Tag Archives: Bible

The Blessed Man of Psalm 1

Posted on by under Christian Living

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

These are the opening verses of Psalm 1.  This Psalm is sort of the introduction to the whole Book of Psalms.  It sets the stage for the ongoing discussion of what the righteous man is like, what he does, what he thinks about, and what he avoids.

This psalm kicks off by telling us what a truly blessed life doesn’t look like. It’s an important warning: watch where you’re walking, who you’re listening to, and what you’re settling into. There’s a kind of slide that can happen:

  • First, you just walk alongside the wrong crowd.
  • Then you stop and linger where trouble hangs out.
  • Before you know it, you’re sitting down, totally comfortable with scoffing and cynicism.

It’s subtle. And that’s the danger. The path away from God rarely feels dramatic—it’s usually slow and sneaky.

Then we have the flip side.  The person who’s truly blessed loves the things God says. They’re not just checking the Bible off a reading list. They delight in it. They chew on it, mull it over, carry it in their minds during quiet moments or busy days.  They spend time meditating on the word of God.  God’s Word becomes like a favorite song stuck in your head.  It becomes a guide for our lives.

This kind of person, someone who chooses God’s wisdom over the world’s noise, is like a strong tree planted near water (Psalm 1:3). Even when life gets tough, their soul doesn’t dry up. Their life shows purpose and their faith continues to grow, season after season.  The person who has God’s word at the center of their life is able to truly prosper in what they do.  It may not look like what the world considers success, but it is a life that is pleasing to God.

In today’s world, it’s easy to be swept along by whatever’s trending. But Psalm 1 reminds us that where we walk, stand, and sit—who we listen to and what we value—shapes our life more than we think.  So here’s a simple challenge.  Take a moment today to ask yourself, “What voices am I letting shape me?” And maybe crack open your Bible—not just to read it, but to let it shape you into the person God wants you to be.

Boldly Approaching God’s Throne

Posted on by under Christian Living, Love of God

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

            Oftentimes we may look at prayer as a commanded ritual or a timid request before a distant God.  While we must be humble before God, the Hebrews writer paints a different picture with regards to our prayer life.  God wants us to draw near to Him with confidence.  He wants us to come boldly before His throne to receive grace and mercy.  Our confidence in so doing doesn’t come from ourselves or what we have merited by our own actions.  It is only because of the work of Jesus upon the cross that we have this access through our High Priest (Hebrews 10:19-22).

            Jesus is a High Priest who understands us.  He came down from heaven and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  While He had no faults or sins of His own, He has been tempted in all ways like we have.  There is no temptation that we face that Jesus has not overcome Himself.  When we speak to the Father through Jesus, we have a mediator who can empathize with our struggles.

            Prayer for us should never be a burden.  It is a magnificent lifeline direct to the throne of God.  Men living before the cross of Jesus did not have this kind of access to God.        However, since Jesus shed His blood for us, and since we can make contact with that blood through baptism (being buried with Him – Romans 6:3-4), we can now approach the throne of God 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

            We don’t have to come with timidity, like the human high priests did once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).  We can draw near to God with confidence, knowing that we are His beloved children, and that He longs to hear from us.

Isn’t That Convenient

Posted on by under Christian Living, Culture, Doctrine

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience has become a significant aspect of our daily lives. The definition of convenience often involves little trouble or effort, and we tend to favor it because it allows us to avoid going out of our way and makes it easier to be lazy. However, convenience is not always beneficial.

While convenience can make our lives easier, it can also lead to negative consequences. For instance, it can cause us to overspend. Imagine needing something that costs $10, but you end up spending $50 to get free shipping, thinking you saved $4.99 in shipping fees. Additionally, convenience can lead to loneliness. With apps that allow us to order food and complete transactions without speaking to anyone, our electronic devices have made things easier but at what cost?

There was a time in the history of Israel when convenience became a significant problem. Solomon’s sins, as mentioned in 1 Kings 11:29-33, led to the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah. Jeroboam took ten tribes to the North and, in an attempt to make worship easier for his subjects, he built and fortified a new capital city, Shechem, in the tribal area of Ephraim. He was more concerned about maintaining his power than the well-being of his subjects, fearing they would return to the house of David if they went to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices.

