Posted by David Carroll
Malachi 3:16 (NKJV)
Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name.
I have always viewed this verse as the people who were faithful to God having fellowship with each other then writing a book about all the things God has done for them as a keepsake. That is a good thing, like keeping a journal of your spiritual journey with the Lord. In fact, the Old testament is really just that, a history of God's dealings with the Israelites. But looking at this verse more closely, I realize that it is God writing the book in this case. Of course with the inspiration of scripture, God wrote the bible too. But I see this as a special book. The verse says that it was written "before Him" which I take to mean in his presence. And the occasion was that God had listened and heard the people speaking to each other about spiritual matters. He was pleased and this book represents God's awareness of everything we do. This book however will be used to judge our works, not for the purpose of deciding our fate, but rather for the purpose of reward.
Revelation 22:12 (NKJV)
"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
Posted by David Carroll
Malachi 2:13-16 (NIV)Another thing you do: You flood the Lord's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, "Why?" It is because the Lord is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
"I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the Lord Almighty.
So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.
You've have heard the common salutation "Keep the Faith." I haven't heard it much in recent years but twenty years ago, it was quite common. What we meant by it was similar to what we mean when we say "Hang in there" today. Keep believing, keep trusting; know that it is going to work out. I find it interesting that God uses this term in speaking of marriage. Actually He says it in the negative "Do not break the faith." Marriage is a covenant relationship. That is why we call them marriage "vows." It is a promise to be faithful. The other person can "keep the faith" knowing that you can be trusted. By not being faithful to your promise, you have "broken the faith." Divorce happens not because "we just don't love each other anymore." It happens because one or both are no longer trustworthy. It is a broken faith. This is no lightweight matter. God says he hates divorce.
I suppose about half the people I know, maybe more, are divorced and remarried. If you are divorced it is because of sin and unfaithfulness. Are you then ruined, no longer fit for God's service? No more so than any sinner and we are in that category. God can use you but it will be through brokenness, repentance. You can never escape the consequences of sin in this life. But you can escape the burden of it. From this day forth, do as God says, "Guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith."
Posted by David Carroll
Revelation 20:15 (NIV)
If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Christmas season is coming up and we hear the familiar tunes again. I keep hearing in my head "He's making a list and he's checking it twice." You know, the naughty and nice thing. We'll I can tell you, I probably deserve to be on the naughty list. I am reminded of the times I've slipped up and let my tongue get unruly, and the times I've suppressed the leading of the Holy Spirit to do the right thing. I'm talking about recently too. The list this verse is talking about is a different type of list from Santa's however. You can't call it the "nice" list because there are some really bad dudes on this list, or at least they used to be really bad. I'm not really bad but like I've already confessed, I'm not so good all the time either. The difference is, that I don't enjoy being bad. My pastor once said, that now that he's saved, he sins all he wants to...he doesn't want to anymore. The biggest difference in this list from Santa's is that once you get on this list you don't get off. That's called security, the eternal kind.
OK, so I've been beating around the bush. After hitting you with this verse, I wanted to lighten things up a little bit to keep you around long enough to read this far. You've already read the heavy stuff and I'm reminding you of it now. There is a time limit to get on this list. It's called life. You may have lots left or you may have just a few more hours. Thrown into the lake of fire, that's a terrible consequence of not getting your name written in the book of life. You know what it takes--surrender. Give it up, give your life over to Christ. Let him be Lord and master of your life. Trust in the promises of God, you can find them in the Bible. The bible calls the promises exceedingly great and precious. Escape the wrath that is to come. This why it is called "being saved."
Posted by David Carroll
Revelation 19:11-16 (NKJV)
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
This must be the most stirring description of the second coming of Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation. I find myself like the kid at the movies standing up to cheer the hero who comes to save the day. This hero is faithful and true, but he is also fierce with wrath.
I remember when Jesus was about to be taken away by the Roman soldiers there in the garden. It felt wrong; I was with Peter wanting to resist this wrong arrest. Remember how Jesus said he could call down twelve legions of angels if he wanted to? I wanted Him to do it so badly. Well, here it is, and it is so right. Of course, reality will be different. I can cheer now reading it but then I will be laying down prostrate in sheer awe and worshipful terror.
Posted by David Carroll
I love you Lord...
John 3:16 [NKJV]
For God so loved the world
... because you first loved me.
Posted by David Carroll
I love you Lord...
John 3:16 [NKJV]
For God so loved the world
... because you first loved me.
Posted by David Carroll
Psalm 144:3-4 (NIV)
O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.
On a cold winter's morning, step outside and exhale. Your breath shows up like a puff of vapor that lasts for a couple of seconds. That is our life; a couple of seconds compared to eternity. What can a person accomplish in that time? Actually what we do in that time is eternally significant. It is in that period of time that we decide that God is indeed interested in us, and most importantly that we are interested is Him. You see, God is a gentleman, He will not force himself upon us, if you don't want to spend eternity with Him, then you won't.
Posted by David Carroll
Revelation 15:4 (NIV)
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."
There are many who do not fear God now. There is coming a day however when God is revealed in an awesome display of power and might. This chapter of Revelation speaks of the end of God's wrath and here in this verse we see that even God's wrath is a righteous act. It is easy to go through life and not be aware of God's omnipresent nature. The book of Revelation is all about a clear revealing of God. Many atheists complain that if there were a God, then why doesn't he show himself. From what I can tell however, such an appearance would be too much for unrighteous beings to withstand. God alone is holy and righteous. Of course, when I speak of the revealing of God, I mean the revealing of Jesus Christ who came the first time as a servant laying down his own life for us. He is revealed in his second coming as mighty king exercising judgment. The first time only a few recognized him and believed him. The second time everyone will believe because there will be no doubt.
Romans 14:11 (NKJV)
For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."
Posted by David Carroll
I love you Lord...
John 3:16 [NKJV]
For God so loved the world
... because you first loved me.
Posted by David Carroll
Psalm 141:3-4 (NIV)
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.
Jesus said it is not what goes into a mouth that defiles a person but what comes out. The book of James chapter three says that the man who can control his tongue is a perfect man able to control his whole body. I remember an illustration given to children in Sunday school. The teacher brought a tube of toothpaste to class. He asked the kids to squeeze some out onto their hands. After several of the boys gleefully carried out his instruction, the teacher told them to put the toothpaste back in the tube. Of course, they made a worse mess trying but failing.
We do that with our words. Once they spill out it is nearly impossible to undo the damage. I am praying this prayer of the psalmist now. How easy is to get caught up is all the offerings of the world! I pray that all my conversation be pleasing to the Lord.
