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  • Eugene Adkins 6:44 am on May 22, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Apologetics Press, , Churches of Christ Disaster Relief, , , God,   

    Future Debate Over Present Day and Past Disasters 

    Before the terrible tornadoes (of this year) took place in Oklahoma I received a news letter from Apologetics Press that announced plans for a future debate between brother Kyle Butt of Apologetics Press and Professor Bart Ehrman who is an author and a self-proclaimed “agnostic” when it comes to the belief of the Christian God. Accordingly, the topic will revolve around the existence of pain and suffering and the existence of God and the compatibility or incompatibility of the two. Please keep brother Kyle and the efforts of Apologetics Press in your prayers.

    Also, as I have said in the past, I would encourage those who have a desire to help with the relief effort in Oklahoma but no good means of doing so to keep The Churches of Christ Disaster Relief in mind. We support this effort at Keltonburg and I know that an untold number of lives have been physically and emotionally affected for the better as well as spiritually due to the many souls brought to Jesus through the help of this program and its efforts.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 8:48 am on May 20, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Alpha and Omega, , Fraternities, God, , , , Sororities   

    The Most Important Greek Letters 

    Icon for Greek Alphabet. Used in Vorlage:Griec...

    As many young Christians leave the High School arena and prepare to enter into the college realm they are going to be encouraged to give some thought into joining a fraternity house or a sorority club who proudly identify themselves with the various letters of the Greek alphabet. So what should you do as a young Christian in the face of the promising temptations that they offer? The answer is simple. Remember that the most important letters of the Greek alphabet are the Alpha and the Omega, and if their plans, ethics and morality don’t fit in between those two then you need to remind yourself that the house of the Lord will take you farther than any other house on campus.

    “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

     

  • Eugene Adkins 7:15 am on May 14, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , , , , ,   

    How Fast the Slippery Slope Carries Us(a)! 

    For three weeks in a row an American state has “legalized” homosexual marriages (New Hampshire, Delaware and Minnesota). It’s sad, but amazing, how fast the smoke blinds the eyes of a nation to the truth (Revelation 9:2), but ere goes the truth of a slippery slope – the farther down you go, the faster you go!

    And the surprising thing to me about it all is the virtual silence that’s coming with it. Most people don’t even know that these states are approving of something which is un-approvable. This is the tactic that’s now in play…out of sight, out of mind. Come to think about it, we’re already out of our minds, so it might as well be out of sight!

    How any individual can say “God Bless America” and at the same time say “homosexuals deserve the God-given right of marriage” with a straight face is beyond me. What God do they want blessing America? The god of their fleshly appetite (Philippians 3:19) – that’s which god!

    I thank my God – who is the God - for the freedoms that He has provided through His hand of providence; a hand I pray that continues to be us through the leaders who may still have an ounce of both common sense and spiritual sense (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

    The truth will continue to spread, the cross will still be victorious and God will continue to reign from His throne in Heaven regardless of how fast the slippery slope carries us as a nation away from all three. The kingdom of God is eternal – the kingdoms of men are only dust in the scales of time (Isaiah 40:15).

    “The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. The Lord is known by the judgment He executes; The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah. The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:15-17)

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:31 am on May 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , God, , , Praise Jehovah, ,   

    Psalm 150 Praise the LORD, not men! 

    These last 5 Psalms (146-150) are called “Hallelujah Psalms” because they begin and end with that expression: “Praise – Jehovah,” or “Hallelujah.” The author, date, and setting of each Psalm are undetermined, but their acceptance is unquestioned.

    Verse 1: Where to “praise God;”

    Verse 2: Why “praise God;”

    Verse 3-5: How to “praise God;”

    Verse 6: Who is to “praise God;”

    Verse 1: “Praise the LORD” is “Hallelujah,” or praise Jehovah, The Self-existent Deity; the next is “Praise God,” or “Halleluel,” or praise Elohim, “The Power.” God’s “sanctuary” is the designated, set aside place as “holy” where God should be worshiped. The first in the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 25:8; Hebrews 9:1-5) had a “sanctuary” where worship occurred, then “the Holiest of All” where God was represented as forgiving sins. Next, in the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1-17), there was the “sanctuary” and the “inner sanctuary.” Now the church of Christ (Hebrews 8:1-2; 9:6-12; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 6:16) is the “sanctuary,” but Heaven, itself, is “the Most Holy Place.”

    Verse 2: Praise Him because of “His mighty acts,” or all those miraculous or providential deeds far beyond “all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20-21). Praise Him for “His excellent greatness,” realizing nothing is great without God, but that all God does is greater than men (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

    Verses 3-5: David added musical instruments to God’s worship (1 Chronicles 23:5), called “instruments of David” authorized by his own authority and not God’s (1 Chronicles 15:16; 2 Chronicles 7:6), and condemned by God’s prophet, Amos (Amos 6:1, 5). The only musical instrument specified by God for the church of Christ is “your heart” (Ephesians 5:19), and there is no authorization in the New Testament for the bringing over and use of “instruments of music, like David.”  None of the instruments listed in Psalm 150 were ever used in the church of Christ by the authority of God.

    Verse 6: “Everything that has breath” means every living creature: those that are not human “praise God” because they demonstrate His Wisdom and Creative Power; those that are human praise with words and deeds from their heart: “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16).

    “Praise the LORD!”

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

    • Robert McCurdy 9:54 pm on May 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Thank you John for devoting your time and effort to produce a commentary on the Psalms. You did a great
      service for many disciples. May God continue to bless your writing efforts. Your knowledge and skill is evident.

  • John T. Polk II 4:09 am on May 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , God, judgment in writing, , , , ,   

    Psalm 149 The God Who Will Not Be Conquered 

    These last 5 Psalms (146-150) are called “Hallelujah Psalms” because they begin and end with that expression: “Praise – Jehovah,” or “Hallelujah.” The author, date, and setting of each Psalm are undetermined, but their acceptance is unquestioned.

    Verses 1-5 call for God’s People to praise Him for victory;

    Verses 6-9 call for praise and defeat of their enemies.

    Verses 1-5: (Verse 1) “A new song” indicates a “new heart,” celebrating a “new victory,” and a “new life.” “The assembly of the saints” is a worship service, where “God is greatly to be feared” (Psalm 89:7). In America, every time there is disaster, trouble, destruction, criminal death, or missing person, there is some candlelight “coming together.” When Peter was kept in prison with the intent of killing him, the church of Christ gathered for prayer (Acts 12:12), not candles! (Verse 2) The people, Israel, especially their religious center, Zion, should rejoice with (verse 3) “dance” and “timbrel and harp,” just as their forefathers had done when God parted the Red Sea for them to escape Egypt and be their own Nation (Exodus 14:21-15:21). (Verse 4) God’s “pleasure” is in His People, who develop beautiful, spiritual character. (Verse 5) “Saints” should be joyful, even on “their beds,” formerly places of sorrow.

    Verses 6-9: (Verse 6) While praising God with their “mouth,” “And a two-edged sword in their hand.” This sounds like the Israelites re-building the wall of Jerusalem when they were returned to their Promised Land (Nehemiah 4:17). Apparently, there was no “gun control” then! A dis-armed people can do nothing against the enemies of God! (Verse 7) “Bearing the sword” in “vain” (meaninglessly), or using the power of the sword against “good works,” violates God’s intended purpose for “governing authorities” (Romans 13:1-5). Today, Christians are to praise God while Government uses the sword to be “God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:4).

    (Verse 8) God’s government, acting as His minister, defeats evil. (Verse 9) God’s “judgment” in writing was: “When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them” (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). Today, the “sword of the Spirit” in a Christian hand, “is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17), and the “nations,” “peoples,” “kings,” and “nobles” must be conquered by teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). Since Jesus Christ established His spiritual kingdom on Earth in the 1st Century, there has been NO “Christian carnal war” waged against Muslims, Jews, or anyone else, for that matter, and therefore NO justification for persecuting the churches of Christ! All of those who persecute Christians, even to death, are persecuting Jesus (Acts 9:1-5), and, unless they repent, He will damn them forever (2 Thessalonians 1:3-10)!

    “Praise the LORD!”

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:00 am on May 9, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , God,   

    Psalm 148 The God Who Will Be Heard 

    These last 5 Psalms (146-150) are called “Hallelujah Psalms” because they begin and end with that expression: “Praise – Jehovah,” or “Hallelujah.” The author, date, and setting of each Psalm are undetermined, but their acceptance is unquestioned. Psalm 148 is the basis of the lyric for the hymn, “Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens Adore Him” with a tune written by Franz J. Haydn. “Praise the Lord” is used some 12 times in its 14 verses.

    Verses 1-2 let us know God is praised above His Creation;

    Verses 3-6 let us know God is praised in what we call “space;”

    Verses 7-13 let us know God is praised among the living creatures on the Earth;

    Verse 14 lets us know God is praised among His people.

    Verses 1-2: Jehovah is praised in the “heights.” God’s praise comes from the Heavenly “host,” a multitude of which announced Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:13), and twelve legions of which could have kept Jesus from the cross (Matthew 26:53).

    Verses 3-6: God spoke into existence the: “sun and moon” (Genesis 1:14-18),  “stars of light” (Genesis 1:16), “heavens of heavens,” “waters above the heavens” (Genesis 1:6-8). Verse 6 says, “He made a decree which shall not pass away.” Everything in space operates with such precision, timing, and position as to totally devastate any vestige of godless doctrines, such as “Evolution.” It is pathetic to see minds wasted repeating the mantras of “millions and billions of years” in describing this Earth, when ALL OF THE CREATION IS PRAISING GOD!

    Verses 7-13: Praise of God comes “From the earth,” creatures below; weather above the surface; the surface itself; animals, reptiles, birds; all people “praise God.” NO ONE CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON THE EARTH AND FAIL TO “PRAISE GOD.” Animals, reptiles, birds are different from each other, and No Scientific Fact demonstrates they came from one another! All animals of the earth are different from humans, and NO Scientific Fact demonstrates that humans came from animals! “For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4). Everything God Created shouts “Hallelujah,” everyone who seeks to explain that Creation by substituting Time & Chance for God profanes and degrades all of it.

