2 Peter 3:8

"Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8)

 

It is sad that many Christians today are so eager to appear intellectual, they are willing to compromise God's clear revelation to do so. God has made it as clear as plain words could make it, that "in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is." Yet because evolutionary "science" has alleged that the earth is billions of years old, multitudes of evangelicals have fallen in line, rejecting God's plain statement of fact and then trying to find some interpretive loophole to hide behind.

 

Our text verse is perhaps the key verse of the so-called "progressive creationists" who try to correlate the days of creation in Genesis with the supposed 4.6 billion-year system of evolutionary geological ages, by citing Peter as agreeing that "one day is a thousand years."

 

No, Peter is saying that "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years"! That is, God can do in one day what might, by natural processes, take a thousand years. In context, the apostle is condemning the last-day uniformitarians (those who teach that "all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation") as "willingly ignorant" of the tremendous significance of the historical facts of creation and the Flood 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

This is, no doubt, the shortest commandment in the Bible, and seemingly the most difficult to obey. How could anyone possibly pray without ceasing? What about sleeping, or working, or other necessary pursuits?

Paul himself claimed to pray without ceasing. For example, he wrote to the Roman church: "For God is my witness, . . . that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers." To the Thessalonians he wrote: "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith." In his very last epistle he wrote: "I thank God . . . that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day."

It is obvious from such references that Paul did not mean we should be uttering prayers continually, but rather to be continually in a prayerful attitude and never to stop the regular practice of prayer. In like fashion, the Lord Jesus said: "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." In the parable following this command, He spoke of God's "own elect, which cry day and night unto him". This would further imply that our prayerful attitude and regular practice of specific prayer should be taking place every day and every night. We should never "faint"that is, "lose heart"if the answer isn't what or when we hope, but keep on praying anyway. When it's the right time, He will, indeed, answer "speedily," and in the right way.

Ephesians 4:8-9

"Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?)" (Ephesians 4:8-9)

 

This verse has been controversial, but is nonetheless very important. The context is taken from  "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death."

 

The psalmist is apparently describing the Lord among His heavenly hosts, riding home as a mighty king returning with the spoils of battle. Evidently this prize of battle consisted of His own people who had been held captive in an alien land, but who now in turn had been captured from the enemy by the returning King. To do this, the King (none other than the Lord Jesus Himself) "ascended up on high," leading them to His own throne in the heavens.

 

But first He had to descend to the earth, and then even to "the lower parts of the earth." This unusual phrase must refer to the great pit in the center of the earth confining the souls of the dead--the place called Hades.

 

One of Christ's purposes on earth was "to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound"

An old Southern Baptist song that we use to sing

Ephesians 6:4

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

 

This verse, together with the parallel passage in, is probably the key New Testament instruction specifically dealing with the training of children. "Nurture" is from the same Greek word that is translated "chastening" in, and "instruction" in. It has particular reference to carrying out child training with both firmness and gentleness, as needed and appropriate in each particular case.

 

The term "admonition" is from a Greek word meaning"putting in mind." Thus, the "admonition of the Lord" implies teaching the ways of the Lord by using the Word of the Lord. There is no substitute for implanting a knowledge of God's Word in the minds of our children. Even if they should drift away for a while in later life, the Lord can use His Word in their hearts to bring them back.

 

Both types of training--through action and through verbal teaching--are said in this passage to be primarily the responsibility of the father. The first reference in the Bible to training children deals with Abraham's responsibility to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord 

Revelation 16:9

"And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory." (Revelation 16:9)

 

There is much being discussed these days, in both the scientific literature and the popular press, on the issue of global warming. An increasing number of scientists and other intellectuals are insisting that the growing emission of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels is producing a significant warming of the whole planet, causing melting of the polar glaciers and probably an alarming increase in catastrophic events such as hurricanes and perhaps even earthquakes and tsunamis.

