Sunday, January 29, 2017
GodsView : The Value of God's Word!
GodsView : The Value of God's Word!: I read an interesting story about an old miner who had lived the life of a hermit deep in the mountains of Colorado. When he died, some...
The Value of God's Word!
I read an interesting story about an
old miner who had lived the life of a hermit deep in the mountains of
Colorado. When he died, some of his distant relatives came to collect
his valuables.
They arrived to find a miner's shack with an outhouse behind it. Inside the shack, there was an old cooking pot, some mining equipment, and a cracked table with a three-legged chair that stood next to a tiny window. A well-used kerosene lamp stood as the centerpiece on the table.
As the relatives gathered up the miner's possessions, loaded them in a truck, and got ready to drive away, the miner's old friend came walking up. He called out to them, "Do y'all mind if I take what is left in that old shack?"
"Oh, no," they said. "Take it. We have all the valuable stuff. You can have whatever is there." The man thanked them, and off they went.
He walked over to his friend's shack, went in, and looked around for a little bit. Then he reached under the table and lifted up one of the floorboards. Little by little, he lifted out all of the gold his friend had discovered over the previous decades - millions of dollars' worth of gold.
Apparently, the old miner had died with only his true friend knowing his actual worth.
In the same way, our friend, Jesus Christ, wants to make Himself known to us, but we can be like a distant relative sometimes. Yet, if we would get to know Him better, we would discover the riches that He has for us.
And where are these riches? They are in His Word. Jesus said, "In the volume of the book it is written of Me" (Hebrews 10:7 NKJV). In Psalm 19, we find a description of the great value of God's Word in our lives.
First of all, we find that God's Word is perfect: "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (v. 7 NKJV). This phrase, "the law of the Lord," is a Hebrew term that is used to define Scripture. It is speaking of all of God's Word. So we could also translate it to say that the Word of God, or even the Bible, is perfect.
This is in direct contrast to the flawed, imperfect reasonings of humanity today. As society changes, we don't need to flow with the winds of change. We can stand on the firm foundation of God's Word.
Second, we see that the Word of God transforms us: "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (v. 7, emphasis mine). The word convert could be translated, "reviving, restoring, transforming."
God's Word will revive you. It will restore you. It will transform you. You may find yourself in a situation in which you are revived, restored, or transformed by verses you've read a day or a week before, because you had established the discipline of regular Bible study in your life.
Third, we discover that the Word of God gives incredible wisdom: "The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" (v. 7).
The Hebrew word used here for simple comes from a root word that speaks of an open door. It is the idea of a person whose mind is like an open door. He or she has no control over what comes in or what goes out.
This verse is saying that if you study it, if you memorize it, and more importantly, if you apply its truths, God's Word will make a wise person out of a simple one.
Fourth, we learn that the Word of God is right: "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (v. 8). In Hebrew, this means that the Bible has given us the right path to follow. We don't have to lose our bearings in the fog of human opinion.
That is why we need to read through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter.
Fifth, we realize that keeping the Word of God makes us happy: "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (v. 8).
Sometimes people are afraid that if they do what the Bible says, then they will be unhappy. But just the opposite is true. By living what the Bible teaches, you will live a happy life.
As you study, as you memorize, and as you read and obey the Word of God, your life will be transformed, and you will be a successful Christian.
They arrived to find a miner's shack with an outhouse behind it. Inside the shack, there was an old cooking pot, some mining equipment, and a cracked table with a three-legged chair that stood next to a tiny window. A well-used kerosene lamp stood as the centerpiece on the table.
As the relatives gathered up the miner's possessions, loaded them in a truck, and got ready to drive away, the miner's old friend came walking up. He called out to them, "Do y'all mind if I take what is left in that old shack?"
"Oh, no," they said. "Take it. We have all the valuable stuff. You can have whatever is there." The man thanked them, and off they went.
He walked over to his friend's shack, went in, and looked around for a little bit. Then he reached under the table and lifted up one of the floorboards. Little by little, he lifted out all of the gold his friend had discovered over the previous decades - millions of dollars' worth of gold.
Apparently, the old miner had died with only his true friend knowing his actual worth.
In the same way, our friend, Jesus Christ, wants to make Himself known to us, but we can be like a distant relative sometimes. Yet, if we would get to know Him better, we would discover the riches that He has for us.
And where are these riches? They are in His Word. Jesus said, "In the volume of the book it is written of Me" (Hebrews 10:7 NKJV). In Psalm 19, we find a description of the great value of God's Word in our lives.