    Verse 14: God should be praised by His People whom He has “exalted” and brought “near” to Him!

    “Praise the LORD.”

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:00 am on May 8, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , God, , , , , ,   

    Psalm 147 Jehovah is God – And We’re NOT! 

    These last 5 Psalms (146-150) are called “Hallelujah Psalms” because they begin and end with that expression: “Praise – Jehovah,” or “Hallelujah.” The author, date, and setting of each Psalm are undetermined, but their acceptance is unquestioned.

    Verse 1 calls for praise;

    Verses 2-6 give Israelite outcasts reasons to praise God;

    Verse 7 calls for praise;

    Verses 8-11 give those who fear Him reasons to praise God;

    Verse 12 calls for Israelites to praise God;

    Verses 13-18 call attention to God’s absolute Power;

    Verses 19-20 call Israelites’ attention to God’s special Word to them.

    Verse 1: Sing “Hallelujah” because it is “good,” “pleasant,” “beautiful.”

    Verses 2-6: Jehovah “builds up Jerusalem” by making sure the “outcasts” are included. These are people who might be rejected by the religious snobs and overlooked for blessings. Verses 2-3 describe the work of Jesus Christ when He came (Jeremiah 30:10-17; Luke 4:16-20). God can account for all of Israel’s “outcasts” because only He knows the number, but also the name, of the stars. With all of today’s technologies, humans haven’t even seen all of the stars, yet! Although God is “great,” “mighty in power,” infinite in “understanding,” He compassionately “lifts up the humble,” but does not do the same for “the wicked.”

    Verse 7: Praise should be sung, and the instruments of David left behind, for the only instrument that should accompany worship singing today is “your heart” (Ephesians 5:19).

    Verses 8-11: The Earth follows God’s physical rules, as those who “fear Him” follow His spiritual rules: from cloud coverings come rain; from rain comes grass on mountains; from grass (greenery) comes food for beasts and ravens asking. God’s pleasure is not in the strength of horses or men’s legs, but “in those who hope in His mercy.”

    Verse 12: Israel, whose capital of Jerusalem, was also its’ worship center, Zion, is alerted to “praise your God.”

    Verses 13-18: A God-blessed nation has: 1) strong “bars” of its “gates.” Aren’t we talking about keeping out illegal immigrants, outsiders who corrupt, and disguised terrorists? A godless society has no limits! 2) blessed “children,” and this is not discussing their toys, games, sports, or other distractions, but genuine faith. 3) internal “peace,” and this is not with martial law, or a police state, but citizens with faithful obedience to God’s moral Law; 4) abundant harvest, because God has made the land cooperate and bless (Acts 14:14-17). It is by God’s Command that the Earth is blessed with: “snow,” “frost,” “hail,” “cold,” “melting,” blowing wind, and flowing water!

    Verses 19-20: God gave the Israelites (including Jews!) the advantage of “His Word,” including His “statutes” and “judgments.” That Word should have lead them all the way to Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 4:5; Leviticus 26:40-46; Malachi 4:4; Galatians 3:7-29). No other nation ever had that advantage of specific written revelation through prophets, and yet when Jesus came, “although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him” (John 12:37). Paul asked the question: “What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:1-4). God had given the Jews the advantage of having His Word first. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Having God’s Word, knowing it, and obeying it is our advantage, today. Jesus said: “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother” (Mark 3:35).

    “Praise the LORD” or “Hallelujah!”

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:01 am on May 7, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , God, , , , , ,   

    Psalm 146 What Has God Done For Me, Lately? 

    These last 5 Psalms are called “Hallelujah Psalms” because they begin and end with that expression: “Praise – Jehovah,” or “Hallelujah.” The author, date, and setting of each Psalm is undetermined, but their acceptance is unquestioned.

    Verses 1-4 urge when God should be praised;

    Verses 5-10 explain why God should be praised.

    Verses 1-4: Praise should be given to God “while I live.” Duh! This is a statement of the obvious. The Word of God nowhere encourages anyone to not praise God until after death. Trust should not be transferred from God to “princes” (government leaders) or “a son of man” (humans in general), for deliverance. The middle verse of the entire Word of God says this: “It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8). Humans die when the spirit goes back to God and the body is left on earth (Ecclesiastes 12:7), so that “in that very day his plans perish.”

    Verses 5-10: “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, because He:

    1. Is The God over History (verse 5), Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel” (Genesis 32:24-30), and God watched over those people (Isaiah 48) through the coming of Jesus Christ in the New Testament (Galatians 3:5-29);

    2. Is The God over Creation (verse 6), which shows absolute, total wisdom in its very existence and orderliness (Proverbs 8:12, 22-31). All scientific factual discoveries, whether in Physics, Biology, or Chemistry are simply the uncovering of God’s Wisdom behind this World’s constitution;

    3. Is The God over Justice (verse 7), evening the suppression or oppression of the hungry and imprisoned (Luke 4:16-41);

    4. Is The God over Perfecting the Needy (verse 8), with physical healing through Jesus Christ (Matthew 15:30; Luke 13:11-13), then spiritually through His Word (Acts 26:12-19). God loves the righteous, those who do His will (1 Peter 3:8-12);

    5. Is The God over Benevolence (verse 9), for He has always made rules for His people to help strangers, orphans, and widows (Exodus 22:21; Hebrews 13:2; Psalm 68:4-5; James 1:27);

    6. Is The God over Eternity (verse 10, a quotation of Exodus 15:18), Who is timeless (Isaiah 57:15; Acts 15:18).  

    “Praise the LORD.”   

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version,  unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:18 am on May 6, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , God, gracious, mighty acts, near, , , , , , sons of men,   

    Psalm 145 The God Who Cannot Be Hidden 

    This Psalm of David is the last of the “alphabetical” Psalms that is written in acrostic style. Each verse begins with the next letter in the 22-letter Hebrew alphabet, except for the letter nun. Thus, instead of 22 verses, it only has 21. It easily divides into thirds, each a 7-letter section.

    Verses 1-7 emphasize that God is Awesome;

    Verses 8-14 emphasize that God is Gracious;

    Verses 15-21 emphasize that God is For All.

    Verses 1-7: People who know God have reason to “praise His name,” “forever and ever,” for “His greatness is unsearchable.” Passing praise for God from one generation to another is a most effective way to influence the future. Godly Fathers, Mothers, Grandparents who “meditate on” God’s “majesty” and “wondrous works” make the best teachers. Moses taught Israel: “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9). Timothy had “genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:4-5). If the truth about God skips even one generation, “the memory of Your great goodness” can be lost.

    Verses 8-15: Among God’s perfection in characteristics, He is “good to all.” He truly “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Indeed, His works speak for themselves, and when discussed His saints bless Him and make them know to “the sons of men,” an expression that refers to those who are not yet “saints.” Living in a country whose government does everything in its power to ban mention of God in its schools, agencies, and workers, we can see that Psalm 145:10-13 are a clarion call for all “saints” to get busy “making known” to “the sons of men” God’s “mighty acts!” If we do not, NO ONE WILL! To a world of skeptics, agnostics, and atheists, “The LORD upholds all who fall” should be our marquee. God not only IS, but CARES, and HELPS in our salvation.

    Verses 16-21: People hopefully expect God to provide, which He does, “in due season.” It is from His “opened Hand” blessings come. The LORD is “righteous” (upright, principled) “in all His ways,” “gracious” (thoughtful, helpful) “in all His works,” and “near” (not distant, aloof) “to all who call upon Him.” Paul’s appeal to idolaters said this in Acts 17:25-28. God is bountiful in His care for “those who fear Him” and promises to “destroy” “all the wicked.” The amazing thing about the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that it enables “the wicked” to become “saints” when they “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

    Because God treats everyone right, why wouldn’t our mouths “speak the praise of the LORD,” and “all flesh” “bless His holy name” “forever and ever?”

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:00 am on May 3, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , fortress, God, , , , , , , , , refuge, Rock, , , unhappiness,   

    Psalm 144 How To Live In A Happy State 

     This Psalm of David shows why God saw David as “a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22). This Psalm is from a heart that knows what God’s grace and mercy is all about!

    Verses 1-2 acknowledge who is with David on his throne over Israel;

    Verses 3-4 recognize how short the rule of a man is compared to God’s reign;

    Verses 5-10 show who really deserves praise for victory over enemies;

    Verses 11-15 summarize where a nation’s blessings and strengths come from.

    Verses 1-2: “The LORD” was David’s “Rock” not a castle. God guided David’s conquests; God showed what “lovingkindness” was like in between battles; David’s “fortress” (protective dwelling), “high tower” (lofty position above the enemy), “shield” (protection against soldiers’ attacks) and “refuge” (safe haven), were all in God. Thus if David’s “people” didn’t obey God, David wouldn’t be king of a nation! Would that Governments recognized this today (John 19:10-11)!

    Verses 3-4: “What is man” is the question David asks that shows great humility (Psalm 8:4). What makes us think we are so important that God would notice us? We are important not because of what we have done, but what God has done (Hebrews 2:17-18)! We do not live long enough to be impressive (James 4:13-15).

    Verses 5-10: God, however, is so impressive that He can “come down” over the Earth; make mountains smoke; use lightning strikes; all as weapons of war “from above.” It is God “from above” who “rescues” the righteous from a flood of “foreigners” hurling “lying words” and lying handshakes.  Those who serve God cannot expect those who do not to be following the same rules in the same way! Christian behavior is not universal, but should be (Ephesians 5:1-17)! It is God who deserves praise for our salvation and daily life. The “harp of ten strings” was an instrument of David (1 Chronicles 23:5) which appealed to the spiritually lazy (Amos 6:3-7) and was condemned. No man-made musical instrument was authorized by Moses’ Law.

    Verses 11-15: It would be by God’s rescue that the Nation of Israel would have: sturdy “sons” and “daughters;” plentiful “produce” and “sheep” and “oxen;” and no external raids nor internal struggles. A nation of people who respect God, will have “sons” who mature like plants and know their work to be done; “daughters” who accept their role of “pillars” as wife and mother; “produce” for people who know how to save for the next crop; fertile “sheep;” “oxen” useful for burdens; peaceful living without disruptiveness. Truly such a nation is “happy,” for “Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” The plague of America is unhappiness, and it has become pandemic because people do not have the LORD God. “Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:1-3). “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son” (1 John 5:11). “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). DO YOU KNOW GOD?