Posted by David Carroll
Revelation 12:7-9 (NIV)
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
The only glimpse we have of the origin of Satan and demons. Here we find they were angels who rebelled against God. This must have happened recently after God created the world because we are first introduced to the serpent in Genesis three when he beguiled Eve. I believe the following verse is a description of Satan.
Isaiah 14:12-15 (NIV)
How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.
I believe Satan was perhaps God's top angel of the rank of Cherubim who attended to God in his throne room in heaven. He was such a magnificent creature, that he got the big head. Thus began the sin of pride which is the root of all of our problems.
My favorite verse about Satan is the next verse however. Now we fear him as we would an evil giant. But one day when we see him for who he truly is (or has become!), we will see how silly it was for us to fear him.
Isaiah 14:16 (NIV)
Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: "Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble...?"
Posted by David Carroll
Revelation 11:3-7 (NIV)
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.
The two invincible witnesses of Revelation are fascinating and there is a great deal of speculation as to who they were. Actually they were only invincible until they finished their message. There are many things to ponder from this passage. What do we know about these men?
There were indeed men and not angels since God calls them men and they were mortal eventually. This gives rise to the idea that as a Christian, you only live as long as God has something for you to do. Once your mission is complete, God takes you home. This also implies that if you are misbehaving and giving God a bad reputation, he might take you home like a mother takes a bad boy home from the birthday party. The boy is still a member of the family but it was time to take him out of the party before he did some real damage.
These two witnesses had the ability to stop the rain. We learn in James chapter five that Elijah stopped the rain for three years. This is one of the reasons that people think Elijah may be one of the witnesses. It stands to reason too because Elijah never died. He was "taken" up to heaven in a whirlwind. That feels right, otherwise he would have had to die twice. This way he only dies once, in this chapter of Revelation.
But what about the other guy? Most would say it is Moses perhaps because in the book of Jude the angels and demons contended a bit over his body. But that gives me a problem because it does not fit so nicely with the idea only dying once. Moses died on Mount Nebo in the land of Moab in the last chapter of Deuteronomy.
So who could it be then if my contention is to hold true for both witnesses? The only other man I know of in the Bible who never died was Enoch, one of the pre-flood patriarchs. Enoch is an interesting character too. The bible says he walked with God and that he was "taken" when he was 300 years old (a young pup compared to his other patriarchal family members). Genesis chapter five never says he died like the other patriarchs.
Makes sense to me, Elijah and Enoch, the two witnesses who never died their first time on earth so that God could use them again in a mighty way in the last days.
Posted by David Carroll
Zephaniah 1:2-3 (NIV)
“I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
“I will sweep away both men and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. The wicked will have only heaps of rubble when I cut off man from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
I am nearing the end of my daily read the Bible through in a year program. I find myself in a territory of the scriptures where there is not a lot of make you shout for joy kind of reading. I am talking about prophecies of the coming judgment. The world is heading toward a consummation. The above verse speaks of complete destruction of all living things ass well as the destruction of all of own creations. Can this be true? Would a loving, merciful God do such a terrible thing? Remember, this is not the first time God has done such a thing. When I think of this event, I find I go through several progressive sets of feelings.
First, I check up on myself, mostly out of fear, to see whether I am ready. Having assured myself of the promises of God regarding my own condition of salvation, I then begin to worry about my loved ones and friends. I feel confident in the safety of my closest family but as the circle widens, I begin to cringe with concern. Finally I am moved to the place God has been taking me all along, the realization that I am an ambassador for Christ having the message of reconciliation which is able to save us from the wrath that is to come. I am not called to hang a shingle around my neck that has “Doom is coming” on it. Rather, I am to be a light. I must witness lo what God has done in my own life. I’ll tell them what my destiny is. Should I tell them what theirs is if they don’t do likewise?
Posted by David Carroll
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV)
Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
There are good times and there are bad times. When times are bad, we pray for good times. When the good times come, we rejoice and pray thanks to God.
But what about when the bad times linger on and on. And
it seems God does not hear our prayers. Do we get discouraged?
Spurgeon said:
"I think that health is the greatest blessing that God ever sends us--except sickness, which is far better. The season of sickness is the schooling of the soul. More of God is unfolded then, and more of His truth is learned, than perhaps in any other circumstances."
When times are bad, to whom else can you turn? Peter said to Jesus, "But Lord, where else can we go? You have the very words of Life."
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Posted by David Carroll
Psalm 136:1-9 (NIV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. Who made the great lights--His love endures forever. The sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. The moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
Well, there is nine verses and nine times we hear that His love endures forever. Wait, there are twenty six verses in this chapter and every one of them say His love endures forever. I believe I am getting the picture.
But why does His love endure forever? It is because His love is unconditional. There is nowhere you can go, or nothing you can do to escape His love; it does not depend on you.
Posted by David Carroll
Micah 5:2 (NIV)
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
There are over three hundred specific prophecies regarding the birth, life, and manner of death of the Messiah. In order for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, God had to put into Augustus Caesar's mind the idea to leave a census in which people had to be counted in their ancestral city even if it meant traveling and much hardship. It certainly meant that for Joseph and Mary who lived in Nazareth, a northern city of Israel, to travel to Bethlehem, a southern city.
Posted by David Carroll
Psalm 134:1-2 (NIV)
Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.
I must admit, I feel a little timid when I worry about whether I should raise my hands in praise to God while worshiping. IA only happens when I see a few others doing so. My church is not given to such. Reading this verse, I am convicted to be only concerned with my personal worship and desire to magnify the Lord. I know that closing your eyes helps somewhat to get your focus off others and on God. On the other hand corporate worship ought to be just that, a body of worshipers acting in concert. Regardless, I should not feel any hesitation worshipping my Lord.
Luke 9:26 (NKJV)
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.
Posted by David Carroll
Revelation 5:1-7 (NIV)Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
Adam had been given total dominion over the earth and over all the creatures in it. Call it a title deed. Then he gave it up to Satan. To be just and legal a kinsman of Adam would be the only one who could redeem the title deed. Here in the book of Revelation, the record of the consummation of all things, John weeps that no kinsman could be found who was worthy, until Jesus Christ appears as the perfect sacrificial Lamb who paid the redemption fee. He appears though as slain, in his crucified body.
Someone asked, "What is the only manmade thing that will be in heaven?" Of course, the answer is Jesus' nail pierced hands and feet. On second thought, he willingly laid down his own life for our sake; He made His scars just as He made the sacrifice. We marvel that God came from heaven to become a man like us. As amazing as it is that God became a man, it is ever more amazing that there is a Man sitting on the throne in Heaven. He is our kinsman redeemer!
