http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&blog_id=150013Here you will find Vessels of Mercy (VoM) Posts. Vessels of Mercy is a cooperative blogging effort between three young men: Brandon Melton, Robbie Melton, and Judson. Being bound together by our love for God, our commitment to His truth, and our passion for His glory, we seek to magnify God’s worth by discussing cultural/doctrinal issues as they relate to the Body of Christ. It is our prayer that through this ministry you will grow in your love and understanding of God and His Word. Most of EN-USCopyright &#xA9; 2010 Lake Hills Baptist Churchhttp://www.triplePixel.comThu, 04 Feb 2010 01:00:00 GMThttp://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/150013-rss-thumbnail.jpghttp://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&amp;blog_id=150013enjoying the riches of His gloryJudsonHere you will find Vessels of Mercy (VoM) Posts. Vessels of Mercy is a cooperative blogging effort between three young men: Brandon Melton, Robbie Melton, and Judson. Being bound together by our love for God, our commitment to His truth, and our passion for His glory, we seek to magnify God’s worth by discussing cultural/doctrinal issues as they relate to the Body of Christ. It is our prayer that through this ministry you will grow in your love and understanding of God and His Word. Most ofJudsonjschmucker@lakehillsonline.orgnohttp://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=198234http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=198234Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:00:00 GMT <a href="http://vesselsofmercy.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/spiritual-disciplines.jpg"> <img alt="" height="276" width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3005" title="Spiritual Disciplines" src="http://vesselsofmercy.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/spiritual-disciplines.jpg" /> </a> Last time we discussed the importance of delighting in God and who He is by coming to know Him. As we come to know Him we find there are treasures and riches and wisdom in who He is in the name of Jesus Christ. These treasures, riches and wisdom are just waiting to be discovered; not necessarily for the "first time ever" - rather for your own personal experience, "the first tiem". The Glory of knowing Jesus, to personally kno Him as you know your loved ones, to His ways and His precepts and His love. Overall, we alluded to last time, our (Christian's) goal our <strong>END RESULT</strong> is to be Holy because God is Holy. As you might have guessed this is done by practicing Spiritual Disciplines in accord with God's soverign Grace to grow and mold us; therefore, not only is God active in our growth but we are too. We participate in our growth with God, because knowing God is the greatest pleasure ever by truly knowing Him, creates everlasting Joy. So the question this week: <p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Why Do We Ignore Our Spiritual Disciplines? </strong></span></em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><!--more--></strong></span></em></p> A couple of quotes I thought would be interesting to place in this post: <ul> <li><em>This book [the Bible] will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.</em></li> <li><em>Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives.</em></li> </ul> A study from 1990 states that nationwide 100 adults stated, they read the Bible: <ul> <li>Daily: <strong>17</strong></li> <li>Weekly/Often: <strong>23</strong></li> <li>Once a Month/Often: <strong>13</strong></li> <li>Less than once a month: <strong>25</strong></li> <li>Rarely/Never: <strong>20</strong></li> <li>Can't say: <strong>2</strong></li> </ul> Some of the excuses they stated: <ul> <li>The Bible doesn't apply to "today"</li> <li>I don't know how to read the Bible</li> <li>I am just a layperson/uneducated in my understanding of the Bible</li> <li>I don't have time to read the Bible</li> <li>I have doubts about the text and/or The Bible is not interesting</li> </ul> The hard part is, all those excuses are just sin. <ul> <li>The Bible doesn't apply to "today" <ul> <li><a href="http://read.ly/2Tim3.16.NASB"><strong>2 Timothy 3:16-17</strong></a>; clearly tells us that the Scriptures are to assist is in teaching, thinking correctly, rebuking us, telling us what is and is not sin and correcting us to lead a life after God's Will; that is to be Holy as He is Holy. Also, if you read <a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/the-bible-what-do-we-know-about-it-part-2-of-6/"><strong>This Post</strong></a> you will note the Bible was written by over 40 authors, over 1500 years, on 3 different continents, from multiple socio-economical backgrounds and all the book remain consistent, with integrity all pointing to Jesus Christ. If you just look at those facts objectively, you have no choice but to say the Bible is accurate and has the utmost integrity than any other “thing” in the world. Therefore, to say it does not apply today, would be missing the point of the Scripture (i.e. Salvation through Jesus Christ alone)</li> </ul> </li> <li>I don't know how to read the Bible <ul> <li>If you can read you can read the Bible. It is just that simple. You don't need to be "special" to read.</li> </ul> </li> <li>I am just a layperson/uneducated in my understanding of the Bible <ul> <li><a href="http://read.ly/Heb5.12.NASB"><strong>Hebrews 5:12</strong></a> &amp; <a href="http://read.ly/1Pet3.15.NASB"><strong>1 Peter 3:15</strong></a>; tells us that we should all be teachers. Not necessarily in the sense of being a theological professor at a well known school for theology; rather, have the knowledge to explain what you believe.</li> <li>Furthermore, there are multiple <a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/recommendations/links-resources/"><strong>FREE RESOURCES</strong></a> to help us understand the Bible further, to say otherwise is a cop-out. Also, I have a short and simple post on "<a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/3-steps-to-study-the-bible/"><strong>3 Steps To Study The Bible</strong></a>"</li> </ul> </li> <li>I don't have time to read the Bible <ul> <li>I would argue you don't have time not to, life is short - so carpe diem.</li> <li>It is very ironic to me that people say they dont' have time for prayer or reading the Bible but they have ENDLESS time to update their Facebook/Twitter accounts.</li> <li> In addition, I would say, if you can worry you can pray, if you can worry about finances, you can mediate on scripture. Worry is just the opposite of Mediation. <a href="http://read.ly/Josh1.8.NASB"><strong>Joshua 1:8</strong></a> tells us to meditate on scriptures day and night and <a href="http://read.ly/Ps1.1.NASB"><strong>Psalm 1:1-2</strong></a> tells us that the person who delights in God's word does not live a wicked life.</li> </ul> </li> <li>I have doubts about the text and/or The Bible is not interesting <ul> <li>I would suggest you read<a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/the-bible-what-does-the-bible-say-about-itself-part-3-of-6/"><strong> this post</strong></a> (as well as the entire series) and you be shown that the Bible is clear, authoritative, necessary and sufficient for Spiritual growth and you can trust it.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Overall, we are commanded to be Holy through God's perseverance/grace in us and our own obedient effort. We can only become Holy by knowing Jesus more and a focus for that is through our spiritual disciplines. Finally we do all this because we are commanded to grow up and have the ability to pour our lives into other people so they too can see Jesus and know Jesus. After all, no matter what you are doing you are always teaching/influencing someone else's life so influence for Jesus. Praise the Glory of His Grace Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END -->Last time we discussed the importance of delighting in God and who He is by coming to know Him. As we come to know Him we find there are treasures and riches and wisdom in who He is in the name of Jesus Christ. These treasures, riches and wisdom are just waiting to be discovered; not necessarily for the "first time ever" - rather for your own personal experience, "the first tiem". The Glory of knowing Jesus, to personally kno Him as you know your loved ones, to His ways and His precepts and His love. Overall, we alluded to last time, our (Christian's) goal our END RESULT is to be Holy because God is Holy. As you might have guessed this is done by practicing Spiritual Disciplines in accord with God's soverign Grace to grow and mold us; therefore, not only is God active in our growth but we are too. We participate in our growth with God, because knowing God is the greatest pleasure ever by truly knowing Him, creates everlasting Joy. So the question this week: Why Do We Ignore Our Spiritual Disciplines? A couple of quotes I thought would be interesting to place in this post: This book [the Bible] will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book. Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives. A study from 1990 states that nationwide 100 adults stated, they read the Bible: Daily: 17 Weekly/Often: 23 Once a Month/Often: 13 Less than once a month: 25 Rarely/Never: 20 Can't say: 2 Some of the excuses they stated: The Bible doesn't apply to "today" I don't know how to read the Bible I am just a layperson/uneducated in my understanding of the Bible I don't have time to read the Bible I have doubts about the text and/or The Bible is not interesting The hard part is, all those excuses are just sin. The Bible doesn't apply to "today" 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ; clearly tells us that the Scriptures are to assist is in teaching, thinking correctly, rebuking us, telling us what is and is not sin and correcting us to lead a life after God's Will; that is to be Holy as He is Holy. Also, if you read This Post you will note the Bible was written by over 40 authors, over 1500 years, on 3 different continents, from multiple socio-economical backgrounds and all the book remain consistent, with integrity all pointing to Jesus Christ. If you just look at those facts objectively, you have no choice but to say the Bible is accurate and has the utmost integrity than any other “thing” in the world. Therefore, to say it does not apply today, would be missing the point of the Scripture (i.e. Salvation through Jesus Christ alone) I don't know how to read the Bible If you can read you can read the Bible. It is just that simple. You don't need to be "special" to read. I am just a layperson/uneducated in my understanding of the Bible Hebrews 5:12 & 1 Peter 3:15 ; tells us that we should all be teachers. Not necessarily in the sense of being a theological professor at a well known school for theology; rather, have the knowledge to explain what you believe. Furthermore, there are multiple FREE RESOURCES to help us understand the Bible further, to say otherwise is a cop-out. Also, I have a short and simple post on " 3 Steps To Study The Bible " I don't have time to read the Bible I would argue you don't have time not to, life is short - so carpe diem. It is very ironic to me that people say they dont' have time for prayer or reading the Bible but they have ENDLESS time to update their Facebook/Twitter accounts. In addition, I would say, if you can worry you can pray, if you can...Spiritual, Discipline, Excuses, Love, God, Religion, Life198234http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/198234-thumbnail.jpg?1002081218http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196156http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196156Sun, 24 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT <a href="http://vesselsofmercy.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/spiritual-disciplines.jpg"> <img alt="" height="276" width="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3005" title="Spiritual Disciplines" src="http://vesselsofmercy.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/spiritual-disciplines.jpg" /> </a> <strong> </strong> <br /> <br /> Let me ask you this, "<em>What is it that you do consistently</em>?". Once you know that, then answer me this "<em>Why do you do it</em>?" Do you do anything "just because" or do you that because you enjoy it and want to get better at it? Perhaps it is golf and you are trying to fix your slice (like me) or guitar and you want to shred like Slash or Tom Morello; either way, you want to be better or perhaps the best. You know and see the <strong>END RESULT</strong> and you want to obtain that level of stature. The hard part is, it takes work and that scares the most of us. I cannot tell you how many hours of training and buckets of balls I have hit and I still slice by driver about 85% of the time. You get frustrated and angry and at times you want to give up - but you come back because you want to get better. You approach that "thing" in your life like "<em>OK, 'thing' it is me again and I am going to give you another shot</em>" or you are just awesome and get it. Either way, you press on, you struggle you keep working at it because you want the<strong> END RESULT</strong>. Do we only thing this way about worldly things or do we thing this way with Spiritual things; such as, drawing near to God. Do you find yourself, seeing the<strong> END RESULT</strong> and doing everything possible to learn more and grow up? Do you take the author of Hebrew's statement seriously, which says: <!--more--> <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Heb5.13.NASB"><strong>Hebrews 5:13</strong></a> NASB For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.</blockquote> and Peter <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/1Pet2.2.NASB"><strong>1 Peter 2:2</strong></a> NASB like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,</blockquote> This is something that every Christian should be concerned about.We should be concerned about growing up from milk and getting to eat "solid food" . The reason why: <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Heb5.13.NASB"><strong>Hebrews 5:14</strong></a> NASB But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.</blockquote> With that said, we need a goal. We need to clearly see that <strong>END RESULT/GOAL</strong>. <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Phil3.13.NASB"><strong>Philippians 3:13-14</strong></a> NASB 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.</blockquote> Paul says “<em><strong><a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=1377">I press on</a></strong>” </em>“<em> </em><a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=1377"><strong>DEE/O/KO</strong></a>”. This word can be accurately defined as: <ol> <blockquote> <li>to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away</li> <li>to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after <ol> <li>to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal</li> <li>to pursue (in a hostile manner)</li> </ol> </li> <li>to run after, follow after: someone</li> <li>metaph., to pursue</li> <li>to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire</li> </blockquote> </ol> So, whatever Paul is pressing for, it is something that takes effort and can this "effort" doesn't have to be in a "positive" manner, it can be negative. Regardless, he actively pursuse<em> “toward the goal”</em>. Logically we ask, "<em>What is our goal</em>?" The text tells us the goal: “<em>For the prize</em>" <em>&gt; </em>So we ask, "<em>Paul, What is the prize</em>?" Paul answers, “<em>the upward call of God in Christ Jesus</em><em>”</em> . From here we have to ask ourselves, what is "<em>the upward call of God in Christ Jesus </em>". Whatever it is, Paul said in the previous verse "<em>I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead</em>". So "Whatever" this <strong>END RESULT</strong> is, it is something worth it, something worth forgetting EVERYTHING that is not "it" and striving, reaching, aiming for it. It must surpass ALL THINGS in importance. To answer this question we have to read the entire chapter: <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Phil3.1.NASB"><strong>Philippians 3:1-21</strong></a> NASB 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.</blockquote> So what is Paul saying? He is telling us to count our previous life (before knowing Jesus) as rubbish. <strong> <a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=4657">So what is rubbish?</a></strong> Let us define it here as: <blockquote>Definition: 1) any refuse, as the excrement of animals, offscourings, rubbish, dregs 1a) of things worthless and detestable</blockquote> God, speaking by the Holy Spirit through St. Paul, wants us to "<em>count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord... and count them but <strong><a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=4657">rubbish</a>" </strong></em> And for what reason? "<em>so that I may gain Christ</em>". So we are being told, that if we let go of WHATEVER think is important, if we consider EVERYTHING we thought was important as worthless - we can actually KNOW Jesus AND His POWER of HIS resurrection? That sounds like something to strive for, press on and seek diligently. Peter hits this home when he says: <strong> </strong> <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/1Pet1.13.NASB"><strong>1 Peter 1:13-19</strong></a> NASB</blockquote> <blockquote>Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.</blockquote> <em> </em> Peter just told us to: <ul> <li><em>Prepare our minds for action </em>by,</li> <li><em>Keep[ing] sober in spirit</em> by staying focused and</li> <li><em>Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ</em></li> <li><em>As obedient children</em>, and not be</li> <li><em>Conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance</em></li> <li><em>be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."</em></li> </ul> Sounds like we have a very important role in disciplining ourselves for spiritual growth. Which begs the question, "<em>Why aren't we disciplined to be Spiritual</em>?" The reason being, we are more pleased by<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> LESSER PLEASURES</span></strong>. We want a nice car, but we don't want to work for it. We want to graduate college with a solid grade by not studying hard or going to class. We want to get married without being social or getting to know someone of the opposite sex. That list can go on. The key to this problem is, sin. Sin. We are sinners - anything that draws us near to God - sin wants to take us in the opposite direction. That is why we need to not only depend on the Holy Spirit teaching us through the Word of God, but we must also be attentive and active in listing: <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ps86.11.NASB"><strong>Psalm 86:11</strong></a> NASB Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; Unite my heart to fear Thy name. <a href="http://read.ly/Phil2.12.NASB"><strong>Philippians 2:12-13</strong></a> NASB Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. <a href="http://read.ly/2Tim2.21.NASB"><strong>2Timothy 2:21</strong></a> NASB Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. <a href="http://read.ly/Rom6.13.NASB"><strong>Romans 6:13</strong></a> NASB And do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.