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:03 am on May 2, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , God, , , , servant of God,   

    Psalm 143 What If The Spirit Is Not Willing? 

    This Psalm of David tells us what to expect of life before death! Living for God in a hostile world is not easy but requires trust in God and a strong faith in His Word.

    Verses 1-2 give the plea;

    Verses 3-8 detail the spiritual struggle within;

    Verses 9-12 ask for spiritual awakening.

    Verses 1-2: “Prayer” is speaking to God, “supplication” is to ask of God. “Prayer and supplication” are often connected in Scripture (1 Kings 8:37-40; Philippians 4:6). Without repentance and forgiveness, no human would be acceptable to God. No one is acceptable to God who: says they are (Luke 18:9-14); thinks they obey (Matthew 7:21-23); confesses no sin (1 John 1:8-10); works wickedness (Psalm 101:3-4); hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:15).

    Verses 3-8: Enemies, in persecuting our souls, may make us feel “crushed,” surrounded in darkness, lifeless and overwhelmed. Reading and meditating on the Word of God helps us “remember” God’s help in the past. “Meditate” is the focus on God’s “Works,” “musing” is thinking through His Way, spreading out one’s hands is to show God we hold nothing back from our obedience. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). When we feel our spirit fail, an alarming thought is that God would turn away from us, thus Jesus cried out from the cross: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Jesus was taking our place on the cross (1 Peter 3:18). If we will remember God’s “lovingkindness,” then our “trust” in Him who has shown us “the way in which I should walk” will “lift up my soul to You.”

    Verses 9-12: David asks God to “deliver” him from enemies, “teach” him to do God’s will, and “lead” all the way into “the land of uprightness.” God’s “Spirit is good,” so Christians should “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). A soul delivered from trouble is a soul “revived.” God is merciful to His Servants – anyone may become a “servant of God.” Daniel was spared in a den of lions because he was a “servant of the living God” (Daniel 6:20).

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 10:00 am on May 1, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , cave, , , , God, , , overwhelmed, prison,   

    Psalm 142 From the Depth of Despair 

    This Psalm of David may well have been written from the cave of Adullam, while King Saul pursued him to kill him (1 Samuel 22:1).

    Verses 1-3 picture the “caveman” mindset;

    Verses 4-7 show the difference between refuge and prison.

    Verses 1-3: “Cry out” indicates his desperate situation, “supplication” is a prayer presenting a problem to God, but asking for help with it. David’s “complaint” is not with God, but a presentation of his “trouble” that he would “pour out.” David’s “spirit was overwhelmed within” him, more than once (Psalm 61:2; 77:3; 143:4). This perfectly expresses what we all feel like sometimes when life is too much to handle! Jesus shows how not to let this get to us. “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:3).

    Verses 4-7: Before David’s men gathered to him, he knew “no one who acknowledges” him, his insecurity noted that “refuge has failed” him. In complete despair, he said: “No one cares for my soul.” Jesus reached this moment, for on His way to the cross, “they all forsook Him and fled” (Mark 14:50). Paul had this moment, for he said: “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me” (2 Timothy 4:16). The common thread woven through these faithful men is the LORD never left them: David “cried out to You, O LORD” (Psalm 142:5); “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46); “the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17). God was David’s “portion in the land of the living.” As long as David was alive, God was with him. When “persecutors” seem “stronger than I,” never forget God, for He never forgets us. Life can become our “prison,” but once released from this “very low” time, we are freed to “praise” God, and enjoy the fellowship of the “righteous” who “shall surround” us. God abundantly blesses those faithful to Him. Joseph was released from a dungeon through God’s gift of interpretation of dreams (Genesis 39-41); Samson through his renewed covenant strength (Judges 16:21-31); Jesus releases people from their prison of sin (Isaiah 42:5-7; Luke 4:14-21); the Apostles were set free to preach Jesus (Acts 5:17-25). Everyone who remains faithful to God in whatever prison they find themselves, must learn they are not alone.

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:02 am on April 30, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , God, , , , , , snares, traps, , ,   

    Psalm 141 Shut My Mouth 

    This Psalm of David could have originated at one of several times in his life, so the historical background is not definitely set, but it clearly is similar to other of his Psalms.

    Verses 1-2 appeal to God to hear this prayer;

    Verses 3-4 concerned with one’s words;

    Verse 5-concerned with one’s thoughts;

    Verses 5c-7 concerned with one’s bones;

    Verses 8-10 concerned with one’s eyes.

    Verses 1-2: To “cry out” expresses immediate need(s). For prayer to be “set before” God “as incense” (Exodus 30:1-10), helps us see that when Moses’ Law was taken out of the way by the cross of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:14-16), Christian prayers ascend before God instead of incense (Revelation 5:8).

    Verses 3-4: It is not asking for God to choose our words, but knowing we have called attention to the problem we have with wrong words should keep us more keenly aware (Matthew 12:34-37). “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26). “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2). In fact, David realizes, to avoid sin, we must not lean toward “any evil thing,” “practice wicked works,” associate with evil workers, or commonly associate with sinners. This progression into sin is similar to Psalm 1.

    Verse 5: If we find ourselves heading in the wrong direction, the rebuke of a righteous person should bring us back to spirituality. “Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed” (Proverbs 27:5). “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).

    Verses 5c-7: Our prayers should be not only for us to be strong, but for the wicked to be blunted and weakened. “Judges” are their leaders, but “sweet” “words” of a prayerful appeal to God can see them taken down. Their damage, however, may break up God’s people as if physical bodies had been plowed under!

    Verses 8-10: “Eyes,” rightly focused on the goal, must not be misled. Once a person has been buried in the water of baptism into Jesus’ death (and not before), and raised to a new life with Him (Romans 6:3-5), they are saved (1 Peter 3:21). “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3). By obeying God and following Jesus Christ, God will “keep” (avoid sin, 1 John 3:6) a Christian from the “snares” and “traps” the wicked continually provide. It was the partial obedience of the Israelites in cleaning the wicked nations out of the Promised Land, that God warned they would become “snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God has given you” (Joshua 23:13). “Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them” (Proverbs 22:5). David did not pray out of vengeance or hatred, but simply that God let “the wicked fall into their own nets” and he be allowed to “escape.” When the wicked are treated with their own wickedness is not only just, it is fair for the righteous. “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him” (Proverbs 26:27). A rolling stone may not gather moss, but often it punishes the ones who started it rolling!

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:50 am on April 29, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God, , , , , Spiritual Analogies   

    Only the Outside??? 

    This morning I’m going to wash my daughter’s sippi-cups (or however you spell those things). But it may be that I’m going to be as good a dishwasher as I am a speller!

    dirty dishes

    (Photo credit: .imelda)

    Why’s that? Because I’m only going to wash the outside her cups. After all, it’s the outside that has all of the pictures that she likes to look at. And no one else can see the inside so they’ll think I did a good job. And it’s only the outside that I have to touch so why would I bother with the inside??? Maybe because the inside is what she’s actually going to be drinking from!!!

    What if we treated our lives the way I talked about treating my daughter’s dirty dishes? What if we only spent time cleaning up ourselves on the outside spiritually speaking? What if we made sure that we appeared to be spotless to the eyes of others but the inside of our heart acted, reacted and thought in a completely opposite way? If we did that then we’d hear:

    “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” (Matthew 23:25-26)

    If it makes no sense to only wash the outside of dirty dishes then why would it make any sense to only have a desire to appear righteous? After all, isn’t it the inside that holds what’s important?

    “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:19-22)

     

  • John T. Polk II 3:52 am on April 29, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , evil men, , God, , , , , violent men, vipers   

    Psalm 140 Deliver Me From Evil 

    A Psalm of David that recognizes how evil surrounds someone trying to live right. Paranoia involves fear without facts – this Psalm, however, deals with facts that give ample reason to be aware and careful! “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked” (2 Peter 3:17).

    Verses 1-5 pray for preservation from evil men;

    Verses 6-7 reassert confidence in God;

    Verses 8-11 pray for persecution on the wicked;

    Verses 12-13 remind the upright of their reward.

    Verses 1-5: God is asked to “Deliver me” “from evil men; “Preserve me from violent men;” “Keep me” “from the hands of the wicked.” Jesus taught His disciples to pray “do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). “Evil men” are those who: plan it in their hearts; gather for war; hone their tongues like serpents; speak venomously. Psalm 140:3 is quoted in Romans 3:13 to help describe sinners in need of Jesus Christ. Little wonder that John the Baptist (Luke 3:7), then Jesus (Matthew 12:34; 23:33), called their generation of Jews a “brood of vipers.” “The wicked” are those determined to “make my steps stumble;’’ hidden a snare to tie me up; “spread a net;” “set traps,” all designed to stop a faithful person from being faithful!

    Verses 6-7: David’s God hears his supplication, provides strength to save, and protects his head in battle.

    Verses 8-11: If the wicked are unpunished, their pride swells. Solomon would later say: “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). David’s prayer is that: their evil words are turned back upon them; they are consumed by fire; their slander goes unproven; evil men fight it out with the violent men! Worldly people “slander” the message of salvation: “For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And why not say, ‘Let us do evil that good may come?’–as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just” (Romans 3:7-8). “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:18).

    Verses 12-13: Regardless of the opposition, God will prevail on behalf of the “afflicted,” giving “justice for the poor,” being thanked by the righteous, and receiving the upright to “dwell” in His presence.

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 7:44 am on April 28, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God, , , , Nicodemus,   

    A Line Has Been Drawn 

    “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:19-29)

    When Jesus said“this is the condemnation” the Bible uses the Greek word “krisis” (kree-sis). Krisis means that a separating, a sundering, a trial or a selection has taken place. You can hear our English word “crisis” in that. The technical meaning (which is important because we often only think of it emotionally) of crisis according to Webster is, “a turning point in the course of anything; decisive or crucial time, stage, or event.” Sound similar to you?

    In the context, Jesus is telling Nicodemus that a “krisis” has come – a point in time had come that was separating or drawing a line between the righteous and the wicked, and it’s not turning back.

