Showing posts with label God the father. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God the father. Show all posts

Monday, October 23, 2017

Not a Man

Something to think about.
Not a man
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Numbers 23:19 (KJV)
God is not a man. We need to stop and focus on this statement for a few minutes separate it from the rest of the verse.  
I have always perceived God as a father and hence man like. In my mind, the concept of God is influenced by the idea of a father. Which is somewhat natural because we refer to God, as Father God. But with the idea of father also comes the inherent limitations of a father. As we get older our concept of father changes. It goes from the invincible God like man to the fallible and often erroneous man.  Our idea of father further erodes as our fathers become more human. In other words, our fathers are no longer the giants of immortality. They become older versions of our fallible selves.  Through these eyes and experience, we filter our concept of God the creator. 
The only problem with that is that God is not a man! He is not subject to erosion of Himself. As our fathers become more human, God does not. God does not become more like us as we mature He becomes more unlike us as we get to know Him.
He is eternal on His own, we are eternal because of Him. He created everything in existence we have created nothing.  He created time we are subject to it. He created the laws of our existence we are bound by them.  He exists in a realm we can't imagine. He is not our opposite we are not our His equal. We can't contain Him. 
We were created in His image. But it is only an image. It is a one-dimensional representation of Him. Though we have some of the characteristics of God, we are not God.  Thought we were made in His image we are not Him. He is not man, He is not His creation. He is beyond the scope of our ability to imagine. We say He has always existed because we don't understand the basis of His existence.  How do you define the length of existence to an entity that is not subject to time? 
God is not just greater, bigger, smarter, stronger, more than man, He is altogether not man.  God is an entity that is beyond our ability to imagine or fully comprehend. If He has limits or parameters they would exist in a realm we have no access to. The most significant difference between God and man is that He knows everything and we don't. 
God is not man. He is not subject to us. He can exist without us we can't live without Him. He is everything to us, and we are but the dirt He created us from. And He created the dirt.

Leia Mais…

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Called



Something to think about.

Called

9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9

Since before the beginning of time, God had set into motion all that was necessary for you to hear His call.   Before the foundation of the world, God had established a plan of salvation. Whereby we could live with Him. He knew what would happen before you were born. He orchestrated events so you would be in the right place at the most opportune time in your life to hear His call. If that is not amazing enough He did it all without violating your free will.  He calls us to live a holy life the best life a life we can't find on our own. This holy life is not diminished by the absence of sin it. Is enhanced by the purity of righteousness.  The fulfillment of the plan was completed through grace by His Son Jesus Christ.  

Leia Mais…

Friday, July 7, 2017

Piercing The Veil

Something to think about.

3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT

The Good News of Jesus Christ is veiled by the deception and distortion of Satan. It can't be heard by the ears of those "who are perishing." Yet, we were all deceived before we believed. We all had a distorted ideology before the light of Christ came into our lives. Not all the lost need to remain lost. Not all who are presently deceived must remain deceived. Not everyone needs to perish. Not all are deaf, blind or permanently deceived. We must present the light of Christ which pierces the veil. Offer the Good News that clears distortion that afflicts the mind of Man.  We must be after the "lost sheep."

Leia Mais…

Friday, June 30, 2017

Flesh or Spirit

Something to think about.

Flesh or Spirit

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8 5:-8


This is the USA today. We are consumed with fulfilling the desires of the flesh.  From an early age, we are taught to seek our own fulfillment.  From plastic surgery to the next mood altering drug. We preach self-expression, self-actualization, self-development, self-fulfillment, self, self, self. The antithesis of living for the flesh is living by the Spirit of God and living to please Him. Why should we live by the Spirit of God and not fulfill to our selfish desires? It is the only way to receive the desires of your heart and not the desires of the flesh.  The desires of the flesh are fleeting, empty and temporal. The desires of the Spirit are permanent, pleasing, fulfilling and uplifting.  


Leia Mais…

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Under Authority

Something to think about.

