Saturday, February 4, 2012
THE FEAR ENGENDERED BY THE ENEMY’S THREATS
by Rev. M.D. Rogers
A. There Was A Verbal Threat.
1. Hezekiah was told not to count on the strength of his allies.
Isa.36: 4 “And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
5 I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
6 Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.”
NOTE: [1] The word “Rabshakeh” is actually a title, not the messenger’s name. It is the “…title of a high court official (originally a royal cupbearer, since the name means ‘chief wine-pourer’)” (Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; pg. 634).
[2] It is interesting to note that twenty-three years earlier, Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, had to make a decision at this same aqueduct mentioned in verse two. Unfortunately, King Ahaz decided to trust the armies of Assyria to fight his battles, rather than God. Now, the ally of Ahaz had become the attacker of Hezekiah. Be careful what you rely on in times of trial. Trusting anything other than God will likely be your undoing. As the old song says, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand/All other ground is sinking sand” (“The Solid Rock,” by Edward Mote).
[3] The obvious intent of this Assyrian military official was to knock all the props out from under Hezekiah and his people. In reality, Judah could not trust Egypt for deliverance because Assyria had already captured and controlled the road to Egypt.
2. Hezekiah was told that his army lacked sufficient military ability.
Isa.36: 8 “Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
9 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?”
NOTE: [1] In verse eight, the Assyrian messenger basically makes fun of the obvious military weakness of Judah. In essence, he said, “Look, I’ll make you a deal (“give pledges”). If you can find riders for them, my master will give you two thousand horses to help your war effort.”
[2] Our enemy, Satan, loves to get us focused on our weaknesses. For one thing, when he speaks about our weaknesses, he speaks the truth. However, when he speaks about God and His strength, and our position in Christ, he always lies. The Bible says, “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4: 4b). It also says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil.4: 13). Don’t argue with the devil about your weaknesses; agree with him. After all, he’s right. But the fact is, if you face trials and temptations relying on the Lord and His strength, your weaknesses have nothing to do with the outcome.
[3] Satan’s purpose in your trials is to get you to focus on you. God’s purpose in your trials is to get you to focus on Him.
3. Hezekiah was told that Judah’s destruction was by God’s authority.
Isa.36: 10 “And am I now come up without the Lord against this land to destroy it? the Lord said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.”
NOTE: [1] The statement made here was essentially true. God was in fact using Sennacherib to judge Judah as a whole for their idolatry. But the situation at Jerusalem was a little different. Hezekiah, a godly king, had made reforms, ridding the city of idolatry. Because God had determined judgment upon Judah as a whole, did not mean that He had determined to destroy Hezekiah and Jerusalem as well.
[2] When God’s children are going through trials and troubles, Satan loves to lie to them and tell them that God is against them. “After all,” he will say, “look at how many times you’ve messed up in the past. God is angry with you. That’s why you’re having all these problems.” Unless you are rebellious against God, and have known sin in your life, don’t fall for that lie. Sure you’ve sinned and messed up in the past. All of us have. But the Word of God says, “…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1: 7b).
[3] Jesse Pen-Lewis, a great saint of the past, once said, “The devil and his wicked spirits will speak, or use, ninety-nine parts of truth to float one lie…” (Jesse Pen-Lewis, War On The Saints: published by Thomas E. Lowe, Ltd., New York, New York; pg. 236).
4. The people of Jerusalem were told that Hezekiah was deceiving them with false assurance.
Isa.36: 14 “Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.
15 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
……………………………………………………
20 Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?”
NOTE: [1] The king of Assyria had sent word by his messenger saying, “Don’t listen to Hezekiah’s nonsense about God delivering Jerusalem. He’s just avoiding the inevitable—he’s not living in reality.” That sounds just like what the devil tells a lot of folks every Sunday: “Don’t listen to that preacher. After all, he’s just preaching. He’s supposed to tell you to trust God. But you know the only one you can really trust in a tight is yourself.”
[2] In verse 20, the messenger basically said that none of the other gods of the land had delivered their people. Why should Jehovah be any different? He was trying to put Jehovah and idols on the same level. However, he would soon find out differently.
B. There Was A Visible Threat.
Isa.37: 9b “…And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trusteth, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
11 Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?
12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Telassar?
13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?