    Why is this so important for Nicodemus to hear? Because the Pharisees (a group of whom Nicodemus was a member) had chosen their own works in place of God’s works. They had rejected John’s message and baptism! And to whom did John’s message and baptism point toward? The very Light that was being used to draw the line between the wrong and the right:

    “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” (John 1:6-9)

    To reject John was to reject Jesus, to reject Jesus was to reject God, and to reject God was truly a “krisis” in one’s life that would have great consequences!

    Jesus is God’s dividing line, not because Christianity says so, but because God says so. So what side of the line are we going to stand on?

     

  • Eugene Adkins 5:45 am on April 26, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , God, , , Bible Examples of Faithfulness, hope and faith   

    Heaven isn’t Made for Quitters 

    Did Peter quit believing after denying Jesus?

    Did Moses go back to Egypt after striking the rock?

    Did Noah do away with his faith after he drank too much?

    Did John Mark give up on spreading the gospel after bailing out the first time?

    Did Paul allow his past to keep him from serving God after he realized what he had done?

    Did Thomas quit walking in the way after doubting it?

    Did Abraham forget about God’s promise after his own plan failed?

    Did David quit standing for what was right after doing so much wrong?

    Did John the baptizer write off Jesus after a moment of insecurity?

    What about us?

    There are plenty of people in the Bible who threw it all away never to return to God, but there are plenty of people who fell, and fell hard, but they got back up by God’s grace. They got back up and got back in the game. We need, I need, to know about these people. God’s grace isn’t for perfect people. It’s for perfected people! And reading about these perfected people can give us hope and faith. Hope and faith that the love of God manifested through His Son is genuine. Humanity is made up of humans, and humans err, but may we never err so much that we refuse to confess it. Quit? Heaven isn’t made for the quitters – it’s made for you and me!

    “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25)

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 7:36 am on April 26, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Love that title. And the message. One we all need to hear. Thanks!

      • Eugene Adkins 7:53 am on April 27, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks for the compliment, Randal. I thought about using Psalm 37:24, but I thought Jude might fit better with the grace idea being included in the “presented faultless” aspect. Have a great day!

  • John T. Polk II 4:00 am on April 26, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , enemy, God, hates, , , pantheism, , ,   

    Psalm 139 Father Knows Us Best 

    This Psalm of David gives a picture of how thoroughly God knows us. We should seek to know Him as completely as we can, for “when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods” (Galatians 4:8); “the world through wisdom did not know God” (1 Corinthians 1:21); “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8); Jesus Christ will be “taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

    Verses 1-6 show how completely God knows about our individual lives;

    Verses 7-12 show how useless it is for anyone to try to flee from God;

    Verses 13-16 show when God begins to know us;

    Verses 17-18 show how completely we should know God;

    Verses 19-22 show how completely we should side with God;

    Verses 23-24 show how completely open we should be with ourselves and God.

    Verses 1-6: There is no one who knows and understands us like God does: not Mother, Father, Children, Husband or Wife, close friend. God interacts with individual lives by examination, constant monitoring, complete understanding of our thinking, hearing all our words, protecting and guiding at times, all exceeding our own understanding of ourselves!

    Verses 7-12: As Adam and Eve discovered in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6-8), there is nowhere God cannot find us: Heaven (as if we could!)? He is there; “Hell” (Sheol, the place beyond the body’s grave, where departed spirits dwell)? He is there; fly as fast as the light of a new day (as if we could!)? dive as deep as the sea goes? He still could guide and hold us; be surrounded by total darkness? God sees as if it was still light. God is everywhere, but He is NOT everything! God is Creator NOT the Creation! Pantheism is totally wrong in this concept.

    Verses 13-16: God designs, develops, and delivers each and every human baby ever born! For each and every human baby, while in the womb, God “covered” (intricately weaves together) our organs; “fearfully and wonderfully” develops the baby; makes the skeleton support structure; begins His work on “unformed” “substance” (Hebrew term for embryo), prepared the baby to live “the days fashioned for me” (plans for the baby to live its life on earth). Abortion is the destroying of the work of God, and wise Solomon said: “I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him” (Ecclesiastes 3:14). Abortion is taking from the work of God!

    Verses 17-18: There is much more about God than we can grasp, but we should learn all we can while we can. The Word of God is the gradual unfolding of the revelation of God.

    Verses 19-22: Instead of demanding God to “side” with us, we should get on God’s “side.” There should be no evil work a Christian would practice, plan, or proceed to do: terrorism, abortion, self-centeredness, drunkenness/drug abuse, divisiveness, fornication/adultery, lust, or anything else contrary to “sound doctrine.” Whatever God condemns, Christians should condemn. Whatever God hates, Christians should hate. Whoever is an enemy of God, should be an enemy to a Christian. No Christian should compromise this commitment to God for any  political platform, union slogan, or gang fidelity!

    Verses 23-24: An open heart asks for God to check it out, and is willing for Him to “lead me in the way everlasting.” Why wait? God provides for Christians to “examine themselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:31-32).

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:04 am on April 25, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , God, God's Name, , , , , ,   

    Psalm 138 God’s Name Works 

    A Psalm of David that is so typical of David’s other Psalms, full of praise to God.

    Verses 1-2 God’s Name is worshiped above all gods;

    Verses 3-5 God’s Name is glorified above all kings;

    Verses 6-8: God’s Name reaches to all people.

    Verses 1-2: (Verse 1) Praise to God should include the “whole heart” out of which we “sing praises.” David, with all the musical instruments introduced by him into worship, felt praise involved singing from the heart, in spite of others’ “gods.” In the New Testament, Christians should, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). (Verse 2) What God has done in “lovingkindness” and “truth” distinguish Him above all.

    Verses 3-5: (Verse 3) David’s boldness came from God’s answering His pleas. No proof of God’s care is better than experience, and hindsight is always 20/20! (Verse 4) “Kings of the earth” quickly learn Jehovah God is mightier than they are. (Verse 5) When defeated, even they join in God’s praises (Example Daniel 4).

    Verses 6-8: (Verse 6) God never loses sight of, or sensitivity toward, “the lowly.” No one is too minute or insignificant but that God will hear. But “the proud” God recognizes from “afar,” that is, God doesn’t need to have them close to know how to deal with them. “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:5-6). (Verse 7) “In the midst of trouble” God “revives” (refreshes), extends a protecting “hand,” offers His “right hand” to “save.” Since Jesus said God is “spirit” (John 4:24) which has no “flesh and bones” (Luke 24:39), then all references to God’s “body” of physical characteristics obviously are figures of speech designed to help us understand Him. (Verse 8) God looks better to our cares than we can, which is why we should cast “all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). He does this out of His “mercy” which “endures forever.” “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:17 am on April 24, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Babylon, , , , , God, , , payback, ,   

    Psalm 137 What 70 Years of Regret Did 

    Because of their horrendous sins, God’s people (both Northern Israel and Southern Judah) were violently removed from their Promised Land for 70 years (2 Kings 17:5-23; 2 Chronicles 36:15-23). This Psalm was clearly written to express the Israelites’ sense of loss and regret while in Babylon, and their anticipation of revenge which God would bring against the Babylonians. That “payback” came at the hands of Cyrus, king of Persia, who then caused the Israelites to return and rebuild their Holy City, Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Jeremiah 50:18-32).

    Verses 1-6 state the woeful lesson learned;

    Verses 7-9 give the somber belief that God repays “in kind” (Jeremiah 50:29).

    Verses 1-6: Being “by the rivers of Babylon” instead of their Jordan River was a constant reminder of why they were in Babylon. Those rivers included the Tigris and Euphrates, Chebar (Ezekiel 1:3), and the Ulai (Daniel 8:2). Israelite sorrow was so deep they “wept” when they thought about destroyed Jerusalem; “hung [their] harps” because there was nothing to sing about, even though their captors requested a song; and prayed for their “right hand” become useless and “tongue” stick to the “roof of” their mouth, if they tried to forget their “chief joy” should be in Jerusalem.

    Verses 7-9: Israel was descended from Jacob, and his twin, Esau, became known as “Edom” (Genesis 25:30; 36:1). “Edom,” thus was a name for non-Israelites, or “nations” in the Old Testament and “Gentiles” in the New Testament. The Babylonians who had destroyed Jerusalem are represented by the term “sons of Edom” and specifically, “daughter of Babylon” whom God was going to destroy at the time of this Psalm. That destruction has already taken place, and a lingering prophecy still affects that place today. “Babylon” is modern Iraq, and the first “Gulf War” was fought when Saddam Hussein declared he would excavate ancient Babylon and bring it back to its former glory. God had decreed otherwise: “’Then it will come to pass, when seventy years are completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity,’ says the LORD; ‘and I will make it a perpetual desolation’” (Jeremiah 25:12; also see Jeremiah 51:24-26, 59-64).  (Psalm 137: 8-9) These verses reflect what God promised would happen to Babylon: “’Let the violence done to me and my flesh be upon Babylon,’ The inhabitant of Zion will say; ‘And my blood be upon the inhabitants of Chaldea!’ Jerusalem will say” (Jeremiah 51:35). Babylon’s bloodshed of innocent children in Jerusalem was repaid in kind when the Persians did the same to Babylonian babies.

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:20 am on April 23, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , God, head knowledge, , heart feelings, , , Matters of the Faith,   

    Feelings Don’t Tell the Whole Story 

    Many people rely solely upon how they feel when it comes to their relationship with God and the salvation that is offered through Jesus. Feelings alone work no better than faith alone! One may say that’s not true, but I ask have you not read:

    “So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him.” (Genesis 27:22-23 – NKJV)

    What did Isaac rely upon in this situation? He relied upon his feelings! He knew the voice didn’t match, but he chose to rely upon the sense that could be tricked instead of the sense that knew better.

    I don’t know about you but I’ve sat in Isaac’s shoes before. I still find myself in Isaac’s shoes from time to time when it comes to making an important decision. I may want to do this, but I know that. I want to have hope in something or someone, but I find that the facts get in the way. Feelings and facts don’t have to be opposed, but when we choose feelings over facts we choose the opposite of what we should.

