I AM - Part One

"I AM", what do these two words reveal to you?

 In Exodus 3:14 we read these words, "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And He said, 'Thus shall you say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you'."

 I am, is continually in the present. Here is a God who does not age as we do! In Exodus 3:15 we learn that He is, "The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob..." He does not say 'was'; He states that He is their God.

 Why did the Jews have problems believing this? Why is this? Is it because we live in a Space/Matter/Time universe; but the Eternal God exists outside of time, in eternity! Eternity does not exist without the true and living God! Without the true and living God there is no eternity!

 Now let's look at Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." God has put eternity in our hearts; therefore we can grasp the concept of eternity. Eternity is not, and never will be, endless time! Eternity was present before time began and eternity will be present when time ceases. God was present when time began for He created time. God will be present when time ceases, for it will cease at His decree.

 In my own personal experience I know that before I became a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I only had a dim grasp of eternity. I could only view eternity from my own limited life experience. For me eternity would start after I died. I knew about heaven and hell; heaven was where I hoped to end up. So my concept of eternity was I guess based on endless time. So what changed my concept of eternity; what changed my concept of forever and ever?

 The moment I was saved and became a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ; that very moment the Holy Spirit of God, Himself, came into my being to seal me for God and live forever in me. Now I could understand that eternity was outside of time. I was able to grasp that because the Eternal God was present before time began, that eternity does not depend on time. Time depends on the eternal God!

So when the Eternal God tells us that His name is "I AM" He is telling us that He ever was, that He ever is and that He ever will be. Jesus of Nazareth told the Jews in John 8:58, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." Those Jews knew that He was telling them that He was their God! They did not believe Him and took up stones to stone Him to death; but Jesus hid Himself from them and left the temple precincts. In Hebrews 13:8 we read these words, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." His eternal deity has never changed and will never change.

The "I AM" of the Old Testament is revealed in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Do you believe this? If not, you are missing out on God's revelation of Himself in Jesus, the Messiah [Christ], the Son of Man, the Son of God, God the Son.

Next blog post I will continue with more thoughts on the "I AM".

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

[If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]

 

 

  

Double Security

We live in a world of heightened tensions. The threat of extreme terrorism now extends to all countries of the world. Violence and corruption are on the increase. In Australia where I live, the nation's leaders have placed our country on "high alert" status; due to the G20 meetings to be held in Brisbane QLD in November 2014. The leaders of the G20 nations will gather in Brisbane at this time to discuss matters of global significance.

 Security in Australia has been increased; with the Australian Defence Forces, the Australian Federal Police and State Police Forces all on high alert status.

 It would be good to live in peace and safety and not have to worry about atrocities and acts of terrorism. All these are the result of sin! Man's inhumanity to man are the results of sin in individual lives. The true and living God will judge all people for their sins.

 When Jesus walked among men He was not only interested in their physical wellbeing but also in their spiritual wellbeing. He knew that the end result of sin in a person's life was physical death and separation from mankind and God.

 Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 In John chapter 10 Jesus portrays Himself as the Good Shepherd who will lay down His life for His sheep [followers]. He had power to lay down His life and He had power to raise Himself up in resurrection.

 Jesus in John 10:27-30 gives us a wonderful revelation of the power of the Godhead in action.

"(27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

(28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

(29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

(30) I and My Father are one."

 Did you notice the double security in verses 28 & 29? The Son's hand and the Father's hand! I like to picture this as the Son's hand underneath, the Father's hand clasped over the Son's hand and all the believers cocooned safely inside.

 Romans 8:31-39

"(31) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

(32) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

(33) Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

(34) Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

(35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

(36) As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.'

(37) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

(38) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

(39) nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 The apostle Paul believed these things, so much so that he put it on record for us to learn from! God has an end in view for born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. He will bring us safely home to heaven and there is no created power or thing that can prevent this happening. As verse 31 so aptly puts it, "...If God is for us, who can be against us?"

You and I are not promised an easy pathway in this life; however the end result is glorious! We could possibly suffer at the hands of sinners on our pathway down here. Let the words of the apostle Paul encourage us in 2 Corinthians 4:16, 17, "(16) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

 With all these tremendous assurances how can anyone say that you can be saved then lost? Impossible!