14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.”
NOTE: [1] All the visible evidence indicated that Hezekiah and Jerusalem were done for. He had an official letter of intent from the king of Assyria; and the cities that the Assyrians had already destroyed were visible evidence that they were capable of doing what they threatened to do.
[2] Folks, the child of God is not supposed to live their life merely by what they see. Paul said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor.5: 7). Rather than throw his hands up and surrender to the enemy, Hezekiah took the letter “…and spread it before the Lord” (v. 14). When it comes to your trials and troubles, the enemy doesn’t have the last word, God does. Paul, through the Holy Spirit, gave us these reassuring words: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom.8: 37).
II. THE FAITH EXERCISED BY THE KING’S TACTICS
A. Hezekiah Humbles Himself Before God After The Verbal Threat.
1. He asked Isaiah to intercede before God.
Isa.37: 1 “And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord.
2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
4 It may be the Lord thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.”
NOTE: Hezekiah’s first response to the threat of the enemy was to humble himself before God. That’s quite unlike many people of our day, who permit themselves to become hardened by their trials rather than humbled by them.
2. Hezekiah’s humbleness before God receives an immediate response from God.
Isa.37: 6 “And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”
A. There Was A Verbal Threat.
1. Hezekiah was told not to count on the strength of his allies.
Isa.36: 4 “And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
5 I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
6 Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.”
NOTE: [1] The word “Rabshakeh” is actually a title, not the messenger’s name. It is the “…title of a high court official (originally a royal cupbearer, since the name means ‘chief wine-pourer’)” (Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; pg. 634).
[2] It is interesting to note that twenty-three years earlier, Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, had to make a decision at this same aqueduct mentioned in verse two. Unfortunately, King Ahaz decided to trust the armies of Assyria to fight his battles, rather than God. Now, the ally of Ahaz had become the attacker of Hezekiah. Be careful what you rely on in times of trial. Trusting anything other than God will likely be your undoing. As the old song says, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand/All other ground is sinking sand” (“The Solid Rock,” by Edward Mote).
[3] The obvious intent of this Assyrian military official was to knock all the props out from under Hezekiah and his people. In reality, Judah could not trust Egypt for deliverance because Assyria had already captured and controlled the road to Egypt.
2. Hezekiah was told that his army lacked sufficient military ability.
Isa.36: 8 “Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
9 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?”
NOTE: [1] In verse eight, the Assyrian messenger basically makes fun of the obvious military weakness of Judah. In essence, he said, “Look, I’ll make you a deal (“give pledges”). If you can find riders for them, my master will give you two thousand horses to help your war effort.”
[2] Our enemy, Satan, loves to get us focused on our weaknesses. For one thing, when he speaks about our weaknesses, he speaks the truth. However, when he speaks about God and His strength, and our position in Christ, he always lies. The Bible says, “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4: 4b). It also says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil.4: 13). Don’t argue with the devil about your weaknesses; agree with him. After all, he’s right. But the fact is, if you face trials and temptations relying on the Lord and His strength, your weaknesses have nothing to do with the outcome.
[3] Satan’s purpose in your trials is to get you to focus on you. God’s purpose in your trials is to get you to focus on Him.
3. Hezekiah was told that Judah’s destruction was by God’s authority.
Isa.36: 10 “And am I now come up without the Lord against this land to destroy it? the Lord said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.”
NOTE: [1] The statement made here was essentially true. God was in fact using Sennacherib to judge Judah as a whole for their idolatry. But the situation at Jerusalem was a little different. Hezekiah, a godly king, had made reforms, ridding the city of idolatry. Because God had determined judgment upon Judah as a whole, did not mean that He had determined to destroy Hezekiah and Jerusalem as well.
[2] When God’s children are going through trials and troubles, Satan loves to lie to them and tell them that God is against them. “After all,” he will say, “look at how many times you’ve messed up in the past. God is angry with you. That’s why you’re having all these problems.” Unless you are rebellious against God, and have known sin in your life, don’t fall for that lie. Sure you’ve sinned and messed up in the past. All of us have. But the Word of God says, “…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1: 7b).
[3] Jesse Pen-Lewis, a great saint of the past, once said, “The devil and his wicked spirits will speak, or use, ninety-nine parts of truth to float one lie…” (Jesse Pen-Lewis, War On The Saints: published by Thomas E. Lowe, Ltd., New York, New York; pg. 236).