    In matters of the faith it matters what we rely upon. Doing what’s right in our eyes doesn’t always equate to doing what’s right in the eyes of God. If we were more willing to allow the facts of the faith to shape our feelings about faith then maybe our feelings about the faith wouldn’t try to change the facts (Romans 1:16-17, Galatians 1:6-9, Jude 3).

    Why do we have the word of God to read? It’s because feelings don’t tell the whole story – the gospel does!

    “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 – NKJV)

    Related Article:

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:00 am on April 23, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , God, , , , , thank God   

    Psalm 136 Why Worship God? “For His Mercy Endures Forever” 

    This is almost a repetition of Psalm 135, but with the phrase “For His mercy endures forever” added to each verse (26 times). That phrase was ordered at the dedication of the tabernacle by David (1 Chronicles 16:41), at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple (2 Chronicles 7:1-6), and before battle by Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:20-22). It means without God’s guiding “mercy,” they would not be a nation. “Mercy” (willingness to relieve the price of sins) is mentioned in 129 verses in the Book of Psalms. The “mercy of God” kept Israelites together until Jesus Christ came, and now God’s “mercy” is for both Jews and Gentiles through Jesus Christ (Romans 11:30-32; Galatians 3:22-29). To illustrate God’s “mercy,” evidence is drawn from the written history of God’s Word. AND for those mid-guided commentators who think the Old Testament God is hateful and violent, His motive for providing and protecting Israel as a nation was so that He could provide mercy for all who will obey Jesus Christ today (Ephesians 2:1-7)!

    Verses 1-3: “Give thanks to the LORD” for: “He is good;” He is above all “gods;” He is “the Lord of lords!”

    Verses 4-9: True science is the uncovering of the “wisdom” God used in the Creation. His orderliness precisely designed the “heavens.” And, He has done these “great wonders” “alone!” This is detailed in Genesis 1-2.

    Verses 10-15: God broke Egypt as a dominating power when He “brought out Israel from among them” in establishing them as His Nation. This is detailed in Exodus 1-14.

    Verses 16-22: God destroyed all nations in Canaan that Israel might be given the land He had promised Abraham. This is detailed in the Book of Joshua.

    Verses 23-24: In the Promised Land, when Israelites repented of their sins, God continued to lead them to victories over their enemies by raising up a “judge.” This is detailed in the Book of Judges.

    Verse 25: All food is produced because God’s mercy gives orderly seasons (Genesis 8:22; Acts 14:15-17). Solomon will acknowledge: “Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field” (Ecclesiastes 5:9). It is pathetic poverty of spirit when people are taught to forget this fact!

    Verse 26: We must never cease thanking “the God of heaven” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:00 am on April 22, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , bless God, , Creator, , God, , , praise God, ,   

    Psalm 135 Which God Should We Worship? 

    There is no assigned author, time, or place for this Psalm, but it certainly brings together elements from a few other Psalms to show God is above all “gods!”

    Verses 1-4 call for God’s People to praise Him;

    Verses 5-18 mention why God is Supreme;

    Verses 19-21 make a second call for God’s People to praise Him.

    Verses 1-4: Look at what the LORD has done to distinguish His Name: (1 His “Servants” in “the house of the LORD” know He is “good” (Jesus said, “No one is good but One, that is, God,” Matthew 19:17); (2 “Praises to His Name” are to be sung, “for it is pleasant” (that is, it is a joyful response to His Name); (3 God chose “Jacob” (whose name was changed to) “Israel” (not Ishmael!) “for His special treasure,” through whom will come Jesus Christ (Luke 1:26-33).

    Verses 5-18: The LORD is “great,” and “above all gods,” because: (Verses 5-7) He is All-Powerful (does as He pleases); Creator and Ruler of Earth (including heaven, earth, seas, deep places, water cycle, lightning in rain, wind from His “treasuries”). One God over all Creation, unlike idolaters who need many “gods” for one Creation! (Verses 8-12) He created and blessed the Israelite Nation by “signs and wonders” ending in the death of “the firstborn of Egypt” (man and beast! Exodus 9-12); defeated all the Canaanite nations for Israel to have the “Promised Land” (Book of Joshua); gave Canaan to Israelites as long as they obeyed Him (Deuteronomy 29). (Verses 13-18) NO idol has begun to accomplish as much for their people as God has for His! Idols are the product of human planning and carving, made in the image of a human (mouths, eyes, ears, none of which work because there is no breath of life!). God made humans in His own image (Genesis 1:26). Humans may become godly, but idolaters, those who trust idols, become cold, unfeeling, and blind, deaf, and dumb (or speechless).

    Verses 19-21: Because God is Creator, All-Powerful, Ruler over human history, He deserves the praise and blessing from the “house of Israel,” “house of Aaron,” “house of Levi,” and all “who fear the Lord” should “bless the LORD.” The living God deserves, and should receive, all praise and blessing from those whom He has helped.

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:42 am on April 19, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: God, , , , Work and Ethics   

    Random Thoughts 

    I saw a news story this morning with the heading “Watch: Parliament Singing After New Zealand Legalizes Gay Marriage Will Make You Cry.” I didn’t watch the video but I still cried. Why? Because of the doom that the western culture is bringing upon itself. My article in this week’s bulletin is called “Cultural Meltdown” and it discusses how moral relativism has relatively supplanted any moral backbone in most western governments with wet spaghetti. It’ll probably be up on “Keltonburg Preacher” sometime next week. Here’s a link to a good article to read in the meantime.

    Want to keep a great scripture in mind today? How about this one: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33) This verse isn’t saying that a person can’t understand God’s will when it comes to being saved; in the context it’s talking about how God is able to use the obstinacy and vacancy of one heart to reign in and fill the hearts of others at the same time. That’s rich!

    Did you know that Elvis’ copy of the Bible once sold at auction for $96,000!? That can rock your soul, huh? I’ll let you draw your own conclusions on that one.

    We had a great night at Keltonburg this past Wednesday. One woman, named Shelia, who’s been visiting with us for quite sometime was baptized into Jesus! She was born again of the water and of the Spirit. This Sunday morning I’ll be in John 3:1-10 which includes the topic of the new birth. It can be so frustrating when people equate the water of John 3:3-5 with the “natural” birth of the earth instead of the new birth from Heaven. Never forget the context! Jesus was talking to a man who belonged to a group that had rejected John’s preaching and John’s baptism. By doing so they had rejected the birth that came by the will of God – they had rejected being born again through the water and the Spirit! We often times make things so much more complicated than what they are.

    How often do you plan to smile today? How about pray? How help others? How about hug your children? How about hug your spouse? How about sing to God? How about letting God speak to you in His word? I guess we’ll all find out in about a second or two.

    I don’t know the source but I remember hearing a quote quite a while back that went something like, “If you want to keep kids out of hot water then put some dishes in it.” How valuable is a good work ethic to children? I think honest work leads to good ethics and so it seems that the Bible agrees (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 9:42 am on April 20, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      May the Lord bless Shelia with great opportunities to serve.

      Hadn’t heard that quote, but I like it. Our kids had chores, but I think (they might not agree) we could have given them more. No child-labor slavery, mind you, but children do need to learn responsibility early on.

      • Eugene Adkins 1:05 pm on April 20, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks for good will/whishes/prayers toward Shelia. Like everyone else who chooses to follow what they’ve learned anew instead of staying with what they had, she’ll have more choices to make but I believe she has the willingness and the help around her to get her through it.

  • John T. Polk II 4:36 am on April 19, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , God, , , , tabernacle, , true tabernacle, true worship,   

    Psalm 134 What Worship Is For 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-2 call for worship of the LORD;

    Verse 3 gives a blessing of worship.

    Verses 1-2: “Behold” is often useful in calling attention to: God’s covenant with earth (Genesis 9:9-11); God’s presence in the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-3); God’s sweeping judgment against Egypt (Isaiah 19:1-4); God placing the foundation stone “in Zion” (Isaiah 28:16) which was Jesus Christ (Acts 4:10-12); and John the Baptist’s identification of Jesus as the Christ (John 1:19-36). (Verse 1) It points to the purpose of worship: to “bless the LORD.” “Then David said to all the assembly, ‘Now bless the LORD your God.’ So all the assembly blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the LORD and the king” (1 Chronicles 29:20). True worship is “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24), offered by “servants of the LORD” who are diligent to see that worship continues even “by night.” (Verse 2) Lifting up our hands before God, whether physically or mentally, signifies our openness of heart for His “glory” (Psalm 28:2; 63:4; 119:48; 134:2; 1 Timothy 2:8). “The sanctuary” was the sacred building used for worshipping God (Tabernacle, Numbers 3:38, then the Temple, 1 Chronicles 22:7-9). Today, it is the church of Christ: “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man” (Hebrews 8:1-2); “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation” (Hebrews 9:11). A physical building is not a “sanctuary” today, but the sacred assembly is!

    Verse 3: “The LORD” (called Jehovah, Exodus 6:1-7) is also the Creator of “heaven and earth” (called Elohim, Genesis 1:1), and was known in Genesis as “Almighty God” (Genesis 17:1-2, El Shaddai; 2 Corinthians 6:18, Kurios Pantokrator), The All-sufficient One, source of all blessings. God blesses “from Zion,” then to the faithful worshippers under Moses, today through Jesus Christ: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14).

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:07 am on April 17, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , David's throne, God, , , , priests, , Zion   

    Psalm 132 The Cure for Restlessness 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.” This Psalm is a prayer for David, possibly spoken by his son, Solomon.

    Verse 1-5 open a prayer about David’s concern for God’s temple;

    Verses 6-9 show David’s concern for God’s ark;

    Verses 10-18 give God’s concern for David’s legacy.

    Verses 1-5: The prayer is for God to “remember David,” and all he went through to be faithful to God.

    (Verses 2-4) David “swore to the LORD” to remain restless until a place for worshipping God was found. He would not: find comfort in his own house, or his own bed, or sleep soundly, or relax in “slumber,” unless God’s House was in its place (2 Samuel 7:1-3). (Verse 5) David moved the ark into God’s place (1 Chronicles 15:1-3; 16:1), but was not permitted to build the Temple (1 Kings 8:18-19).

