“Very powerful faith, see how he dealt with Egypt and called down those miracles.” Miracles? Is that the faith Moses was known for? Hebrews records Moses as a man of faith for other things. “What?” Choices: Then after Moses grew up, his faith made him refuse to be called Pharaoh's grandson. He chose to be mistreated with God's people instead of having the good time that sin could bring for a little while Heb 11:24, 25(CEV). Some who profess faith enjoy sinful pleasures not he. He chose suffering: Moses knew that the treasures of Egypt were not as wonderful as what he would receive from suffering for the Messiah, and he looked forward to his reward Heb 11:26 (CEV). You have looked at faith as something to bring you treasures in this world and avoid suffering not so?
“Is my name Moses? I am not here to suffer. The God of miracles is my Daddy. If God did not account the working of miracles as his faith why is it said By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned Heb 11:29(ESV).” The focus is on the choice; the choice to leave Egypt. Remember people at that time were already saying "why did we leave?" By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible Heb 11:27(ESV).
Faith sends the fear of men packing. Like his parents (Heb 11:23) and Hebrew midwives by faith he chose God’s way rather than pleasing kings. But the two women were faithful to God and did not kill the boys, even though the king had told them to Ex 1:17 (CEV). What choices does your faith lead you to? Is it only not to take drugs? Stop mocking me; that’s unchristian. That passage also says: Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, received promises, shut the mouths of lions, Heb 11:33(ISV)
Men may see miracles, God sees other things also. In striking the rock twice, Moses chose to disobey God, and God accounted that as lack of faith. And the LORD said … "Because you did not believe in me … therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them." Num 20:12(ESV) If faith were merely pulling down miracles how is it God rebuked him for lack of faith even though the miracle took place and enough water came for over a million people and their livestock from flinty rock? Faith is seen more in the choices you make than in the miracles around you and in your life.
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Saturday 21 August 2010
What is faith? week 33
“It is that which connects you to heaven’s resources so that you get all you want and be all you should.” All you want? Was that the faith of Abraham the father of faith? “Of course! What more did Abraham want than a son? It was faith that enabled him have one when he was past age and Sarah past child bearing Heb 11:11.” I agree with that passage of scripture, it is repeated a number of times, but Abrahamic faith did not start or end simply with getting what you want from heaven. It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going Heb 11:8(GNB). Genuine faith is obedience...
“Look God told him He would bless those who blessed him and curse those who curse him. He wanted that. Faith gets you what you want.” Hmm, I say faith is what made Abraham differ from the crowd. “Now you are talking.” Am I? Faith led Abraham to live as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, Heb 11:9(GW). Imagine a rich man living in tents rather than houses. I hope you know there were houses then (Gen19:2-3)? Faith makes you live differently, not following fashion or being trendy. Sadly many of us who have a claim to faith struggle to be like the rest in dressing, housing and appearance. “Should we then be poorly clothed?”
Don’t deviate from our point; we haven’t reached the ultimate manifestation of Abrahamic faith. “The sacrifice of Isaac, not so?” Yes. By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; Heb 11:17(ASV).
You said he obeyed and left his father’s house because he wanted the promise God gave him. What promise did God give him if he offered up Isaac, what new blessing was he supposed to inherit? “That was tough; God had said to him, "Through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name." Heb 11:18(GNB) Ishmael had been sent away by now.” Yes, He was certain that God could raise people from the dead, and figuratively speaking he did get him back in this way Heb 11:19(ISV). Such faith made him obey fully. That’s why I say faith is prompt obedience not knowing the place you are going, but knowing the One you have believed. For the which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day 2Ti 1:12(RV). Do you have faith?
Sunday 15 August 2010
Your name is Andrew, right? Week 32, 2010
“No you are mistaking me for someone else; that’s not my name.” Is that so? Did you not after repentance go to tell your sister about Jesus? “Yes I did.” How is she doing now? “Ah, she has a ministry that touches youths in several nations. Her books are a blessing. She has certainly gone far beyond my expectations and eclipsed me.” Just like Andrew. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. Andrew first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah". He led Simon to Jesus Jn 1:40-42(ISV).
“I get it, an Andrew brings the relations to Jesus.” Not just relations. Andrew is recorded in the gospel of John as connecting someone to Jesus each time he speaks. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to Jesus, There is a boy here with five barley cakes and two fishes: but what is that among such a number? Jn 6:8, 9(BBE). The boy was used of God greatly. When Greeks told Phillip they wanted to see Jesus it was Andrew he went to first. They went to Philip (who was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and told him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jn 12:21, 22(ISV).
“So it is not limited to relations but includes children and strangers." Exactly. Greeks are from a different tribe. First contact: Jesus talk. “But he talked to Jesus not the Greeks.” What is telling Jesus about men but intercession for lost souls? Anyone that must successfully talk to men about Jesus ought to first talk to Jesus about men. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people… 1Tm 2:1(ESV).
“Was it only in the gospel record of John Andrew is recorded as speaking?” Excellent student! I say it is in you. No, in Mk 13:3-4(ISV) he seeks the signs of Jesus’ return. As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives facing the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were asking him privately, "Tell us, when will these things take place, and what will be the sign when these things will be put into effect?" To be an Andrew talk to Jesus about men, talk of Jesus before men, bring people including the young to Jesus, and talk of His second coming. “Yes, yes, and study the Word in private and in groups. Can that not be learned from that scripture too?” Yes of course. Surely, you are an Andrew. “I don’t actually think I am worthy to be called one; I haven’t quite been measuring up.” Oh, it’s in you. I see it, and just want to encourage you. “Thank you very much sir.” You’re welcome.
