March 10, 2014

What a Savior we have!

In John Chapter 6 we see Him as the Bread of Life! He bids us to feed on Him.

In John 8 He identifies Himself as great than Abraham.

In Chapter 9 he presents Himself as the Light of the World and illustrates it by healing a blind man!

Wow! What a Savior!

Moving on to Chapter 10 he refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. His description sounds a lot like Psalm 23!

As a pastor friend of mine once declared, "When the Lord is your Shepherd - the future is your friend!" Here's why:

He Leads Us!

A hireling or a sheep rustler drives the sheep, but the Good Shepherd leads us. He leads us into the safety of His presence! He leads us into the security of His pasture! He leads us into the abundance of His truth. He speaks gently to us and calls us by name as He leads us. Think of that, the Good Shepherd knows your name!

He Loves Us!

A hireling or a rustler has no regard for the sheep. They mean nothing to them. To them the sheep are a necessary inconvenience. They lead the flock only for their own personal benefit. So when the sheep are threatened, they will flee to protect themselves. But the Good Shepherd loves His sheep. He provides for them. He protects them. He prays for them. He will give His life to save them. Think about that! You are loved by the Good Shepherd!

He leads us. He loves us. And, He laid down His life for us. Verse 10 sums up the desire of the Good Shepherd and the destiny of His sheep:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full!"

To quote my friend - "When the Lord is your Shepherd, the future is your friend!"

March 9, 2014

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."  Matthew 7:24-29

If you are convinced of the truth of God's Word, what is the appropriate response? 

Jesus has a very direct answer to that question, "Obey it!"

What difference does it make?

Again, Jesus answers with a very convincing and convicting word picture. 

He who hears God's Word and obeys it  will build a firm foundation for his life. The one who disregards and disobeys the Word of God will not survive the storms of life. He is building his life on an unstable foundation.

The truth of God's Word forms a bedrock foundation for those who hear it and heed it. 

So, what is the ultimate proof of the truth of God's Word? It is surviving the violent storms of life.

I ask you, "What are you building your life upon?"

How are you treating the Word of God?

Will your life be able to withstand the storms that are coming?

March 8, 2014

"How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart  that I might not sin against you."  Psalm 119:9-11

There is ample evidence that offers convincing argument for the truth of God's Word!

I have shared the Foundational evidence that the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit and not dreamed up by men. That same Holy Spirit was inspired and instructed those who have translated it from old documents onto newer ones. You can be confident of the integrity with which the Bible was written and preserved!

There is also the the Factual evidence that supports the claims of the Bible. Substantial evidence is unearthed through archaeology, demonstrated in science and proven through 100% accurate prophecies!

Don't forget the Formation evidence! The Bible is 66 books written over two millennium by 40 authors on three continents and in three different languages BUT with one clear and common theme - Salvation through Christ!

Finally, I present perhaps the most convincing evidence of all, the Force of the Bible, changed lives! The Bible is "the power of God unto salvation", Romans 1:6 and everyone who reads and believes it and obeys it is changed forever! 

Consider these verses:

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" II Corinthians 5:17

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24 

"he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit," Titus 3:5

These verses are a few of dozens that declare the transforming power of God through His Word.

Men may try to reform themselves from the outside in, but only the power of God through His Word can fundamentally change the soul, mind and spirit of a man!

The Word is so powerful that it will change you whenever you encounter it. If you obey it you can become holy, if you ignore it you will become hardened but you will never be the same.

March 7, 2014

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." II Peter 1:20-21

I want you to imagine you are a juror in a court of law and these three facts were presented in evidence for the defense of Biblical truth and authority. The witnesses for the defense are archaeology, prophecy and science.

Archaeology

The archaeological evidence alone should shake the foundations of doubt and unbelief of any skeptic. For instance, Abram's field in Hebron is mentioned in 918 B.C. by Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt. After warring in Palestine, the Pharaoh Shishak inscribed on his temple walls the name of Abraham, the great patriarch, proving at this early date Abraham was known in Palestine as the Bible says, not in Arabia.

The Bible says Joseph was sold for the price of a slave, 20 shekels. According to trade tablets found, this was the correct price for 1,700 B.C. At an earlier time the price would have been less, at a later time it would have been more.

Perhaps one of the greatest archaeological discoveries is the chariot wheels, chariot frames, human bones and horse bones found at the bottom of the Red Sea where the crossing of Moses and the Israelites took place. The style of the found chariot wheels match those used at the time of the Exodus .