 

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

 [If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]

 

 

He Humbled Himself - Part Two

In my last blog post titled 'He Humbled Himself - Part One' we considered the 7 downward steps the Lord Jesus Christ took culminating in His death for you and me. In this blog post we will look at the 7 upward steps that resulted from him humbling Himself on our behalf.

Philippians 2:9-11, "(9) Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Step 1: "...God...has highly exalted Him..." This is not now a man on a Roman cross, or a body in a tomb - this is a risen, glorified Man whom God has exalted to the highest possible place. Hebrews 1:3, [The Son] " who being the brightness of (His) glory and the express image of His [God's]person, and upholding all things by the word of His [the Son's] power, when He [the Son] had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

 Step 2: "...and given Him [Christ] the name which is above every name..." Note that it is God who has given Him [Christ] the name ranked higher than any other man, woman or created being. If you live in the USA the highest ranked name is the President of the United States of America. If you live in Great Britain the highest ranked name is Queen Elizabeth II. How much more then does the name of Jesus Christ rank above all the Heads of all the kingdoms of this world?

Step 3: "...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." How many people in the world today have not the slightest regard or respect for the name of God's Son? Sometime soon all that will change! Every person regardless of ethnicity, race, religion or creed will bow the knee to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

I am reminded of an incident in the life of Joseph the son of Jacob in Genesis 41:42, 43, "(42) Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. (43) And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, 'Bow the knee!' So he set him over all the land of Egypt." Every person in Egypt had to bow the knee to Joseph, whether they liked it or not.

 Step 4: "...of those in heaven..." We are now beginning to see the scope of Christ's authority and power. Every created being in heaven will bow the knee to Jesus Christ.

 Step 5: "...and of those on earth..." Every man, woman and child on Planet Earth will bow the knee to Jesus Christ.

 Step 6: "...and of those under the earth..." This is every created being in the subterranean, infernal place we know as Hell. They will bow the knee to Jesus Christ.

  Step 7: "...and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." All created beings, angels, evil spirits and human beings will not only bow the knee to Jesus Christ, but will also confess that He is Lord - to God the Father's glory. Revelation 19:16 reveals Jesus Christ as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

 In Luke 24:25, 26 we have the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. "(25) Then He said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! (26) Ought not the Christ to have suffered those things [at Calvary] and to enter into His glory?' "

 He is in the Glory and He is sitting on the Throne of the Universe. How does this affect you? How do you stand in this matter?

 

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

 [All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

 [If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]

 

 

 

He humbled Himself - Part One

Philippians 2:5-8, "(5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to (the point of) death, even the death of the cross." To the spiritual mind this portion of the Holy Scriptures holds a special significance. Here we learn the 7 steps of condescension that the Lord Jesus took in order to redeem us from the bondage of sin and death; and to save our sinful souls.

 Step 1: The Lord Jesus Christ as God the Son "...did not consider it robbery to be equal with God..." because He is God and part of the Godhead.

 Step 2: He "...made Himself of no reputation..." In order to meet sinful human beings' needs of salvation He voluntarily veiled His glory and entered our world as a man. He left the throne of God and "...was made a little lower than the angels..." (Hebrews 2:9).

 Step 3: "...taking the form of a bondservant..." Christ became indissolubly bound to God as God's bondservant. He came to do God the Father's will as a perfect, sinless man. No man was His Master; God Himself was Christ's Master.

 Step 4:"...coming in the likeness of men." He was born of a virgin and grew up in Nazareth in Galilee. He had to partake of flesh and blood in order to redeem our souls. Yet He was sinless; Adam's sinful nature did not pass to Him because no man had any part in His conception in Mary's womb. Luke 1:35, "And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

 Step 5: "And being found in appearance as a man..." Even secular history records details of the man named Jesus of Nazareth. However, He was not just any man for He was also the Son of David, the Messiah, the King of the Jews and the Son of God. He was truly God and truly man. Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor in Jerusalem, after he had scourged Jesus Christ brought Him out to the people and said, "Behold the Man!" (John 19:5).

 Step 6: "...He humbled himself..." It is good to point out here that Jesus the Christ was always in control of the situation. Nobody could do anything to Him unless He allowed it. John 18:4-6, "(4) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, 'Whom are you seeking?' (5) They answered Him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am (He).' And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. (6)Now when He said to them, 'I am (He),' they drew back and fell to the ground."

