Sons of God For the Kingdom of God
I remember a little tune I learned as a teenager containing a phrase I’ve heard repeatedly since then. “We win, we win, Hallelujah we win. I read the back of the book and we win!”
I’ll use this little song to float a secret that will rock your world, if you get it. Here it is: When you read the back of the Book, we don’t win. Jesus wins. You respond, “OK, of course. What’s the big deal?”
What I point out might smack a little of “holier than thou,” but this brings up a huge perspective shift that will affect how you view the Bible and your Christian walk. Ask most Christians (even Bible college educated) what the theme of the Bible is, and what do you think their answer will be? Many will say something like “salvation by Jesus Christ.” That is certainly a theme and prominent message to which many prophesies point. But it’s part of a bigger, broader picture that puts God’s kingship and kingdom at the center rather than us and our salvation.
Now… back to the back of the book. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 11:15) Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords eventually reigning forever and ever over all kingdoms in His kingdom—that’s the theme, from the first to the last of the Bible. (Ex. 15:18, Ps. 146:10, Isa. 49:6-7, Eze. 37:25, Dan. 7:14, Matt. 6:13, Luke 1:33, Rev. 11:15)
In eternity past, God ruled on His throne, unchallenged until His highest angel, Lucifer, rebelled. Lucifer’s pride led to his fall (Isa. 14:12-14), and he took 1/3 of the angels with him. (Rev. 12:4)
God’s complete kingdom was now incomplete.
Enter Adam and Eve created as perfect beings and told to be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth. (Gen. 1:28) With what? Sons of God. The first sons of God were angels (Job 38:7), and some of them fell with Lucifer. God’s plan was to replenish His kingdom with replacement sons of God.
As we know, from the beginning to the end of the Bible, there’s an enemy fighting for that kingdom. He’s the prince of the power of the air right now.
Satan entices these first perfect human sons of God, Adam and Eve, to sin by disobeying God and eating of the fruit of the tree from which God told them not to eat. (Gen. 3:11-15) God has a prophecy for Satan. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (3:15)
The seed referred to in this passage that would destroy Satan’s head is Jesus. From the beginning, God set a new “son of God” plan in place to redeem sinners and turn them into sons of God to replenish his kingdom. (John 1:12)
Watching that seed line come up through Bible history is a nail-biting read. Just go to the genealogy of Christ in the first chapter of Matthew and review some of the characters, recalling some of their harrowing stories from the Old Testament. Notice how that seed line was constantly in peril.
Abraham is promised the seed will come through him (Gen. 22:17—compare the “stars of heaven” addition with the “stars of heaven” loss in Rev. 12:4), but he’s not having a child any time soon, so Sarah his wife tries to devise a plan to come up with a seed herself through Hagar. Nope that wasn’t the one.
Isaac is the one, but God asks Abraham to sacrifice him. Isaac is inches from having his body sliced up when God intervenes. (Gen 22:12)
Isaac’s first son Esau should be in line for the seed blessing, according to tradition, but Rebekah prefers their other son Jacob and manipulates to get the family blessing passed on to Jacob instead. It works. And surprise: God wanted Jacob to be the line from which Christ came anyway. (Rom 9:13)
Later, God reveals David is the one through whom the seed will come, but Saul tries desperately to kill him. Fortunately, he’s a bad aim with the javelin. (1 Sam. 19:10)
Eventually the Seed, Christ, is born, but King Herod wants him dead, so he orders all small children to be killed. Joseph and Mary run away with baby Jesus to Egypt until Herod dies. (Matt. 2:13-14)
But alas, at the right time, the Seed dies His intended death on the cross, partly because one of Jesus’ 12 disciples gets a plan from Satan to betray him and have him killed. (John 13:27) Satan thinks he won. But no, because Jesus, the perfect Son of God, rises again from the dead, and now those who receive him have the power to become sons of God. (John 1:12)
Now do you see through a new lens what the plan of salvation is about? It’s not as much about God’s plan for you as His sovereign rulership over His completed kingdom, of which you get to be a part if you’ve accepted His only begotten Son, the promised seed, and become a son yourself.
When you look at it this way, do you think your salvation by faith in Christ is all about you living your best life now? The phrase, “Jesus would have come and died for just one (me, you),” seems ill-informed now, doesn’t it.
We are living in the last days, and the pervasive perspective, even among the church, is a “me” focus. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves… (2 Tim. 3:1-2a)
This focus has become lost: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Rev 22:13)
For a parting thought (that I’ll expand on next time)—when we get saved, we become part of His spiritual kingdom (the kingdom of God) where He rules. After the second coming, we become part of the actual physical kingdom (the kingdom of heaven) where He will rule over all.
Jody
Is God Finished With the Jews?
Paul was pointed. The Jews wouldn’t accept the gospel message, so he turned to the Gentiles.
Here’s when it happened: Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you (Jews): but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth (Acts 13:46-47)
While his position may have been abrupt, it was God-advised. His visions and revelations, as we’ve learned, were that the Gentiles would receive the gospel. And it’s these verses that lead some to believe that God was and is finished with the Jews. How would you respond to someone who said that?
We simply compare Scripture with Scripture. It helps to have a perspective of God’s overall plan, which is for Jesus Christ to be glorified and to reign forever and ever (Exo. 15:18; Psa. 146:10; Dan. 2:44; 7:14; Mic. 4:7; Matt. 6:13; Luke 1:33; Rev. 11:15). Do we think for a minute that when He reigns eternally, it will only be over the Gentiles? As much as you read about Him reigning, you read that it includes all nations (Ps. 22:27-28; 72:17; Mic. 4:1-2; Rev. 7:9; 11:15). If God had not opened the door of the gospel to the Gentiles, how would all nations become a part of His eternal kingdom over which He will reign that was first promised to the Jews?
