The Scriptures Testify

“Search the Scriptures...they testify about Me.” John 5:39  "if you believed Moses, you would believe me,  for he wrote about me." John 5:46

Charles Spurgeon writes, "The Greek word here rendered search signifies a strict, close, diligent, curious search, such as men make when they are seeking gold, or hunters when they are in earnest after game. We must not rest content with having given a superficial reading to a chapter or two, but with the candle of the Spirit we must deliberately seek out the hidden meaning of the word.

Holy Scripture requires searching—much of it can only be learned by careful study. There is milk for babes, but also meat for strong men. The rabbis wisely say that a mountain of matter hangs upon every word, yea, upon every title of Scripture. Tertullian exclaims, “I adore the fulness of the Scriptures.” No man who merely skims the book of God can profit thereby; we must dig and mine until we obtain the hid treasure. The door of the word only opens to the key of diligence. 

The Scriptures claim searching. They are the writings of God, bearing the divine stamp and imprimatur—who shall dare to treat them with levity? He who despises them despises the God who wrote them. God forbid that any of us should leave our Bibles to become swift witnesses against us in the great day of account. 

The word of God will repay searching. God does not bid us sift a mountain of chaff with here and there a grain of wheat in it, but the Bible is winnowed corn—we have but to open the granary door and find it. Scripture grows upon the student. It is full of surprises. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to the searching eye it glows with splendor of revelation, like a vast temple paved with wrought gold, and roofed with rubies, emeralds, and all manner of gems. No merchandise is like the merchandise of Scripture truth.

Lastly, the Scriptures reveal Jesus: “They are they which testify of me.”  After reading from the writings of the prophets in Isaiah 61, Jesus "rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down.  The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." 

No more powerful motive can be urged upon Bible readers than this: he who finds Jesus finds life, heaven, all things. Happy he who, searching his Bible, discovers his Savior.

(excerpts from Charles Spurgeon, "Morning and Evening" for June 9th)

The sheep of His pasture...

More on sheep...sorry, I just can't get them off my mind.  Was lead to read Psalm 100 today and their they were again!!  This is where I say, God is so good...all the time.

Psalm 100

 

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

  ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Sheep

Sheep.  That would be the lesson plan.  There is a little girl that comes to our congregation twice a month on Shabbat who I have the privilege of teaching.  I don't prepare much.  But sheep were on my mind.  Actually sheep and cotton balls.  But when I got to the class I realized the cotton balls were still at home.

So we went on a hunt.  The closest thing we could find were disposable diapers - which to a 7 year old was hysterical.  So, I got her attention with the diaper and we proceeded to dismantle it, extracting the cottony fluff.  Pasting clumps of fluff on a paper plate, we added a black head and 4 legs. While working,  she told me she was reading a book about Sammie the Sheep that morning.  As far as I was concerned, that was all the confirmation I needed to begin the teaching of the day.

So I mentioned that sheep are not very bright.  They hang out in herds.  They become a bit stressed when separated from their 'friends' and they tend to want to flee in a panic when threatened...which could be more effort than some shepherds want to exert! A shepherd spends an inordinate amount of time with his flock.  So our discussion was also about the shepherd.

When we finished making her sheep, she had gathered other stuffed animal sheep from the classroom to make a herd.  She placed her creation amongst the other sheep and I told her a story about a shepherd who watched 100 sheep.  How every night they would be herded into the pen and counted.  But one night, there were only 99.  I told her to close her eyes.  And I hid her creation.  I asked her if she was satisfied to just leave her creation lost and play with the stuffed animals that looked like her homemade sheep.  She looked at me like I was crazy!  She said, "No! We have to find my sheep!"

She went on a hunt around the room until finally she found her lost sheep.  She held it high...and said, "I found it!"  And I told her the rest of the story.  In Ezekiel 34, "the Sovereign LORD says; I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.  As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep."  Then in Luke 15 Jesus said, "Suppose one of you has a 100 sheep and loses one of them.  Does he not leave the 99 in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. He calls his friends and neighbors together and says, "Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent."

She got it.  Do you?

This one was born in Zion

"The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: 'This one was born in Zion.' " Psalm 87:6

I have found great comfort in these words.  The grace of God extended to all people.  ALL PEOPLE regardless of their nation of origin.  And this Psalm teaches us that from every nation, God has people written in the Book of Life - people He has received as His own from all places in the world.  If you have a chance to read Psalm 87 you will see God records people from Rahab (a term used to represent Egypt) as well as Babylon,  Philistia, Tyre and Cush and writes their names in "the register of the peoples."  At the time this was written, these nations were fierce enemies of the God of Israel. But this one portion of the scripture shows us that God has redeemed people "among those who acknowledge me" out from these places and a future picture of multinational worship will take place in one city - the city He loves - Jerusalem.