4. The people of Jerusalem were told that Hezekiah was deceiving them with false assurance.
Isa.36: 14 “Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.
15 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
……………………………………………………
20 Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?”
NOTE: [1] The king of Assyria had sent word by his messenger saying, “Don’t listen to Hezekiah’s nonsense about God delivering Jerusalem. He’s just avoiding the inevitable—he’s not living in reality.” That sounds just like what the devil tells a lot of folks every Sunday: “Don’t listen to that preacher. After all, he’s just preaching. He’s supposed to tell you to trust God. But you know the only one you can really trust in a tight is yourself.”
[2] In verse 20, the messenger basically said that none of the other gods of the land had delivered their people. Why should Jehovah be any different? He was trying to put Jehovah and idols on the same level. However, he would soon find out differently.
B. There Was A Visible Threat.
Isa.37: 9b “…And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trusteth, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
11 Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?
12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Telassar?
13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?
14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.”
NOTE: [1] All the visible evidence indicated that Hezekiah and Jerusalem were done for. He had an official letter of intent from the king of Assyria; and the cities that the Assyrians had already destroyed were visible evidence that they were capable of doing what they threatened to do.
[2] Folks, the child of God is not supposed to live their life merely by what they see. Paul said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor.5: 7). Rather than throw his hands up and surrender to the enemy, Hezekiah took the letter “…and spread it before the Lord” (v. 14). When it comes to your trials and troubles, the enemy doesn’t have the last word, God does. Paul, through the Holy Spirit, gave us these reassuring words: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom.8: 37).
II. THE FAITH EXERCISED BY THE KING’S TACTICS
A. Hezekiah Humbles Himself Before God After The Verbal Threat.
1. He asked Isaiah to intercede before God.
Isa.37: 1 “And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord.
2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
4 It may be the Lord thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.”
NOTE: Hezekiah’s first response to the threat of the enemy was to humble himself before God. That’s quite unlike many people of our day, who permit themselves to become hardened by their trials rather than humbled by them.
2. Hezekiah’s humbleness before God receives an immediate response from God.
Isa.37: 6 “And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”
5 Ways To Inspire Your Children’s Dreams
by Deanna Shoyoye
As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential and respected leaders in history, I often think about his parents. How strong, wise and loving they must have been to raise such a dynamic individual. People like MLK didn’t just turn out great by happenstance. Clearly there must have been family members, mentors, teachers and peers that saw his potential and nurtured it. I humbly offer my thoughts on how to encourage the special boys and girls in our lives to create a vision for themselves, achieve their dreams and make an impact on the world at large.
5. Look & Listen
“It (destiny) is what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their destiny is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives.” ~Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist
Practice close observation and active listening skills when interacting with your children. Talk to them. What are they into? What can’t they stop jabbering about? You can help them identify and explore their healthy interests. Dig a little and educate them about the possibilities. A kid obsessed with transforming robots today, could be tomorrow’s science and technology innovator.
4. Homemade History Lessons
“The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” ~Thomas Carlyl
All things tangible and real in our world were once someones dream. Teach your children to appreciate the men and women throughout history who turned nothing into something, and they will realize that they too can bring their visions into fruition. Retrace the steps taken one by one to turn dreams into reality
3. Encourage Literacy
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ~Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Little readers are little dreamers. Books transport us to worlds unknown and plant ideas in a way that no other media can. Your budding bookworm will develop a better vocabulary, ability to focus and critical thinking skills by shelf surfing at the local library.
2. Expose Them To The Unfamiliar
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” ~Rachel Carson
Make sure children know that the world is a huge, varied place. There is more to life than their block, city, state, country and continent. While their minds are sponges help them understand that no dream is too big. Their imaginations may lead them to ponder the implausible, but teach them that nothing is impossible. Visit museums, parks, art galleries. Travel by train, plane and automobile. Answer their questions. When you don’t how to respond fess up and research the topic together. Encourage exploration that titillates their senses. See the sights; smell the scents – stinky and sweet; touch the soft and prickly; hear the noise and quiet; develop their taste for life!
