the conversation and we talked for 30 minutes. Her husband is a cook and doesn’t speak English well. She is from Mexico and has been in the U.S. for 21 years. She has 4 kids. We talked about my missionary experiences in Colombia, South America. They attend a Spanish speaking church nearby. I plan to visit that church tomorrow. Maybe my random meeting with that lady might have some purpose in God’s plans.

I don’t believe that every single event in life is necessarily a part of some predetermined plan of God. But I firmly believe that we can use every event or circumstance to do His will.” God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:4) Paul said “13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13).

Mordecai told Esther to go ask the king to stop Haman’s plan to kill all the Jews. Esther sent word to Mordecai: Esther 4:11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.” 12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Saying “who knows” indicates to me that Mordecai did not have some direct revelation from God to tell Esther to go to the king. He is saying that she is in a special position as queen to perhaps save the Jews, and that maybe God put her there just for that situation. The whole choosing of a new queen and Esther, a Jew, becoming the new queen out of 128 provinces of beautiful women was part of God of God’s providence, but it still had a lot of moving parts to it. Parts that depended on the free will of people. Esther could choose to go into the king or not. The king could choose to kill her if she came to him, or not (he chose not to kill her). The king could chose to save the Jews once Esther told him about Haman’s plat, or not. But let’s be clear. Mordecai told Esther, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish.” If God wants something done, He will find someone who will choose to be a part of God’s working.

So that’s my take on coincidences. We should view every event or circumstance in our lives as a possible part of God’s plan to save souls. We should try to figure out how God might be using us to do HIs will. It’s called “possibility thinking”. “Possibility thinking requires both imagining what is not there and creating paths to it, so that it can become a reality.  Possibility Thinking is the willingness to see possibilities everywhere instead of limitations.”

KING ASA OF JUDAH: PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL

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King Asa, the 3rd king of the southern kingdom of Judah, reigned for 41 years and was one of the more righteous kings of all 19 kings of Judah. But “pride goeth before a fall”, which means “People who are overconfident or too arrogant are likely to fail.” Humility might be the most important thing for sinners who are seeking a right relationship with God. James 4:6 Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” 1 Peter 5:5 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Here is a great image of King Asa’s reforms in Judah.

2 Chronicles 14:2  And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. Judah had decayed morally to the point that there were male shrine prostitutes, which Asa remove. He removed pagan altars. Judah had peace with no wars for most of his reign. He bullt walled cities. He had an army of 580,000 men of valor from the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin (which made up the southern kingdom after the kingdom split).

Even when Zerah the Ethiopian attacked Judah with one million men, Asa humbly prayed “O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”  (2 Chronicles 14:11). Psalm 149:4 For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” God gave Asa the victory b/c he was humble and trusted God in battle.

The prophet Azariah told Asa, ““Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you” (2 Chroniclles 14:2). After hearing those words, Asa immediately responded by tearing down pagan altars throughout Judah. He persuaded all the people of Judah and Benjamin, and even those from some of the northern kingdom tribes who had moved to Judah to get away from the idolatry in the northern kingdom, to enter a covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul. Whoever broke the covenant would be put to death. He even removed Micaah, his own queen mother, from being queen b/c she built a detestable image for Asherah. “The heart of Asa was wholly true all his days” (2 Chronicles 15:17).

But things changed in the 35th year of his 41 year reign. The evil king Baasha of the northern kingdom built Ramah on the border between the two kingdoms in order to stop defectors from leaving the northern kingdom to go to Judah to live. There was war between Baasha and Asa. God would have given Asa victory over Baasha if he had just humbly trusted God like he did in the victory over Zerah. Instead, Asa bribed King Beh-hadad of Syria with gold and silver from the temple to attack Baasha and force Baasha to withdraw from fighting Judah. It worked! Apparently Asa was feeling pretty confident in his ability after that.

Hanani the prophet met Asa and told him ““Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand.” (2 Chronicles 15:7-8) How did Asa handle this rebuke from the prophet? Did he humbly repent and ask forgiveness? 2 Chronicles 15:10 Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks in prison, for he was in a rage with him because of this. And Asa inflicted cruelties upon some of the people at the same time.”

What happened that changed Asa from the humble man who sought God with all his heart to one who would in a rage put God’s prophet in stocks in prison and inflict cruelties upon some of the people? PRIDE. Proverbs 16: 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” In the 39th year of his reign, he was afflicted with diseased feet, but instead of seeking the Lord for help, he only sought his physicians. He died without any record of his repenting of his pride.