 

On the other hand, many more conservative scientists keep insisting that this is a cyclic phenomenon, reminding us that it was not long ago that we were being warned of an imminent ice age. Who can say for sure?

 

We do know, however, that a terrible time of global warming is indeed coming, but it will be mainly caused by increased solar activity, not carbon dioxide from automobiles and coal plants. "The light of the sun shall be seven fold. For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven" 

Isaiah 53:10

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand." (Isaiah 53:10)

 

The very concept of God having pleasure in things that take place on earth staggers the imagination. Most amazing of all is the revelation that it pleased Him to put His own Son through a terrible, bruising death, as the tremendous Messianic prophecy of our text reveals.

 

Nevertheless, this was the only possible way whereby "the pleasure of the Lord" could be accomplished in the redeemed lives of lost men and women, whom He had created for eternal fellowship with the triune God. "For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation".

 

Five times we read in the New Testament that God the Father spoke from heaven assuring us that He was "well pleased" with His "beloved Son". Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him! This is almost impossible to understand, but had it not been so, none of us ever could have been saved. The Lord Jesus Himself has confirmed to His own "little flock" that "it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom"

Acts 2:42

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)

 

Much goes on in Christian churches today under the name of "fellowship." Usually this consists of coffee and donuts, or church socials, or sports. As delightful as these functions may be, they should not be confused with biblical fellowship.

 

Nowhere in the New Testament do any of the Greek words translated "fellowship" imply fun times. Rather, they talk of, for example, "the fellowship of the ministering to the saints"

 

Elsewhere, Paul was thankful for the Philippian believers' "fellowship in the gospel", for he knew that "inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers |same word as fellowship| of my grace". This sort of fellowship may even bring persecution.

 

We are to emulate Christ's humility and self-sacrificial love through the "fellowship of the Spirit"

Proverbs 6:6-8

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." (Proverbs 6:6-8)

 

Adam and Eve originally were given dominion over all the animal creation, but sin came in and things changed. Then, after the Flood, God placed the fear and dread of man "upon all that moveth upon the earth", and the primeval fellowship between man and his animal friends was broken.

 

More seriously, their fellowship with God was broken, and soon, in their autonomy, the source of true wisdom was largely forgotten. "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things".

 

Ironically, God now directs such foolish people to the animals they worship to find the wisdom they should have learned from God. "Go to the ant," says the Lord, to learn industry and prudence.

Philippians 3:15-16

"Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." (Philippians 3:15-16)

 

Earlier, Paul had noted that he was not "already perfect", using a form of the Greek verb teleioo. In today's verse, Paul uses the adjective form teleios. Although the root of the word is the same, this particular usage is significant.

 

In  the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to use the past perfect tense of teleioo, rendering the translation "not having been perfected" and thereby recognizing that the end product of God's salvation has not yet been completed. The adjective form,teleios, denotes the sense of maturity, both in our text and the other 18 instances in the New Testament.

 

Those of the family of God who are "mature," even if we might be "otherwise minded," are to expect that our Lord Jesus will reveal "even this," or the prize that we are to focus on in. The "one thing" of is so important that we must "walk by the same rule" and "mind the same thing".

 

The Greek word for "walk" is only used four other times in the New Testament, and it describes marching in a row and following a prescribed order. We are to "walk in the steps" that Abraham exemplified 

Acts 17:28

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." (Acts 17:28)

 

"The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man" was a religious cliché promoted for many years, especially by religious liberals in the period between the two world wars. However, continuing hostilities between and inside most nations now make the idea of universal brotherhood in this present world almost farcical.

 

The fact is, however, that God truly is the Father of all men, in the sense that He created them all. "Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?". That was the rhetorical question posed to Israel in the last book of the Old Testament. In the New Testament the apostle Paul confirmed the same great truth to the pagan Gentiles. "|God| hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth," and "we are the offspring of God" .

