Who You Gonna Trust???

As a logical person, some of the inconsistencies in the Bible bug me.  If someone were truly looking for reasons not to believe, I think they can find them pretty easily in the Bible. 

At the same time I think there is incredible value in studying the Bible.  It offers a wealth of knowledge,  inspiration, spiritual wisdom, and a path to salvation and eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

And yet personally I have no doubt about where I stand with God and Jesus.  How do I square the inconsistencies in the Bible with my solid belief?

For me it is the fact that my personal experiences far out weigh what I read in the Bible.  My personal experiences of seeing God actually intervene and direct my life offer me more proof than anything else.

I guess it comes down to who you gonna listen to?  Who you gonna trust?

Psalms 71:1(NKJV)

1    In You, O Lord, I put my trust;    

Tools

Today I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite tools for studying the Bible.  It is a program called Microsoft OneNote.

Here is what I love about one note.  It helps me separate Scripture into categories that interest me.  I can add a new category at any time.  As an example I am going to start tracking the Promises of God.  So I create a new tab called Promises of God.

Now any time during my Bible reading when I run across any Scripture that reveals a promise of God, I can cut and paste that Scripture to the Promises of God tab where I can make comments on it.  That way over time I will have a tab that lists all of the Promises of God in one place.

Here are some of the other categories I am currently tracking:

Soloman's Credentials

Success Scripture

Contradictions

Charity

Actively Against

Proportional Rewards

Just Don't Get It

Jesus the Strong

God Hates

Thou Shall Not Judge

…………..

There are several more, but you get the idea.  Now here is how I use them.  Let's take Thou Shall Not Judge.  One of the most misunderstood Scriptures in the Bible in my opinion.  So on that tab I have the Thou Shall Not Judge Scripture along with many other Scriptures that do in fact tell us to judge.  What that shows me is that one Scripture that is quoted most often on the subject isn't an all inclusive command against judgment. 

By doing it this way I think I get a much more balanced view of what Scriptures says on a subject.

Let's look at one more example.  Some people seem to find it hard to believe that God hates anything.  They believe that God is all about love, end of story.  Again that is just Scripturally incorrect.  The are several Scriptures throughout the Bible where it says God hates.  Here is just one example.
 

Malachi 1:2-3(NKJV)

2    “I have loved you,” says the Lord.      “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’     Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?”     Says the Lord.     “Yet Jacob I have loved;

3    But Esau I have hated,     And laid waste his mountains and his heritage     For the jackals of the wilderness.”

Now it's not like I want to convince people that God goes around hating everything.  It's just that I think it is important for people to have a correct understanding of Scripture.  And a correct understanding of Scripture includes understanding that there are some things that are so egregious that God actually hates them.

Anyway, give OneNote a try.  I think you will find it helps you understand Scripture in greater depth.

How Many of God's Promises Are Conditional?

Wouldn't that make a great study?  To actually go through the Bible, make note of each of God's promises, and then note whether each one is conditional or not.

I think I'll start doing that.  My sense is that almost all of God's promises are conditional.  It'll be interesting to see if that is true or not.

Just so we are clear on what I mean by conditional, God's promises are often phrased like this; "If you will do X, then I will do Y."  "If you will accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior then I will give you eternal life."

Its that whole free will thing again.  God always gives us a choice.  You can chose to believe or not. 

I chose to believe!  

How about you???

"Who daily loads us with benefits"

One of the things I have always tried to do is show what the benefits are to asking Jesus to lead our lives.  Going to Heaven is all well and good but its something that is a bit off in the future.  For those of us who are a bit more pragmatic, we want to know what's in it for us right now?  

Well how is this for a what's in it for us right now benefit?

Psalms 68:19(NKJV)

19    Blessed be the Lord,      Who daily loads us with benefits,     The God of our salvation! Selah

What does God do for us?  He loads us with benefits.  Now does the term load mean He gives us a thing or two?  Or does load us with benefits mean He gives us lots of benefits? 

Here is where it gets even better.  How often does He load us with benefits?  Daily!!!  It's not like the benefits of a life with Jesus run out.  He reloads our benefits cart daily!

What are those benefits?  Having a personal relationship with Jesus.  Knowing that Jesus has your back and is guiding your life to conform to the life God has planned for you.  Experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding.  And most importantly giving you the assurances of eternal life with God.

So how do you get these benefits?  Easy.  Simply ask Jesus to come into your life and guide you.  Invite Him to be your Lord and Savior.  Have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…"

Gotta Disagree Here

I've got to disagree with Paul on this one.  In fact I find it illogical based on some of the other things he has said. 

Hebrews 6:4-6(NKJV)

4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 

5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 

6£if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

He seems to be saying that if you were a believer but have fallen away, you can't come back to Jesus.

I disagree.  The only thing that I recall in the Bible about permanent exile as it were is for blaspheming the Holy Spirit.  Other than that, I believe God will always take us back if we repent.

