Saturday 29 December 2012

Find Your Delight in the Lord!

"Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart."
(Psalm 37: 4, NASB)


The subject of delight is is a precious topic indeed, when its focus is on the Lord. According to today`s above text we are instructed by the psalmist to "Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37: 4). In other words, when we "delight" ourselves in the Lord, He will take great delight in us. Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines the word: "A high degree of gratification: joy; extreme satisfaction; something that gives great pleasure." In a sense, when our delight is specifically focused on the Lord, it is a form of worship. For if we find no delight in the Lord, it is impossible to worship Him. For he who delights in the Lord worships the Lord.

Below is a simple online of a few verses that came to me awhile ago from the Psalms on the subject of "delighting" ourselves in the Lord.

1. Taking Delight in the "Water of Life" (see Psalm 36: 8; Rev. 22: 1).

2. Choosing to "Delight yourself in the Lord" (see Psalm 37: 4).

3. The Humble will Delight in the Inheritance of "abundant prosperity" (see Psalm 37: 11; 72: 7).

4. The Lord Delights in "the steps" of a man's way (see Psalm 37: 23; 147: 11).

(To be Continued...)

Friday 28 December 2012

When God Disappoints You...

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
(Romans 8: 28, NASB)
 
 

One of the hardest things for a believer in Christ to go through is learning to wait on God`s timing for answers to prayer. Personally, words fail to express the inner turmoil, emotional pain, disappointment this has brought into my life to see prayers go unanswered for many, many years. It certainly tests the limits of one`s faith to the point that you will question whether God even cares about the issues in your life that matters. It is so difficult to watch seconds turn to minutes, minutes into hours, hours into days, days into weeks, weeks into months, months into years, years into decades and still no answer comes from Lord above. Yet, one writer puts it this way, "Waiting doesn't diminish us any more than waiting diminishes an expecting mother; we are enlarged in the waiting." These words sound good to read or hear, but are they really of any help or comfort? To begin with, the author's anology of a pregnant mother expecting the birth of her child in relation to waiting is certainly lacking. For after nine months she gives birth to an expected son or daughter. So perhaps this anology would be best suited to someone who gets a positive answer to his or her prayer after a short duration of time. However, for someone who has waited for decades for an answer to their prayers, this gives no real help at all but compounds the problem. For the author's quote comes across to such a person's plight as mockery.

But then another question could be asked, what if God does answer, and the answer is a flat out "no." wouldn't that be a great devastingly disappointment to the one who waited so long for an answer to his or her prayer. I cannot begin to explain the heartache this would bring to the one who waited on God for answer that he or she wished they never got! Or even just as bad, still not receiving an answer to one's prayer in light of realizing that even if god were to answer, it would be too late anyway. For example, I have prayed for a wife and a career in teaching God's Word for many years to the point now that I am a middle aged man at 45 years old. How then can God restore the years that the locusts have eaten away. For I can never relive those years again. No direction or help has ever been given to me by God since I graduated from NBBI in 2005.  (See Psalm 62: 1, 5; Isaiah 40: 31)(To Be Continued...)

Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake,
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
 
-- K. von Schlegel

Thursday 27 December 2012

Daniel and His Faithful Friends

In the book of Daniel we have Daniel and his three friends who remain faithful to God throughout the onslaught of trials from the enemies of God. Below is an Outline i hope to complete in the new year.

1. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego`s fiery trial. (see Dan. 3: 1-30).

2. Daniel`s praying three times a day. (Dan. 6: 6-11).

3. Daniel in the lion`s den. (Dan. 6: 16-28).

a) The Condition!
b) The Cost!
c) The Condemnation!
d) The Consequences!

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Postmodernism: Light of Truth or Shadow of Truth?



"And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 
(John 8: 32, NASB)
 
We are living in a society today that has increasingly grown estranged from the truth that once was commonly accepted. There is a whole theory and philosophy that surrounds this new thought that rejects truth. It is called postmodernism. This way of thought is no friend to society, for if it has free reign, it will create chaos instead of the harmony it falsely promises. It promotes its own version of truth that questions all other truths. It teaches a relative type truth that says everyone has a right to their own brand of truth. For what may be true for you may not necessarily be true for the next person. In other words, my truth is just as valid as your truth. No truth is above another truth, except postmodern truth. Though they claim strainously that there is no absolute truth. Yet they contradict themselves when their view is questioned. For they will quickly protest that their critic is wrong. The question is by whose truth is the critic wrong? If the critic's truth is equally valid as the postmodernist's brand of truth. Then who should we believe has the most valid truth, since no truth is above another truth? It is self contradictory to claim your critic is wrong when his or her view of truth is as true as the one being questioned.

For when pressed for an answer to whether they were certain that their "truth" was absolute, while all other truths were not, was a flat out contradiction. The fact they admit that their view is absolutely true, they prove by their own admission that "truth" is indeed "absolute" and not relative as they claim. By their own admission their view is false. For they claim that truth is not absolute and that all other opinions are seen as equally valid no matter how contradictory they may present themselves. That is like saying 2+2=67 is as equally true as saying that 2+2=4. Any honest person who knows such simple basics of mathematics would tell you that the first answer is blatantly wrong while the other is the correct one!
 