Posted by David Carroll
Revelation 4:8-11 (NIV)Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
I am afraid we don't understand much about the awesome appearance of the Glory of God. Nor do we really have a great idea of what worship is. Praise is continuous in heaven. Point is, if you are bored with worship down here, then why do you want to go to heaven? The magnificent, infinite creator God, who is Jesus Christ, made everything we enjoy down here. Whatever we do in heaven, don't you think that it will be like...well, heaven?
I can't get my mind off the idea that I have really no concept to imagine leaven. It's like trying to wrap your mind around what an eleven dimensional universe looks like, but that would only be a beginning point. How could we possibly understand what God really looks like? Ezekiel had a very strange vision at the beginning of his book. So here in this chapter of Revelation, John has a strange vision. But it is one just barely envision with our limited senses.
Posted by David Carroll
Amos 8:11-12 (NIV)
"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign Lord, "when I will send a famine through the land--not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.
Hard to believe but the Bible says it will happen; there will come a time when people will actually look for someone who will preach and explain God's word to than. The implication is that there will not be anyone around and perhaps no Bible either. What possible scenario could explain such a circumstance? It seems to me that for something like this to possible, that there would have to be no Christians available. For me the most likely scenario that is prophesied in the bible is something like a pre-tribulation rapture.
I know there are other beliefs that conflict with this view. I won't be dogmatic about it but I know that my thirst for the word of God is easily slaked with all the readily available resources both for hearing great gospel preaching. Never before, has there ever been as much great material and tools for studying and reading the Word of God. This verse does not describe a situation that exists today but I can see how it could happen, soon, if I am reading the rest of the signs of the times accurately, as thy relate to end-time prophecies.
Posted by David Carroll
Amos 5:4,14 (NIV)
This is what the Lord says to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live"
Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.
You say you are a Christian, huh? I would probably never ask you like that, but I might think it. Actually, I would rather just know it by observation. Then I might exclaim "You're a Christian, aren't you? I can tell!" The Bible says by implication that seeking God and seeking good are the same thing. To me this is not a life long hobby, but a moment by moment desperate desire, no, need is a better word. If you seek something and find it, then why must there be a continual seeking? Think about the woman you love and are married to, do you not continue to seek her? If you don't then something is wrong.
In this moment, and in every moment thereafter, I have a choice to pursue the good or the bad. It is a battle, but the Bible says when I choose the good, then at that moment I will have Almighty God with me empowering me to carry out that good. I have the easy part, if it can even be called a part, of just trusting in this promise. If I keep, my focus on the promise, the choice is easy.
Romans 4:16a (NIV)
Therefore, the promise comes by faith
Posted by David Carroll
Amos 3:3 (NIV)
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
This is a pleasant little verse which nested among a lot of sobering prophecy about how God will punish the sins of Israel. Such a little verse begs to be lifted out of the context but I think it stands as a truth all on its very own.
Why do we have so many denominations? Christianity is divided by the most petty little things. But, if we are going to worship together, witness together, minister together, we need to have something which we can agree on. The modern day phrase started by Rodney King "Can't we all just get along?" strikes at our differences.
Christianity is much criticized for it's infighting and denominationalism, and rightfully so. But there are some things about which if we can't agree on, then we'll just have to be separated. Things like believing the Bible to be the literal inspired word of God which is infallible in its message. Things like believing baptism is not a requirement for salvation. Things like the deity of Christ. Other things like predestination and election, I believe we can differ on yet still worship, minister and witness together.
Well, I'd like to walk with you but we need to be heading the same direction. I'm already tagging along with a whole bunch of folks that I agree with. Come join us.
Posted by David Carroll
Revelation 1:8, 18-19 (NKJV)
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
"I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this."
I love this opening chapter of Revelation. These verses are the opening statements from Jesus Christ who revealed himself to John and gave him the message which was to become this last book of the Bible. I want to shout with praise when I read this. There can be no clearer statement that Jesus Christ is God himself when He says I am the Almighty! The gospel is that Jesus Christ died for our sins (he has the keys of Hell and Death). That he died on a cross but rose again and is alive forever.
Then He gives an outline of the message John is to write down: the things you have seen, past, the things which are, present, and the things which will take place, future.
I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to reading this book. It says right up front that there is a blessing waiting for the one who reads and hears (understands) this prophecy.
Revelation 1:3 (NKJV)
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Posted by David Carroll
Jude 6 (NIV)
And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home--these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.
I am not given to much speculation when it comes to the Bible but I do believe what it says and there are some intriguing, mysterious things it says at times. This is not major doctrine here but I believe that there was a grave reason why God flooded the entire world in Noah's day. Certainly it was the wickedness of that day as is made clear in the passage starting with the following verse.
Genesis 6:5 (NIV)
The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
However in Genesis 6:1-4 is a reference to an obscure group of people referred to as the sons of God and the Nephilim. It is commonly thought that the Nephilim were some sort of strange creatures, perhaps giants, but the word has the idea of the "fallen ones". In the Old Testament, the Hebrew phrase for "sons of God" always is a reference to angels or a direct creation of God (as opposed to us who are "sons of man").
Genesis 6:1-2,4 (NIV)
When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days--and also afterward--when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.
The allusion here is that somehow, fallen angels procreated with women, creating an awful half-breed of men. Now the Bible does not say that but I am sort of reading that into it. Like I said starting out, this is not a critical doctrine but fodder for imagination.
Peter refers to a group of angels who are already in a region of hell. I say region because the word for hell here is the Greek word Tartarus, which is supposedly an even lower region of hell. This word shows up in Greek mythology as the lowest and most terrible part of hell reserved for rebel superhumans (the only one I can think of is Hercules but he was not a rebel).
2 Peter 2:4 (NIV)
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;
Perhaps these verses including my reading for today in Jude is a reference to the same event. Speculating further, could it be that in destroying all mankind except for Noah and his family, God was preserving a "pure" human lineage for Jesus Christ who would be born of man? What would have happened if he had not? The Devil would certainly have succeeded in foiling God's plan if he had been successful. Come to think of it, that was a key strategy all through the Old Testament from Pharoah killing the Jewish babies to Herod killing the babies around Bethlehem.
It would take a kinsman redeemer to save us. One who was our kin, a fellow human being, and one who was sinless and perfect, God himself. I am utterly astonished at the beauty and stark perfection of a plan that preserves God's justice yet allows him to be merciful too. Praise be to God!
Posted by David Carroll
Hosea 6:6 (NKJV)
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Both of these phrases compare the inward being with external actions. Mercy is a God-like quality and the knowledge of God only comes through His revealed word. Sacrifice and burnt offerings are really two ways of saying the same thing. For the Old Testament Israelite it really was burnt offerings. For the New Testament Christian it is really everything that we do for God including service and giving. But for both the Israelite and the Christian, God knows the motive in the heart. He is honored in us when we exhibit his traits, like mercy.