Under Authority   

8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Luke 7:8

Under authority, a foreign concept for us today. We are all about rights, self-determination, and individual freedoms it is almost impossible to breach the idea of doing someone else's will. That is exactly what the centurion is saying. He knows what it is to obey.  Are we under authority? As Christians are we obeying the word and will of God? Are we ready to go when He says go? Are we ready to come when He says come? Are we ready to do what He says when He says do this? Are we under authority? In 1 Samuel 15:22 it says "To obey is better than sacrifice." We Christians need to obey more sacrifice less. Go when commanded come when called and do when instructed. We need to submit to the authority of Christ in or lives.

Leia Mais…

Monday, June 12, 2017

The City of God

Something to think about.

The City of God. 

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4New International Version (NIV)


21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. Revelation 21:21

Here are two references to the city of God. In one we find the ceasing of pain, sorrow, and death, in the other you see the city designed with precious stones.  The promise of God is a place filled with security, love,  peace, and abundance. Is there any other offer that is more appealing? Substantiated by the fact, the fact of the resurrection.  The best the world has to offer does not compare. 

Leia Mais…

Friday, June 9, 2017

Simplicity

Sometimes to think about.

Simplicity

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:3

At times the simplicity of the Bible is overwhelming in is naked and piercing truth.  If you love someone, you will not cause them harm. If you look at the unrest in our society, in our personal relationships. If you look at the pain and sorrow caused in all forms from every spectrum, it is due in large part because of the utter absence of love.

Leia Mais…

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

All Scripture

Something to think about.

All Scripture

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We have people who question the veracity and the originality of the scriptures. Claiming the written word has been tainted, changed or influenced by transmission, translation and out and out conspiracy. All of these accusations are based on an incorrect understanding of God. God who created the universe is capable of maintaining His word intact throughout the generations.  The idea that God inspired people to write His instruction manual and then left it to be changed and manipulated is ludicrous. God's word "is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," because He has taken special care to ensure that it has remained unchanged by the passions, ambitions, and manipulations of man. It is Gods word and not mans word as such He will never let the world be without it. God will not allow His divine word to be replaced by a polluted counterfeit production of Man. 

Leia Mais…

Monday, June 5, 2017

Sharper

Something to think about.

Sharper

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Have you ever wonder why the reaction to the Gospels is sometimes visceral?  Maybe because the word of God cannot be bargained with. It always brings you back to truth. It is alive and relentless in its exposition of truth. It cuts through the layers of deception and exposes the lies we dilute to our selves with. It lays bare the inconsistencies of our thoughts and points to the one true God.  Maybe because it exposes to ourselves the shallowness of our selfless sinful intent.
The word of God can will also show you His redemptive, restorative grace. It shows you His longsuffering patience It shows you His amazing love. It shows you the life He offers you. The word of God is the fork in the road with with redemption, salvation, grace, love and joy on one side. the other road is the lost life you've chosen.


Leia Mais…

Saturday, June 3, 2017

The Lord Bless You

Something to think about.

The Lord Bless You

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

This blessing God spoke over Israel through Aaron is uplifting, motivating and generous.  What we seek in this life is contained in the first words of these verses,  "The LORD bless you and keep you." What I seek in this life is the blessings of God and His protection which is what he has given us as per the first verse. Then He goes beyond that and gives us peace.  God gives us all who call upon Him these blessings, but we have to accept them. If you don't let go of what you have, you can never receive the blessings God has for you and His blessings are always better.

Leia Mais…

Friday, June 2, 2017

Number Our Days

Something to think about.

Number Our Days

12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalms 90:12

Do you know when you will die? Obviously, the answer to that question is unknown. So this verse at first glance may not make sense. What would be the point in numbering our days? As I get older and realize there are fewer days in front of me than those behind. I now understand this verse.  The point of this verse is to remind us that our days are numbered that our life has an expiration date. From that knowledge, we can then set out to live a life of value, joy, and purpose. Wisdom in this sense refers to making your life count for you, not anyone else, you. Are you living a life of joy, meaning, purpose? It is your life and your days are numbered.



Leia Mais…

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

The Gospel

Something to think about.

