“I’m Just Saying…”

Listening to the news media is just one shock after another. It is a shock for two reasons. One reason is that what is being communicated is unbelievable and the second reason is that what is being communicated is validated in the Holy Bible, book of Luke and Revelations.

Many people say, “We are in the Last Days”. But, when you think about it, we have been in the last days since Jesus ascended to Heaven. Each day since Jesus’ life on planet Earth and His departure to Heaven occurred, we have been living in the last days and in the dispensation of grace. So, why am I bothered by the news media when the Bible has already described what will happen?

Let’s take a look at the news media reporting of happening events and the book of Luke and Revelations reporting of events that would happen, because “I’m Just Saying…”.

Theme: “I’m Just Saying…”

Read Scripture: Luke 21 whole chapter with focus on verses 10 – 11:

and as listed below in Revelations chapter 6

Luke 21:10-11 says, “Then He [Jesus] continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

The Apostle Luke is the author of Luke (and Acts). Luke was a physician. He met Paul and joined Paul and Silas in their missionary journeys and chronicled the early church and travels of Paul in the book of Acts. He was not one of the Apostles of Christ, but a Gentile Christian from Macedonia. The book was written around AD 60.

The Apostle John is the author of the Book of Revelation. He wrote it when he was about 92 years old, while a prisoner of Rome on the remote desert penal colony of Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea. Patmos was a quarry mine for the Roman Empire, and was home to many political and religious prisoners or slaves. John, the beloved apostle of Jesus, was being held as a prisoner of Rome on this island for his incessant preaching about Jesus. Rome believed that banishing the old man John to the remote and forsaken island of Patmos, that his voice would be quieted. John was aged in years, and close to the end of his life, probably sent to Patmos in the year 95 by the Roman emperor Domitian, who was reportedly angry at the fact that John was not killed when he was dipped in boiling oil.*

Since John was a contemporary of Jesus, John would have been by that time, well over 90 years old – making him very likely the only apostle to survive to such an old age. The rest of Jesus apostles and disciples were martyred decades earlier. It was as if God supernaturally preserved John to bare record of The Revelation!*

Luke 21:10-11 combined with John’s revelation or better said, God’s revelation to John detailed in Revelations chapter 6, along with the news media reports give us a shocking realization.

Luke 21:10-11: Jesus speaking to the Disciples says:

¹⁰… “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, ¹¹and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”

Revelation 6: Apostle John writes of his vision of the End Times or Last Days saying there will be:

Wars: verses 1 and 2

International Strife: verse 3 and 4

Famine: verses 5 and 6

Pestilence: verses 7 and 8

Persecution: verses 9 and 10

Earthquakes: verses 12 – 17

Judgement and Destruction: verses 12 – 17

So, just watch the news and you connect the dots. Are we in the Last Days? I’m just saying…

Amen.

*Ref: http://www.bibleprobe.com/revelation.htm

“When God Asks A Question”

I am always amazed, cautious, and curious when reading the Holy Bible and God asks a question. God is omniscient, all-knowing! So, when God asks a question it is not to obtain knowledge, information, or an answer that He doesn’t already know. The question is rhetorical for God, but it is instructive for the person being questioned.

God’s questions bring deep reflective thought, conviction about a truth, an opportunity to confess, and/or submit to God’s Sovereignty. God’s questions generally begin with “Who? Where? When? Have you? Can you? Do you know?”

What are some of the Old Testament questions God asked? Let’s take a look at the importance of “When God Asks A Question”.

Theme: “When God Asks A Question”

Read Scripture: as listed…

In the Old Testament:

The first question God asks in the Bible is “Where are you?”

Adam and Eve had just sinned, and in their fear and confusion they ran away from God. In Genesis 3:9, we read that “The Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?”

In response to God’s question, Adam said, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10). Then God asked, “Who told you that you were naked?”

After that first act of disobedience in the garden of Eden, God asked Eve, “What is this you have done?” (Genesis 3:13, NKJV).