Here is a quote I came across on a website that helps to explain the definition of what Postmodernism is:

"Beyond all the theory and academic discussion, what is postmodern thought and what is its importance for the modern person? Postmodern thought is, in its very essence, an adventure and an expression of life experience. From its modernist beginnings, Postmodernism is an attempt to question the world that we see around us and especially not to take other people's views as the final truth. Postmodernism puts everything into question and radically interrogates philosophies, strategies and world views. There is no such thing as a definition of the postmodern. It is a mood rather than a strict discipline. Postmodernism, with all its complexity and possible excesses, is an attempt to find new and more truthful versions of the world." (E-ssortment: your source for knowledge)

Monday 24 December 2012

Christmas: The Time of GIFT Giving

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable GIFT"
(2 Corinthians 9: 15, NASB)
 
 
 
Once again, we are coming to the close of another year. Today is Christmas Eve for many people around the world. for many people this special time of the year is about stress for many parents who are frantically scrambling to get the last few items of shopping done for Christmas, so they can watch their children with joy opening up their gifts Christmas morning. For many people Christmas time is a special time to spend the holiday with close family and friends. Unfortunately, for others, it is a lonely time of heartache in having no one to spend Christmas with. Usually during this festive time of the year where Christ should be the focus, many people are too wrapped up with the worry and stresses this holiday season brings. Also, many people get far too caught up with the family get togethers and the gifts they will be getting to pay any attention to what Christmas is really about. Happily though, there will be a number of Christians who will be celebrating the "birth of Christ" (see Isa. 7: 14; 9: 6; Matt. 1: 18-25). This of course brings me to today's topic in this blog. It is about the Greatest Gift of all.
 
The Incredible GIFT of God.
 
What is this incredible Gift I am talking about, you might ask? Well, as today's text above states "Thanks be to God for His indescrible GIFT" (2 Cor. 9: 15). to begin with, this gift is not a toy, nor is it an expensive car, nor is it a beautiful new jacket that a particular person at Christmas always wanted. No, it is something far more precious than any gift you and I could ever get. This specific "GIFT" is priceless. It is a Gift that is of immeasurable value to everyone who recieves it. This precious "GIFT" I am talking about is God's Gift to the world, His precious only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! The most incredible GIFT of all!
 
The Inseparable GIFT of God.
 
When we think about the gifts we receive each year, we well know that many of the items will either get broken, or wear out, or the item may not fit, so we we usually get it exchanged at the store where we got the item for our loved one. Yet, there are other gifts we appreciate and value very much. Even then, such a gift may get either lost, stolen, broken, or just simply wear out after a year or two. Even if it does last alot longer, such gifts in the light of eternity are only temperal and of little value compared to God's "GIFT" given to humanity. To all such people who have received this precious priceless Gift of God's Son, have gotten the best Gift of all! A Gift that cannot ever be taken away, get broken, or stolen, or wear out, nor will you ever need to exchange it. This GIFT is "Inseparable" and gives the receiver "eternal life." The only GIFT that truly satisfies the person who receives it.
(To be Continued...)


Saturday 22 December 2012

The Growing Intolerance Against Christianity




I have been thinking of lately on the topic of the growing religious intolerance against Christians here in North America. It is quite disturbing to read how many people in today's society are so "open' to every other religion, some even dangerous, and yet such people are so opposed against the Christian faith. Even children in schools have been targeted with antichristian opposition. One story I read recently was about a little girl who just mentioned "God" or "Jesus" in her prayer in honor of her grandfather and other veteran soldiers who had fought in the war. Sadly, she was reprimanded for using the name "God" or "Jesus" in her speach. This is in no way an isolated incident either. There are many other example that could be given. The growing intolerance towards Christianity is a very real threat against Christians practicing there faith. This should be a growing concern for Christians in general. Here are a few examples that I came across in the growing opposition and discrimination against Christians.

By Delores Liesner , Christian Post Contributor
March 26, 2011|7:40 pm

"In a world of political correctness devoid of the rule of law, tolerance has come to mean total rejection of Christianity and moral standards. Modern tolerance redefines words like 'marriage,' 'discrimination,' 'equality,' 'morality,' and even 'absolutes.' The word 'tolerance' as it is used today never includes opposing arguments or competing worldviews. Tolerance has become Orwellian and decidedly intolerant." – Matthew Staver, Dean and Professor of Law at Liberty University School of Law.

A few examples of recent intolerance for Christianity:
 
• The Supreme court determining to exclude anyone who prays in Jesus name from a rotation of officials who open city business meetings
 
• The removal of US military Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, over the issue of praying in Jesus Name
 
• UCLA’s prohibiting a graduating student from thanking her “Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” in her graduation speech
 
• Colleges making special accommodations for foot baths and Muslim only prayer rooms, while a Muslim group membership may be suspended or revoked for 57 reasons including but not limited to: unbecoming behavior, insubordination, or inactivity; but denying Christian groups campus recognition “because it requires its officers and voting members to agree with its Christian beliefs"

• A San Diego elementary school created an extra recess period to allow 100 Muslim students to pray, while a federal judge upheld a Knoxville, Ky., jury’s decision that a public school could prohibit its 5th grade Christian students from studying and discussing their Bibles during recess
 
• Christians in America have to tolerate the defamation of their holiest images in national museums, including particularly provocative, offensive acts defined as "artwork," some receiving taxpayer-funded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. On the other hand, several college editors who cited freedom of speech when republishing anti-Muslim cartoons first published in a Danish newspaper, were fired or disciplined because they were offensive to Muslim students
 
• The Council on American-Islamic Relations (Los Angeles) requested an investigation of the desecration of a Quran, Islam's revealed text, as a hate crime. Conversely, when Palestinians tore up Bibles for toilet paper (May 15, 2002, The Washington Times) there was no outrage, and after a church in the U.S. saved and held fundraisers to afford the cost of buying and shipping requested Bibles in the Pashto and Dari language to an American sergeant in Afghanistan, the Bibles were confiscated, thrown away, and burned. The only official comment about burning the Bibles was this one, by a Defense Department spokesman, “Troops in war zones are required to "burn their trash."
 
