We read in Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."
The word of God is the Bible. It is timeless in its application and relevance. Not only can we turn to the pages of scripture for comfort in times of trouble, we can learn about the righteousness of God, and what it takes for us to be considered righteous.
The Bible tells us about a relationship we have with God and with fellow believers in God's faith. The word of God is just as relevant today as it was when it was written. Many people teach otherwise, and some even go so far as to say that the Bible is obsolete. That will never happen.
The Bible explains our purpose in life and also what God expects from us. There is encouragement from the scriptures that if we will do what God asks us to do, He will protect our souls.
Let us learn to be faithful to God by learning His commands found written in His word.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
What Is There Left To Do?
The prophet Micah pictures a grim picture of his society and culture in chapter seven. The utter devastation that he pictures is horrible, and it was all preventable had the people served the Lord.
Notice that Micah says there is no fruit in the land. Drought and pestilence have decimated the landscape.
There is no morality in the land, as the godly seem to have perished from the face of the earth. No upright people in the land and seems like everyone is out to beat everyone else.
The people have learned evil so well they do it with both hands. It takes a lot of practice to learn to switch hit in baseball. To throw effectively with either one hand or the other. To write so well with either the right or left hand that people cannot tell the difference. So it is that these people have practiced sin so long, that they can do it right or left handed (this is a figure of speech).
Bribes take place, and justice is perverted.
The leaders are out to get everyone else, and they make rules to benefit certain ones. Seems like we hear these same claims today in our political system.
Even the best of the people are like thorn bushes or briars.
They are not even watching out for themselves. Because if they ever posted a watchman, they would realize that an army is not coming, but it is already there. Just like our borders have been open for so long, that when we finally open our eyes, we will find our enemy among us and well prepared to wreak havoc in every part of the land. And people will begin to ask, what happened?
He speaks of a lack of trust among everyone. Every word is reported and leaked to the public. Tweets and e-mails are no longer private, but exposed to the world for all to see.
Even families do not treat each other as they should. There is contempt for the parents, and the children are a danger to the parents, and the worst enemy is in your own family. Domestic violence is rampant.
So what is there left to do?
Micah says the following: "But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation, My God will hear me." Micah 7:8
When all is said and done, all we can do is turn to the Lord and seek His guidance, protection, wisdom, and love.
Notice that Micah says there is no fruit in the land. Drought and pestilence have decimated the landscape.
There is no morality in the land, as the godly seem to have perished from the face of the earth. No upright people in the land and seems like everyone is out to beat everyone else.
The people have learned evil so well they do it with both hands. It takes a lot of practice to learn to switch hit in baseball. To throw effectively with either one hand or the other. To write so well with either the right or left hand that people cannot tell the difference. So it is that these people have practiced sin so long, that they can do it right or left handed (this is a figure of speech).
Bribes take place, and justice is perverted.
The leaders are out to get everyone else, and they make rules to benefit certain ones. Seems like we hear these same claims today in our political system.
Even the best of the people are like thorn bushes or briars.
They are not even watching out for themselves. Because if they ever posted a watchman, they would realize that an army is not coming, but it is already there. Just like our borders have been open for so long, that when we finally open our eyes, we will find our enemy among us and well prepared to wreak havoc in every part of the land. And people will begin to ask, what happened?
He speaks of a lack of trust among everyone. Every word is reported and leaked to the public. Tweets and e-mails are no longer private, but exposed to the world for all to see.
Even families do not treat each other as they should. There is contempt for the parents, and the children are a danger to the parents, and the worst enemy is in your own family. Domestic violence is rampant.
So what is there left to do?
Micah says the following: "But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation, My God will hear me." Micah 7:8
When all is said and done, all we can do is turn to the Lord and seek His guidance, protection, wisdom, and love.
Friday, June 10, 2011
My Dog Is So Dumb...