How can that be if nations today don't honor or reverence one God?   According to the scripture it isn't about nations recognizing God.  It is about people out of the nations recognizing God individually...and God is recording the names of these people based on their 'knowing' God. And He records them when HE says, "This one was born in Zion." A new birth - not a physical birth as in the nation of their origin.   The prophet Jeremiah said, " This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight."

An example;  Jesus was approached by one of the religious elite of his day, a ruler of the Jewish faith.  This man, Nicodemus, recognized that Jesus had authority from God - a teacher - one who could do things that no one could do unless they were sent by God.  Jesus' reply to this revelation was, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." What!?  Jesus went on to explain that this birth would be not of man,  heritage,  nation, or religious ancestry, but of Spirit.  This would be a spiritual birth - one that produces a change from the inside of your soul to the outside of your being. Nicodemus was zealous for the external and internal rituals of faith, so this birth was difficult for him to comprehend. Yet, he was humble enough to seek after the Truth.  And he met it face to face in Jesus who had the answer to this heart searching question.  This new birth would be a spiritual transformation or regeneration produced by the holy spirit; not by works or religion - no matter how good those might be.

When I ponder God telling us that out of the nations He will redeem people that are 'born in Zion'; I  understand that the birth He refers to is Spiritual.  Is your name recorded in the register of the peoples of God?  Have you been born of the spirit, yet? This blog is read by peoples from all nations - Russia, Singapore, Israel, Croatia, the UK, to name a few, and the USA. We represent the nations of our day. This word from God is still relevant.  How has your life changed from the inside of your heart to the outside? Do your words and actions reflect a new birth of change from your old ways?  Truly, the one who has been born of the spirit, 'born in Zion', will show a transformation of heart and a new life from the old.  Of this place we need to desire residency.

References:  Psalm 87, John 3:1-21, Revelation 21:22-27, Jeremiah 9:23-26

Wisdom of Solomon

"Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.  So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.  For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" 

That was King Solomon's first request of God when he was ordained to be the king of Israel.  And God was pleased with this request!  According to the Scripture, God said to Solomon, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have you asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked.  I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be."

The absolute next thing that happened in Scripture was the wise ruling Solomon made between two mothers.  They both had babies born 3 days apart from each other.   During the night, one woman's son died because she lay on him.  So she got up in the middle of the night and took the other woman's son while she was asleep - and exchanged the dead for the living son.  Then both women appeared before Solomon and argued their case before the king. The woman who took the son explained what had happened to the king according to her lie. But the other woman said, "My son is alive and yours is the one dead! And the other said, 'No! Your son is dead and mine is alive!' "

Then the king said, 'Bring me a sword! Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."  The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her living son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!"  But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!"

Then the king gave his ruling; "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother."

Solomon took a leap in faith as he presented this option before the women.  They could have chosen to sacrifice the living to deal with their problem.  The compassionate mother knew to let the baby live - 'adopted' by the other even if it meant a life of knowing her child would be raised up by another.  She chose life for her child.

Today I was sent a modern day version of this story. It is called, "Baby" by an unknown author.  In researching its' origins I found the blog that posted it had stirred up quite a controversy.  Many people really have disdain for those who choose to believe that the life growing inside a womb is actually a child.  When I was 19 my concept of the 'tissue' inside of me called a fetus was not interpreted yet in my understanding to be a child either.  In fact, it was a problem.  A BIG problem.  So I chose to abort.  However, after coming to faith in the Living God and His Holy Word some 27 years later, I did a little research to see what God thought about such matters.

One of the many scriptures that pierced my heart was,  "There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." When I read that, I knew I had shed innocent blood. And on top of that, I lived a lie by not telling a soul except the father. Actually, as soon as I heard of the pregnancy, I rushed to take care of the problem.   Reading the Word many years later gave me understanding that the fetus I chose to abort was actually a life, it was no longer a blob of tissue....in fact, it was a life that God created just like you and I.   He 'knit me together in my mother's womb...when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  And in 1979, it was my choice to cut the days short of my unborn child.

It is no small coincidence that God chose to give Solomon his wisdom and the first test of that gift was over the life of a child as written in 1 Kings 3. Solomon did very well on his test. He knew the scripture that says God knit him in the womb - actually Solomon's dad, King David, wrote that scripture in Psalm 139.  Solomon grew up on the teaching of the Holy Scriptures.  Sure, King David made some mistakes, like all humans do, but he had a heart after God...and he taught his son well to respect the life of any child...born or unborn.  I look back and see that one of my greatest tests was over the life of a child too.  I failed that one miserably...but, I praise God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; His works are wonderful, and I know that full well - now.  And His love for me has taken that decision to the cross where my sin and guilt have been atoned.  Blessed be His Name!