    Verses 6-9: (Verse 6) “Ephratha” was a region which included Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and may have also included Kirjath Jearim (“city of the woods”), where the ark stayed 20 years (1 Samuel 7:1-3), then moved into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:11-19). (Verse 7) Once the place of worship is known, the exhortation is “Let us go” first “into His tabernacle” (or temporary tent, then Solomon built a Temple, then Jesus Christ build the church of Christ, Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 2 Corinthians 6:16), secondly, “worship at His footstool.” Proper worship may only be done in the tabernacle, or today, the church of Christ. (Verse 8) God will respond to proper worship from the proper place, as His “ark” represents His presence. Jesus Christ is the “propitiation” (mercy seat, or cover of the ark) “for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2). (Verse 9) God’s priests were to be properly clothed to perform their duties (Exodus 40:1-16). Today, God’s priests are Christians who were baptized into Jesus Christ to put Him on as their proper garment (1 Peter 2:4-5; Galatians 3:26-29).

    Verses 10-18: (Verse 10) God’s promise for his son to build God’s house seemed to point to Solomon (2 Samuel 7:4-14), but David’s throne is now occupied by Jesus Christ (Acts 2:29-32), and Jesus built God’s spiritual house, the church of Christ (Hebrews 3:1-6). (Verses 11-12) Faithfulness was the requirement for David’s “sons” to sit on his throne, which failed with Solomon (1 Kings 11:9-40). (Verses 13-18) Since “the LORD has chosen Zion” for His “resting place forever,” Jerusalem lasted until Jesus Christ came, lived and died on the cross (Romans 9:30-33). After God destroyed Jerusalem in A.D.70, it had been made clear that it is spiritual Israel and spiritual Zion who represent God’s people today (Hebrews 12:22-25; Galatians 6:14-16). Christians are provided blessings (1 Peter 4:12-14), the bread of life (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), priestly garment of Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27), joyful singing because of the Word of Christ (Colossians 3:16).

    Thought: The prayer for David has been answered, for his obedience certainly paved the way for Jesus Christ to sit on David’s throne forever.

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:17 am on April 15, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , God, , , , ,   

    Psalm 130 Are We “In” Too Deep? 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-2 give a personal appeal to God;

    Verses 3-4 give a personal trust in God;

    Verses 5-6 give a personal patience in God;

    Verses 7-8 give a national call upon God.

    Verses 1-2: (Verse 1) From deep places come the greatest devotions. Some people must plumb the depths of sin before they become alarmed at their condition, and repent. No one can be so deep in sin but that their cry to the LORD cannot be heard. “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart” (Proverbs 20:27). Some MAY be so committed to sin that THEY REFUSE to cry out for help from the LORD (Ephesians 4:17-20)! (Verse 2) The change from “LORD” (Jehovah) to “Lord” (Authority) sets the tone to approach Him with “supplication” (request), and not commands! The Jewish request, “From my mouth to God’s ears” is expressed in this verse.

    Verses 3-4: (Verse 3) God’s “data bank” is greater than any Government ever envisioned, for every thought (Hebrews 4:12), sight (Matthew 5:28), word (Matthew 12:37), and deed (2 Corinthians 5:10), is recorded by God – in the other book compared with “the book of life” (Revelation 20:12). (Verse 4) If it was not for God’s promise to forgive sin, no one would survive! This forgiveness is only offered through Jesus Christ (Acts 5:30-31), and only given to those who obey Him (Matthew 7:21-27; Mark 16:15-16).

    Verses 5-6: The hopeful expectation of morning light illustrates the soul’s “hope.” It is because of God’s laws that we hope for each morning, and it is in God’s Word that a soul “hopes” to find a new day of salvation.

    Verses 7-8: (Verse 7) The Nation of Israel, individually, should turn back to God in “hope” (anticipation) of receiving His “mercy” and “abundant redemption” (ransom required to be re-possessed). (Verse 8) The absolute promise of God is that “He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

    Thought: That this was true for those living under Moses’ Law, now that Jesus’ Law is in force, His blood has purchased the church of Christ (Acts 20:28) and God adds those saved by the Gospel to His church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 5:51 pm on April 14, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , God, , ,   

    Why Does God Care About Your Money? 

    In no small part thanks to charlatans on TV and to thieves of the church treasury, finances stands large among the spiritual subjects that the world misunderstands. Some in the world view the church as a money hungry institution that has hypocritical stances concerning finances. They often confuse money itself being a root of all kinds of evil with the love of money being a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). And they confuse works being done with the aid of money with works done being done through money alone. One thing the world, and maybe even the church, must come to understand is that God doesn’t need our money. The God who created the heavens and the earth is the same God who purchased man’s salvation - and He did both without spending one penny! God doesn’t need our money, but He does want our heart, and the reason that God is concerned about money when it comes to His people is because of the possible negative effects that one’s material wealth can have one’s spiritual health. One can deny it all they want, but the fact that purse-strings and heart-strings are tied together is too obvious to miss. Even Ebenezer Scrooge figured that one out! So if anyone is convinced that an individual can show a heart full of gratitude toward God while carrying a full wallet and purse that doesn’t know how to properly give then that person cares more about money than they do finding out about why God cares so much about the topic. Praise God for the people who own their money without their money owning them.

    “Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.”

    (2 Corinthians 9:5-11 – NKJV)

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:46 am on April 12, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , God, , , , ,   

    Psalm 129 Scars of Youth 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-4 mention scars from youth while prevailing;

    Verses 5-8 describe uselessness in life for God’s enemies.

    Verses 1-4: (Verses 1-2) The “afflictions” from “youth” are what shape us as adults. Since this appeal is for “Israel” to say this seems to indicate the “afflictions” were what was happening to them in Egypt when they started as a nation (Exodus 1:8-14). Much later, God said: “I will give her her vineyards from there, And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; She shall sing there, As in the days of her youth, As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt” (Hosea 2:15). Those who did the afflicting “have not prevailed.” (Verse 3) Egyptian slave masters scarred Israelite backs just as if plows had left the scars! (Verse 4) The righteous (upright, responsive to truth) LORD “cut” them free from “the cords of the wicked” (Exodus 2-15).

    Verses 5-8: (Verse 5) Leave it in the hands of the LORD. To “hate Zion” in the Old Testament, meant to despise God’s Temple on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, and the Israelites who worshiped there (Psalm 68:16; 87:1-3). The other side of God’s promise to bless His people who obeyed, was that He “will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you” (Deuteronomy 30:7). (Verses 6-8) This recognition of what God could do to enemies is based upon a frequent practice in the Mid-East, that is, to cover their roofs with dirt, plant grass which grew quickly with rain, but then as quickly dried out before it could be mowed or harvested. In other words, it would be worthless as to its usefulness and quickly forgotten. And the punishment from the LORD for His enemies should include no future blessing because of a good harvest, such as was used in Ruth 2:4. The desire is that God would make enemies suffer because of their own unworthiness.

    Thought: When Jesus came, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9). It was prophesied of Him: “Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5). He took the scars of sin upon Himself to establish the church of Christ in its youth (Acts 2:22-41; 20:28). Becoming a Christian means casting our sins on Him in repentance (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), and being baptized for salvation from those sins (Acts 18:8; 1 Peter 3:21). Then God will render enemies useless (Proverbs 6:12-15;   1 Timothy 6:3-5).

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:29 am on April 11, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , fears the LORD, God, , ,   

    Psalm 128 What’s In It For Me? 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-4 show wonderful blessings of a family that fears God;

    Verses 5-6 show their hope for the future.

    Verses 1-4: (Verse 1) The rule is “everyone who fears the LORD” is “blessed” (happy, contented), regardless of skin, salary, or social status. “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin” (Romans 4:7-8). “The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot” (Proverbs 10:7).  “Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him” (Ecclesiastes 8:12). Everyone who “fears God” walks in His ways. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). (Verse 2) Honest work is rewarding, supporting, and satisfying. “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep” (Ecclesiastes 5:12). “He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer” (Proverbs 18:9). Those who live on government give-aways never know the true wealth of health that comes to those who earn their rewards. It is repeated of those who “will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). (Verse 3) “A fruitful vine” is one that produces something good, and is a good description of a good wife. She is considered the “very heart of your house.” It is in husbands best interest to “to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:28).  “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones” (Proverbs 12:4). “Olive plants” produce very useful oil, capable of many applications, so  children add many moments of pleasure and happiness. A man whose wife and children sit around his table cannot be more satisfied. (Verse 4) A home that “fears God” cannot be improved upon for sheer joy.

    Verses 5-6: (Verse 5) For Israelites under Moses, “Zion” was the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the center of their worship, and from which their blessings originated. When individuals “fear God” and “walk in His ways,” it benefits their city for all of their lives. Obeying God is always good for our country, city, community. (Verse 6) Those who serve God not only are blessed themselves, and their families, and their neighbors, but into the next generations, “children’s children.”

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:28 am on April 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , God, ,   

    A Wonderful Old Testament Passage About God’s Providence 

    The providence of God is an amazing Bible topic to study. It’s also an amazing work of God to see in our life. More often than not, God’s providence isn’t one of those things that we see coming, it’s something that we see going. This was the case in Joseph’s life when he told his brothers in Genesis 50.20:

    “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

    To say that Joseph had been through a lot in his life would be an extreme understatement, but how else would you describe it? Betrayed by his own brethren at the age of seventeen. Sold and carried into a foreign land only to find prosperity, but then the prosperity is dramatically taken away because of someone else who meant him evil. Finding himself captive, again, Joseph could have thrown away the key and given up on life, but prosperity came again due to God’s grace. Joseph wasn’t able to see it all but God was still opening doors, one of which was going to lead straight to the royal palace of Egypt through the mistakes of a chief baker and butler who angered the Pharaoh.

    To make a long story short, Joseph dreamed that one day his family would bow before him – that dream got him into trouble didn’t it? Or did it? I guess it did, but that dream also got him out of his native land and eventually into Egypt where he sat as a man with great authority over the house of a powerful Egyptian ruler at only thirty years of age! From a shepherd boy, to a slave, to a chief servant, to sitting in prison, to serving over the prison, to riding second in the Pharaoh’s entourage in only thirteen years and later being the savior of all of Egypt and his family. There’s so much more that could be said, but Joseph said it plain enough when he summed up what had happened by saying that his brothers’ actions meant to do him harm, but God’s plan turned it into good. And that’s why Genesis 50:20 is a wonderful Old Testament passage about God’s providence.