I'll have to keep an eye out for more on this issue as I read in the coming weeks.

Discern Both Good and Evil

That would require a judgment wouldn't it? 

Hebrews 5:12-14(NKJV)

12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 

13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 

14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Yes this is yet again another musing about the whole "thou shall not judge" thing.  All together now:

"The Bible is a book of balance."  so saith the Common Christian :)

But seriously.  Here again we have a Scripture that plainly tells us that as mature Christians we are to use our senses to discern both good and evil.  What does that mean?

It means we are to evaluate things based on our knowledge of Scripture coupled with the leading of the Holy Spirit who was given to us in part to help us discern the Truth.  We are to use our intellect and our senses to come to a conclusion as to whether something is good or evil.  That requires that we make a judgment. 

So what is the difference?  Here is what I believe the difference is.  In the "thou shall not judge" passage I believe it is referring to judging what someone's relationship with God is.  Shouldn't do that.  Only God and that person truly know what that relationship is. 

The difference I see in the Scriptures that tell us to make judgments is that it is telling us to examine concrete things like behavior and compare that behavior to what God through Scripture has defined as good or evil. 

Does that make sense?

Talk About a Loaded Passage!

So much here.  Some a bit random.  I think I'll just break it up with my commentary which will be in italics.

1 Timothy 5:1-22(NKJV)

1Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 

2older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Notice it doesn't say don't correct  at all.  It just prescribes how to do it for certain groups of people.  BTW, doesn't it require a judgment be made if you are going to correct someone?  Just another example that "thou shall not judge" isn't a total ban on judgment. 

3Honor widows who are really widows. 

Requires a judgment.  Who are really widows and who aren't?

4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is £good and acceptable before God. 

5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 

6But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 

7And these things command, that they may be blameless. 

8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Lots of stuff here on widows which I think can be instructive when applied to all who seek charity.  First off notice it says that we should take care of our own.  Meaning family should take care of family first. 

In our world today you hear people who are able to take care of their families condemned.  It's not fair that they have so much and that their relatives get a helping hand, an advantage that isn't available to everyone. 

But notice what Scripture says. 

8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Apparently as part of our walk with God, he expects us to use our God given talents and abilities to be successful so that we can care for others.

9Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 

10well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

Notice the qualifications for charity for a widow.  It seems to essentially say take care of her if she was of good reputation. If not, apparently she is on her own.   Just because she may be poor or she may be hungry, according to Scripture she isn't automatically eligible for charity.   

11But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 

12having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 

13And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 

A blanket rejection of charity for a whole class of persons, young widows.  Notice the warning against idleness, especially as it relates to working age people.  Seems me to be a warning against making life so easy for people of working age that they don't have to work.  Idleness seems to lead to other bad results.

14Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 

15For some have already turned aside after Satan. 

16If any believing £man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

Here again we have Scripture reiterating that we need to take care of our own so that they don't burden the church. 

17Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 

18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” £ and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”£ 

Pay people what they are worth, some work is worth more than others.  Honor those who do well.  Unlike some nutty school system this year that cancelled Honors Night which honored the best students; because it wasn't fair and was too exclusive.

19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 

20Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

Again, that would take a judgment wouldn't it?

21I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 

When you target one group at the expense of another group, Scripture tells us that is wrong.  As an example when you target the rich just because they have more to give to the poor just because they have less, that is showing partiality.    However well intentioned, Scripture tells us that is wrong.

22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

Do you hear His voice?

 

Hebrews 3:7(NKJV)

7Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:      “Today, if you will hear His voice,

Hebrews 3:15(NKJV)

15while it is said:      “Today, if you will hear His voice,     Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” £

Do you hear His voice?  If not, what would it take to hear Jesus? 

It's actually pretty simple.  It's a two step process.  Can you do two things so that you will hear His voice the rest of your life?

Step 1.  Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.  Simply ask Jesus to come into your life and lead you.  Have a conversation with Jesus.  Tell Him what is missing in your life and what you are looking for, and then ask Him to come into your life to guide you.  "Dear Jesus…."

Step 2.  Work on building your relationship with Jesus every day for the rest of your life.  Get into God's word, the Bible.  Read a little bit everyday.  I read one chapter from the Old Testament and one chapter from the New Testament almost every day.  Takes about 15 minutes.

Why do I say almost?  Because life happens.  Sometimes things just come up and you can't get to your Bible reading that day.  No big deal, God understands.  Remember Jesus came to earth and lived a human life for 30+ years.  He knows what it is like.  Don't beat yourself up about it.  Don't feel guilty about it.  Just get back to it the next day.

The other part of building that relationship is communicating with God.  Praying.  Speaking and, are you ready for this?, listening!  That's right.  After praying, instead of rushing through the Amen so you can get to your reading, take a few minutes and just listen for anything God has to say to you. 

That's right, if you take the time to listen…you will hear His voice!

Now That's Interesting

Every now and then you run across a scripture that just makes you go hmmm. 