The Gospel


16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16

We are put down humiliated, teased and denigrated for the gospel of Christ, yet it remains the best and only hope for mankind. No other religion, ideology, philosophy offers salvation to man. Only the gospel of Christ offers us any hope but hope with evidence. The evidence is the resurrection of Christ.

Leia Mais…

Monday, May 29, 2017

All Who Call

Something to think about.

All Who Call

5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.
 
We have perpetuated this idea that God is forgiving and merciful to all people.  As I read this verse, I see a condition of Gods forgiveness " to all that call upon you". As I read about "gnashing of teeth"  Matthew 8:12
Matthew 13:41–42
Matthew 22:11–13
Matthew 25:14–30)
and the judgment seat,  
Revelation 20:11-15
I see a different dynamic.  

We, you and I, Christian, are doing more than a disservice to the world when we continue to ignore this condition or encourage this erroneous ideology.   Gnashing of teeth and the Judgement of God when it leads to eternal punishment can not be ignored and hidden behind the mercy of God. God is merciful and kind. He is forgiving and loving. But His judgment will be just and eternal, painful and final. Let us not whitewash the severity of the final judgment. People that reject God will not find mercy, that concept is inconsistent with the word of God. 

Leia Mais…

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Light of Life

Something to think about

Light of Life

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

If you compare this verse with the reality of today, you can easily understand the darkness with which the world lives.  The world lives with false hope, hope based on the intellect and ambitions of man.  Not being able to see the light that is Jesus the world stumbles about thinking that their darkness is light.  For those of us that have the light of life which is Jesus, we have hope that will not fade that will not fail that is a lighted living path to follow. We are grateful to God for the light of life He has provided. We, indeed live in the light of Christ.



 

Leia Mais…

Friday, May 19, 2017

Would You Know Him?

Something to think about.

Would You Know Him?

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

For those that may not be familiar with this verse, it is part of the recounting of Jesus walking on water to the disciples on a boat.   When the disciples see a figure coming at them in the night, they think it is a ghost. Jesus calms them by introducing Himself.  As soon as they heard Him, they were at easy because they knew His voice. Do you know His voice could you recognize Him if He spoke to you? 


27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27


Leia Mais…

Thursday, May 18, 2017

From the Beginning

Something to think about.

From the Beginning

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  1 John 1:1

John in such complete eloquence is able to encapsulate the embodiment of the promised Messiah of Israel and the world. He is talking about the Christ who was at the beginning of creation and then became man so that John and the disciples and many other could touch, feel and know Him as Jesus.  He is testifying of the glorious majesty of God that came to man in the person of Jesus.

Leia Mais…

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Witnesses

Something to think about.

Witnesses 

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The operative word in this verse is we. John is testifying to what he and his associates have seen.  He is testifying to the life of Christ and is speaking as a representative of others that have seen the same thing, a spokesman. We often take the witnesses of Christ to lightly. There aren't any other witnesses to any ancient historical event as well documented as the life of Christ. These are real people testifying to real events that occurred that have changed the course of history. We should rely on the testimony of biblical witnesses and not on the conjecture of man. 

Leia Mais…

Monday, May 15, 2017

What Has He Done

 Something to think about.

What Has He Done

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:3-4:

Should you not rejoice in the assurance of what God has done for you? Your inheritance is secure under the protection of God Himself. It is stored beyond the reach of anyone or anything that would want to take it from you. Your inheritance will always be yours.  What is available to you is only available to you because of the resurrection of Christ. His resurrection is what makes your inheritance possible. Another reason to praise God.

Leia Mais…

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Abide

Something to think about

Abide

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

The analogy of the vine illustrates our total dependence on Jesus. We need to be permanently connected to Christ.  Notice we are not the fruit we are the branches. And the fruit we bear will be grafted into the vine which is Jesus, not us. If we separate from Jesus, we become dried out dead branches which cannot bear any fruit. We become useless.

Leia Mais…

Monday, May 1, 2017

Benefit

Something to think about.

Benefit

16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.  1 john 2:16-17

Do something that will not fade or pass away. Do something that transcends the mind and flesh of man. Do something that will benefit you through eternity. Do the will of God.

Leia Mais…