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!

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!

Show Me the Evidence!

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Evidences

When it comes to matters of faith these days, it seems that many have determined that they are just going to believe in something whether there is any evidence for it or not. For instance, I could state that I believe that the world was created by the one eyed spaghetti monster, and that is who I am going to worship. When pressed for evidence of said creature, I could state that we just need to have faith and evidence is not necessary. It may be pointed out that belief without proof/evidence is irrational. It does not make logical sense to believe in a spaghetti monster without evidence.

Our faith and belief in God, who is not visible, must then be based upon the evidence that is visible. This is biblical faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV emphasis added). There is evidence of God in the creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). The fact that there is a cosmos proves that there has to be a God. Because there is something now, there must have been something before. We cannot get something from nothing. Something must then be eternal, but we know that matter is not eternal. Thus it had to come from somewhere. The design we see in the universe also shows us that there has to be a designer. Systems as complex as the human body could not have come about by chance. Those who place their faith in random chance and evolution have the same problem as those who believe in the spaghetti monster. The evidence does not support their claim.

Imagine that you are on trial for your life. Now imagine that I am on the jury that will decide your fate. How would you want for me to proceed? Should I say that I think you are guilty because that is how I feel? Should I say that you are innocent because you have an innocent looking face? How about if I base my judgment in your case on the evidence? Looking at the evidence takes all of the emotion out of the issue. Looking at the evidence will help us to achieve a logical, rational, and correct viewpoint. This is how God wants us to proceed! That is why He invites us to come and reason together (Isaiah 1:18). Faith and reason are not enemies; they are joined hand in hand. Our faith must be based upon reason!

The evidence of God is all around us.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:18-21).

The power and wrath of God has been revealed. Those who are unrighteous wish to suppress the truth. They do not want for there to be a God, so they ignore the evidence. The evidence is manifested within their own bodies. God has shown us the evidence, and true science indicates how complex the human body is (skeletal system, digestive system, nervous system, cardiovascular system). Each part of our body receives just what it needs when it needs it. If we were to look upon a manufacturing system with such complexity, we would certainly conclude that it did not happen by chance. Since the creation of the world, the workings and power of God have been clearly seen. So then, if we choose to ignore the evidence, God says we are without excuse. We cannot claim that we did not know. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Let us not run from evidence, reason, and science. All of these prove to us that there is a God. All of these indicate to us that there has to be a God. Since there is a God, how should we react? (Deuteronomy 6:5; Joshua 22:5; Mark 12:30; John 14:15). Because there is a Creator, we should seek Him out and find out what it is that He wants for us to do (Matthew 7:21ff). The answers are in His word. Let us continue to dig for the evidence, which will show us that our faith is true and not based on irrationality. Let us then show that evidence to those who are around us!

The Truth is Black and White

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Culture, Doctrine

Rachel Dolezal is not black. She was born to two white parents, but later bronzed her skin and changed her hairstyle. After claiming to be black, she was made a local leader in the NAACP. Recently, her parents have spoken out to say that Rachel is not black. Rachel responded by saying, “Nothing about being white describes who I am. So, you know, what’s the word for it? The closest thing that I can come to is if you’re black or white, I’m black. . . I’m more black than white. On a level of values, lived experience currently. In this moment, that’s the answer. That’s the accurate answer from my truth” (http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/rachel-dolezal-says-theres-no-biological-proof-of-who-her-parents-are/ar-AAbI12V?ocid=ansnewsap11).

Notice that she says “in this moment” she is black, as if we are able to change our heritage over the course of time. I can get a suntan, grow dreadlocks, and start to speak with an accent (Hey, mon, don’t ya know it), but that will not make me Jamaican. The truth is not something that is subject to change over time. Jesus prayed that God would sanctify or set His people apart by the truth, which is God’s word (John 17:17). The Bible tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). We are not to add to or take from God’s word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). Jesus said His words would endure forever (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31).

Rachel believes that her answers are according to “her truth,” but truth is not relative. I cannot have one truth that is different from your truth. I can have an opinion that is different than yours, but there is only one truth. If I were to say that the lights are on and you were to say that the lights are off, both of those statements cannot be true at the same time. The truth does not depend on our environment or our situation in life. Water is wet. Jesus is Lord. There is just one God. These things are true whether we believe and accept them or not. The truth is not gray. The truth is black and white.