It is hard to be humble in America when we have so many resources to rely on. Not all, but most o us Christians have money, medical insurance, retirement funds, prestige at work, and respect at work. But when we have a crisis, like health, money, job, marital, or family problems, who do we turn to first? God has given us doctors and there is nothing wrong in seeking help from doctors. But who do we turn to first in a medical crisis: physicians or The Great Physician. When there is a crisis at work or possibly losing my job, who do I turn to first? In a money crisis, who do I turn to first: a financial counselor or the word of God? In a marital crisis, who do I turn to first: a marital counselor or God? Who do I rely on to help me either solve a problem or cope with the problem? The one you turn to first in a crisis is the one you trust to be fully able to help you in the crisis.

God told Solomon after he built and dedicated the new temple: 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” I think that our country is at a critical point right now. We have been blessed with so many material wealth. “In 2023, the mean personal income in the United States was $63,510. The median household income was $80,610.” “According to the World Bank’s classification, the mean income in “third world” countries, categorized as low-income economies, is typically below $1,145 per capita per year, with lower middle-income countries ranging between $1,146 and $4,515 per capita”. “According to data from the World Bank, around 84% of the world’s population lives in “developing countries,” which is often considered synonymous with “third world countries,” meaning the majority of the global population resides in these regions.” Many complain about lack of money, but usually that is b/c of mismanaging money and debt from a high standard of living. The U.S. has more military might and capability than ever before. “The United States military is considered the most powerful in the world, with a large budget, advanced technologies, and a global presence. The US military’s strength is measured by its capability, capacity, and readiness to handle missions.” 70 % in our country say they believe in God, but according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, only 54% of US adults believe in “God as described in the Bible”. So only half of our people believe in Yahweh of the Bible. That other 16% would believe in the god of some of the world religions like Buddhism. Only 30 % attend church. I am not a big proponent of organized churches, but church attendance is still a good indicator of an active faith in God. Only 25% believe that homosexual relations is a morally wrong and a sin. 64% believe that homosexual relations are morally acceptable.

All those statistics sound to me like America is in need of moral reform. If the prophet Azariah was here today, I think he would tell us the same thing he told Asa, “The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you” . That means believing in the Bible as the verbally inspired error free word of God (the orginals were error free and the translations we have are trustworthy). If the Bible says that homosexuality or adultery or drunkenness in a sin, then it is a sin. That means relying on Yahweh as the only true God and Jesus Christ as the only Savior from our sins. That means relying on God for how we live, think, and do. That means humbling ourselves to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That means fellowshipping with other Christians in house churches or even orgainzied churches.

MAGA: “make America great again”. I’m all for that. But I prefer MAHA: “make America humble again.”

AT LEAST KING JOSIAH TRIED!

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King Josiah was the 16th king of the southern kingdom of Judah from 640-609 BC.

Josiah’s grandfather was perhaps the most evil of the 19 kings of Judah. His 55 year reign was mostly marked by terrible evil.

The Assyrians carried Manasseh to Babylon in hooks, bound with bronze fetters. In his suffering there, he humbled himself and repented of his evil way. We don’t know how, but God brought him back to Jerusalem. He then removed the idols, foreign gods, altars for sacrificing to those gods, etc. 2 Chronicles 33:18-19 mentions his prayer. There is a book in the Apocrypha called “The Prayer of Manasseh”, a short prayer that he supposedly prayed. We are not sure of the authenticity of that book, but 2 Chronicles 33:19 says that his prayer was recorded in the records of Hozai, so it is possible that “The Prayer of Manasseh” is really his prayer passed down throught Jewish history. As evil was Manasseh was, God forgave him and he died in a right relationship with God. God is such a merciful, forgiving God.

His father was the evil king Amon, the son of Manasseh. Amon began to reign when he was 22 and reigned for only 2 years. Most of his teen and young adult life would have been watching his father Manasseh do evil things. He would have also sseen Manasseh’s repentance and reforms, but that did not make an impact on Amon. How evil was Amon?