     

    • John Henson 1:57 pm on April 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Joseph went from being favored to enslaved to respected and to imprisoned and then to be lifted up.During it all he believed and held fast to Almighty God. Certainly, which is a wonderful example of God’s providence and the power of a faithful life!

      • Eugene Adkins 5:41 pm on April 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks for commenting, John. You can definitely see the times when Joseph gave all the credit to God (Genesis 41:16) which shows that he hadn’t allowed his faith to fall by the way side, get chocked out or perish in the heat of the sun (think Luke 8 and the seed parable).

  • John T. Polk II 4:26 am on April 10, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , God, , , , , ,   

    Psalm 127 Living in a Safe House 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.” This one is attributed to Solomon.

    Verses 1-2 describe a Safe House is the Lord’s House;

    Verses 3-5 describe a family in a Safe House.

    Verses 1-2: (Verse 1) Since this is credited to Solomon who had built God’s House (the Temple in Jerusalem, 1 Kings 5:1-5), this naturally fits. Moses’ “house” was the family of Israelites under Moses’ Law: “And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:5-6). Today the “household of God” (1 Timothy 3:15) is the church of Christ, thus the application would be that it is useless to establish any other church, or claim to be a part of the church of Christ, unless one goes all the way by obeying all of what God demands (Acts 2:36-47). Jesus said: “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’” (Matthew 15:7-9). Since the “home” must be established upon the heterosexual love relationship in a marriage (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6), then all attempts to build a family (house) based upon homosexuality, bisexuality, transsexuality is “in vain.” The same applies to Solomon’s Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7-9), and every other city that has no foundation of faith in God! There is no purpose in building a house without God, and the sleepless watchman of a city is useless “unless the LORD guards the city.” There is no security in a church, home, or city, without God’s blessing. (Verse 2) It is “vain” (useless) to get up for work early, sit up late, suffering for food, when God is blessing. Diligence is good, as Solomon said: “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Proverbs 10:4).    Solomon also said: “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22). Jesus, the wisest Man of all, said: “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).

    Verses 3-5: (Verse 3) There is no greater tribute to the blessing of a child than these verses. First, children are a “heritage” (inheritance) from God. There is no godly way to decide to have an abortion. The miniscule percentage of women whose lives would be in jeopardy should they birth the baby inside them in no way justifies the bloodthirsty, murderous, savage, brutal, sacrificing of human lives called “abortion.” (Verse 4) Second, children of our youthful years become a parent’s strength to endure, like arrows arming a warrior. Parents are people God is preparing to “take on” the struggle of life. (Verse 5) Third, the man should be “happy” because of his responsibility of fatherhood.  His children, unashamed by his duties common to man have his guidance that helps them to be able to take leadership in civic matters, as well. Good parenting affects the future, also.

    Thought:  Males who won’t commit to the responsibility of producing a child with their own marriage spouse, should never be given the opportunity by any female. Females who encourage or accept males as sires and not permanently married mates, are reducing child-bearing to an animal level. Having children without marriage is ugly, degrading, deceptive, and destructive, and should never be judged lightly.

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:13 am on April 9, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , God, reap in joy, sow in tears   

    Psalm 126 “Bring Back Our Captivity” 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-3 say even the world can see the effect of freedom;

    Verses 4-6 declare how fun life can be that’s free.

    Verses 1-3: (Verse 1) God had caused Israel/Judah to be removed from their Promised Land because of their gross sins (2 Chronicles 36:15-21), and when the promised time (70 years) was over, God caused Cyrus, king of Persia, to send them home (Jeremiah 25:1-14; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-11), and it was too good to believe. (Verses 2-3) When they came around, their rejoicing was heard throughout the countries where they had ended up. They were praising God for He “has done great things for us.” How great is seen in that God had three kings who worshipped idols do His bidding: Shalmaneser king of Assyria; Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; Cyrus king of Persia!

    Verses 4-6: (Verse 4) People often need the motivation given by remembering their former way and how much progress they have made from then. “Bring back our captivity” is simply saying, “Remind us of how bad our fathers were and what blessings are ours today.” When torrential rains fall, “the streams in the South” are filled to overflowing, and so it is when God blesses, like those filled banks, its often more than we can stand. (Verses 5-6) Through the pains of punishment, the harvest is joy; so the plagued consciences “sow in tears,” or don’t think their labors will find reward, only to be abundantly blessed by God with “seed for sowing.” Every harvest has the seeds of the next crop in it. To have been restored to their land after 70 years, prompted their faith to harvest the “sheaves,” once planted. Christians were taught this when Paul wrote: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: ‘He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.’ Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:8-10).

    Thought: The sinners who don’t believe God can save them have greater joy when finally humbled at the cross of Jesus Christ: Jesus on earth spoke them forgiven (Luke 7:36-50), but since He returned to Heaven, He authorizes their forgiveness upon proper obedience (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:36-41). There is reason to rejoice when sins are forgiven: in heaven (Luke 15:7, 10, 32), and on earth (Acts 8:35-39).

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:23 am on April 8, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , God, , trust in the LORD, wickedness   

    Psalm 125 “Limits of Evil” 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-2 show the security of saints;

    Verse 3 shows the limit of wickedness;

    Verses 4-5 show the distinction between the two.

    Verses 1-2: (Verse 1) To “trust in the LORD” is to “lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5), nor on “men” nor on “princes” (Psalm 118:8-9), but to leave God in charge. “In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: ‘We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength’” (Isaiah 26:1-4). Until God changed from the Law of Moses, “the LORD of hosts will reign On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 23:24). After the change to the Law of Christ, “you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22). (Verse 2) So, as the mountains of Jerusalem give protection, “so the LORD surrounds His people.” “From this time forth and forever” applies even today because God’s vigilance is upon the “heavenly Jerusalem” His church (2 Corinthians 1:1; 6:16).

    Verse 3: “The scepter” (rod signifying rule, dominance) of “wickedness” would not be allowed to “rest” on the land of the “righteous” to avoid their being beaten down to submission of evil. “He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail” (Proverbs 22:8). Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 A.D., Jesus prophesied, “then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22). God knows when and how to stop sinners.

    Verses 4-5: (Verse 4) The LORD knows whom to reward, those who are “good” and “upright in their hearts.” Jesus said, “No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). He had been asked, “what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16. To Jesus, keeping the commandments of God is the “good thing” that makes one good enough to have eternal life. (Verse 5) The “wicked” are those who “turn aside to their crooked ways,” that is, do not obey God’s “strait” and “narrow” way (Matthew 7:13-14). “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’” (2 Timothy 2:19). Since God will help the good, and limit and “lead away” the wicked, good judgment would be to walk on God’s side.

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:38 am on April 5, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , God, hindsight, , ,   

    Psalm 124 What If? 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.” This one is attributed to David.

    Verses 1-5 answer the question: “What would have happened without God?”

    Verses 6-8 praise what God did do to help.

    Verses 1-5: (Verse 1) God is on the “side” of those who do His will (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 18:9-11).  Surely in David’s life, we can see how narrowly he and Israel escaped from much worse than actually did happen. History and our individual lives hinge on a moment, an event, a time in our lives when we made decisions that decided our present life. Hindsight is always 20/20, and looking back is a sure way to “see God” in our lives. David is raising the issue of hindsight for his people. (Verse 2) Could they not see what God had done “when men rose up against us?” (Verse 3) Israelites would have had no victories but been “swallowed” “alive” and suffered “wrath” “kindled against us.” (Verse 4) It would have been overwhelming losses like a tidal wave, to the loss of their “soul.” They, as a people, would have been exterminated, had not God intervened on their behalf. (Verse 5) “Then,” whenever these incidents had occurred, the sheer force of wrathful people against them would have removed them from history.

    Verses 6-8: (Verse 6) Praise God who stopped the crushing mouths of the attackers. (Verse 7) This deliverance is akin to a “bird” caught in the “snare of the fowlers,” that is, Israel had been trapped, but God broke the snare and they could escape. (Verse 8) The God who “made heaven and earth” (Creator) is the LORD (Jehovah) with whom the promise of Abraham and the Law through Moses were being honored by the God who gave both.

    Thought: God’s promise to Abraham included “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you” (Genesis 12:3), which He still follows today. Christians are those whose faith had led them to saving baptism (Galatians 3:26-29; 1 Peter 3:21), and they are “Abraham’s seed,” not the physical Jewish people. Paul wrote to some and said: “For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16). All who persecute Christians will know the wrath of God upon them: “After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.’” (Revelation 19:1-2)

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:11 am on April 4, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , God, , , ,   

    Psalm 123 What Shall I Do, Lord? 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verse 1 directs our eyes;

    Verse 2 directs our obedience;

    Verse 3 directs our hearts;

    Verse 4 directs our pleas.

    Verse 1: Since “heavens” means upper expanse, whenever we need to look for God, we must “lift up our eyes.” Jesus, as God, now is “dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:16). Morally, to “see God” is to see the effects of His Will in the obedient heart. Jesus said: “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Peter taught how a heart becomes pure: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:22-23). John added: “He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11).

    Verse 2: It is not enough just to “look” for God, but it must be with a humble heart: “as” the servant’s eyes look in anticipation of what the master desires to be done; “as” the maid looks for whatever detail she may provide for her mistress’s satisfaction; “so” we look toward God for instruction. Our eagerness to obey Him prompts His willingness to extend “mercy” to us! He, however, has already given all of His instruction in His Book “once for all” (Jude 3). No one should look toward God without seeing Jesus in His Word: “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works” (John 14:9-10).

    Verses 3-4: We keenly feel the need for God’s “mercy” because we are “exceedingly filled” with “the contempt of the proud.” These are the people who, Jesus said, “this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause’” (John 15:25). Jesus had also taught: “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).