These incidents have raised several questions that Brannon Howse, author and founder of Worldview Weekend, agreed to answer:

CP: Would you consider these examples of intolerance shocking or unexpected?
Howse: Not at all. Jesus said all nations will hate you. If you are a Bible-minded believer such persecution should not be uncommon or a surprise,” he stated, quoting 2 Timothy 3:12 “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

CP: With 38,000 denominations declared as Christian, why does the world’s intolerance seem focused on the smaller percentage who claims a Biblical lifestyle faith?
Howse: Many who have called themselves Christians were false converts. (II Cor. 7:10) There’s lots of happy talk but many Christians are only committed to a culture war, surveying unbelievers to see what they want in a church, and creating feel good pop-culture within the church. Many Americans are wimps who don’t want to suffer...don’t want to be uncomfortable.

CP: Isn’t that rather divisive thinking?
Howse: I don’t mind being called divisive – I pray that I am divisive if that means based on the Word of God – living and active, rightly dividing truth and error. We should expect division – we need division to recognize that truth is not subjective or emotional; truth is the unchanging character and nature of God and His Word.
Americans seem to long for commonality and unity. This American idea of Christianity is not what goes on in countries like Cuba, China, or Korea. Those pastors have unity - the unity of all of them having been in prison for boldly living out their Christian faith.
Millions have been and continue to be martyred for Christ. (45.5 million in the last century per “The New Persecuted” by Antonio Socci). We need Martin Niemöllers and John Wycliffes for this generation. However, too many are only committed to a cotton candy Christianity, not the Christianity of Niemöller and Wycliffe that required persecution.
Without a sound theological foundation, when persecutions increase, and they will, according to scripture, many who call themselves believers won’t want to be marked as Christians. Those only committed to culture war will give up with no hope.

CP: Are you saying everyday Christians, students, business people, and homemakers as well as clergy should be expecting bias, intolerance or hostility in all areas of life including civil government, education, economics, public policy, and family?
Howse: Actually, if an individual who claims to be a Christian is not experiencing intolerance or persecution – being called names, belittled, marginalized, or characterized because you stand for sound theology – you should examine yourself to make sure you are a Christian. (See 10 hallmarks of a Christian at: http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-tube/video.php?videoid=4383)
Our culture is doing what Scripture said – getting worse and worse. The books of James and 1 Peter tell us not to be surprised at fiery ordeals ...[when they come – not if] as though some strange (or foreign) thing were happening to you. Suffering, intolerance and persecution are building us up for the best part of life – which is yet to come.

CP: So what can Christians do when they find their faith under assault?
Howse: We are in the world to be salt and light. We have to have contact with the world to be salt and light, just as Jesus did. Keep standing for righteousness or right living, for life of the unborn and of seniors and keep going whether or not you win in the courtroom, the capitol, or anywhere else in this world, because you are standing for Christ.
Remember that it is impossible to find unity with the world without compromising, and remember that we are God’s messengers. Take all opportunity to proclaim the gospel (Galatians 4:16), and ask yourself, “What am I proclaiming?” If we are proclaiming that the Word of God is truth by our life and actions we are becoming the enemy of the world. The world is not tolerant of its enemies.
In Germany, many who called themselves Christians went along with Hitler but people like Corrie ten Boom said no I must stay true to purpose of the gospel. The world would say her family lost and that she was foolish to proclaim the gospel in a losing situation, but the reality is that she won for the gospel by pointing fellow prisoners to Christ.

CP: Are you saying there can be a positive outcome from intolerance and persecution?
Howse: Absolutely. Persecution is an expected evidence of being a follower of Jesus Christ, and we can utilize everything that is happening in our world and culture as a pulpit, an opportunity, to share the hope we have in Christ. But the Bible teaches us to respond and not to react.
Matthew 5:10 talks of the blessing of those who are persecuted for righteousness sake – not for responding as the world does.
Intolerance for righteousness is to be expected and embraced as an opportunity to live so that anytime Christians are persecuted, the world will watch and wonder why are they willing to persevere and not compromise.

Friday 21 December 2012

Good Fruit or Bad Fruit?

"By their fruit you will recognize them."
(Matthew 7: 16, 20, NIV)
 

In this blog I am going to briefly look at "fruit" in a believer's life. The fruit speaks of the works that a Christian produces in his life. It reveals whether his fruit is good or bad. Commentator Adam Clarke makes this statement on Matthew 7: 16: 

"7: 16.   Ye shall know them by their fruits.]  Fruits, in the Scripture and Jewish phraseology, are taken for works of any kind. "A man's works," says one, "are the tongue of his heart, and tell honestly whether he is inwardly corrupt or pure."   By these works you may distinguish (epignwsesye) these ravenous wolves from true pastors.  The judgment formed of a man by his general conduct is a safe one: if the judgment be not favourable to the person, that is his fault, as you have your opinion of him from his works, i.e. the confession of his own heart."[1] 

It is not enough to just profess to be a Christian, for many people and false teachers claim to be Christians when they are not. Even some Hollywood movie stars  as well as rock stars have claimed to be Christians when they are not. Sadly, we are living in times where the Church has very little discernment in knowing who is genuine and who is false. To illustrate: many bank tellers are trained to distinguish between counterfeit money and real money. To the untrained eye it will be difficult to tell the difference between the false and the true; but to the trained eye who really knows what to look for, the counterfeit money can be detected. So the believer should be able to discern the difference between those who are and are not Christians. "By their fruit you shall know them" (Matt. 7: 16, 20). Christians are even personally instructed by the Word of God to "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup" (1 Cor. 11: 28). And "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Cor. 13: 5). 