 So He voluntarily humbled himself and allowed himself to be taken; and then later allowed Himself to be crucified on a Roman cross, for your sins and my sins. The cross was a type of death reserved for criminals. It was a shameful, cruel death.

 Step 7: "...and became obedient to (the point of) death, even the death of the cross." He was submissive to God the Father's will for himself. Hebrews 2:9, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death..." He came to die! He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins to God. However, I must emphasise this point very strongly. No man took His life from Him! He voluntarily gave it up at Calvary. He yielded up, or dismissed, His own human spirit. John 19:30, "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." Yes, He "...became obedient to death...even the death of the cross."

 The 7 steps the Lord Jesus Christ took down to the cross at Calvary were for your benefit and mine. Let us never forget that downward path. Let's revisit Hebrews 2:9, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." He went into death - but death could not hold Him! He arose from among the dead on the third day and forty days later ascended into heaven. That's where He is now crowned with glory and honour!

 Next blog post we will continue in Philippians chapter 2.

 

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

 [All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

 [If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]

 

 

 

 

 

God's requested blessing is dependent on faith

"God will not give you any greater requested blessing than what you believe in."

 Let's look at Matthew 9:27-30, "(27) When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, 'Son of David, have mercy on us!' (28) And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to him, 'Yes, Lord.' (29) Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith let it be to you.' (30) And their eyes were opened..."

 These two blind men could only operate on hearsay. They were not able to see the miracles that Jesus of Nazareth was doing, but they listened to the good reports. Romans 10:17, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

 Two previous miracles had occurred in chapter 9 which encouraged these blind men. A woman who had an incurable disease had enough faith in Jesus to be healed. She came up behind Him in a crowd and touched the hem of His garment and immediately she was healed. Jesus acknowledged her faith to the crowd. In the next miracle a young girl who had died was brought back to life by Jesus; who acted on the faith shown by the girl's father.

It was after this miracle the two blind men followed Jesus, seeking their own miracle from Him. Here it is interesting to note that they cried out, "Son of David, have mercy on us." They did not call Him, Master or Teacher. They publicly acknowledged Him as Son of David, their Messiah.

Jesus asked them (verse 28); "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" Remember, they could not see Him, but they had faith in Him. So they said to him, "Yes, Lord." Whereupon He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be to you." And then they received their sight! "And their eyes were opened." They could now look on the man who had given them their sight. They could look into His eyes of love and perceive the deep love and compassion He had for them individually.

 The Greek word kyrios translated here as the English word Lord has the force of someone who is supreme in authority, someone who is in control. It is also by implication a title of great respect. The two blind men realised that Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of David had power and authority well above the rulers of the Jews and the Roman government. Jesus had power over disease and death! He was able to give sight to blind men!

 In verses 32, 33 a mute man possessed by a demon is healed. The demon is cast out and the mute man is able to speak. The power of the demon was broken. The former mute man began to speak. Note, the mute man had been brought to Jesus through the faith of others. His blessing was the result of their faith. He could not speak for himself prior to the miracle.

 In each of these miracles Jesus acted upon a request to Him. The request was backed up by faith in Him, in His ability to carry out the request. There was no, will He, or won't He? There was no, now is not a good time, or maybe He is too busy? These people had definite needs and Jesus was the only person capable of fulfilling those needs! They acted upon their faith; being confident they would get the result they were looking for.

 All these miracles brought glory to God; that is the culmination of faith in God in operation.

 "God will not give you any greater requested blessing than what you believe in."

 "According to your faith, let it be unto you."

  

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

 [All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

 [If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]

 

 

 

 

Faith - Hope - Love

These three words epitomise many aspirations of people all over the world. In general, we all want to be loved, to have faith in other people and we certainly have hope that the future will bring us good times and good things.

The apostle Paul uses the 3-fold combination of faith, hope and love at least 4 times in his epistles. Let's look at them in their settings in the Scriptures.

1 Thessalonians 1:3, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God our Father." The apostle's first epistle to the Thessalonian believers is considered to be the first letter he wrote to any church. Paul in his to prayers to God remembered three particular attributes of these believers.

1. Your work of faith. Faith to me is an unswerving conviction and a deeply felt trust in someone, or something. Therefore my work of faith is to follow my unswerving conviction and put into practice my deeply felt trust. James states in his epistle, in chapter 2:26, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."  Ephesians 2:10 tells us we have been "...created in Christ Jesus for good works...