1. Keep Living Your Own Dreams
“When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old.” ~Bill Clinton
When we become parents, guardians or teachers we agree to put our needs second to what is best for our kids. Sometimes through great sacrifice we put what we want on hold to provide what they need, as it should be. But remember, the way we live provides a road map for how our children approach their lives. Talk to your children about your personal story, your failures and successes. Are you thriving or surviving? Even if you are excelling professionally, personally and spiritually think back to when you were a child. Rediscover some of that joy and curiosity. Set new goals, embark on new adventures, make new memories and you will inspire your children to do the same.
As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential and respected leaders in history, I often think about his parents. How strong, wise and loving they must have been to raise such a dynamic individual. People like MLK didn’t just turn out great by happenstance. Clearly there must have been family members, mentors, teachers and peers that saw his potential and nurtured it. I humbly offer my thoughts on how to encourage the special boys and girls in our lives to create a vision for themselves, achieve their dreams and make an impact on the world at large.
5. Look & Listen
“It (destiny) is what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their destiny is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives.” ~Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist
Practice close observation and active listening skills when interacting with your children. Talk to them. What are they into? What can’t they stop jabbering about? You can help them identify and explore their healthy interests. Dig a little and educate them about the possibilities. A kid obsessed with transforming robots today, could be tomorrow’s science and technology innovator.
4. Homemade History Lessons
“The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” ~Thomas Carlyl
All things tangible and real in our world were once someones dream. Teach your children to appreciate the men and women throughout history who turned nothing into something, and they will realize that they too can bring their visions into fruition. Retrace the steps taken one by one to turn dreams into reality
3. Encourage Literacy
“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ~Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Little readers are little dreamers. Books transport us to worlds unknown and plant ideas in a way that no other media can. Your budding bookworm will develop a better vocabulary, ability to focus and critical thinking skills by shelf surfing at the local library.
2. Expose Them To The Unfamiliar
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” ~Rachel Carson
Make sure children know that the world is a huge, varied place. There is more to life than their block, city, state, country and continent. While their minds are sponges help them understand that no dream is too big. Their imaginations may lead them to ponder the implausible, but teach them that nothing is impossible. Visit museums, parks, art galleries. Travel by train, plane and automobile. Answer their questions. When you don’t how to respond fess up and research the topic together. Encourage exploration that titillates their senses. See the sights; smell the scents – stinky and sweet; touch the soft and prickly; hear the noise and quiet; develop their taste for life!
1. Keep Living Your Own Dreams
“When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old.” ~Bill Clinton
When we become parents, guardians or teachers we agree to put our needs second to what is best for our kids. Sometimes through great sacrifice we put what we want on hold to provide what they need, as it should be. But remember, the way we live provides a road map for how our children approach their lives. Talk to your children about your personal story, your failures and successes. Are you thriving or surviving? Even if you are excelling professionally, personally and spiritually think back to when you were a child. Rediscover some of that joy and curiosity. Set new goals, embark on new adventures, make new memories and you will inspire your children to do the same.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Who Says Raising Boys Is Easier?
L.Z. Granderson disputes the precept that boys are easier to raise than girls, citing disquieting statistics that show males' greater likelihood of dropping out of high school and being incarcerated.
Did you know boys are more likely to drop out of high school than girls? Or that there are more female college students than male? And did you know the imprisonment rate for men is roughly 15 times higher than the rate for women?
If this is what boys being easier to raise than girls looks like, could you imagine how many men would be in jail if raising girls got any harder? We worry so much about girls getting hurt -- and justifiably so -- but interestingly enough, the stats show it's our boys who are more likely to get robbed, attacked or even murdered. We see girls as fragile orchids and boys as plastic plants. But let's face it: At the core of this line of thinking isn't safety -- it's sex.
When someone offers this piece of advice, it's with the thinking that girls have to be protected from boys who will say and do just about anything to get in their pants. What's typically missing from this discussion is the challenge to parents -- particularly fathers -- not to raise a liar and a cheat.
True, parents of boys do not have to worry about them coming home pregnant, but does that mean an unplanned pregnancy can be considered "the girl's problem"? After all, a boy's girlfriend did not get pregnant asexually. That's why I'm Tebowing day and night, hoping my 15-year-old has the will to stay away from sex -- even though the world all around him tells him there's something wrong with him if he does.