Jeroboam’s solution was to make worship easy for his subjects by setting up two golden calves, with one in Bethel and one in Dan. This act was reminiscent of the golden calf incident in Exodus 32. The people, preferring the convenience, accepted this new form of worship. However, this was not the worship the Lord desired. It was in the wrong place, in the wrong manner, with the wrong priests, and directed towards the wrong subject.

Choosing convenience over what God wants can lead to dire consequences. Jeroboam’s actions led to punishment in the days of Josiah, as prophesied in 1 Kings 13:1-2 and fulfilled in 2 Kings 23:15-16. Amos was sent to Israel with a message that they would be led away captive, as mentioned in Amos 7:10-13. If we choose convenience over God’s commands, our worship becomes vain and useless.

God desires what He wants, and it might not always be convenient for us. It may not be a convenient time or place, and there may be other things we would rather be doing. However, convenience does not please the Lord. Our heart and desire must be for Him, and we should want to do what pleases the Lord, even if it requires effort. Choosing convenience over God’s commands can lead to consequences we do not want to face. Instead, we should desire to be with Him in eternity.

Be Ye Doers of the Word

Posted on by under Article, Christian Living

The book of James often mirrors the Sermon on the Mount and offers much in the way of practical applications and Christian living. James 1:22-25, in particular, challenges believers to achieve a faith that goes beyond just hearing.  It is faith marked by action. This section begins with a call to action: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). The difference between hearing and doing is vital. James says that hearing the word without applying it can lead to self-deception. Simply nodding along to sermons or reading Scripture without having it affect our lives creates a false sense of security. One may feel they are in league with God but be mistaken.

In verses 23-24, James uses a well-worn metaphor: hearing the word without doing it is like looking in a mirror, walking away, and forgetting what has just been seen. The mirror symbolizes God’s word, the perfect Law of Liberty, which exposes our spiritual condition. If we fail to act upon this, what results is a lack of spiritual growth.  A mirror doesn’t change us; it only shows us what needs attention.

By contrast, the one who looks into the “perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). This “law of liberty” is the word of God, to which we must adhere.  Thus, we need to do by applying God’s holy word to our daily lives.  It ought to be the driving force behind who we are and what we choose to do.  If we want to grow closer to Christ, don’t just hear what the Lord has to say, do it!

All Things That Pertain to Life and Godliness

Posted on by under Article, Christian Living

            Have you ever spent Christmas Eve feverishly trying to assemble that last gift?  Perhaps you waited until the last moment thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal or difficult.  It only required some assembly, after all.  Then you notice that the instructions are not clearly written, and the diagrams are small and ambiguous as to which side of the frame the screws are supposed to be inserted.  Don’t you wish that you had all that pertains to how to put this thing together?

            God’s instructions for us are not like that.  They are neither unclear, nor ambiguous.  Peter tells us that God, through His magnificent ability and divine power, “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV).  He has given us all the things that we need in order to know how to live a godly life.  He has left nothing to chance.  He has given us no reason to wonder what it is that He wants.  Through God’s written word, the Bible, mankind can have all the information and instruction necessary to live a life that pleases the Lord.  We can read and understand what God wants us to know (Ephesians 3:3-5).  We can understand the will of the Lord (Ephesians 5:17).  We can have the knowledge of Him and His will so that, “you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). 

            Of course, many choose to ignore the instructions.  Sometimes our pride gets in the way.  I know how to put this thing together.  Hours later, we begin to look for where we laid those instructions.  When all else fails, consult the instructions.  However, it would be better to start with the instructions so that we can arrive at the desired end.  Our desired end ought to be heaven.  Our desired end ought to be having a relationship with our Lord and Savior.  We can say, “I don’t need the instructions, I know what I am doing,” but that path will not lead us to know God as He wants to be known.  He has given us all things for living a godly life in His inspired words.  Let us look to those basic instructions before leaving earth so that we will get to be where we want to go.

What About The Rapture?

Posted on by under Article, Doctrine

The concept of the Rapture, a time when Jesus would come to secretly remove His saints from the world, was first postulated in the early to mid 1800’s.  According to those who buy into the idea of Premillennialism, Jesus is going to snatch away the church prior to a seven-year period of tribulation.  The idea has sold books and movies about what they imagine will happen to those who have been left behind.  It has led to many trying to predict a date for the return of Christ.  There is just one main problem with this idea/teaching.  It is not biblical.