2. (Your) labour of love. How well this follows on from the work of faith. The labour of love stems from the outworking of faith in our lives. Love enriches faith and faith enhances love. Our human labour of love is inspired by divine love in our lives. Colossians 3:23, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men."

3. (Your) patience of hope. The word hope denotes something in the future. Patience is required if hope is to be fulfilled. Ephesians 1:18, "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." Titus 2:13, "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ."

 1 Thessalonians 5:8, "But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation." In chapter 5 the apostle Paul uses the illustration of a soldier's armour to help us and comfort us. This chapter starts off by telling us of the coming Day of the Lord; a time of wrath and judgement on the nations. Paul exhorts the Thessalonian believers to be vigilant and sober. Faith and love here are likened to a breastplate that protects the heart and lungs. The helmet protects the head and thus protects the hope of our salvation.

 Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers in verse 9, "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."

 1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." In 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 we find that these verses form a part of the Holy Scriptures known to Christians as the love chapter. Verse 13 our heading verse is the last verse of the chapter. It is Paul's summation of the chapter.

 The word abide can also mean dwelling or remaining. Remaining seems to fit this verse best. From all the things Paul tells us in chapter 13 that will cease, faith - hope - love remain. However, he points out that the greatest of the three is love.

 1 John 4:16, "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."  Love is not just an attribute of God. God Himself is love! All love therefore has its original source in God Himself. When we get to heaven faith and hope will no longer be required; for we are in the presence of God, who is love! This outcome is also the fulfilment of our faith, hope and love.

  

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

 [All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

 [If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]

 

 

 

The Comfort of the Scriptures

Romans 15:4, 5 states, "(4) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (5) Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus."

What is comfort? Collins Concise Dictionary gives us these meanings.

1. (Noun) A state of ease or wellbeing.

2. Relief from affliction, grief etc.

3. A person, thing or event that brings solace or ease.

4. Something that affords physical ease and relaxation

5. (Verb) To soothe; cheer.

6. Bring physical ease to.

Many people have been comforted through the Holy Scriptures. Let's look at verse 4 and take note of the important points in it.

1. Previous Scriptures were written and recorded so that we could learn from them.

2. We learn in continuing patience.

3. We derive comfort from the Scriptures.

4. The results are that we might therefore have hope in God.

It is interesting to observe that the word patience is closely allied to the word comfort in verse 4. We don't often consider that we learn through the patience of the Scriptures. The Greek word hypomone conveys the thoughts of hopeful, constant, enduring patience, or patient continuance [waiting]. And that is the marvellous thing about the Scriptures; they are not a one-time wonder. They are indeed to be studied, learned and applied to our own souls; time and time again.

Do you have a problem in your life? You will get guidance from the Scriptures. Why do you think Psalm 23 is so popular? It is because it provides comfort and hope. The first verse emphatically states, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

"I shall not want" is King David's conviction. As you read through the psalm you get an overwhelming sense of David's trust and confidence in the Lord. David was convinced that whatever came along in his life the Lord was more than equal to it; and would provide whatever David needed for that particular circumstance.

David saw the Lord figuratively as his Shepherd. In Psalm 23:4 David tells us, "...For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me." David's confidence was so strong that in verse 6 of the psalm he declares, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Here is a man that has his sight fixed on not just the here and now; but also eternity in the house of the Lord.

The apostle Peter in his 2nd Epistle speaks about exceedingly great and precious promises given to us by God's divine power.

2 Peter 1:2-4, "(2) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you in the knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, (3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (4) by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

There are many promises to the follower of Christ in the Scriptures. It takes patience and perseverance to find them. They are there for our learning and our comfort.

There is a growing trend in our technological world for instant gratification; but on the other hand there is the problem of an overload of often non-essential information. If you want to derive comfort and hope from the Scriptures you need to slow down and absorb the Scriptures.

My high school Maths teacher had a very good saying which is applicable when reading the Scriptures. "Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest!"

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.

 

 

 

The best is yet to come!

Sometimes you hear the expression, "It's for the best." What is the person saying, trying to convey to you? Is it that whatever the circumstance, or circumstances, that have occurred there will be a better outcome for you ahead?

 Often in life we are faced with trials and testings. It could be health problems, or financial stress, or relationship break downs, or employer/employee conflicts. Maybe there is psychological or verbal abuse. Sometimes these trials can go on for years. It is not easy when you are going through a particular trial; that seemingly goes on and on, to think "It's for the best."