If I find myself getting a little proud of my accomplishments, I read the above verse and I am brought low again. Only God can reveal the true motives of the heart.
Dear God, give me a pure heart and a desire to know you more. Help me to love others with a merciful heart.
Posted by David Carroll
Hosea 5:6 (NIV)
When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them.
Technically, it is never too late to come to God in repentance and faith to be saved. But practically speaking, too late is indeed too late. Think about it, everything is going just fine and all of a sudden the plane starts to go down. You've only got less than a minute. What do you do? Cry out to God of course. But how can you possibly muster up saving, trusting, loving faith at that moment?
God is not a parachute.
Proverbs 27:1 (NKJV)
Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Corinthians 6:2b (NKJV)
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Posted by David Carroll
1 John 5:3 (NIV)
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome
The life of a Christian is not always smiles and happiness, but it is all joy. The Christian does not carry a heavy burden. If you find it difficult, something is not right. Most likely it is the love for God part which is connected with the not burdensome part.
Matthew 11:30 (NKJV)
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Posted by David Carroll
Daniel 12:4 (NKJV)
"But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
Daniel 12:8 (NKJV)
Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?"
Many of the great prophets of the Old Testament, of whom I believe Daniel was the greatest, did not understand their own prophecies. They were simply writing down the visions the Holy Spirit of God was putting into their minds. Daniel was told to seal the book until the time of the end. In other words, his prophecy would not be understood until the time of the end. Do we understand it yet? One thing that bothers me about many who pontificate on the end times is that many of the prophecies are dismissed as not having any relevance. There are so many of God's promises based on his covenant relationship with the nation Israel that could only be fulfilled during the Millennium. So to say there will not be one impinges on the character of God and his promise-keeping. I am no expert but I tend to side with the pre-trib viewpoints where a millennial reign of Christ occurs.
Knowledge is increasing but it is not yet converging. Still too much "to and fro" going on. I think I just pray and ask God "My Lord, what is the meaning of these things."
Posted by David Carroll
1 John 3:17 (NKJV)
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
This is plain; material blessings on the child of God constitute a responsibility to help those in need. This verse does not necessarily limit those whom you help to a brother in Christ. However, if you see someone in need who is not a believer, first give them the opportunity to receive Eternal Life. But seasoning that message with some material help in their hands will help them to "hear" your love.
I don't use this same "needs" based criteria for ministries however. There are lots of ministries who "need" my donations. My responsibility there is not to respond to the need but rather to use Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God principle to "find out where God is working and join Him there." It may be that the reason the ministry is in need is that God wants to shut it down for some reason. You'd be hindering God's plan if you supported such a "needy" ministry. This is just common sense. The scriptural basis would be the parable of the talents. God expects a return on his investment. By poorly investing you spoil the return.
The bottom line however is obvious. Your giving ought to be in line with the degree to which you are materially blessed. And the degree to which the gift is a sacrifice is the degree to which it is an act of love.
Posted by David Carroll
1 John 3:2 (NIV)
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
I don't know much about heaven; the Bible does not answer a lot of questions that I have. The answers the Bible does give seem to just pique my interests and make me want to know more. Here are some questions I have:
Since there will be no marriage in heaven (pretty much solves the divorce problem of whose wife will she be?), does this mean that our families will not be together? I think there must be a great and far more wonderful reason we will not be concerned about that in heaven, but I am still left wondering while I am here.
Will there be children in heaven? I realize that there will probably not be any procreation going on but what about children that have died? My baby boy is in heaven so this one is particularly of interest to me. In 2 Sam 8, King David said of his dead son, "He will not return to me, but I shall go to him." This gives me great comfort that my baby will be in heaven, I just wonder if he will still be a baby when I get there.
What are we going to do all day there? I truly enjoy worship but is that all there is? I have learned that any appreciation of God and his works is worship, so perhaps we'll have an infinite number of ways to "discover" more about or magnificent God.
The description of the New City of Jerusalem at the end of the book of Revelation is mind boggling. But what about the pearly gates and the streets of gold? Is that really what it is going to be like? Forgive me Lord, but I've seen some pretty gaudy looking pearl and gold stuff before. I like the rolling hills and majestic sunsets sort of look personally. Well, Jesus did say he was preparing a place for me in John 14.
Finally, what is a resurrected body like? Jesus had one and he walked through walls. He ate fish and bread too. I like the food idea but I hope I'll be able to control my weight; heaven's food must be really good. Somehow though, I don't think this is a very full description of what a resurrected body will be like. My clue is the above verse. We have not yet seen Him as he really is. But I love the certain promise: We shall be like Him.
Posted by David Carroll
1 John 2:3-5 (NIV)
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him.
Actually John is far more blunt than my title would suggest. He calls the person who claims to know him a liar if there is no evidence of it. Couldn't the evidence be something besides obedience, like wearing a cross around your neck or even going to church every Sunday? The implication here is that the one who knows Him does all of His commands, not just some of them.
The Bible is very clear that it is not by our keeping commands that we come to know him. That happens by trusting that He is able and willing to save anyone who comes to Him and then placing your faith in that promise.
If we can't know him by keeping his commands, the opposite is true. That is, coming to know Him will produce obedience to His commands. There is no hint that the motivation for obedience here is gratitude for what Christ has done, rather it seems a necessary result of knowing Him. I see that happening in my own life. The more I know Him the more I want to obey Him. It seems that He is the one producing the desire and motivation to be obedient. I love His words and His promises for my future--here on this earth and ultimately in Heaven.
John Piper's book Future Grace was a great help to me in understanding this.
Posted by David Carroll
1 John 1:1-3 (NIV)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
John hammers this point across that this is not something they have made up. He and the other apostles heard Jesus. The saw him with their own eyes. They touched him. Now, these might be things that an fan might gushing to say about the time he "actually got to touch" Jesus. John is not bragging like a fan. He is writing with what seems to be a desperate urgency--like someone who has found the cure for cancer and is trying to convince the world.
A cure indeed for a fatal disease we all have called S I N positive. There is only one cure for this disease and it happens to be a blood cure. We may not be able to see, hear and touch Jesus Christ in the flesh like John did but what John writes about is more than a cure, it is a relationship. John talks about fellowship with each other and with the Father and with Jesus Christ. Can you blame John for his eagerness?
I like having an eyewitnesses to what Jesus said and did. The number and quality of these eyewitnesses would overwhelm any judge and jury beyond any reasonable doubt. But come to think of it, I am called to be a witness too. Not that I have seen, heard and touched Christ, but that I have been changed by his words and that I have the testimony of the Holy Spirit living within me.