“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth” (Psalm 119:142). “You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth” (Psalm 119:151). “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psalm 119:160). God’s word could not be clearer on this subject. Yet, there are those who will still ask the question that was on Pilate’s lips as Jesus stood before him, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). If you want to know more about the truth, read God’s word. If you want to find eternal life, you must believe it to be true (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6). If we can help you on your journey, come and see what the Lord has done for us!

Failure To Warn

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Current Events

Recently a story was in the news that the German government may have had a warning about commercial airlines flying over Ukraine and Russia, prior to an airliner being shot down in that region. If proved to be true, it would mean that the Germans did not sound the alarm and warn others of impending doom. Many become upset when they hear news such as this, and rightfully so. We do not tend to think much of others when they know of potential disaster, but refuse to warn others.

God’s word has something to say about this principle as well. God instructed His prophet Ezekiel,

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul (Ezekiel 3:17-19 NKJV).

Ezekiel was God’s watchman. He was to point out wickedness when he saw it. He was to warn others of their impending doom. If he did not give the warning, then he would be held responsible by God.

Today, we no longer have prophets, but we do have the completed word of God that we can read and study and use as our standard. When we see things that are morally wrong according to that standard, we have an obligation and a duty to point those things out to others in order to give them fair warning. If we do not give the warning, God will hold us responsible. It is not an easy thing to tell others that they are wrong. For most it is a no win situation.

However, it is not by our own rules or desires that we are to call someone’s actions wicked. We are to make the comparison and issue the warning in accordance with God’s holy standard, the Bible. Therefore, let us be good students of His word and continue to sound the alarm and show others the way God would have them go.

Independence

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Christian Living

Independence is something that most Americans desire. We want to be our own boss. We do not like being told what to do. We want to be the ones in charge of our life and our decisions. When we go to 7-11, we want the 44 ounce Mountain Dew, and we do not want someone telling us we cannot have it.

In the time of Jesus there were a good many Jews who also longed for their independence. They did not like it that Rome was in charge and they had no say over their political affairs. A faction of the Jews known as the Zealots tried to make things difficult on the Romans. They assassinated leaders and revolted against Rome, which led to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and the Zealot’s last stand at Masada (Josephus, Wars of the Jews).

While political independence is something to be desired, we need to realize that we will never be totally independent. We cannot create our own food out of nothing. We cannot create the air we breathe in by speaking it into existence. We cannot make our hearts stop and start beating. We need to recognize our dependence upon God.

God, through the pen of Paul, lets us know that we are all slaves to someone. We are either slaves/servants of God, or we are slaves of the evil one. “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 NKJV). We may think that we are being independent when we choose to walk away from God, but we are only making ourselves slaves to someone/something else.

If we want true freedom from sin, if we want a reward in heaven when this life is over, then we need to realize our total dependence upon God. We need to learn of His will, and we need to obey Him (Matthew 7:21ff; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Jesus said that we could know the truth, and that the truth would make us free from sin (John 8:32). Thus, we can have independence from the evil one, but only by being dependent upon God! God will not force us to choose Him. That is our independent choice. Who will you choose to depend upon?

I Know Whom I Have Believed

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Article

As Paul is giving his final instructions to the young evangelist, Timothy, he writes, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Tim. 1:12 NKJV). Let us notice a few things about this particular verse.

First, Paul says that he knows whom he has believed. Paul does not have any doubt about the God that he serves. From the time that Paul first saw the light on the road to Damascus and spoke to our Lord and Savior, he never turned away. Paul was steadfast in his faith, even with all of the trials he had to endure (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Paul knows God, and we can know God too. He has left us sufficient evidence (Rom. 1:20).

Second, Paul is convinced that God is able to do anything He desires. God is all powerful. He is the God who spoke all of creation into existence (Gen. 1). He is the God who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Ex. 14:21-22). He is the God who was gracious to Paul by giving him a second chance, when he was persecuting God in his pursuit of Christians (Acts 9:1-5). God wants to give us a second chance also. He is able to cleanse our sins in the precious blood of His Son. He is able to make us whole.