A Christian's life that is fruitless is a life that is marked by "barrenness." An example of this truth can be seen in Jesus' lesson on the barren fig tree. Commenting on the passage of the barren fig tree in Mark 11: 12-14, John D. Morris gives this insight: 

"The fig tree was an object lesson on barrenness, typifying the Jewish nation's condition in spite of their privileged heritage. This type of hypocritical fruitlessness receives condemnation (vv. 20-21), exhibits a lack of faith (vv. 22-23), and hinders our prayers (vv. 24-26)."[2]
(To be Continued...)



[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary, (Power Bible CD, 5. 2).
[2] John D. Morris, Days of Praise: Sept. - Nov., 2012, (The Institute for Creation Research, Sun. Sept. 16, 2012).

Thursday 20 December 2012

Christmas: The Origin of the Christmas Tree

"For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."
(Jeremiah 10: 3-4, KJV)
 

The Christmas Tree is perhaps one of the biggest symbols  that is practiced in most homes in North America today. Many people will either buy or go out into the woods and cut down a fir or pine tree to erect up in their homes. Usually the living room. Still others prefer less of a mess in cleaning up pine needles, so they will purchase an artificial Christmas tree. They will decorate the tree with colorful Christmas bulbs, lights, and silver and gold foil to wrap around the tree. And as a last touch such families will add what is called angel hair made of cotton. Sometimes fake snow from a can would be added to the branches on the tree for extra effect. Lastly, either a star or angel would be placed on top of the tree. The "star" depicts the star that lead the shepherds and the magi to the Child Jesus, while the "angel" represents the angel who declared the glad tidings of the birth of Christ to the shepherds (see Matt. 2: 1-12; Luke 2: 8-18).  

Sadly, there are a number of fellow Christians as well as cultists who believe the Christmas tree originated from paganism. And any Christian who erects a Christmas tree in their home is guilty of practicing a pagan custom of worship. Often, the passage in Jeremiah 10: 2-4 is quoted as proof that the Christmas tree originates from paganism, and that this Scripture passage from Jeremiah 10 forbids Christians from having a Christmas tree in their homes. Hence, many of God's dear people have been troubled by these verses from Jeremiah 10 thinking it wrong to have a Christmas tree in their homes.  So is it true? Does the Christmas tree that is in most people's homes during Christmas have its roots in paganism? Let's consider this topic in today's blog and see what we can learn. 

The Early Historical Roots of the Christmas Tree. 

Like most holiday customs and practices today, each has its origin from either a negative or positive source. So it is with the Christmas tree. Here in North America, the historical roots of the Christmas tree was brought over by some puritans of German descent in the 17th Century, and originated in Germany as early as 1521 in the region of Alsace. According to Dr. Richard P. Bucher, He gives this interesting summary of what some Christians used to decorate their trees at Christmas:  

"Several conclusions can be gleaned from these quotations. First, we are told some of the items with which the first Christmas trees were decorated: paper roses, apples, Communion wafers, gold, foil, sweets, and dolls. Second, even in 1650 a noted scholar like Dannhauer did not know the origin of Christmas trees. Third, not all Christians approved of these trees, even in the beginning. Fourth, the first Christmas trees, as far as we know, did not have lights. According to Weiser, the first mention of lights (candles) on a Christmas tree is in the seventeenth century."[1] 

No doubt, this is somewhat different than how we today decorate our Christmas tree. Nevertheless it gives us a glimpse into the past in how our fellow brethren erected and decorated their tree at Christmas time on December 25th. Again, quoting from Dr. Bucher's article: 

"From the mid-seventeenth century on the Christmas tree slowly grew in popularity and use. However, it was not until the beginning of the 19th century that the use of the Christmas tree grew into the general German custom that it is today. Also at this time it spread to the Slavic people of eastern Europe. The Christmas tree was probably first used in America about 1700 when the first wave of German immigration settled in western Pennsylvania. During the War of Independence, Hessian soldiers supposedly set up Christmas trees. It is widely held that the Christmas tree was first introduced into France in 1837 when Princess Helen of Mecklenburg brought it to Paris after her marriage to the Duke of Orléans. The Christmas tree made its royal debut in England when Prince Albert of Saxony, the husband of Queen Victoria, set up a tree in Windsor Castle in 1841. After this it grew in popularity, though in 1850 Charles Dickens was still referring to it as a "new German toy."[2]
(To be Continued...)


[1] Richard P. Bucher, O Christmas Tree: The Origin and Meaning of the Christmas Tree, pg. 2.
[2] Richard P. Bucher, Ibid., pg. 2.

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Christmas: The Origin of Santa Claus

 

We are going to continue the Christmas theme in today's blog. I am going to be looking at the popular figure of Santa Claus and the facts and myths surrounding him. Some of the names he is best known as is Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, and Father Christmas. Let us briefly look at Santa Claus and see what we can learn. 

