Month: March 2015

Left Behind with Them in Mind

Saturday, March 21, 2015

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 KJV).

While we saints tarry in this world, let us remember why we are here!

Not long ago, I spoke with a dear friend and Christian brother who shared some great news. Although still coping with his wife’s graduation to heaven, he was recently reminded of why he is still here on Earth. God is not finished using him in the ministry. A man who had “just so happened” to stop by his house, ended up being curious about spiritual matters, and they began to converse about the Bible. While time was limited, he learned that the man was a Christian, and he was able to help that other saint better understand spiritual matters.

Remember, if God were to remove all members of the Body of Christ from planet Earth, there would be no one left here to be His mouthpiece. There would still be the Bible, but there would be no living, flesh-and-blood testimony of His grace to us in Jesus Christ. Christians commonly say, “I want to leave this place and go to heaven! Things are getting so bad in this world and I want out! I want to go meet my loved ones who have died in Christ!” Yet, beloved, we must not be selfish.

Today’s Scripture says, “For our conversation is in heaven.” Ephesians 2:19 affirms that we are, “fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Because we are citizens of heaven, because we really belong in heaven (and we will get there one day), our “conversation” (lifestyle) should reflect that status. Not only should we be studying and memorizing Bible verses, not only should we be sharing those Scriptural truths with others, we are to have lives in accordance with those verses. While this Dispensation of Grace is operating, God needs spokespeople on Earth, and He has chosen the Church the Body of Christ for that role. As we continue in this Christian ambassadorship, let us live with the mentality that Jesus Christ will come for us one day! Keep looking up! 🙂

A Rebellion, a Reign, and a Rainstorm

Friday, March 20, 2015

“Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king” (1 Samuel 12:17 KJV).

Samuel’s address to Israel confirms, “the Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22a).

Israel is God’s “sign-people.” What did Jesus say to Israel in John 4:48? “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” Moses knew that, unless he had miraculous demonstrations to confirm God’s message, Israel would not believe him either (Exodus 4:1-17,29-31). In the Mosaic Law, JEVOVAH God told Israel not to have any other gods before Him—no images, no idols, no false religious worship, no heathen child-sacrifices, et cetera. They were to be true to Him alone.

Some 500 years after Moses, Samuel serves as Israel’s prophet-judge-priest for many decades. Now aged, Samuel has two ungodly sons, and Israel refuses to have them as leaders once Samuel dies. Israel begs Samuel for a king, that they be like the other nations (when God had wanted them to be unique). We read in 1 Samuel 8:7: “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”

In today’s Scripture, Saul has served as Israel’s king for less than a year. Samuel says it is “wheat harvest” (our May-June). The rainy winter months, December-January, are passed, and yet, God will confirm His Word that they have done evil in desiring a king. “So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king” (verses 18,19).

The Jews had a divine sign as confirmation… they saw that they were wicked in demanding a king!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What happened to those saints raised from the dead in Matthew 27:52-53?”

Behind the Scenes #8

Thursday, March 19, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

First Corinthians chapter 2 says: “[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” To lost people, those who do not have God’s indwelling Holy Spirit, God’s Word is “foolishness.” They study the natural creation in science, and understand and speak of complex natural phenomena, but when it comes to the sixth-grade English (King James) Bible, they are without understanding. It is not a lack of intellect but an absence of the Author of the Bible!

Today’s Scripture says that the God of creation has made known unto us His eternal counsel. To all generations, through His written and preserved Word, He has revealed His innermost thoughts. While the vast majority is uninterested in His love, grace, wisdom, and purpose, let us not be among the many who lack discernment to see “behind the scenes” (and who want to stay blinded!). They emphasize what they can see and completely miss the invisible; they have no spiritual sight to see what really matters, and, sadly, many are content with closed hearts, minds, eyes, and ears!

Friends, by simple faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork alone as sufficient payment for our sins, we can glorify our Creator today. Once we are saved unto eternal life, His Spirit will come and live within us, and give us the capacity to understand His Word. Then, we can join Father God in His work that will literally span all eons of eternity future. Creation will be restored to its original glory one day, and how Father God wants us to join with Him in seeing it accomplished! 🙂

Behind the Scenes #7

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Ephesians 1:9-10 explains Father God’s plan in and for creation: “[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”

Father God desires to glorify His Son Jesus Christ in heaven and on earth. Throughout the “Old Testament,” the Four Gospels, and early Acts, we read about God’s will for the earth, how He would use the nation Israel to restore the earth to Himself and rid it of Satan’s sinful influence. It was not until He revealed it to Paul that we learn how Father God will rid heaven of Satan’s sinful influence by using us, the Church the Body of Christ. Via these two groups, God’s original plan for creation will be accomplished!

