“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)One of my favorite things to do is to dissect God’s Word; after-all, we are told in II Timothy 2:15 to “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth” (Amp.).
Nahum is a short (three chapters long) book in the Old Testament in the middle of all the other wondrous Books in the Minor Prophets. It may be short but it is “chucked full” of marvelous wisdom, knowledge and promises. As I intently looked at this particular Nahum scripture, I noticed all the letters in the name of God, “LORD,” were capitalized.
I have learned that when LORD or GOD is capitalized it is referring to YHWH (Yahweh) or Jehovah, “The self-existent One Who reveals Himself.” So in this verse the LORD is revealed as being “good” (righteous; right in everything). Nahum says this “good GOD” is also a “stronghold” (“a fortified place, a defense”) in the day of trouble (“adversary, adversity, anguish, distress, tribulation”). It seems every day we face “trouble” of some kind; so every day we have the opportunity to trust our good LORD Who has revealed Himself as our “strong defense.” He is our “Hiding Place.” Psalm 139:5 says, “You have beset me and shut me in – behind and before, and You have laid Your hand upon me” (Amp.). We are covered by God’s might hand! We stay in His hand by trusting His might and power to keep us. In His hand not foe can defeat us (Ps.91).
The LORD is right there with us in the midst of our trouble, Jehovah-Shammah, (“the God Who is here”). You cannot go into any experience where GOD, Shammah, is not there (see Psalm 139 below). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.13:5).
The next phrase that caught my attention was, ‘He knows.’ GOD is revealed in this phrase as the omniscient, all seeing, all knowing and all wise God. In David’s Psalms 139, he describes GOD’s complete knowledge of us and His presence with us.
“O LORD, you have searched me thoroughly and have ‘known’ me. You know my down sitting and my uprising; you ‘understand’ my thought afar off. You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and you are ‘acquainted’ with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue (still unuttered), but, behold, O LORD, You ‘know’ it altogether. Your infinite ‘knowledge’ is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.
Where could I go from Your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence? If I ascent up into heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in the place of the dead, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me and the night shall be the only light about me, even the darkness hides nothing from You; but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.
My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret and intricately and curiously worked, as if embroidered with various colors, in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, an in Your book all the days of my life were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awake I am still with You.”(Amp)
Do we trust God’s “keeping” enough to relinquish our everything to Him? Only then will we get to know Him as our “Stronghold.” Only then will we know His peace and presence. Then is when we will have “joy unspeakable and full of glory!”
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Strings Attached
Blog – “Strings Attached” (April 27, 2011)
“The love of Christ constrains us.” (II Corinthians 5:14)
I read “Pinocchio”to my children when they were little. It is a story of an old man who wanted a little boy so he carved out a wooden puppet to be his little boy and named him Pinocchio. As fairytales go, the wooden puppet was able to talk and run without strings. As the story read, Pinocchio got into much trouble on his own without any strings attached with which his father could control him. In the end he found being “brave, honest and generous” was what turned him into a real boy.
As I studied the above scripture I found the word, “constrain,” in the Greek means: “to hold, press, compel.” Strings to a puppet is like the Christian filled and under the control of the Holy Spirit. We choose to be filled with the Holy Spirit and when we are filled, God’s love holds us, like a parent “holds” a small child. I have seen some parents that have their child on a leash. My first reaction has always been disdain, as if they had a dog on a leash. But after considering the alternative, I have a different perspective. The leash is to keep the child close and under control and away from dangers or even becoming lost. From that perspective, the leash is a very loving tool. God’s love for us “constrains” us “holds” us close so as we make our decisions and choices they are always within the boundaries of His love.
Without living within the boundaries of God’s love we become like Pinocchio without any strings – doing our own thing, making bad choices and ending up in a lot of trouble. The freedom of ‘no strings’ turns into a prison of our own making because we do not know the way to take so we fall into pitfalls Satan has prepared for us. There is so much security and freedom walking in God’s love. When we choose to stay on His “leash” of love, we can be assured we are being “held” by His love to make the right decisions and choices. When the enemy attacks us in any way, the love Christ “presses” us close to Him. When we are tempted to become wayward He puts a “constraint” on us because His love wants to spare us from the consequences of sin – broken heart or sometimes ruined life.
We can praise God our Father for His love that constrains us! That “constraint” can be in the form of circumstances that arise in our lives. It may be in ‘shut doors’, or ‘open doors;’ in lost relationships or in disappointments, but we will find if we will walk in the boundary of His love there is freedom, peace, joy and all we really want to be fulfilled in life. “In His presence is fullness of joy!” (Ps.16:11)
Our grandson, Daniel, who was an Infantryman, a Ranger and has been in a lot of the middle-east countries. He is presently a Green Beret in Afghanistan so you know how over these years we have been praying God’s promises for him. When he was with the Rangers (we didn’t know where) I personalized Psalm 91 and sent it to him at his APO address. Below is that personalized Psalm but anyone can put their name in and our Father will hear our prayer asking for His “constraining” power of His love to be effective in our lives.
PSALM 91 FOR DANIEL MEDHI JONES
DANIEL WHO DWELLS IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL REST IN
THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY, WHOSE POWER NO FOE CAN WITHSTAND.
DANIEL WILL SAY OF THE LORD, “HE IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS, MY
GOD, IN WHOM I WILL TRUST.” SURELY HE WILL SAVE DANIEL FROM THE SNARE
OF THE TRAPPER AND FROM THE DEADLY PLAGUE. HE WILL COVER DANIEL
WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS DANIEL WILL FIND REFUGE. HIS
FAITHFULNESS WILL BE DANIEL’S SHIELD AND SURROUNDING PROTECTION.