Adam is not the only runaway mentioned in the Bible. God always seems to ask the runaways why they are running. He said to Hagar, Sarah’s maid, “From where have you come, and where are you going?” (Genesis 16:8)

God spoke to Abraham after Sarah laughed about the pronouncement that she would have a baby. God said, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14a)

A man (God in angelic or human form) wrestled with Jacob. After the wrestling match the question was asked to Jacob, “What is your name?” (Genesis 32:27a)

Another Bible hero who was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time was the prophet Elijah. He was hiding in a cave on Mt. Horeb when the word of the Lord came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9).

God asked Job several questions in Job 38:1-8, but the most memorable is “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4a).

These eight questions indicate your self-identification; they reveal your relationship with God; and whether you trust, believe and submit to God’s authority. How would you have answered in each of the eight circumstances?

In the New Testament, the one key question God the Son, Jesus, asks that we must ponder is found in Luke 9:20. Jesus was talking with his disciples. Jesus asked the disciples, “who do people say I am”. Then Jesus asked his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

Peter answered correctly. Jesus is the anointed Son of God. Each of us must answer that question for ourselves. What is your answer to Jesus’ question?

Amen.

Ref: http://www.biblehub.com; http://www.beliefnet.com; http://www.amazingfacts.org

“The Baby Dedication”

I recently participated in a Baby Dedication. The dedication of babies to the Lord is not a new trend but has origins in the Bible. The idea of dedicating a child to the Lord can certainly be found in the Bible with Hannah, mother of Samuel; Manoah and his wife, who were parents of Samson, and Mary and Joseph, wherein Mary was the mother of Jesus.

Hannah was a barren wife who promised to dedicate her child to God if He would give her a son. When her son Samuel was born, after he was weaned, she took Samuel to the temple for dedication to the Lord (see 1 Samuel 1:11, 27-28).

Manoah and his wife in the book of Judges (chapter 13) were visited by an angel and given instructions to dedicate their son to be a Nazarite (an Israelite consecrated/dedicated to the service of God). Their son, Samson, was dedicated to the Lord while he was still in the womb.

Luke 2:22 begins the account of Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple after forty days in order to dedicate Him to the Lord. At the dedication of Jesus in the temple, Simeon and Anna, through the leading of the Holy Spirit proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. This indicates that even babies have a purpose and plan in God. This purpose and plan is identified through dedication of a baby to the Lord and confirmation through God’s providence.

So, let’s take a look at the importance of “The Baby Dedication”.

Theme: “The Baby Dedication”

Read Scripture: Matthew 19: 13-15 NIV reads,

“¹³ Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”

The Bible records that Jesus interacted with children. Jesus treated the children with kindness and love, therefore showing how much He values them.

The account of Jesus interacting with children is found in Mathew 19:13-15 and Mark 10: 13-16 as it reads, “People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ . . . And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10: 13–14, 16). Here Jesus not only welcomes the children into His presence but also blesses each one individually.

Jesus loved children and spent time with them. Jesus was concerned about their well-being and salvation. He didn’t restrict belief in Him to adults. Jesus knew that children had a faith that was not complicated and laden with analysis, rationale, and excuses. Their faith was pure and unencumbered. For this reason Jesus rebuked the disciples that tried to deny the little children from the presence and blessings of Jesus.

So, don’t neglect taking your children into the presence of Jesus. Don’t deny them opportunities for blessings and salvation. God’s Word in Proverbs 22:6 say, “Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.” Matthew 18:6, then goes on to give a warning that once a child believes in the Lord, whoever causes one of these children who believe in Jesus to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. So, we can see that the blessing and salvation of children was a serious matter in the past, in the present, and will be in the future.

It is a blessing to begin a baby’s life by dedicating him or her to the Lord!

Dedicating a baby to the Lord puts him or her in good standing in Christ along with Samuel, a priest and ruler over the affairs of God’s people; Samson, a man of faith empowered with supernatural strength to deliver God’s people from their enemies; and lastly, Jesus the Christ, the Savior of the world.

Amen.

“What is Truth…continued?”