The Popular Myth Surrounding Santa Claus 

Whenever the topic of Christmas is brought up, you can be sure Santa Claus will be brought up sooner or later. Especially if little children are around. Santa Claus is often described as being a lovable elf who looks more like someone's bearded grandfather than an actual elf. He is said to have a chubby belly and is dressed in red and white and possesses magical abilities, such as having the ability to go down the chimneys of people's homes. He also flies around on a sleigh hooked up to eight flying raindeer that he uses to deliver all his gifts to all the children around the world in one night. He also possesses a God like ability to know which children around the world are naughty or nice. This aspect about Santa Claus during Christmas is pagan. However, there really was a historical person who represents a type of Santa Claus. He is known as Saint Nicholas. 

The Story and History of Saint Nicholas 

The story and history of Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was born c270 at Patara, Lycia on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It was the site of a Greek colony which became a province of the Roman Empire. He was the son of wealthy Christian parents whose names were Theophanes and Nonna. The parents of Nicholas died when he was young and he was raised by an uncle, also called Nicholas, who was the bishop of Patara. Nicholas lived in Patara a Roman province under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r.284-305). Emperor Diocletian mounted some of the fiercest persecutions of the early Church especially in the East of the Empire. Nicholas had become a priest but during this dangerous time for Christians he also worked on the family's fishing fleet. The persecution of Christians eased in 311 when the general edict of toleration was issued. Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra and spoke out against the pagan gods of the Romans in favor of Christianity. He went as far as initiating the destruction of the Temple of Artemis.[1] 

The legend of the Patron Saint St. Nicholas 

Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf. Saint Nicholas is the patron of serfdom and of Russia. Because he protected the weak against the strong, the oppressed against the oppressor, the poor against the rich; of travellers, sailors, and merchants, because he on several occasions allayed a tempest at sea when invoked by the mariners; of poor maidens, because, out of compassion for a distressed nobleman about to sacrifice his three daughters to a life of infamy, he cast three purses of gold through his chamber window under cover of night, to enable the girls to marry honourably; of boys, especially scholars, from the astounding miracle related in the legend, to the effect that he restored to life three school-boys whom a wicked innkeeper had murdered and salted in a tub; of parish clerks, because of scholars, who were formerly styled clerks; and of thieves, for having once prevailed upon a gang of robbers to restore their plunder. In the Middle Ages robbers and thieves always called themselves Knights or Clerks of St. Nicholas.[2]
(To be Continued...)


[1] Author Unknown, Saint Nicholas: Commonly Identified with Santa Claus, pgs. 1-2.
[2] Author Unknown, Saint Nicholas: Commonly Identified with Santa Claus, pgs. 2.

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Christmas: The Birth of Christ

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
(Matthew 1: 21, NASB)

Just over the weekend, I received a question from an old friend of mine in regards to Christmas. His question was: "Can you prove from scripture that Jesus is the reason for a pagan holiday?" This of course lead to a series of exchanges between he and I. Yes, Jesus is the "reason" for a pagan holiday. For the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to turn the darken hearts of men "from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thess. 1: 9, KJV). It is true however, that today's tradition of the Christmas holiday is a mixture of Christian and pagan beliefs. This is something that Christians need to be aware of. Sadly, many are not. Let us consider in this blog a couple examples where Church tradition is wrong about Christmas. 

When was Jesus Born? 

Many Christians and non-Christians are told that Jesus was born on December 25th. However, the Bible does not support this claim. Actually, the Scriptures are silent on when Jesus was born. Nevertheless, the Bible does show us the season when Christ was born. It was in the Spring of the year when the shepherds were out in the field with their flocks; which was the time when the angels appeared unto the shepherds and proclaimed the good news of the birth of Christ (see Luke 2: 8-12). Writing on the birth of Jesus, noted Christian author Robert Surgenor made this statement: 

"Was Jesus born on December 25th? The fable says, Yes, but, surprisingly, God is silent on the date. In fact, it wasn't in December at all, but rather in the spring, for at the time of Jesus' birth "there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8). Shepherds never were out in the field in December! The greatest celebration of the sun-god was on December 24-25 in connection with the winter solstice. In 350 A.D. Rome sought to turn away their people from this festival by declaring December 25 the official date of Jesus' birth, celebrated with festivities and a mass - thus Christ's Mass, or Christmas!" [1] 

History bears out this fact that it was the Holy Roman Catholic Church that instituted this date for the birth of Christ. Their intentions were good in trying to change the pagan holiday on December 24 to the 25 to a Christian holiday. The problem is that the ancient as well as the modern Catholic Church is a mixture of Christian and pagan beliefs. Christians need to adhere to the Word of God in relation to when Christ was actually born, instead of going by the Catholic tradition of when Christ was born. 

Now having said that, I really don't see a problem with Christians celebrating Christmas on December 24-25th of each year. There is nothing in Scripture to forbid the Christian from celebrating Christmas on this particular date. So long as the believer keeps his or her focus on keeping Christ's birth central during the holiday season. Reflecting on why Christ came into the world would be a good start. Christians should leave the pagan aspects of Christmas out of their holiday, such as Santa Claus and his eight magical flying raindeer. Christian parents should never perpetuate the lie by telling their children that Santa Claus exists, when they well know he does not. For to "lie" is a sin.  

Was it the Shepherds or Wise Men who came to the Manger? 

