The Compassion of Christ

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Love of God

Many of us cannot imagine what it would be like to have to live as a leper in ancient times. Just take a moment to consider what our mental and emotional state would be if we knew we had a disease that could not be cured and that mandated that we be isolated. Lepers could not live among their loved ones, due to the disease being contagious. They had to live in separate colonies. They had to pass by people on the other side of the street and yell out “unclean,” so no one would come near them. Certainly, no one would ever touch a leper.

Now notice what Matthew records for us with regards to one who was a leper in ancient times. “And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:2-3, NKJV). In this event Jesus is shown to have power that mortal men do not have. Leprosy was an incurable disease, but Jesus had the power to heal this man. We might also notice that the miracle Jesus performed did not take time to become effective, but that the cure to this man’s leprosy was immediate. Therefore, there can be no doubt as to how the man was healed.

There is another aspect of this occasion, however, that is often overlooked. That is the compassion of Christ. As previously noted, lepers could not have any physical contact with others, but look at what Jesus did. The Bible says that Jesus reached out His hand and touched this man. It can be seen in other miracles that Jesus performed that the touching of this man was unnecessary in order to heal him. Indeed, Jesus later healed the Centurion’s servant from a distance. So why did Jesus reach out and touch him? I believe that Jesus touched him to show His compassion on this man. Christ has compassion for His children.

Perhaps you have something in your life that no one else can help you with, and you need compassion too. Maybe you need that comfort that only God can afford. We invite you to come and see the compassion of the Christ, to learn more about Him, and to become a child of God by being born again (John 1:12-13; 3:3-7).

Pride Goeth Before The Fall

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living

Over 100 years ago the Titanic set off on its maiden voyage from England to the United States. This marvel of modern manufacturing was touted as being unsinkable, due to its design and construction. It is rumored that one of the crewmen even went so far as to remark that even God could not sink the Titanic! Of course we all know what happened on the evening of April 14, 1912. The Titanic struck and iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic.

In the book of Obadiah, we see another group of proud people. The descendants of Esau, the Edomites, are said to trust in their high and lofty position in the cliffs. Obadiah says of them, “You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” (Obadiah 3b, NKJV). They thought that they were untouchable, and that no one could ever defeat them. God tells them, “The pride of your heart has deceived you. . . Though you ascend as high as the eagle, And though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down,” says the Lord” (Obadiah 3a, 4).

God was eventually going to punish the Edomites for their transgressions in helping the enemy of their brothers. While the Israelites (descendants of Esau’s brother Jacob) were being attacked by the Babylonians, the Edomites just sat by and watched. They even went so far as to give aid and comfort to the enemy (Obadiah 10-11; Amos 1:11).

Often we also think that we are untouchable, because of the economic and military strength of the country we live in. But, it is God who is in charge. Nations that practice sin and do what is against God’s desires will be brought low. Solomon wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). The answer for us is to be humble. Seek out God while we can. Do not be a victim of pride. Let us never think too highly of ourselves in the presence of the almighty Lord who is in control of it all.

A Day’s Journey Without Jesus

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living

Once upon a time there was a little girl who was left behind at the church building where she grew up. Both of her parents had driven to the worship service that morning, since her father had a meeting to attend early that morning. When they left, both assumed that the other had the child with them. Perhaps something like this has happened to you, and if so, you are in good company.

Joseph and Mary had traveled to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover when Jesus was just twelve years old (Luke 2:41-42). When they left, both of them made the assumption that Jesus was with their relatives in the caravan leading back home. However, after traveling for a day’s journey, they realized that Jesus was not with the company (Luke 2:43-45). They quickly backtracked and found Jesus three days later in the temple, where He was amazing the learned men with His questions and answers (Luke 2:46).

We can just imagine the horror of realizing that our child is missing. Searching high and low for a missing child causes us much anguish and worry for their safety, especially in our day and age. Both Mary and Joseph were concerned about being without Jesus, even for a day’s journey. “So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously’” (Luke 2:48, NKJV).

How many of us will journey for a day, or several days, or perhaps even months at a time without Jesus being with us? Do we become concerned? Are we anxious because we are not with Him? God has said that He will never abandon us or leave us, but we have the free will to travel away from Him (Hebrews 13:5; 2:1). All of the spiritual blessings that God has to offer are to be found in Christ/with Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Are we with Him, or are we journeying without Jesus? If we are going through this life without Him, we need to come back and find Him. Come and see, and let us help you find Jesus!

Jesus Is Better

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living, Doctrine

In a good news article the four ‘W’s are usually brought out in the first paragraph. At least that’s what I remember from my very brief education on journalism from a long ago English course. Writers want to let the reader know who, did what, when, and where. In looking at the beginning of the book of Hebrews, we might call the writer a good journalist. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2, NKJV).