HE WILL NOT FEAR THE TERROR OF NIGHT NOR THE EVIL PLOTS AND SLANDERS
OF THE WICKED THAT FLY BY DAY, NOR THE PLAGUE THAT STALKS IN THE
DARKNESS, NOR THE DESTRUCTION OF SUDDEN DEATH THAT SURPRISE AND
LAY WASTE IN THE MIDDAY. A THOUSAND MAY FALL AT DANIEL’S SIDE, TEN
THOUSAND AT HIS RIGHT HAND BUT IT WILL NOT COME NEAR HIM. DANIEL
WILL ON OBSERVE WITH HIS EYES AND SEE THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED.
IF HE MAKES THE MOST HIGH HIS DWELLING, EVEN THE LORD, WHO IS HIS
REFUGE, THEN NO HARM WILL BEFALL HIM, NO DISASTER WILL COME NEAR HIS
TENT, FOR GOD WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING DANIEL, TO GUARD
HIM IN ALL HIS WAYS, THEY WILL LIFT HIM UP IN THEIR HANDS, SO THAT
DANIEL WILL NOT STRIKE HIS FOOT AGAINST A STONE. DANIEL WILL TRAMPLE
THE GREAT LION AND THE SERPENT, “BECAUSE DANIEL LOVES ME,” SAYS THE
LORD, “I WILL RESCUE HIM, I WILL PROTECT HIM, FOR HE ACKNOWLEDGES MY
NAME. DANIEL WILL CALL UPON ME, AND I WILL ANSWER HIM; I WILL BE WITH
HIM IN TROUBLE, I WILL DELIVER HIM AND HONOR HIM, WITH LONG LIFE WILL I
SATISFY HIM AND SHOW HIM MY SALVATION.”
“The love of Christ constrains us.” (II Corinthians 5:14)
I read “Pinocchio”to my children when they were little. It is a story of an old man who wanted a little boy so he carved out a wooden puppet to be his little boy and named him Pinocchio. As fairytales go, the wooden puppet was able to talk and run without strings. As the story read, Pinocchio got into much trouble on his own without any strings attached with which his father could control him. In the end he found being “brave, honest and generous” was what turned him into a real boy.
As I studied the above scripture I found the word, “constrain,” in the Greek means: “to hold, press, compel.” Strings to a puppet is like the Christian filled and under the control of the Holy Spirit. We choose to be filled with the Holy Spirit and when we are filled, God’s love holds us, like a parent “holds” a small child. I have seen some parents that have their child on a leash. My first reaction has always been disdain, as if they had a dog on a leash. But after considering the alternative, I have a different perspective. The leash is to keep the child close and under control and away from dangers or even becoming lost. From that perspective, the leash is a very loving tool. God’s love for us “constrains” us “holds” us close so as we make our decisions and choices they are always within the boundaries of His love.
Without living within the boundaries of God’s love we become like Pinocchio without any strings – doing our own thing, making bad choices and ending up in a lot of trouble. The freedom of ‘no strings’ turns into a prison of our own making because we do not know the way to take so we fall into pitfalls Satan has prepared for us. There is so much security and freedom walking in God’s love. When we choose to stay on His “leash” of love, we can be assured we are being “held” by His love to make the right decisions and choices. When the enemy attacks us in any way, the love Christ “presses” us close to Him. When we are tempted to become wayward He puts a “constraint” on us because His love wants to spare us from the consequences of sin – broken heart or sometimes ruined life.
We can praise God our Father for His love that constrains us! That “constraint” can be in the form of circumstances that arise in our lives. It may be in ‘shut doors’, or ‘open doors;’ in lost relationships or in disappointments, but we will find if we will walk in the boundary of His love there is freedom, peace, joy and all we really want to be fulfilled in life. “In His presence is fullness of joy!” (Ps.16:11)
Our grandson, Daniel, who was an Infantryman, a Ranger and has been in a lot of the middle-east countries. He is presently a Green Beret in Afghanistan so you know how over these years we have been praying God’s promises for him. When he was with the Rangers (we didn’t know where) I personalized Psalm 91 and sent it to him at his APO address. Below is that personalized Psalm but anyone can put their name in and our Father will hear our prayer asking for His “constraining” power of His love to be effective in our lives.
PSALM 91 FOR DANIEL MEDHI JONES
DANIEL WHO DWELLS IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL REST IN
THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY, WHOSE POWER NO FOE CAN WITHSTAND.
DANIEL WILL SAY OF THE LORD, “HE IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS, MY
GOD, IN WHOM I WILL TRUST.” SURELY HE WILL SAVE DANIEL FROM THE SNARE
OF THE TRAPPER AND FROM THE DEADLY PLAGUE. HE WILL COVER DANIEL
WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS DANIEL WILL FIND REFUGE. HIS
FAITHFULNESS WILL BE DANIEL’S SHIELD AND SURROUNDING PROTECTION.
HE WILL NOT FEAR THE TERROR OF NIGHT NOR THE EVIL PLOTS AND SLANDERS
OF THE WICKED THAT FLY BY DAY, NOR THE PLAGUE THAT STALKS IN THE
DARKNESS, NOR THE DESTRUCTION OF SUDDEN DEATH THAT SURPRISE AND
LAY WASTE IN THE MIDDAY. A THOUSAND MAY FALL AT DANIEL’S SIDE, TEN
THOUSAND AT HIS RIGHT HAND BUT IT WILL NOT COME NEAR HIM. DANIEL
WILL ON OBSERVE WITH HIS EYES AND SEE THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED.