 

The sad fact is, however, that most men and women have actually become "children of the wicked one"  because of sin. We can only become spiritual children of the heavenly Father by being born again through faith in Christ. But we then truly "become the sons of God," as assured to all those who "believe on his name"

180 movie

Psalm 24:1

"The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1)

 

In communist countries, "the people" own the lands, while in capitalist countries, individuals may own "private property." Both are myths unless these are viewed as a stewardship from God. We don't really own anything, "for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out".

 

In the mineral kingdom, the most important substances are the precious metals upon which monetary standards are based, yet God makes it clear that all "the silver is mine, and the gold is mine. The greatest members of the plant kingdom are the mighty trees of the forest, and God reminds us that "the trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted". All the birds and beasts in the animal kingdom are His also. "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills"

Philippians 3:13-14

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

 

Paul called his personal achievements  as valuable as dung, rejecting his own righteousness. Now he is focused on reaching the "high calling of God in Christ Jesus." He is well aware that he has not already attained God's ultimate design for him, nor is he perfect in any sense of what he will become, but he intends to follow after and be "apprehended" of the Lord Jesus.

 

To begin with, Paul knows that he must forget "those things which are behind." Not only his rather stellar reputation and achievements, but especially the awful conditions of being "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world"

Matthew 24:34

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Matthew 24:34)

This exciting prediction by Christ climaxes His great prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives. He had given His disciples the signs they had requested, then discussed the coming great tribulation and finally His glorious return in the clouds of heaven. And "all these things" were to be fulfilled before "this generation" would pass away.

And what generation would that be? Many commentators have taken it as the Jewish "race," but that would be redundant, since many other passages had already promised that the nation of Israel would never pass away. Furthermore, the Greek word for "generation" (genea) is never used elsewhere for any meaning but that of a particular age generation. A similar word genos sometimes means "stock" or "kind," but never genea.

Thus, the generation which Christ was predicting probably meant the generation that would see the events He had prophesied. "When ye shall see all these things," He said, "know that it is near, even at the doors"

Psalm 27:10

 

"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." (Psalm 27:10)

 

There may be more people alive today than ever before, but there are also more lonely people today than ever before--divorced spouses, homeless street people, many elderly parents and, perhaps saddest of all, orphaned or abandoned children. These and many others are still alone, even in a crowded world.

 

No one, though, was ever so alone as the Lord Jesus on the cross. "Behold, the hour cometh," He had said, "yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me". Then, only a few hours later, as He hung on the cross, even His heavenly Father had to leave Him, and He cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?". He died alone, bearing the burden of all the sin of all the world on His soul.

 

But because He suffered alone, no one else need ever be alone again. "Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee". The apostle Paul, suffering alone in a Roman dungeon shortly before his execution, could still say: "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me"

Psalm 5:3

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." (Psalm 5:3)

 

Bible study, meditation on the Word, and prayer are necessities for a healthy Christian life and are good to practice at any time of the day or night, according to the constraints of time and responsibilities of each individual. Other things being equal, however, the best time of all is in the early morning. A believer who awakens each morning to the voice of the Lord in His Word will, in turn, be ready to speak words of blessing to others through the day. And as we, in turn, look up to Him each morning in prayer, He will hear and direct our steps through the day.

 

This was the example set by the Lord Jesus Himself: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed". If even Jesus Christ needed such a quiet time early in the morning set aside to fellowship with His Father, we also would do well to follow.

 

Note the prayer of David: "Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee". We urgently need to know the way we should walk each day, for it is so easy to get turned aside into our own ways, and the obvious time to pray for guidance is at the very beginning of every day.

Philippians 3:10-11

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11)

When Paul speaks of knowing the Lord Jesus, he stresses the process involved in reaching the desired level of knowledge. These particular points of awareness (knowing the resurrection power, the fellowship of sufferings, and being conformed to His death) are not mere academic achievements, but part of the process of experiencing life and personal study of God's Word that produces confident knowledge.