Since Paul received the full revelation of God’s purposes with the Gentiles and Jews, let’s look briefly at one of his explanations in Romans 11. Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. (11:25b).
The fullness of the Gentiles that ends at the conclusion of the Church Age at the rapture hasn’t come, and the Jews nationally are still blind.
But then, God does something different with the Jews that is hard for us to comprehend, because He has not done it yet and has never done it before. Here we go with what Paul said next in Rom 11:26-27 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (27) For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
He’s quoting from Isaiah about something still future, and there’s going to be a new covenant with Israel to take place after the rapture of the church. It’s going to be a covenant of mercy with Israel.
Isa 54:6-10 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. (7) For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. (8) In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. (9) For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. (10) For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed (in the tribulation); but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
What does that mean? It means just what it says. So read it again and believe it. He’s talking to Israel. Maybe you’re questioning this covenant and wondering if it’s a new one or an old one revived.
Let’s go to a rule of Bible study. Don’t run to commentaries on this. Compare scripture with scripture. Another prophet discussed the same topic and sheds more light. Jer 31:31-34 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: (32) Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: (33) But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, (those days = tribulation) saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (34) And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Back to where we were in Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. It’s still future as of Paul’s writing. This is likely to blow your mind, but He’s going to take away their sins, not because they received the gospel of Jesus Christ. He’s just going to take Israel’s sins away—by grace and mercy—apart from anything else but His promise. Paul said, regarding Israel in our study passage: As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your (Gentiles) sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. Rom 11:28 They are an elected nation, per His promises to their forefathers. The Gentiles (Americans and other nations) receive God’s mercy and grace by faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross. Israel as a nation gets a new covenant.
All this leads up to a better understanding. In our present church age, we, through the gospel, receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This wasn’t available to folks in the Old Testament, and they wondered about it.
After the rapture, Israel won’t get the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That mercy will be over. But Israel will get the indwelling of God’s law. Read this verse again: “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jer 31:34)
Both groups, Jews and Gentiles, get their sins blotted out miraculously. Us through simply believing the gospel of Christ. Them, simply through God’s future act on their behalf. And the following prophesy applies to them before it applies to us: I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isa. 43:25)
We ask, “Why would He blot out their sins automatically apart from Christ’s shed blood?” They ask, “Why would He blot out the Gentiles’ sins through simply trusting Christ?” Neither makes sense. But it’s God’s mercy that does it in both cases.
Rom 11:33-36 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (34) For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (35) Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? (36) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
All this begs for an understanding of another secret…the theme of the Bible. It’s not what you may have been taught, and when you understand it, this difference between how God deals with the Jews and Gentiles will become much clearer. Stay tuned.
Jody
To Wish You Were Paul
The Apostle Paul was someone God entrusted with secrets—in a unique way. In fact, you know the thorn in his flesh he discussed in 2 Cor. 12? The reason he got that affliction, which many believe was an eye problem, was so that he wouldn’t get proud over the many revelations God gave him.
Even Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus was a dramatic, direct revelation from God. Paul’s salvation wasn’t a result of the disciples’ witness or of reading the parts of the Bible available at that time. He had a God-orchestrated encounter with the Almighty.
Later, in the 2 Cor. 12:1-7 account that ends with his thorn in the flesh, Paul talks about being caught up into paradise and hearing amazing revelations. What he took away from that life-altering experience was not the beauty he saw, but the words he heard (12:4). He had a message from God.
This shouldn’t surprise us. After all, the Old Testament prophets received secrets from God in dreams. They recorded them by inspiration from God for us to read, though they didn’t understand them. It was a matter of progressive revelation in which God didn’t make His whole plan plain all at once. His design was to build understanding on the prophets’ truth by the apostles. (Eph. 2:20) Enter the Apostle Paul.
Paul was God’s choice to open up some of those Old Testament hidden secrets, which he revealed in the New Testament books he wrote, and most notably the book of Ephesians, as far as mysteries are concerned. How did I figure that out? Did I read a commentary? No. I went to my Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK) via my eSword app and typed in the word mystery. You can do it too. You’ll see the word shows up in 22 verses, all in the New Testament. Ephesians is the book with the most mystery mentions. (And interestingly, all but five of the 22 verses show up in the books Paul wrote.)
Now, just what were those mystery revelations? Anyone can look them up and be amazed, but I’ll just focus on the ones from Eph. 3:3-10 and its companion verses in Col. 1:25-27.
Before I share the secret, it’s important to understand that up to this point, everyone’s understanding was that the promises of God were for the Jews. He made kingdom promises to their forefathers Abraham, (Gen. 13:15-16) Isaac, (Gen 26:24) Jacob (Gen. 28:13-3) and David (2 Sam. 7:12-13).
What hidden mystery was revealed to Paul for such a time as that (and now)? “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” (Eph. 3:6) That’s the simple answer. He expands it a bit by naming that body the church.
I hope that I don’t need to explain another mystery we know somewhat. That is that us humans aren’t all there is. There are spiritual beings out there called principalities and powers in heavenly places. They aren’t omniscient. They also marvel at the revelation of God’s mysteries as they unfold in progressive revelation. That secret revealed about the Gentiles being fellowheirs and of the same body and partakers of God’s promises in Christ by the gospel was equally news to them. “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” (Eph. 3:10)
The body of Christ, the church, is a witness of the gospel truth to the world and a witness to powers and principalities.