</blockquote> <em> </em> <em> </em> <em> </em> <em> </em> Praise the Glory of His Grace Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END -->Let me ask you this, " What is it that you do consistently ?". Once you know that, then answer me this " Why do you do it ?" Do you do anything "just because" or do you that because you enjoy it and want to get better at it? Perhaps it is golf and you are trying to fix your slice (like me) or guitar and you want to shred like Slash or Tom Morello; either way, you want to be better or perhaps the best. You know and see the END RESULT and you want to obtain that level of stature. The hard part is, it takes work and that scares the most of us. I cannot tell you how many hours of training and buckets of balls I have hit and I still slice by driver about 85% of the time. You get frustrated and angry and at times you want to give up - but you come back because you want to get better. You approach that "thing" in your life like " OK, 'thing' it is me again and I am going to give you another shot " or you are just awesome and get it. Either way, you press on, you struggle you keep working at it because you want the END RESULT . Do we only thing this way about worldly things or do we thing this way with Spiritual things; such as, drawing near to God. Do you find yourself, seeing the END RESULT and doing everything possible to learn more and grow up? Do you take the author of Hebrew's statement seriously, which says: Hebrews 5:13 NASB For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. and Peter 1 Peter 2:2 NASB like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, This is something that every Christian should be concerned about.We should be concerned about growing up from milk and getting to eat "solid food" . The reason why: Hebrews 5:14 NASB But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. With that said, we need a goal. We need to clearly see that END RESULT/GOAL . Philippians 3:13-14 NASB 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul says “ I press on ” “ DEE/O/KO ”. This word can be accurately defined as: to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal to pursue (in a hostile manner) to run after, follow after: someone metaph., to pursue to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire So, whatever Paul is pressing for, it is something that takes effort and can this "effort" doesn't have to be in a "positive" manner, it can be negative. Regardless, he actively pursuse “toward the goal” . Logically we ask, " What is our goal ?" The text tells us the goal: “ For the prize " > So we ask, " Paul, What is the prize ?" Paul answers, “ the upward call of God in Christ Jesus ” . From here we have to ask ourselves, what is " the upward call of God in Christ Jesus ". Whatever it is, Paul said in the previous verse " I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead ". So "Whatever" this END RESULT is, it is something worth it, something worth forgetting EVERYTHING that is not "it" and striving, reaching, aiming for it. It must surpass ALL THINGS...Spirit, Discipline, Growth, Religion, Life196156http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196156-thumbnail.jpg?1002081217http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196176http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196176Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <object height="340" width="560"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tGUhmFoWKVs&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /></object> <br /> </div> <br /> This is a great video made by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/sincerelygideon"><strong>Sincerelygideon</strong></a> on <a href="http://www.youtube.com"><strong>You Tube</strong></a>. I don't know much about this guy, but if you like "heavier" music, here it is with Jesus. Christ Died In Our Place by <strong><a href="http://www.marshillchurch.org/markdriscoll">Mark Driscoll </a></strong> All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Praise the Glory of His Grace Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" title="Bookmark and Share"><img height="16" width="125" alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> This is a great video made by Sincerelygideon on You Tube . I don't know much about this guy, but if you like "heavier" music, here it is with Jesus. Christ Died In Our Place by Mark Driscoll All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Praise the Glory of His Grace JudsonChrist, Died, Death, Cross196176http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196175http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196175Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2010/01/drybones.jpeg"> <img alt="" height="215" width="215" _moz_resizing="true" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2950" title="Dry bones" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2010/01/drybones.jpeg" /> </a> <br /> </div> I am currently teaching through the Old Testament and I just began the 70 year exile. During this time a man named Ezekiel was visited by some very different messengers. Just imagine if you will, you are met by a creature that looks like this: <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek1.5.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 1:5-14</strong></a> <strong>5 </strong>Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form.<strong>6</strong> Each of them had four faces and four wings.<strong>7</strong> Their legs were straight and their feet were like a calf’s hoof, and they gleamed like burnished bronze.<strong>8</strong> Under their wings on their four sides <em> were </em> human hands. As for the faces and wings of the four of them,<strong>9</strong> their wings touched one another; <em> their faces </em> did not turn when they moved, each went straight forward.<strong>10</strong> As for the form of their faces, <em> each </em> had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle.<strong>11</strong> Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another <em> being, </em> and two covering their bodies.<strong>12</strong> And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.<strong>13</strong> In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. <strong>14</strong> And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning.</blockquote> <p style="text-align: center;"><!--more--></p> Now, as you read this it sound like something supernatural (because it is) or something out of a movie (which it is not). But can you imagine, just seeing this before your very own eyes. You have been in captivity for years and you are visited by something like this? Well, it gets better - the creatures begin to speak: <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek2.1.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 2:1-3:14</strong></a> <strong>1</strong> Then He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!”<strong>2</strong> As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard <em> Him </em> speaking to me.<strong>3</strong> Then He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.<strong>4</strong> “I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God .’<strong>5</strong> “As for them, whether they listen or not--for they are a rebellious house--they will know that a prophet has been among them.<strong>6</strong> “And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house.</blockquote> This does not sound like something ANYONE wants to be a part of. Why would someone want to go to a stiff-necked, stubborn group of people and tell them something? The message goes on: <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek2.7.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 2:7-10</strong></a> <strong>7</strong> “But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.<strong>8</strong> “Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”<strong>9</strong> Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll <em> was </em> in it.<strong>10</strong> When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe. <a href="http://read.ly/Ezek3.1.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel Chapter 3</strong></a> <strong>1</strong> Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”<strong>2</strong> So I opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll.</blockquote> At this point, I would be thinking "Really" and I would quickly check myself because I am having a conversation with this being - so "Really", I am going to think "Really"? <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek3.3.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 3:3</strong></a> <strong>3</strong> He said to me, “Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you.” Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.</blockquote> Well that was a shocker. <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek3.4.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 3:4-11</strong></a> <strong>4</strong> Then He said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them.<strong>5</strong> “For you are not being sent to a people of unintelligible speech or difficult language, <em> but </em> to the house of Israel,<strong>6</strong> nor to many peoples of unintelligible speech or difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. But I have sent you to them who should listen to you;<strong>7</strong> yet the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, since they are not willing to listen to Me. Surely the whole house of Israel is stubborn and obstinate.<strong>8</strong> “Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads.<strong>9</strong> “Like emery harder than flint I have made your forehead. Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before them, though they are a rebellious house.”<strong>10</strong> Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, take into your heart all My words which I will speak to you and listen closely. <strong>11</strong> “Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, ‘Thus says the Lord God .’”<strong> </strong></blockquote> It almost seems like God is telling Ezekiel "You can't come up with an excuse to not do as I ask". Literally, the people aren't stupid, they don't speak a difficult language and they are his people. But then God tells Ezekiel, "Um, but they won't listen to you". How encouraging is this. So you may ask, what did Ezekiel tell his people? <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek18.4.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 18:4</strong></a> <strong>4</strong> “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.</blockquote> This sounds encouraging. <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek18.19.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 18:19-23</strong></a> <strong>19</strong> “Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity?’ When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live. <strong>20</strong> “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. <strong>21</strong> “But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.<strong>22</strong> “All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. <strong>23</strong> “Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God , “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?</blockquote> Well, here we have it - some people needed to be told that their parent's faith does not save them, indicating everyone is responsible for their own faith and there is an opportunity for change through "<strong><em>turning from all his sins which he has committed and observe all God's statutes and practice justice and righteousness</em></strong>". Sounds great! Israel did not really agree with this process thought. Jaw dropping isn't it? I mean how many of us would ACTUALLY question God's word? [Enter sarcasm here] <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek18.29.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 18:29-31</strong></a> <strong>29</strong> “But the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right? <strong>30</strong> “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord God . “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you.<strong>31</strong> “Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel?<strong>32</strong> “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God . “Therefore, repent and live.”</blockquote> The next few chapters in Ezekiel speak about the judgment of God's people and surrounding nations. Then right after God declares his judgments - God steps in. <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek36.16.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 36:16-32</strong></a> <strong>16</strong> Then the word of the Lord came to me saying,<strong>17</strong> “Son of man, when the house of Israel was living in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds; their way before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity.<strong>18</strong> “Therefore I poured out My wrath on them for the blood which they had shed on the land, because they had defiled it with their idols.<strong>19</strong> “Also I scattered them among the nations and they were dispersed throughout the lands. According to their ways and their deeds I judged them.<strong>20</strong> “When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord ; yet they have come out of His land.’ <strong>21</strong> “But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went. <strong>22</strong> “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God , “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.<strong>23</strong> “I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord ,” declares the Lord God , “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.<strong>24</strong> “For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.<strong>25</strong> “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.<strong>26</strong> “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.<strong>27</strong> “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.<strong>28</strong> “You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.<strong>29</strong> “Moreover, I will save you from all your uncleanness; and I will call for the grain and multiply it, and I will not bring a famine on you.<strong>30</strong> “I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field, so that you will not receive again the disgrace of famine among the nations.<strong>31</strong> “Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations. <strong>32</strong> “I am not doing <em> this </em> for your sake,” declares the Lord God , “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel!”</blockquote> Notice God doesn't save His people for their sake - that means he doesn't save you for your sake; but why does he save - "<em><strong>For His Holy Name</strong></em>". He will not let His name be stepped on nor ridiculed. He will clean His name for His Name's sake - so there is no "bad" thing to say about God. In fact, he tells them to be "<em><strong>Ashamed and confounded for their ways</strong></em>". So what do we see here? We see that God tells us in<strong> <a href="http://read.ly/Ezek18.1.NASB">Chapter 18</a> </strong>that it is <strong>OUR </strong>responsibility that we sinned and it is <strong>OUR </strong>responsibility o live rightly. Then God makes it clear we cannot do this, and no other nation, culture, worlview or thought process can make, do or partially live rightly in His eyes. Which is why He must reach into your life and rip out your stubborn, unrepentant heart and put in a heart of flesh that is living. That is His doing - not yours. The reason being, it brings Glory to His name. If you could do it, you would be stealing His Glory. That is why Ezekiel gives us this example in the very next chapter: <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Ezek37.3.NASB"><strong>Ezekiel 37:3-14</strong></a> <strong>3</strong> He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God , You know.”<strong>4</strong> Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord .’<strong>5</strong> “Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. <strong>6</strong> ‘I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord .’” <strong>7</strong> So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone.<strong>8</strong> And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.<strong>9</strong> Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God , “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”’” <strong>10</strong> So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. <strong>11</strong> Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’<strong>12</strong> “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God , “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.<strong>13</strong> “Then you will know that I am the Lord , when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. <strong>14</strong> “I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord , have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord .’”</blockquote> Do you see this now? God asked, <em><strong>"Can the bones live</strong></em>" and Ezekiel answered "<em><strong>Oh Lord God You Know</strong></em>" and God says, preach/Prophesy over the dead bones and they will come to life. So Ezekiel does this and they came to life. What does this mean? The people of Israel were dead, like dry bones - incapable of singing praises, loving, living or doing anything to or for God. They were like dry dead, hopeless bones to God. But God stepped in and gave life and those dead bones came to life. So let me ask you this, are you dry bones or are you a living being? If you have not repented of your sins, then you have not tasted of the Word of God. You may have read it or heard it - but you have not tasted it.Praise God for His interference in our hostile lives, hating Him and living apart for Him. Thank God for giving us the opportunity to hear His word. I want to leave you with this: <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Rom10.8.NASB"><strong>Romans 10:8-20</strong></a> ”<strong>8</strong> But what does it say? “The word is near you , in your mouth and in your heart ”--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,<strong>9</strong> that if you confess with your mouth Jesus <em> as </em> Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;<strong>10</strong> for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.