Posted by David Carroll
Daniel 6:5 (NIV)
Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."
King Darius had replaced Nebuchadnezzar but Daniel even found favor with Darius and so Daniel was appointed to be one of three chief administrators in the Kingdom. The satraps did not like this and sought to bring him down, however they became frustrated because they could not find any grounds for accusing Daniel of any wrongdoing. Well, these wicked satraps finally figured out what to do: make a law that directly contradicted a command of God. For thirty days, no one in the kingdom could pray to any other Gods except the King. Why did they figure this would work? Because they knew Daniel would not be compromised with his God. Sure enough, they caught Daniel disobeying this new law in the privacy of his own home and that's what got Daniel thrown into the lion's den.
I wish that every Christian were blameless before God. Law abiding, and respectful of authorities. Even of their employers. At the same time, when the laws of man directly contradict the laws of God, there should be no compromise. People get confused about this, thinking that legalized abortion falls into this category. But this is a permissive law, not a forbidding law. It only forbids the state from prosecuting an unborn baby killer. It does not force you to kill babies.
But there are laws that come perilously close to direct contradictions, such as those that could prevent witnessing to a fellow employee, or those that could forbid speaking about God at a school function. Notice that I said could rather than do. These laws are close but they only come to the edge without going over. For example, it is perfectly legal to pray in school, out loud. But the teacher cannot do it as part of the formal school activity. This is no different than requiring an employee to avoid certain activities. Employers have this freedom and right. Imagine that if we required that every employer allowed their employees to do whatever they pleased, then we would take away the employer's freedom to give the employee theirs. This is the nature of freedom. Freedom is not a license to do anything. You are not free to kill someone (except unborn babies).
Freedom means that you are free to do what is right. Now, go exercise that freedom. Go pray, worship, study the bible, witness to your neighbors like Daniel did, even when he was not free to do so.
Posted by David Carroll
Proverbs 28:19 (NIV)
He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
I have chased my fair share of fantasies. None of them turned out. I have followed a few dreams. Some of them have worked out better than my wildest imagination. What is it about chasing a fantasy that is different from following a dream? Chasing sounds hurried, unplanned. Fantasy sounds unreal. God speaks in dreams all through the bible. But he does not speak in fantasies.
You can follow a dream and it may take years of thinking and planning, trial and error, small calculated steps. And let's not forget much prayer and seeking of council.
When you chase a fantasy, none of these things apply.
Posted by David Carroll
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is an amazing book. There are sixty-six different books penned by forty different authors over a fifteen hundred year period of time. The amazing thing is that it the message is consistent throughout. Yes there are some difficult passages but when interpreted in light of the many more clear passages the Bible speaks as a single voice.
This verse speaks of prophecy and that word does not mean what it is commonly thought to mean. It means simply the forthtelling the truth of God which includes the truth about the past and the truth about the future. Of course if it's true, it neither changes nor grows old. One thing that this verse makes clear is that these men were not the authors; they were moved to write what they wrote by the Holy Spirit. Did the Holy Spirit put the exact words into their minds? Well, yes but they would been the words and vernacular they were familiar with which gives each book it's characteristic style.
Posted by David Carroll
Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
I believe this may be favorite story in the Bible. These three friends of Daniel were absolutely confident in God. They were not sure how God would deliver them or even if He would. But they knew that He was able and if He didn't then that was fine with them too because they trust Him completely too.
Daniel 3:25 (NKJV)
"Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
Wow! Did God ever deliver! I love the way he did it too, certainly there was a miracle and He could have done it sitting from his throne in Heaven but all indications are that it was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ who stepped in to the fire with them. When they came out, they could not even smell any smoke on them!
This is the way I want to face any difficult circumstance. My I always say "He is able and he is willing but if not that's all right because I trust Him."
Posted by David Carroll
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
It's not often that people come to you and ask you to tell them about the God you worship. Why would they do that anyway? Because something about you is different. They see hope in you and there is something about you that they would like to have. So if you are not often asked, is it because they don't see the hope?
This verse gives the instructions for causing that hope to surface. It starts by adoring Christ in your heart and by being obedient to Him as Lord. All right, now that that is taken care of, what happens when someone asks? That's the next instruction: be prepared to answer. That means daily reading, study, and meditation on God's word...then doing what it says. After you've done that for a while you ought to be feeling pretty good about your diligence and preparation. Well, that's just what you don't want to do because you need to deliver your answer with meekness and fear as the New King James Version says.
Posted by David Carroll
1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
I know, I skipped over the part about wives being submissive to their husbands but I've got a couple of good reasons. Both these verses were in my reading but I am not a wife so even though I liked that part, it wasn't addressed to me, this one was. This verse's command has far greater implications since there is a direct link to unanswered prayer and I really want to get my prayers answered. I think that sin in general pretty much hinders prayer but when the Bible pinpoints one, pay close attention.
Do you understand women? I say I don't but what I really mean is that she does not have the same reaction as I do to things. There's lots of great books on how to understand the opposite sex and you would do well to study them. Quite honestly though, those books aren't really that necessary. Understanding is knowledge and love combined. You learn about a person living with them. And when this knowledge is applied in love, that's understanding.
Giving honor has to do with making your wife precious to you. When she knows that and experiences that on a daily basis you will find great joy in that. Just as Psalm 34:7 says to delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart, I believe too that a similar thing will happen when you delight yourself in your wife. She will radiate returned love for you.
"Heirs together of the grace of life"--that's beautiful.
Posted by David Carroll
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV)
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
I have always heard that the word holy, when applied to men, means to be set apart or sanctified. Reading this verse I am now perplexed (not unusual for me when dealing with deep truths) because the reason for our holiness is God's holiness. It seems to say that we are to be holy in the same way as He is holy. Obviously that can't be but this is actually a common biblical requirement. Jesus said:
Matthew 5:48 (NKJV)
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
And the book of Hebrews goes so far as to say holiness is a requirement to see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
One way we are to be holy is to imitate Christ; He is our perfect example. But just as a child can't do a perfect imitation, neither can we. Jesus said "be perfect." Here is another clue, we are to pursue it, meaning we reaching for it but not there yet. Jesus also said: "Without me, you can do nothing." OK, now we are getting somewhere. Jesus has a role in this. Come to think of it, my only role is to be submissive. God said "without faith it is impossible to please Him." So is it then by faith, with the power of Christ in me and me in Him? When God gives a seeming impossible command think faith, trust, surrender and God's enabling power.
