"…the pure milk of the word,…"

I personally think that being in God's Word on a consistent basis is the single biggest factor in developing your relationship with God.  There are several reason that I think it is important but this verse highlights one of the reasons.

1 Peter 2:1-3(NKJV)

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 

if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The pure milk of the Word.  I like the sound of that.  Once you have the Holy Spirit to guide you, being in God's Word is your second most direct link to God.  Your most direct link of course being prayer.  But being in God's Word with the Holy Spirit allows you to know God in a direct way.  You aren't receiving God's Word as filtered through other people's perceptions and circumstances.  You are receiving it directly from God!

How do you get the Holy Spirit to guide you?  By asking Jesus to come into your life and guide you.  Just have a conversation with Jesus and invite Him in.  "Dear Jesus…."

An interesting example of God's timing.

I found this kind of interesting.  If you have walked with the Lord for any amount of time you have probably experienced the issue of God's timing.  There are things for example that we pray for and it doesn't happen, doesn't happen, doesn't happen, but we keep praying and all of a sudden it happens.  I believe that is an example of God just telling us the time wasn't right yet.

So take a look at this.

Acts 16:6-10(NKJV)

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 

After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 

So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 

Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

What I found interesting is that we know Scripture tells us it is God's will that all be saved who believe in Jesus.  We also know from Scripture that God wants His Word spread around the world.  So why when one of God's most ardent disciples is on the border, ready to preach the Word to a whole new culture does God say "Hold up there.  I forbid you to go preach my word to those people." 

Why would He do that do you think?  We know that the word is eventually preached throughout Asia and millions are saved but why did God stop Paul from doing any of it?

I can think of a couple reasons but I think mainly it comes down to God's timing of the execution of His plan.  God had a specific mission field and plan for Paul.  I'm sure that even way back then God already knew who he was going to send in to Asia and when they were going to go.  It may have been decades in the future but God had it planned out.

God's timing is everything!

The Disciples substitute their Judgement for God's.

This just seems to be one of those human conditions that is hard to tame.  I happen to be of the opinion that many in the clergy today are simply modern day Pharisees.  By that I mean that they like to add their own twists that really aren't in Scripture.  It is just their interpretation.

Unfortunately that is an impulse that goes all the way back to the disciples.  Read through this story and I'll explain what I mean.

Acts 15:1-21(NKJV)

And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 

Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 

And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 

But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 

And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 

So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 

and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 

Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 

And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 

Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 

And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

    ‘After this I will return      And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;     I will rebuild its ruins,     And I will set it up;

    So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,     Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,      Says the Lord who does all these things.’ 

“Known to God from eternity are all His works. 

Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 

(So far so good.  But then look where James goes next. )

but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 

For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Here is what I am getting at.  Why is it that James felt that they had to respond by giving them some other do's and don'ts instead of simply following God's example and calling it good if they believed in their heart?  And why did he go back to the Old Testament for his reference point? 

Now let me be clear that I don't think that the things they warned about are bad to warn about but I don't think this was the proper venue to do that.  The questions was simple.  Should we add on other things (in this case circumcision) to the Gentile's requirements for being saved.  I believe that God was pretty clear by giving them the Holy Spirit that they had already done all that God felt they needed to do. 

Unfortunately the Disciples couldn't refrain from substituting their judgement for God's. 

"…for whatever is not from faith is sin."

One of my favorite issues in the Bible is the tension between faith and fear.  Scripture is replete with admonitions like "do not fear" and "faith and fear cannot live in the same body".  Things like that. 

As I have written before, I believe that fear is a physical manifestation of lack of faith.  Now I am not talking about the jolt of fear you might experience if you happened to see an out of control bus about to run you over.  That is normal.

What I am talking about is the deep internal fear that things aren't going to work out or that some nebulous "something bad" is going to happen.  That type of fear.  That is the fear that I believe shows God a physical lack of faith. 

Now one of my life principals has been don't make life decisions based on fear.  Well this Scripture takes it way further than that.  Check it out!

Romans 14:23(NKJV)

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Wow, that puts a whole new light on it doesn't it?  Not only is it a lack of faith but according to Scripture it is a sinful lack of faith.  Hmm.