<strong>11</strong> For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed .”<strong>12</strong> For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same <em> Lord </em> is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;<strong>13</strong> for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved .” <strong>14</strong> How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? <strong>15</strong> How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things ! <strong>16</strong> However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord , who has believed our report ?” <strong>17</strong> So faith <em> comes </em> from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. <strong>18</strong> But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth , And their words to the ends of the world .” <strong>19</strong> But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation , By a nation without understanding will I anger you .” <strong>20</strong> And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me , I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me .” <strong>21</strong> But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people .”</blockquote> Let us not be a people who do not accept God's stretch out hands. Praise the Glory of His Grace, Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> I am currently teaching through the Old Testament and I just began the 70 year exile. During this time a man named Ezekiel was visited by some very different messengers. Just imagine if you will, you are met by a creature that looks like this: Ezekiel 1:5-14 5 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form. 6 Each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight and their feet were like a calf’s hoof, and they gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides were human hands. As for the faces and wings of the four of them, 9 their wings touched one another; their faces did not turn when they moved, each went straight forward. 10 As for the form of their faces, each had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies. 12 And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. 14 And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning. Now, as you read this it sound like something supernatural (because it is) or something out of a movie (which it is not). But can you imagine, just seeing this before your very own eyes. You have been in captivity for years and you are visited by something like this? Well, it gets better - the creatures begin to speak: Ezekiel 2:1-3:14 1 Then He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!” 2 As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me. 3 Then He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. 4 “I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God .’ 5 “As for them, whether they listen or not--for they are a rebellious house--they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 “And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. This does not sound like something ANYONE wants to be a part of. Why would someone want to go to a stiff-necked, stubborn group of people and tell them something? The message goes on: Ezekiel 2:7-10 7 “But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. 8 “Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.” 9 Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it. 10 When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe. Ezekiel Chapter 3 1 Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll. At this point, I...Ezekiel, Bones, Life, Religion, prophecy196175http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196174http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196174Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <h1> <a href="http://read.ly/Gen1.1.NASB">Genesis 1</a> </h1> <h2>The Creation</h2> <strong>1</strong> In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.<strong>2</strong> The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.<strong>3</strong> Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.<strong>4</strong> God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. <strong>5</strong> God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day <br /> <br /> <div align="center">. <object height="344" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3Ya12I036lg&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /></object> <br /> </div> Praise the Glory of His Grace Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> Genesis 1 The Creation 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day . Praise the Glory of His Grace JudsonCreation, Awe, Factor, Francis Chan196174http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196174-thumbnail.jpg?1001241117http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196173http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196173Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/07/stadium-seats-2-copy2.jpg"> <img alt="" height="126" width="600" _moz_resizing="true" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1524" title="Religion or Jesus" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/07/stadium-seats-2-copy2.jpg" /> </a> </div> <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Amos5.21.NASB"><strong>Amos 5:21-24</strong></a> “I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept <em> them; </em> And I will not <em> even </em> look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. “But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.</blockquote> The prophetical book of Amos was written to the northern kingdom, Israel directly, but indirectly to all people on the earth. God speaks through Amos, calling the people of Israel to repent of their materialistic, prideful, complacency, idolatry and oppression of the poor. The books starts off proclaiming God's judgment on the surrounding neighbors of Israel and then moves to the judgment of Israel if the nation does not repent of their self-righteous lives. They lives were marked by self righteousness because they abandoned "real faith" and pretended to be "spiritual" by carrying out superficial religious exercises, ceremonies and prayers. This lack of spiritual integrity led God to be very blunt, straightforward and honest to such a self-deceiving people; regarding their hypocritical "worship". <!--more--> During this Christmas season, I wonder how many of us are guilty of such? Did you go to church because "you had to" or because "it is the right thing to do" or "because that is 'what you do' ?" Let us be honest, Church attendance rises because feel obligated to "go to Church" during the Christmas season; yet, their hearts don't yearn and desire to worship God any other days during the year. Not only that, but there are those (and we all know it) who are faithful in church attendance, but their lives (i.e. relationship with their spouse, family, fellow-believers, strangers ect) do not show the love of Jesus Christ. So, how do find the right balance or better yet, what marks the heart of a true believer; whom God accepts their festivals, delights in our solemn assemblies, accepts our offerings and draws God's attention to our songs and musical instruments? The answer is, repentance. Amos hits this ealier in the book in Chapter 4, when he states "<strong><em>Yet You Have Not Returned to Me</em></strong>" five(5) times. God is saying through the prophet Amos, "<em>You have not repented of your ways, you have not turned away from the path that leads away. Because if you did, you would have returned to Me (God)</em>". This "returning", is the definition of repentance. You must turn from something and head in the opposite direction of that which you were going; with the motive to NEVER return to the way you used to go. However, that is not the totality of repentance. Repentance involves a change in your heart that generates new desires and becomes a reality in your life by what you do. You heart, your thoughts, you desires, your mind - everything about you truly desires to draw near and know God; and this is shown by your conduct and character shining through what you say and do. Just seven (7) verses earlier, God said the same thing through Amos, <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Amos5.14.NASB"><strong>Amos 5:14-15</strong></a> <strong>Seek good </strong>and not evil, that you may live; And thus may the LORD God of hosts be with you, Just as you have said! <strong>Hate evil</strong>, love good, And establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the LORD God of hosts May be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.</blockquote> God is very clear speaking through Amos regarding this changed mind. We are to "<strong>HATE </strong>evil and <strong>LOVE </strong>good"; those are thoughts/emotions. Then God says we are to we are to "SEEK good", that is an action. This is not done through Church attendance, but how you LIVE YOUR LIFE. Let me be clear, this "Hating evil, loving good" is a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">lifestyle </span>change, <strong>NOT </strong>a one or two day a week change, but a LIFE CHANGE. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Every day</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">every hour</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">every second</span>. "Hate evil, love good". It also implies a very important command that is overlooked, once we "<strong>Hate evil</strong>" and we "<strong>love good</strong>" - we are to "<strong>establish justice</strong>". Once we repent and turn to seek and love good, we now have the obligation to ensure justice is established. Now, there are different levels of who/what does/type of justice is established; however, it does tells us, we have the obligation to ensure it is established. This is not ALWAYS in a political sense, but even in our day to day relationships. Making sure we (fellow brothers and sisters in Christ) are in fellowship, not only with God in the name of Jesus, but one-another. (More on this in my post "<a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/church-discipline-whose-got-beef/"><strong>Christian Fisticuffs</strong></a>" regarding how to reconcile relationships). So, let us go back to the original point. If we as believers are not LIVING a life of DAILY repentance, seeking good and hating evil, then how can we gather together to love God when we are progressively moving farther from Him? If we are running in the opposite direction of God, telling Him how much we love Him - what kind of relationship is that? Sounds like one that is...well... hypocritical. Moreover, Isaiah tells us: <blockquote><a href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org//read.ly/Isa66.2.NASB"><strong>Isaiah 66:2b</strong></a> "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.</blockquote> Looking at this closely, defining"<strong>humble</strong>" means to be "<em>poor</em>" or "<em>one who is in need</em>" or "<em>one who can't make it on their own and needs someone to come along them</em>" (<a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=06041"><strong>SOURCE</strong></a>) it is the concept of decreasing yourself and increasing someone else because of your need for them. "<strong>Contrite in spirit</strong>", means to be "<em>crippled</em>" or "<em>lame</em>" in hebrew (<a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=05223"><strong>SOURCE</strong></a>). The idea here is, one who is <em>not capable</em> - one who is <em>disabled </em>- <em>not having the ability</em> to do "something". Finally "<strong>trembles</strong>" can be defined as "<em>respect , awe , shaking , worried</em>" (<a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=02730"><strong>SOURCE</strong></a>); meaning, someone who respects, is in awe of or has a literal fear of what God says - meaning they take God's Word <span style="text-decoration: underline;">SERIOUSLY</span>. Therefore, those who live as if they are in need to depend on God, because they know they are literally disabled or incapable of doing any spiritual good; you must believe and take God's Word seriously. If this defines what you believe, then you will live a changed life, every day, every hour, every second. In that, as C.J. Mahaney Says in <a href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Humililty True Greatness"><strong>Humililty True Greatness</strong></a> "<em>Humility draws the gaze of our Sovereign God</em>". Let us put this all together, repentance involves you realizing you must depend on God in the name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit to enable you hate evil, love good. Then and only then, will your life change in what you think, say and do; and will God the Father, accept your festivals, delight in your assemblies, accept your offerings, listen to your songs and musical instruments. Otherwise, God hates your prideful, complacent, hypocritical festivals, worship, church gathering, music and offerings. Bottom line, God doesn't want to hear it- and that, is not a good thing. Praise the Glory of His Grace, Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> Amos 5:21-24 “I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. “But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. The prophetical book of Amos was written to the northern kingdom, Israel directly, but indirectly to all people on the earth. God speaks through Amos, calling the people of Israel to repent of their materialistic, prideful, complacency, idolatry and oppression of the poor. The books starts off proclaiming God's judgment on the surrounding neighbors of Israel and then moves to the judgment of Israel if the nation does not repent of their self-righteous lives. They lives were marked by self righteousness because they abandoned "real faith" and pretended to be "spiritual" by carrying out superficial religious exercises, ceremonies and prayers. This lack of spiritual integrity led God to be very blunt, straightforward and honest to such a self-deceiving people; regarding their hypocritical "worship". During this Christmas season, I wonder how many of us are guilty of such? Did you go to church because "you had to" or because "it is the right thing to do" or "because that is 'what you do' ?" Let us be honest, Church attendance rises because feel obligated to "go to Church" during the Christmas season; yet, their hearts don't yearn and desire to worship God any other days during the year. Not only that, but there are those (and we all know it) who are faithful in church attendance, but their lives (i.e. relationship with their spouse, family, fellow-believers, strangers ect) do not show the love of Jesus Christ. So, how do find the right balance or better yet, what marks the heart of a true believer; whom God accepts their festivals, delights in our solemn assemblies, accepts our offerings and draws God's attention to our songs and musical instruments? The answer is, repentance. Amos hits this ealier in the book in Chapter 4, when he states " Yet You Have Not Returned to Me " five(5) times. God is saying through the prophet Amos, " You have not repented of your ways, you have not turned away from the path that leads away. Because if you did, you would have returned to Me (God) ". This "returning", is the definition of repentance. You must turn from something and head in the opposite direction of that which you were going; with the motive to NEVER return to the way you used to go. However, that is not the totality of repentance. Repentance involves a change in your heart that generates new desires and becomes a reality in your life by what you do. You heart, your thoughts, you desires, your mind - everything about you truly desires to draw near and know God; and this is shown by your conduct and character shining through what you say and do. Just seven (7) verses earlier, God said the same thing through Amos, Amos 5:14-15 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And thus may the LORD God of hosts be with you, Just as you have said! Hate evil , love good, And establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the LORD God of hosts May be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. God is very clear speaking through Amos regarding this changed mind. We are to " HATE evil and LOVE good"; those are thoughts/emotions. Then God says we are...pride, religion, Jesus, Life, Repent196173http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196172http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196172Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <strong> </strong> <div align="center"><a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg"><img alt="" height="139" width="600" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg" title="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1789" _moz_resizing="true" /></a></div> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.1.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ruth Chapter 4</strong></span></a></p> <h3><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.1.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>V1-6</strong></span></a></h3> After their night sleeping, Boaz gets up and goes downtown. We know this is downtown because of the accessibility of the elders/witnesses in <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.2.NASB">V2</a>. </strong>So, Boaz gathers 10 elders to be witnesses to this discussion and begins to speak to the close relative. Like any LEGAL thing today, we want to ensure there are 3rd party witnesses to any "legal" discussion. Boaz tells this relative, that Naomi has returned from Moab and has a bunch of land she cannot take care of and speaking on Noami’s half, he would like to offer this land to the close relative. And do so in the presence of these witnesses. <p style="text-align: center;"><!--more--></p> Now, Boaz puts the pressure on this relative in<a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.4.NASB"> </a><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.4.NASB">V4b</a> </strong>asking this relative to redeem all that Naomi has and the close relative agrees to redeem it. Boaz then informs this relative that if he redeems it he must also redeem Ruth the Moabitess. The reason being, to raise up name of Elimelech, basically making sure Elimelech's name doesn't "lose any face" and/or the name can go on through history. The close relative declines because if he does the Moabite will ruin his name/stature/rappor with the people close to him; and the close relative then instructs Boaz to redeem the land along with the Moabitess. This really urks me and makes me ask "Why won't people do the right thing?" They won't do so because of their pride. So many people are SO worried about how they look and this really bothers me. Many people won't talk, befriend or help another person because of the shame it brings to their "name". Now, although there are countries and places where honor must be upheld - that is a different story - I am not saying I agree with nor disagree with; but in the United States, people need to grow up. This IS NOT a cultural thing here in the U.S. Now, I know I am taking a Hebrew thing and applying it to today's time; and I think I can do so, because we have the same issue - the issue of "our name". <h3><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.8.