1 John 3:2-3 (NKJV)
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Posted by David Carroll
1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I haven't seen Him either. The bible speaks of the Spirit of God as a wind which you cannot see but you can see its effect. Think about this though, Peter had seen him, touched him, lived with him. Jesus washed his feet. Peter had good reason to love Jesus. Jesus was wonderful when he walked on this earth. But look how Peter describes our joy: "inexpressible and glorious." Why? This joy does not come from within us; it is put into us; we are "filled" with it as Peter said. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [Romans 8:16]
John 20:29b (NKJV)
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Posted by David Carroll
Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
When I lived in Atlanta in the early 90's, I had become somewhat lax in my devotion to the Church and to my walk with the Lord. Although I was assured of my salvation and my beliefs were solid because of six years of sitting under one of the great preaching and teaching pastors of all time. However, it was clear that something was missing in my life and growth as a Christian. I was asked to become a part of a men's small group meeting after work in my office. The leader had been encouraged by his pastor to begin a bible study in a corporate setting. He was not as knowledgeable of the bible as I was so he asked me to help out with the bible study part.
One of our weekly assignments was to memorize a short passage of scripture. I had never been part of a men's small group before nor had I memorized scripture before. It was really difficult that first week; I spent a lot of time trying to get my verse right and I was pleased when I was able to get my verse right in front of the group. After several weeks of this we would begin to rib each other if we could not get it right. The peer pressure acted as a great motivator. I soon discovered that my investment of time would dwindle away as my memory of the first week's verse would fade. That really bothered me so I became determined to review all my verses every week to keep from loosing them. After a year, I was thrilled to realize that I had about fifty passages of scripture that I could recite at will.
The most amazing discovery was the impact on my spiritual life that scripture memory had on me. These memory verses were gems of great value, power tools to use for counseling, witnessing and teaching. The promise of this verse came true as I was able to defeat sin and temptation with the power of God's word ready on my tongue. My life began to change rapidly as my fellowship with the Lord was restored and grew more intimate. I really do attribute the power of God's word hidden my heart to the radical change that occurred in my life.
Posted by David Carroll
James 4:7 (NKJV)
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
There are times when a temptation seems unusually strong. I mean by temptation something that you feel a desire to do which you know to be wrong. It is a battle between not wanting to succumb on the one hand and a strong desire to experience an illicit pleasure on the other hand. It tempting object could be food, sex or drugs. It could be things like skipping work, or school or any other obligation you would rather not do. Most of the time there is some sort of built-in restraint having to do with the fear of getting caught. The avoidance of shame is a strong motivation to resist temptation but it only goes so far. The human capacity to rationalize any behavior is astonishing. In our modern technological society there is a insidious temptation--Internet pornography. The fear of being caught almost not there. A savvy Internet user can any trace of his indulgence. That is, any trace except the indelible impression that is made upon the mind. Think about it, once an image is viewed, is it possible to forget it? No, that image will remain there until death. Continued callous viewing of pornography will eventually result in behavioral symptoms.
So what can heal this ugly plague? What is the defense against this temptation? Where is the deterrent? This verse gives the answer. A temptation is like a living being; in fact its source is a living being--the devil himself. You feed it and it grows stronger; starve it and it will weaken. The promise of this verse is to "resist the devil and he will flee." In other words, it will not be a constant battle. The battle will end and you will find victory, relief from the temptation. But where do you get the power to resist in the first place? That's the first part of the verse, "Submit to God." He will give you the power.
So there it is, the only solution to the problem of Internet pornography--a surrendering relationship with God.
Posted by David Carroll
James 3:13-17 (NKJV)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
James contrasts wisdom from above against earthly wisdom. I have never thought of wisdom that was not good. Bitter envy and self-seeking are clearly bad but are they wise in any way? The whole world is full of people who have these traits. Come to think of it, I have these traits but they are under control and suppressed. The world celebrates greed and the "me first" mentality because they accomplish their objective, at least temporarily, and I guess that is wise in some sense. But the bible calls such wisdom sensual and demonic. So here is the doctrine that demons are involved in rousing our fleshly appetites. God is not the author of confusion; evil desires are which use conflict, misunderstanding, hatred, and deception as their tools.
But James brackets this evil with wisdom from above demonstrated with good conduct. He speaks of the meekness of wisdom which is the opposite of arrogance. Wisdom from above is pure; if there is any worldly wisdom in the mix, the godly wisdom is canceled out. A peace-loving, gentle person willing to yield is content and a delight to be around. Mercy is not the same as pity; mercy results in action which is the good fruits spoken of here. Such mercy is freely given to the lovable and the unlovable. With godly wisdom, love is not a feeling but an action.
I want to be this way. Lord, make me to be wise and understanding.
Posted by David Carroll
James 2:14 (NIV)
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Notice that the question is not "can faith without works save you?" If that were the question, the answer would be "it is impossible to have faith without works." Faith necessarily produces works. If good deeds do not come as a result of a changed life then what is it that changed? Works do not save. Works are not even the expression of gratitude for being saved. Being saved changes you and that change is evidenced by the power of God working through you.
Back to this verse...the emphasis is on the false claim to faith. So the question is "can a false claim to faith save you?" It is a rhetorical question which goes unanswered because the answer is obvious.
Posted by David Carroll
James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
I have heard it said many times, "Don't pray for patience, because God will just send you trials to endure." Makes sense if that was where it ended, but there is purpose in this testing of your faith; it makes you perfect and complete, lacking nothing. I want to be happy and I know you do to. This verse promises a condition where we will be lacking nothing. Sound's like a blissful condition to me closely related to happiness. I think I'll try it out (praying for patience) despite all the worldly wisdom against it.
Posted by David Carroll
Ezekiel 33:10-11 (NKJV)
"Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: 'Thus you say, "If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?" '
Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'
When we take Biblical truth to its logical conclusion, it is inescapable that God, knowing the end from the beginning, must have known that some would accept Him and that some would reject Him, and while knowing this, God went ahead with his plan anyway. This sounds like the start of an argument supporting the Calvinist idea that God has predestined some people to Heaven and some to Hell. If we just left it there, deciding that we had it all figured out, we could become either smug or contemptuous about a God who would decide the fate of all men even before they were born. We dare not take any ability away from a sovereign God either.