Josiah began to reign when he was 8 years old. Amon his father reigned for 2 years. That means that Josiah was 6 years old when his grandfather Manasseh died and 8 years old when his father Amon died. . His memories of his evil father Amon would not have been good as a 6 and 7 year old child. Fortunately his memories of his grandfather might have been mostly good as a 4 and 5 year old child since Manasseh would have been doing his reforms during those years of Josiah’s childhood.

Here is a great image detailing the age of Josiah when he began to reign at age 8 and did reforms. (Actually it should be 26 years old, the 18th year of his reign, when he repaired the temple.

During the repair of the temple when he was 26 that Hilkiah the priest found the “book of the Law” (i.e. the Pentateuch) and brought it to Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:14-21). The king tore his clothes and he himself read the book of the Law to all the elders, priests, Levites and people of Judah. He told Hlkiah to ask the prophetess Huldah what his (i.e. Josiah’s) fate would be in light of the curses that he read from the book of Deuteronomy, no doubt, as consequences for all the evil that Manasseh and Amon had done in Judah ( 2 Chronicles 34:22-30). Huldah told him that he would be spared seeing the punishment that God was going to inflict on Judah, but that the evil was so wide spread that Josiah’s reforms were “too little, too late” to save Judah from being carried off into Babylonian captivity. There were 3 deportations to Babylon that began almost immediately after Josiah died during the reign of the last 4 evil kings of Judah, and in 586 BC King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and took the last group of captives to Babylon, beginning the 70 years of exile in Babylon.

So why this lesson on King Josiah at this particular time? It is b/c of my concern for America. I know there is a lot of talk about “make Ameria great again”. You can buy a MAGA hat for $50. I do hope that we can balance the budget, trim the deficit, cut government spending, secure the border, reduce inflation, etc. But will America truly repent of the greed and sexual immorality that permeates our country? Will the churches who promote LGBQT go back and read the Bible condemnation of homosexuality and repent? Will our leaders truly turn to God for guidance on how to lead this country? America has typically bounced back from ungodly stretches of its history with “grass roots revivals” like the 1st and 2nd Great Awakenings, and the Jeremy Lanphier prayer revival (that spread across many cities with thousands praying every day at noon)? But those revivals were based on people believing that the Bible was the word of God. If the Bible said drunkenness was a sin, then to repent means to quit getting drunk. But today about 70% of Americans believe that same sex relationships are morally acceptable. If someone does that believe that homosexuality is a sin, then they won’t repent of that. Therefore a grass roots revival will be nearly impossible unless we do what Josiah did. We need to rediscover the Bible, open and study it, and let the Bible tell us what sin is, and then repent if we are guilty of sin. What will be the fate of America if we do not repent and restore the Judeo-Christian values that this country was built on? Only God knows the answer to that, but I am praying for a revival. American Christians have so many resources that can and are being used to drill wells overseas and print Bibles to spread the gospel. I don’t want to see that end.

In the mean time, we need to pray daily and earnestly for our country and our leaders. 1 Timothy 1:1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

THE INAUGURATION OF JESUS AS KING OF KINGS

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Most of us are watching the inauguration ceremony of Donad Trump as I write this article. I am amazed at the bureaucracy of the federal govenment, but also anxious to see what reforms Trump will initiate very soon once he is inaugurated. I am anxious to see if anyone will actually curb government spending and try to balance the budget (fat chance!). Boos and cheers at the ceremony as different ones walk in: sounds more like a sporting event. Oh well, enough of that. First time in 47years that it is indoors (due to the cold). I hope that it not a bad omen! All smiles as the most recent presidents are announced. A stirring rendition of “Glory, glory hallelujah, His truth is marching on”. I pray that God’s truth in morals will truly march on. Will we truly have one of those “grass roots revivals” that America experienced like the 1st and 2nd Great Awakenings and the Lampier Prayer revival? That remains to be scene. The smiles have rescended among some as Trump takes shots at the past administration. Very interesting that he claimed that he was saved by God from the assassination attempt on his life so that he can make America great again. Several standing ovations and applause. He just declared that the government would recognize two genders, male and female. Closing with a moving prayer by Pastor Sewell, quite appropriate on MLK day, reminiscent of a MLK speech.

I want to focus on a far more important inauguration, i.e. the inauguration of the king of kings, Jesus Christ. I read several articles that suggested different moments in the life of Jesus in which he was inaugurated. Was it at His baptism, Last Supper, or maybe His ascension?

We need to look at a couple of key passages in discussing this.