First of all, we find that God's Word is perfect: "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (v. 7 NKJV). This phrase, "the law of the Lord," is a Hebrew term that is used to define Scripture. It is speaking of all of God's Word. So we could also translate it to say that the Word of God, or even the Bible, is perfect.
This is in direct contrast to the flawed, imperfect reasonings of humanity today. As society changes, we don't need to flow with the winds of change. We can stand on the firm foundation of God's Word.
Second, we see that the Word of God transforms us: "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (v. 7, emphasis mine). The word convert could be translated, "reviving, restoring, transforming."
God's Word will revive you. It will restore you. It will transform you. You may find yourself in a situation in which you are revived, restored, or transformed by verses you've read a day or a week before, because you had established the discipline of regular Bible study in your life.
Third, we discover that the Word of God gives incredible wisdom: "The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" (v. 7).
The Hebrew word used here for simple comes from a root word that speaks of an open door. It is the idea of a person whose mind is like an open door. He or she has no control over what comes in or what goes out.
This verse is saying that if you study it, if you memorize it, and more importantly, if you apply its truths, God's Word will make a wise person out of a simple one.
Fourth, we learn that the Word of God is right: "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (v. 8). In Hebrew, this means that the Bible has given us the right path to follow. We don't have to lose our bearings in the fog of human opinion.
That is why we need to read through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter.
Fifth, we realize that keeping the Word of God makes us happy: "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (v. 8).
Sometimes people are afraid that if they do what the Bible says, then they will be unhappy. But just the opposite is true. By living what the Bible teaches, you will live a happy life.
As you study, as you memorize, and as you read and obey the Word of God, your life will be transformed, and you will be a successful Christian.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
GodsView : Are You a Christian?
GodsView : Are You a Christian?: I read recently that 50 percent of all born-again Christians don't have the assurance of salvation. Maybe some just need to memori...
Are You a Christian?
I read recently that 50 percent of
all born-again Christians don't have the assurance of salvation. Maybe
some just need to memorize some pertinent passages on the assurance of
salvation, like 1 John 5:13, and realize that God's Word does indeed promise that salvation is the present possession of every true follower of Christ.
On the other hand, perhaps a lot of so-called Christians do not have the assurance of salvation because they are not really saved. Just because you attend church or engage in certain religious activities does not necessarily mean you are a Christian. The Apostle Paul instructed those in the early church to examine themselves to see if their faith was genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5).
So, how do I know if you are a Christian? How do you know if I'm one? There must be evidence. Jesus said, "By their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:20). If someone examined your life, would they find any spiritual fruit — hard evidence to prove that you are a true follower of Jesus Christ?
Or, let me put it another way: If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? By "evidence," I don't mean how many Bibles you own, or how many bumper stickers you might have on your car with Christian sayings on them. I mean hard evidence. If your family members, neighbors, and coworkers were interviewed and asked the question, "Is (your name here), in your opinion, a real Christian?" we might not be happy with the response.
The only way others can tell whether you are a Christian is by your works. While all the good works in the world won't save a person (Titus 3:5), they are reasonable evidence that someone is saved.
In a nutshell, all the great religions of the world, apart from Christianity, say, "Do." "Do this and you might go to heaven," "Do that and you might find nirvana," and so on. Christianity, in contrast, says, "Done."
In other words, God has taken care of your salvation through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He cried out, "It is finished!" He purchased your ticket to heaven at the cross. But having received that ticket, your life should reflect your commitment to Christ. Works won't save you, but if you really are saved, then works will follow (2 Corinthians 5:17). Has that happened to you? Has there been a change in your life?
In Acts 26, the Bible outlines three steps you must take to be sure you are a Christian. This is important to understand, because you may be living under false hope, and ultimately, have a false assurance of salvation. When Paul spoke to King Agrippa and described how God had called him to preach the gospel message, he essentially broke that message down and in so many words, defined it.
Paul said that God told him to preach the gospel, which was comprised of a person hearing it, realizing it was given " 'to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness of sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in [Christ]' " (Acts 26:18).
So first, you must have your eyes opened. A spiritual blindness afflicts those who have not yet turned their lives over to Jesus Christ, because "Satan...has blinded the minds of those who don't believe..." (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT).
Second, you must turn from darkness to light. Satan loves darkness. Hell is referred to as outer darkness. If you want to really believe, then you need to come out of the darkness and into the light (Acts 26:18).
Third, you must turn from the power of Satan to God. A lot of people today want to live in two worlds. If you want to be a Christian on Sunday, but want to live the other way the rest of the week, it won't work (2 Corinthians 6:14). You must turn from Satan to God.