Let’s review and continue from the previous blog; now when Jesus was arrested he was questioned by Pontius Pilate. During the questioning Pilate asked, “What is truth?” This same question resounds today as people begin to seek truth, develop, discover, invent it, and find it in sources other than the Holy Bible. Although, seeking truth in various sources is good intentioned; genuine truth cannot be found in any source except the Holy Bible – the inspired Word of God.

There are numerous historical writings from biblical antiquity, but they are for historical accounting not for practical living or worship. We don’t worship history. We worship the one and only True God, which is “God the Father”, “God the Son –Jesus”, and “God the Holy Spirit”.

Let’s “continue” to examine the reason behind the resurgence of asking the question, “What is truth?”

Theme: “What is Truth…continued?”

Read Scripture: John 18:37-38 KJV

³⁷ Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. ³⁸ Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

The truth of the Holy Bible is being challenged because people, just like Pilate seek to create, invent, discover, and find fault in the Holy Scripture. People seek to create their own truth. This is called “Moral Relativism”. The tenets of moral relativism are that there is no such thing as truth. Absolute truth does not exist. Everything is situational and circumstantial. Truth is discovered based on the present situation or circumstance. So, that what is true today, may not be true tomorrow. Each person can define his or her own truth.

Moral relativism is plainly described as the “have it your way – Burger King” truth. It is a way to not be held accountable for anything, because everything is subjective. The truth depends on who is telling it or living it. What a sad state of affairs to live a life where no absolutes exist. But, the Holy Bible (2 Timothy 4:3 NIRV) warns, “The time will come when people won’t put up with true teaching. Instead, they will try to satisfy their own desires. They will gather a large number of teachers around them. The teachers will say what the people want to hear.”

So, be aware, leery, and suspicious of claims of people, books, or sources that declare they have or contain hidden or secret information that discredits Jesus and/or the Holy Bible. Remember, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The Bible has not changed based on situations and circumstances. Its message has stood the test of time and its oldest writings if you go by when the Bible was first started to be written, the Bible is over 3,400 years old.

Lastly, remember Pilate in Luke 23:4 (KJV) concluded his questioning which examined Jesus by saying to the chief priests and people, “I find no fault in Him”. And neither should you.

Don’t get led astray.

Amen

“What is Truth?”

When Jesus was arrested he was questioned by Pontius Pilate. During the questioning Pilate asked, “What is truth?” This same question resounds today as people begin to seek truth, develop, discover, invent it, and find it in sources other than the Holy Bible. Although, seeking truth in various sources is good intentioned; genuine truth cannot be found in any source except the Holy Bible – the inspired Word of God. It is “sola scriptura”.

Sola scriptura (Ablative Latin -“by Scripture alone”) is the Christian doctrine that the Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of doctrine and practice.

Let’s examine the reason behind the resurgence of asking the question, “What is truth?”

Theme: “What is Truth?”

Read Scripture: John 18:37-38 KJV

³⁷ Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. ³⁸ Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

The truth of the Holy Bible is being challenged because people, just like Pilate are what the Bible refers to as “scoffers”. They seek to create their own truth. The word translated “scoffer” in English can mean “one who mocks, ridicules, or scorns the belief of another.” In Hebrew, the word translated “scoffer” or “mocker” can also mean “ambassador.” So a scoffer is one who not only disagrees with an idea, but he also considers himself an ambassador for the opposing idea. He cannot rest until he has demonstrated the foolishness of any idea that is not his own. A scoffer voices his disagreement, ridicules all who stand against him, and actively recruits others to join his side.

Psalm 1:1 gives us clear instruction about how to deal with scoffers: “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers” (NASB). The progression of unbelief begins with listening to ungodly counsel and ends with joining the scoffers. Second Peter 3:3 warns us that “in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires” (cf. Jude 1:18). We know from Scripture that scoffing will only increase as we near the time for Jesus’ return (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Scoffers have always been and will always be present in the world. But there is coming a promised day when “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10–11). On that day there will no longer be any scoffers. They will at last accept the truth, and their scoffing will be forever silenced. So, don’t allow the scoffers to discourage your faith.