John's letter gives several key signs on how to "know" the Savior, one of which is keeping God's commandments . The lifestyle of obedience (process of godliness) provides the experience that produces the knowledge.

Paul's reference to the power of the resurrection is reflected in the wonderful promise of. There, Paul says, we can know the "exceeding greatness of his power" which was demonstrated in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus--that very power being beyond anything that can be observed in this or any age to come.

The fellowship that we now share in Christ's sufferings is merely the process by which we are "being made conformable unto his death"

Ephesians 3:16-19

"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)

 

This prayer of the apostle Paul applies to us as well as "to the saints which are at Ephesus". Paul directs his prayer "unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ", and he requests both that "Christ may dwell in your hearts" and also that the Holy Spirit would strengthen our "inner man." We know elsewhere that Christ is at the right hand of the Father in heaven, so that the Holy Spirit is the person who actually indwells our bodies as believers. And yet, because God is a tri-une God, if the Holy Spirit indwells us, so also must "the Spirit of Christ," or else "he is none of his".

 

But the prayer doesn't end with Christ dwelling in our hearts. He further prays that "ye might be filled with all the fulness of God," and thus the Father is there too! When we accept Christ, we accept also the Father and the Holy Spirit, for the three are one, and God in all His tri-une fullness thenceforth lives in our bodies.

 

The Lord Jesus Himself had prayed essentially the same prayer. "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever

Philippians 3:7-8

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." (Philippians 3:7-8)

During the three verses prior to the text for today, Paul had listed some of the rather spectacular credits he had obtained "in the flesh". His family lineage and achievements were both professionally stellar and legally blameless. He had every right to be proud of himself.

Yet, in strong language, Paul values these personal achievements as the excrement of animals when he compares the gain of being given "the righteousness which is of God by faith". A vivid contrast indeed!

Jesus taught that if anyone would become His disciple, then he must "deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me". Further, such a disciple must "lose his life for my sake and the gospel's". Owning the whole world was worthless if it meant that the price would cause one to "lose his own soul". Hard bargains indeed!

Paul sought, as each of us should also, "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus" (today's verse). Invoking all of the triune Godhead, Paul begged for comprehension of the "love of Christ, which passeth knowledge," so that he can be "filled with all the fulness of God"

Ephesians 5:4

"Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." (Ephesians 5:4)

 

It seems surprising that "foolish talking" and "jesting" would be condemned as things that should "not be once named among you". Yet here it is, and commentators usually assume that the foolish talking and jesting so condemned really only apply to filthy talking and filthy jesting. After all, the popularity of many Christian speakers today seems to be measured by the amount of jokes and witticisms they inject into their messages.

 

This is a sensitive subject, and each Christian should conscientiously decide for himself what God is saying here, through Paul. In any case, it seems significant that the only reference in the Bible to "jesting" is a warning against it. It is also significant that one can never find this element in the sermons of Christ or the letters of Paul or anywhere in the Bible. The Bible writers seem to have believed that sin and salvation were such sober, serious issues that there was nothing there to joke about. We read several times of Jesus weeping, but never of Him laughing. The Scriptures often refer to "rejoicing," but never to "having fun."

 

Furthermore, Jesus warned that "every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment"

2 Corinthians 5:8

"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)

 

This wonderful phrase of hope--"absent from the body, present with the Lord"--was the most appropriate inscription we could think of to place on the gravestone of our youngest son when he died many years ago. He was a solid Christian young man with a good Christian testimony, so we are indeed "confident" that he has been "present with the Lord" ever since sudden cancer temporarily conquered his body, leaving a beautiful wife and three young children behind.

 

Therefore, though we all miss him deeply, we "sorrow not, even as others which have no hope". Sadly, however, there are many others who are "without Christ, . . . having no hope, and without God in the world". Although Christ has paid the full redemption price on the cross to have their sins forgiven and to give them eternal life, they spurn His love and so Jesus has to say, "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life".

 

The times of judgment are coming, when they learn that "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire"

Did you know

Easter: It's Totally Pagan too!