Another fable that is believed by many people who are not familiar with the Scriptures is that it was the wise men [ or the Magi] who visited the baby Jesus at the manger and presented gifts to Him. This is depicted in the Nativity scene at Christmas time, which of course is not true. It was the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus at the manger, not the wise men (see Luke 2: 15-20). There are some who have said that the “wise men” and “shepherds” are two terms for the same people who were at the manger. Still others argue that both the “shepherds” and the “wise men” were at the manger. So how does one reconcile such arguments? Simple, by turning to the Scriptures to see what it says about the matter. It is important to note that Matthew 2: 1-12 and Luke 2: 8-12, 15-20 are not the same account. For it was the shepherds alone who had visited the infant Jesus at the manger (see again Luke 2: 15-20); whereas, the magi came from the far east following “His star” which lead them to Jerusalem to enquire where the Child Jesus was. According to the time in Matthew 2 the magi never arrived on the scene to visit Jesus until after the manger; around 1 ½ to 2 years later when the star lead them to the house where Mary and Joseph and the Child Jesus were (see Matthew 2: 9-11). How do we know the Child Jesus was around 2 years old when the magi visited Him? This can be seen in Matthew 2: 16, “Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.” (NASB).  

“No. The wise men never visited the manger scene as many Christmas plays, cards, or pictures may display. Luke 2 depicts how the shepherds were at the manger scene, but the wise men were only mentioned in Matthew 2. The wise men came from the far east when they saw the star which appeared when Christ was born. With the distance that the wise men traveled from the Persian Empire, the journey could have taken up to 2 years. When the wise men finally arrived before the Christ child, He was with His mother in a "house" not a stable or manger scene. Furthermore, Matthew 2:8,9 depicts Christ to be a "young child" not a "babe" as it says in Luke 2. In the Greek, "young child" is defined as a young boy or infant, around the age of a toddler. Therefore, the group of wise men came to Jesus Christ as a young boy and worshiped Him as the One true Messiah, God Himself who came to save all men from their sin by dying on the cross and rising from the dead three days later. He did this for you and for me!”[2]



[1] Robert E. Surgenor, The Birth of Jesus: Amazing Fables & Facts!, (The Gospel Messenger, Leaflet tract).
[2] C. Hainsaw, Did the Three Wise Men visit the Manger or not?, (wiki.Answers.com).

Friday 14 December 2012

The Five Pillars of Warning.

In this blog on "the five pillars" the term "pillar" will be used symbolically of a warning to all to avoid the sin of the one judged. In a sense, the pillar stands for a "pillar of judgment." Now having said that, we will be briefly looking at five Biblical characters and their five pillars of judgment.
 

1. LOT'S WIFE--PILLAR OF SALT: There is not much information on Lot's wife. Only two primary verses tell us about her (see Gen. 19: 26; Luke 17: 32). She was given the command not to "look not behind thee,.." (Gen. 19: 17), but she disobeyed the word of the Lord and it cost her life. "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt" (19: 26). Salt in Scripture is almost always used as an emblem that stands for incorruption and durability. However, since the corrupt influence had its affect on Lot's wife, she looked back. Hence, she became outwardly a pillar of salt, instead of what she should have been inwardly. Her life was cut short because she lost her inward saltiness, becoming corrupt in her influence. As Christians we are called to be the salt of the earth, so to was Lot's wife called to be salt to the wicked Sodomites. Matthew Poole gives this interesting insight on "salt" taken from Matthew 5: 13: 

  "You are the salt of the earth: through the grace of God bestowed upon you, Mr 9:50; Col 4:6. If it were not for the number of sound and painful ministers, and holy and gracious persons, the earth would be but a stinking dunghill of drunkards, unclean persons, thieves, murderers, unrighteous persons, that would be a stench in the nostrils of a pure and holy God. Look as it is in the world, if the salt hath lost its savour, its acrimony, by which it opposeth putrefaction in fish and flesh, not the fish or flesh only will be good for nothing, but the salt itself, so infatuated, (as it is in the Greek), will be good for nothing, but to be cast upon a dunghill and trodden under foot. So it is with ministers of the gospel, so with the professors of it; if they have lost their soundness in the faith, and holiness of life, they are of no value, nay, they are worse than other men. Money, if it be clipped in pieces, and hath lost its usefulness as coin, yet is of use for a goldsmith; meat corrupted, if it will not serve for men, yet will feed dogs; salt is good for nothing. No more are pretended ministers or Christians; their excellency lies in their savour; if that be lost, wherewith shall they be salted? Of what use are they, unless to cause the name of God and religion to be blasphemed? Such another similitude the prophet useth, Eze 15:2,3."[1] 

In other words, Lot's wife was to be "salt" in the context that her life was to act as a preservative in counteracting the rotting and corruption that was so prevalent in Sodom and Gomorrah. Adam Clarke writing on Genesis 19: 26 has this to add: 

