Wednesday, June 6, 2018

"Trust No One" or "Test All Things"

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- 1 John 4:1

Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good,  reject every kind of evil.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them---bringing swift destruction on themselves.
- 2 Peter 2:1

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
- James 3:1

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Omniscient GOD

 In light of Genesis 6 when God regrets creating mankind and Genesis 18 where Abraham prays and his pleading "changes God's mind", and other similar stories in the Bible, it's important to balance them with:

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
-- Psalm 18:30

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
-- Psalm 147:5

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
-- Isaiah 40:28

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, "My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."
-- Isaiah 46:9-10

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
-- I John 3:20

(Italics added.)

I believe GOD provides us a method of communication, as seen in Genesis 6 and 18, so as to relate to us. GOD doesn't make mistakes, or fail, nor do we "change His mind."  Like a good parent who relates to their child on the child's level, GOD relates to us; yet there is still mystery as to GOD's nature (Isaiah 55:8-9). Praying in His name is praying in "His nature", as Oswald Chambers states. It's in His nature to have a relationship with us; and one way He accomplishes that is by interacting with us in a way we can understand.
GOD is not Superman with one weakness. The aforementioned scripture referenced in Psalms, Isaiah and I John support that GOD is ALL-knowing, ALL-powerful, He is the Almighty GOD! He is the great I AM.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Meet Adam and Eve


Adam and Eve. Myth, or actual and historical? I believe in the former. 

So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. -- 1 Corinthians 15:45

For Adam was formed first, then Eve. -- 1 Timothy 2:13

The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. -- 1 Corinthians 15:47

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
-- Romans 5:12, 17 and 18

Commentary

In the original Hebrew (see Genesis 1-2), Adam means "man, human being or mankind" which references the individual; and Adamah references the ground, the earth, from which originates the individual -- the man. The Book of Corinthians calls Adam the first man -- "a living being" -- actual and singular. The Book of Timothy also supports that Adam was first -- "formed first"; Eve was formed second.

Genesis 12-50 are considered to be written with historical language, unlike chapters 1-11. Although God used the hand of Moses to write this book in this manner -- using the myths of the ancient world to speak to the audience of the time -- consider the opening phrase in chapter two, "This is the account ...", which indicates historical language. In addition, subsequent chapters within 1-11 provide genealogy, which is clearly historical language. The account of Noah is included in 1-11, and theologians consider that historical, so why wouldn't Adam and Eve be also?

If Adam solely refers to "mankind", and God created many men and women prior to the Fall (see Genesis 3 regarding the Fall), then it must be asked, what was the outcome of the lives who did not take of the forbidden fruit? The Book of Romans states in chapter three that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". Therefore, the premise of Adam as mankind, the plural, a mythical metaphor for all mankind is untrue. This premise would cause doctrinal issues in that the need for redemption through Jesus Christ was not for the "all" as referenced in Romans 5.

If this story is allegorical or symbolic, then it must be asked why Jesus the Messiah is called the "second man", the second Adam? This reference of Jesus recalls an actual man, the first man in the first Temple -- the Garden. And, Jesus the second Adam, who is presently restoring His Temple through His Spirit, will complete it upon His bodily return. Myth only diminishes the connection of the first Temple and the second Temple, which also referenced as Jesus Himself

Lastly, if the account of Adam and Eve is merely mythical, then the writings of the Apostle Paul are false. In Romans 5: 12-18, Paul specifically connects "the 'one man' through whom sin came and the 'all' to whom it was spread. If sin really didn't come in through the 'one' -- Adam -- and spread to the 'all' --  you and me -- how do we take seriously Paul's further declaration that 'one man's act of righteousness [Jesus] leads to justification and life for all'?" (Theologian Richard Gaffin, the author of "No Adam, No Gospel: Adam and the History of Redemption", see article "Did Adam Really Exist?" from Bible.org). Since "all scripture is inspired by God ...", both Genesis and Romans, it's easy to conclude Paul is correct in asserting the reality of Adam and Eve.


Wednesday, May 2, 2018

With Fear and Honor


In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ... “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

- Isaiah 6:1, 5


His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

- Psalm 147:10-11


A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

- I Corinthians 11:7


~

Commentary: As a cyclist, GOD isn't impressed with how fast or strong I am; He delights in whether I fear Him and place my hope in Jesus the Messiah. May I reflect that onto others, so He may be seen.
In a U.S. courtroom, it is requested to remove a hat from a man's head, unless for religious reasons, as a sign of respect for the judge. Even more so is it true for the Judge of creation -- to honor GOD when entering His house.  These are only two of many ways to fear and honor GOD. I pray not to be too casual with my approach to GOD. He is my good shepherd, but He is also the GOD of the Universe.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

- Psalm 23

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

The Purpose of The Church: Equip, Mature & Grow; Make Disciples & Teach

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
-- Ephesians 4:11-16 
~
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
-- Matthew 28:18-20 



Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Jesus is Lord!

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

-- Romans 10:9-11

Monday, February 19, 2018

Celebrate the Heart


But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
-- 1 Samuel 16:7 

Commentary:
Is it possible to celebrate achievement without mentioning race, gender, disability, or any kind of physical appearance? Is it possible to celebrate the heart? It could be one step of many to ending prejudice.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Out of this World

"I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." -- The Apostle Paul
-- Galations 1:11-12 NIV

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

GOD Never Fails

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
- Psalm 9:10

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
- Hebrews 13:5

~

Commentary:
Not "yet", at present, and not ever!


Monday, November 20, 2017

He Is Our Hope All Day, On the Road of Life

"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

- Psalm 25:4-5

~

Commentary:
On the paths, the roads we ride, may we be reminded that it is GOD who guides us (not a GPS). Whether on or off the bike, He is our hope all day. Whether we ride 25 miles, 50 miles, 100 miles or more; or a conversation with our fellow man or woman orchestrated by GOD in order to encourage in truth and love -- as we should in the saddle -- He is our hope all day!

Friday, November 17, 2017

GOD's Armour, Not Our Own


I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.

- Psalm 44:6-8


... be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

- Ephesians 6:10-12