All posts by Monty

Getting Out of Here Alive

Thy nakedness (sin) shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.  Isaiah 47:3

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Matthew 10:28

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  Hebrews 10:31

Without the righteousness of Christ, no one will get out alive.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

Thinking Outside the Box

Have you ever thought of how much the concept of time limits our thinking?  Time is finite.   One day it will end.  We live and move within the boundaries of time.  We are limited in our thinking by it’s boundaries.

God is a spirit.  He is eternal.  He has no beginning and no end.  We are His creation.  We exist at His good pleasure.  He makes the rules.  He lives inside and outside of time.  He is not limited by the boundaries of time.

One of the names for God is “I Am”.  When Moses asked God who he should say had sent him, God replied; tell them “I Am” has sent you.  Jesus told the Pharisees; before Abraham was, I Am.  

What does this mean?  It means that God is always in the present. With Him there is no past or future.  He is not limited or confined by time.  He can stand on the outside of time and view the whole as one. He is time’s creator and one day He will bring it to an end.

We limit God in our thinking by defining Him as we define ourselves, within time where sin is the norm.  With God, sin is not the norm.  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8 & 9).

God is sinless.  He is without sin, that is His nature.  Sinful man cannot enter into God’s presence without being destroyed.  

When God dwelt among His people as recorded in the Old Testament, provision was made yearly for the people’s sin.  Once a year the high priest would enter into the holy of holies where God’s presence was manifested by His shekinah glory.  

The high priest would bring the blood of the sacrifice to sprinkle on the mercy seat between the two cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant.  This was the blood of the atonement.  The mercy seat was the meeting place between God and man (Exodus 25:22) when the blood of the proper sacrifice was sprinkled upon it.

God spelled out in His law detailed instructions for the sacrificial animal.  This sacrifice was a picture of God’s provision for our sins. (It pointed to the cross of Calvary where God’s only begotten Son would lay down His life for the sins of mankind and then take it up again.)  If the high priest were careless with this sacrifice for the people or the sacrifice for his own personal sin, God would reject it.  

For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Nor yet that he should offer himself often as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with the blood of others;

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.  Hebrews 9:24-28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What A Savior!

“Man of Sorrows” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood,
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! Can it be?
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished,” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high,
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

When he comes, our glorious king,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing,
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Words and music by Philip P. Bliss, 1838-1876

The Resurrection

HE IS RISEN!!!

Once again, just as Christmas is not a once a year celebration for the believer, but is an every day experience of God’s unspeakable gift to us; even so the truth of the resurrection that is celebrated on Easter should be an every day reality in the life of the believer.

We were born into this world spiritually dead.  When we are born again, we are made alive to God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  If you have been born again, you have already been resurrected from the dead!  

While the truth of the resurrection gives us the hope (confident assurance) of a new body free from indwelling sin one day in the future, the truth of the resurrection also enables and gives us the hope (confident assurance) to live unto Christ every day in the present.

HE IS RISEN INDEED!!! 

 

In Over My Head

There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.  For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. Psalm 38:3 & 4  

I grew up in a rural area of the Midwest.  Most of my swimming as  a kid was done in farm ponds or a local creek, if there was enough water running during the hot summer months.  We learned to swim however, in the city swimming pools.  

During a predetermined week in the early summer the local school district would provide a school bus and driver to haul the country kids to a city swimming pool for lessons.  Since it was done in early summer, the mornings could be very cool and overcast, resulting in many blue lips and giant goosebumps.

After a morning of swimming we were always ravenously hungry.  I remember kids consuming paper grocery bags full of popcorn and whatever else was available on the way home from swimming lessons.

The one thing that always sticks out in my mind from swimming lessons is how close I came one morning to drowning.  Actually, it was quite uneventful.  I seriously doubt that anyone else remembers the incident; not even the kid that saved me.

Brimming with confidence, this particular morning, I jumped with-out hesitation into a section of water that was over my head.  I surfaced coughing, sputtering and struggling to stay afloat just out of reach of the edge of the pool.  I was in over my head.

Fortunately for me, a schoolmate friend was sitting on the edge of the pool.  He calmly extended his arm, I grabbed his hand and he pulled me to safety.  It was a simple life saving action on his part, the magnitude of which he probably has never realized.  As a matter of fact I didn’t realize the impact of what he did until reflecting upon it as an adult.  I was just always glad he was there.

The opening verse above from Psalms says; my iniquities are gone over my head.  Iniquity is sin.  Unless you and I are rescued from our iniquity, we will perish.  We are in over our head.  

Jonah cried out from the belly of the whale; Salvation is of the Lord! When he was in over his head, Jonah cried unto the Lord and was delivered from certain death.  

We need to be delivered from spiritual death.  The Lord Jesus is within reach and He is reaching for you.  Will you trust Him?

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  

For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:9-13).

In my distress I cried unto the Lord and He heard me (Psalm 120:1).

Rejoice in the Lord

The title above is to a song that was written by Ron Hamilton in 1978. He wrote the song as a result of losing an eye to cancer.