Amen.

Ref: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-scoffers.htm

cf.–compare or make comparison

Ablative – drawn from or relating to

“Please and Thank You”

King David had many experiences in his lifetime. Some were glorious and others were disastrous. But in his lifetime he honored God with song (Psalm) that exalted God for His goodness, faithfulness, love, grace and mercy. King David was known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) because of his heart of genuine repentance when he sinned.

King David pleaded with God for forgiveness and was very thankful that God heard his cries and gave him solace in times of trouble. So, although King David is not necessarily a model of behavior in many areas; there is something we can learn from him about making requests to God. Requests that are highlighted with “please” expressions of sincerity, and remembering to complete those requests to God with praises of “thank you”. Let’s focus our thoughts on: “Please and Thank You”.

Theme: “Please and Thank You”

Read Scripture: Psalm 138 (MSG)

King David says in Psalm 138,

^1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.

^4-6 When they hear what you have to say, God, all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.” They’ll sing of what you’ve done: “How great the glory of God!” And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below; no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

^7-8 When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike my foes, With your other hand save me. Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.

Psalm 138 as read in the Message Bible method emphasizes in its expression of scripture a focus that connects with people and interprets God’s Word at the same time. So, it is used in this blog article to make a point. The point is King David’s surrender to God and pleasure in God’s attention to him and answering his need for both love and rescue. King David expresses an atmosphere of both please and thank you.

Today, the word “Please” gets its credited origin from the English. The word “please” is short for “if you please,”  or “if it pleases you to do this”. Its literal meaning is that “you are under no obligation to do this.” The word phrase, “Thank You” in English derives from “think”. It took on the meaning, “I will remember what you did for me” or “I am much obliged; I am in your debt.”

The meaning of “Please and Thank You” in today’s language and culture demonstrates that its’ meaning originates and spans across time, language, and cultural courtesies. King David sincerely realized and expressed his gratitude to God and his indebtedness to God. It was more than a courtesy. It was an obligation to acknowledge God as the giver of all good gifts and He is to be praised, worshipped, exalted and acknowledged for such. May we do likewise.

Amen!

“Pay Attention; God is Watching”

A story was recently told to me that reminded me of Matthew 25:31-46 which speaks of how we treat the less fortunate. The story was as follows:

A teacher evaluator arrived at an urban school and went into the classroom of a new teacher. The purpose of the visit to the classroom was to evaluate the new teacher’s competency in managing the classroom, teaching subject matter, and engaging the students in learning. Upon entering the classroom the evaluator saw a young boy about seven years’ old hiding under a classroom bench. The evaluator asked the new teacher how long the boy had been under the bench and what was he doing there. The new teacher simply said, “I don’t know how long he’s been there or what’s wrong with him this time.

The evaluator went over to the bench and smiled at the young boy and asked him to come from under the bench and out into the hall so that she could talk with him. The boy reluctantly agreed. When asked why he was under the bench, the boy threw his arm out in front of him and said, “Look at me; Look at me; I have nothing. The other kids make fun of me because I don’t have nice clothes, and my mother drinks and won’t even give me a quarter so that I can get the reduced lunch.” He then repeated, “Look at me; Look at me; I have nothing” and then burst into tears.

The evaluator was absolutely astonished that at such a young age, the little boy had already figured out that his lot in life was without hope. As the evaluator told me the story, she immediately burst into tears. She related that the incident occurred over five years ago, but even now when she recalls it, her heart breaks and tears automatically spring from her eyes and she becomes so emotional she can barely speak. Let’s focus our thoughts on: “Pay attention; God is Watching”. 

Theme: “Pay Attention; God is Watching”

Read Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46 

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

How many times have you seen someone that looked hopeless and simply hardened your heart about their circumstances? Your rational mind led you into thinking that person had a scam going to get your money. Your reasoning mind led you into thinking that person could certainly find a job if he or she wanted to get one… the unemployment rate is low, so jobs are plentiful. Your economic mind led you into thinking you have bills to pay, so you could not afford to give away your hard earned money. Your analytical mind led you into thinking the amount of energy that person is expending begging for money, they could have worked a part-time job. Your “self-righteous” mind led you into thinking, “God helps those that help themselves”.