Paul expounded on this previously enshrouded mystery in Col. 1:25-27. Remember, to these first readers and to the powers and principalities, this was novel. “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27)
Here’s an exercise. If you do a TSK search on Col. 1:27, you’ll find that in many ways, when Jesus was on earth, he told his followers that He would be in them. Here’s just one: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17)
The gospel, Christ in you, the body of Christ—it was all a revelation given to Paul that is now common to us.
Let me end with this. Does this mean God’s promises to the Jews transferred to Gentiles and that He is finished with the Jews? We’re living in an age that increasingly believes that’s the case. They even have an elevated name for the false teaching—replacement theology. But a good Bible student sees another secret that shows how God will deal with the Jews in the future. It’s fascinating, and it’s progressive revelation with elements still enshrouded in a bit of mystery because it hasn’t happened yet. Stay tuned.
Jody
Why Jesus Hid Wisdom
When I first came to know the Lord and was reading the gospels, one thing bugged me—for years. Maybe it bugs you too. The parables. If Jesus wanted folks to know Him, why did He speak in parables? If you were trying to communicate something important, wouldn’t you want to use the plainest, simplest explanation? Why enshroud your message in mysterious parables?
His disciples wondered the same thing, and after Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes from a ship, they asked Him privately, “Why speakest thou unto them in parables?”
Even after reading Christ’s response, I didn’t get it as a new Christian, and for many years. He said, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it is not given.” (Matt. 13:11) Could you explain that to someone? Why did He make His message a mystery to some and not to others?
For the answer to that, you don’t need to go to the original Greek and Hebrew. You don’t even need a pastor to explain it. The Bible explains it. I found the answer by looking up cross references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK). But first, tuck this truth away: God chose to hide and reveal secrets in what has been called progressive revelation. That is, God has a master plan that He didn’t choose to reveal to all of humanity in one period of time. Much of what the prophets wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they didn’t understand. It was for future generations to grasp. We’re talking about the birth, life, death and second coming of Christ. That plan unfolded over time through the pages of Scriptures. So we understand it now. The revelation of that plan of God was progressive.
The reason for parables ties into this, and you can see it by following the cross references found easily in the TSK. So let’s go on that journey quickly here, starting with something repeated many times in the Bible that starts in Isaiah:
“And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” (Isa 6:9-10).
For context, Isaiah is a book of prophecy in the Old Testament written to the Jews, You must always ask yourself when studying a passage, “who was it written to?” God wanted the Jews blind to the clear truth of the kingdom of God. Note, hiding this mystery from them was so important that Jesus spoke in parables so the average listener wouldn’t get it. He wanted that blindness to continue. Might seem odd, but God’s ways aren’t ours, and He has a grand plan we will see as we progress through Scriptures.
God, through Isaiah, reiterated the fact that He wanted to hide the kingdom truth from the Jews by actively shutting their eyes to it in Isa. 44:18 “They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.”
Don’t stop studying and get mad just yet. Let’s jump ahead from Isaiah to what Jesus said further when He explained to his disciples why He spoke in parables. “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (Matt 13:14-15)
He was deliberately perpetuating this blindness the Jews had to the kingdom truth.
You’re a curious person, and you want to know why. Keep following the cross references.
Later, after Jesus had performed many miracles and was wrapping up his time on earth, before his death approached, we read this: “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.” (John 12:37-41)
National restoration for Israel wasn’t due yet. It was a future thing, so He shut them off through unbelief for the time being until His greater purpose was accomplished. What was that master purpose? He gave the Apostle Paul that information, which he passed along as he was seeking to be released from prison at Rome.
“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.” (Acts 28:23-28)
Now we’re getting somewhere. That national blindness was to flip a switch eventually to allow the kingdom to open to the Gentiles. They would hear it, believe it and receive it while the Jews continued to be blind to it and reject it.
Later, to the church in Rome, Paul explained further the mystery of the kingdom of God and the Gentiles’ ability to be part of that, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Rom. 11:25) We’re in that time period right now, waiting for the fullness of the Gentiles to be complete. That is the church age we’re in. God is dealing with us Gentiles now. The Jews are on hold during this dispensation with a vail to the truth over their eyes that remains to this day.
Paul later revealed more of this. “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.” (2 Cor. 3:14-16)
Later, God will deal with the Jews in a different way, and that’s a topic of discussion for another time. But here we see why blindness was perpetuated. It was so the message could go beyond the Jews to the Gentiles—to give us a chance.
I’ll conclude here: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Cor. 2:7-8) I’ll leave you to your thoughts on this.
Jody
Jesus is in Charge of Wisdom
Hidden wisdom is another way to look at God’s secrets. He is the Master at hiding deep eternal truth. But what is the point, you may wonder. Does one need a master’s degree to learn this wisdom? Some think so and would urge you to enroll in their Bible college. But then, what chance does a young or simple-minded person (who can’t afford Bible college) have to know the deep things of God?
There’s an answer for that, and it’s found in what I’d consider the passage of full mention on the mysteries of God. You will want to get to know the Bible study rule of “full mention.” That is, any topic you are curious about in the Bible has at least one spot that explains it thoroughly. Start there in your study of whatever the topic is.
When it comes to the hidden wisdom or the deep things of God, the go-to passage is 1 Cor. 2:7-16. In a nutshell, the way to learn God’s hidden wisdom is by the Spirit of God. Those without God’s Spirit living in them will never comprehend God’s mysteries or His deep truths. He hides them from non-believers. Remember that God is a Spirit (John 4:24) and at salvation, His Spirit comes to live in us (John 14:17, Col. 1:27, 1 John 4:4).
Everyone else… how can they possibly grasp deep spiritual things when they don’t have the Spirit?
It turns out, Jesus loved the beauty of wisdom hidden from smart knuckleheads.