The Bible does not teach any of this.  The Bible indicates that when Jesus returns there will be great noise.  The Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, there will be the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God will sound (1 Thes. 4:16).  Furthermore, Peter states that the earth and all that is in it will be burned up (2 Peter 3:9).  That does not appear to be very quiet! 

The Bible indicates that when Jesus returns it will not be in secret.  Those Apostles who watched Jesus ascend into heaven were told that Jesus would return in like manner (Acts 1:11).  That means He will be coming with the clouds, and they will be able to watch it happen.  Additionally, John indicates in Revelation 1:7 that every eye will see Him when He returns, including those who pierced Him (not just the righteous).  Every eye means everyone will see this happen.  That does not correspond to a secret return.

The Bible indicates that when Jesus returns that there will be one resurrection of the dead.  The doctrine of Premillennialism and the Rapture teaches that there will be two resurrections separated by 1,007 years.  Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29).  Paul, in speaking of the resurrection stated that there is a singular resurrection of both the just and the unjust (Acts 24:15).

When Jesus returns time will end, the earth will be destroyed, and Judgment Day will occur.  This is what the Bible teaches about the end time.  There will be no warnings or signs.  Jesus Himself indicated this when He declared that even He did not know when it would take place (Mat. 24:36).  It is futile for man to try to set a date.  Do we know more than Jesus?  While these false doctrines may seem to be fascinating, and may sell books, they are not biblical.  Read and study your Bible, like the Bereans, to see if these things are so.

There is a God

Posted on by under Christian Evidences
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In my earlier days in the church there was an old hymn, number 728b in most of the older song books, that is still one of my favorite hymns.  The chorus states that there is a God and that He is alive!  Indeed, the existence of God is one of the central tenants of any religion.  As more and more people in our world and in our nation have questioned the existence of an all-knowing, all-powerful being, just what are we to think?  Is there really a God?

The short answer is yes, there is a God.  He is the God we read about in the Bible.  However, since many skeptics that we are likely to encounter do not believe the Bible, let us rather look to science and logic in this moment for our proof.

Science has shown two major issues with regards to what we can see.  The first is that matter, stuff, is not eternal.  Matter has not always been here.  Matter has a born-on date.  If that is the case, then where did matter (all that we can see, touch, taste, and smell) come from?  This is one thing that science cannot explain.  Secondly, if there was once nothing (no matter), how is it that there now is something (the world that we live in)?  Matter does not just spontaneously appear.  Cars and houses do not magically appear out of nowhere.  They must be designed and built by someone.  Scripture has an answer for this.  The Bible states, “For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4, NKJV).

In looking at these two scientific facts, let us reason logically about what this means.  If there once was nothing, why isn’t there nothing now?  Since there is something now (the universe), just how did that come into being?  There had to have been a cause.  Since matter is not eternal, there had to be a beginning of its existence.  Everything that begins to exist must have a cause.  The universe began to exist at some point in the past.  Therefore, the universe must have had a cause.  That cause has to be a superior being who has always existed.  Matter is not eternal, but the mind of God is.

Science and logic tell us that there must be a God.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon us that we seek Him out and learn about Him.  We cannot find God through our feelings or by a blind leap in the dark.  That would not be logical nor scientific.  We must follow the evidence and go where it leads.  Surely, a God who created us and all things would want to communicate with us.  He has.  “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).  Let us not refuse Him who has spoken to us from heaven (Hebrews 12:25).

Being the Church of the First Century

Posted on by under Evangelism
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In the book of Acts there are several principles of church growth that we can study to see just how the church of the first century expanded.  They faced persecution, yet they grew.  They encouraged one another by their perseverance and actions.  They went to where the people were both physically and spiritually.  They preached Jesus to all they encountered.  What was the result?  The church continued to grow and multiply.

            If we want the church to grow now, could we not simply utilize these principles in our evangelism?  Rather than trying to mimic what denominational groups are doing to lure others into their building, would we not be better served in doing what these early disciples did to expand the church?