Third, Paul has committed something to God. Like Jesus on the cross, Paul has committed his spirit, his soul, his very existence into God’s hands. Paul trusts that God is able to keep his soul well guarded. Peter also spoke of God’s ability to keep our inheritance in heaven under guard (1 Pet. 1:3-5). For those who follow God, their inheritance is reserved. No thief will break in and steal it, and rust will not corrupt it. It is ours, if we will obey and remain faithful to God.

We, like Paul, can have confidence in God. We can believe. We can know that He is able. We can trust Him with our very souls. If you would like to know more about God, please come and see us at the South Stokes church of Chirst.

God’s Path to Salvation – Step Five – Be Baptized

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Doctrine

After hearing and believing the Word, if we are willing to submit to God by confessing our allegiance to Christ and repent of the things we are doing that are wrong, we can become a child of God by being baptized for the remission of our sins. This step in God’s path to salvation seems to be the most misunderstood and most debated of all of what God requires of us. Yet, it is a simple step, which the pages of scripture call us to do. Jesus commands baptism. The apostles commanded baptism. Paul was instructed to be baptized. All of those who converted to Christianity that we can read about in the book of Acts were baptized as part of their conversion. If you do not believe me, see what God’s Word says about the subject!

As Jesus was bidding His disciples farewell just before ascending into heaven, He gave them His final instructions. “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned’” (Mark 16:15-16NKJV). Notice here that Jesus states that the one who is a believer and has been baptized will be saved. It is the same as saying, he who has a ticket and gets into line will be admitted to the game. We have to have the ticket first in order to get into the game. If we do not have a ticket, there is no sense in getting into line. Thus, we have to believe before we are baptized. If we do not believe, then baptism alone will not affect us. Additionally, it does us absolutely no good to have a ticket for the game, but to never get into line to enter the building. Just buying our ticket does not grant us admittance. Likewise, in order to be saved one must believe and be baptized.

In Matthew’s recording of the great commission, he writes that Jesus told them to make disciples from all of the nations (Matthew 28:19). How is it that they were to make disciples? Jesus tells them how. He said that they were to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to teach them to observe all of Christ’s commandments (Matthew 28:19-20). That is how disciples are made. If you have not been baptized, you are not a disciple (follower) of Jesus Christ.

It is the act of baptism that washes away our sins. God did His part in sending His one and only unique Son to die on our behalf, so that our sins might be covered. Jesus died so that we could be cleansed, sanctified, made holy, and set apart (Romans 5:6-11). But we also have to do our part in accepting that grace of God. It is not enough for us to receive a great prize notification, and say that we are rich. We must claim that prize in order for it to have the intended effect. It is the act of baptism that puts us in contact with the blood of Christ. The water has no magical properties, but the act of obedience to what the Lord commanded means that His blood cleanses us from sin. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “. . . do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4). Being buried with Him in the likeness of His death signifies how we come in contact with the blood He shed, so that our sins can be covered. Being compared to a burial also tells us of the method of baptism. It is an immersion, a complete covering. Otherwise, it is not a burial.

Peter said that baptism was the act that removes our sins when he preached to the crowd on the day of Pentecost. On that day the doors of the church were opened for the first time. Peter explained that those Jews in Jerusalem had been responsible for rejecting Christ and having Him crucified. They were responsible for His death. Imagine how they must have felt when Peter showed them that they had put the one and only Son of God to death! This news pricked them in their hearts. They were convicted by the word. They were convinced that they had done wrong. They wanted to know what they could do to get out of such a terrible predicament (Acts 2:22-37). “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38). Notice what Peter did not tell them to do. He did not say to just accept Jesus in your heart and all would be well. He did not say to repeat a “sinners prayer,” which is not found in Scripture, in order to be saved. He told them to repent and be baptized. One is no good without the other. They were to be baptized for the remission of sins. Since baptism is the way to remit our sins, if we are not baptized our sins are not remitted. Later Peter would write that baptism now saves us (1 Peter 3:21).