As I remember it, when he went into surgery he didn’t know what the outcome would be. He would either wake up from surgery with both eyes or with just one. Ron lost an eye that day and wrote “Rejoice in the Lord” shortly thereafter.

Ron was and is a very talented musician. When a youngster at church tagged him with being a pirate after seeing him wearing the patch, a music ministry to children was born and Ron became known as “Patch the Pirate”.

Our kids grew up listening to Patch the Pirate songs and stories. God turned Ron’s misfortune of losing an eye into a blessing for hundreds of Christian families through Ron’s ministry of music to children.

Ron’s song “Rejoice in the Lord” was an encouragement and blessing to me soon after he wrote it, as I faced trials and testing of my own during that time.

I have been thinking of the words to that song lately and today (thirty seven years later) it played on the radio as I pulled into our driveway after work. Here are the words he wrote:

God never moves without purpose or plan when trying His servant and molding a man. Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long; In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead; So I looked at the cross of my Saviour instead. I bowed to the will of the Master that day; Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above; God strengthens His children and purges in love. My Father knows best, and I trust in His care; Through purging more fruit I will bear.

Chorus:  O rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistake. He knoweth the end of each path that I take. For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold.
                                                                                                        By Ron Hamilton

Rejoice in the Lord – Copyright 1978 by Majesty Music, Inc.  

The lyrics are used by permission. 

God Made All Things and All People Too

When our children were little we had a song that we liked to sing with them.  It taught them a Bible truth.  The name of the song is God Made All Things and it went like this: God made all things, God made all things, God made all people too;  I’m so glad He made them all; yes, God made me and you.  Author Unknown.

Here are some verses from scripture on what the  Bible has to say about God making all things and all people too:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  Genesis 1:27

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?  

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.  

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:  Psalms 8:3-6

I was cast on thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.  Psalm 22:10

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.  

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  Psalm 139:13-16

Did not he that made me in the womb make him?  and did not one fashion us in the womb?  Job 31:15

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,…Ecclesiastes 12:1.

Hast thou not known?  Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?  There is no searching of his understanding,………Isaiah 40:28.

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.  Jeremiah 1:5

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.  Mark 13:19

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?  Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?  Romans 9:20

Neither was the man created for the the woman; but the woman for the man.  I Corinthians 11:9

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  Ephesians 3:9.

For by him (Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  Colossians 1:16.  

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  I Timothy 4:3  

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.  I Peter 4:19

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.  Revelation 4:11

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven.  And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things that therein are, that there should be time no longer.  Revelation 10:5&6

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleaness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen.  Romans 1:20-25

As you can see from a couple of the references above, Jesus Christ is the Creator. He proved this during His earthly ministry by walking on the water, calming the storm, healing congenital birth defects, feeding the five thousand, and raising the dead, thus demonstrating His power, His authority, and His ownership of nature and nature’s laws.

Can a Christian believe in evolution and not be guilty of denying the doctrine of Christ?

 

 

But What About Science?

For creationists and non-creationists the facts are the same. The differences between the two lie in the interpretation of the facts. Christians must be discerning when it comes to scientific facts versus someone’s scientific interpretation.

The discovery of an expanding universe points to a beginning or point of origin for the universe which favors the idea  of a creator. Instead interpreters of science peddle the “Big Bang” idea.

The “Big Bang” idea leaves open the question of where the materials, gases, etc. came from that were necessary for the “Big Bang”.  Because there is no satisfactory observable answer to this question, it becomes a matter of faith to hold this position.

The laws of physics confirm that particles released from an explosion all rotate in the same direction.  We would expect therefore that all heavenly bodies in our solar system rotate in the same direction.

Recent discoveries indicate that there are a couple of heavenly bodies in our solar system that are exceptions to this rule.  At least one of these exceptions rotates in the opposite direction of all the other heavenly bodies in our solar system.  

How should we interpret this finding?  Are the laws of physics incorrect?  Not likely, since repeatable observable phenomenon concerning explosions confirm these laws.  Perhaps we should just consider that our solar system and the universe did not start by the way of an explosion?

Those who would exclude God from the interpretation, look at the precise arrangement of Stonehenge and conclude that an amazing intelligent civilization built it.

The same people then look at our solar system with its precise timing, rotation and delicate balance to sustain life ( a finely crafted timepiece) and conclude that it is not the product of intelligent design?

Which is it?  You decide, but please do not condemn faith’s role in the equation.  An honest assessment should conclude that faith is a factor on both sides of this argument.  It is just that someone’s faith is misplaced.

It is hypocritical of those who believe science has all the answers, to belittle Creationists for “faith” when non-Creationists resort to faith in future discoveries of science when science cannot provide all the facts presently.

Christian faith is not a blind leap in the dark.  Christian faith is built upon the integrity of Scripture and the integrity of scripture is well established.

The Bible is unmatched in the fulfillment of prophecy and it’s accuracy on timing and predicting future events.   Biblical names and places have been affirmed over and over again by archaeology when the interpreters of science said they didn’t exist.