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>V8-9</strong></span></a></h3> The relative gives his sandal to Boaz and Boaz goes to the elders and basically says "Hey you guys are my witnesses that he now owns all that was Elimelech’s including wife and children". This also includes having Ruth as his wife, and the text goes on to say that Boaz he did so, for the purpose of raising up the name of Elimelech or moving honor with his name. Boaz doesn’t care about his rapport, stature or name, but doing the right thing - and that is something that will bring Boaz honor. This leads me to ask, “What is the right thing to do?” I work in Human Resources, so this is something I ask ALL THE TIME. I have come up with some quick pointers about the "Right Thing". <ul> <li>The right thing is <strong>tough to do</strong>. <ul> <li>This is NOT something that EVERYONE does; otherwise, this would not be asked. Of course, we can do the "right thing" when times are easy. But honestly, that doesn't even count in my eyes. The "right thing" only counts in those HARD TIMES. Those times of CHAOS. If you can do the "right thing" then - then we can talk.</li> </ul> </li> <li>The right thing has <strong>nothing to do with feelings</strong>, nor personal status, but with <strong>compassion, mercy and grace</strong>. <ul> <li>The right thing is objective, it is not subjective. Now, I am sure we can all think of a "subjective right thing", but more often than not - it is not emotional or subjective. The right thing is usually found in those times where we must make a decision to "kiss the girl or walk away". When we use our emotions to make decisions, especially in TOUGH TIMES, we may make a wrong choice. In face Scripture tells us, our hearts are wicked, deceitful and sick and cannot be understood [<a href="http://read.ly/Jer17.9.NASB"><strong>Jeremiah 17:9</strong></a>]. That is why we make those stupid decision; such as, why we have sex with our boyfriend or girlfriend prior to marriage - we get "caught up" in the emotion of "lust and pleasure" and we let our sick/wicked hearts "take over".</li> </ul> </li> <li>The right thing is unpopular. <ul> <li>We know how this goes, we know we shouldn't stay out too late and make our parents worry, but we do anyways because we want to "fit in". Another example, we know we should go to church, read our Bibles or even participate in class - but we dont' for FEAR of looking "unpopular". Then we get married have children and wonder why our children are so wayward - it can't be the fact that you don't know how to teach, lead or even show the gospel to your children; perhaps explain sin or even the baptism - so you leave it up to your pastors and Sunday school teachers: all because, you want to be popular.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <strong> </strong> <h3><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.10.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>V10-11</strong></span></a></h3> The elders acknowledge they are witnesses and wish him luck literally saying: "May your home be like Rachel and Leah, building a great name for themselves and being taken care of monetarily and become well known in Bethlehem and have lots of babies with Ruth". <h3><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.13.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>V13-15</strong></span></a></h3> Boaz and Ruth get married and have a baby boy. The people of Bethlehem begin to talk with Naomi, (Grandma) telling her that she is blessed because of her redemption and may the name of Boaz become famous in Israel and proclaim the name of Boaz being famous in all the land. When I think the person of Boaz is famous today, in fact - we are blogging about him. They go on to say that Boaz be one who will take care of her health and personally take care of her and she is blessed because her daughter in law is better to her than having 7 sons. <h3><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.16.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>V16</strong></span></a></h3> Naomi took this baby boy and was his grandma and the people cheered for this redemption and they named him Obed. They Cheered Because Obed is the only MAN to take on the family name. So, what have we seen so far? Naomi was blessed by the faithfulness of a foreigner, who was not able to worship with her at church more than people who were able to worship with her at Church - this is not something Naomi anticipated. Naomi's hit rock bottom; but in that brokenness she was show light, a light found in Ruth. <strong>Naomi</strong> was brought to Bethlehem in <strong>brokenness</strong>; whereas, <strong>Ruth</strong> was brought to Bethlehem in <strong>service</strong> to Naomi and in that faithfulness was able to meet Boaz, so Boaz would see Ruth’s faithful heart for the purpose of drawing Boaz’s attention, favor…and redeem Ruth, Naomi and Elimelech’s name. In that, the Lord changed Naomi’s bitterness to joy through redemption. Through the valley of the shadow of death. To see the joy of the house of the LORD. <h3><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">APPLICATION</span></strong></h3> Looking at the entire book of Ruth we see a life of that was worried, then angry and then redeemed in Naomi. We all have been broken and become angry at God at some point. In those times, we have all made dumb decisions that negatively impact other people. But it is when we admit it, come clean and not harbor it, when God provides a way to release that Anger and frustration. It is in those times when God redeems us. When we let go and let God. Let us look at what God did: <ul> <li>The Jews were disobedient to God’s direction, so he punished Israel with a famine (<em>as noted in Judges</em>)</li> <li>Naomi and Elimelech wanted food and security. So they took matters into her own hands, they took control of their destiny <ul> <li>God shot that down by allowing her husband and children to die.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Then Naomi wants to just run away from her problems and go home where she can just have food and be with her people. (<em>Where she should have never left</em>) <ul> <li>God shoots that plan down by attaching Ruth to her. Again God averting Naomi’s plans and controlNaomi comes to grips with this inevitability and just allows for Ruth to take care of her.</li> <li>This is where Naomi lets go</li> </ul> </li> <li>Ruth is then noticed by a rich man related Naomi. Who can redeem her.</li> <li>Naomi sees the opportunity for redemption, but this time – not for herself, not so she can remain in control but for Ruth. <ul> <li>Naomi is now <strong>OTHER</strong> people focused.</li> </ul> </li> <li>So she focuses on the redemption of Ruth instead of herself this time.</li> <li>Ruth is redeemed by Boaz and the fruits of their redemption brings Joy and redemption to Naomi.</li> </ul> This makes me wonder, when we secretly hold onto horrible things or negativity and we become bitter, jealous and angry...Is it so hard because, if we let go we are acknowledging “<em>I don’t have control</em>”; or, when we go out on faith are we saying "<em>We don’t want control and we want Him to control?</em>" Probably, and that is so hard. We as people, as sinners, don’t want to let go, we want to attempt to control it. After all, we are always told "<em>We control our own destiny</em>"right? But when we do this we are <em>harboring </em>it and becoming bitter. Perhaps, it is because we secretly don’t <em>trust </em>God to <em>redeem </em>it? We have to ask ourselves… <ul> <li>Are we trying to control our own destiny or are we willing/allowing God to work?</li> <li>Are we holding onto some experience, bad things, horrific event and just sulking or are we giving it to God and telling him you want him to be in control.</li> <li>Do we need to let go like Naomi and Let God take care of us in a way we did not think was possible? Perhaps, just like Naomi - through a foreigner that should not desire to care for you but fir sine reason does? Sometimes, God works in ways we NEVER expect.</li> </ul> <h3><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth4.18.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>V18 – 22</strong></span></a></h3> The generations of this redemption Perez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jessee begot David. So what does this tell us? It tells us that sometimes a decision we make <strong>TODAY </strong>will impact someone in the <strong>FUTURE</strong>. Do we think like this? Think about it. If we think about the future we are forced to think about a chain of events. All of a sudden our choices become MORE important, all of a sudden we see how our choices/decisions can IMPACT OTHERS and all of a sudden we are forced to think of the future - That is HARD. A great example of this is my favorite metaphor, the rock in the pond. When you toss a rock in a pond, you know where the rock is - you know the reaction you get in the pond, a splash. But you may not be thinking about how that rock leaves <em>ripples</em> in the pond and we don't know where the ripples in the pond are going. In fact, where the ripples go may not get to "their destinations" until later in time. Even after the splash is over. Therefore, the decision (rock thrown into the pond) may have affects (good or bad) on areas (in the pond) that no-one expected or thought of. <h3><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">CONCLUSION 5 REALIZATIONS in RUTH.</span></strong></h3> <ol> <li>We have to own up to our decisions and <strong>REALIZE </strong>our decisions TODAY impact the FUTURE of OTHERS. <ul> <li>We see this in Noami, her decisions impacted generations that came after her.</li> </ul> </li> <li>We need to <strong>REALIZE </strong>what seems HORRIBLE today, may be turned around for GOOD TOMORROW. <ul> <li>Although, Naomi lost her husband and two sons; God turned it around for good. The redemption of Naomi, Ruth and Elimelech's name - and ultimately the bloodline of Jesus Christ.</li> </ul> </li> <li>We have to <strong>REALIZE </strong>we need to let go and LET GOD. <ul> <li>When Naomi finally "let go" God stepped in and did some awesome work in some unorthodox ways that Naomi did not anticipate.</li> </ul> </li> <li>We also need to <strong>REALIZE </strong>when God is speaking so we can LISTEN. <ul> <li>It may be through the scriptures, a pastor, Sunday school teacher or it could be a friend.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>One who is purposefully, intentionally almost forcefully seeking, service and remaining faithful to you. Even when you tell them to GO AWAY!</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Remember God works in ways that are contradictory to our way of thinking – that is because we are sinners and he is not. So our THOUGHTS of how things SHOULD go. Are not originating for a HOLY mindset.</li> </ul> </li> <li>We need to <strong>REALIZE</strong>, sometimes, we need to do what is NOT popular for the sake of bringing glory to God. <ul> <li>Like Boaz, the close relative would not redeem Elimelech’s land because of what Ruth’s name would do to his reputation.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>He was ME focused rather than OTHERS focused. Even when it means the unpopular things requires you to lose face or become unpopular.</li> </ul> </li> </ol> <strong> </strong> <strong>One Bible Verse to Think about after reading this book</strong> <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/John3.30.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>John 3:30</strong></span></a> "He must increase, but I must decrease."</blockquote> To the praise of the glory of His grace Judson<hr /> <a href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save" class="a2a_dd"><img alt="" height="16" border="0" width="120" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_120_16.gif" /></a> <p> </p> Ruth Chapter 4 V1-6 After their night sleeping, Boaz gets up and goes downtown. We know this is downtown because of the accessibility of the elders/witnesses in V2 . So, Boaz gathers 10 elders to be witnesses to this discussion and begins to speak to the close relative. Like any LEGAL thing today, we want to ensure there are 3rd party witnesses to any "legal" discussion. Boaz tells this relative, that Naomi has returned from Moab and has a bunch of land she cannot take care of and speaking on Noami’s half, he would like to offer this land to the close relative. And do so in the presence of these witnesses. Now, Boaz puts the pressure on this relative in V4b asking this relative to redeem all that Naomi has and the close relative agrees to redeem it. Boaz then informs this relative that if he redeems it he must also redeem Ruth the Moabitess. The reason being, to raise up name of Elimelech, basically making sure Elimelech's name doesn't "lose any face" and/or the name can go on through history. The close relative declines because if he does the Moabite will ruin his name/stature/rappor with the people close to him; and the close relative then instructs Boaz to redeem the land along with the Moabitess. This really urks me and makes me ask "Why won't people do the right thing?" They won't do so because of their pride. So many people are SO worried about how they look and this really bothers me. Many people won't talk, befriend or help another person because of the shame it brings to their "name". Now, although there are countries and places where honor must be upheld - that is a different story - I am not saying I agree with nor disagree with; but in the United States, people need to grow up. This IS NOT a cultural thing here in the U.S. Now, I know I am taking a Hebrew thing and applying it to today's time; and I think I can do so, because we have the same issue - the issue of "our name". V8-9 The relative gives his sandal to Boaz and Boaz goes to the elders and basically says "Hey you guys are my witnesses that he now owns all that was Elimelech’s including wife and children". This also includes having Ruth as his wife, and the text goes on to say that Boaz he did so, for the purpose of raising up the name of Elimelech or moving honor with his name. Boaz doesn’t care about his rapport, stature or name, but doing the right thing - and that is something that will bring Boaz honor. This leads me to ask, “What is the right thing to do?” I work in Human Resources, so this is something I ask ALL THE TIME. I have come up with some quick pointers about the "Right Thing". The right thing is tough to do . This is NOT something that EVERYONE does; otherwise, this would not be asked. Of course, we can do the "right thing" when times are easy. But honestly, that doesn't even count in my eyes. The "right thing" only counts in those HARD TIMES. Those times of CHAOS. If you can do the "right thing" then - then we can talk. The right thing has nothing to do with feelings , nor personal status, but with compassion, mercy and grace . The right thing is objective, it is not subjective. Now, I am sure we can all think of a "subjective right thing", but more often than not - it is not emotional or subjective. The right thing is usually found in those times where we must make a decision to "kiss the girl or walk away". When we use our emotions to make decisions, especially in TOUGH TIMES, we may make a wrong choice. In face Scripture tells us, our hearts are...Boaz, Ruth196172http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196172-thumbnail.jpg?1001241114http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196171http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196171Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg"> <img alt="" height="115" width="497" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1789" title="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg" /> </a> <br /> </div> <br /> The previous post (<a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-chapters-214-317-a/"><strong>Click Here</strong></a> for Previous Post) brings me to my point today I wanted to convey; that is, the <strong>Faithfulness/trustworthiness/following through with promises to the point of bringing Honor to God. </strong>Boaz didn't marry Ruth because he <em>can </em>but he allows, he is obedient to the law; whereas, he doesn’t try to pull a fast one on the other family member who is next in line to redeem Elimelech's name and take Ruth for his wife. As we saw<a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-chapters-214-317-a/"><strong> last week</strong></a>, Ruth is basically saying "<em>I can be yours</em>" and now Boaz is saying <em>"Yes, I want to be yours too</em>" but he must remain faithful to God before he can be <em>this kind of faithful </em>to Ruth. I want to compare <em>that</em> kind of faithfulness with today's <em>"faithfulness".</em> Today we are quick to abandon things and go back on our promises, aren't we? I mean let us look at marriages. What is the divorce rate in our country? According to the<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/divorce.htm"><strong> Center of Disease Control</strong></a> (CDC) the following statistics (<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr57/nvsr57_19.pdf"><strong>Click Here</strong></a>) have been observed: <ul> <li>Number of marriages: 2,162,000</li> <li>Marriage rate: 7.1 per 1,000 total population</li> <li>Divorce rate: 3.5 per 1,000 population (44 reporting States and D.C.)</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"><!