 As Christians we can turn to the Holy Scriptures for encouragement. Let's look at Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

 Do you agree with the apostle Paul? It was his experience and those that were with him to say, "...we know that all things work together for good..." Note, he does not say that all things that have happened to him were good experiences. What he does say is that all his experiences good and bad are working together for his good. It is often in the bad experiences that we learn to appreciate the goodness of our God.

 Do you love God? If you do then you will personally know the truth of Paul's words, "...that all things work together for good..."

 Let's look at 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding weight of glory." Paul is measuring our trials in the light of eternity! Our "light affliction" as he puts it, is being outweighed by God piling up more and more glory to our account. The best is yet to come!

 Have you got economic problems? Let's see what the apostle Peter has to say in his 1st epistle, 1 Peter 1:3, 4, "(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you." You don't need money in heaven. You have an inheritance, guaranteed and reserved in heaven; which will last for eternity! The best is yet to come!

 Are you at present going through a testing time? Let's look at 1 Corinthians 10:13, " No temptation [testing] has overtaken you except as is common to man; but God is faithful; who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

 The Greek word used for temptation, peirasmos, has the thought of testing or trial. We often perceive the word temptation to be something evil or wrong. God does not tempt any person to do evil! I will repeat this; God does not tempt any person to do evil.

 Please note, God will not allow us to be tested more than we can bear. He always provides a way to end or exit the trial we are going through. Sometimes, He does not end the particular trial immediately; but makes it bearable for us until He concludes that particular testing.

1 Peter 5:6, 7, "(6) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, (7) casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you." The best is yet to come!

 So what have we learned from this? Testings and trials are common to all mankind. Christians are not exempt from testings and trials; however God will not allow them to be overwhelmed by their trials. What is the worst thing that can happen? Death is man's greatest fear. Yet death for a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ means, "...to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord [in heaven]." (2 Corinthians 5:8).

 The best is yet to come!

 Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

 [All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

 [If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]

 

 

 

 

Worship

The word worship has different degrees of meaning to different people. Yet in those degrees of difference there seems to be a common purpose. That purpose is to show profound respect and devotion to either God, or a human being or some object of devotion.

Collins Concise Dictionary defines the word worship as:

1. To show profound religious devotion and respect to adore or venerate (God or any person or thing considered divine).

2. To be devoted to and full of admiration for.

3. To have or express feelings of profound adoration.

4. To attend services for worship.

5. Religious adoration and devotion.

6. The formal expression of religious adoration, rites, prayers etc.

7. Admiring love or devotion.

What does the word worship convey to you? For me it is the out flowing from a heart full of appreciation for the goodness, grace, mercy; and above all, the love of God to me personally. Whilst my personal worship gives the true and living God joy and satisfaction; He derives much more joy and satisfaction from redeemed men and women gathered together for the express purpose of worshipping Him.

1 Chronicles 16:29 tells us, "Give to the Lord the glory due to his name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." These words "...worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." are also found in Psalm 29:2 and Psalm 96:9.

Let us take note of the points of interest in 1 Chronicles 16:29.

1. Give to the Lord the glory due to His name.

2. Bring an offering.

3. Come before Him.

4. Worship the Lord.

5. The beauty of holiness.

In point 1 we need to recognise who the Lord is; the pre-eminence of His name and the glory due to His name and person. In point 2 we are told to bring an offering to the Lord. In point3 we are told to come before Him. In point 4 we are told to worship Him. In point 5 we are told this worship is to be in the beauty of holiness.

This worship is not from afar; this worship is close and very personal. You may be wondering what sort of an offering modern day believers can bring to the Lord. Let's look at Hebrews 13:15, "Therefore by Him [Jesus Christ] let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."  Here is an offering we can all make!

Praise and worship are intertwined. Praise is a sacrifice of self. When we are praising God our thoughts are turned away from ourselves to the glory and beauty of our God. This praise flows forth in worship of our God.

"...in the beauty of holiness." This holiness is not something we confer on ourselves. This holiness is not conferred on us by other men or women. This holiness is conferred on us the moment we are saved. 1 Corinthians 6:11, "...But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." These three actions encompass holiness. We are clean in God's sight, we are set apart for God [sanctified] and we are made just in God's eyes. Thus we can "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

[If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]