Daniel 7:13 “I saw in the night visions,and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

Most say this refers to the ascension of Jesus into heaven, but there’s a passage in Luke that needs to be considered.

Luke 19:11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

Several things to notice in this parable. Some supposed that “the kingdom was going to appear immediately”. The kingdom referred to in the kingdom promised in Daniel 2:44-45 that would be established in the days of the 4th kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, i.e. the Roman Empire. Both Jesus and John the Baptist had said “the kingdom is at hand”. The phrase “at hand” means “at hand” in the time frame of those Jesus is speaking to. Jesus made that even clearer in Mt 16:27  “For, the Son of Man is about to come ( mello, which. always means “about to be or about to happen” in the NT) in the glory of his Father, with his messengers, and then he will reward each, according to his work. 28 Verily I say to you, there are certain of those standing here who shall not taste of death till they may see the Son of Man coming in his reign.” (YLT) Not only does Jesus say that the judgement and 2nd coming was “about to” happen, but He also says that some of those he was speaking to would still be alive to see Him coming (His 2nd coming) in his kingdom. That kingdom that was “at hand” would indeed be established in the first century, but it was not a physical kingdom like that of the Jewish kingdom in the OT. It was a spiritual kingdom, the church. Jesus had said, John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my officers had struggled that I might not be delivered up to Jews; but now my kingdom is not from hence.” (YLT) Jesus had said to Peter in Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Peter used the keys to open the door to enter that kingdom when he preached the first “gospel sermon” in Acts 2 and 3,000 were baptized for the remission of sins, becoming the first church, which is the spiritual body of Jesus of which he is the head. The kingdom of Jesus on earth in the NT was the church. Paul said, Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” The Colossian Christians were in that kingdom.

So that kingdom of Daniel 2:44,45 was to be established within the lifetime of those Jesus spoke to, but in Luke 19 some supposed it was to appear immediately (i.e. immediately after Jesus’ lifetime which ended in about 30 AD). The establishment of that kingdom, the church, would indeed begin soon in Acts 2, but would involve a transition period of 40 years, from 30 AD to 70 AD. The parable says that “the nobleman would go into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return”. It says that “having received the kingdom” (in the far country) that he would “return” (the 2nd coming) to “reign”. That tells us Jesus did not officially receive his reign over his kingdom until his 2nd coming (his “return” from the farcountry).

Doesn’t that sound just like our inauguration process? We elected a president back in November. There was a transition period until Jan 20 till the official inauguration. The president elect did not take over the powers of the president until Jan 20. Jesus ascended into heaven to receive his kingdom, so technically he became king at this ascension. But he would not officially begin to reign fully until 70 AD, just as in the parable of Luke 19. Jesus’ official inauguration as King of Kings began in 70 AD and continues today since his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

I close with Revelation 11: 15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, “We give You thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.” This would be fulfilled after the events of the imminent destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. God and His Christ would begin to reign in the everlasting church kingdom from then on and He is reigning today over His spiritual kingdom, the church, which is above all the kingdoms of the world.

Gabriel told Mary, Luke 1:32 He (her baby Jesus)will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Isaiah had predicted, Isaiah 9:For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.”

Peter preached Acts 2:29 “Brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 So because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. 32 It is this Jesus whom God raised up, a fact to which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore, since He has been exalted at the right hand of God, and has received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Peter is saying that Jesus was raised and exalted at the right hand of God and had begun sitting on the throne of David. Not the physical throne of David as in the OT, but sitting on a spiritual throne of David (figurative fulfillement of 2 Samuel 7). He has been sitting on that throne since Acts 2 in 30 AD.

Zechariah adds another promise, Zechariah 6:13 Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the majesty and sit and rule on His throne. So He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”’ Jesus will be king and priest at the same time. That would nto be possible under the Law since Jesus was of the tribe of Judah but the high priest could only come from the tribe of Levi. I think all Christians agree that Jesus is our high priest today. That must be in heaven since the Hebrew writer said, Hebrews 8:4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law”. A little deductive reasoning here: 1) Jesus is our high priest in heaven now, and He could not be high priest on earth. 2) He is our king at the same time that he is our high priest. 3) Therefore, he must be king in heaven and not of earth.