IF HE MAKES THE MOST HIGH HIS DWELLING, EVEN THE LORD, WHO IS HIS
REFUGE, THEN NO HARM WILL BEFALL HIM, NO DISASTER WILL COME NEAR HIS
TENT, FOR GOD WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING DANIEL, TO GUARD
HIM IN ALL HIS WAYS, THEY WILL LIFT HIM UP IN THEIR HANDS, SO THAT
DANIEL WILL NOT STRIKE HIS FOOT AGAINST A STONE. DANIEL WILL TRAMPLE
THE GREAT LION AND THE SERPENT, “BECAUSE DANIEL LOVES ME,” SAYS THE
LORD, “I WILL RESCUE HIM, I WILL PROTECT HIM, FOR HE ACKNOWLEDGES MY
NAME. DANIEL WILL CALL UPON ME, AND I WILL ANSWER HIM; I WILL BE WITH
HIM IN TROUBLE, I WILL DELIVER HIM AND HONOR HIM, WITH LONG LIFE WILL I
SATISFY HIM AND SHOW HIM MY SALVATION.”
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Jesus' Easter Names
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.”
Daniel 2:20
All of God’s names are wondrous in their depth and scope of their meanings. In this scripture Daniel was praising the omniscient, omnipotent God – “El Shadai.’” Volumes have been written on the all encompassing meanings of the names of God and His glorious attributes inherent in all those descriptive names. The universe could not hold all the vast descriptions of our God because He is God and cannot be put into words or into our finite imaginations. We just trust by faith and accept what we can understand (and that is not much) about the Truth that He is the great “I Am.”
Today begins the three day period we call Easter. Today is “Good Friday” – the day Jesus died on the cross for us; to satisfy the Father for a sacrifice for our sins, and so we wouldn’t have to die but have eternal life. In the Old Testament a blood sacrifice was required for forgiveness of sins. But in God’s magnanimous plan, His Son, Jesus, would come to earth and live a perfect, sinless man so He could become the Lamb of God, to die and shed His blood. Jesus had to die in our place as the Lamb of God to become our Savior, Redeemer, Advocate, Friend, Healer, Peace, Provider, Shepherd, Righteousness, Sanctifier, Healer and Banner of Victory. If He had not been willing to become the “Lamb of God” He could not have been any of these other names. Oh, such love!
Since most of us don’t have a Jewish background the name Lamb of God is unfamiliar to us. To the Jew, Lambs were for sacrifice. Charles Stanley describes very succinctly, ”God has always dealt with sin through the blood of sacrifices. When Adam and Eve sinned, an animal was slain to cover their nakedness and shame (Gen.3:21). On the first Passover, each household covered their doorway with sacrificial blood (Ex.12:1-7). Later, a goat was slaughtered for the atonement of the entire nation (Lev.16:15). Now in John 1:29 we see the ultimate sacrifice – the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.” God’s Lamb was Jesus – the perfect and eternal sacrifice that satisfied the Father.
All we have to do is receive this unfathomable gift – the Lamb of God. We don’t have to pay for this Gift by doing good deeds. We don’t have to do penance. This gift of salvation from eternal death is free. We simply receive the Lamb of God’s payment (His death) for our sins and love and serve Him, and this so great salvation and eternal life is ours.
I read a story of a man whose son was portraying Jesus in an enactment of the events of the crucifixion. He watched as they acted out the trial, the flogging, the burden of the cross, the stumbling, and the torture of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Watching his son endure this suffering, even as a performance, he was overcome with tears.
This was his son, and he loved him! He had many close friends, but he would not ask his son to endure this torture for any one of them, let alone for complete strangers, and certainly not for his enemies. But God did. And Jesus suffered. The man realized that both God the Father and God the Son endured immense pain that day.
Anyone with children can relate to the feelings of the man in the story. The Bible teaches us that The Lamb of God, Jesus, accepted this suffering. His mercy and sacrifice reach every sinner, every saint, every criminal, every role model, every abuser, every abused person – and you and me. God’s love for us and desire to reconcile us is that powerful.
We can’t comprehend such love – we just have to accept and receive it. How could we not worship such love?
Such Love
C. Bishop
That God should love a sinner such as I, Should yearn to change my sorrow into bliss,
Nor rest till He had planned to bring me nigh, How wonderful is love like this!
That Christ should join so freely in the scheme, although it meant His death on Calvary, Did ever human tongue fine nobler theme, than love divine that ransomed me?
That for a willful outcast such as I, The Father planned the Savior bled and died;
Redemption for a worthless slave to buy, who long had law and grace defied.
And now He takes me to His heart – a son, He asks me not to fill a servant’s place’ The “Far-off country” wand’rings all are done, Wide open are His arms of grace.
Such love, such wondrous love, Such love, such wondrous love,
That God should love a sinner such as I, How wonderful is love like this!
Daniel 2:20
All of God’s names are wondrous in their depth and scope of their meanings. In this scripture Daniel was praising the omniscient, omnipotent God – “El Shadai.’” Volumes have been written on the all encompassing meanings of the names of God and His glorious attributes inherent in all those descriptive names. The universe could not hold all the vast descriptions of our God because He is God and cannot be put into words or into our finite imaginations. We just trust by faith and accept what we can understand (and that is not much) about the Truth that He is the great “I Am.”
