Archive for December, 2013

CHRISTMAS 365

Tuesday, December 24th, 2013

It’s no secret that during the Christmas season more people are inspired to help the less-fortunate.
I use the term less-fortunate to include those in that position, be it no fault of their own, or those whose bad decisions are manifest by current circumstances. It is often said, to never give money to a homeless person because they will use it on drugs or alcohol. Maybe they will–maybe they wont. Does the Bible ever tell us to not help those in need? No, never. Why is this so? Because giving may help the one in need but ultimately it is for our spiritual benefit.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Why would Paul mention the phrase, “profits me nothing?” Because giving is a spiritual exercise. We give because the sanctification of the Spirit, who is transforming our lives day-to-day to be conformed to Christ’s image. It’s all a part of laying up treasures in heaven. If opportunity confronts me to help a destitute person or not, but I throw up a defense because they may use the help for drugs or alcohol, then why am I giving in the first place? Is it because I want to be rewarded by the person using the help in the way I desire it to be used on earth? Or is it because I want to be obedient to Christ and allow the gift to have the desired affect God desires?

 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33(NKJV)

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MAKING IT RIGHT, PART 2

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013

JOB RELENTS AND RESPONDS

The LORD had had enough of Job’s complaining and putting words in His own Mouth, which He never said or thought! The LORD had had enough of Job’s three friends – Zophar, Eliphaz and the “shortest man in the world” – Bildad the Shuhite!  These three men were like modern day theologians. They were putting out PhD dissertation after PhD dissertation which belong more in Princeton and Yale, than in the Holy Halls of the Heavenly Tabernacle.(The body of the majority of these men’s errors can be found in the lengthy speeches of Job Chapters 4-37).
Therefore, in Job Chapters 38-41, the LORD Himself showed up to set the record straight. In a series of endless rapid fire questions, the LORD Himself revealed HOW HE CREATED THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING IN IT! (As an aside, the Book of Genesis states the facts of Creation. Job Chapters 38-41 give the “how”. WATCH THE PLUMBLINE DISCUSSION ON CREATION BY CLICKING HERE).
GOD ANSWERS JOB
Here are a few of those piercing questions, which no Charles Darwin; no Richard Dawkins or Stephen Hawkings will ever answer or have a chance to have answered:

Job 38
1 Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind,
2 “Who is this who darkens counsel
by words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man,
for I will question you, then you answer me!
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Declare, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measures, if you know?
Or who stretched the line on it?