But, what about a child, who is below the minimum age of employment; a child who is at the mercy of adults? What does your mind lead you to thinking about children that live in poverty? Are they simply invisible to you? Matthew 25:40b, 41b – 43, 45b tells us that we will be held accountable. The scripture says,

^40b‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 ^41b‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

^45b‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.

So, don’t let your mind lead you to destruction, but remember Romans 12:2 says, “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.

Factoid: The “Feeding America” organization states, “In 2014, 15.5 million or approximately 21 percent of children in the U.S. lived in poverty. How can 15.5 million children be invisible to you?

Amen!

“Amazing Grace”

Capital punishment is a topic that comes in the news periodically when a court ordered execution occurs. A few weeks ago a Georgian woman was executed by legal injection for the crime and conviction of murder. Although she did not commit the murder, she was the compelling influence for the murder. The woman committed adultery and convinced her partner in adultery to perpetrate the actual murder of her husband. So, this action brought capital punishment to once again become part of the crime and punishment debate in a civilized/modern society.

What caught my attention about the execution is that prior to the fatal injection, the woman sang, “Amazing Grace”. Let’s examine what the Bible says about capital punishment, forgiveness, repentance, and God’s amazing grace.

Theme: “Amazing Grace” 

Read Scriptures: 

Titus 2: 11 (NIV)

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 

Hebrews 4:16

¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

When the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Jesus and asked Him if she should be stoned, Jesus replied, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). This should not be used to indicate that Jesus rejected capital punishment in all instances. Jesus was simply exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

As we read the Old Testament law, death penalty commands for various acts are noted: murder (Exodus 21:12), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), bestiality (Exodus 22:19), adultery (Leviticus 20:10), homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), being a false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:5), prostitution and rape (Deuteronomy 22:24,) and several other crimes.

However, God often showed mercy when the death penalty was due. David committed adultery and murder, yet God did not demand his life be taken (2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-17; 2 Samuel 12:13). Ultimately, every sin we commit should result in the death penalty because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Thankfully, God demonstrates His love for us in not condemning us (Romans 5:8).

God is the One who instituted capital punishment: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Jesus would support capital punishment in some instances. Jesus also demonstrated grace when capital punishment was due (John 8:1-11). It is the power of the government to institute capital punishment where appropriate (Romans 13:1-7). So, we must recognize that God has given government the authority to determine when capital punishment is due (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-7).

But, what about the woman under the judgment of capital punishment singing, “Amazing Grace” before the lethal injection; what can we glean from it? Reports indicated she had become a born-again Christian while in prison. Let’s review the lyrics of John Newton’s composition, “Amazing Grace”.

The song, “Amazing Grace” reads as such:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

Was the woman acknowledging her previous state of being “lost and blind”, but now “found and seeing clearly” the error of her ways; her heart now pleading for forgiveness. Was she repentant (regretful, remorseful and turned from sin); yet resolved to receive the punishment for her crime knowing that she would soon be in the bright shining sun of praise to God’s and grace and comfort to her. Re-read the song above and reflect on it and God’s Grace extended to all sinners.

Amen!

Consideration to: http://www.gotquestions.org/death-penalty.html

“Grandma’s Mantle”

I recently unwrapped a quilt that I had carefully stored away. It was a quilt that my grandmother had sewn over 70 years ago. The quilt was very colorful with fabric pieces in various geometric shapes. The fabric pieces were taken from post-civil war clothing.

My grandmother learned from a child not to throw away old clothing but to keep it and cut it into fabric scraps to be used for quilting. So, she had old shirts and blouses belonging to her father and mother who lived during the mid-1800. She had cut them into scraps and kept them over the years so that she could make special quilts for her children and grandchildren. The quilts represented family, love, history, and legacy. The quilts were a mantle of sorts to be passed down from generation to generation.