His kingdom must be a kingdom that was established in the first century. That could only be the spiritual kingdom, the church. This debunks all the theories that Jesus will return some day to establish a physical kingdom on earth and reign a thousand years in that kingdom. Most say that Jesus did plan to establish a physical kingdom in the first century, but that he delayed that b/c of his rejection by the Jews. Hebrews debunks the notion of a delayed kingdom (and 2nd coming): Hebrews 10:For yet in a very little while,
He who is coming will come, and will not delay. That was written in about 62 AD and predicts that Jesus would come in a “very little while” (the 2nd coming) and would not delay. That fits his 2nd coming in 70 AD.

Even if you don’t agree with some of this article, we can all agree that Jesus is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords. We can agree that the church is an important part of his kingdom, even if not all agree on the establishment of some future kingdom. Let us offer praise to the King of Kings.

One of my favorite songs is King of Kings by Hillsong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQl4izxPeNU

Listen to that song as you read the lyrics:

In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope, without light
‘Til from Heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfill the law and prophets
To a virgin came the word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt

Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings

To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake you died

Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings

And the morning that You rose
All of Heaven held its breath
‘Til that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death
And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who’d come
To the Father are restored

And the church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel, shall not faint
By His blood and in His name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me

Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings

Praise forever to the King of Kings

Amen and Amen!

WE SAW THEE NOT

On By nrfaughtLeave a comment

I google youtube.com and get multiple videos on sports, politics, even the Bible and Christian songs. This morning the song “We saw thee not” popped up and I listened to it. You might want to listen to a youtube acapella version of the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d25PYT8v71I

1 We saw Thee not when Thou didst come
To this poor world of sin and death;
Nor yet beheld Thy cottage home,
In that despised Nazareth;

Refrain:
But we believe Thy footsteps trod
Its streets and plains, Thou Son of God:
But we believe Thy footsteps trod
Its streets and plains, Thou Son of God.

2 We saw Thee not when lifted high
Amid that wild and savage crew;
Nor heard we that imploring cry,
“Forgive, they know not what they do!”

Refrain:
But we believe the deed was done,
That shook the earth and veiled the sun;
But we believe the deed was done,
That shook the earth and veiled the sun;

3 We gazed not in the open tomb,
Where once Thy mangled body lay;
Nor saw Thee in that “upper room,”
Nor met Thee on the open way;

Refrain:
But we believe that angels said,
“Why seek the living with the dead?”
But we believe that angels said,
“Why seek the living with the dead?”

4 We walked not with the chosen few,
Who saw Thee from the earth ascend;
Who raised to heav’n their wond’ring view,
Then low to earth all prostrate bend;

Refrain:
But we believe that human eyes
Beheld that journey to the skies;
But we believe that human eyes
Beheld that journey to the skies.

Anne Richter wrote the hymn “We Saw Thee Not”. John Hampden Gurney modified the hymn and published it in Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship in 1851. The tune (Shaw) was composed by Knowles Shaw (1834-1878; see #75).  It first appeared around 1877 in one of his Sunday school song collections and became popular after being included in James H. Fillmore’s The New Christian Hymn and Tune Book, Part III, in 1887. There was a 5th stanza added: Stanza 5 (not used by Shaw) says that we do not see Him now, yet we believe His word “And now that Thou dost reign on high, And thence Thy waiting people bless, No ray of glory from the sky Doth shine upon our wilderness. But we believe Thy faithful word, And trust in our redeeming Lord” (repeat).

What a great song! The life, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Do you remember what Jesus said to doubting Thomas? John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas was able to put his fingers in the holes in Jesus’ hands and side. It took that for Thomas to believe. That is a great proof for the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection was not just believed by a group of people who were expecting a resurrection. It was believed by the apostles who did not expect Jesus to die, certainly not die and be raised. But it was also believed by Thomas who did not even show up when Jesus first appeared to the 10 apostles on the night of the day he was raised (John 20:19-25). John 20:24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” So he still didn’t believe even though the 10 told him they had seen the resurrected Jesus. He needed more proof. So this adds to the proof that the resurrection of Jesus really happened.

The same argument could be made of James, the Lord’s brother, who did not believe in Jesus when he was alive but became a believer after seeing Jesus raised. We don’t know when the resurrected Jesus appeared to James, but 1 Corinthians 15:7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” The same argument could be made of Saul who was killing Christians until the resurrected Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Nothing could have converted Saul (Paul) other than actually seeing the resurrected Jesus. He had everything in Judaism but gave it all up after seeing Jesus and spent the rest of his life witnessing the resurrection and suffering for Jesus, eventually being beheaded by Nero in 67 AD. So the resurrected Jesus was seen and believed by his skeptics.

But Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That would be anyone who believed or believes in Jesus even though they did not actually see the resurrected Jesus. That would be us. That’s not saying that we are more blessed than those who actually saw the resurrected Jesus. It is just saying that we can be blessed with faith even though we did not see the resurrected Jesus.

An interesting question: Would you rather have lived back then and have been able to actually see the resurrected Jesus, or live today when you have to rely on the written testimony of those who did see the resurrected Jesus? It would be nice if Jesus would appear to any skeptic today and allow them to put their fingers in the holes, but he doesn’t. Why doesn’t he? A little speculation here. Satan told Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down (from the pinnacle of the temple) and the angels will catch you”. Jesus replied, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test”.

We use the law of gravity and the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2) in many equations and applications in physics. What if, every time we use that, someone says “would you prove to me that the acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s^2 ? That would be proving something that is a solid, irrefutable,proven law of physics. The same with the resurrection of Jesus. God gave us sufficient proof that Jesus was raised from the dead. We have the credible witness of the apostles. We have many post resurrection appearances of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15), even to 500 (many of whom Paul said were still alive when he wrote that so that skeptics could actually talk to some of them if they so wished). Luke told Theophilus that Jesus was raised from the dead and that he had confirmed that by talking to “eyewitnesses” (Luke 1:1-4). We have skeptics like Thomas, James, and Paul who were very reluctant to believe in Jesus until they actually saw the resurrected Jesus. We have the resurrection of Jesus being preached in the same city in which it allegedly occurred (Jerusalem) just 50 days after the resurrection, and yet no one said “you can’t prove that”. Imagine if I claimed that someone was riased from the dead in Maple Hll Cemetary 50 days ago right here in Huntsville, Al. That would be so easy to disprove if it did not actually happen. But thousands in Jerusalem became believers. Not all did, but there was sufficient evidence to convince thousands right there in Jerusalem where the resurrection happened. I doubt there would be one single believer of my claim that someone was raised 50 days ago in Maple Hill.

Could Jesus have appeared to even more after his resurrection? Sure. Would that have made the proof of his resurrection greater? I suppose. Could he make multiple appearances today to prove to skeptics that he was raised? Sure. Would that help people believe in Jesus? Mabye some. But do you remember what Jesus said to the rich man: Luke 16:27 And he (the rich man in torment) said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” Not everyone would believe if even if Jesus made appearances today. But the bottom line is that God gave us sufficient proof that Jesus was raised and He will not allow us to continually test him over and over to prove that again. A teacher will not stop his physics lesson every time someone asks him/her to prove that the acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s^2.

Peter felt that the proof for the resurrection of Jesu was sufficient. Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” He did not feel that Jesus needed to appear to “all the people” to prove that He was raised.

Back to the song: We did not see him walk the earth, be crucified, be raised, and ascend to heaven. But we believe! We are the “blessed” who did not see the resurrected Jesus and put our fingers in the holes, and yet we believed. Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:12 “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

Now would be a good time to listen to the song, “I know whom I have believed” acapella. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bRV3J4n8cc The song says “I know not” why God and Christ so graciously loved and saved us, how faith saved us, how the Spirit moves to convict men of sin and create faith, or what good or bad times we will face in the future. But one thing is sure: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded, that He is able, to keep that which I’ve committed unto him against that day”. This is another of those great songs from the 1800’s (1883 AD to be exact). It is interesting that different endings to the refrain appear in different song books based on 2 Timothy 1:12. Some versions, similar to the KJV (for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”), read “He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him” and others read “He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me”. Was it what Paul entrusted or committed to God or was it what had been entrusted to Paul (i.e. the gospel). Let’s just say “both” and get the main point. “I know (without a doubt) whom (Jesus) I have believed”. To know Jesus is to know and believe the intellectual facts of his life, death, and resurrection and that he is our Savior. But it is also to have an intimate knowledge of Jesus like what you have with your mate b/c you made a commitment to him/her to spend your whole life with him/her. You committed your whole life and love to your mate, and your mate committed his/her whole life and love to you. Both is true.

So, begin your day today listening to “We saw Thee not” (and maybe “I know whom I have believed”).