Easier? Ha. Try different.
Did you know boys are more likely to drop out of high school than girls? Or that there are more female college students than male? And did you know the imprisonment rate for men is roughly 15 times higher than the rate for women?
If this is what boys being easier to raise than girls looks like, could you imagine how many men would be in jail if raising girls got any harder? We worry so much about girls getting hurt -- and justifiably so -- but interestingly enough, the stats show it's our boys who are more likely to get robbed, attacked or even murdered. We see girls as fragile orchids and boys as plastic plants. But let's face it: At the core of this line of thinking isn't safety -- it's sex.
When someone offers this piece of advice, it's with the thinking that girls have to be protected from boys who will say and do just about anything to get in their pants. What's typically missing from this discussion is the challenge to parents -- particularly fathers -- not to raise a liar and a cheat.
True, parents of boys do not have to worry about them coming home pregnant, but does that mean an unplanned pregnancy can be considered "the girl's problem"? After all, a boy's girlfriend did not get pregnant asexually. That's why I'm Tebowing day and night, hoping my 15-year-old has the will to stay away from sex -- even though the world all around him tells him there's something wrong with him if he does.
Easier? Ha. Try different.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
What makes Genesis special?
Why was Genesis written? The earliest ancestors of the Israelites did not write down their family history, but they told stories. These stories were passed on for generations. Eventually, they were written down so that the people of Israel would have a record of how God created the world and how they became God's people. The book also describes how the first human beings broke the perfect relationship they had with God in the Garden of Eden. But God did not give up on human beings, and eventually chose Abram and Sarai (later called Abraham and Sarah) to leave their home in Northern Mesopotamia and go to Canaan, a land God promised to give to Abram and his descendants. God also promised Abram that his descendants would be a great people who would bring God's blessings to all the other nations of the world (12:1-3).
Genesis includes a number of family lists (genealogies) to explain how the Israelite people are related to each other and to other peoples and nations in the ancient Near East, Middle East, and northeastern Africa.
According to tradition, Moses was considered the author and collector of the first five books of the Bible, including Genesis. It is difficult to say for certain when Moses lived, but the Bible (1 Kings 6:1) and other ancient documents seem to point to some time between 1400 and 1250 B.C. That would make Genesis over 3300 years old! However, in the past two centuries, some Bible scholars have suggested that Genesis actually reached its final form much later than the time of Moses, perhaps as late as the time of Israel's exile in Babylon (587-538 B.C.). They noted that the two descriptions of God's creation of the earth (Genesis 1:1-2:4 and 2:4-25) differ slightly, and each uses a different name for God. They began to wonder if the book may be a collection of the writings of different authors, each having important stories and history to contribute to this "family album" of Israel's earliest ancestors. But no matter who wrote the book, its main message is clear: The God of Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants (the people of Israel) is the creator of the world and acts in history to save all people.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Jesus Makes The Difference!
Rev. M.D.Rogers
Romans 7:18-20
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to
will is present
with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I
would I do
not:
but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is
no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
INTRODUCTION:
There are many believers walking around in the world who have at one time or
another
experienced great disappointment with themselves.
Although we are living an obviously blessed life, there is a disappointment, not
in a friend
or a co-worker that let your down, or in a situation that failed but in
disappointment in
ourselves.
We experience self disappointment whenever we fail to do that which we think we
should
do in the way we should do it.
Dealing with self disappointment is a private war, an internal struggle that is
not seen by
others but is felt by every believer, from time to time, as we measure where God
what
wants us to be and where were really are.
Unless we tell someone else, other than God himself, the only other person who
knows
about our self disappointment is the man or woman in the mirror.
The man or woman in the mirror reminds us of what we promised ourselves that we
will be
and what are actually doing about that promise.
The face that keeps changing in the mirror, keeps pointing out the size of the
gap
between our ideas and reality, and that disappoints us.
As Christians, we struggle daily with our self disappointment.
We lied when we promised ourselves, we wouldn't lie…
We cheated when we said we would be faithful…
We lost our temper when we said we would remain under control…
We lit up a cigarette after telling ourselves over and over we were going to
quit…
Promises, Promises, Promise…
Our only redeeming grace is the knowledge that, while the God we serve is not
happy with
our personal failures, he is forgiving and merciful.
