332 Ezra 4 – 6; 1 John 4
There is always opposition. It is a fact of life. It is not a fun fact of life. The passage starts with these words, "Old enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building The Temple of the God of Israel." Once they heard the news they came and asked if they could help. The answer was no. It was the right answer, but that did not please them so, they set out to ruin the project. These enemies went to great lengths to stop the Temple from being built and eventually were successful. However, the Jewish leaders stepped up and started rebuilding the Temple again with the backing of Darius the King. It is hard enough to build or rebuild in good conditions, let alone with people riding your back the whole time. It was a combined effort with Haggai, Zechariah, and Zerubbabel. It took a team to do this job. They were the leadership team. The people followed them and there was success. What did they do once it was completed--they worshiped and celebrated the finishing of the Temple.
Here is a telling sentence, ‘Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.’ What was the test of whether or not the preacher is telling the truth? The question to ask them is, "Did Jesus come in the flesh." A person must believe that Jesus came in real flesh. Jesus was not a pretender; He was the contender and no one else. Here we are coming into the Christmas season and the truth that we must believe is that Jesus was born into this world in real flesh and blood. If one does not believe this they are a liar! Pray that we can help people sort out this truth this season.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
331 Friday, November 27, 2009
331 Ezra 1 – 3; 1 John 3
Jeremiah had prophesied years ago that the Temple would be rebuilt. King Cyrus, a secular king is moved to rebuild the Temple. This King releases the Jews to go and rebuild the Temple. God uses secular people to accomplish His purposes and plans. There is even a free-will offering taken for the Temple. I wonder will King Cyrus be in heaven or was this God of the Jews just another god to him? Heaven is going to be a fun place for a lot of reasons. The foundation of the Temple was laid and then they had a celebration. Notice just the foundation was laid and they celebrated. God was at work and they celebrated and worshiped.
What marvelous love the Father has lavished on us through His Son Jesus Christ. The new foundation of the Temple is Jesus Christ. We are to build our lives upon Him for He is the chief cornerstone. We are the living stones of that temple called the church. More than that we called His children. We are called His children and we will end up face to face with Jesus and then be like Him. Who knows what that will all entail, we can only imagine. These are wonderful and real thoughts, but John wants us to put into practice this love that we have received from the Father. How do you know you are a child of God--do you love others in a practical way? John is forcing us to get real about our faith.
Jeremiah had prophesied years ago that the Temple would be rebuilt. King Cyrus, a secular king is moved to rebuild the Temple. This King releases the Jews to go and rebuild the Temple. God uses secular people to accomplish His purposes and plans. There is even a free-will offering taken for the Temple. I wonder will King Cyrus be in heaven or was this God of the Jews just another god to him? Heaven is going to be a fun place for a lot of reasons. The foundation of the Temple was laid and then they had a celebration. Notice just the foundation was laid and they celebrated. God was at work and they celebrated and worshiped.
What marvelous love the Father has lavished on us through His Son Jesus Christ. The new foundation of the Temple is Jesus Christ. We are to build our lives upon Him for He is the chief cornerstone. We are the living stones of that temple called the church. More than that we called His children. We are called His children and we will end up face to face with Jesus and then be like Him. Who knows what that will all entail, we can only imagine. These are wonderful and real thoughts, but John wants us to put into practice this love that we have received from the Father. How do you know you are a child of God--do you love others in a practical way? John is forcing us to get real about our faith.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
330 Thursday, November 26, 2009
330 Daniel 10 – 12; 1 John 2
First, let me wish you a happy Thanksgiving! Those religious outlaws from England came to settle a colony called Plymouth. Over half died that first winter. The leaders reached out to the Indians of that area and those Indians taught them how to survive. The Indians had a tradition of a harvest festival and the colonist adopted that tradition. I can only imagine that the Colonist were happy to give thanks since now they were not dying off at a significant rate. What are you thankful for?