However, we must not leave it at that with our own pea-brained analysis. God, speaking through Ezekiel says that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He pleads with people to stop their wickedness, to repent and live. This view of God is affirmed in both the Old Testament and in the New:
1 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV)
[God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Scripture presents God as giving us a choice and desires us to choose righteousness. I can't explain how it could all be predetermined and how we could have a choice to determine our destiny too. God's knowledge is perfect and God's plan is perfect and yet he has paid the tremendous cost and gone the vast distance to bring us to this point in time where all we have to do is fall into his arms to be saved, but then He pleads for us to choose. This is the action of an all-wise, all-loving, all-just God dealing with an all-weak, all-wicked, all-needy person. How else could it be? Would your idea of a holy God be the same if He were to say: "I'm gonna make him love me." Love cannot be love until it is a choice. The Bible calls sacrifice the ultimate act of love. Sacrifice is a choice or else it would not be sacrifice. Jesus was not murdered. Speaking of his life and the crucifixion, Jesus said "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself."
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 12:14-15 (NKJV)
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
There is no better proof of a changed life that the ability to live in peace among everyone. The kind of peace spoken of here is not superficial nicety. We know this because it is linked with holiness. Such peace is a deep love founded on the basis of a redeemed nature. And we know this because it says you will not see the Lord with out it. It is the holiness of a pure life made possible by the new birth we have in Christ:
Hebrews 10:10 (NIV)
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
God works this holiness into us through his discipline which He gives "for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness." (Heb 12:10)
The opposite of this peace is bitterness, a danger which is all too near. The bibles says we should beware and not allow a root of bitterness spring up. The soil for this root is discontent, a feeling that we have been wronged. Bitterness is never satisfied; it only ends in despair and destruction and drags others down with it. But when Christ is your Lord and master, what is your rightful basis for feeling wronged or slighted? There is a miracle that occurs in the life of a Christian under attack; it happens when he is able to deflect these feelings onto Jesus.
I remember being personally and unfairly attacked in a business deal about ten years ago. This situation went on for several months and weighed heavily on my mind. I was tempted to become defensive and to lash back. I remember walking one evening while praying and coming to the place where I was able to look to Jesus for all my satisfaction. I remember very well how free I felt knowing that I was working as to the Lord and not to men. He would be my reward. I was able to resolve the situation without any trace of bitterness or sense of revenge. That situation had such an impact on my life that to this day I can clearly see the potential for bitterness long before it has a chance to take root. The resulting peace and holiness that come from such a victory can only be described as joy.
Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV)
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Picture a stadium in which you are running an endurance race. The stands are full of spectators who have previously been participants. They are cheering you on, giving you advice and inspiration. You are weary, not sure whether you can finish the race but you hear them imploring you to focus on the one goal, the finish line. They tell you to drop all the baggage you are trying to carry with you because you will not need it when you arrive. They know because they have already arrived. They tell you not to worry about the person to your left or to your right who seem to be getting ahead of you. The goal is finishing well, not defeating others. You take their advice and you start focusing on Jesus Christ. You realize that your weariness lifts a bit and you become energized with a power you can't explain. You begin to smile with contentment as it seems as if you are being carried along. You still feel the pain but realize it is but for a moment as you can see more clearly the rewards that lie ahead. People in the inner field start laughing at you as you seem to care little for the items you are leaving behind as you shed them. Their voices are dimmed as you concentrate on the One who made you and who gave His all for you.
Posted by David Carroll
Ezekiel 28:4-5 (NIV)
By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.
By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.
What is wrong with this picture? You've been successful beyond your dreams. People admire and respect you. You have arrived. But you know something is not quite right because you are not satisfied, you want even more. But the more never seems to be enough. You put up a front which people interpret as confidence, competence, and calculating. You begin to believe what people say about you, how smart you are, the self-made man. You fill your life with the best of everything the world has to offer. Soon you realize that all your toys just become burdens. Later you are shocked that someone might challenge your position, someone younger, smarter, more ruthless. What is the point of it all?
Let's hope you come to your senses before the following happens as Ezekiel continues his prophecy:
Ezekiel 28:6-8
Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor. They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas."
Now I am not saying this is you, it is about Israel. But you can see the heart of God and the heart of man in this picture. How can you be satisfied? It was not the amassing of wealth that was the problem, it was the "heart has grown proud" that was the problem. See what Jesus says:
Luke 9:23-25 (NKJV)
Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith in God is not a belief in a fairy tale. It is based on reason and on rational evidence. But it is not like God has written on the sky "I am God, and you are not." So why does God hide behind his creation and behind the logic and reason of our minds? It seems that he is hidden to those who do not believe and that he is obvious and manifest to those who do believe. Belief is an interesting concept when compared to knowledge. Do I know something to be true because I have seen it, touched it, or measured it the way a scientist would? Or do I know something because I have an inner voice, an unexplained peace, a vision which sees the miracle of creation, or best of all a changed life.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
God wants us to believe by faith and not by our physical senses. It is as if faith is a spiritual sense supported only by our mind and not by our physical senses. God wants it this way. At our core being we are spiritual not physical. Jesus said those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
As it turns out, faith, which is a gift of God, is more real than the physical world. I think one day we will be surprised at what this world we live in is really like compared to eternity. It is just the shadow of the far more real thing.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
When a person is saved, it is a matter between him and God. Even though it is an individual response to the calling of God, usually there will be a number of family and friends who will rejoice in the miracle that is the new birth. But it is possible and actually common that an individual in the privacy of his bedroom will kneel beside his bed and ask Jesus Christ to become his Lord and Savior. Regardless, a new birth, whether it is physical or spiritual will always be into a family. The church is the body of Christ, the family of God.
So even though we are saved individually our growth is a corporate matter. This verse tells us to encourage each other in love and ministry. It tells me that I can't have church by myself. When we come together for the purpose of worship and fellowship, we are building each other up.
Here is the intriguing part; we are to concentrate on this corporate activity more and more as we see the Day approaching. What day is that? It is the second coming of Christ. It is the consummation of all things into God's final plan for this earth and its inhabitants. Apparently it is important for us to increasingly build each other up as these end times approach. Perhaps it is because there will be opposing influences seeking to limit the influence of the church.
Posted by David Carroll
Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV)
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
This was the theme verse for the Promise Keepers conference during one season. This is the Lord speaking about not being able to find a single man who would stand up for the Lord and who would build a wall between his people and the influences of the world. This does not mean that there is no contact with the world. There is a gap in the wall. But that gap needs to be guarded. I have heard people suggest that if they as a Christian would go to work in some secular industry commonly known to be a Christian free zone, that perhaps they might be able to influence them. That is a seemingly noble but still foolish thought. Usually what happens is rather than converting the world, the world converts us. Our influence should be from behind the protection of a "wall." That might be a strong family with a father who abides in the word of God. Or it might be a strong church. Whatever it is, it needs to be a community with strong leaders who can protect and discern good from bad. I know, this sounds a lot like a Quaker community. Not at all; I am not saying we don't take advantage of what the world has to offer, but we should have the gift of discernment supported by Godly leaders and loving relationships.