--more--></p> Or let us look at church membership. How many of us know someone who became a member of a local church and skipped on the church when "someone rubbed them the wrong way"? Let me break it down closer to home. How many people do you know who were promised a raise in 6 months or promised a particular rate of pay at hire and then come to find out - you didn't get that pay or after 6 months, then 9 months then one year - NEVER got that raise? When things get tough we abandon them. Just like friendship, once it becomes difficult or there is some friction between 2 people we’d rather abandon them than engage them. That is why people don’t talk about issues, they are afraid of conflict - they don't want to engage, they'd rather be passive and call it "love". Why you ask? It is SO EASY to run from a problem than it is to correct it. We today are not that good at fulfilling our promises and for that reason we are numb to the <em>damage </em>breaking a promise does. Now let us look at some application of Faithfulness from Proverbs: <h3><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FAITHLESSNESS IN PROVERBS</span></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></h3> <blockquote><strong>Proverbs 12:22</strong> Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,</blockquote> The first thing I want to point out, God calls a lie an "Abomination" which can be accurately defined as something that is "disgusting, ethically evil, detestable, vile, disgrace, outrage, or hateful". So when you break a promise or aren’t there for a friend, or don’t follow through with something you said you would do – you just lied. You lie and God thinks you are a disgusting, detestable, vile person who should be disgraced and makes him outraged. When someone talks bad about someone and you sit back and listen "in love" (note the sarcasm) you are a liar. You are a liar by a sin of omission, you are omitting your feelings so you "agree" with them to "please" their insecurity. That is a lie. Then you meet that person your friend was just talking about and "act like nothing was ever said" "<em>in love"</em>. Again, you lie. That is evil and demonic. <blockquote><strong>Proverbs 23:27-28</strong> For a harlot is a deep pit And an adulterous woman is a narrow well. Surely she lurks as a robber, And increases the faithless among men.</blockquote> The reason why God hates liars, they just make more liars. Like a virus they spread from one human to another. And this virus infects you heart by just listening others "<em>in love". </em>Do you find yourself around a liar and find yourself lieing? Like in the previous example, you are now lieing because that person lied. Playing this fake, mask of counterfeit with others - Is a lie. All of this is why Proverbs says: <blockquote><strong>Proverbs 25:19</strong> <em>Like</em> a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.</blockquote> A person who isn’t trustworthy, cannot be counted on. For instance, a “<strong>bad tooth</strong>” – where every time you try to nourish yourself (through eating), you get hurt and so your careful to nourish yourself to avoid the pain. Ever have that in a friend? Where you say, “<em>Man I am struggeling, maybe I should go to evening service"</em> – then your friend is like “Nah” we should just hang out tonight and watch movies or have a Friends marathon? And you ditch worship or Sunday school or any service to Jesus? You don't need friends that infect you with worldly means to take care of spiritual needs! Or they can be like <strong>An unsteady foot </strong>– when you lean on them they are not there. Like when you are going through a tough time; perhaps in sin or falling away from God, maybe your struggling with something someone else did and it affects you and you just want to escape, you go to lean on a friend and rather than hold you up so you can walk to Jesus, you fall. For instance, Perhaps, you are trying to get back into your devotions and you go to a friend and say “<em>Hey let us do devotions together</em>” and they say "<em>Sure</em>" but NEVER follow through, they are an <strong>unsteady foot</strong>. They do not lift you up, they will not be there for you to lean on. Then when you fall (and you will fall) you lose faith in God and you yourself become a faithless person. This same concept can be found in Paul's writings: Paul to write: <blockquote><strong>1 Corinthians 5:9-11</strong> I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I <em>did</em> not at all <em>mean</em> with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one.</blockquote> Who is Paul talking about? Those people who claim to be a "Christian" they claim to be a <strong>steady foot</strong> or <strong>good tooth</strong>. They are deceivers, liars, evil and detestable in the sight of God. That is what Proverbs is speaking about. When you have a friend who is a liar, aren’t trustworthy, one who increases your faithlessness, one who is like a<strong> bad tooth </strong>or <strong>unsteady foot</strong> – Paul is literally saying “<strong> </strong><strong>WHY ON EARTH DO YOU HANG OUT WITH THESE PEOPLE?</strong>!?!" They ARE <strong>NOT </strong>your friend, they <strong>ARE </strong>your <strong>ENEMY</strong>. And again Paul sees the same problem in, not only in Corinth but Thessolanica: <blockquote><strong>2 Thessalonians 3:13-15</strong> But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. <em>Yet</em> do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.</blockquote> Paul tells us that maybe, just maybe we will be surrounded by a great bunch of people who are faithless, but YOU - DO NOT LOSE <strong>YOUR </strong>FAITHFULNESS TO DOING GOOD! But aim to correct them and if they wont’ be corrected DO NOT ASSOCIATE with them, for their own works put them to shame and will BRING YOU DOWN TOO. Moreover, the Bible says that those who don't change when rebuked are stupid. Don't be STUPID! <blockquote><strong>Proverbs 12:1</strong> … But he who hates reproof is stupid.</blockquote> BUT THERE IS HOPE! <h3><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FAITHFULNESS IN PROVERBS</span></strong><strong> </strong></h3> <blockquote><strong>Proverbs 25:13</strong> Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.</blockquote> This speaks about life in the midst of harvest, a busy busy time how something quenches the thirst (i.e. snow). When we struggle we feel as if we are running out of gas and faithful friend soothes our souls and is like a breath of fresh air! A faithful person is one who makes your heart joyful. Not necessarily with Happiness; but with refreshment like <em>“Oh someone does care about me</em>.” Or “<em>Someone really does have my back</em>”. For instance, there are men that I get with from time to time, because I just need to be refreshed, where we just sit and talk about Jesus for hours and that just re-energizes my soul. They are like a snow in the heat of a desert. They help me get focused and back on track to finish up what I am working on. This concept is also found here: <blockquote><strong>Proverbs 27:6</strong> Faithful are the wounds of a friend,</blockquote> I hit this verse a lot, but the friend who steps up to you reprove you. Is a true friend. Sometimes, when I struggle with sin or frustration, I get with a buddy of mine who just gives me a shot in the arm when I need it. Not necessarily to tell me I a m wrong, but to reconcile my relationship either with a.) God, b.) Friend c) themselves; <em>that </em>is faithfulness. We ALL need someone like that, and if we don’t’ have that – then we will Find ourselves slowly moving away from God. We not only to check ourselves before we wreck ourselves but also someone else to check us. <blockquote><strong>Proverbs 13:17</strong> A wicked messenger falls into adversity, But a faithful envoy <em>brings</em> healing.</blockquote> The faithful person is a person who brings joy/refreshment to your life but also healing. When a faithful person comes to you and seeks to remain by your side through thick and thin, they will not only be like a breath of fresh air, but will be like a Tylenol. For example, when you get a headache you RUN for the Tylenol. That is what a true friend should be, you IMMEDIATELY run to them for healing. To the praise of the glory of His grace Judson<hr /> <a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img alt="" height="16" border="0" width="120" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_120_16.gif" /></a> <p> </p> The previous post ( Click Here for Previous Post) brings me to my point today I wanted to convey; that is, the Faithfulness/trustworthiness/following through with promises to the point of bringing Honor to God. Boaz didn't marry Ruth because he can but he allows, he is obedient to the law; whereas, he doesn’t try to pull a fast one on the other family member who is next in line to redeem Elimelech's name and take Ruth for his wife. As we saw last week , Ruth is basically saying " I can be yours " and now Boaz is saying "Yes, I want to be yours too " but he must remain faithful to God before he can be this kind of faithful to Ruth. I want to compare that kind of faithfulness with today's "faithfulness". Today we are quick to abandon things and go back on our promises, aren't we? I mean let us look at marriages. What is the divorce rate in our country? According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) the following statistics ( Click Here ) have been observed: Number of marriages: 2,162,000 Marriage rate: 7.1 per 1,000 total population Divorce rate: 3.5 per 1,000 population (44 reporting States and D.C.) Or let us look at church membership. How many of us know someone who became a member of a local church and skipped on the church when "someone rubbed them the wrong way"? Let me break it down closer to home. How many people do you know who were promised a raise in 6 months or promised a particular rate of pay at hire and then come to find out - you didn't get that pay or after 6 months, then 9 months then one year - NEVER got that raise? When things get tough we abandon them. Just like friendship, once it becomes difficult or there is some friction between 2 people we’d rather abandon them than engage them. That is why people don’t talk about issues, they are afraid of conflict - they don't want to engage, they'd rather be passive and call it "love". Why you ask? It is SO EASY to run from a problem than it is to correct it. We today are not that good at fulfilling our promises and for that reason we are numb to the damage breaking a promise does. Now let us look at some application of Faithfulness from Proverbs: FAITHLESSNESS IN PROVERBS Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, The first thing I want to point out, God calls a lie an "Abomination" which can be accurately defined as something that is "disgusting, ethically evil, detestable, vile, disgrace, outrage, or hateful". So when you break a promise or aren’t there for a friend, or don’t follow through with something you said you would do – you just lied. You lie and God thinks you are a disgusting, detestable, vile person who should be disgraced and makes him outraged. When someone talks bad about someone and you sit back and listen "in love" (note the sarcasm) you are a liar. You are a liar by a sin of omission, you are omitting your feelings so you "agree" with them to "please" their insecurity. That is a lie. Then you meet that person your friend was just talking about and "act like nothing was ever said" " in love" . Again, you lie. That is evil and demonic. Proverbs 23:27-28 For a harlot is a deep pit And an adulterous woman is a narrow well. Surely she lurks as a robber, And increases the faithless among men. The reason why God hates liars, they just make more liars. Like a virus they spread from one human to another. And this virus infects you heart by just listening others " in love". Do you find yourself around a liar and find yourself lieing? Like in the...Boaz, Ruth, Elimelech196171http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196171-thumbnail.jpg?1001241114http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196170http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196170Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <br /> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/john_macarthur.jpg"><img alt="" height="316" width="332" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2196" title="John_Macarthur" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/john_macarthur.jpg" /></a> <br /> </td> <td><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> I was recently blessed by a post on<a href="http://www.gty.org/"><strong> Grace to You</strong></a> entitled "<strong><a href="http://www.gty.org/Resources/Articles/A163"><em>Give me that Showtime Religion</em></a></strong>", so I wanted to share it with you. All rights and verbiage are copied as noted and edited on Grace to You. John MacArthur is highly acclaimed and probably one of the most trusted, and faithfully devoted theologian in our time. He is truly a man after God's own heart and I find his teaching and testimony to be one of a kind. <br /> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div align="right">Thank you <strong><a href="http://www.gty.org/Meet/JohnMacArthur">John MacArthur</a></strong>. </div> <blockquote> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Hebrews%2010.24-25" target="_blank">Hebrews 10:24-25</a>, <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/1%20Cor.%201.21" target="_blank">1 Cor. 1:21</a>, <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Matt.%205.16" target="_blank">Matt. 5:16</a></h3> <strong>John MacArthur</strong> Can the church fight apathy and materialism by feeding people's appetite for entertainment? Evidently many in the church believe the answer is yes, as church after church jumps on the show-business bandwagon. It is a troubling trend that is luring many otherwise orthodox churches away from biblical priorities. <p style="text-align: center;"><!--more--></p> Church buildings are being constructed like theatres. Instead of a pulpit, the focus is a stage. Some feature massive platforms that revolve or raise and lower, with colored lights and huge sound boards. Shepherds are giving way to media specialists, programming consultants, stage directors, special effects experts, and choreographers. The idea is to give the audience what they want. Tailor the church service to whatever will draw a crowd. As a result, pastors are more like politicians than shepherds, looking to appeal to the public rather than leading and building the flock God gave them. The congregation is served a slick, professional show, where drama, pop music, and maybe a soft-sell sermon constitute the worship service. But the emphasis isn't on worship, it's on entertainment. Underlying this trend is the notion that the church must sell the gospel to unbelievers. Churches thus compete for the consumer on the same level as the latest TV reality show or a major motion picture. More and more churches are relying on marketing strategy to sell the church. That philosophy is the result of bad theology. It assumes that if you package the gospel right, people will get saved. The whole approach is rooted in Arminian theology. It views conversion as fundamentally dependent on an act of the human will. Its goal is an instantaneous, superficial decision rather than a radical change of the heart. Moreover, this whole Madison-Avenue corruption of Christianity presumes that church services are primarily for recruiting unbelievers. Many have abandoned worship as such. Others have relegated conventional preaching to some small-group setting on a weeknight. But that misses the point of <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Hebrews%2010.24-25" target="_blank">Hebrews 10:24-25</a>: "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together." <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Acts%202.42" target="_blank">Acts 2:42</a> shows us the pattern the early church followed when they met: "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Note that the early church's priorities clearly were to worship God and to edify the brethren. The church came together for worship and edification; it scattered to evangelize the world. Our Lord commissioned His disciples for evangelism in this way: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Matt.%2028.19" target="_blank">Matt. 28:19</a>). Christ makes it clear that the church is not to wait for or invite the world to come to its meetings, but to GO to the world. That is a responsibility for every believer. I fear that an approach emphasizing a palatable gospel presentation within the walls of the church excuses the individual believer from his personal obligation to be a light in the world (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Matt.%205.16" target="_blank">Matt. 5:16</a>). We have a society filled with people who want what they want when they want it. They are into their own lifestyle, recreation, and entertainment. When churches appeal to those selfish desires, they only fuel that fire and hinder true godliness. Some of these churches are growing exponentially while others that don't entertain are struggling. Many church leaders want numerical growth in their churches, so they are buying into the entertainment-first philosophy. Consider what this philosophy does to the gospel message itself. Some will maintain that if biblical principles are presented, the medium doesn't matter. That is nonsense. Why not have a real carnival? A tattooed knife thrower who juggles chain saws could do his thing while a barker shouts Bible verses. That would draw a crowd. It's a bizarre scenario, but one that illustrates how the medium can cheapen and corrupt the message. And sadly, it's not terribly different from what is actually being done in some churches. Punk-rockers, ventriloquists' dummies, clowns, magicians, and show-business celebrities have taken the place of the preacher--and they are depreciating the gospel. I do believe we can be innovative and creative in how we present the gospel, but we have to be careful to harmonize our methods with the profound spiritual truth we are trying to convey. It is too easy to trivialize the sacred message. Don't be quick to embrace the trends of the high-tech superchurches. And don't sneer at conventional worship and preaching. We don't need clever approaches to get people saved (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/1%20Cor.%201.21" target="_blank">1 Cor. 1:21</a>). We simply need to get back to preaching the truth and planting the seed. If we're faithful in that, the soil God has prepared will bear fruit.</blockquote> With this post in mind, I want to leave you with these questions of application and invite you to respond in the comments section below. <ul> <li>Do you believe that if there isn't "<em>cool music</em>" at church, then people won't come? If so, why?</li> <li>Is corporate worship on Sundays for recruiting believers, regenerating hearts or for edifying current believers? What is the purpose of church services and why?</li> <li>Do we believe we are "going to far" in the church today with such entertainment philosophies?</li> <li>Finally, do you believe that people can be saved with conventional/traditional means or must the church change?