Hebrews 2:16(NKJV)

16For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 

The He referred to here is Jesus.  Jesus helps humans but he does not help angels.  I wonder why that is? 

What a Great Verse!

Love this verse as it references God.  Simple.  Too the point.  Solid as a rock!

God is the only place you need to look!

Psalms 62:2(NKJV)

2    He only is my rock and my salvation;     He is my defense;     I shall not be greatly moved.

How Do We Tell the Poor from the Lazy?

How do we tell the poor from the lazy for the purposes of charity and should it matter? 

2 Thessalonians 3:10-11(NKJV)

10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 

11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 

I've always found this juxtaposition interesting and puzzling.  Maybe I have found a clue.

On the one hand we have Jesus telling us to feed and care for the poor.  On the other hand we have Paul telling us that if anyone will not work, neither should he eat. 

So which is it?  How do we chose who are the poor who deserve charity and who are the lazy malcontents who don't?

Do all deserve charity?  I believe the Bible is pretty clear that no, not all deserve charity. 

Here is just one example. 

1 Timothy 5:3-8(NKJV)

3Honor widows who are really widows. 

4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is £good and acceptable before God. 

5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 

6But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 

7And these things command, that they may be blameless. 

8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

I think Paul gives us another way to tell who deserves charity and who doesn't in the 2 Thes. 3:11.

11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 

The way I see this, Paul is making the distinction between those who can't work and help themselves from those who refuse to; those who seek to cause strife and dissension instead.  Paul is drawing a distinction of those who deserve the limited resources for charity and those who don't.

Love of God vs. Patience of Christ

I find the word choices here interesting and feel a need to ponder them for a while.

2 Thessalonians 3:5(NKJV)

5Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

I just wonder if there is a deeper meaning here.  Why was love associated with God and not Jesus?  Why was patience associated with Jesus? 

Just seems like there is more here than meets the eye.  You know, that whole discernment thing!

But then again I think it was Freud who said "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar!"

Um Paul, how does that work exactly?

Sometimes I just have a hard time understanding Paul.  Check this out.

Titus 2:1(NKJV)

1But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 

And then Paul goes on for a couple paragraphs telling the young and old, male and female, servant and free, how they should behave.  No drunkenness, no cheating, etc.  Then he ends it with this.

Titus 2:15(NKJV)

15Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Huh?  How's that work exactly?  Knowing human nature, you think that if you exhort and rebuke folks about their sins, you aren't going to piss a few of them off? 

Now don't get me wrong.  I think we should do as instructed.  I just think Paul is setting an unrealistic expectation that none will despise you. 

But don't let that stop you.  Speak the Word truthfully and sincerely and let the chips fall where they may. 

You may think it a little weird that I'm ending a post on a Christian Blog with a Gandhi quote but in this case I think it fits.

"Truth never damages a cause that is just." -Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Be diligent

2 Timothy 2:15(NKJV)

15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Just so we are all on the same page, let's start by looking at the definition of diligent.

dil·i·gent

1. constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything: a diligent student.
2. done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking: a diligent search of the files.

Would you describe the effort you put into building your relationship with God as diligent?  Is it purposeful?  Is it consistent?
 

A relationship with God is no different than any other relationship from the standpoint that it takes work and effort to build a great relationship.

Want to go from having a casual relationship with God to having a great relationship?  Then be diligent about it.

Fulfill Your Ministry!

Wow, talk about marching orders!  This is from Paul's 2nd letter to Timothy but could it apply to each and every one of us as well?  But you say "I don't have a ministry.". 

Really?  What do you think your life is? 

2 Timothy 4:1-5(NKJV)

1I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead £at His appearing and His kingdom: 

2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 

3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 

4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 

5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Preach the word Paul says and ends it with an exclamation point.  Then the next highlighted point seems to say do whatever it takes.  Next comes a warning that many will fall away and listen to false teachers.  The Scripture ends with a final charge, fulfill your ministry.

Does that mean each of us should be out there preaching sermons?  I don't think so.  The Bible clearly tells us that we have different gifts to use in our personal ministries. 

What I think it means is that each of us needs to use the gifts that God has given us to fulfill the ministry that God has assigned us!

All Scripture….

2 Timothy 3:16-17(NKJV)

16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Love Scripture like this.  Fist it tells us that ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God.  To me that means that the Bible says exactly what God wants it to say. 

Does that mean everything in the Bible is 100% true?  I wouldn't go that far.  The Bible tells us that we are given the Holy Spirit to help us discern.  If everything was 100% true there would be nothing to discern.  I think God puts some stuff in there just to see if we are really paying attention.  

The above Scripture goes on to tell us what to use Scripture for.  For doctrine, for reproof, for correction (which is pretty much the same as reproof), and for instruction in righteousness. 

And what is the purpose of all this?  "That the man of God may be complete,...". 

If you want a manual for true success in life it is all there in Scripture!