I am thankful for Daniel! For three weeks Daniel fasted and prayed. I am sure you noticed that he ate some food, but abstained from the lets say, the “good stuff” and did not take a bath. He did this because of his people's suffering. Nehemiah mourned over his people and their suffering. An Angel speaks to Daniel by the Tigris River and even explains why the answer to his prayer took so long. This angel was in fight with an angel prince of the kingdom of Persia i.e. a demon, but Michael the chief angel-prince intervened on this angel’s behalf. This is one of those times where you read real slow and start connecting the dots. This is a picture of what goes on in the unseen world. This is the O.T. telling us that our fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities set in high places (Ephesians 6:10 ff.). Also, another scripture that goes with this is 11 Corinthians 10:4-5. These wars have to do with God's people and the future of the promise. God has to protect Israel for the Messiah comes through their bloodline. The spiritual warfare behind the scenes results in war here on earth. Our weapons are that of Daniels--prayer.
How can a person be sure they are a Christian? This, believe it or not, in many circles, is a huge issue. A person says they believe in Jesus Christ, but they do not bother to keep His commandments--are they a Christian? If you say no, then a group of people will say you believe in works salvation. If you say yes, they are a Christian, then the other group will say you believe in cheap grace. I say both are missing the point. How can "you" know you are a Christian? There is the internal witness of His Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are His children (Romans 8:16). There is also the external witness of my keeping His commandments. When I sin I confess that sin and that is an external witness as well. I cannot say who is in and who is out, but God wants "us" to have assurance of salvation. If a person says they believe, but they do not behave in like manner, there is no way they can know for sure they are a child of God. You and I can argue all day long about whether or not they are a Christian but how can we help this person experience transformation. John says, "Here's how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep His commandments." How can we be sure we are one of His--keep His commandments. This does not get us into Heaven, but it helps us to know if our heart has been changed by the power of His Spirit.
First, let me wish you a happy Thanksgiving! Those religious outlaws from England came to settle a colony called Plymouth. Over half died that first winter. The leaders reached out to the Indians of that area and those Indians taught them how to survive. The Indians had a tradition of a harvest festival and the colonist adopted that tradition. I can only imagine that the Colonist were happy to give thanks since now they were not dying off at a significant rate. What are you thankful for?
I am thankful for Daniel! For three weeks Daniel fasted and prayed. I am sure you noticed that he ate some food, but abstained from the lets say, the “good stuff” and did not take a bath. He did this because of his people's suffering. Nehemiah mourned over his people and their suffering. An Angel speaks to Daniel by the Tigris River and even explains why the answer to his prayer took so long. This angel was in fight with an angel prince of the kingdom of Persia i.e. a demon, but Michael the chief angel-prince intervened on this angel’s behalf. This is one of those times where you read real slow and start connecting the dots. This is a picture of what goes on in the unseen world. This is the O.T. telling us that our fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities set in high places (Ephesians 6:10 ff.). Also, another scripture that goes with this is 11 Corinthians 10:4-5. These wars have to do with God's people and the future of the promise. God has to protect Israel for the Messiah comes through their bloodline. The spiritual warfare behind the scenes results in war here on earth. Our weapons are that of Daniels--prayer.