Despite our flaws and short comings, he blesses us continually. That is why we
praise him
continually.
This is why I believe that King David proclaimed that "I will bless the Lord at
all times, His
praise shall continually be in my mouth".
EXPOSITION:
The first part of the text focuses on Paul as he explains the nature of the
believer's life in
Christ as opposed to the law.
The Apostle Paul identifies to the reader that there is a war raging on the
inside between
the natural man/flesh and the Spiritual man/Converted believer.
This war is evident in the fact that Paul declares within himself that there is
a struggle
between an opposing forces to do what is right.
In essence Paul is telling us this morning that the spiritual man wants to
please God, but
the flesh wants to please it self.
Therefore causing a continual war on the inside to see who will gain the upper
hand.
Today there are many believers who are frustrated over their inability to stay
on the right
path.
The fact that it bothers us means that we are no longer at war with God. We
have
accepted his moral standard.
1. WHAT IS THE LAW?
• God's moral standard reflected in the 10 commandments (Exodus 20)
• The attributes of God Himself.
• When each of us stands before the law, we fall short.
• Romans 3:23
• The Law is rigid and unchanging
• There is no room for compromise or compassion
• You either live by or be condemned by it.
THE HOLY SPIRIT PUSHES ME TO KEEP THE LAW
• The law is spiritual. (Vs. 14) The law was given to man by the Spirit of God
• The Greek word used is the very name of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
the source
of the law.
The reason why the Holy Spirit motivates me to keep the law is because the flesh
is "sold
under sin".
What Paul means by this is that as a creature of flesh, that is, as a man, he
is...
• a slave to sin.
• under sin's influence.
• subject to sin.
• capable of sinning.
• guilty of sinning.
• cannot free himself from being short of God's glory.
• cannot keep from sinning—not perfectly.
• cannot erase sin's presence—not completely.
• cannot cast sin out of his life—not totally.
• cannot get rid of sin—not permanently.
The one promise from this struggle is that I am experiencing the indwelling of
the Holy
Spirit.
CONCLUSION:
Paul's conclusion is that man has a sinful, depraved, and corrupt nature. What
causes him
to conclude this?
As a man who was a genuine believer, he did not want to sin; he actually willed
not to sin.
However, he found that he could not keep from sinning.
He continually came short of the glory of God and failed to be consistently
conformed to
the image of Christ.
He came short and failed because of sin that dwells in him, because of sin
within his flesh.
The carnal man finds a principle, a law of sin within his flesh that tugs and
pulls him to
sin. He finds that no matter what he does, he sins...
• by living for himself before he lives for God and for others.
• by putting himself before the laws concerning God and the laws concerning man.
(This refers to the Ten Commandments where the first laws govern our
relationship to God
and the last laws govern our relationship to man.)
No matter what resources and faculties man uses and no matter how diligently he
tries, he
is unable to control sin and to keep from sinning.
Sin is within his flesh; it dwells in him. In fact, man is corrupt and dies for
this very reason.
He was never made to be corruptible nor to die; he was not created with the seed
of
corruption that causes him to age and deteriorate and decay (Romans 5:12).
The seed of corruption was planted in his flesh, in his body and life when he
sinned.
The carnal life proves that man cannot keep from sinning, that man is diseased
with the
seed of corruption, the seed of a sinful and a depraved nature.
BUT CHRIST MAKES UP THE DIFFERENCE…
Jesus declared in Mark 17 "I did not come to destroy the law, but I came to
fulfill it…"
Jesus fulfilled the law by keeping the law. He fulfilled the law by not
breaking the law.
What Adam failed to do, Jesus was successful and victorious.
Illustration: Standard grade scale
Standard Grading Scale
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F Below 59
God's grading scale is different.
The Law of God requires 100 percent participation and anything less is a failing
grade.
Therefore this standard puts man in a no win situation.
Jesus made up the difference in the life of all believers.
When I was at 80% according to God's standards, Jesus made up the difference by
supplying me the much needed 20% so that I would equal up to 100%.
When sin caused me to fail the test, Jesus Christ was the extra credit needed to
pass the
course.