“I get it, an Andrew brings the relations to Jesus.” Not just relations. Andrew is recorded in the gospel of John as connecting someone to Jesus each time he speaks. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to Jesus, There is a boy here with five barley cakes and two fishes: but what is that among such a number? Jn 6:8, 9(BBE). The boy was used of God greatly. When Greeks told Phillip they wanted to see Jesus it was Andrew he went to first. They went to Philip (who was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and told him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jn 12:21, 22(ISV).
“So it is not limited to relations but includes children and strangers." Exactly. Greeks are from a different tribe. First contact: Jesus talk. “But he talked to Jesus not the Greeks.” What is telling Jesus about men but intercession for lost souls? Anyone that must successfully talk to men about Jesus ought to first talk to Jesus about men. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people… 1Tm 2:1(ESV).
“Was it only in the gospel record of John Andrew is recorded as speaking?” Excellent student! I say it is in you. No, in Mk 13:3-4(ISV) he seeks the signs of Jesus’ return. As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives facing the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were asking him privately, "Tell us, when will these things take place, and what will be the sign when these things will be put into effect?" To be an Andrew talk to Jesus about men, talk of Jesus before men, bring people including the young to Jesus, and talk of His second coming. “Yes, yes, and study the Word in private and in groups. Can that not be learned from that scripture too?” Yes of course. Surely, you are an Andrew. “I don’t actually think I am worthy to be called one; I haven’t quite been measuring up.” Oh, it’s in you. I see it, and just want to encourage you. “Thank you very much sir.” You’re welcome.
Saturday 7 August 2010
Convicted; but not fully converted Week 31, 2010
Week 31, 2010
“Thank God Naaman listened to his servants; see how he would have missed his healing.” Yes, thank God he did not miss the healing. Too bad he missed being converted. “Missed being converted? He returned to Elisha with all his men and said, "Now I know that there is no god but the God of Israel; so please, sir, accept a gift from me." 2Ki 5:15(GNB). He was not only converted, he also offered the man of God a generous gift.” Why do you suppose his gift was unacceptable? “Maybe Elisha was working on “freely have you received; freely give”. This man said, "If you won't accept my gift, then let me have two mule-loads of earth to take home with me, because from now on I will not offer sacrifices or burnt offerings to any god except the LORD 2Ki 5:17(GNB). He was converted.”
I see. Converted but not willing to loose his job, converted but not willing to acknowledge his new found faith before a heathen king, converted but not willing to die for the God who performed the miracle of his life free for him. So I hope that the LORD will forgive me when I accompany my king to the temple of Rimmon, the god of Syria, and worship him. Surely the LORD will forgive me!" 2Ki 5:18(GNB). If he was converted as you claim why does this “brave soldier” ever accept to worship another god as a policy? God deliver us from willingness to give of our treasure but withhold our necks for Jesus! Was that gift supposed to take the place of genuine conversion?
“Are you not too hard on him?” I don’t think so: Felix was similarly convicted but not converted. As Paul talked …Felix became afraid and said, "For the present you may go. When I get a chance, I will send for you again." At the same time he was hoping to get money from Paul, and so he would send for him frequently to talk with him. After two years had passed, Felix … left Paul in prison Act 24:25-27 (ISV).
“Don’t you think he became a secret disciple? There are such people you know?” Yes, I do; but consider what Jesus himself says: "Therefore whoever who will confess Me before men, I also will confess Him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny him before My Father who is in heaven Mat 10:32-33(EMTV). If we won’t confess him before men, Jesus will also not confess us before the Father and the holy angels. Now if Jesus won’t introduce you who will? No matter how much under conviction you are, lay your life down to become genuinely converted.
“Thank God Naaman listened to his servants; see how he would have missed his healing.” Yes, thank God he did not miss the healing. Too bad he missed being converted. “Missed being converted? He returned to Elisha with all his men and said, "Now I know that there is no god but the God of Israel; so please, sir, accept a gift from me." 2Ki 5:15(GNB). He was not only converted, he also offered the man of God a generous gift.” Why do you suppose his gift was unacceptable? “Maybe Elisha was working on “freely have you received; freely give”. This man said, "If you won't accept my gift, then let me have two mule-loads of earth to take home with me, because from now on I will not offer sacrifices or burnt offerings to any god except the LORD 2Ki 5:17(GNB). He was converted.”
I see. Converted but not willing to loose his job, converted but not willing to acknowledge his new found faith before a heathen king, converted but not willing to die for the God who performed the miracle of his life free for him. So I hope that the LORD will forgive me when I accompany my king to the temple of Rimmon, the god of Syria, and worship him. Surely the LORD will forgive me!" 2Ki 5:18(GNB). If he was converted as you claim why does this “brave soldier” ever accept to worship another god as a policy? God deliver us from willingness to give of our treasure but withhold our necks for Jesus! Was that gift supposed to take the place of genuine conversion?
“Are you not too hard on him?” I don’t think so: Felix was similarly convicted but not converted. As Paul talked …Felix became afraid and said, "For the present you may go. When I get a chance, I will send for you again." At the same time he was hoping to get money from Paul, and so he would send for him frequently to talk with him. After two years had passed, Felix … left Paul in prison Act 24:25-27 (ISV).
“Don’t you think he became a secret disciple? There are such people you know?” Yes, I do; but consider what Jesus himself says: "Therefore whoever who will confess Me before men, I also will confess Him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny him before My Father who is in heaven Mat 10:32-33(EMTV). If we won’t confess him before men, Jesus will also not confess us before the Father and the holy angels. Now if Jesus won’t introduce you who will? No matter how much under conviction you are, lay your life down to become genuinely converted.
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