Have your spiritual eyes been opened? Have you turned from darkness to light? Have you turned from the power of Satan to God? If you've taken these steps, then God has forgiven your sins and has a place for you among God's people in heaven. This is the hope of those who truly belong to Christ.
On the other hand, perhaps a lot of so-called Christians do not have the assurance of salvation because they are not really saved. Just because you attend church or engage in certain religious activities does not necessarily mean you are a Christian. The Apostle Paul instructed those in the early church to examine themselves to see if their faith was genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5).
So, how do I know if you are a Christian? How do you know if I'm one? There must be evidence. Jesus said, "By their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:20). If someone examined your life, would they find any spiritual fruit — hard evidence to prove that you are a true follower of Jesus Christ?
Or, let me put it another way: If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? By "evidence," I don't mean how many Bibles you own, or how many bumper stickers you might have on your car with Christian sayings on them. I mean hard evidence. If your family members, neighbors, and coworkers were interviewed and asked the question, "Is (your name here), in your opinion, a real Christian?" we might not be happy with the response.
The only way others can tell whether you are a Christian is by your works. While all the good works in the world won't save a person (Titus 3:5), they are reasonable evidence that someone is saved.
In a nutshell, all the great religions of the world, apart from Christianity, say, "Do." "Do this and you might go to heaven," "Do that and you might find nirvana," and so on. Christianity, in contrast, says, "Done."
In other words, God has taken care of your salvation through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He cried out, "It is finished!" He purchased your ticket to heaven at the cross. But having received that ticket, your life should reflect your commitment to Christ. Works won't save you, but if you really are saved, then works will follow (2 Corinthians 5:17). Has that happened to you? Has there been a change in your life?
In Acts 26, the Bible outlines three steps you must take to be sure you are a Christian. This is important to understand, because you may be living under false hope, and ultimately, have a false assurance of salvation. When Paul spoke to King Agrippa and described how God had called him to preach the gospel message, he essentially broke that message down and in so many words, defined it.
Paul said that God told him to preach the gospel, which was comprised of a person hearing it, realizing it was given " 'to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness of sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in [Christ]' " (Acts 26:18).
So first, you must have your eyes opened. A spiritual blindness afflicts those who have not yet turned their lives over to Jesus Christ, because "Satan...has blinded the minds of those who don't believe..." (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT).
Second, you must turn from darkness to light. Satan loves darkness. Hell is referred to as outer darkness. If you want to really believe, then you need to come out of the darkness and into the light (Acts 26:18).
Third, you must turn from the power of Satan to God. A lot of people today want to live in two worlds. If you want to be a Christian on Sunday, but want to live the other way the rest of the week, it won't work (2 Corinthians 6:14). You must turn from Satan to God.
Have your spiritual eyes been opened? Have you turned from darkness to light? Have you turned from the power of Satan to God? If you've taken these steps, then God has forgiven your sins and has a place for you among God's people in heaven. This is the hope of those who truly belong to Christ.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
GodsView : God Still Speaks!
GodsView : God Still Speaks!: Does God still speak to people today? Is He interested in what happens to us as individuals? Does He really have a master plan for our ...
God Still Speaks!
Is He interested in what happens to us as individuals? Does He really have a master plan for our lives? Or are we merely victims of blind chance?
God is indeed interested in us as individuals. He does in fact have a master plan for our lives, and He does truly want to speak to us. Jesus described Himself as our Good Shepherd (see John 10:11). And as His sheep, we can hear His voice.
But how can we know when God is the one speaking? We need to remember that God speaks to us primarily through His Word. He will never lead us contrary to anything He says there. We don’t have to go any further than the Bible to know the will of God for our lives. Psalm 19:8 says, “The statutes of the Lord are right.” In the original language, this verse means that God’s Word has set out the right path for us to follow. We don’t have to lose our bearings in the fog of human opinion or let our fickle emotions lead us astray. Instead, we have a sure guide: the Word of God.
We are to think about God’s Word, we are to ponder it, and we are to meditate in it day and night. C. H. Spurgeon said, “Nobody ever outgrows Scripture. The Book widens and deepens with our years.” As a result of spending time in God’s Word, you will bring forth spiritual fruit.
So listen to your Shepherd. Read His Word, and let it bear fruit in your life.
Monday, January 9, 2017
GodsView : Discover a Friend Worth Following: A Close Look at...
GodsView : Discover a Friend Worth Following: A Close Look at...: Friends rub off on you. Stick around them long enough and their likes, dislikes, perspectives, and priorities will influence your own. ...
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