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” (Matt. 11:25)
Babes. Let’s call them the poor simple-minded we considered above who know Jesus. The fact that they know Jesus isn’t even because of their limited smarts. Because God wants the glory for what we know. Two verses after Jesus praised God for revealing things to babes, he said, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father, and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” (Matt. 11:27). We’re bumping into another mystery of God we will never fully grasp, and that is His sovereignty combined with His choices. An unregenerated mind will look at that concept, and the closest they will come to understanding it is naming it fate. That is, “stuff happens for whatever cosmic reason.” God’s air breathed into that equals His sovereignty. God knows hearts, and He knows who to entrust with the truths of Jesus. Even Jesus didn’t entrust Himself to everyone. He knew those who believed in Him only because of His miracles. With that knowledge of people’s hearts, He knew who to commit himself to and who not to (John 2:23-25).
Don’t cry “foul!” too soon. You don’t know enough about the secrets of God and who he reveals them to to judge yet. His truths are treasures—pearls He won’t cast before swine.
Tell me what you think. Jody
The Mysteries of God in the Water
Waters can be calming and healing, but they can be terrible, stormy and destructive—a conduit of testing. They demonstrate both the mercy and severity of God.
“Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.” (Ps 77:19)
We can see the surface of the dichotomy of water reflected in the Bible. He leads me beside the still waters (Ps 23:2), while His throne in heaven is surrounded by water (Ezek. 47:1-12). His son came down to earth as the Living Water (John 4:13-14), while in the day of Noah, the earth was flooded with water. How was it that only one family remained after this tragedy? Wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water (1Pet 3:20).
Others were saved by water. Remember the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea? The miraculous parting of the sea that saved His chosen fell back into place and drowned their enemies. (Ex. 15:4-6)
And when the Israelites became thirsty as they wandered in the wilderness, God miraculously and mysteriously made a fountain from a rock for them to drink from. It pictured Christ, the Living Water, and was a place of testing for them. Would they believe God or not? Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah Selah. (Psa. 81:7).
In Christ’s day, there was a pool of water in Jerusalem that an angel would occasionally stir, and whatever infirm person was first into the pool after the stirring of the water would be healed (John 5:4). But one day Jesus walked by, fastened his eyes on one impotent man who had suffered from some infirmity for 38 years, and simply spoke healing to him, and he was healed (5:9). He was saved by Water of a different kind.
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. (Psa. 36:9)
People who need healing (mental, emotional and physical) turn to all kinds of things for healing and reprieve. Some of those things might work for awhile, but the secret is that healing is with the Lord, and there is no substitute. For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jer. 2:13) Don’t run from the living water. Draw from it. Make no other substitutes.
Now let’s look at the more severe nature of water. It is the stuff of storms—literally and figuratively. While we don’t know why storms come into our lives, often unexpectedly, we know one secret: Jesus is in control of it all. What looms to drown us is simply a walking path for Jesus. (Matt. 14:22-33). He walked on the stormy sea and impressed Peter enough that Peter asked if he could also walk on the water. And he did, until he saw the boisterous wind. He had enough presence of mind to pray “save me,” and Jesus did. But the lesson was O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? The waters were his testing ground.
Remember the mysterious verse we are looking at: Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. (Psa. 77:19) Jesus is equally unaffected with waters, choppy or calm. Once he was asleep in the boat with the disciples during a storm, and they woke him and asked Him to save them or they would perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (Matt. 8:26-27)
It escaped them, and often us, that God made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in it. (Psa. 146:6) Turbulence to us is finger painting to God. His very voice is associated with the roaring of water. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder. (Rev. 14:2a) No less than five verses describe his voice as like that of many waters.
Hopefully, we’ve caught a glimpse of the mysteries of God in water. There’s one more to think about: There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most high. (Psa. 46:4) God’s throne is surrounded by water from which the tree of life grows that we will be able to eat freely from. (Rev. 22:1-2) The mysteries of water will be made plain when we see Him. For now, waters show us the perfect mercies, judgment and testing of God.
Jody
The Secrets of God
Don’t you hate it when everyone around you knows a secret—the same secret—and you don’t? Your mission becomes to find out what everyone else knows so you can be in on it.
But now, what if the one with the secret is God? Are you curious? The truth is, God does have secrets. It raises many questions. Does he intend to keep them secrets, or does He like to share His secrets? Here’s an answer: “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” (Psalm 25:14) “For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.” (Proverbs 3:32)
Just a casual look and you can see that not only does God have secrets, He likes to tell them, but only to certain people—those who fear Him and the righteous, according to these verses.
Those two verses are enough to make me curious. Why does He have secrets? What are they? Who all does He show them to, and who does He hide His secrets from? Where do I find out these secrets? Why would God show them to some people and not to others? Why is it a good idea to find out the secrets?
For some perspective to this discussion of God’s secrets, let’s start here: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33) Whatever I learn of God’s secrets is just a drop in the bucket of the magnitude of what God knows. After all, He’s the creator God with a master plan for everything that happens to everyone that lives. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” (Acts 17:28a)
Consider Job, who had everything taken from him—from his family, to his possessions, to his health. The giant secret was why? The whole book is an account of him and his friends trying to figure it out and explain it. His friends often get a bad rap, but one of them said something truly profound: “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?” (Job 11:7) The answer is no.
It’s worth a read to hear what God said in the end (Job 38-41). In a long discussion of His creation, God divulged a lot of prophesy, though He didn’t answer the simple question of why. But He did reveal secrets. While Job didn’t get the why, he got the bigger picture. We know why from the side discussion between God and Satan in chapter 1 that Job was not privy to. I guess you could say we know the secret that Job didn’t hear. But Job got the wisdom he needed to not question God, but rather to bow to His power and sovereignty.