Today begins the three day period we call Easter. Today is “Good Friday” – the day Jesus died on the cross for us; to satisfy the Father for a sacrifice for our sins, and so we wouldn’t have to die but have eternal life. In the Old Testament a blood sacrifice was required for forgiveness of sins. But in God’s magnanimous plan, His Son, Jesus, would come to earth and live a perfect, sinless man so He could become the Lamb of God, to die and shed His blood. Jesus had to die in our place as the Lamb of God to become our Savior, Redeemer, Advocate, Friend, Healer, Peace, Provider, Shepherd, Righteousness, Sanctifier, Healer and Banner of Victory. If He had not been willing to become the “Lamb of God” He could not have been any of these other names. Oh, such love!
Since most of us don’t have a Jewish background the name Lamb of God is unfamiliar to us. To the Jew, Lambs were for sacrifice. Charles Stanley describes very succinctly, ”God has always dealt with sin through the blood of sacrifices. When Adam and Eve sinned, an animal was slain to cover their nakedness and shame (Gen.3:21). On the first Passover, each household covered their doorway with sacrificial blood (Ex.12:1-7). Later, a goat was slaughtered for the atonement of the entire nation (Lev.16:15). Now in John 1:29 we see the ultimate sacrifice – the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.” God’s Lamb was Jesus – the perfect and eternal sacrifice that satisfied the Father.
All we have to do is receive this unfathomable gift – the Lamb of God. We don’t have to pay for this Gift by doing good deeds. We don’t have to do penance. This gift of salvation from eternal death is free. We simply receive the Lamb of God’s payment (His death) for our sins and love and serve Him, and this so great salvation and eternal life is ours.
I read a story of a man whose son was portraying Jesus in an enactment of the events of the crucifixion. He watched as they acted out the trial, the flogging, the burden of the cross, the stumbling, and the torture of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Watching his son endure this suffering, even as a performance, he was overcome with tears.
This was his son, and he loved him! He had many close friends, but he would not ask his son to endure this torture for any one of them, let alone for complete strangers, and certainly not for his enemies. But God did. And Jesus suffered. The man realized that both God the Father and God the Son endured immense pain that day.
Anyone with children can relate to the feelings of the man in the story. The Bible teaches us that The Lamb of God, Jesus, accepted this suffering. His mercy and sacrifice reach every sinner, every saint, every criminal, every role model, every abuser, every abused person – and you and me. God’s love for us and desire to reconcile us is that powerful.
We can’t comprehend such love – we just have to accept and receive it. How could we not worship such love?
Such Love
C. Bishop
That God should love a sinner such as I, Should yearn to change my sorrow into bliss,
Nor rest till He had planned to bring me nigh, How wonderful is love like this!
That Christ should join so freely in the scheme, although it meant His death on Calvary, Did ever human tongue fine nobler theme, than love divine that ransomed me?
That for a willful outcast such as I, The Father planned the Savior bled and died;
Redemption for a worthless slave to buy, who long had law and grace defied.
And now He takes me to His heart – a son, He asks me not to fill a servant’s place’ The “Far-off country” wand’rings all are done, Wide open are His arms of grace.
Such love, such wondrous love, Such love, such wondrous love,
That God should love a sinner such as I, How wonderful is love like this!
Monday, April 11, 2011
REJOICE, THIS IS THE DAY
“This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
The Lord (Adonai – the Creator) has made every day. Whatever transpires for us in this day, God has already painted it for us before we were born; before He created the universe. Our lives are like a great canvas on which God the Father has blended the yellows of joy; the greens of growth and learning; the blues of melancholy; the reds of excitement; the grays of disappointment and the blacks of sorrow. Remember, while in the throes of this life, “In its time God makes all things beautiful” (Eccl.3:11). So we can rejoice and be glad in this day. In eternity we can look back at God’s painting of our days and say with Him, “It was good” (Gen.1:31), because He is the Sovereign God, “Adonai” and He does all things well;” and He is a good God and causes all things to turn out for our good if we fit into His plan (Ps.100:5; Rom.8:28).
One Day At A Time
Marijohn Wilkin & Kris Kristofferson
I'm only human; I'm just a man
Help me believe in what I could be and all that I am
Show me the stairway
I have to climb
Lord, for my sake
Teach me to take
One day at a time
One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everything that I have to do
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time.
Could you remember
When you walked among men
Jesus, you know when you're looking below
It's worse now than then
Pushin' and shovin' crowd in your mind
Lord for my sake
Teach me to take
One day at a time
The Lord (Adonai – the Creator) has made every day. Whatever transpires for us in this day, God has already painted it for us before we were born; before He created the universe. Our lives are like a great canvas on which God the Father has blended the yellows of joy; the greens of growth and learning; the blues of melancholy; the reds of excitement; the grays of disappointment and the blacks of sorrow. Remember, while in the throes of this life, “In its time God makes all things beautiful” (Eccl.3:11). So we can rejoice and be glad in this day. In eternity we can look back at God’s painting of our days and say with Him, “It was good” (Gen.1:31), because He is the Sovereign God, “Adonai” and He does all things well;” and He is a good God and causes all things to turn out for our good if we fit into His plan (Ps.100:5; Rom.8:28).
One Day At A Time
Marijohn Wilkin & Kris Kristofferson
I'm only human; I'm just a man
Help me believe in what I could be and all that I am
Show me the stairway
I have to climb
Lord, for my sake
Teach me to take
One day at a time
One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everything that I have to do
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time.
Could you remember
When you walked among men
Jesus, you know when you're looking below
It's worse now than then
Pushin' and shovin' crowd in your mind
Lord for my sake
Teach me to take
One day at a time
Ordered of the Lord
“A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?” (Prov.23:24)
We are all God’s children in the sense He created us in His image but He doesn’t call us His children until we are born again of the Spirit; then we are adopted into His family and He calls us His little children (I Jn.3:1).