Notice with me some of what is in these two little verses of scripture. First, in verse one, God is the who. Spoke is what He did. The when is in times past, and the where was to the fathers. The verse also tells us how God did that. It was at various times and in various ways and through the mouth of the prophets that God spoke to mankind in times past. Second, in verse two, God is still the one speaking, so the who and the what are the same. However, now that speaking has been done in these last days, and it has been spoken to us by His Son, Jesus Christ.

There are many lessons that we can learn from the old law and the Old Testament (Romans 15:4). However, now we are told to hear God’s Son and pay the more earnest heed to His words (Matthew 17:5; Hebrews 2:1-4). Indeed the message that comes from the entire book of Hebrews is that Christ is better. He is better than the angels. He is better than Moses. He is better than the human high priests. He mediates a better covenant, established on better promises, with a better hope (Hebrews 7:19; 8:6).

It is Jesus Christ, the one and only unique Son of God, who has brought salvation to mankind. We need to hear what He has to say. We need to obey His commands. Otherwise, how shall we escape the punishment for our sins that we deserve? “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” (Hebrews 2:3).

Be Prepared!

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living

Louis Pasteur once said, “Chance favors the prepared mind.” We know that whatever we are doing, things generally go better if we are prepared. Imagine needing brain surgery, and the person who is to perform the operation has been awake for the last 48 hours and has just graduated from high school. They are not prepared for what is about to occur, and we should have great hesitation in submitting to their surgery.

It is vitally important that we are prepared for what is to come when this life is over. Jesus says much regarding our need for preparation in Matthew 24-25. First, He tells His disciples of the signs that will accompany the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Mat. 24:4-35). They will need to heed the signs and get out before the Roman army seals them in to destroy the city. Second, He tells them of the dangers of making no preparation for His second coming (Mat. 24:36-44). People will be going about their daily lives as they had before the flood. “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Mat. 24:37).

Third, He tells of the danger of delaying their preparation (Mat. 24:45-51). Like the evil servant who is doing wrong, thinking he has plenty of time before his master returns, they will be caught unaware because they have delayed their preparation for His return. Fourth, He tells of the danger of partial preparation (Mat. 25:1-13). Here the five foolish virgins did not bring any oil with them to keep their lamps from going out. They were not fully prepared, and they were locked out of the wedding as a result. Fifth, He shows both proper and improper preparation in the parable of the talents (Mat. 25:14-30). Lastly, Jesus shows what the results of our preparation will be (Mat. 25:31-46).

Jesus has much to say about the subject of preparation in these two chapters. There is an eternal consequence to our preparation for that world to come. We need to be prepared. We cannot delay, because we do not know when He is returning (Mat. 24:36, 42, 44). Our preparation needs to be complete and proper. Only then can we have that reward with Him in heaven.

The Paths of the Sea

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Evidences

Matthew Fontaine Maury

Have you ever taken a canoe trip? Perhaps you were put into the river at one point and were later picked up at another point downstream. If you want to take a leisurely trip, you do not even have to paddle other than to steer the canoe away from rocks or the bank. The current of the water will carry you along to your destination. If you have ever dropped anything out of your canoe, then you know how hard it can be to row against the current to go back upriver to retrieve it!

Matthew Fontaine Maury is credited with the discovery of ocean currents, which make shipping and travel upon the seas much more efficient than they would otherwise be. By using the paths of the sea, shipping vessels can use less energy and travel faster than they would if they had to struggle against the current. Just how did Maury discover these paths? How is it that he became known as the “Pathfinder of the Seas?”

Matthew Maury was a member of the United States Navy in the mid 1800’s. The story is told of how he was bed ridden with illness, and thus had one of his children read to him from the Psalms of the Old Testament. As he listened to the eighth Psalm, he was intrigued by the phrase “paths of the sea.” He was determined that if God’s word mentioned paths in the sea, then they must be there. Thus it was because of the Scriptures that Maury went in search of ocean currents.

In looking at the Psalm we find these words written about man, “You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen — Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas” (Psalm 8:6-8 NKJV). Just how is it that a shepherd, who became the King of Israel, could know about ocean currents? David never sailed the high seas. Yet David writes of the paths of the sea almost 3,000 years before man made this scientific discovery.

This is yet further proof of the inspiration of the scriptures. This shows us that the only way David could have had this information so long ago, was that God revealed it to him. Maury heard the phrase “paths of the seas,” he believed God’s word to be true, and he went out and discovered what God’s word already knew was there. Perhaps you would like to know more about other scientific knowledge that has been revealed in God’s word long before man discovered it. If so, come and see what God’s word has to say about this and many other subjects!

Are You Thirsty?

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living, Current Events

Just this week rescue workers were able to locate and air lift a missing hiker from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. Miyuki Harwood was separated from her hiking group, apparently fell and shattered one leg, and had been missing for nine days before being found. Her story of survival is an amazing testament to her resilience and desire to survive.