"Verse 26.   She became a pillar of salt]  The vast variety of opinions, both ancient and modern, on the crime of Lot's wife, her change, and the manner in which that change was effected, are in many cases as unsatisfactory as they are ridiculous. On this point the sacred Scripture says little. God had commanded Lot and his family not to look behind them; the wife of Lot disobeyed this command; she looked back from behind him-Lot, her husband, and she became a pillar of salt.  This is all the information the inspired historian has thought proper to give us on this subject; it is true the account is short, but commentators and critics have made it long enough by their laborious glosses. The opinions which are the most probable are the following:  1. "Lot's wife, by the miraculous power of God, was changed into a mass of rock salt, probably retaining the human figure."  2. "Tarrying too long in the plain, she was struck with lightning and enveloped in the bituminous and sulphuric matter which abounded in that country, and which, not being exposed afterwards to the action of the fire, resisted the air and the wet, and was thus rendered permanent." 3. "She was struck dead and consumed in the burning up of the plain; and this judgment on her disobedience being recorded, is an imperishable memorial of the fact itself, and an everlasting warning to sinners in general, and to backsliders or apostates in particular."  On these opinions it may be only necessary to state that the two first understand the text literally, and that the last considers it metaphorically.  That God might in a moment convert this disobedient woman into a pillar or mass of salt, or any other substance, there can be no doubt.  Or that, by continuing in the plain till the brimstone and fire descended from heaven, she might be struck dead with lightning, and indurated or petrified on the spot, is as possible.  And that the account of her becoming a pillar of salt may be designed to be understood metaphorically, is also highly probable.  It is certain that salt is frequently used in the Scriptures as an emblem of incorruption, durability, &c. Hence a covenant of salt, Nu 18:19, is a perpetual covenant, one that is ever to be in full force, and never broken; on this ground a pillar of salt may signify no more in this case than an everlasting monument against criminal curiosity, unbelief, and disobedience."[2] 

Many centuries later, Luke writes these sobering words about Lot's wife being turned into a "pillar of salt." He says, "Remember Lot's wife." (Luke 17: 32). What he was essentially saying, "Remember what happened to Lot's wife because she disobeyed God's Word. Be wise, and obey the Word of the Lord." We would do well to heed such advice. 

2. ESAU'S -- PILLAR OF STEW: Here in Genesis 25: 29-34 we read of Esau despising his birthright by selling it for a pot of soup. For we see this when Jacob asked Esau, "Sell me this day thy birthright." (25: 31), in which Esau responded, "Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?" (25: 32). Then Jacob made his brother to swear an oath in selling his birthright to him (see 25: 33-34). It wasn't until later that Esau lived to regret that foolish choice he had made with his brother (see 27: 34-36). Commenting on Genesis 25: 34, Adam Clarke says this about Esau's despising his birthright: 

  "Thus Esau despised his birthright.]  On this account the apostle, Heb 12:16, calls Esau a profane person, because he had, by this act, alienated from himself and family those spiritual offices connected with the rights of primogeniture. While we condemn Esau for this bad action, (for he should rather have perished than have alienated this right,) and while we consider it as a proof that his mind was little affected with Divine or spiritual things, what shall we say of his most unnatural brother Jacob, who refused to let him have a morsel of food to preserve him from death, unless he gave him up his birthright?  Surely he who bought it, in such circumstances, was as bad as he who sold it.  Thus Jacob verified his right to the name of supplanter, a name which in its first imposition appears to have had no other object in view than the circumstance of his catching his brother by the heel; but all his subsequent conduct proved that it was truly descriptive of the qualities of his mind, as his whole life, till the time his name was changed, (and then he had a change of nature,) was a tissue of cunning and deception, the principles of which had been very early instilled into him by a mother whose regard for truth and righteousness appears to have been very superficial.  See on Ge 27:6-27."[3]



[1] Matthew Poole, Matthew Poole's Commentary, (Power Bible CD, 5. 2).
[2] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary, (Power Bible CD, 5. 2).
[3] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary, (Power Bible CD, 5. 2).

Thursday 13 December 2012

The Value of Blood

"And without the shedding of blood is no remission [forgiveness of sin]."
(Hebrews 9: 22, KJV)
 

The subject of blood is one of the greatest themes that runs throughout the Scriptures. It is also one of the most important subjects in the Scriptures as well. Genesis 9: 6 is one of the first mention of blood in the Bible. "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." This verse is the answer to the actual first mention of "blood" in the Bible. It answers righteous Abel's cry for justice in Genesis 4: 10, "the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground."  Because a life was taken a life was required. A life for a life was the price required to pay for the crime of murder. However, it does not answer the root cause of man's sin problem. This is where the truth of Genesis 22 gives us the prophetic picture of the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ seen in type through Abraham's offering up of his only son Isaac. For without the shedding of blood there would be no forgiveness for sin (see Heb. 9: 22). The first system set up for forgiveness for sin through the shedding of blood can be seen in the animal sacrifices in the Levitical sin offerings. However, the blood of animals were only a "covering" for man's sin that only pointed to the blood of Christ that would be shed at Calvary for the "cleansing" of man's sin.  For as Hebrews 10: 4 so aptly puts it, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." The rest of this chapter builds on the truth of Christ being the supreme sacrifice that would be offered "once for all"  for man's sin (see Heb. 10: 5-21). Commenting on this passage, Adam Clarke says: ; Lev. 17: 11; 1 John 1: 7, 9.
 

  "9: 22: And without shedding of blood is no remission.]  The apostle shows fully here what is one of his great objects in the whole of this epistle, viz. that there is no salvation but through the sacrificial death of Christ, and to prefigure this the law itself would not grant any remission of sin without the blood of a victim.  This is a maxim even among the Jews themselves, hrpk Nya Mdb ala ein capparah ella bedam, "There is no expiation but by blood."  Yoma, fol. 5, 1; Menachoth, fol. 93, 2.  Every sinner has forfeited his life by his transgressions, and the law of God requires his death; the blood of the victim, which is its life, is shed as a substitute for the life of the sinner.  By these victims the sacrifice of Christ was typified.  He gave his life for the life of the world; human life for human life, but a life infinitely dignified by its union with God."[1]



[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary, (Power Bible CD, 5. 2).