    Thought: It is pitiful to see people “look up to:” Gandhi, Marx, Einstein, Darwin, Mohammed, “the Pope,” a pastor, ancestors, a teacher, philosophers, or gurus but look down on (denigrate) Jesus Christ! Truth is entirely the other way: “we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:23-25). We quote the statements that have influenced us the most: Do we quote Jesus Christ above all?

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:46 am on April 3, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , God, heavenly Jerusalem, , , , , ,   

    Psalm 122 Jerusalem, the Holy City 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.” This Psalm appears to have been written by David, and sung when Israelites went to Jerusalem 3 times a year (Deuteronomy 16:16).

    Verses 1-5 show why Jerusalem is the Royal City;

    Verses 6-9 show how Jerusalem is the Holy City.

    Verses 1-5: (Verse 1) True worshippers are “glad” to “go into the house of the LORD.” The “house of the LORD” under Moses was the Tabernacle, until Solomon built the Temple where sacrifices were offered to God in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 3:1). Before the Temple was built, David, when his child died, “went into the house of the LORD and worshiped” (2 Samuel 12:20). In the New Testament, the “house of God” is “the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15), “the temple” “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-22). (Verse 2) How privileged worshippers were to be in that city. In the New Testament, how privileged worshippers are to be in “the heavenly Jerusalem.” “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24). (Verse 3) Jerusalem was fortified when built (2 Samuel 5:7-9), and walled when rebuilt (Nehemiah 12:27). The church of Christ, as the “new Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2), is walled by obedience which keeps the corrupt people out of it until they repent and are baptized into Jesus Christ (Revelation 21:9-27; Acts 2:38).  (Verse 4) Jerusalem was a place for uniting the “tribes” of Israel who obeyed the “Testimony of Israel” and gave “thanks to the name of the LORD.” The people were one as a people, in obedience, at worship. Isaiah prophesied about the church of Christ in Isaiah 2:2-3: “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’S house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3). (Verse 5) Jerusalem was the place for “the thrones of the house of David.” Solomon was on that throne (1 Kings 2:24); and other Kings of Judah, until Coniah to whom God promised “none of his descendants shall prosper, Sitting on the throne of David, And ruling anymore in Judah” (Jeremiah 22:24-30). Jesus Christ was preached on Pentecost, in Jerusalem, by the Apostles: “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption” (Acts 2:29-31).

    Verses 6-9: (Verses 6-7) Jerusalem was to have been ruled by “peace,” they “prayed” for, “prospered” under, and were ruled by in their “walls” and “palaces.” The church of Christ must “let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

    (Verse 8) The customary greeting from the Jews is “Shalom” (Peace to you). The Apostle Paul in the New Testament repeated this constant desire for brethren (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 3). (Verse 9) “Because” God’s House could draw His people together at times, they were able to “seek” each other’s “good.” The church of Christ assembles to “hold fast the confession of our hope,” and “consider one another” (Hebrews 10:23-25). When this is not the case, the Devil has prevailed, just as he did in the Old Testament.

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:47 am on April 2, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , God, keeper, keeps, , , , slumber,   

    Psalm 121 Who Is Our “Keeper?” 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-2 raise a cardinal point of faith;

    Verses 3-8 reassure the believer that God is the Keeper.

    Verses 1-2: (Verse 1) The Temple in Jerusalem was on “the hills,” so it would be natural for an Israelite to look that way for help. So commonly was this believed,even the Syrians said: “The LORD is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys” (1 Kings 20:28). Then the question is asked: “From whence comes my help?” (Verse 2) The believer knew then (as now) that “my help” is “from the LORD” and no one else! “LORD” represents the Hebrew name “Jehovah” who identified Himself to Moses (Exodus 3:11-15), and also was the Creator of “heaven and earth” (Genesis 1:1). The belief that the Creator and the Israelite God are different is a false belief.

    Verses 3-8: (Verse 3) God doesn’t allow the foot to slip back into continuous sin as the believer obeys His Word (1 John 3:6). That God provides for believers to falter from time to time is evident from 1 John 1:6-2:5. (Verse 4) The Keeper of Israel (under Moses’ Law) will not “slumber” nor “sleep,” there being little, if any, difference in the two. God is clearly not a sluggard (Proverbs 6:9-11)! (Verses 5-6) God is the cooling “shade,” protecting from harsh rays of the sun and dangers that come under the “moon.” God works 24/7 on behalf of His people. Today He calls His people “Christians” (Acts 11:26) who have been baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-29). (Verse 7) God “keeps” His people from “evil.” This is not a promise to protect them from what evil-doers may do to them, but keep them from regular evil desires and practices. By their obedience to His Word, He keeps their “souls” from being lost (today is through Jesus’ death, Romans 6:1-14). (Verse 8) God “keeps” the way the obedient will go free for coming and going (daily life) “from this time forth.” Jesus echoed this promise of security in the incident in Luke 11:27-28: “And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!’ But He said, ‘More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’” (Luke 11:27-28)

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version,  unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:41 am on April 1, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Biblical Ignorance, , , God, , , ,   

    Random Thoughts 

    I watched the final episode of The History’s Channels “The Bible” last night. In my humble opinion, which is based upon what a person would actually read in the Bible, the further into the Bible the show got, the worse it got! There were a couple of moments that were done really well last night, but for the most part it seemed as if the directors, producers, actors or whomever, had decided that there wasn’t much point in following what the Bible actually says and instead decided to follow what they think the Bible says or what they think it should say. This is so very unfortunate because the TV show that was supposedly meant to educate people has only added to the growing sources of biblical ignorance that are so readily available…goes to show you that there’s more than more way to waste millions of dollars on error.

    I got an email this weekend about a product called the TV Guardian. Does anyone know much or anything about this product? The makers/sellers claim that it has the ability to filter out foul language from TV shows and movies. I talked to one brother who’s in the satellite business and he said that he had seen them before but he wasn’t really able to give me a thumb’s up or down. If you know anything about the product, speak up because if it does 90% of what it claims I think it would be worth the money.

    Have you ever thought about how God not only sees what we do during the day, but that He also sees what we dream at night?

    I saw a member of the catholic “hierarchy” get interviewed on CBS’ Sunday Morning yesterday. I hope they realize there’s a difference in “hierarchy” and “heirarchy.” They have one, but they don’t have the other! I also heard the man push the false catholic notion that the church “moved” from Jerusalem to Rome. Of course the church moved to Rome, just like it moved to Ephesus, Corinth, Berea, etc. Now what the man meant is that the “mother” church moved from Jerusalem to Sinai…I mean Rome. The Christians in Galatia were reminded about the origins of the church, an origin that the catholic church can’t lay claim to (Galatians 4:21-26). And by the way, may we never forget that the church has only one Head, and the Head of the church sits upon His throne in Heaven because He carried a wooden cross to victory - not a gold one (Colossians 1:18, Acts 2:29-36).

     

    • Galt Church of Christ 6:54 am on April 1, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      The tv guardian does work most of the time, but not always. However, I ditched it years ago. The shows which include vulgarity are not worth my time – even if I don’t have to ‘hear’ the words. The ideas and violence, are still all there. Save your money and just avoid all shows that have questionable content.

      • Eugene Adkins 7:17 am on April 1, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        I am particularly picky of what shows I and my family watch, but there are times when a devise like this could be useful I believe. I don’t know of very many shows, save something like Jeopardy, that doesn’t have questionable content whether it be blatant or suggestive in nature. For example, the History Channel’s “The Bible” got a lot of things wrong about the Bible, but one thing that I believe it got right many times was the violence. So although it got much of the dialogue wrong, the violent content could’ve been much more graphic if they had chosen for it to be.

        I agree 100% that shows with blatantly profane and foul themes should be avoided, but there are times when TV shows (like Myth Buster’s or even American Pickers for example) are great educational shows but something like the TV Guardian could make it more enjoyable and palatable to watch.

        Thanks for the advice on the product.

        • Stephen R. Bradd 10:52 am on April 1, 2013 Permalink

          I’ve owned 2 TV Guardians for about 10 years or so. I still like them very much. TVG is as perfect as the closed captioning feed is. We leave ours on the strictest setting (except when watching religious videos, where it continually mutes “Jesus Christ”, etc.). There are a number of “decent” movies out there (PG) that contain some level of profanity. TVG takes care of it beautifully. It can be set to mute the volume for the sentence containing the bad words AND it can be set to display an alternative phrase on screen simultaneously. I’m sure the versions they are selling now are different than the old ones I own, but I highly recommend them for any Christian family.

          As a side note, I used to own some Clear Play DVD players as well. The concept was great but the players never held up very long. I was very disappointed.

  • John T. Polk II 4:15 am on April 1, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , deceit, , God, , , , , , ,   

    Psalm 120 God Hears When the World is Saying Wrong Things 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-4 contrast God’s listening to help, and our having to listen to others;

    Verses 5-7 state how hard it is to live among war-mongers.

    Verses 1-4: (Verse 1) God hears our cries from distress. Jacob said God had done so (Genesis 35:3); David said God had (2 Samuel 22:7); Paul said distress cannot “separate us from the love of Christ” (Romans 8:35). (Verse 2) Integrity, trust, faith, dependability all are ruined by “lying lips” and a “deceitful tongue.” “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Proverbs 12:22). Having a “deceitful tongue” is responsible for destroying the credibility of gossips, talebearers, editorial writers, propaganda press, factory fables, and many others. (Verse 3) There will be a judgment against a “false tongue.” “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). (Verse 4) Whoever said “words can never hurt me” wasn’t familiar with this verse. Words can pierce like “sharp arrows of the warrior,” and burn like “coals of the broom tree.” “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:2-8).

    Verses 5-7: (Verse 5) Little is certain of these places, “Meshech” (slave traders, Ezekiel 27:13) and “Kedar” (wanderers, Isaiah 21:16-17), but they represent the hostile environment many people experience, even today. (Verses 6-7) Patience and longsuffering can wear us down or wear us out when we are mis-matched with polar opposites on a subject like “war” and “peace.” There is “a time of war, And a time of peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8), however “wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good” (Ecclesiastes 9:18). The wise can avoid war, but the foolish advocate it and their foreign policies depend upon it! Christians are not waging carnal war against their enemies (2 Corinthians 10:2-6). “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

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