Revelation 4:11 says, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” All of the offices of government in heaven and earth, Jesus made them to carry out His Father’s will in heaven and earth (Colossians 1:16,17). When Lucifer/Satan usurped these offices, heaven and earth were polluted. Hence, we see this fallen creation today, not bringing Jesus Christ praise and glory but abounding with sin! We need not wonder why disease, death, and decay are all around us.

We can use scientific analyses to study the material world, but unless we have Bible study, we will never understand why the material world functions so magnificently and yet is filled with so many problems. Unless we read the Holy Bible, we will always wonder why creation exists and wonder what the Creator intends to do to achieve His purpose (regardless of rebellious creatures).

Now, we can finish this devotionals arc….

Behind the Scenes #6

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

No greater Bible definition for “sin” exists than Isaiah 53:6ab: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Jeremiah 44:16 supplements: “As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.”

In the heart of every person is a sin nature, deceit and desperate wickedness (Jeremiah 17:9). This part of man rebels against the God of the Bible. Our sin nature causes us to live according to our own decisions. Sinners seek to be their own authority, their own god: in their minds, they are self-sufficient. They refuse to hear any counsel from the Creator God. They want no one to be accountable to, and they want no one to tell them what to do. Our sin nature is the origin of all the dastardly acts every human has committed. It is not God’s fault when sinners sin. May we never accuse God of wrongdoing when we choose to ignore His instructions!

How sad that a marvelous field of study such as science (the method whereby we benefit from medical research and technological advances) has been so manipulated that it is now used as a method to “turn every one to his own way.” We can simply invent an origin that does not involve a holy God (thus no accountability for our sins), take scientific data and force it to fit our imagination (thus replacing the Bible), and then call it “science” (“justifying” ourselves). When someone exposes the flaws in our reasoning, we just dismiss them as “religious bigots” and “superstitious Bible-toters.” No wonder in graduate school we scientists are urged to not falsify data (the implication is that, in science, the temptation is there to report only what we want!).

Still, if we just humble ourselves and believe the Bible record, we will have the “why” question answered for us….

Behind the Scenes #5

Monday, March 16, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Imagine, if you will, an inventor has just given you a new product, the first of its kind. You are the first to use it. Apart from an instruction manual (which hopefully you get with the product!), you have no idea of its purpose. You could sit there and inspect the product, you could disassemble it, you could learn how it functions, and so on, but unless you have some written explanation as to its purpose, you are wasting your time guessing! The product will be meaningless to you if you cannot use it as the inventor intended.

This crude illustration epitomizes the flaws of the strict, rationalistic, empirical nature of the scientific method. We must observe a natural process before we can proceed to explaining it and testing our hypothesis (tentative explanation) with data gathered. That idea must then withstand scrutiny and future testing if it is to be elevated to a theory or model. Otherwise, the hypothesis is rejected and must be refined.

As you can see, science is limited to answering only the “how” question. Science is useful in discovering how something works. But, why does the something work? What is its purpose? Science cannot answer it and it will never be able to answer it. The “why” question cannot be answered because “why” is something immaterial; science, strictly speaking, is concerned only with the material (visible) world. Science has no authority in the invisible (spiritual) realm: it cannot be used to ascertain intention.

As Bible-believing creationists, it is not we who are closed-minded, for we admit the study of the natural world leads us to understand just how orderly-structured and fine-tuned our universe is (and exists so for a purpose!). The close-minded individuals are those who refuse to see and hear anything but what their eyes see and their ears hear. They can explain how the universe works, but why it works, to the “why” question they close their eyes, ears, minds, and hearts….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “The Son of man hath not where to lay his head?”

Behind the Scenes #4

Sunday, March 15, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Today’s Scripture follows five verses (verses 6-10) that survey the Creation story of Genesis. Recall verse 6: “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3).

John 1:1-3 says: “[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Verse 14 explains that the “Word,” the Creator, was none other than Jesus Christ.

Today’s Scripture says, “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” The God of the Bible had a plan in creation, and Scripture calls that plan “the counsel of the LORD.” It “standeth for ever.” In spite of what will happen, that purpose will still be brought to fruition. This plan contains “the thoughts of [the LORD’S] heart,” and He has made those thoughts known to “all generations.” As Psalm 100:5 says, “His truth endureth to all generations.”