Let’s examine grandmother’s mantle.

Theme: “Grandma’s Mantle”

Read Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19c

“and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.”

Reflection:

In the natural a mantle is an outer cloak or covering used for additional covering and warmth, especially at night. In the Spirit the mantle symbolizes an anointing of authority and greater works; and a spiritual mantle can be passed from one person to another.

Barbara Lardinais wrote, “Elijah was a prophet in Israel and Elisha was his student or disciple. Elisha ministered to Elijah and studied under him, earnestly desiring to operate the way he did. Elisha realized that the time was drawing near when Elijah would leave the earth. So, Elisha pressed in closer and refused to leave Elijah.

Before Elijah was translated into heaven, he asked Elisha, “what shall I do for you before I am taken from you?” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” (2 Kings 2:9)

Elijah told him, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, then your request is granted.” (Verse 10) Elisha did see Elijah leave in a chariot of fire and Elijah’s mantle fell from him and was received by Elisha. (Verse 13) Thereafter, Elisha also took up the work of his spiritual father, Elijah, and operated in his anointing. Elisha had asked for a double portion. And so it was. The Bible records twice as many miracles for Elisha as are recorded under Elijah’s ministry.

So, as Elijah passed his mantle to Elisha it represented an anointing, a blessing, and an expectation of greater works.

I think that is the same idea my grandmother had as she made quilts for her children and grandchildren. The quilts were to be a covering for warmth, but also a remembrance of an expectation that her progeny would go far beyond her accomplishments. And so it was…

Amen!

“The Oil of Gladness”

A few years ago my daughter, a biochemist, developed a hair anointing oil (http://www.bright-star-hair.com/) to give hair sheen, glow and rejuvenation. At that time, most hair compositions did not contain oil. But, after my daughter’s new product Press Release, we noticed many of the major hair vendors began to advertise every type of oil imaginable in their compositions. They included Argan Oil, Moroccain Oil, Shea Oil, Castor Oil, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Rosemary Essential Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil, and others.

Previously, oil had been shunned from hair topical compositions, but “now” it was gladly included.

So, let’s examine “The Oil of Gladness”

Theme: “The Oil of Gladness”

Read Scripture: Psalm 45:7

“Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy companions.”

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament speak of anointing oil. Gotquestions.com writes about anointing oil, stating “Anointing oil is mentioned 20 times in Scripture. It was used in the Old Testament for pouring on the head of the high priest and his descendants and sprinkling the tabernacle and its furnishings to mark them as holy and set apart to the Lord (Exodus 25:6; Leviticus 8:30; Numbers 4:16).” “The recipe for anointing oil is found in Exodus 30:23-24; it contained myrrh, cinnamon and other natural ingredients.”

“There is no indication that the oil or the ingredients had any supernatural power. Rather, the strictness of the guidelines for creating the oil was a test of the obedience of the Israelites and a demonstration of the absolute holiness of God”. Psalm 45:7 states, “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy companions.”

“Only four New Testament passages refer to the practice of anointing with oil, and none of them offer an explanation for its use. We can draw our conclusions from context. In Mark 6:13, the disciples anoint the sick and heal them. In Mark 14:3-9, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet as an act of worship. In James 5:14, the church elders anoint the sick with oil for healing. In Hebrews 1:8-9, God says to Christ as He returns triumphantly to heaven, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,” and God anoints Jesus “with the oil of gladness.”

What is specifically the “oil of gladness”? It is the resting upon and saturation of the Holy Spirit. The basic idea of anointing is to pour oil upon someone or something in order to acknowledge special service or to set apart for special service to God.

So, when you pray, Psalm 23 wherein verse 5b -6 states, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” You are acknowledging the abundance of God and that God has set you apart for His service.

So, although we certainly desire well-kept hair and appearance, we must always seek the better part of serving God and that is the desire for the anointing of the “Oil of Gladness”.

That is the difference others see in a Christian’s appearance. It is the glow of the “Oil of Gladness”.

Amen!