Easter is not a Christian name. It is Chaldean (Babylonian) in origin - the name Astarte, one of the titles of Beltis, the queen of heaven. The name Astarte, as found on the Assyrian monuments by the noted archeologist Layard, was the name Ishtar. The worship of Bel and Astarte was introduced very early into Britain, along with the Druids, "the priests of the groves," the high places where the pagans worshipped the idols of Baal. In the Almanac of the 1800's, May 1st is called Beltane, from the pagan god, Bel. The titles Bel and Molech both belong to the same god.

We must remember that Semiramis (also known as Ishtar) of Babylon, the wife of Nimrod and mother of Tammuz, was the same goddess worshiped throughout the world under various names, such as the Egyptian fertility god, Artemis, the Roman goddess of licentiousness, Venus, the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and the Ephesian, many-breasted fertility god, Diana, as well as many others.

The (Easter) bunny, the oldest pagan symbol of fertility - Semiramis - has absolutely NOTHING to do with the birth of Christ.

Nor does the Sunrise service. Jesus was resurrected while it was still DARK!

"And early came Mary Magdalene, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre." John 20:1

Sunrise services are for the worship of the Pagan Sun god - ONLY! In addition, Jesus was NOT resurrected on Sunday, the first day of the week. Please see the study entitled "Was Jesus Really Resurrected on Sunday?" at www.goodnewsaboutgod.com

One mythological legend says that sometime after Semiramis died, a huge egg dropped from heaven. Out of the egg came a re-incarnated Semiramis, now a goddess. The Babylonian Talmud refers to her as Ishtar, or Easter.

The forty days of Lent symbolize one day for each year of Tammuz' life. This period of time is celebrated in the "Christian" church by giving up something to mourn the death - of Tammuz, the son of the pagan goddess Semiramis!

Ezekiel 8:13,14 tells us what God thinks about any festival that recognizes Tammuz:

"The Lord said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they (the Israelites) do.

Then He brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord's house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz."

As late as the 19th century, in Great Britain, at Beltan (or the 1st of May) a number of men and women assembled at an ancient Druidical circle of stones near Crieff, to participate in an ancient worship feast to Baal.

The festival of Pasch, or the Passover, was very early observed by many professing Christians, in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Christ, although it cannot be traced back as far as the Apostles. But Pasch was observed by Christians a full month before the festival of Ishtar was celebrated by the Pagans. In addition, the festival of Ishtar (Easter) now observed in churches is far different from the original festival of Pasch.

The amalgamation of the Christian Pasch, as observed in Britain by the Christians, and the Pagan Easter enforced by Rome, occurred by violence and bloodshed. But at last, the Festival of the Anglo-Saxon or Chaldean goddess, Ishtar, came to supersede that which had been held in honor of Christ.

"The hot cross buns of Good Friday, and the dyed eggs of Easter Sunday figured in the Chaldean rites just as they do today. The Œbuns,' known by the identical name, were used in the worship of the queen of heaven, the goddess Ishtar, as early as the days of Cecrops, the founder of Athens, that is, 1500 years BEFORE the Christian era. One species of sacred bread which used to be offered to the gods was called ŒBoun.'" Hislop, Two Babylons, pg 107.

"The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven. Jeremiah 7:18

The hot cross buns are not now offered, but eaten instead, on the festival of Easter (Astarte - Ishtar).

"The origin of the Pasch (Passover) eggs is just as clear. The ancient Druids bore an egg as the sacred emblem of their order. In the mysteries of Bacchus, as celebrated in Athens, one part of the nocturnal ceremony consisted in the consecration of an egg. The hindu fables celebrate their mundane egg as of a golden color. In China, even as late as the 19th century, dyed or painted eggs were used during sacred festivals.

"In ancient times, eggs were used in the religious rites of the Egyptians and the Greeks, and were hung up for mystic purposes in their temples. . . The classic poets are full of the fable of the mystic egg of the Babylonians.