When the subject of man's best friend comes up, you either hear praise for the dog or stories of how dumb the dog is. The expression "you dumb dog" is part of our culture, and it is applied to a dog that does not behave as a proper dog should. A dog that barks at nothing is a dumb dog. A dog that does not bark when there are intruders is a dumb dog. A dog that acts like a cat (yeah, dogs learn by example too) is a dumb dog.
Why are we talking about dumb dogs? Well God used this phrase describing the watchmen He had set forth to protect Israel. In Isaiah 56:10-11, we read: "His watchmen are blind, all of them know nothing, all of them are dumb dogs unable to bark, dreamers, lying down, who love to slumber; And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied. And they are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way. Each one to his unjust gain, to the last one."
Notice the descriptions of these watchmen called dumb dogs.
Blind:
The context suggest that these watchmen are blind by choice. They choose NOT to see the truth of God's word. They choose NOT to do God's will. Some people cannot help being blind. But to choose blindness is very dumb.
Ignorance:
These choose to know nothing. We as Christians are commanded to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). Acquiring knowledge of God makes us more informed on how to please Him. These people choose to remain ignorant of God's saving message, but they still want to enjoy the benefits. Knowledge of God is the greatest acquisition man has ever acquired, and many choose to stay ignorant.
Unable to bark:
We could turn this around to mean that when they should be barking, they are not. As Christians we are to be set for the defense of the gospel. We should be able to warn people that their souls are in danger. But these mentioned here are so dumb, that they have no idea that a warning needs to be sounded. Error may be right under their noses, but they do not know any better, or that what is being done is condemned by God.
Dreamers:
These people have grand ideas, and really think that God needs to get with the program. They think they can save the world, yet they do not even look or try to save themselves. These people will try any method and any means to acquire knowledge, but the one method they will not use is study the Bible. Now that is dumb.
Lying down:
Awake from your sleep. Folks, it is crunch time and we better be getting our battle gear on. We are running out of time, so we need to prepare. We need the preparation so that we can enter battle with the forces of evil. These people are so secure in themselves, that they do not feel the need to do any preparation at all. Satan is prowling about, but they just lay there, usually sleeping. Now, how dumb is that?
Love to slumber:
Consider the ant, thou sluggard... These people think that work will harm them in some way, yet science has proven that inactivity will kill faster than some diseases. We are not talking about a Saturday afternoon nap out in the hammock. We are talking those who choose to not do anything for themselves or their souls. That is also dumb.
Greedy:
Greed is associated with idolatry. Greed drives most of the world economy these days. Many are not satisfied to just do their job and enjoy life. They want more, and they want it now. They gamble with the hope of hitting the big one. They bet on just about anything imaginable. They jump onto get rich quick schemes, even knowing that it is probably a scam. Greed has to be at or near the top of any list of sins by rank or danger. A Christian learns to be content in all his/her situations. Greed destroys contentment. Greed is dumb.
Not Satisfied:
Just like the grave, there is never enough. Most people who gamble and hit the big one, will usually turn around and spend it all trying to get a bigger one. It is the excitement that you can profit that turns people on. It is no different than not doing your job, but expecting to be paid for your time. Theft is wrong in any form. The scriptures mention the wicked who are never satisfied; in fact, it speaks of those who weary themselves doing what they should, but always find the strength to practice their wickedness. And who do we know who is never satisfied about anything? Our boss? Our spouse? Don't we consider that to be dumb?
No understanding:
At least the type of understanding that should get them to start serving God properly. Wisdom and understanding are crucial elements in our learning about God, but these people choose the wrong understanding. The scripture tells us to trust in the Lord and lean not on thine own understanding.
Turned their own way:
Of course, this speaks to everyone who chooses a way other than the Lord's way. Jesus said He was the way, but people make their own way. By doing so, they make their own rules, their own laws, and do nothing more than ease their own conscience. That has to be the dumbest things of all.
The sad thing is that we all know people who fit these descriptions, and there seems to be more of them around us all the time.
Take warning, and avoid the dumb dogs.