One day at Calvary the semester was about to come to an end for mankind and he
was
failing with no possibility of passing…
Romans 7:18-20
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to
will is present
with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I
would I do
not:
but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is
no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
INTRODUCTION:
There are many believers walking around in the world who have at one time or
another
experienced great disappointment with themselves.
Although we are living an obviously blessed life, there is a disappointment, not
in a friend
or a co-worker that let your down, or in a situation that failed but in
disappointment in
ourselves.
We experience self disappointment whenever we fail to do that which we think we
should
do in the way we should do it.
Dealing with self disappointment is a private war, an internal struggle that is
not seen by
others but is felt by every believer, from time to time, as we measure where God
what
wants us to be and where were really are.
Unless we tell someone else, other than God himself, the only other person who
knows
about our self disappointment is the man or woman in the mirror.
The man or woman in the mirror reminds us of what we promised ourselves that we
will be
and what are actually doing about that promise.
The face that keeps changing in the mirror, keeps pointing out the size of the
gap
between our ideas and reality, and that disappoints us.
As Christians, we struggle daily with our self disappointment.
We lied when we promised ourselves, we wouldn't lie…
We cheated when we said we would be faithful…
We lost our temper when we said we would remain under control…
We lit up a cigarette after telling ourselves over and over we were going to
quit…
Promises, Promises, Promise…
Our only redeeming grace is the knowledge that, while the God we serve is not
happy with
our personal failures, he is forgiving and merciful.
Despite our flaws and short comings, he blesses us continually. That is why we
praise him
continually.
This is why I believe that King David proclaimed that "I will bless the Lord at
all times, His
praise shall continually be in my mouth".
EXPOSITION:
The first part of the text focuses on Paul as he explains the nature of the
believer's life in
Christ as opposed to the law.
The Apostle Paul identifies to the reader that there is a war raging on the
inside between
the natural man/flesh and the Spiritual man/Converted believer.
This war is evident in the fact that Paul declares within himself that there is
a struggle
between an opposing forces to do what is right.
In essence Paul is telling us this morning that the spiritual man wants to
please God, but
the flesh wants to please it self.
Therefore causing a continual war on the inside to see who will gain the upper
hand.
Today there are many believers who are frustrated over their inability to stay
on the right
path.
The fact that it bothers us means that we are no longer at war with God. We
have
accepted his moral standard.
1. WHAT IS THE LAW?
• God's moral standard reflected in the 10 commandments (Exodus 20)
• The attributes of God Himself.
• When each of us stands before the law, we fall short.
• Romans 3:23
• The Law is rigid and unchanging
• There is no room for compromise or compassion
• You either live by or be condemned by it.
THE HOLY SPIRIT PUSHES ME TO KEEP THE LAW
• The law is spiritual. (Vs. 14) The law was given to man by the Spirit of God
• The Greek word used is the very name of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
the source
of the law.
The reason why the Holy Spirit motivates me to keep the law is because the flesh
is "sold
under sin".
What Paul means by this is that as a creature of flesh, that is, as a man, he
is...
• a slave to sin.
• under sin's influence.
• subject to sin.
• capable of sinning.
• guilty of sinning.
• cannot free himself from being short of God's glory.
• cannot keep from sinning—not perfectly.
• cannot erase sin's presence—not completely.
• cannot cast sin out of his life—not totally.
• cannot get rid of sin—not permanently.
The one promise from this struggle is that I am experiencing the indwelling of
the Holy
Spirit.
CONCLUSION:
Paul's conclusion is that man has a sinful, depraved, and corrupt nature. What
causes him
to conclude this?
As a man who was a genuine believer, he did not want to sin; he actually willed
not to sin.
However, he found that he could not keep from sinning.
He continually came short of the glory of God and failed to be consistently
conformed to
the image of Christ.
He came short and failed because of sin that dwells in him, because of sin
within his flesh.
The carnal man finds a principle, a law of sin within his flesh that tugs and
pulls him to
sin. He finds that no matter what he does, he sins...
• by living for himself before he lives for God and for others.
• by putting himself before the laws concerning God and the laws concerning man.
(This refers to the Ten Commandments where the first laws govern our
relationship to God
and the last laws govern our relationship to man.)
No matter what resources and faculties man uses and no matter how diligently he
tries, he
is unable to control sin and to keep from sinning.