Even if we wanted to we couldn’t direct and order our children’s days and ways. But not so with God – Psalms 37:23 tells us, “The steps of a “good” man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his ways and He busies Himself with his every step” (Amp.). I enjoy savoring the comforting words of this scripture: 1) “The steps of a ‘good’ man” – that is you and me when are trusting God and following in His ways; 2) then, “He delights in our ways” of trust and rest; 3) “and He busies Himself with our every step.” What solace, what comfort, what incentive to love Him more, to obey Him quicker, and to stay filled with His Spirit, when we realize this most magnificent obsession God has with us when our ways please Him.
We sometimes don’t understand the way God is taking us but our only responsibility is to follow. It may hard and rocky; there may be thorns, pitfalls, high mountains to climb and deep valleys to go through but the Father has “ordered” this way for us. He knows this way is necessary to humble us, knock off our rough edges, and teach us His ways and how to trust Him through them all. We just have to acknowledge that it is the God of the universe Who has ordered our way and will direct us through to the end. (Prov.3:5-6).
“Through It All”
Andre Crouch
I’ve had many tears and sorrows; I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong;
But in every situation God gave blessed consolation,
That my trials come to only make me strong.
I’ve been to lots of places, And I’ve seen a lot of faces,
There’ve been times I felt so all alone;
But in my lonely hours, Yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus let me know that I was His own.
I thank God for the mountains, And I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He bro’t me through;
For if I’d never had a problem I wouldn’t know that He could solve them,
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
Chorus- Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.
We are all God’s children in the sense He created us in His image but He doesn’t call us His children until we are born again of the Spirit; then we are adopted into His family and He calls us His little children (I Jn.3:1).
Even if we wanted to we couldn’t direct and order our children’s days and ways. But not so with God – Psalms 37:23 tells us, “The steps of a “good” man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his ways and He busies Himself with his every step” (Amp.). I enjoy savoring the comforting words of this scripture: 1) “The steps of a ‘good’ man” – that is you and me when are trusting God and following in His ways; 2) then, “He delights in our ways” of trust and rest; 3) “and He busies Himself with our every step.” What solace, what comfort, what incentive to love Him more, to obey Him quicker, and to stay filled with His Spirit, when we realize this most magnificent obsession God has with us when our ways please Him.
We sometimes don’t understand the way God is taking us but our only responsibility is to follow. It may hard and rocky; there may be thorns, pitfalls, high mountains to climb and deep valleys to go through but the Father has “ordered” this way for us. He knows this way is necessary to humble us, knock off our rough edges, and teach us His ways and how to trust Him through them all. We just have to acknowledge that it is the God of the universe Who has ordered our way and will direct us through to the end. (Prov.3:5-6).
“Through It All”
Andre Crouch
I’ve had many tears and sorrows; I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong;
But in every situation God gave blessed consolation,
That my trials come to only make me strong.
I’ve been to lots of places, And I’ve seen a lot of faces,
There’ve been times I felt so all alone;
But in my lonely hours, Yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus let me know that I was His own.
I thank God for the mountains, And I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He bro’t me through;
For if I’d never had a problem I wouldn’t know that He could solve them,
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
Chorus- Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.
CHOICES DETERMINE YOUR DESTINATION
April 10, 2011
“To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6b)
This is a wonderful and promising statement but the first part of this verse warns of the converse, “The mind of the flesh is the sense and reason without the Holy Spirit and is death, that death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter.”
(Amp.) When you objectively compare these two mentalities – (the mind of the flesh vs. the mind of the spirit) and you have a choice between life or death - who wouldn’t choose life? Only a fool wouldn’t choose life and peace.
A fool says in his heart, “There is no God,” (no hereafter, no judgment, and no consequences for neglecting so great a salvation; I am my own God, the captain of my ship, the master of my soul) (Ps.14:1). For a fool to have such a “fleshly” inclination, he is contradicting his own reasoning. He is saying, “I am omniscient, I have all knowledge about whether there is a God or not; I know the beginning to the end and thereafter, etc.” Without knowing the Truth, his own words have made him a liar. For the fool to think in his heart that there is no God, he is “choosing” to be fleshly minded and if he doesn’t repent (change his mind), he will reap the consequences of a fleshly minded fool.
We too can choose either to be spiritually minded, which is life and peace, or fleshly minded without the Holy Spirit, which is the “death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter.” I, like Joshua, want to choose to be spiritually minded and reap life and peace (Josh.24:14-24, Matt.7:13-14).
What is the inclination of your heart? I have decided to follow Jesus - no turning back!
“To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6b)
This is a wonderful and promising statement but the first part of this verse warns of the converse, “The mind of the flesh is the sense and reason without the Holy Spirit and is death, that death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter.”
(Amp.) When you objectively compare these two mentalities – (the mind of the flesh vs. the mind of the spirit) and you have a choice between life or death - who wouldn’t choose life? Only a fool wouldn’t choose life and peace.
A fool says in his heart, “There is no God,” (no hereafter, no judgment, and no consequences for neglecting so great a salvation; I am my own God, the captain of my ship, the master of my soul) (Ps.14:1). For a fool to have such a “fleshly” inclination, he is contradicting his own reasoning. He is saying, “I am omniscient, I have all knowledge about whether there is a God or not; I know the beginning to the end and thereafter, etc.” Without knowing the Truth, his own words have made him a liar. For the fool to think in his heart that there is no God, he is “choosing” to be fleshly minded and if he doesn’t repent (change his mind), he will reap the consequences of a fleshly minded fool.