What was and is Father God’s purpose in creation, His “counsel,” the “thoughts of His heart?” In the form of the Holy Bible, we have the instruction manual of creation, “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). God’s Holy Spirit caused those precious inspired words to be written centuries ago in Hebrew and Greek, He preserved them through history via manuscript copies, and He translated them into English so that we could have them today (the Authorized King James Bible).

While we can study the material world through scientific analyses, unless we use the Creator’s Manual, it is we who will have closed minds….

Behind the Scenes #3

Saturday, March 14, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

We read just prior to today’s Scripture: “[6] By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. [7] He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. [8] Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. [9] For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. [10] The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.”

These verses summarize certain events of the Creation account of Genesis chapter 1. God spoke the heaven and the earth into existence. “Let there be…” and there was! He brought forth the heaven, the heavens, and all their contents (stars, planets, nebulae, et cetera). He gathered the waters on the Earth, and He gathered waters above Earth. The Psalmist says that since He is a great and powerful God, we should “fear” (reverence) Him and “stand in awe of Him.” He has the power to do mighty works with the mere spoken word! This entire universe and all of its contents, He thought them up from nothing, and then He made them from nothing… taking only six literal days, without working up a sweat, too!

The “heathen” (nations, Gentiles) and the “people” (Israel) have their own agenda. As sinners, they do not want the Creator’s will accomplished in creation. They do not want Him to rule over them (cf. Psalm 2:1-3; fulfilled at the Cross according to Acts 4:25-28). The Creator God, the God of the Bible, is a wise, powerful Being. Oh, may we praise Him dear name! No matter what mortal men may say or do, no matter how many tantrums they pitch or arguments they pose, God’s will for creation shall surely be brought to pass….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Do angels really watch us?”

Behind the Scenes #2

Friday, March 13, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Have you ever wondered what is God doing? Some may say, “It seems like He has been out on vacation for quite a while!” Others may say, “I cannot believe that a loving God could exist because there is much suffering and injustice!” There is a creation, so there must be a Creator. (And, because He is the Creator, He is God, and being God, He has neither creator nor origin, or He would not be God!) But, where is He? Why does He not do something about all of the world’s problems?

Psalm 33 begins: “[1] Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. [2] Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. [3] Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. [4] For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. [5] He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.”

The God of the Bible, known as “JEHOVAH” to Israel and “the Lord Jesus Christ” to Christians, should be praised. It is proper for us to exalt Him, to sing songs to Him, to play musical instruments and communicate His doctrine to others. Why? His Word is “right,” and “all his works are done in truth.” How the God of the Bible loves “righteousness and judgment.” He is upright and fair: everything He does is honest. “The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.” How is that?

Verse 6 says: “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” Creation itself testifies to the goodness of the LORD, and in the Holy Bible, we learn why there is a creation in the first place….

Behind the Scenes #1

Thursday, March 12, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

We have all heard the objectionable complaint, “The Bible is anti-science! It is an old book of superstitions and we need to be rational and think for ourselves! This is the 21st century!” These are such bombastic words, uttered in most classrooms… and sadly, even in some churches! “Unless I can analyze it under a microscope or place it in a test tube, I have no time for it! I can do without your ‘religion!’”

Dear friends, as a scientist (geologist), I can assure you that science is truly amazing, but—it may come as a shock—it has its flaws. Why? Humans are flawed, and everything scientists do is faulty to some extent. Experiments can be accidently contaminated, equipment (manufactured by imperfect humans) can malfunction, data can be deliberately manipulated or deleted to achieve desired information, et cetera.

Furthermore, any honest scientist will tell you that science, as any branch of learning, is an ever-changing discipline. Ideas are constantly being refined, rejected, and proposed. Nothing in science is 100 percent certain. You can find good scientists on both sides of important issues. To say, “I do not have ‘blind’ faith in the Bible, I believe in something I can actually see and rationalize!,” is to advertise Bible ignorance and scientific ignorance.

Scientific ideas are not static (they are ever-changing), and because science has limits, we cannot make it into an absolute authority. There are plenty of natural processes scientists still cannot explain. There are trillions upon trillions of celestial bodies we have never studied on-location. There are processes we have no idea about yet. Science is the means of obtaining answers, but we do not have all the answers. In fact, there are plenty of answers out there to questions we scientists have never yet asked!

We must humble ourselves and recognize that there is something going on “behind the scenes” in this wonderful universe of ours….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why does the Bible give two conflicting accounts of Judas’s death?”