Ron Wyatt, the man who made these discoveries, recovered the hub of a wheel with the remains of eight spokes and gave this significant find to Nassif Mohammed Hassan, Director of Antiquities in Cairo. Mr. Hassan immediately identified the artifact as a chariot wheel dating over 3500 years ago during the 18th Dynasty, the only time the ancient Egyptians used an eight spoked wheel. The hub and spokes are on display in Cairo, Egypt.

And archaeological finds show the Jericho walls fell down  outwardly to allow the Israelites to enter the city and overcome their enemies. "According to the laws of physics, walls of towns always fall inwards."

Prophecy

I believe prophecy, the prediction of the future, is the strongest argument for the proof of the Bible. Bible prophecy is 100% accurate in predicting the future. The Old Testament was written around 1450 BC to 430 BC. No other "sacred writing" can claim such accurate predictions of the future.

2000 Bible prophecies have been fulfilled. Many prophecies have very specific details. I would think anyone seeking the truth would consider at least a few of these prophecies. For instance, Psalm 22 contains a number of prophecies describing the crucifixion of Christ. This method of execution was not even invented until several hundred years after Psalm 22 was penned by King David. The Bible and an encyclopedia are all you need to verify the prophetic accuracy of Psalm 22.

The recorded Bible prophecies came true in such a detailed manner that they could not have been foretold by chance. The archaeological evidence shows these prophecies were recorded many years before they were fulfilled. This evidence proves they were not falsified documents claiming certain prophecies came true. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls silenced most of the skeptical talk.

There are two types of prophecies in the Bible: Messianic (dealing with Jesus Christ) and those dealing with the Nations. If the already fulfilled hundreds of prophecies in the Bible are looked at and examined, both Messianic and Nation, they should make the most skeptical individual acknowledge the validity of God's Word.

Science

The Bible's scientific accuracy is without error. The Old Testament speaks of the earth being a sphere, long before scientists discovered the earth was round and not flat.

"He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth..." (Isaiah 40:22). At the time this scripture was written the Hebrew language did not have a word for "sphere," only for "circle."

"There Had To Be A Beginning…For centuries scientists argued that the universe was infinite and eternal. If so, many claimed, there was no beginning and hence "nothing for a creator to do". But, we now know that the amount of usable energy in the universe is decreasing. And, scientists agree, if the universe is running down, it cannot be eternal or infinite. It will have an end just as it had to have had a beginning. Scientists know this principle as the second law of thermodynamics. It is fascinating to know that "science's two most foundational discoveries argue for creation, not against it!" -- (301 Startling Proofs & Prophecies Proving That God Exists, Peter and Paul Lalonde, This Week In Bible Prophecy) 

I present these testimonies in evidence for the defense of God's Word.

You are the juror. What is your verdict?

March 6, 2014

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" II Timothy 3:16

The Bible is precious and important to me because it shows me what is real and what is right and what is rewarding for my life!

I am confident I can trust my life and my eternity on the truths of the Bible because I believe it is absolutely reliable!

Here are some reasons you can rely on the truth of His Word:

It's Foundation - Divine inspiration

It's Formation - 66 Books and 40 writers

It's Facts - True science supports Scripture, as do archaeology and prophecy

It's Force - Transforming power of the Holy Spirit 

The Bible literally is the Word of God! He spoke His truths into the minds of the prophets and apostles through His Holy Spirit. That is what the term "inspiration" means - "God breathed". God's Spirit spoke God's thoughts, ideas and will into their thoughts.

I'm sure you have had moments when you were meditating or praying and suddenly a thought pops into your mind. Or, maybe you were reading a familiar Scripture in the Bible when suddenly you received a fresh insight. Those are examples of inspiration.

Any notion that the Bible was written by men and reflects the ideas or thoughts of man is either terribly misinformed or totally foolish. 

Their are many gifted writers and authors in our nation who enrich us or entertain us with their books, but none of them compare with the beauty and majesty of the sacred Scriptures breathed into our spirits by the Holy Spirit!

Your life will be enriched and your spirit expanded as you commit yourself to the reading of the New Testament over the next 40 days! When it is over you will know God better and know yourself better as well!

Such is the power of Divine inspiration!

March 4, 2014

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16

Secular skeptics of the Bible try to discredit it by citing conflicts with modern science. In fact, there is a great deal of scientific evidence that supports the Bible, enough that we would need a separate page to discuss this proof alone. 

Those of us who are believers have an unfair advantage - they only have scientists but we have a Creator!

I found this chart in my online research and thought it speaks for itself!

You look it over and see what you think!