The Bible is not a product of human thought in that it does not cover up the failings and short comings of its main characters and people as a human author would.  This book tells all without bias and without cover up.  It is a divine book and it fully exposes the guilt of mankind in general and God’s people alike for rebellion and self will.  Those that are changed by it’s truth are never the same.  

The fact that the Bible is the most published and printed book in the history of mankind, should prompt even the most devout doubter to examine the Bible’s pages and consider it’s claims.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.  Hebrews 11:3 KJV

  • For more information on similar topics go to: www.creationastronomy.com or www.answersingenesis.org
  • Of particular interest at The Answers in Genesis website is the article entitled; The Ten Best Evidences from Science that Confirm a Young Earth.
  • The Creation Astronomy website is written and produced by Spike Psarris, previously an engineer with the United States military space program.

Saved From Sin’s Power

Are we free from the power of sin or are we just free from righteousness?  

Salvation comes in a package.  The package consists of three saving elements.  At salvation we are saved from the penalty of sin.  In the present we are being saved from the power of sin.  In the future, we will be saved from the very presence of sin.

Most believers are very aware of having been saved from the penalty of sin,  and most Christians are aware of a heavenly destination, but in between many fail to overcome sin’s power in the daily spiritual battle.  Every genuine believer has the power to overcome sin.  Making it a reality is an act of faith based on what Christ has already done.

In the Disney movie “Down Under” the poacher captured a small multitude of rare and unusual creatures to sell illegally.  He kept the menagerie locked in individual cages until he could realize their sale.  

The creatures, in their desperate situation, worked the cages feverishly when the poacher left in an attempt to free themselves. Among the small creatures was an unusual lizard named Frank. Frank would try to pick the lock to his cage with his tail over and over, all the while mindlessly mumbling to himself in a worrisome way.  

During one of these escape attempts, one of the captured menagerie looked over at Frank and was startled to see that Frank’s cage door was open and Frank was standing outside the cage (free), but still mindlessly working the lock with his tail.  Frank was as startled as the rest of them when he realized that he was free indeed.  

Is being free from the power of sin a reality in our lives as believers?  Do we live it?  The just shall live by faith.  Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based on hearing the Word of God.  Do we reckon it to be so, that we are being saved from the power of sin?   Do we consider it to be so and live accordingly?  Is power over sin a reality from day to day?

When we hear that believers are being saved from the power of sin, does that startle us?  When we hear of spiritual victory, are we skeptical?  Do we tolerate known sin in our life because its just normal?  Is acceptance by the world more important to us than overcoming sin?  Are we just mindlessly going through the motions without any realization of spiritual power? 

The opening question above should be answered honestly.  Are we free from the power of sin, or are we just free from righteousness?

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (the gospel) where unto ye were delivered.

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

                                                                                           Romans 6:16-20

The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Church Today – Part II B – The Sealing of the Holy Spirit – A Study in Ephesians

Ephesians 1:13b  ….in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

The Greek word for seal is sphragis which means signet (W.E. Vine). A signet was used to imprint softened wax on a letter or document. The impression made by such a seal identifies the owner of the signet.

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions.  Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.  And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.  Daniel 6:16&17

MacArthur’s study notes on Ephesians 1:13&14 say that a seal represents authenticity, authority, ownership and security. Other study helps usually mention at least two of these four representations.

If something is authentic, it is true and genuine.  Not just anyone can issue a law, declaration or edict.  In ancient times a document or letter that carried the imprint of the king or governor’s signet was understood to be true, genuine, and binding.  

II Timothy 2:19 states; the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. The Lord Jesus Himself says; My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.  Followers of Christ, as evidenced by their love and obedience to His written word, are authentic (true and genuine) Christians.

The king or governor’s edicts were backed by the authority given him by either a greater sovereign or by the power of military force. When the slaughter of the Innocents was ordered by the paranoid King Herod, there was not much that could be done about it.  King Herod’s authority was backed by the power of Rome.  Had an uprising occurred, King Herod most likely would have ordered the slaughter of all who opposed him.

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (II Corinthians 1:22&23).  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18).  

Believers are sealed in Christ.  C.I. Scofield mentions in his notes that the Holy Spirit Himself is the believer’s seal.  The sealing of believers is accomplished in, through and by the highest authority, that of God Himself.

Concerning ownership; What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (I Corinthians 6:19)

The verb form to seal also carries the ideas of preservation, safe keeping and safe delivery (W.E. Vine).  When something is secure, it is surrounded by strength.  

Now the next day, that followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said , while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.  So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch (Matthew 27:62-66).  

In this passage the word translated as sure in the KJV is translated as secure in the NKJV.  The securing of Messiah’s tomb was accomplished by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

In this case the security was only temporary, in the case of the believer the security is eternal.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).  

To be secure is to be surrounded by strength.  To be surrounded by strength is to be without a care.  Are you sealed and secure in Christ?  

Note: If the Holy Spirit (who is God) is God’s signet then He is the believer’s seal.  The impression made by such a seal identifies the owner of the signet.  Whose image is it that we bear?