"The occult meaning of the mystic egg of Astarte had reference to the ark during the time of the flood, in which the whole human race was shut up, as the chick is enclosed in the egg before it is hatched. And of course, the egg also refers to birth, or creation.

"Though the deified queen, whom Astarte represented, had no actual existence till some centuries after the flood, yet through the doctrine of metampsychosis, which was firmly established in Babylon, it was easy for her worshippers to be made to believe that, in a previous incarnation, she had lived in the Antediluvian world and passed safely through the waters of the flood. The Roman Catholic Church then adopted this mystic egg of Astarte, and consecrated it as a symbol of Christ's resurrection." Ibid pg 109,110.

The Bible clearly tells us what God considers the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection. It is NOT the pagan celebration of Easter, in honor of the pagan god, Ishtar. It is BAPTISM:

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

"For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:

"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed (rendered inoperative), that henceforth we should not be slaves of sin." Romans 6:3-6

The memorial for Christ's death and resurrection is BAPTISM - - - NOT Easter!

There is NO doubt that Easter is a totally Pagan holiday.

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Ephesians 5:25

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." (Ephesians 5:25)

 

Much has been said in recent years regarding family roles and responsibilities. Suffice it to say that many either misapply or ignore what the Bible has to say. Perhaps the clearest passage on this subject is that surrounding our text . Here we see, in a setting of "submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God", that the primary role of the wife is that of submission to her husband's headship, and that of the husband is self-sacrificial love for his wife. Here we have the only formula for a marriage fulfilling to both.

 

Family relationships were given special attention at the time of the universal curse on mankind; thus the God-given family roles, while not impossible to achieve, run contrary to our natures. Obviously, we can't succeed on our own.

 

The key to adhering to these principles is noting the example of Christ and His church. The wife is to submit to her husband's headship . "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing". The church, the Bride of Christ, has no legitimate function except under the headship of Christ.

 

Hebrews 11:26

"Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." (Hebrews 11:26)

 

We hear much today about the importance of self-esteem, with the implication that lack of self-esteem is the cause of many of the personal problems and antisocial activities of so many young people (and others as well) these days.

 

But this is not the biblical perspective. The problem really is too much self-esteem. The biblical command is that we should "in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves". The man Moses was once a prince of Egypt, probably in line to become the pharaoh, but he chose Christ and the people of God instead, "esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt" (today's text).

 

Paul the apostle could have become the greatest teacher and leader in the religious/political life of his own Jewish people, but he said: "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord". In these verses, "count" is the same word in the original Greek language as "esteem."

 

Similarly, the apostle James assures us that we should "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations"--that is, trials that test your faith--"knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience"

Acts 1:8

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

 

These very familiar words of the Lord Jesus are commonly considered as a statement of His Great Commission, commanding us to go "into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature". Actually, however, it is not given here as a command, but rather as a declarative statement--indeed, a prophecy--saying that we shall witness for Him to the very ends of the earth.

 

Then, His disciples were promised that "this same Jesus" would return, with the promise clearly tied to the prophecy. Just a few weeks previously they had asked, "What shall be the sign of thy coming?" . And Jesus had answered, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" . Mark recorded His answer very simply: "The gospel must first be published among all nations"

Ephesians 4:18

"Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." (Ephesians 4:18)

The blindness mentioned in our text is the same word used to describe a kind of stone. In verb form, this word indicates a process and means "to make hard or to petrify." Often the word is translated as "hardness."

The people of Israel developed a hard heart and mind toward God and the things of God, which continually brought both grief and anger to the Lord Jesus. Even the disciples suffered from this hardness.

Our text is directed toward New Testament believers who are challenged not to become blinded or petrified as are unbelievers. This petrification in the moral realm can be compared to the loss of sensation in the physical realm--a kind of spiritual paralysis as when sensor and motor nerves no longer respond. "Who being past feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" .