We too can choose either to be spiritually minded, which is life and peace, or fleshly minded without the Holy Spirit, which is the “death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter.” I, like Joshua, want to choose to be spiritually minded and reap life and peace (Josh.24:14-24, Matt.7:13-14).
What is the inclination of your heart? I have decided to follow Jesus - no turning back!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Bridge
"There is one God and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
(I Timothy 2:5)
I am sure you have not done a lot of meditating on how convenient and useful bridges are, but actually they are most wonderful. Just think of their wonder - 1)they come in all sizes and configurations; 2)they are made from many different materials and
3)are all over the world in remote and accessible places; 4)they traverse small, shallow ditches and deep, expansive chasms. The first bridge was built by primitive man consisting of materials lying easily at hand - a fallen tree that was dragged into position; forest tendrils which were woven together for a suspension bridge; rafts tied together as a pontoon to bridge the gap and in 1779 the first iron bridge was constructed. But they all had (and have) one purpose - to make quick access from one inaccessible place to another. Nothing else quite meets the utilitarian purpose of a bridge - to cross a chasm quickly and easily. We have thought about how wonderful bridges are now let us look and meditate on the most wonderful Bridge.
Since Adam fell to temptation and sinned against the Holy God, this fall made a great chasm which separated sinful man from a holy God. That was the 'great separation' for all mankind from Jehovah. The great omniscient God, YHWH (Jehovah), had seen back in the ions that this separation would happen and planned for the remedy so that man and God could be reunited for love and fellowship and so man would not have to spend eternity separated from Jehovah. God knew there would have to be a bridge to traverse this great and impossible expansive chasm from sinful man to God's holiness. So "before the foundation of the world" God had planned for this magnanimous traverse (Matt.25:34; Eph.1:4; I Pet.1:20-23). This Bridge is the Man Christ Jesus. Because Jesus paid the price with His shed blood, that satisfied the Holy Father as the necessary blood sacrifice for sinful man. Because of that act of redemption, Jesus became not only our Savior from sin, but our Mediator, Advocate and our Bridge to the Father, when we accept that payment and believe (Heb.7:25).
Jesus Christ is the only Bridge to the Father (Jn.14:6). Besides Christianity, all other religions claim their teachings are the way to God - child sacrifice, not eating certain foods, self mutilation, a pilgramage to a shrine, muliplied prayers, etc. All others are WRONG! They do not have a living savior; they do not have a certainty of heaven; they must do enough good things and be good enough to have a hope for heaven. All these things are futile. There is only one Way, one Door, one Bridge to God - the Man Christ Jesus! The Father God invites us to "Come"(Matt.11:28; 22:4; Jn.6:35;7:37;Rev.22:17). Jesus Christ is the only believable "Door."
"One Door and only one and yet its sides are two. I'm on the inside, on which side are you?"
(I Timothy 2:5)
I am sure you have not done a lot of meditating on how convenient and useful bridges are, but actually they are most wonderful. Just think of their wonder - 1)they come in all sizes and configurations; 2)they are made from many different materials and
3)are all over the world in remote and accessible places; 4)they traverse small, shallow ditches and deep, expansive chasms. The first bridge was built by primitive man consisting of materials lying easily at hand - a fallen tree that was dragged into position; forest tendrils which were woven together for a suspension bridge; rafts tied together as a pontoon to bridge the gap and in 1779 the first iron bridge was constructed. But they all had (and have) one purpose - to make quick access from one inaccessible place to another. Nothing else quite meets the utilitarian purpose of a bridge - to cross a chasm quickly and easily. We have thought about how wonderful bridges are now let us look and meditate on the most wonderful Bridge.
Since Adam fell to temptation and sinned against the Holy God, this fall made a great chasm which separated sinful man from a holy God. That was the 'great separation' for all mankind from Jehovah. The great omniscient God, YHWH (Jehovah), had seen back in the ions that this separation would happen and planned for the remedy so that man and God could be reunited for love and fellowship and so man would not have to spend eternity separated from Jehovah. God knew there would have to be a bridge to traverse this great and impossible expansive chasm from sinful man to God's holiness. So "before the foundation of the world" God had planned for this magnanimous traverse (Matt.25:34; Eph.1:4; I Pet.1:20-23). This Bridge is the Man Christ Jesus. Because Jesus paid the price with His shed blood, that satisfied the Holy Father as the necessary blood sacrifice for sinful man. Because of that act of redemption, Jesus became not only our Savior from sin, but our Mediator, Advocate and our Bridge to the Father, when we accept that payment and believe (Heb.7:25).
Jesus Christ is the only Bridge to the Father (Jn.14:6). Besides Christianity, all other religions claim their teachings are the way to God - child sacrifice, not eating certain foods, self mutilation, a pilgramage to a shrine, muliplied prayers, etc. All others are WRONG! They do not have a living savior; they do not have a certainty of heaven; they must do enough good things and be good enough to have a hope for heaven. All these things are futile. There is only one Way, one Door, one Bridge to God - the Man Christ Jesus! The Father God invites us to "Come"(Matt.11:28; 22:4; Jn.6:35;7:37;Rev.22:17). Jesus Christ is the only believable "Door."
"One Door and only one and yet its sides are two. I'm on the inside, on which side are you?"
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Free Gifts
"Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all (that gives) light, in the shining of Whom there can be no variation (rising or setting) or shadow cast by His turning (as in an eclipse)" (James 1:17 Amp.).