Scientific Fact or Principle	Bible reference	Date of discovery by man
Both man and woman possess the seed of life	Genesis 3:15	17th Century
There is a place void of stars in the North	Job 26:7	19th Century
Earth is held in place by invisible forces	Job 26:7	1650
Taxonomic classification of matter	Genesis 1	1735
The Earth is round	Isaiah 40:22	15th Century
Certain animals carry diseases harmful to man	Leviticus 11	16th Century
Early diagnosis of leprosy	Leviticus 13	17th Century
Quarantine for disease control	Leviticus 13	17th Century
Blood of animals carries diseases	Leviticus 17	17th Century
Blood is necessary for life	Leviticus 17:11	19th Century
Oceans have natural paths in them	Psalms 8:8	1854
Earth was in nebular form initially	Genesis 1:2	1911
Most seaworthy ship design ratio is 30:5:3	Genesis 6	1860
Light is a particle and has mass (a photon)	Job 38:19	1932
Radio astronomy (stars give off signals)	Job 38:7	1945
Oceans contain fresh water springs	Job 38:16	1920
Snow has material value	Job 38:22	1905, 1966
Infinite number of stars exist	Genesis 15:5	1940
Dust is important to survival	Isaiah 40:12	1935
Hubert Spencer's scientific principles	Genesis 1	1820
Air has weight	Job 28:25	16th Century
Light can be split up into component colors	Job 38:24	1650
Matter is made up of invisible particles	Romans 1:20	20th Century
Plants use sunlight to manufacture food	Job 8:16	1920
Arcturus and other stars move through space	Job 38:32	19th Century
Water cycle	Ecclesiastes 1:7	17th Century
Life originated in the sea	Genesis 1	19th Century
Lightning and thunder are related	Job 38:25	19th Century
Human beings were the last living things created	Genesis 1	15th Century

March 3, 2014

"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith."  Galatians 6:7-10

I remember as a kid how much fun it was to sled down the hill in the Winter snow! There aren't a lot of hills in Indiana but we happened to live atop the highest hill in our little town. All the kids from the neighborhood would come and slide down our hill. When there were a lot of kids sledding the snow would get packed down and become a sheet of solid ice. Wow! How we would fly down that hill! With a running start we could slide down the hill and for another block or two before we would come to a stop.

But then we would have to walk all the way back UP the slippery hill carrying our sleds. Not so easy and not so fun!

To enjoy the easy part and the fun part we had to endure the hard uphill part.

Now that I am older and no longer enjoy sledding, or snow or carrying a sled up a slippery hill in the snow, I have come to understand that life is similar to my boyhood sledding experience. There some easy downhill times and there are some hard uphill climbs. And, when you are a Christian who is trying to live a life that pleases God and impacts others, that is mostly an uphill climb.

As we discovered in our study of Romans 12, we are called to overcome evil with good. Evil is easy and natural like sliding down the hill. Goodness goes against our nature, so it can feel like climbing up a slippery hill.

In the case of the sledding, that maybe happened a few times a year so trekking up the hill was bearable. But the call to goodness is a daily challenge to overcome the sinful nature and obey God. You climb the hill one day and then get up the next morning and do it all over again. It can get tiring, especially as you watch all those who are sliding down the hill and seemingly having fun.

You understand the admonition to "be not weary in well doing". You are aware that doing good all day every day can take its toll. Obviously, if doing good was as easy as doing bad, we would live in a good world instead of an evil one. But we don't.

Have you grown weary from doing the right thing? Have you been tempted to just slide down the hill with everyone else? Perhaps you have been climbing the hill every day and wearing yourself out to always do the right thing and you don't see much of a payoff for all the investment. Maybe that is where you are today.

You have always heard that it pays to do the right thing. You read in your Bible that things that are pleasing to God - and you want to please Him. You know that sinful living, while easier to do, doesn't end well. But resisting evil and doing right is JUST HARD! SOME DAYS IT IS EXHAUSTING. How do you you keep from growing weary while you do the right things?

Paul wrote this portion of Scripture to encourage these believers because he knew they were growing weary. He, of all people, knew what it was to become weary in serving God. So, he encouraged them with the same encouragement he had found for himself.

I will be sharing that with you over the next few posts. I believe you will find it helpful. But, in the meantime, draw upon His strength. Live in the power of His Spirit. Saturate you brain with the promises of God and let them soak into your spirit. Walk by faith not by feelings. And finally, rejoice in Him that He has given you the desire to please Him, because that alone is a gift! God has taken away your bondage to sin and set you free to live for God.

And, as you prepare to climb the hill again today - remember to thank Him for the hill He climbed for you!