Petrification of once-living tissue usually takes place over the course of many years, as each organic molecule decays and is removed, with the space it occupied refilled with stony material dissolved in groundwater percolating through the host material. Or, it may take place as material is injected into the living tissue, thus stopping all life processes. In just such a way, the hardening of the heart can take place slowly, but finally petrification is complete. Petrification of wood can be stopped by removing it from the decay-and-replacement process, but natural processes cannot return it to its former state. Praise God that we can "put on the new man"

Ephesians 3:2

"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward." (Ephesians 3:2)

So-called "dispensationalism" has had both its advocates and opponents among Bible-believing Christians. The Greek word translated "dispensation" (oikonomia), from which we derive our English word "economy," actually means an "economy," or also a "stewardship."

The number and nature of the various "dispensations" or "economies" through which the Creator has dealt with His human creation during the course of history has been the subject of considerable discussion and variation among commentators. Possible distinct dispensations might include the post-Eden economy instituted after sin and God's curse came into the world, the post-diluvian economy established by Noah after the Flood, and the economy begun by Abraham when God began to work especially with the nation of Israel. However, none of these are actually called "dispensations" in the Scriptures, so any such listing is bound to be somewhat arbitrary.

There are two dispensations, however, specifically called such in Scripture. One is the "dispensation of the fulness of times," when God will "gather together in one all things in Christ"

Psalm 37:23

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." (Psalm 37:23)

There is nothing more satisfying to a believer than to be living in the will of God for his life. And it is good to know that God actually delights in leading us along that way which He is laying out for us. There are numerous Bible verses to this effect. One of the most familiar is "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths".

That verse gives us a basic principle for knowing His way. We need to seek His leading in everything! Of course, it may not be an easy path. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps".

Even if the path seems difficult at times, it is a good path, because it honors Him. "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake". He is the good Shepherd, and if we lose the way for a time, He can bring us back. As the prophet said: "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps".

An important check to be sure we are not drifting far off the path is to be sure we don't disobey or question His written Word. "Order my steps in thy word," we should pray each day

Hebrews 12:27

"And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain." (Hebrews 12:27)

In this present evil world, there are many pressures that would tend to shake our faith and tempt us to compromise. Paul would exhort persecuted believers "that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled" by such things, but rather to "stand fast" in the truths God has taught them.

The "hope set before us: . . . we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast". The "word" to which our text refers is from: "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come," who will establish "a kingdom which cannot be moved".

Note God's amazing promise: "The heavens shall vanish away like smoke, . . . but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished". Similarly, Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away". "The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever".

The earth may crumble, and even our bodies may return to dust, but God's Word endures, and so do His righteousness and His kingdom and His great salvation!

2 Kings 4:9-10

 

"And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither." (2 Kings 4:9-10)

 

This sparsely furnished little room, built by a kindly woman and her elderly husband, was the prototype of all the so-called "prophet's chambers" that have been built for traveling teachers and evangelists ever since.

 

Little did this simple farm couple anticipate what fruit their kindness would bear one day in this very room. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers" the Bible says, "for thereby some have entertained angels unawares". In the first place, to show his appreciation, Elisha prayed that the Lord would give them a son, and God miraculously answered .

 

Then, tragically, the boy died quite suddenly several years later while Elisha was at Mount Carmel, some 15 miles away. The Shunammite woman laid her son on Elisha's bed in the prophet's chamber, then rode hastily to find Elisha and bring him to the boy. The round trip must have taken her two days or more, and the boy's dead body lay on the prophet's bed in the little room all that time.

 

But then Elisha prayed once again, and the most amazing event took place there. For only the second time in history, a dead person was restored to life.

 

The Shunammite mother and her son are never heard from again. But for 3,000 years the testimony of a little chamber and the love and faith of the godly woman who prepared it as a simple service for her Lord and His prophet, and the godly mother who sacrificially loved her son, has been an inspiration and example to multitudes.