</li> </ul> To the praise of the glory of His grace Judson <hr /> <a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img alt="" height="16" border="0" width="120" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_120_16.gif" /></a> <p> </p> I was recently blessed by a post on Grace to You entitled " Give me that Showtime Religion ", so I wanted to share it with you. All rights and verbiage are copied as noted and edited on Grace to You. John MacArthur is highly acclaimed and probably one of the most trusted, and faithfully devoted theologian in our time. He is truly a man after God's own heart and I find his teaching and testimony to be one of a kind. Thank you John MacArthur . Hebrews 10:24-25 , 1 Cor. 1:21 , Matt. 5:16 John MacArthur Can the church fight apathy and materialism by feeding people's appetite for entertainment? Evidently many in the church believe the answer is yes, as church after church jumps on the show-business bandwagon. It is a troubling trend that is luring many otherwise orthodox churches away from biblical priorities. Church buildings are being constructed like theatres. Instead of a pulpit, the focus is a stage. Some feature massive platforms that revolve or raise and lower, with colored lights and huge sound boards. Shepherds are giving way to media specialists, programming consultants, stage directors, special effects experts, and choreographers. The idea is to give the audience what they want. Tailor the church service to whatever will draw a crowd. As a result, pastors are more like politicians than shepherds, looking to appeal to the public rather than leading and building the flock God gave them. The congregation is served a slick, professional show, where drama, pop music, and maybe a soft-sell sermon constitute the worship service. But the emphasis isn't on worship, it's on entertainment. Underlying this trend is the notion that the church must sell the gospel to unbelievers. Churches thus compete for the consumer on the same level as the latest TV reality show or a major motion picture. More and more churches are relying on marketing strategy to sell the church. That philosophy is the result of bad theology. It assumes that if you package the gospel right, people will get saved. The whole approach is rooted in Arminian theology. It views conversion as fundamentally dependent on an act of the human will. Its goal is an instantaneous, superficial decision rather than a radical change of the heart. Moreover, this whole Madison-Avenue corruption of Christianity presumes that church services are primarily for recruiting unbelievers. Many have abandoned worship as such. Others have relegated conventional preaching to some small-group setting on a weeknight. But that misses the point of Hebrews 10:24-25 : "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together." Acts 2:42 shows us the pattern the early church followed when they met: "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Note that the early church's priorities clearly were to worship God and to edify the brethren. The church came together for worship and edification; it scattered to evangelize the world. Our Lord commissioned His disciples for evangelism in this way: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" ( Matt. 28:19 ). Christ makes it clear that the church is not to wait for or invite the world to come to its meetings, but to GO to the world. That is a responsibility for every believer. I fear that an approach emphasizing a palatable gospel presentation within the walls of the church excuses the individual believer from his personal...John Macarthur, Church, Entertainment196170http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196170-thumbnail.jpg?1001241113http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196169http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196169Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg"> <img alt="" height="115" width="497" _moz_resizing="true" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1789" title="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg" /> </a> </div> <strong> </strong> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[<a href="http://read.ly/Ruth2.14.NASB">Ruth 2:14-3:13- NASB</a>]</strong></p> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>V14-16 Continuing from </strong><strong>Last Week...</strong></span></h3> Once mealtime came around, Boaz invites Ruth to come eat dinner with his people and/or family. This act is Ruth being included and treated as one of Boaz's own paid reapers. He is attempting to treat her as one he cares for. Boaz is feeding his staff because he wants reapers who are nourished to harvest grain for him. He is nourishing her because he has found favor in her. After supper, Ruth heads out to glean again and, all the while, Boaz commanded the reapers again now demanding they not say anything rude to her. <p style="text-align: center;"><!--more--></p> This again, implies, not only are the poor/foreigners possibly taken advantage of or abused as in <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth2.9.NASB">verse 9</a> </strong>but also these people perhaps were ridiculed and treated like dirt verbally. Which is why he commands them to give her good "seconds". Boaz is a great example of how a man should treat his woman. He should <strong>stand up for her</strong>, <strong>protect her</strong> and <strong>make her feel</strong> <strong>and know she is secure/Safe</strong> in his presence. I would like to expand this protection not only physically but spiritually. <a href="http://read.ly/Eph5.24.NASB"><strong>Ephesians 5:24-27</strong></a><strong> :: Is The Spiritual Way </strong>of leading a wife. I cannot stress how important it is to have a man and not a boy as a BF/Husband. I know the selection pool is <strong>VERY</strong> limited; but women, please DO NOT compromise your testimony of God because you are lonely. Stay strong, remain single. A man will have no problem EARNING your love if he is a man and loves you; however, a boy will whine and complain he can’t have his way. In the above passage, God says that the Church is to submit to Jesus; just like a woman is to submit to the husband. <strong>NOT</strong> because he is the leader <strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">but</span></em></strong> <strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BECAUSE</span></em></strong> He is <strong>Cultivating/DEVELOPING</strong> you into a woman who loves Jesus more and more <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Eph5.26.NASB">V26</a> in Ephesians 5 states </strong>"<em>so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, </em>" Jesus is FIXING the church, CLEANING the church and he is doing it with the WORD. So ladies, ask yourself, does the guy I am dating or would that guy I am interested in lead me to know and love Jesus more? Will he assist in cultivating me to love Jesus more? Men, ask yourselves do I desire to mature and grow my girl to love Jesus more? <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Prov31.10.NASB">Proverbs 31:10-12</a> </strong>is a great passage of what the Godly woman looks like. Let us walk through some examples.<strong> </strong> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">First Thing to Notice:</span></strong><strong> </strong>The text firsts asks, where is such an excellent wife <em>found?</em> This implies she is not “EVERYWHERE” she is rare. She is not "at hand". I am arguing, if Ephesians 5 is telling us what the husband is to do for the wife, cultivate her, build her, clean her for Jesus, then Proverbs 31 is a goal every man should reach for. <ul> <li> <a href="http://read.ly/Prov31.10.NASB"><strong>V10</strong></a> tells us that the <em>Excellent Wife</em> is of high VALUE; meaning, higher moral worth, loyal and to be honored. <ul> <li>What this means, a woman who stands up for what is right. Who doesn’t give in to peer pressure, but who <strong>stands firm</strong> in Jesus even when she doesn’t want to. There have been times where I have had loving lead my wife to do the <em>right thing</em>; just as she has done the same for me. At times are times tough? Yes, but it is easier when we know we both love one another</li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="http://read.ly/Prov31.11.NASB"><strong>V11a</strong> </a>tells us an <em>Excellent Wife </em>is to be TRUSTED. <ul> <li>Meaning, not only the husband, but others have <strong>FULL</strong> confidence in her. This takes time and is earned but can be augmented by a loving husband who is seeking to build you into this example. <ul> <li>For instance, I am confident my wife (Rachel) doesn’t push me to do things for her own selfishness. I know and trust and am confident in her choices and for THAT I love her. So when God said <strong>He will “ make him a helper suitable for" man (Genesis 2:18) </strong>I know Rachel is that helper for me and I accept her as an equal.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://read.ly/Prov31.11.NASB"><strong>V11b</strong></a> tells us an <em>Excellent Wife </em>is not incapable or helpless but CAPABLE : <ul> <li>Meaning The wife’s capabilities in business and domestic matters guarantee a rich profit and inspire the confidence of her husband. It amazes me, when I look at Rachel’s life, how she is good at everything. Because I see that, I am <strong>CONFIDENT</strong> in her skills and abilities</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong> <a href="http://read.ly/Prov31.12.NASB">V12</a></strong> tells us that the <em>Excellent Wife </em>will do her husband good all the days of his life. <ul> <li> I know that Rachel always has my best interest in mind.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth2.17.NASB">V17-23</a> :: Girl Talk about the guy</strong></span></h3> Here, Ruth returns home with her gleaning and shows Naomi what she gleaned. Naomi notices the plentiful good grain and is curious to know where Ruth went and blesses the one who found favor in Ruth. Ruth tells Naomi how she came to Boaz's field and how he found favor in her. At this point, Naomi blesses Boaz and informs Ruth that Boaz is a very close relative. Meaning he may have right to marry her - as was the custom in those days. This custom was to redeem and carry on the family names, in sum. Ruth then explains how Boaz provided security, hope and food for her when she was unworthy to receive such favor. <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth3.1.NASB">3:1-5</a> </strong>Namoi indicates she wants Ruth to be taken care of and have a good life. Naomi urges Ruth to take a shower and put on her best clothes and wear perfume and “run into” Boaz at work. But only after he is done with work not during his work. It almost reminds me of one of those “<em>He likes you go talk to him</em>”girl conversations we see so much in television and movies. Now it is interesting that Naomi instructs Ruth to lay at his feet, but nothing in this text, in <em>those times</em> would mandate a sexual advance. It is all too sad that we today think/write and imagine sex into everything. In verses<a href="http://read.ly/Ruth3.6.NASB"> </a><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth3.6.NASB">3:6-7</a> </strong>Ruth does what Naomi says and in verses <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Ruth3.8.NASB">3:8-9</a> </strong>Boaz is startled by Ruth's appearance and inquires who is near him. Ruth tells him the truth and asks if he will share his blanket with her because she is a close relative. Based on the rest of the book, this idea of sharing a blanket is the idea of “getting married” or Ruth asking Boaz to redeem her. People just did things differently then. So she is literally asking Boaz to marry her. In verse <a href="http://read.ly/Ruth3.10.NASB"><strong>3:10-11 </strong></a>Boaz indicates her desire to get to know him brings him more joy than her hard work to her mother-in-law. Basically he is saying Yes to the marriage proposal and he will do this because he knows she is a woman of high reputation a woman of "<em>Excellence"</em>. (i.e. high value, trust and capability - like Proverbs 31. However, Boaz has a problem. There is another family memeber who is closer than he and that family memeber has first shots at marrying Ruth. So Boaz states, that he will go and get this all figured out first thing in the morning. <strong> </strong> <strong> </strong> To the praise of the glory of His grace Judson<hr /> <a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img alt="" height="16" border="0" width="120" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_120_16.gif" /></a> <p> </p> [ Ruth 2:14-3:13- NASB ] V14-16 Continuing from Last Week... Once mealtime came around, Boaz invites Ruth to come eat dinner with his people and/or family. This act is Ruth being included and treated as one of Boaz's own paid reapers. He is attempting to treat her as one he cares for. Boaz is feeding his staff because he wants reapers who are nourished to harvest grain for him. He is nourishing her because he has found favor in her. After supper, Ruth heads out to glean again and, all the while, Boaz commanded the reapers again now demanding they not say anything rude to her. This again, implies, not only are the poor/foreigners possibly taken advantage of or abused as in verse 9 but also these people perhaps were ridiculed and treated like dirt verbally. Which is why he commands them to give her good "seconds". Boaz is a great example of how a man should treat his woman. He should stand up for her , protect her and make her feel and know she is secure/Safe in his presence. I would like to expand this protection not only physically but spiritually. Ephesians 5:24-27 :: Is The Spiritual Way of leading a wife. I cannot stress how important it is to have a man and not a boy as a BF/Husband. I know the selection pool is VERY limited; but women, please DO NOT compromise your testimony of God because you are lonely. Stay strong, remain single. A man will have no problem EARNING your love if he is a man and loves you; however, a boy will whine and complain he can’t have his way. In the above passage, God says that the Church is to submit to Jesus; just like a woman is to submit to the husband. NOT because he is the leader but BECAUSE He is Cultivating/DEVELOPING you into a woman who loves Jesus more and more V26 in Ephesians 5 states " so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, " Jesus is FIXING the church, CLEANING the church and he is doing it with the WORD. So ladies, ask yourself, does the guy I am dating or would that guy I am interested in lead me to know and love Jesus more? Will he assist in cultivating me to love Jesus more? Men, ask yourselves do I desire to mature and grow my girl to love Jesus more? Proverbs 31:10-12 is a great passage of what the Godly woman looks like. Let us walk through some examples. First Thing to Notice: The text firsts asks, where is such an excellent wife found? This implies she is not “EVERYWHERE” she is rare. She is not "at hand". I am arguing, if Ephesians 5 is telling us what the husband is to do for the wife, cultivate her, build her, clean her for Jesus, then Proverbs 31 is a goal every man should reach for. V10 tells us that the Excellent Wife is of high VALUE; meaning, higher moral worth, loyal and to be honored. What this means, a woman who stands up for what is right. Who doesn’t give in to peer pressure, but who stands firm in Jesus even when she doesn’t want to. There have been times where I have had loving lead my wife to do the right thing ; just as she has done the same for me. At times are times tough? Yes, but it is easier when we know we both love one another V11a tells us an Excellent Wife is to be TRUSTED. Meaning, not only the husband, but others have FULL confidence in her. This takes time and is earned but can be augmented by a loving husband who is seeking to build you into this example. For instance, I am confident my wife (Rachel) doesn’t push me to do things for her own selfishness. I know and trust and am confident in her choices...Ruth, Boaz, Meal196169http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196169-thumbnail.jpg?1001241111http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196168http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196168Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <img height="115" width="497" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1789" title="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg" alt="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" /> </div> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[<a href="http://read.ly/Ruth2.1.NASB">Ruth 2:1-13 NASB</a>]</strong></p> <h3><strong>2:1-3 - Ruth Works in the Field of Boaz</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">Naomi &amp; Ruth have returned to Jerusalem and Naomi is bitter for what God has done in her life. Ruth, more than likely, has picked up on Naomi's bitterness and at some point decides to make an attempt to turn things around. Ruth inquires have the opportunity to go and collect food and hopefully find favor with someone in this new land. However, most translations use the word "<a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=03950"><strong>Glean</strong></a>" rather than "gather". One reason may be to make a distinction in what <em>exactly</em> is happening during this "Gleaning/Gathering". This "Gleaning/Gathering", is a provisions for the poor, sojourners, widows, and orphans; which, allowed them to gather standing grain in corners or borders of fields, as well as dropped stalks and left-behind sheaves by reapers. Seeing that Naomi and Ruth were both without a husband, father and/or brother ect. they were without "hope" and poor. Therefore, they did not have land to reap from themselves but had to depend on the "leftovers" of other people to survive. Naomi informs Ruth to "go for it" and that is all we know. So, Ruth seeks out to glean and starts off in other fields but comes to Boaz's field.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><!--more--></p> This drive by Ruth to go and glean is admirable. Proverbs tells us<strong>: "<em>The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing</em></strong><strong>" </strong><strong>(<a href="http://read.ly/Prov20.4.NASB">Proverbs 20:4</a>)</strong><strong> </strong><strong>. </strong>This proverb speaks of the lazy personwho doesn’t prepare for next year or the future, so they have to beg/ask for food because when it comes to harvest the food they planted - there is nothing to harvest. When the famer doesn't take responsibility to plant and cultivate their soil for farming, they are left without crops. This is work only for the responsible. Ruth here, knowing she cannot farm herself makes an attempt to harvest food so her and her mother-in-law (Naomi) have food and are prepared for the upcoming months where food may not be as prevalent. In this harvest Ruth is taking responsibility into their own hands. She knows they are without food and hope of a man, <strong><em>so they are doing what they have to do to make ends meet.