"…I should not call any man common or unclean." Never???

Here is a verse that I think is ripe for misunderstanding.  Take a look at these first verses and then we will contrast and compare it to another verse. 

Acts 10:24-29(NKJV)

And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 

As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 

But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 

And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 

Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 

Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”

Here is a verse that I think gets misused in the same way that thou shall not judge is misused.  Here is what I mean by that.  There are many who like to use the "thou shall not judge" as a shield.  Well as I have documented in the past thou shall not judge is only one verse.  There are many verses where Jesus Himself tells us to make judgements. 

I think we see the same type of thing with this verse.  "Hey he is one of God's children.  You can't call him unclean!".  That type of thing. 

Now take a look at these verses and then I'll tell you what I think the whole thing means.

Acts 13:9-11(NKJV)

Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 

and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 

And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 

Umm, isn't Paul kind of calling this person unclean?  "You son of the devil" seems to fall in that category to me.  So is Paul committing a sin here?  Is he going against God's word?

Not at all in my opinion.  In the first case I think it is more of a general don't prejudge people type of thing.  Take God's word to all people and give them a chance at Salvation.  Don't leave out the Greeks.  Don't leave out the Samaritans, etc. 

On the other hand when someone provides evidence of their "uncleanness" I don't believe God has a problem with us calling things as we see them.  Jesus was always telling us to compare the fruit.  Isn't that just another way of Jesus saying hey contrast the good with the bad, the clean with the unclean; based on the evidence provided?

Does that difference make sense? 

Once again a picture of proper ministry in my opinion.

Once again I am struck by the picture of ministry presented here by Paul as contrasted with what I see in the Christian world today. 

Acts 13:44-52(NKJV)

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 

For so the Lord has commanded us:      ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,     That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 

Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 

But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 

But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

I know I have written about this before but this passage brings it to light again.  Notice how once people have made a choice, either for or against Jesus, the disciples move on.  They don't waste a bunch of time trying to change minds or even worse watering down the message to make it more palatable to those who initially reject Jesus.  They simply "shake the dust from their feet" and move on.

As I have said before, I think we spend too much time and effort on those who have already heard the message and made a choice instead of focusing on bringing the message to those who haven't heard it yet.

God is….Faithful

I have completed the second word.  Faithful.  What does it mean to be faithful?

faithful

1. strict or thorough in the performance of duty:

a faithful worker.

2. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
3. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant:

faithful friends.

4. reliable, trusted, or believed.
5. adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original; accurate:

a faithful account; a faithful copy.

6. Obsolete. full of faith; believing.

Now let's look at a few Scriptures that stood out to me.  There are 81 uses of the word Faithful in the Bible.

Deuteronomy 7:9-11(NKJV)

“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; 

and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. 

Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.  

One of the things I am getting regarding faithful is that faithfulness is a two way street.  God will be faithful to us provided we are faithful to Him.  I also find it interesting that this Scripture makes the point that God will be just as faithful in dealing out punishment as He will be in dealing out mercy and reward.  God will be faithful in ALL of His promises.

Psalms 78:8(NKJV)

    And may not be like their fathers,     A stubborn and rebellious generation,     A generation that did not set its heart aright,     And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Psalms 78:37(NKJV)

    For their heart was not steadfast with Him,     Nor were they faithful in His covenant.

Psalms 101:6(NKJV)

    My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land,      That they may dwell with me;     He who walks in a perfect way,     He shall serve me.

Isaiah 49:7(NKJV)

    Thus says the Lord,      The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One,     To Him whom man despises,     To Him whom the nation abhors,     To the Servant of rulers:     “Kings shall see and arise,     Princes also shall worship,     Because of the Lord who is faithful,     The Holy One of Israel;     And He has chosen You.”

Hosea 11:12(NKJV)

    “Ephraim has encircled Me with lies,      And the house of Israel with deceit;     But Judah still walks with God,     Even with the Holy One who is faithful.

1 Corinthians 1:9(NKJV)

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:13(NKJV)

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

2 Corinthians 1:18(NKJV)

But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 

2 Thessalonians 3:3(NKJV)

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 

1 John 1:9(NKJV)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

So it seems to me that God will be faithful to the ends of the earth; to those who are faithful to Him in return.  Does that mean we have to be perfect?  I don't think so.  But as always it is a balance of the heart issue. 