Here is the "Baby" story - just a reminder of how we can overlook the obvious at times.  Though God is faithful and can bring others with wisdom to speak truth into our hearts - sooner or later.  Do you have an ear to hear?

BABY

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.

So the doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?'

She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.

The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!

'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.'

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.


-unkown

 

 

Patience to be Patient

Patience To Be Patient

May 14, 2011

Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn

READ: Psalm 130

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I do hope. —Psalm 130:5

Children want things now: “But I want dessert now!” “Are we there yet?” “Now can we open our presents?” In contrast, as we get older we learn to wait. Medical students wait through training. Parents wait in hopes that the prodigal will return. We wait for what is worth waiting for, and in the process we learn patience.

God, who is timeless, requires of us a mature faith that may involve delays that seem like trials. Patience is one sign of that maturity, a quality that can develop only through the passing of time.
  

Many prayers in the Bible come out of the act of waiting. Jacob waited 7 years for a wife and then worked 7 more after being tricked by her father (Gen. 29:15-20). The Israelites waited 4 centuries for deliverance; Moses waited 4 decades for the call to lead them, then 4 more decades for a Promised Land he would not enter.

“My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,” wrote the psalmist (Ps. 130:6 NIV). The picture comes to mind of a watchman counting the minutes for his shift to be over.

I pray for the patience to endure times of trial, to keep anticipating, keep hoping, keep believing. I pray for patience to be patient. —Philip Yancey

Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint. —Isaiah 40:31

                                         God seldom does great things in a hurry.

Why Don't We Roast a Lamb?

Why Don't We Roast a Lamb?

By Colin Smith  

  

"Celebrate the Passover of the Lord your God."

Deuteronomy 16:1

God's people were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years.  They'd been oppressed by a cruel tyrant who defied God and abused His people.  God said, "Let my people go," but Pharaoh cared nothing for God, so God came down in judgment and mercy. 

God's judgment broke the power of Pharaoh, while His mercy protected His people.  The wages of sin is death, and death came to every home in Egypt that night.  But God said to His own people, "Sacrifice a lamb, and paint the blood on the door frame of your house."  Then God said, "When I see the blood I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13).

That's where the "Passover" comes from.  God saved His people from the fearsome wrath of His judgment and "passed over" them by the blood of a sacrifice.  What would you have done if you'd been among God's people and Moses told you to paint blood over your door?  "Do we really need to do this?"  Would you have taken God at His Word? 

Celebrating the Passover with Moses

"For seven days, eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction... so that... you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt." Deuteronomy 16:3

Through a sacrifice, God's people were saved from His judgment and brought into a covenant with Him, "You will be my people and I will be your God."

  Now Moses says, "That's worth celebrating!"  Notice how they celebrated Passover...

Imagine you're living north of Jerusalem, as our Lord did.  You travel on foot for seven days to this festival, and when you arrive you get to eat... dry crackers?  Centuries later, God's people were to taste life as it would have been, if it had not been for the mercy of God.  On the final day of the Passover, they were told to "sacrifice the Passover when the sun goes down... roast it and eat it" (16:6-7).

Celebrating the Passover with Jesus Christ

"I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer...  He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you.'  In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'" Luke 22:15, 19-20

Do you see what Jesus was saying?  "The mighty intervention of God we're celebrating tonight is only a shadow of what He's about to do.  The Passover points to this-my body will become the sacrifice by which you're redeemed from divine wrath.  My blood will set you free from sin's power."

When we celebrate the Lord's Supper, we don't roast a lamb-the sacrifice has already been made!  We take the cup and remember the blood of Christ was shed.  And when, by faith, His blood is applied to your life, you're delivered from the wrath of God and brought out of the position you used to be in, which is a slave.  You're brought into the freedom of new life with God, in which He says to you, "You are mine and I am yours."

This is not a process.  It's been accomplished.  God gives you this feast so you won't spend the rest of your life wondering if He loves you.  You see that He loves you in the cross.  God gives you this feast so that you won't spend the rest of your life wondering if you'll ever be forgiven.  You see that you're forgiven in the cross.  Faith sees this.

God gives you this feast so that you will not spend the rest of your life living as if you were still a slave.  Through the Passover, God's people saw that God had put them in an entirely new position.  You are no longer slaves!  This is what God says to us in the cross, "You are not a slave!  You are redeemed!  You have been set free by the blood of Christ." Sin will always be your enemy but it is no longer you master.

  

Colin S. Smith