By Carey Scott
When the subject of man's best friend comes up, you either hear praise for the dog or stories of how dumb the dog is. The expression "you dumb dog" is part of our culture, and it is applied to a dog that does not behave as a proper dog should. A dog that barks at nothing is a dumb dog. A dog that does not bark when there are intruders is a dumb dog. A dog that acts like a cat (yeah, dogs learn by example too) is a dumb dog.
Why are we talking about dumb dogs? Well God used this phrase describing the watchmen He had set forth to protect Israel. In Isaiah 56:10-11, we read: "His watchmen are blind, all of them know nothing, all of them are dumb dogs unable to bark, dreamers, lying down, who love to slumber; And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied. And they are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way. Each one to his unjust gain, to the last one."
Notice the descriptions of these watchmen called dumb dogs.
Blind:
The context suggest that these watchmen are blind by choice. They choose NOT to see the truth of God's word. They choose NOT to do God's will. Some people cannot help being blind. But to choose blindness is very dumb.
Ignorance:
These choose to know nothing. We as Christians are commanded to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). Acquiring knowledge of God makes us more informed on how to please Him. These people choose to remain ignorant of God's saving message, but they still want to enjoy the benefits. Knowledge of God is the greatest acquisition man has ever acquired, and many choose to stay ignorant.
Unable to bark:
We could turn this around to mean that when they should be barking, they are not. As Christians we are to be set for the defense of the gospel. We should be able to warn people that their souls are in danger. But these mentioned here are so dumb, that they have no idea that a warning needs to be sounded. Error may be right under their noses, but they do not know any better, or that what is being done is condemned by God.
Dreamers:
These people have grand ideas, and really think that God needs to get with the program. They think they can save the world, yet they do not even look or try to save themselves. These people will try any method and any means to acquire knowledge, but the one method they will not use is study the Bible. Now that is dumb.
Lying down:
Awake from your sleep. Folks, it is crunch time and we better be getting our battle gear on. We are running out of time, so we need to prepare. We need the preparation so that we can enter battle with the forces of evil. These people are so secure in themselves, that they do not feel the need to do any preparation at all. Satan is prowling about, but they just lay there, usually sleeping. Now, how dumb is that?
Love to slumber:
Consider the ant, thou sluggard... These people think that work will harm them in some way, yet science has proven that inactivity will kill faster than some diseases. We are not talking about a Saturday afternoon nap out in the hammock. We are talking those who choose to not do anything for themselves or their souls. That is also dumb.
Greedy:
Greed is associated with idolatry. Greed drives most of the world economy these days. Many are not satisfied to just do their job and enjoy life. They want more, and they want it now. They gamble with the hope of hitting the big one. They bet on just about anything imaginable. They jump onto get rich quick schemes, even knowing that it is probably a scam. Greed has to be at or near the top of any list of sins by rank or danger. A Christian learns to be content in all his/her situations. Greed destroys contentment. Greed is dumb.
Not Satisfied:
Just like the grave, there is never enough. Most people who gamble and hit the big one, will usually turn around and spend it all trying to get a bigger one. It is the excitement that you can profit that turns people on. It is no different than not doing your job, but expecting to be paid for your time. Theft is wrong in any form. The scriptures mention the wicked who are never satisfied; in fact, it speaks of those who weary themselves doing what they should, but always find the strength to practice their wickedness. And who do we know who is never satisfied about anything? Our boss? Our spouse? Don't we consider that to be dumb?
No understanding:
At least the type of understanding that should get them to start serving God properly. Wisdom and understanding are crucial elements in our learning about God, but these people choose the wrong understanding. The scripture tells us to trust in the Lord and lean not on thine own understanding.
Turned their own way:
Of course, this speaks to everyone who chooses a way other than the Lord's way. Jesus said He was the way, but people make their own way. By doing so, they make their own rules, their own laws, and do nothing more than ease their own conscience. That has to be the dumbest things of all.
The sad thing is that we all know people who fit these descriptions, and there seems to be more of them around us all the time.
Take warning, and avoid the dumb dogs.
By Carey Scott
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