Do you like that phrase?  Balance of the heart.  When you weigh all of the evidence, God knows where your heart is.  As Jesus makes very clear throughout the Gospels, it is a heart issue.  

"….and in righteousness He judges and makes war."

That's a funny thing for a pacifist to do.  :)

Revelation 19:11(NKJV)

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 

“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality…."

Acts 10:34-43(NKJV)

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 

But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 

The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 

And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 

Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 

not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 

And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 

To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

Then why is it that so many Christians seem to think that God favors the "Saintly Poor"?

Now let's look at the second line that is highlighted.  Scripture again makes very clear that not all are accepted by God.  Only those who follow Him and do His will.  And the first step of doing His will is believing in His son Jesus. 

Do you believe in Jesus?  Have you let Him know that?  If not why not do it right now.  Have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."

Wisdom

 

Proverbs 1:7(NKJV)

    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,      But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I love this verse. 

At this point it is still a heart issue.

I'm trying to track down exactly where in the Bible salvation goes from a heartfelt belief in Jesus to the magic incantation of believe in your heart and say with your lips. 

Now don't get me wrong.  I don't think there is anything at all wrong with vocally stating your belief and allegiance to Jesus.  I don't have a problem with that at all.  It's just that I don't think it is a mandatory part of salvation.  In all four of the Gospels I can't see anywhere that Jesus says that it has to be done that way.  Jesus always describes it as a heart thing.

Well take a look at this. 

Acts 8:34-40(NKJV)

So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 

Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 

But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

Here we are in Acts 8 and Philip again makes the point that it is a heart issues; "truly believe".  The eunuch responds that he does believe but I don't see where even here that was an actual condition of his salvation. 

Anyway I'll keep studying this issue. 

Abundantly

What does abundantly mean?

John 10:7-10(NKJV)

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 

All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

abundant

1. present in great quantity; more than adequate; oversufficient:

an abundant supply of water.

2. well supplied with something; abounding:

a river abundant in salmon.

3. richly supplied, as with resources:

an abundant land.

Notice God didn't say that He came to give us a life of barely getting by?  :)

"He repays those who hate Him to their face"

Wow, I never thought of it that way!

Deuteronomy 7:9-11(NKJV)

“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; 

and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. 

Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.  

Couple of things here.  First we again see the theme that God's covenant is not extended to everyone but only to those who love God and keep His word. 

The other thing is the whole "God will repay them to their face" thing.  I had never thought of it that way before.  God respects free will and lets people make the choice.  But God is very upfront that when you reject Him you are declaring yourself an enemy of God.

From Scripture I know that those who reject God will be sent to hell.  Kind of an automatic thing.  What I had missed is that each and every person who goes to hell doesn't go straight there.  Each and every one of them finds themselves face to face with God first.  And God then condemns them right to their face.  Wow!

"Enter into the joy of your lord."

The parable of the Talents is one of my favorites.  I think it really encapsulates a lot of what Scripture teaches in regard to serving God.  I think it is about way more than money.  And don't you just love the refrain?  "Enter into the joy of you lord."!

Matthew 25:21-30(NKJV)

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 

He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 

And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 

So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 

So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 

And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

We serve God by using the skills that He gave us for His glory.  The more we do that the more we will be rewarded; here on earth as well as in Heaven.  Now what is that reward?  It is increased responsibility in executing God's plan. 

But what does "enter into the joy of your lord" mean?  To me it means experiencing the feeling of closeness with God that we get when we focus on Him.  It means experience the feeling of knowing that God is proud of us like any father is proud of his kids when they do well.

But let's examine the third person in the parable.  Doesn't the punishment in this case seem harsh?

" For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 

And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. "

Take all his stuff away and cast him out?  Wow! 

But let's analyze this a bit.  The guy played it safe correct?  He says so in his explanation.  How could God get mad at someone for playing it safe?  Let's examine that question.

Why did he play it safe?  That is the key here.  He played it safe out of fear.  What does the Bible say about fear?  That we shouldn't do it.  As I have said before fear is simply a physical manifestation of lack of faith.