</em></strong><em> </em>It also shows that Ruth is being faithful to her word in<a href="http://read.ly/Ruth1.16.NASB"><strong> Ruth 1:16-17 </strong></a> and adapting to the customs of the Jews. <strong> </strong> <strong> </strong> Moreover, Proverbs tells us <strong> <em>He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who cares for his master will be honored </em></strong><strong>(<a href="http://read.ly/Prov27.18.NASB">Proverbs 27:18</a>)</strong><strong>. </strong>The idea here , the one who takes care of their responsibilities will be honored. Ruth stated she would be loyal and faithful to Naomiand that is exactly what she is doing - taking responsibility for her actions. <h3><strong>2:4-7 - Boaz and Ruth Meet</strong></h3> Boaz returns home and greets his reapers and notices a woman sitting in the tent in the field; so being the landowner inquires about the young lady and literally ask "whose" is this woman. He wants to know who she belongs to or who owns/has rights to her. The reapers respond indicating "she is the Moabites that returned with Naomi". This tells us, this woman is known - people know of her and she has a reputation about her. The reaper continues, indicating Ruth asked if she could glean, take home the leftovers, from the reapers and now she is resting in the place Boaz first noticed her. This dialogue tells us a couple of things, <ul> <li>She would ask permission to glean</li> <li>She is a hard worker</li> <li>And she is free to date. That is, she came home with Naomi from Moab husbandless otherwise, they wouldn’t be gleaning.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>2:8-13 – Boaz gives find favor in Ruth</strong></h3> Boaz decides to engage Ruth in the tent &amp; asks her to pay attentionto his words - showing he is taking responsibility for her. <h4><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">He gives Instruction </span></strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>"Do not glean in another field"</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Ruth being a stranger in a strange land makes her an easy target for someone to take advantage of. Proverbs tells us:<strong> <em>Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid</em></strong> <strong>(<a href="http://read.ly/Prov12.1.NASB">Proverbs 12:1</a>)</strong><strong> </strong>. The fact that he is reaching out to this woman, who represents an oppressive country to protect her, shows mercy (the <em>taking away of punishment that is deserved</em>) and grace (<em>the giving of something not deserved</em>). This is true love, when something isn't owed or earned but one decides to give anyhow. Boaz commands her for her own safety to stay in his fields.</p> <h4><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">He gives her Security </span></strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Boaz makes her one of his own and literally "<em>Takes her in"</em> when he considers her one of his maids . This provides security to a woman, knowing that she will be taken care of and is accepted for who she is. Boaz doesn't stop there but also provides additional <em>Safety &amp; Protection</em>, when he commands his servants not to touch her. This reminds me of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdxPEKZWDiw">This Scene</a> in <strong><a href="http://www.publicenemies.net/">Public Enemies</a></strong> with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Depp"><strong>Johnny Depp</strong></a>, where he plays Dillenger and walks up to his girlfriend (<em>Mary Evelyn "Billie" Frechette</em>) after their first date and a man was being rude to her so he knocks the guy out and tells her that she is his woman and with him now. She knows from that point on John Dillenger will take care of her and she will be safe with him. Now, that may be not be a righteous motive or reasoning but it gets the point across.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong> </strong></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Moreover, Proverbs tells us<strong><em> The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.</em> </strong><strong>(<a href="http://read.ly/Prov18.10.NASB">Proverbs 18:10</a>). </strong>Boaz is living an example of the LORD (<a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=03068"><strong>YHWH</strong></a>) personally taking care over Ruth, and finding <strong>Favor</strong> in her. Boaz is putting her under his wing and protection giving her access to things she would not have access to - mainly an inheritance only found in Boaz's family.</p> <h4><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">He provides</span></strong></h4> <strong> </strong> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Boaz also provided <em>Nourishment</em>; when he offered his water that are offered only to his servants . This offer from Boaz would have been<strong> <em>Like</em></strong> <strong>cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land</strong>.<strong> </strong><strong>(<a href="http://read.ly/Prov25.25.NASB">Proverbs 25:25</a>). </strong>This would have been a sign of acceptance by Boaz and not only water to a weary soul in physical terms but also in the spiritual nourishment sense.</p> <h4><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ruth’s reaction </span></strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Ruth immediately falls on the ground at the word that she has found favor. This is the reaction we should have when we come to God. Literally falling to our knees and asking why have we found favor in His eyes. Before knowing God we do not conduct our lives as one who loves God; therefore, we have to ask ourselves "What is so special about ourselves that God would take notice?" Boaz's response is not that of representing God's in the salvation sense; rather, it will be explained in the following paragraph - so hang with me.</p> <h4><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Boaz Replies</span></strong></h4> <strong> </strong> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Boaz explains that he has seen her works. He has taken notice of her works with her mother-in-law. He knows Ruth left all that she knew to be devoted to her mother-in-law and not only that but to stand by Naomi's side even until death. These are the works that James speaks about when James writes: <strong> <em>You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone</em></strong><strong> </strong><strong>(<a href="http://read.ly/Jas2.24.NASB">James 2:24</a>)</strong><strong>.</strong> Whereas, Ruth was justified before <em>other people </em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">by her works </span>because those works proved her statement “<strong>your God, my God.</strong>” Those works did NOT justify her to God, noone can be justified before God by their works<a href="http://read.ly/Rom4.2.NASB"><strong> Romans 4:2</strong></a>. Moreover, since Boaz believed her she found his favor. That is why Boaz says in verse 12:<strong> "<em>May the LORD reward your work...from the LORD the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge</em></strong>"</p> <h4><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ruth’s Response V13</span></strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Ruth response rejoicing, in gratitutde and thanksgiving for Boaz's loving-kindness and she recognizes she is not his family but has been accepted as his family. This is the idea of salvation; where Jesus chooses to have us be comforted and spoken kindly, as He is our advocate before God the Father. This is a true story; however, it is a great parallell of what is going on today in the Church. Where we are out there <em>seeking </em>to find favor with “something” some of us with the true God, others with false gods or we try to gain favor with people through work and/or family.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>THE GOSPEL</strong></h2> Some of us are looking to be redeemed, take careof, "<em>taken in"</em> or desiring someone to look over us and our well being like Boaz; yet we mask it as being a contestant on <a href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geutGN8exKbL8A.udXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBybnZlZnRlBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=11ptji3u5/EXP=1257128717/**http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/"><strong>The Biggest Loser</strong></a> - being redeemed from our heavy weightiness, or <strong><a href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geuyq38exKxl4B0HBXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBybnZlZnRlBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=11lo8tkgv/EXP=1257128759/**http://abc.go.com/shows/wife-swap">Wife Swap</a> </strong>to redeem our love for our spouse and/or attempt to help another family redeem what we feel is important; some want to find favor in being redeemd in the<a href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9fl8exK87YA7xZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTByMTNuNTZzBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=11ofu2alf/EXP=1257128805/**http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor"><strong> The Bachelor</strong></a>, whereas, one wants to be loved and find favor in a rich man's arms - because they are incapable of finding "love" anywhere else. We all walk these paths, but do we realize it? Perhaps, one day, we will be walking through our lives and all of a sudden we come across a particular path where there is abundant substance and the owner finds us working and chooses to sit with us and comfort us, provide security, nourishment and safety for our allegiance. In that time we can say, we are actually loved by someone who shouldn't have a desire to love us. Then and only then, we will be able to return that love because He first loved us (<a href="http://read.ly/1John4.19.NASB"><strong>1 John 4:19</strong></a>). To the praise of the glory of His grace Judson<hr /> <a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img alt="" height="16" border="0" width="120" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_120_16.gif" /></a> <p> </p> [ Ruth 2:1-13 NASB ] 2:1-3 - Ruth Works in the Field of Boaz Naomi & Ruth have returned to Jerusalem and Naomi is bitter for what God has done in her life. Ruth, more than likely, has picked up on Naomi's bitterness and at some point decides to make an attempt to turn things around. Ruth inquires have the opportunity to go and collect food and hopefully find favor with someone in this new land. However, most translations use the word " Glean " rather than "gather". One reason may be to make a distinction in what exactly is happening during this "Gleaning/Gathering". This "Gleaning/Gathering", is a provisions for the poor, sojourners, widows, and orphans; which, allowed them to gather standing grain in corners or borders of fields, as well as dropped stalks and left-behind sheaves by reapers. Seeing that Naomi and Ruth were both without a husband, father and/or brother ect. they were without "hope" and poor. Therefore, they did not have land to reap from themselves but had to depend on the "leftovers" of other people to survive. Naomi informs Ruth to "go for it" and that is all we know. So, Ruth seeks out to glean and starts off in other fields but comes to Boaz's field. This drive by Ruth to go and glean is admirable. Proverbs tells us : " The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing " ( Proverbs 20:4 ) . This proverb speaks of the lazy personwho doesn’t prepare for next year or the future, so they have to beg/ask for food because when it comes to harvest the food they planted - there is nothing to harvest. When the famer doesn't take responsibility to plant and cultivate their soil for farming, they are left without crops. This is work only for the responsible. Ruth here, knowing she cannot farm herself makes an attempt to harvest food so her and her mother-in-law (Naomi) have food and are prepared for the upcoming months where food may not be as prevalent. In this harvest Ruth is taking responsibility into their own hands. She knows they are without food and hope of a man, so they are doing what they have to do to make ends meet. It also shows that Ruth is being faithful to her word in Ruth 1:16-17 and adapting to the customs of the Jews. Moreover, Proverbs tells us He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who cares for his master will be honored ( Proverbs 27:18 ) . The idea here , the one who takes care of their responsibilities will be honored. Ruth stated she would be loyal and faithful to Naomiand that is exactly what she is doing - taking responsibility for her actions. 2:4-7 - Boaz and Ruth Meet Boaz returns home and greets his reapers and notices a woman sitting in the tent in the field; so being the landowner inquires about the young lady and literally ask "whose" is this woman. He wants to know who she belongs to or who owns/has rights to her. The reapers respond indicating "she is the Moabites that returned with Naomi". This tells us, this woman is known - people know of her and she has a reputation about her. The reaper continues, indicating Ruth asked if she could glean, take home the leftovers, from the reapers and now she is resting in the place Boaz first noticed her. This dialogue tells us a couple of things, She would ask permission to glean She is a hard worker And she is free to date. That is, she came home with Naomi from Moab husbandless otherwise, they wouldn’t be gleaning. 2:8-13 – Boaz gives find favor in Ruth Boaz decides to engage Ruth in the tent &...Ruth, Naomi196168http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196168-thumbnail.jpg?1001241110http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196167http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196167Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <p align="center" style="padding-left: 30px;"> <img height="106" width="459" _moz_resizing="true" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1789" title="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg" alt="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" /> </p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>[<a href="http://read.ly/Ruth1.6.NASB">Ruth 1:6-22 NASB</a>]</strong></p> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>V6 –7 God’s Grace &amp; Setting Out to Receive It</strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">At some point, Naomi and her daughters heard of God's visiting Bethlehem and blessing and giving them food. This act of grace, one could say it was a miracle, was provided to the Jews who remained in Bethlehem but not with Naomi who resided in Moab. Her first response was to immediately return home where God made his presence known. However, I do not believe the text tells us Naomi's motivation was due to God but to receive the fruits of God's visit. Based on what I will get into later in this post, I am leaning more toward Naomi returning to Bethlehem for the same motive she left Bethlehem, that being to find food. 1.) She returned home where God visited and food was now present and 2.) God sovereignly chose to remove the famine after Naomi had lost her husband and two sons...</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px; text-align: center;"><!--more--></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">This brings me my first point, it is so sad when someone has to hear about God's grace in other people's lives rather than personally experience it themselves. It reminds me of the many people wanting to be healed, see a sign or receive some benefit from Jesus - but truly didn't want Jesus. This consumer mindset is something that is overtaking the evangelical world with it's consumer, stadium watching Christianity. People are drawn for the wrong motives. But that is another message for another time.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">One reason why I don’t believe she was drawn by God’s Grace and she was drawn by her own selfish reasons to have a place to consume food; her decision making was similar to that of Elimelech (Her deceased husband). As Warren Weirsbe asked in commentary on Ruth "<em>Why would a believing Jewess, a daughter of Abraham, encourage two pagan women to worship false gods?</em>"<em> </em>(p23) Perhaps she thought God was only blessing the Jews and the Moabites were already blessed with food so "why fix something if it is not broken" or because God didn't punish the Moabites with a famine or perhaps she didn't want to bring home two Moabite women who married her daughters after her husbands death? Perhaps that would reflect negatively on her? It seems to me, that Naomi was attempting to not bring these women home with her. Although, this can't be answered by this text itself; it seems to me, Naomi was seeking practical reasons to survive - moving to Moab for food, all men close to her die in Moab so she lives with her two younger daughters-in-law and when she can go home she "doesn't need" Ruth and Orpah anymore. Or she could sincerely believe they would be better off in Moab. Either way, it still tells me, Naomi <em>didn't get</em> the worshiping God means living for God; as if she was someone who went to Church when comfortable but when "times got tough" she chose her own means over God's.</p> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>V8 – 10: Naomi Urges Ruth and Orpah to Return to Their Moabite Homes and Find New Husbands</strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Namoi immediately informs Ruth and Orpah to stay in the land of Moab, get married and forget her. She evens goes as far to pray that The LORD (<strong>YHWY</strong>) would deal kindly with them. The word "<a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=02617">Kindly</a>" (NASB) here is the hebrew word "<strong><a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=02617">checed</a></strong>"; which cannot be defined by one English word; rather multiple words like: loving-kindness, faithful/strong devotion - combined. For sake of this post, I am using the word faithfully devoted.