We may not get the answer to some secrets, but we have access to unimaginable mysteries. Immense curiosity and a humble prayer for wisdom is what it takes to learn them. Do you have that curiosity? If so, you can learn some of the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.
Stay tuned. We will explore secrets and mysteries further. In the meantime, tell me what you think.
Jody
The One Universally Accepted Sin
I almost hate to bring it up, it is so accepted. So I will discuss it in terms of my personal experience. I was sitting in the little room at the doctor’s office for my 9 a.m. routine physical—waiting for the doctor to come in—for 45 minutes! I wondered how she could be that far behind so early, so I stuck my head out the door and asked a nearby nurse for an update, reminding her how long I’d been in there. She felt bad and told me I was next, but did usher me down to the lab for lab work while I waited. When I returned to my little room from the lab, the nurse came in and offered a peace offering. A giant chocolate muffin. Would I like it since I had to wait so long? Yes!
Just then the doctor came in. In our general discussion of my health, I asked her what diet she would recommend, since I’ve put on some weight. We settled on one, and soon she was done with me. On her way out, she looked at that chocolate muffin and asked if I still wanted it. “I sure do!” I had been eyeing it the whole time it sat there. I had part of it in my mouth before I even got out of the little room. I was eating and dropping crumbs all the way out to the car. Then I stood there and ate it all in the parking lot outside my car. I wanted to be sure to stuff the evidence of my indulgence in the parking lot trash bin before heading home.
I was ashamed of myself for the savage way I massacred that chocolate muffin and my inability to casually let it go when the doctor asked if I wanted it (after discussing diets).
When I got home, I continued where I was at in my daily Bible reading. I came to Ezra 8:21 “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.”
That verse said absolutely everything I needed to hear. First, my pastor had announced that shortly we would all begin a 3-week fast. It was up to us what we wanted/needed to fast. To some, it would be some kind of food. To others, perhaps some consuming entertainment or social media. What stood out in that verse was the purpose of the fast. It was to “afflict ourselves before God, to seek of him a right way…”
By now, you can see the sin that no one talks about. It’s gluttony. I couldn’t say no to desserts. Nor could I say no to an open potato chip bag. I couldn’t say no to being among the first in a buffet line. My weight was evidence. It was going higher and higher. I was definately food possessed.
I already knew I needed to go on a diet, but I lacked the motivation, or I would have already done it. But that day, I saw that my need was to fast my appetite for sweets and chips and my savage craving for cravable food and in so doing afflict my flesh. Yes, afflict my flesh. Just say “No!” to my fleshly desires for the sake of my relationship with God and putting Him first. That was a worthy motivation for me. I put it into practice immediately at a party buffet. I made sure I was the last one through that line, and I only took ¼ of what I would have taken and did not touch a chip. From there, it was desserts. I’m still holding a knife to my throat when it comes to cravings. It’s hard sometimes, but I remember that it’s important to afflict my flesh to seek what God wants for me.
Do we need a verse on gluttony? For me, it’s Ezra 8:21. But here are a few others to consider: 1 Cor. 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. (Why is it that overeating makes us drowsy?)
For me, it’s insatiable food cravings. You may have something else you can’t say no to. That’s what you need to fast for a period in order to seek God.
Tell me what you think.
Jody
How to Leave a Lasting Legacy
I’ll bet you expect that I’m going to give a key here that you can use to unlock the possibilities of leaving something lasting behind when you die. I’d like to give you that key, because I, like you, want to make sure that in the end, my life counts for something.
That’s what I was thinking about when I finished reading about King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 29-32. Besides David, he may have been the best king Jerusalem had during the times of the kings. He got the sin out of the city and re-established the annual Passover feast that had been long forsaken. He got God’s wayward chosen nation pointed back in the right direction.
He finally died—with a great reputation that lives today. Now we ask, what was his lasting legacy on earth? His 12-year-old son Manasseh took over as king in his place. Was his child his legacy? A lot of people think their children will continue on what they started. But with his kid, wow. During Manasseh’s 55-year reign, he undid everything his father had done.
He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.” (2 Chron. 33:1-3)
As if that wasn’t bad enough, “And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger…So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.” (2 Chron. 33:6 & 9)
Now let’s go back to Hezekiah’s legacy. His son wasn’t it. And isn’t this story every Christian parent’s worst nightmare?
So, what is the key to leaving a lasting legacy on earth? First, get rid of the idea it will be your offspring.
Here we go. Isa 40:6-8 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: (7) The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. (8) The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
You’ve heard it said that the word of God and the people of God last forever, so invest the first into the second. That’s a good key to a lasting legacy.
I’m going to propose another iteration of this. How about doing something that will promote the word of God to generations after you? I just finished reading Fanny Crosby’s biography. She’s the blind poet who lived in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s and wrote thousands of hymns we still sing today. People have always gotten saved from exposure to her hymns. That’s a lasting legacy.
How about putting verses to music and singing them and teaching them to others, and perhaps getting them up on YouTube where they will last? I’ve done that (look on YouTube for Jody Shee).
Writing a Bible study book could be another one. Both my husband (Richmond) and I have done that (“The Book of John” by Richmond Shee and “Ditch Depression Devotional” by Jody Shee).
When I die, my rewards in heaven are one thing, and the subject for a different blog post, but leaving a lasting legacy on earth is something to strive for—because after you die, what will it matter that you ever lived?
Tell me what you think.
Jody Shee
Follow Your Heart (?)
It’s advice we hear all the time… and maybe even give. The question on the table today is, should I follow my heart when I get a great idea or face a big decision?