Everyone enjoys getting something free, however insignificant it may be. I am a coupon clipper and advertisements really catch my eye when it says, "Buy one, get one free." Actually it would truly be 'free' if I didn't have to 'buy' the first item. There is an old song that was sung by Frank Sinatra that says,
"The moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free;
The stars belong to everyone, they gleam there for you and me.
The flowers in spring, the robins that sing,
The moonbeams that shine, they're yours, their mine.
And love can come to everyone, The best things in life are free."
I am sure Mr. Sinatra didn't know that the words to this song were scriptural, but in I Tim.6:17 it says, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." It doesn't say we do good works to get all things to enjoy or that we trust in our riches (because we deserve them), but it is the living God, Who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
It is the next two verses that tell us how we are given the best gift of all, "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, liberal and generous of heart, willing to share with others; laying up for themselves riches that endure forever as a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
It is not that we do good works and be generous so we may earn the best gift of all, but so we may grasp that which is really life (Eph.2:8-9). It is because of our faith we have already received the best gift of all, eternal life, and because of that gift, we may demonstrate our love and faith in Christ (Jas.2:14-26). Our good works, out of love, is our gift to the recipients of our works, asking nothing in return - "free."
Because God is love, good gifts are the only kind that God can or will give. Even the things in our lives we consider bad can be turned into good for us if we trust God to be good and fit into His plans for that situation (Rom.8:28). After the storm is over, after the break of day, if our trust has remained steadfast we will clearly see that the storm and the darkness was for our good - a good gift from God. God may have given us this storm or darkness to discipline us or to teach us to trust Him in the middle of our tribulation and to show us He is trustworthy to keep us, provide for us in the middle, or deliver us out of our storms. We are to be thankful for the storm and while we are in the storm (I Thess,5:18 & Eph.5:20). We thank Him for Keeping us in the storm; that His power (grace) is sufficient for us to stand secure while the winds and darkness swirls around us; that our faith is being strengthened; that others can see how our God can keep us in the darkest night and bring us out into the Light stronger than when we went in; how God's promises are proven true in the most dire circumstances. We thank God for the gift of grace to go through the very valley of the shadow of death and that He is always enough!
The calm and peace after the storm and the breaking of Light after the darkness are good, full and beautiful gifts from our Father. "He makes everything beautiful in its time" (Eccl.3:11). This beauty is a gift from the "Father of Lights," and He never changes!
HE GIVETH MORE GRACE
Annie Johnson Flint
He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again!
Everyone enjoys getting something free, however insignificant it may be. I am a coupon clipper and advertisements really catch my eye when it says, "Buy one, get one free." Actually it would truly be 'free' if I didn't have to 'buy' the first item. There is an old song that was sung by Frank Sinatra that says,
"The moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free;
The stars belong to everyone, they gleam there for you and me.
The flowers in spring, the robins that sing,
The moonbeams that shine, they're yours, their mine.
And love can come to everyone, The best things in life are free."
I am sure Mr. Sinatra didn't know that the words to this song were scriptural, but in I Tim.6:17 it says, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." It doesn't say we do good works to get all things to enjoy or that we trust in our riches (because we deserve them), but it is the living God, Who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
It is the next two verses that tell us how we are given the best gift of all, "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, liberal and generous of heart, willing to share with others; laying up for themselves riches that endure forever as a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
It is not that we do good works and be generous so we may earn the best gift of all, but so we may grasp that which is really life (Eph.2:8-9). It is because of our faith we have already received the best gift of all, eternal life, and because of that gift, we may demonstrate our love and faith in Christ (Jas.2:14-26). Our good works, out of love, is our gift to the recipients of our works, asking nothing in return - "free."
Because God is love, good gifts are the only kind that God can or will give. Even the things in our lives we consider bad can be turned into good for us if we trust God to be good and fit into His plans for that situation (Rom.8:28). After the storm is over, after the break of day, if our trust has remained steadfast we will clearly see that the storm and the darkness was for our good - a good gift from God. God may have given us this storm or darkness to discipline us or to teach us to trust Him in the middle of our tribulation and to show us He is trustworthy to keep us, provide for us in the middle, or deliver us out of our storms. We are to be thankful for the storm and while we are in the storm (I Thess,5:18 & Eph.5:20). We thank Him for Keeping us in the storm; that His power (grace) is sufficient for us to stand secure while the winds and darkness swirls around us; that our faith is being strengthened; that others can see how our God can keep us in the darkest night and bring us out into the Light stronger than when we went in; how God's promises are proven true in the most dire circumstances. We thank God for the gift of grace to go through the very valley of the shadow of death and that He is always enough!
The calm and peace after the storm and the breaking of Light after the darkness are good, full and beautiful gifts from our Father. "He makes everything beautiful in its time" (Eccl.3:11). This beauty is a gift from the "Father of Lights," and He never changes!
HE GIVETH MORE GRACE
Annie Johnson Flint
He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again!
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Arms of God
"The Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One." (Jeremiah 20:11)
I just finished writing down all the scriptures about the "arms of God." All of the references, old and New Testaments, refer to the "mighty power of God" - El Shadai (Almighty God, Sufficiency). All these scriptures are proclaiming His power, from the creation (Jer.32:17) to deliverance (Deut.5:15); to redemption (Ex.6:6); to showing signs and wonders (Duet.7:19); to show His tender mercy as He took little children in this mighty arms. He truly is the "Awesome One!"
The One Who created you with those same outstretched arms, also delivers you from bondage; performs miracles in your life every day, overwhelms you with His mercy and loving kindness, all these things with "His Mighty Outstretched Arms" is the same awesome "El Shadai" of the Bible.