            We need to not let persecution, or the fear of it, stop us from getting the job done.  Does the fear of persecution keep us from opening our mouths to be a witness for Jesus?  Just because we may one day face imprisonment for speaking God’s word, does not give us an excuse to keep our mouth shut.

            We can all do something to encourage one another during our stay here.  Whether it is a call, a letter, an email, or a hug, we can all be a Barnabas to help others in their labor for Christ.  We may never know the impact that we have on others through our encouragement.  The work of ministry can be draining.  When we reach out and encourage those who are laboring with us, it makes a big difference.

            We need to meet people where they are, both physically and spiritually.  Just as Paul began at different places in his teaching of people from different backgrounds, we need to start where they are in the learning process.  Also, we must go where the people are.  We need to get out in the community to where the people are if we are going to have a chance to interact and influence them.

            We need to preach Jesus.  It does not matter the size of our building, nor the number of our congregation, nor the popularity of our preacher.  Those are not the things that endure.  What endures is Christ and His message.  We need to be witnesses of that.

As Daniel Purposed in His Heart

Posted on by under Christian Living

            Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager, and to have to face the constant peer pressure of those who were around you?  Just imagine what it would be like to have to spend those years in a foreign country, where you might have very little say over what you could or could not do.  Imagine how difficult that would be in our youthful years.

            This was the case with Daniel and his friends, who were taken captive by the Babylonians in 606 – 605 BC, when they were likely only about 14 or 15 years old.  Yet, even in a foreign land as a captive, Daniel had a resolve to not defile himself.  Notice what is recorded about him, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).  In this verse, Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine.

            Daniel’s decision to abstain from the king’s food and wine was not just a matter of personal preference.  It was a matter of faith.  Daniel was committed to following the Mosaic Law, which prohibited the eating of certain food (Leviticus 11).  This could not have been an easy decision, but Daniel purposed in his heart ahead of time, before the temptations would have come, to do the Lord’s will.  Daniel was in a foreign land surrounded by others who did not share his beliefs.  The peer pressure would have been great to go along to get along.  However, Daniel remained faithful, and God rewarded him for it (Daniel 1:9, 17).

            Daniel’s resolve is a great example for us to remember to stand up for what God wants, even when it may be difficult – even when surrounded by non-believers.  When we purpose in our hearts to do what is right, we will be less likely to compromise godly values and beliefs, no matter what it costs us.  Remember, it is more important to be Christlike than to be popular.

The Lord and Me, We Have a Deal

Posted on by under Article, Doctrine
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            Perhaps you have tried to share the gospel with someone or encouraged them to come to the worship service of the church, only to have them quote the title above as if they are separate from God’s requirements.  Don’t get me wrong, we can have a covenant relationship with the Lord, but that relationship can only be had according to His stipulations and requirements.  Let’s explore . . .

            In the Old Testament covenant that God made with the nation of Israel, God gave all of the stipulations and requirements to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  Moses then relayed the information to the children of Israel.  “So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words which the LORD has said we will do’” (Exodus 24:3 emphasis added).   Notice the ‘all’ that they said they would do.  The covenant was not negotiable.  The Lord set the stipulations and the people could either accept it or refuse it.  They couldn’t say that they had a special or different deal with the Lord.  Part of those stipulations were that they had to keep three specific feast days to the Lord (Exodus 23:14).  They couldn’t just decide to roll those three into one day for convenience.  The covenant was unilateral and non-negotiable.

            In the New Testament there is a new covenant.  Jeremiah prophesied that this new covenant was coming (Jer. 31:31-34).  The new covenant is the agreement that we can have with the Lord today, however, this deal is also based upon the commandments and stipulations of the Lord.  We can either accept the deal or deny it.  We do not get to negotiate our own deal individually.  Jesus basically says that if we follow Him, we can have the remission of our sins and live with Him forever (Mark 16:16; Mat. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38).  Notice especially in the Matthew passage that in order to be a disciple of Christ that one must be baptized and taught to observe all things that Jesus has commanded.

   Both the Hebrew and Greek words that are used for covenant in the Bible mean a contract or agreement of some kind.  So, we can have an agreement with God.  That agreement or covenant relationship can only be had, however, if we will accept all that God has told us to do.  God’s salvation is not a buffet where we get to pick and choose.  We must do all that He commands us to do!