Every sermon I’ve ever heard regarding this advice has centered on one verse: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)
The wicked-heart factor is why we shouldn’t follow our heart. But there’s another Biblical view to consider. I’ll call it the God’s-providence factor.
Look in the Old Testament at 1 Chron. 17:1-4. King David sat in his gorgeous house thinking outloud in the presence of Nathan the prophet, “I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth under curtains.” This was the hatching of his idea to build a house for God… a temple. What an amazing, noble idea. Nathan thought so. “Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.” In essence, Nathan told David to follow his heart on that. David’s temple-building notion was truly brilliant and spiritual. No need to even pray about that one.
But wait. Next 2 verses. “And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in.”
Why not? The rest of chapter 17 explains how at the moment, God was happy with the current tent dwelling. But there would be a temple, and David’s son would build it, “and I will establish his throne forever.” (vs 12)
Oh. David and Nathan forgot that God has a will and a plan, and we have a need to follow that will and plan. We don’t call the shots. Not even noble shots. God has a master plan for the tapestry of our lives for His beautiful glory, and all we see are the threads that surround us right now. Let’s not presume to know what God wants and rush ahead with our brilliant ideas—or advise others to do so.
So here’s a prayer we can pray when we get a great idea or stand on the edge of a choice. It comes from David’s mouth. Let’s pray Scripture back to God: “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.” (Psa. 19:13a) And here’s another, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)
Jody
The Two H-Words God Loves
Since the day I accepted Christ at age 15, I’ve wanted to get closer to God. I’ve wanted to know Him more. After more than 20 years, I discovered that to know God more/better is to get to know His word more/better. Because everything about Him that is important to know, He made sure to tell us in His word. Pretty simple, I know, but it took 20 years to realize that.
Now, what does His word say about being close to Him? I’ve found two keys, and they both start with H. If I can focus on these, I’ll be close to God.
One: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)
Two: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1Peter 1:15-16)
Humble and holy. Humble is simple surrender. Not rearing my ugly self-will, but learning what He wants and yielding to it.
Holy is practical righteousness. I have positional righteousness—that is Christ’s righteousness applied to my account when I received Him as savior and Lord. But holiness is knowing right and doing it.
Combine that humble yieldedness with righteous holiness, and this verse comes to life:
“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.” (Romans 6:19b)
We exchange our prideful, selfish desires for God’s desires. It takes humbling, or yielding ourselves. Then we renew our mind with God’s desires that we find in His word. We choose to desire His will, not our will. It’s a daily transformation that we make ourselves. We purposely surrender, yield and choose to obey… every day:
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Those are the basic, simple things God desires of us. “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)
It’s something to think about. Tell me what you think.
Jody
What is Heaven Like?
We wonder what heaven is like. We know for sure the streets are made of gold, and there are many mansions. Somewhere there must be a huge table, because those who know the Lord will participate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
But there’s an intangible quality in heaven we can’t miss. Holiness. It’s written about in the prophets, including Revelation. We should be conditioning ourselves to holiness now, because it’s the essence of heaven.
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: Isa. 63:15a Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven. 2 Chron. 30:27.
Look ahead to eternity future in Rev. 21: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2) And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev. 21:1-2
The point is, the New Jerusalem and heaven are lined and filled with holiness…the supreme value of God. Any sin is an assault to God’s character, and it will not be in heaven.
Remember when Saul was king of Israel and he did little disobedient things, like offering an offering when that was Prophet Samuel’s job? Then there was the time God, through Samuel, told Saul to kill the enemy Amalek and destroy everything, animals included. Saul decided they should keep the best sheep and oxen rather than destroy them. When confronted by Samuel, Saul lied about his reason for keeping the cattle. He made it sound spiritual. He kept them to sacrifice to God, he said.
But remember, God is holy. Lying lips are an abomination to Him. Here is Samuel’s summary to Saul. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. (1 Sam. 15:22-23a)
God and everything He stands for is holy, and our old nature bristles at that. Understanding that, let’s not try to get away with compromises and sin. Let’s keep our eyes on God and His character and ask Him to help us. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. (Psalm 19:13)
Jody
The Essence of God
What is God’s throne made of? It has to be made of something, and it must be significant for the God of the universe to sit on it. And while we’re pondering that, just where is His throne? It has to be someplace, and wherever it is, it must be significant to be the place He chooses to reside.
Interestingly, we have the answer to that in the Bible, and even more interesting, the characteristic description of His throne and where it is located are the same.
His throne: God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. (Psalm 47:8)
His location: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” (Psalm 48:1-2)
His throne is holiness and He is in the City of God in the mountain of His holiness. That mountain is Mount Zion, which is in Jerusalem. This is why we know God is not finished with Israel. He attaches His holiness to that place, and it’s not going away. Look for Mount Zion in Jerusalem to have its place in the prophetic future.
But the point I’ve been making (see previous 2 blog posts) is that God attaches his holiness to things we can see. Another example is the Ark of the Covenant, a picture of His holiness. Remember that? It was made according to strict instructions and was kept in the holy of holies. Inside it were the tablets of the 10 commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded and a keepsake jar of manna.
Remember when Israel’s enemy, the Philistines, stole the ark? They feared it greatly in the presence of Israel and they took it from them. Look what happened when they stole the Holy Ark (it’s called holy in 2 Chron. 35:3). “When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.” (1Samuel 5:2-4)
What would we expect from a holy God whose holy symbol, the ark, was set in a pagan temple next to a pagan god? It was blasphemy to God and He took care of it. He also took care of the people in the cities where the Philistines moved the ark around. They were plagued with emerods. That is hemorrhoids!