He will come near to you if you will come near to Him. He already is as close as your breath, just invite Him to live in you and control your life and He will really "show Himself mighty on your behalf."
LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS
Elisha A. Hoffman
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What a blessedness what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Chorus
Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
I just finished writing down all the scriptures about the "arms of God." All of the references, old and New Testaments, refer to the "mighty power of God" - El Shadai (Almighty God, Sufficiency). All these scriptures are proclaiming His power, from the creation (Jer.32:17) to deliverance (Deut.5:15); to redemption (Ex.6:6); to showing signs and wonders (Duet.7:19); to show His tender mercy as He took little children in this mighty arms. He truly is the "Awesome One!"
The One Who created you with those same outstretched arms, also delivers you from bondage; performs miracles in your life every day, overwhelms you with His mercy and loving kindness, all these things with "His Mighty Outstretched Arms" is the same awesome "El Shadai" of the Bible.
He will come near to you if you will come near to Him. He already is as close as your breath, just invite Him to live in you and control your life and He will really "show Himself mighty on your behalf."
LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS
Elisha A. Hoffman
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What a blessedness what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Chorus
Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Amazing Book
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Ps. 119:105)
God's Word, the Bible, is the most amazing book in the world! It tells the history of our existence. It tells of His awesome works in and for the hearts of mankind. It teaches us how to know the God of the universe and how we can commune with Him here on earth and how we can live with Him forever - and the wonder of that place - Heaven. It tells us of His everlasting unconditional love for us and His plan of salvation from sin. IT tells us of the dreadful days ahead and his deliverance out of those days and their circumstances. It is full of promises to us to live this life here and gives us spiritual gifts to share with others of God's children, the least, the lost and the unloved.
"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power (making it active, operative, energizing, and effective); it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and the immortal spirit, and of joints and marrow of the deepest parts of our nature, exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.: (Heb.4:12, Amp.).
God created all creation and maintains it by the "Word of His power" (Heb.1:3) - and in Genesis 1, "God said" (vs.3,6, 9,11, 14, 20, 24, 26.
Psalms 107:20 says, "God sent forth His Word (Jesus) and heals us (spirit, soul and body), - (the Hebrew says, "to mend, to cure, to make whole.")
We exists by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." (Mt.4:4; Deut.8:3). If we hide Its words in our heart we will not sin against God (Ps.119:11. God's Word is pure, (Ps.119:140); His Word is Truth (Ps. 119:160); "God has exalted His Word above all things, even His name." (Ps.138:2).
We are to study the Word to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of Truth (II Tim.2:15). It feeds our spirit; if we obey It, It will keep us from sin; It heals us; It heals us; we and all creation are kept by the Word of His power; It satisfies our hunger and thirst; It shines light on our path and guides us through dark valley.
As a young teenager I learned to read and meditate on God's Word and by reading, studying meditating and obeying the Word of God, It has caused me to miss many pitfalls, led me through many dark valleys, and has led me to wonderful mountain-tops where I enjoy the Truth of His Word and because I believe Its words I have hope for now and the future. "It's the real thing!"
I value This Book above all things on earth and although I now know just in part, I will then in heaven have all my questions about God and His Word answered. I am sure I will spend a lot of time saying, Ohhhhh! I trust this Book because I trust the Author!
"Heaven and earth may pass away but His words (the Word) shall not pass away (Mark 13:31; I Pet.1:24-25).
God's Word, the Bible, is the most amazing book in the world! It tells the history of our existence. It tells of His awesome works in and for the hearts of mankind. It teaches us how to know the God of the universe and how we can commune with Him here on earth and how we can live with Him forever - and the wonder of that place - Heaven. It tells us of His everlasting unconditional love for us and His plan of salvation from sin. IT tells us of the dreadful days ahead and his deliverance out of those days and their circumstances. It is full of promises to us to live this life here and gives us spiritual gifts to share with others of God's children, the least, the lost and the unloved.
"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power (making it active, operative, energizing, and effective); it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and the immortal spirit, and of joints and marrow of the deepest parts of our nature, exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.: (Heb.4:12, Amp.).
God created all creation and maintains it by the "Word of His power" (Heb.1:3) - and in Genesis 1, "God said" (vs.3,6, 9,11, 14, 20, 24, 26.
Psalms 107:20 says, "God sent forth His Word (Jesus) and heals us (spirit, soul and body), - (the Hebrew says, "to mend, to cure, to make whole.")
We exists by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." (Mt.4:4; Deut.8:3). If we hide Its words in our heart we will not sin against God (Ps.119:11. God's Word is pure, (Ps.119:140); His Word is Truth (Ps. 119:160); "God has exalted His Word above all things, even His name." (Ps.138:2).
We are to study the Word to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of Truth (II Tim.2:15). It feeds our spirit; if we obey It, It will keep us from sin; It heals us; It heals us; we and all creation are kept by the Word of His power; It satisfies our hunger and thirst; It shines light on our path and guides us through dark valley.
As a young teenager I learned to read and meditate on God's Word and by reading, studying meditating and obeying the Word of God, It has caused me to miss many pitfalls, led me through many dark valleys, and has led me to wonderful mountain-tops where I enjoy the Truth of His Word and because I believe Its words I have hope for now and the future. "It's the real thing!"
I value This Book above all things on earth and although I now know just in part, I will then in heaven have all my questions about God and His Word answered. I am sure I will spend a lot of time saying, Ohhhhh! I trust this Book because I trust the Author!
"Heaven and earth may pass away but His words (the Word) shall not pass away (Mark 13:31; I Pet.1:24-25).
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