After she broke her leg, Miyuki was without food or water and alone. In order to survive, she had to crawl for several miles in order to find a water source in the form of a stream. She had a bottle with her and a water filter to make the water palatable. It took two days for her to crawl through the wilderness in a remote and rocky locale to get to the water that saved her life. However, she was willing to do what it took to get to that water to satisfy her thirst.

Are we equally prepared to do what it takes to fill our thirst? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV). Do we thirst for righteousness? Are we doing what we can to learn the right way and then to do that? If we do not have God in our lives or we do not have His word in our hearts, do we feel empty and thirsty?

The Bible says that we are to be like newborn babes desiring “the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Miyuki’s thirst for her physical life caused her to crawl through dangerous and difficult surroundings to find water. Our thirst for our spiritual lives should led us to do what is necessary to find the truth and obey the word of God. Jesus said that “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). Are you thirsty for that water? Are you desiring eternal life? If so, come and see what God’s word has to say about that living water of life!

Return to Me

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Doctrine

We often rejoice in seeing loved ones return to one another after time away. Perhaps there was some conflict or estrangement that kept them apart. Perhaps some grudge that had to be overcome for them to be together again. Maybe it is the return home of those who have been involved in military duty overseas. Whatever the reason, there is joy in witnessing their reunion again after being apart.

We should have the same joy in seeing those who have been estranged from the Lord being reunited to Him. Often times those who have wandered away from God may feel that they cannot overcome their sinful desires, or that perhaps, God will not forgive them of their transgressions. Neither of those are the case, however. God through the writing of Paul makes it abundantly clear that they can be washed clean of their sins if they will repent and return (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

Many times God was angry with Israel for not obeying His commands. They refused to remove the inhabitants of Canaan and to destroy their idols, and instead served those foreign gods, offering their children as sacrifices (Psalm 106:34-39). Therefore, they were given into the hands of their enemies and they were oppressed (Psalm 106:40-42). Yet each time they cried out to the Lord for deliverance, each time they returned to the Lord, He heard the cries of His people and delivered them out of danger (Psalm 106:43-45). God delivered them because He wants to be merciful. If you have wandered away, God also wants to show you mercy and forgiveness.

In order to get God’s mercy, we need to return to Him. God promised Israel in times past, “but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name” (Nehemiah 1:9, NKJV). God makes the same promise to us also. He does not want any to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus said that when we return, there is much rejoicing. “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

God wants us to return to Him. He wants us to be with Him for eternity. He does not want any to be lost. If you are willing to repent, He is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). If you have wandered astray, won’t you return to Him now?

Ask, Seek, and Knock

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living

Imagine that you have a friend who comes knocking on your door at midnight tonight looking for three loaves of bread in order to feed his guests. How would you react? Would you direct them to the nearest Walmart? Jesus said, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?” (Luke 11:5b-7 NKJV). Even though the two people are friends, Jesus points out that the one will not get out of bed to help the other because of their friendship, but because of persistence (Luke 11:8).

In looking at the context of the passage, it is quickly observed that Jesus is teaching them about prayer (Luke 11:1-4; 9-10). Therefore, when we look at the story of persistence, what we should get out of that is our need to be persistent in our prayers to God. Oftentimes we may feel that we are bothering God, or that we have already prayed about a certain issue and so we do not persist. But if we are praying for God’s will to be done, we should persist.

Notice that Jesus tells His disciples, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10). Did you notice the first letter in each of the three things Jesus told them to do? They are to ask (A), seek (S), and knock (K). In other words, they are to continue to ASK God for what they need. As followers of Jesus, we are to be persistent in our prayer life and keep asking, seeking, and knocking! If you are seeking God, we would be happy to help. Come and see what God has done for us!

I Beg Your Pardon

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Doctrine

Richard Nixon is credited with once saying that if the President did it, it was not illegal. However, after months of investigative journalism, congressional hearings, subpoenas, and contemplation of impeachment, he found out otherwise. Nixon eventually resigned as President. The only thing that kept him from suffering the same legal consequences as his cohorts, was a presidential pardon by his successor.

This bit of history shows us that no one is above the law. Without a pardon from above, we will all suffer the consequences of our actions. We know that all have sin in their life. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NKJV). Furthermore, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). Our natural state, without that pardon or forgiveness from above, is to be dead in our sins and in a lost condition.

But thanks be to God that forgiveness is available! We need to be willing to confess our sins rather than trying to cover them up (1 John 1:9). We need to be willing to repent of those things that are contrary to God’s word (Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10). Having godly sorrow will lead us to a change of mind, a change of direction, which is what repentance is really about. It is more than just being sorry that we were caught with our hand in the proverbial cookie jar.

We need to seek out God’s pardon and forgiveness, because none of us is perfect. We must throw ourselves on His mercy in order to have that eternal life we so desire. We must be willing to change our lifestyle, to do our best to go our way and sin no more. God offers us a pardon from our sins. Are you willing to do your part to receive that forgiveness?

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