Philippians 3:2

"Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." (Philippians 3:2)

 

Although our salvation is secure, Paul alerts us to the possibility that we can be spoiled, our faith can be shipwrecked, and we can fall from our own "stedfastness". These are not idle threats. There are those who are the "enemies of the cross of Christ", hence these startling descriptions in today's verse.

 

Dogs, both literally and metaphorically, are never mentioned in a positive context in Scripture. "Dogs" encircled the Lord Jesus while on the cross. Blind watchmen are "dumb dogs" and ignorant shepherds are "greedy dogs," since neither are seeking the good of God's people. We are explicitly warned not to give "that which is holy unto the dogs". We must "beware of dogs" indeed.

 

Those motivated by evil come under severe condemnation. False prophets are called "wolves"

Which Jesus do you serve [Yes it back again :) ]

Yes your right this one is a repeat and it I will continue to repeat this till i know that each of us has answered this question. Is probably the most important question that you or I could ever ponder.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

 The call to imitate God is a call to separate ourselves from the world though we may be in but not of it  (Ephesians 4:17-19) and how we have been made new (Ephesians 4:20-24) and then gave us specific ways to do that (Ephesians4:25-32).

Our call is to live with the same love that Christ has demonstrated.  Jesus laying down his life for us, was first of all an expression of his love for his Father. Jesus did it, not only because of his love for us, but because first of all he loved the Father and this was  the Father’s will. This ‘life of love’ is not to be something we do to make ourselves feel good or appear good, it is to come out of and be an expression of our love for God Himself.  When John says, “We love because he first loved us,” (1 John 4:19). The first thing we need to do in the Christian life is become utterly convinced of God’s love.

On Sunday they raise their hands to heaven and declare that it is Jesus that they serve.

Then why do we look so much like the world?

Did you know that the wheat and the tare, the world can't tell which is which and quite frankly neither can I. So I pose the question again, which Jesus do you serve?

My Savior bleed and suffered and died and rose again for a sinner like me. My Savior, was a friend to friendless, He remembers the forgotten ones among us, Which Jesus do you follow?

 Which Jesus do you serve?

Is it this picture of the American dream that you chase after? Is the prince of this world who you serve or did you miss that part when you decided you want fortune and power?

If Jesus was here would you walk right by him or cross over to the other side of the street? 

Would you even recognize him or have time to speak to him?

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a white complexion Michael Angelo version of Jesus ,is that the Jesus you serve? My Savior was battered and bruised for my sins, did you miss that part? Sometimes I ponder do we really understand what the price he paid for us?

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they understand and they know My Savior. So which Jesus do we serve. is it the one whom we pray to bless us with great wealth? Or the Jesus who said

blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness?

 So who do you serve? The one whose promises are like shifting sand?

Marine says it God , then country and the marine Corp, what comes first for you?

My Jesus would he be accepted in your churches today? All bloody and bruised with no shoes on his feet, would we want him sitting next to us?  He was not rich he didn't have a pillow to lay his head upon. Today my Jesus would look like a homeless man or perhaps we would see him as mentally insane.

He spent His time with criminals and those that are considered the least among us. Did you know he had a heart for the poor, so which place would  He come to eat Sabbath meal at your house or among those that were forgotten by society?

Its time we decide which Jesus do we serve but I'm not sure we understand what that means to be like Christ,

Jesus said to live like HIM, love like HIM but then does that mean we must be willing to die for HIM as he died for you and I???

Can we be Imitators of Christ? Can we live like our Savior?  Which one do you want to be ? I turned on the TV set today and heard a man preaching Jesus wants to make you rich and that he never intended for us to be poor.  Is that the Jesus your seeking??? Heard a pastor say that his Jesus says that we should never be sad. Yet my Jesus wept when heard his good friend was dead. So which Jesus do you serve?  I know that I want to be more like my Savior and less like me.  I want to be an imitator of my Savior what about you????