One last example to consider is the conversion of Paul. Paul was a persecutor of the church. He did not believe in Jesus. As he was on the way to Damascus to round up more Christians for trial and execution, he saw a bright light and heard the voice of Christ. Surely that would be enough to save Paul, right? Notice what Paul was told to do by Jesus. “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:6b). So Paul went into Damascus. There he was told what he must do in order to be saved. When Ananias came to him, Paul had been praying and fasting for three days (Acts 9:9). Ananias said to Paul, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Notice that Paul was not saved by seeing Jesus. He was not saved by speaking to Jesus. He was not saved by praying and fasting for three days. If he had been, then why would Ananias have to tell him to be baptized to wash away his sins? If he had already been saved prior to baptism, there would be no sins that still needed to be washed away. Notice also that Ananias tells Paul how to call upon the name of the Lord. You may recall from step one of God’s path to salvation that in Paul’s writing to the Romans in chapter 10 of that letter, Paul told them that those who are saved are those who call upon the name of the Lord. How do we call upon the name of the Lord? We do so by obeying Him. Ananias told Paul that baptism is how we wash away our sins, and how we call upon the name of the Lord.

The Bible tells us that all of our spiritual blessings are to be found in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Those who are in Christ are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). Those who are in Christ are new creatures, having been born again (2 Corinthians 5:17). Salvation is only to be found in Christ (2 Timothy 2:10). In Christ, we can have eternal life (1 John 5:11). So how do we get in Christ in order to receive all of these blessings? We get in Christ by being baptized into Christ. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27, emphasis added). We must be in Christ to receive the blessings. We get in Christ by obeying what He has told us to do. For that, He commanded us to be baptized.

God’s Path to Salvation – Step Two – Believe

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Doctrine

Once we have heard the word of God, the next step on God’s path to salvation is to believe the word of God and have faith. Going back to Paul’s statement to the Romans, faith is to come by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). So we do not hear the word of God just to be hearers of it, but the word of God is to build up our faith in God. James says that we are to be doers of the word, and not just hearers only (James 1:22). Therefore, we need to do something about what we hear. Part of that is having an active faith.

Notice also that our faith is to be based upon what we hear in God’s word. It is not a blind faith, which is based upon nothing more than our feelings and emotions. Faith or belief which is based upon nothing (no evidence) is not really faith, but is irrational. God has given us a very good definition of faith within His Holy Word. Consider that, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith has substance. There is evidence for faith. John wrote in his gospel that there were many things that Jesus did which he did not record, but what was recorded was done in order that we might read, hear, and believe (John 20:30-31). In the Roman letter Paul reminds us that there is evidence for God, even His eternal power and Godhead, which has been manifested to all through His creation, so that man is without excuse if he chooses to not believe in God (Romans 1:18-23).

Additionally, God’s word is clear that we must believe in God in order to come to Him and be saved. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). So we must have faith in order to please Him. We must believe that God is in order to come to Him, or else why would we? Who would strive to approach a god that they did not believe in? We must understand that in order to be rewarded by God with salvation, we must diligently seek Him. Jesus said that the one who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16).

We must have faith in Him. Faith in Him is much more than believing that He exists. It requires that we do not just “believe that” He is, but that we “believe in” His promises. He has promised eternal life to those who will do His will and keep His commandments (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15, 21; 15:10). John, the apostle whom Jesus loved, wrote the following by inspiration:

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:1-5).

In order to overcome the world and be a child of God and have that salvation that He freely offers to mankind, we must believe in God (have faith in Him and His promises), and love Him by keeping His commandments.

God’s Path to Salvation – Step One — HEAR

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Dale Babinsky under Doctrine

It is important for us to realize that God has a path to salvation for mankind. It is not my path to salvation. It is not some board or council’s path to salvation. It is not the path to salvation of some college of titled officials. It is not the entrance requirements for some church or religious institution. It is God’s path, and as such He calls all men to come out of the world and be a part of His ekklesia, His church, those who have been ‘called out’ of the world, His own special people (1 Peter 2:9).

For the first step in God’s Path, Hearing God’s Word, click here to go to the lesson.

salvation's path

Finding God's Message in the 21st Century

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