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 9:21-22 (NIV)
In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Christianity is a very bloody religion. Many people are repulsed by the horror of it all. But blood plays a central role in the remitting of sins. In the past several days we've seen how the entire Levitical system is an acting out, a shadow of the real thing in Heaven. Jesus is the real thing. He did indeed shed his blood. What does the blood mean? The blood is the life of a living being. So two things: 1) Jesus was a man, a living human being, God in the flesh; 2) Jesus had to die, loosing his life, for our sake. Everytime blood was sprinkled around, it was a foreshadowing of Jesus' blood. The bible speaks of the blood's cleansing power. This can't mean cleaning the body; when Moses would sprinkle the blood around, everything must have looked a mess. The cleansing power is in what the blood represents: Jesus the sinless, perfect God-Man dying for us. This is the way to eternal life and any other way would be an insult to God making his own sacrifice of less value.
Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
We only get one chance, this lifetime. Don't be repulsed by the blood, it depicts the gravity of our sinful condition and what had to be done to atone for it. It was nothing we could do, only something God as a man who could sympathize with our condition could do. Cover yourself with the blood by trusting Christ alone for your eternal life.
Posted by David Carroll
Psalm 106:37-38 (NIV)
They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.
Psalm 106 is about national repentance. The nation of Israel looks back over its history and confesses all of its sins. It is hard to imagine how God's people could become involved with this shocking sin. The Canaanites practiced sacrificing infants to the god of Molech, a fertility god, that perhaps they might be granted a good crop that year. The horror of the scene is too much to dwell on. How could anyone do such a thing? Only if life had little value, unless it was your own life. The ultimate in selfishness, the opposite of love. I can't help but think about the innocent babies being sacrificed today. For what reason? Is it not the same as we see here in this verse? But you say "her life would be ruined if she were to have this baby." How did Jesus define love?
John 15:13 (NIV)
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
A ruined life, a laid down life? For a friend? Could you not do it for your own baby? You could turn that verse around and say "Least love has no one than this, than he save his own life at the expense of another."
I think there is a swelling movement towards the pro-life choice in our country today. The argument "it's just tissue" is no longer working with the advancements in sonograms of being able to see a baby at 11 weeks smiling and sucking it's thumb. I like the reductionism argument. When does it become a baby? At birth? Six months? Three months? There is no clear dividing line until you get to conception.
So what about that mother "ruining her life?" What did Jesus say?
Luke 9:24 (NKJV)
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 8:1-2 (NKJV)
Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
I was looking back over my readings for today thinking about what I wanted to comment on. This verse made me take a second look because it claimed to be "the main point." These are the kind of keywords you listen for in class while taking notes to help you study for the big the test.
Jesus is a type of High Priest, he is in heaven on the throne now doing ministry, and that throne is in a true tabernacle made by the Lord. There are three wonderful truths in this verse: Jesus' priestly service, His atoning sacrifice, and the heavenly sanctuary.
I said that wrong about Jesus being a type of High Priest; He is the only High Priest and men on earth are just the types. A priest is one who represents the people before God bringing an offering to appease the justice of a Holy God. What does Jesus bring? His perfect life marred by nail scars in his hands.
What is his service? He is continually informing the Father of the ones who come to the cross saying, "he's one of mine."
Reading Hebrews gives us insight into why God instituted the entire sacrificial system along with instructions to build a tabernacle. The heavenly tabernacle is the dwelling place of God. The earthly tabernacles are the temporary residences for God to dwell amongst his people. No doubt there are many wonderful mysteries contained in the details of the tabernacle construction specifications. The most profound mystery is that the current earthly tabernacle is made of flesh, the hearts of those who have surrendered to Christ. The earthly tabernacles are but a shadow and a copy of the heavenly; this is true even of the fleshly tabernacle for there is and will always be a Man of flesh and bone sitting on the throne of God, the man Christ Jesus--God incarnate.
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV)
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
There is no one so bad that he cannot be saved. He is able to the uttermost. But we have to come to God through Christ. How does Jesus save us? He represents us before God. That is the ultimate in intercessory prayer.
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 7:7 (NIV)
And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater.
We say "Bless the Lord oh my soul." The Lord is gracious enough and loving enough to be blessed by our feeble attempts to bless him. But then the Lord blesses us with all that he has. All I can do is sit here in awed wonder. I am least and He is greatest. That still does not seem to adequately describe the vast gulf between Holy God and sinful man.
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV)
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
This verse is controversial and has been used effectively to argue against the security of the believer, the idea that once a person is saved, he cannot lose his salvation. There are so many clear passages of scripture that teach the eternal security of the believer including the magnificent words of Christ in John 10 that it seems foolish to use this difficult passage to trump all the others. If you believe you can lose your salvation, then this verse must not be very comforting since it teaches that you cannot regain your salvation.
I can see how after having stumbled into serious sin that one could wish to be born again...again. That too is certainly impossible according to this verse.
The description given in this verse of the former state of the one having fallen away is unquestionably that of a born again believer, and seemingly a growing one. This is the testimony of a changed life which demonstrates the power of the Spirit of God. What happens if such a person becomes an apostate, living in sin again? The testimony is ruined and Christ has been subjected to public disgrace. There could be no restoration of the previous testimony. And why is that? For the same reason the boy who cried "wolf" is not believed. In the world's view, it is impossible to return to that fresh born-again state. Is salvation lost in this case? No, but rewards are. This is the solemn warming of this passage.
Posted by David Carroll
Hebrews 5:13-14 (NIV)
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
It makes sense that a newly converted Christian would not know much about the deeper truths of the faith. But just as we expect infants to grow and mature, we should expect Christians to do likewise. It is not right for a Christian not to grow. Some of the more difficult concepts of the faith, like dying to self, go against our natural inclinations, perhaps even appearing to be a bad thing. With maturity comes the ability to understand the difference and whet righteousness is really all about.
So how does one mature? By digging deep in to the word of God and then by putting into practice (constant use) what is found there.
Posted by David Carroll
Ezekiel 3:18-19 (NIV)
When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
When God saves someone, He gives them eternal life. We teach that it is impossible to lose this eternal life once God has granted it. What's the point then of hanging around here if Heaven is going to be so much better? God has left us here for a purpose, to warn others of His wrath against sin, and to tell them the good news of Christ. Ezekiel had this dire and solemn responsibility to warn people with the words of God. In fact, he was held accountable for that warning--not for the effectiveness of it, but just for giving it. So too, I am responsible for telling others of the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. If I fail to do so, I'll have to give an account before God.
So why am I not responsible for the e.ffectiveness of the message? Because the power is not in me but in the message which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.