How can a person be sure they are a Christian? This, believe it or not, in many circles, is a huge issue. A person says they believe in Jesus Christ, but they do not bother to keep His commandments--are they a Christian? If you say no, then a group of people will say you believe in works salvation. If you say yes, they are a Christian, then the other group will say you believe in cheap grace. I say both are missing the point. How can "you" know you are a Christian? There is the internal witness of His Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are His children (Romans 8:16). There is also the external witness of my keeping His commandments. When I sin I confess that sin and that is an external witness as well. I cannot say who is in and who is out, but God wants "us" to have assurance of salvation. If a person says they believe, but they do not behave in like manner, there is no way they can know for sure they are a child of God. You and I can argue all day long about whether or not they are a Christian but how can we help this person experience transformation. John says, "Here's how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep His commandments." How can we be sure we are one of His--keep His commandments. This does not get us into Heaven, but it helps us to know if our heart has been changed by the power of His Spirit.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
328 Tuesday, November 24, 2009
328 Daniel 7 – 9; 1 John 1
Chapter seven of Daniel is a fascinating book. I have read and heard so much about the last animal with ten horns. Let me tell you what I have heard. The last animal is Rome. The desecration in the Temple by the new horn was Antiochus Epiphanus in seventy A.D.. In other words, this prophecy has already been fulfilled. God's holy people were the Jews and they were once again scattered abroad. The second interpretation is that this has yet to happen and one day it will. The question then what is the kingdom, who is the leader i.e. that new horn that does so much damage, and are we God's people being persecuted in like manner? The third interpretation is that it is a double fulfillment prophecy. In other words, this was fulfilled in the time of Rome and will come true today. An old alliance will come together that will look like the Rome of old and the persecution will happen to God's people--us. Notice Daniel says that the persecution lasts two and half which equals three and half years. What many teach in prophecy is that there is a seven year period and the first three and a half are peaceful and the second three and half is when the anti-Christ goes to war against the Saints. Wow! There is so much to understand when it comes to prophecy. I used to be so into the end times. Now I am into the now times. That was what Peter was trying to communicate. Right now be ready to taken by Christ or ready to die. We must always be ready to meet our Savior.
Walk in the light. There is a goal for today. Walk in the light and let God reveal life to you. If walk in the light, that means we are confessing our sin. What sin do you need to confess? The Lord will forgive you and set you back in the light.
Chapter seven of Daniel is a fascinating book. I have read and heard so much about the last animal with ten horns. Let me tell you what I have heard. The last animal is Rome. The desecration in the Temple by the new horn was Antiochus Epiphanus in seventy A.D.. In other words, this prophecy has already been fulfilled. God's holy people were the Jews and they were once again scattered abroad. The second interpretation is that this has yet to happen and one day it will. The question then what is the kingdom, who is the leader i.e. that new horn that does so much damage, and are we God's people being persecuted in like manner? The third interpretation is that it is a double fulfillment prophecy. In other words, this was fulfilled in the time of Rome and will come true today. An old alliance will come together that will look like the Rome of old and the persecution will happen to God's people--us. Notice Daniel says that the persecution lasts two and half which equals three and half years. What many teach in prophecy is that there is a seven year period and the first three and a half are peaceful and the second three and half is when the anti-Christ goes to war against the Saints. Wow! There is so much to understand when it comes to prophecy. I used to be so into the end times. Now I am into the now times. That was what Peter was trying to communicate. Right now be ready to taken by Christ or ready to die. We must always be ready to meet our Savior.
Walk in the light. There is a goal for today. Walk in the light and let God reveal life to you. If walk in the light, that means we are confessing our sin. What sin do you need to confess? The Lord will forgive you and set you back in the light.
Monday, November 23, 2009
327 Monday, November 23, 2009
327 Daniel 3 – 6; 2 Peter 3
These guys were on fire for their God. It did not catch them off guard that by not bowing down to the image they were going to catch some "fire." By the way, the small group leader, Daniel, was not in on this episode. The other heroes of this story were not bowing down. The miracle is that a fourth showed up in the furnace with them and the King saw the fourth. Most agree that it was Jesus Christ in what is called a Theophany. The King ordered them to come out of the furnace. This all happened in front all of the important people. This was no accident. All these people examined these men and they found that there was no evidence they were in the fire. The King blessed the God of these men. He also put out a decree that nothing derogatory could be said against their God. Wow! It was to be a party for the King, but it turned into a celebration of Yahweh. Isn't God great? It is a shame that the king did not remember his decree about honoring Yahweh. He ended up acting like a cow. He went a little crazy. It does seem he truly found the Lord when he was healed. The next big thing is Daniel being put in the lion’s den for praying. There is not a better person to place in a lion’s den than a prayer warrior. The Lord shut the lion’s mouths. Now there is answer to prayer. Amen!