Wednesday 12 December 2012

A Call to Contentment

"Godliness with contentment is great gain."
(1 Timothy 6: 6, KJV)

One of the virtues of the Christian's life is Contentment. Like humility, it is a difficult virtue to implement into one's life. Over the years I have not heard much about the topic of "Contentment" preached about in Churches. It is not a popular subject to preach about in local churches today. Because many of God's dear children are weighed down by worldliness and materialism that has left many saints disgruntled, dissatisfied, and unthankful with life. To be Content is to be thankful, whereas to be Discontent is to be unthankful. In this blog we will be considering three specific points on Contentment. They are as follows. 

1. Contented Christians are Crucified! 

Contentment is not an easy virtue  to cultivate in our life. For as long as our flesh is allowed to reign in our lives contentment can never be possible in our lives. The flesh needs to be put in the place of death daily. Paul's words are helpful here, "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts" (Gal. 5: 24, KJV). Concerning Galatians 5: 24, Adam Clarke has this to add: 

"Verse 24.   And they that are Christ's]  All genuine Christians have crucified the flesh-are so far from obeying its dictates and acting under its influence, that they have crucified their sensual appetites; they have nailed them to the cross of Christ, where they have expired with him; hence, says St. Paul, Ro 6:6, our old man-the flesh, with its affections and lusts, is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  By which we see that God has fully designed to save all who believe in Christ from all sin, whether outward or inward, with all the affections, payhmasi, irregular passions, and lusts, epiyumiaiv, disorderly wishes and desires. All that a man may feel contrary to love and purity; and all that he may desire contrary to moderation and that self-denial peculiar to the Christian character."[1] 

It is that part of ourselves, the flesh and its unholy affections and lusts that prevents us from being truly content in our lives. (To be Continued...)



[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary, (Power Bible CD, 5. 2).

Tuesday 11 December 2012

A Call to Compassion (Part: 2)

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself"
(Matthew 22: 39)
 
In yesterday's blog I dealt with the Compassionate Christian's love needing to be demonstrated by listening and learning. Today's blog will be dealing with the last point . The need for Compassionate Christians to be more loving in there interactions with others.
 
3. Compassionate Christians Love. 

There is much in the Bible on the subject of love. For example, the Gospel of John is sometimes referred to as the great gospel book of love. The first book of Corinthians, chapter 13, is often quoted as the great love chapter of the Bible. Generally speaking, God's word is His love letter to the human race. 

1 John 4: 7-8 helps us understand the true nature of love: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 

A compassionate person is one who is willing to go outside him or herself, willing to go beyond his or her circle of friends to reach out to the lonely and hurting people of this world. As Christians, we need to go outside our comfort zone; by loving those who we feel are difficult, unlovable, or undesirable to show compassion towards. Remember, everyone is deserving of love. Since God is love, the compassionate Christian should be known by his or her love for others. "Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given unto us." (Romans 5: 5, NKJV). I am very fond of what Augustine wrote long ago about love: 

"What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and the sorrows of men. That is what love looks like."[1] 

Oh that we as the people of God would learn to love others with more compassion. Today's theme text brings it home to our hearts personally: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22: 39).  Noted Commentator Adam Clarke has this to say about Matthew 22: 39: 

"Verse 39.   Thou shalt love thy neighbour]  The love of our neighbour springs from the love of God as its source; is found in the love of God as its principle, pattern, and end; and the love of God is found in the love of our neighbour, as its effect, representation, and infallible mark.  This love of our neighbour is a love of equity, charity, succour, and benevolence.  We owe to our neighbour what we have a right to expect from him-"Do unto all men as ye would they should do unto you," is a positive command of our blessed Saviour.  By this rule, therefore, we should speak, think, and write, concerning every soul of man:-put the best construction upon all the words and actions of our neighbour that they can possibly bear.  By this rule we are taught to bear with, love, and forgive him; to rejoice in his felicity, mourn in his adversity, desire and delight in his prosperity, and promote it to the utmost of our power: instruct his ignorance, help him in his weakness, and risk even our life for his sake, and for the public good.  In a word, we must do every thing in our power, through all the possible varieties of circumstances, for our neighbours, which we would wish them to do for us, were our situations reversed.  

This is the religion of Jesus!  How happy would Society be, were these two plain, rational precepts properly observed!  Love ME, and love thy FELLOWS!  Be unutterably happy in me, and be in perfect peace, unanimity, and love, among yourselves.  Great fountain and dispenser of love! fill thy creation with this sacred principle, for his sake who died for the salvation of mankind!"[2] 

One of the greatest verses on love in the Bible, and my personal favorite is John 15: 13, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." The Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of love. He fulfilled the above verse in the greatest act of love when He laid down His life for us on the Cross of Calvary.  
In closing, consider this heart searching poem written by a seventeen year old girl who was martyred for her faith at Columbine high school a couple of years ago. She was known for her deep compassion and love towards others.
 

Up this lonely, dusty road,
I will find you.
Past the shallow and the cold,
I will find you.
Through this city's horrid fears,
Beyond the stream of fallen tears,
Over the mountain of endless hate,
Past this hell's dark, heavy gate,
I will find you,
I will find you,
I will find you and your love.[3]



[1] George Sweeting, How to Continue the Christian Life, pg. 94.
[2] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary, (Power Bible CD, 5.2).
[3] Beth Nemmo, The Journals of Rachel Joy Scott, pg. 97.