Let’s not lose the fact that God is holy. He shows us His holiness and that it is the foundation of who He is. God is a lot of things. He is love, a jealous God, a consuming fire, great, a refuge, our helper, our defense, a sun and shield, etc. But above it all, he is holy. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. (Psalm 99:9)
Jody
The Beauty of Holiness
God loves and deserves worship. There’s no one greater we can praise for all the awesome delights that surround us in nature, in our relationships and in our experiences. When we walk with God, those blessings abound, and it’s natural to raise our hearts in worship.
To us, worship becomes an experience. To God, worship is His choice adornment. He wants to wear the praises of His people. But not just any praise and worship. He especially responds to those who worship in the beauty of holiness. “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” (1Chron. 16:29) Several other verses talk about worshipping God in the beauty of holiness (Psalm 29:2, 96:9)
Notice how that says worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, not for the beauty of holiness. This holiness isn’t God’s holiness; it’s our holiness. It’s what He delights for us to wear when we worship Him. Worship to Him from a set-apart, dedicated, consecrated person is beautiful.
Remember, we have pictures of holiness through the Bible. Aaron, the one consecrated to make offerings to God, had a holy garment he wore to do his priestly service to the Lord. The entire chapter of Exodus 28 describes that garment. God wanted him to wear it. God wants us to wear the beauty of holiness when we worship him. “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
Compare that with the slacking way we may be used to worshipping Him. Is He pleased when we sing and sway with the music in church but our lives are dirty? We enjoy the experience of worship, but to really give Him the glory due his name, we will bring an offering and come before Him and worship Him in the beauty of holiness. He loves purity. In heaven, He will be surrounded with holiness, because no sin will enter His presence. But short of eternity, He deserves worship now that springs from holiness. This garment we see here that He described in 43 verses is beautiful to God. It represents the beauty of holiness. Let's be more mindful of our lives and offer worship to God wearing what He loves and deserves.
Jody
Holiness: The Big Deal
Who wants holiness? It’s not something top of mind, is it? Actually, God wants holiness, and He wants us to want it. Besides the fact that holiness is part of His character, He provides pictures so we completely understand our need, our inadequacy and His provision for our holiness.
The second time the word holiness appears in the Bible, it is part of the 43-verse description of Aaron’s priestly garment in Exodus 28. You probably skimmed over it in your through-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. Before I share the verse, it’s important to understand that the tabernacle and everything associated with it had a bigger purpose than what’s visible on the surface. It was all “made according to pattern,” and if God took the space in the Bible to explain it all in detail, we have to know there are some pictures. That is the case with Aaron’s priestly garment. “And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” (Exodus 28:36) See the picture here of the garment? Look at the turban, and notice the gold rim at the top. It has an inscription, “Holiness to the Lord.” Why is that? The reason comes two verses later in verse 38: “That Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead that they may be accepted before the Lord.”
Don’t miss God’s amazing picture. Aaron, the first high priest, is a type of Christ, the ultimate High Priest. God knew that even though He required the Israelites to present offering and gifts, these would not be presented in total purity. Only by intercessor Aaron’s wearing of that “Holiness to the Lord” piece of garment would those gifts be accepted by the Lord.
And that’s the only way we are accepted—by Christ’s holiness. We have none. We try to hallow ourselves and our offerings and efforts for God. But our best efforts and gifts are inadequate, just like the Israelites’. So God made the holy provision to make us acceptable. Jesus Christ. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6) “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)
What is it about Jesus Christ that makes us acceptable to God through him? His holiness applied to us when we were saved. When Jesus died on the cross, the eternal swap happened—we received His holiness, and He received our sin. We are positionally holy through Christ. Shouldn’t this make us want to be practically holy? We’ll discuss that in a future post.
Jody
Mystery of Holiness Decoded
In my four decades as a Christian, I bet I could count on one hand the number of sermons I’ve heard on the topic of holiness—though the words holy or holiness appear in 587 verses. With that much exposure in the Bible, I became curious. So I cruised through and studied holiness, and it was like a tour through the eternal cosmos. Not only is holiness a major part of God’s personal character, which I expected to see, He attaches His holiness to people and places for a visual snapshot and as a framework from which to demonstrate His holiness on a grander scale. Holiness has its place in eternity past, now and in eternity future.
But on a personal level, holiness is also something we must achieve, and the why is as important as the what and the how. Because God will not allow any unholiness in His presence. Our life is as much about ridding ourselves of unholiness as it is about accomplishing grand plans for God. The sermons I hear are only about the things we are supposed to do, and not so much about the things we are supposed to be—and those things are paramount to God, who said “be ye holy, for I am holy” twice.
I used to have a bumper sticker that said “God is Awesome.” Encased in that awesomeness is holiness. If God was going to describe Himself, holiness would be at the top of His attributes.
Oh wait. God did describe Himself. The first time the word holiness appears in the Bible, it describes God. “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)
Bible students know that the first time a word is used in the Bible sets the tone and definition of the word. That being the case, we should brand in our minds that God is glorious in holiness—sacredness and set-apartness.
I concluded from my study that God didn’t want us to think of His holiness as an abstract, ethereal thing that we could only comprehend when we reach heaven. He wants us to see it now, and so in future posts, we will look at the visuals God gave.
In the meantime, here’s a popular song about holiness that is worth a look/listen to set our hearts right.
Jody
The Lord is a God of War?
The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. (Exodus 15:3-4)
It might sound shocking to hear that the Lord is a man of war. He’s better known as a God of love and peace. Do you think it harsh and unloving that He would be associated with war? Whoever thinks that doesn’t know God. We are not the judges of things. He is. And He uses war to judge. The very next verse in this song of Moses from Exodus tells us of the incident of which Moses sang… God’s deliverance of the Israelites from their (God’s people) cruel oppressors. The children of Israel not only escaped their oppressors unscathed and victorious, they plundered the enemy by taking all their jewelry. God fought for them, and God wins His battles royally.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8) The 12 Old Testament history books of Joshua through Esther are filled with battles the Lord fought for His people. It’s enlightening reading that includes war strategy carried out by the providence of God.