Sin is within his flesh; it dwells in him. In fact, man is corrupt and dies for
this very reason.
He was never made to be corruptible nor to die; he was not created with the seed
of
corruption that causes him to age and deteriorate and decay (Romans 5:12).
The seed of corruption was planted in his flesh, in his body and life when he
sinned.
The carnal life proves that man cannot keep from sinning, that man is diseased
with the
seed of corruption, the seed of a sinful and a depraved nature.
BUT CHRIST MAKES UP THE DIFFERENCE…
Jesus declared in Mark 17 "I did not come to destroy the law, but I came to
fulfill it…"
Jesus fulfilled the law by keeping the law. He fulfilled the law by not
breaking the law.
What Adam failed to do, Jesus was successful and victorious.
Illustration: Standard grade scale
Standard Grading Scale
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F Below 59
God's grading scale is different.
The Law of God requires 100 percent participation and anything less is a failing
grade.
Therefore this standard puts man in a no win situation.
Jesus made up the difference in the life of all believers.
When I was at 80% according to God's standards, Jesus made up the difference by
supplying me the much needed 20% so that I would equal up to 100%.
When sin caused me to fail the test, Jesus Christ was the extra credit needed to
pass the
course.
One day at Calvary the semester was about to come to an end for mankind and he
was
failing with no possibility of passing…
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Great Commission
DO The Right Thing!” Pt. II
By Elder Gerald DeForest Tyler
Last week I began writing about the Pennsylvania State University child sex abuse scandal involving Jerry Sandusky as the alleged predator directly, and several other Penn State employees somewhat indirectly, including its former head football coach and president. I say former because both Coach Joe Paterno and President Graham Spanier were fired as a result of the sex scandal over two weeks ago now. I trust that you are a regular reader of my “Pastor’s Corner” columns and that you read last week’s column for a better introduction to this conclusive piece. And if by chance you did not, by now you probably know right much about the aforementioned sex scandal that I need not attempt to recapture all of it for you. So let me just continue from where I left off, essentially.
From a public relations and image perspective, it’s a sad time during the history of this great university, Penn State, and will very likely continue to be for several decades or generations yet to come. It’s also quite sad, regrettable and unfortunate when because of one bad “snapshot moment” in life, a person’s entire body of great works can be so drastically diminished, if not completely wiped out, but occasionally it does happen. I’m afraid such is the case here with Coach Paterno. Rather than putting his arms around this matter demonstrating the most appropriate action to safeguard and protect young innocent boys, “Joe Pa” allowed this scandal to erupt into one of the biggest fiascos ever known to land on an American college campus. In other words, he “fumbled” this one away big time, and he does not have the privilege of instant replay to reverse public opinion.
Granted, Jerry Sandusky is probably the real “dirt bag” involved in this horrible sinful practice, but Paterno, et al. are not completely exempt either. There is that “moral responsibility” whereby God expects us to step up to the plate. The Holy Writ says, to whom much is given, much is required. My guess is that “Joe Pa” is already beginning to regret that he did not “Do The Right Thing!” The “good news” in all of this is that God will forgive him, Spanier, Sandusky, et al. if they go to him with earnest, sincere, and repentive hearts. Yes, God will indeed forgive!
I’ve been proclaiming for quite some time now, that collegiate revenue producing sports, as well as professional sports, have simply gone too far in America. I mean, our athletes and coaches are thought of as kings and queens seemingly; and even “dieties” in some instances. They’re paid multi-millions more than some Fortune 500 company CEOs. And they think that they’re indispensable, invincible, and untouchable when they do wrong. Well, they’re not, and somebody needs to tell them so.
I’ve heard it said that, “when truth clashes with a legend…you print the legend.” I’m here to tell you no, no! You print and you tell the truth regardless of the stature of the person, no matter what. There’s only one God! Tell the truth even when it hurts to do so. Tell the truth and be done with. Otherwise, be sure your sins will find you out, sooner or later, and your conscious will eat at you like a canker worm. While I thank God for that great teacher we call “hindsight,” let me quickly express that it’s so much better to get it right the first time around. In other words, “Do The Right Thing” coming out of the box!
Elder Gerald DeForest Tyler is an ordained minister with years of senior pastoral experience.
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