So here is what I get out of the whole thing.  The guy is punished so severely because he wasted the skills and abilities that God gave him.  He acted on fear instead of acting on faith.  God didn't put us here to play it safe.  God put us here to make an impact for His Kingdom!!!   Make sense?  

This is one of my personal beliefs!

If you are getting one message from the Holy spirit and another message from man, even your preachers, what do you do? 

Acts 4:18-21(NKJV)

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 

But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 

Always, always, always follow the Holy Spirit!!!  Case closed in my opinion.  If God has been kind enough to take the time to communicate directly with you through the Holy Spirit why would you do anything else than follow His guidance?

I was watching Joan of Arc a while back and found this interesting.  All of her life when God spoke to her she listened.  One time she did not.  One time she listened to all of the "learned Bishops" instead.  Biggest mistake of her life!

Does God look out for everyone or just His own?

I think that there are a lot of people out there who get this wrong.  They think that God is looking out for everyone.  I don't believe that is what Scripture teaches.  Take a look and see what you think.

Psalms 101:6(NKJV)

    My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land,      That they may dwell with me;     He who walks in a perfect way,     He shall serve me.

While this is just one Scripture I could find many more in a heartbeat.  God specifically says that He is looking out for the faithful, not for everyone, for the faithful.  Those who listen to God and strive to develop a relationship with Him and do His will.  Those who believe in His son, Jesus Christ. 

As I have said in the past I look for confirmation of concepts in both the Old T and the New T.  I can provide that in this case as well.  There are several spots in the New T where we are described as "heirs" with Christ.  Now what does that mean?  Well to me one of the things it means is that you are part of the family and get preferential treatment from God.  In other words God is looking out for His heirs. 

Want another example?  Take a look at what Jesus says in the book of John.

John 17:9-11(NKJV)

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 

And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 

Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 

Here Jesus makes the exact distinction that He is not praying for everyone (the world) but He is only praying for protection for God's people, those who are serving God. 

Interesting isn't it? 

I don't know about you but I love the fact that God is watching out for me.  I see it in my life all the time.  Would you like to have that comfort as well?  It starts with accepting Jesus.  Simply ask Jesus to come in to your life and guide you.  Have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus….."

 

What do you think Jesus means here?

 

John 10:11-18(NKJV)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 

But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 

The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 

As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

I know that some use this verse as a way to explain how believers in other religions can get to Heaven.  That Muslims for example are some of the "other sheep which are not of this fold" that Jesus will bring along. 

I reject that line of reasoning and I'll tell you why.  Notice that after Jesus says that He has others to bring along He says that "they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."  In other words to be included at some point they have to believe that Jesus is who He says He is.  At that point they are no longer Muslims; they have become Christians.  Make sense?

In addition we know that elsewhere Jesus has said that a "house divided against itself cannot stand".  In the verse above Jesus tells us that we will be "one flock".  In other words united, not divided.  So once again one side had to bring their beliefs into alignment with the other side.  I don't know about you but I don't see Jesus changing His beliefs in this scenario!  :)

God is….

I mentioned a while ago that I am doing a word study on the phrase God is….

To refresh your memory I found that there are about 40 words used in the Bible with the phrase God is.  For example God is wise; God is love; God is merciful.  Some of the words are used only a couple of times and one word is used 34 times.  The word that comes in second is used only 12 times so it seems to me that the word used 34 times may have some special significance.  I'll share what that word is later.

So I have now started going through the words one by one.  I started with God is …. Wise.  What I found is that the word wise is used in the Bible over 180 times but I could only find 2-3 instances where the Bible specifically says "God is wise". 

But what a blessing it has been to see what the whole Bible has to say about wisdom (being wise).  God exhorts us over and over to seek wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  I wonder how many actually take that to heart and do it?

Do you use your power?

A thought struck me today when I read this verse. 

Acts 1:7-8(NKJV)

And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

I always think of the Holy Spirit as being here to guide me.  I had never thought of the Holy Spirit giving me power.  Interesting.  I guess I need to explore that more and make sure that I am using and harnessing that power.