As amazing as all those battles are, the granddaddy of them all is yet to come. It will show everything God is and everything man is, and when that one is fought, it’s too late for mankind to change its mind about anything. It’s discussed in the book of Revelation. Before you read it, understand that today is the day of salvation, while you still have today. Prepare your heart before God before this battle happens.
Revelation 19:11-21: And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; (18) That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (19) And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (20) And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (21) And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
A Girl on a Mission
Part of my 2017 personal mission is accomplished. Knowing that this will be a year of transition and change—and I go kicking and screaming through change—I decided my verse for the year would be Phil 4:6-7: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
As you can see, those catchy two words “with thanksgiving” caught my eye. I’m not to be full of care about change. Rather I’m to pray about it with thanksgiving. To do that, I set out to find some poignant verses from Psalms and put them to music and sing them when I start to get anxious. Even before I get anxious. How about if I sing one every day from the very start and never even get anxious? Would that work?
So on January 1, I started to read carefully through the Psalms in my quiet time—scoping out possible song verses. I just finished Psalms and came up with nine of them. That was part of my goal. Now to sing one every day. I haven’t done that as faithfully as I need to… so I’m going to make that my next morning focus.
I will be sharing some of those song verses with the world after I have my next YouTube party. What is that? Take a look. Below are links to awesome, memorable verses a group of us sang from one of my previous YouTube parties. Nothing fancy, for sure. But I hope you find them helpful. Stay tuned for more to come.
Jody
How to Get Sober
I don’t mean sober from alcohol and drugs. The Bible teaches that older women are to teach younger women to be sober. So there’s obviously a need to be sober, and older women apparently have learned the trick.
I just taught a group of women at Kauai Baptist Church how to be sober. First things first: sober means to be moderate, controlled or curbed. The opposite is extreme or out of control emotionally. Sometimes, we as women can lean toward this opposite. What if we didn’t let our minds run rampant, and we controlled our minds instead of listening to every suggestion that popped into our head?
I think the biggest contributor to depression is following the natural way our minds lead us rather than guiding our minds.
I suggest that others do what I did almost 30 years ago, based on the book Do you Hear What You’re Thinking, by Jerry Schmidt. Make “counter cards.” That is, get some 3x5-inch cards, and on the front of each card, write a reoccurring thought that tends to drag you down. Think of as many as you can. Here are three examples:
- No one likes me
- Things are always going to be like this for me
- That person will never change
No need to borrow negative thoughts, but these are a few that definitely could bog a person down emotionally, mentally, spiritually.
Now for the “counter” part. On the back of each card, write some verses that would be better to dwell on instead.
Here are three verses that could work on many negative, depressive thoughts:
- Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil. 4:8)
- Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)
- Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: (Jer. 32:17)
Many of our depressive thoughts stem from the fact that we don’t believe God is big enough to change things and/or work on our behalf. Jer. 32:17 is a great verse to counter that.
After you complete the cards, keep them handy, and when one of those plaguing thoughts arises, get the appropriate card, flip it over and review the verses on back. Soon you will automatically replace the bad thought with the true thought. This works, because I’ve done it.
Try it and let me know what you think.
Jody
Double Identity
Have you ever had a dream where you were present in two different roles? I have. One time I was an eagle in a room trying desperately to get off a table to fly out the window while someone was working on me to repair a wound, and I was also the person working on the eagle. Another time I was myself walking out of the grocery store with a carton of eggs, but I was also one of the eggs that jumped out of the carton and bounced across the street. In both dreams, I had the thoughts and feelings of both roles.
I have no explanation for that, but they remind me of what I see in John 10 when Jesus describes who He is. In the book of John overall, Jesus refers to Himself metaphorically in a way you don’t see in the other gospels. A few examples, He says, I am the bread of life; I am the light of the world; I am the true vine.
In John 10, Jesus is two things at the same time. It would seem strange, but not any stranger than my dreams. Let’s meditate on the meaning of His descriptions of Himself: I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7) and a few verses later I am the good shepherd (John 10:11).
First, He is the door of the sheep. He said that twice. In verse 9, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Thanks to Bible-history.com, pictured here is a sheepfold (mentioned in verse 1). The sheep go in and are safe. There’s only one way in… that door. That should interest us, since we know we are sheep. What are the sheep who go through that door safe from? In context, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (verse 10)
So, Jesus is the only way into that safe sheepfold. It kind of reminds me of a similar metaphor in Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
At the same time He’s the door…our only entrance… He’s also the shepherd in the very next verse. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. In fact, in real life, the shepherd sleeps at the doorway so any intruders have to get past him to get to the sheep.
We can rest easy knowing that not only do we have a place, His sheepfold, we have a way into it, only through Him, and we have Him as our guide and protector.
So it’s not too hard to picture Jesus as two things at once. But hang on. In John, Jesus presents Himself as three things at once in another verse: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
There He is again as the way, or the entrance. No one is coming to the Father except by Him. He’s also the truth we must receive to come to the Father. He’s also the life—the source or origin—of the life we need to come to the Father. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:11-12)
Jesus has many roles. All of them bring out some amazing aspect for us to meditate on and praise Him for.
Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all; He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall. When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so; when I am sad, He makes me glad, He's my friend. (From the song “Jesus is All the World to Me,” by Will Thompson, who lived from 1847-1909)
Jody