Be alert for the day is coming of Christ's return. It may seem like a long time off, but a day is thousand years and a thousand years is like a day with the Lord. Christ comes like a thief in the night. Those who know him will see Him. So grow in the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
These guys were on fire for their God. It did not catch them off guard that by not bowing down to the image they were going to catch some "fire." By the way, the small group leader, Daniel, was not in on this episode. The other heroes of this story were not bowing down. The miracle is that a fourth showed up in the furnace with them and the King saw the fourth. Most agree that it was Jesus Christ in what is called a Theophany. The King ordered them to come out of the furnace. This all happened in front all of the important people. This was no accident. All these people examined these men and they found that there was no evidence they were in the fire. The King blessed the God of these men. He also put out a decree that nothing derogatory could be said against their God. Wow! It was to be a party for the King, but it turned into a celebration of Yahweh. Isn't God great? It is a shame that the king did not remember his decree about honoring Yahweh. He ended up acting like a cow. He went a little crazy. It does seem he truly found the Lord when he was healed. The next big thing is Daniel being put in the lion’s den for praying. There is not a better person to place in a lion’s den than a prayer warrior. The Lord shut the lion’s mouths. Now there is answer to prayer. Amen!
Be alert for the day is coming of Christ's return. It may seem like a long time off, but a day is thousand years and a thousand years is like a day with the Lord. Christ comes like a thief in the night. Those who know him will see Him. So grow in the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
326 Sunday, November 22, 2009
326 Daniel 1 – 2; 2 Peter 2
I am thankful for the book of Daniel. I am thankful for Daniel and his three friends. It is a study of how a small group Bible study can survive in stark conditions. God especially equipped Daniel for his stay in Babylon. Daniel could interpret dreams and this gift came very handy. All these Jewish teenagers were equipped with courage to say no to the food offered them. They negotiated a deal with the head of the palace staff to let them eat what they wanted and then to evaluate them. When the time came they looked better and were very wise. They went into the King’s service and he was very pleased with their gifts of service. The King had a dream and called upon Daniel to interpret the dream and he had until morning--no pressure! This was a pass/fail class. If he failed he died, but if he succeeded he lived, what a deal. He passed the test. It was a dream about the five kingdoms, one of the present and those to come. He nailed it and got himself a promotion. Another Jewish man making it in a secular, religiously pluralistic society. You can make it as well.
They give truth a bad name. That is a great line. We still have them with us today. We have false prophets who come to sell us the keys to the kingdom. The keys are for free, bought and paid for by the Savior. Peter is really laying it on those who twist the truth out of lust for power and whatever else they are after. We must redeem the truth and give it a good name. The truth will set you free, but the converse of that is equally true. The lie will enslave you. Live in the zone of truth. These are the words of God through His apostle Peter.
I am thankful for the book of Daniel. I am thankful for Daniel and his three friends. It is a study of how a small group Bible study can survive in stark conditions. God especially equipped Daniel for his stay in Babylon. Daniel could interpret dreams and this gift came very handy. All these Jewish teenagers were equipped with courage to say no to the food offered them. They negotiated a deal with the head of the palace staff to let them eat what they wanted and then to evaluate them. When the time came they looked better and were very wise. They went into the King’s service and he was very pleased with their gifts of service. The King had a dream and called upon Daniel to interpret the dream and he had until morning--no pressure! This was a pass/fail class. If he failed he died, but if he succeeded he lived, what a deal. He passed the test. It was a dream about the five kingdoms, one of the present and those to come. He nailed it and got himself a promotion. Another Jewish man making it in a secular, religiously pluralistic society. You can make it as well.
They give truth a bad name. That is a great line. We still have them with us today. We have false prophets who come to sell us the keys to the kingdom. The keys are for free, bought and paid for by the Savior. Peter is really laying it on those who twist the truth out of lust for power and whatever else they are after. We must redeem the truth and give it a good name. The truth will set you free, but the converse of that is equally true. The lie will enslave you. Live in the zone of truth. These are the words of God through His apostle Peter.
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