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Naomi prays that God would personally (Note the use of <strong><a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=03068">LORD </a></strong>or <strong><a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=03068">YHWH</a></strong>; using God's personal name - indicating His personal attention) be faithfully devoted to them as they were faithfully devoted to Naomi's sons and herself. The use of the Name YHWH is very important because it provides us a "look into" the author's mindset; meaning, the author believes that God/YHWH, deals personally with people. For example, I will us an <a href="http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&amp;ai=CFQIDUrjfSonBEZ_kM4KKrZ0MkPjEYra2ndUM_Lz8BQgAEAEgtlRQyfj34QRgyYb_h_Cj7BLIAQGqBBlP0A3TE0-ZQlSzJ6e2ak_Ou-x31zZnE9gO&amp;ggladgrp=8782159439868604239&amp;gglcreat=9392985666770330382&amp;sig=AGiWqtzjO4LDjaHJtbaYww-OY17JruHMsg&amp;q=http://track.searchignite.com/si/cm/tracking/clickredirect.aspx%3Fsicontent%3D0%26sicreative%3D3303055024%26sitrackingid%3D88265785"> iPod</a>. The new <a href="http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&amp;ai=CEwLDZLjfStb2JJTCNJWS0K4MzYmHnQHB3aOhENmPqSoIABABILZUUIqs1uT______wFgyYb_h_Cj7BLIAQGpAhT-_UbrqIM-qgQZT9BHf6qOH2MuYo8zwt-XMMso4Lz-7y7DmA&amp;sig=AGiWqty4oRlmbwAiAzQjUx56HzGQfsNcsQ&amp;q=http://www.itunesofficial.com/ggtck.htm">iTunes </a> has a new tracking feature entitled: "<a href="http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/09/12/itunes-genius-feature-is-pure-genius/">iTuneds Genius</a>. If a user is faithfully devoted to purchasing, placing and updating their iTunes library with all the music they purchase iTunes Genius will as, <a href="http://www.apple.com/">Apple </a>states, "<em>...finds songs that go great together, and creates multiple mixes you’ll love. "</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Therefore, Naomi wants The LORD to deal personally with Ruth and Orpah. However, they do not want to go back to the life they once knew; rather stay with Naomi.</p> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>V11-13: Ruth Persuasion &amp; Implications</strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Naomi begins to provide practical examples why they should not stay with her. Naomi stats she is too old to get married, have children to raise for Ruth and Orpah to marry and therefore, she is without hope. Then Naomi tries to persuade Ruth and Orpah by indicating their lives will be harder if they followed Naomi because Naomi will have a harder path than them.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Again notice how this thought process resembles Elimelech's – circumventing God’s will for practical reasons. Furthermore, it is Interesting Naomi indicates God is against <em>her</em>. As if all this horrible "stuff" is because of Naomi - as if she was cursed.</p> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>V14-Orpah Listens</strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Both Ruth and Orpah cried together, indicating this was a <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>very </em></span><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">hard</span></em></strong> decision. However, Orpah ends up choosing Naomi’s way of understanding and takes off to follow Naomi’s advice heading back to her false gods; all the while Ruth remains with Naomi.</p> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>V15-18 Ruth Remains/Disobeys and Declares Her Allegiance to “All Things” Naomi</strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Naomi commands Ruth to go and follow her sister and Ruth decides to disobey Naomi and pledges her allegiance to Namoi. Ruth responds with 4 responses every Christian should live out: <em>Discipleship, Community, Theology, Faithfulness</em></p> <ol style="padding-left: 30px;"> <li> <ol> <li><strong>Discipleship</strong>: Ruth indicates she will not leave, but follow and live where Naomi lives. Ruth is disciplining her life to that of Naomi's.</li> <li><strong>Community</strong>: Ruth, pledges her allegiance to Naomi's people (Jews) and considers them part of the same family.</li> <li><strong>Theology</strong>: Conversion <ul> <li>Although Ruth uses the generic term for“<strong><a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=0430">God</a></strong>” (<strong><a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=0430">Elohim</a></strong>) ; however, uses the term YHWH when speaking of The LORD dealing <strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">personally</span></em></strong> with Ruth when she is to be judged by The LORD. <ul> <li><strong>Ruth Knows 2 things about The LORD</strong> <ol> <li><strong>YHWH</strong> is faithfully devoted to His people (notice the use of the word YHWH - indicating personally devoted)</li> <li><strong>YHWH</strong> will personally judge His people (notice the use of the word YHWH - indicating personally administering justice)</li> </ol> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Faithfulness</strong>: Ruth will be faithful to Naomi even through death and burial</li> </ol> </li> </ol> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>V19: The Homecoming </strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Bethlehem is "<strong><a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=01949">stirred</a></strong>", which means to be wined up, begin commotion or excite. The idea in this tense/context is not in the negative/gossip sense; rather in the excited/positive sense. As if the people of Bethlehem are saying <em>“Is this really you!!!”. </em>If it were gossip, then why would Naomi answer that her name is bitter (i.e. Mara means Bitter) ? It doesn't seem consistent with the definition of gossip.</p> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>V20--22: Naomi’s Recognizes God Sovereignty </strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Naomi calls God “<a href="http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=07706"><strong>Almighty</strong></a>” (sovereign/most powerful/the one in control) has dealt bitterly; was upset with me. Naomi indicates, "<em>the one in control</em>" has punished her for her sins. Naomi believes she has done wrong and she is being punished for it and she believes that The LORD (YHWH) personally brought her back empty, broken and without hope.</p> <h3 style="padding-left: 30px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Review: What do you remember about Chapter 1?</span></strong></h3> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Ruth lived in a HARD time; where she was literally broken by God and hit rock bottom in her life. In a time of her life without any hope. The reason why, she followed her Husband’s leadership, whose decisions making was not based on glorifying God’s Glory; his chivalrous attempt to take care of his family ended up resulting in unintended consequences; that being his death, his son’s death – leaving his wife and daughters-in-law without hope. Naomi’s believed this all happened because The Soverign God was bitter/upset/angry against Naomi for her sins &amp; personally brought Naomi home empty, breaking her and making her hit rock bottom.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center; padding-left: 30px;"><strong>namoi &amp; proverbs</strong></h2> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Don’t trust yourself [<a href="http://read.ly/Prov28.26.NASB">Proverbs 28:26</a>]</strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Naomi was a fool who trusted in her own mind. She chose to follow her husband’s faithless walk to move to Moab. Her and Elimelech didn’t seek any guidance. But found it wise to circumvent God’s judgment. Then Naomi attempted to rationalize why she should not bring her daughters to Bethlehem with her by saying they would be better off in a pagan land of false gods. At times, we too, trust ourselves rather than walk in wisdom.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Prov1.20.NASB">Proverbs 1:20-33</a> </strong>tells us that wisdom is not some 'hidden' secret thing rather it is readily available. In fact it is screaming at you, wisdom is attempting to get to you. The text continues to tell us wisdom is screaming in a noisy street. This reminds me how many of our decisions today are clouded by noise (i.e. Other people, bad teaching, emotion filled bias ect). With all that said, the text provides us with 3 characteristics of those who not only hear but "do" wisdom.</p> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;">3 Characteristics of Those<strong> </strong>Who Do Not Hear Wisdom</h4> <blockquote> <ol style="padding-left: 30px;"> <li><strong>They are Simple-minded</strong> <strong>or Naïve </strong>(i.e. untrained/inexperienced) <ul> <li>Someone who makes decisions about things they shouldn't. For example, a Christian family that has never been a part of public schools or asked someone who has been in public schools; wants to put their child in public school because they believe their child will be a "light" and "testimony" to all non-believers in public school. I am sorry but that is naive. They didn't seek advice, they didn't seek to understand what they are putting their child into.</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Scoffing </strong> (i.e. Arrogant speech, blow off others and/or mocks others) <ul> <li>Someone seeks to badmouth others and/or mocks. Specifically dealing with decision making. For example, one who has a heart for talking about how "stupid" one is because their decision making is not <em>their</em> decision making. For instance, one who belittles one's decision to choose get pregnant when they can't afford it. That couple doesn't need to be scoffed at; rather, prayed for.</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Fools</strong> (i.e. Stupid, arrogant) <ul> <li>This is the overarching characteristic of the above, they are plain stupid. They are arrogant and seek only themselves. They fail to understand.</li> </ul> </li> </ol> </blockquote> <h3 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">V23</span></strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> But When We Follow Wisdom, Wisdom Will:</span></h3> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Pour out its spirit on you</strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">You will be a wiser person. It isn’t just one decision but you will be a spiritually discerning person; one who makes good decisions all around. This doesn’t mean you can’t make <em>bad </em>decisions, it just means the majority of decision making will be spiritually discerned. Nor does it mean that one will only get wisdom for <em>one </em>decision; rather for many decisions. The reason being, we will know where to find wisdom; so we can come back to it.</p> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Make its words known to you</strong></h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">The words of wisdom will now make sense; we will know what Wisdom has to say. This means a couple of things.</p> <blockquote> <ol style="padding-left: 30px;"> <li> You know where to find wisdom <ul> <li>Kind of like a guidance counselor at school. When you want to know how to graduate one semester earlier, you seek the guidance/wisdom of the guidance counselor and you follow his/her direction because you desperately want that goal.</li> </ul> </li> <li>You actually listen to the wisdom provided. <ul> <li>When you want to be wiser, you will know where wisdom lies (i.e. pastor/teacher/elder, close Godly friend ect) and you will WORK to accomplish that goal because you understand what you have to do because you actually listend.</li> </ul> </li> </ol> </blockquote> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong> </strong>The text continues to say that ff we listen – we will be at ease when evil comes around. Because we will trust the word of God.</p> <h3 style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">V24-32</span></strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> If We Choose to Ignore Wisdom, We Will Receive:</span></h3> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">Calamity(i.e. destruction), dread (i.e. Terror/anxiety), storms (i.e. Difficult situations), anguish (i.e. Anxiety/Distress/Stress). These are just part of what we will receive. We will also be ignored as made obvious in the days of Judges; where people cried out to God and God ignored them due to their sinfulness. This is the law of the harvest, indicating we will reap what we sow. Therefore, if we don't seek wisdom then our lives will be filled with unwise decisions leading to destruction, terror, difficulty and stress. Finally, w hen we move our lives without wisdom, we will end up becoming hard hearted to wisdom and become stubborn. This ultimately leads to being "self satisfied"<strong>, </strong>doing right in our own eyes because we chose to glorify self and not glorify God.<strong> </strong></p> <h4 style="padding-left: 30px;">Challenge this week:</h4> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">"<em>What in my life is currently eclipsing the glory of God</em>?" Like Naomi, are you seeking your own sustaining power or are you like Elimelech seeking to save your family before obeying God? What idols are in the way of God's glory shining through your life?</p> To the praise of the glory of His grace Judson<hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> [ Ruth 1:6-22 NASB ] V6 –7 God’s Grace & Setting Out to Receive It At some point, Naomi and her daughters heard of God's visiting Bethlehem and blessing and giving them food. This act of grace, one could say it was a miracle, was provided to the Jews who remained in Bethlehem but not with Naomi who resided in Moab. Her first response was to immediately return home where God made his presence known. However, I do not believe the text tells us Naomi's motivation was due to God but to receive the fruits of God's visit. Based on what I will get into later in this post, I am leaning more toward Naomi returning to Bethlehem for the same motive she left Bethlehem, that being to find food. 1.) She returned home where God visited and food was now present and 2.) God sovereignly chose to remove the famine after Naomi had lost her husband and two sons... This brings me my first point, it is so sad when someone has to hear about God's grace in other people's lives rather than personally experience it themselves. It reminds me of the many people wanting to be healed, see a sign or receive some benefit from Jesus - but truly didn't want Jesus. This consumer mindset is something that is overtaking the evangelical world with it's consumer, stadium watching Christianity. People are drawn for the wrong motives. But that is another message for another time. One reason why I don’t believe she was drawn by God’s Grace and she was drawn by her own selfish reasons to have a place to consume food; her decision making was similar to that of Elimelech (Her deceased husband). As Warren Weirsbe asked in commentary on Ruth " Why would a believing Jewess, a daughter of Abraham, encourage two pagan women to worship false gods? " (p23) Perhaps she thought God was only blessing the Jews and the Moabites were already blessed with food so "why fix something if it is not broken" or because God didn't punish the Moabites with a famine or perhaps she didn't want to bring home two Moabite women who married her daughters after her husbands death? Perhaps that would reflect negatively on her? It seems to me, that Naomi was attempting to not bring these women home with her. Although, this can't be answered by this text itself; it seems to me, Naomi was seeking practical reasons to survive - moving to Moab for food, all men close to her die in Moab so she lives with her two younger daughters-in-law and when she can go home she "doesn't need" Ruth and Orpah anymore. Or she could sincerely believe they would be better off in Moab. Either way, it still tells me, Naomi didn't get the worshiping God means living for God; as if she was someone who went to Church when comfortable but when "times got tough" she chose her own means over God's. V8 – 10: Naomi Urges Ruth and Orpah to Return to Their Moabite Homes and Find New Husbands Namoi immediately informs Ruth and Orpah to stay in the land of Moab, get married and forget her. She evens goes as far to pray that The LORD ( YHWY ) would deal kindly with them. The word " Kindly " (NASB) here is the hebrew word " checed "; which cannot be defined by one English word; rather multiple words like: loving-kindness, faithful/strong devotion - combined. For sake of this post, I am using the word faithfully devoted. Naomi prays that God would personally (Note the use of LORD or YHWH ; using God's personal name - indicating His personal attention) be faithfully devoted to them as they were faithfully devoted to Naomi's sons and herself. The use...Ruth, Elimelech196167http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196167-thumbnail.jpg?1001241109http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=192287http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=192287Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <object height="225" width="400"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8194203&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /></object> </div> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8194203">How to Pray for Unreached People Groups</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/vesselsofmercy">Vessels of Mercy</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p><br type="_moz" /> </p> <p></p> <p><strong>Mission Agencies:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <a href="http://www.toeverytribe.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=71147" mce_href="http://www.toeverytribe.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=71147" target="_blank">To Every Tribe Ministries</a><br mce_bogus="1" /> </li> <li><a href="http://www.ntm.org/" mce_href="http://www.ntm.org/" target="_blank">New Tribe Mission</a><br mce_bogus="1" /> </li> <li><a href="http://www.pioneers.org/" mce_href="http://www.pioneers.org/" target="_blank">Pioneers</a><br mce_bogus="1" /> </li> <li><a href="http://www.wycliffe.org/" mce_href="http://www.wycliffe.org/" target="_blank">Wycliffe Bible Translators</a><br mce_bogus="1" /> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional Resources:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.joshuaproject..net/" mce_href="http://www.joshuaproject..net/" target="_blank">Joshua Project</a><br mce_bogus="1" /> </li> <li><a href="http://www.missionfrontiers.org/" mce_href="http://www.missionfrontiers.org/" target="_blank">Mission Frontiers</a><br mce_bogus="1" /> </li> </ul> <p>Testifying to the Gospel of the Grace of God,<br /> Robbie<br /> Acts 20:24</p> <hr /> How to Pray for Unreached People Groups from Vessels of Mercy on Vimeo . Mission Agencies: To Every Tribe Ministries New Tribe Mission Pioneers Wycliffe Bible Translators Additional Resources: Joshua Project Mission Frontiers Testifying to the Gospel of the Grace of God, Robbie Acts 20:24Testifying, Gospel,Grace of God, Robbie, Acts 20:24192287http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196166http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196166Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <img height="248" width="497" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1876" title="John Piper" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/john-piper.jpg" alt="John Piper" /> <br /> </div> <br /> Recently I was listening to<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByTitle/4216_Beholding_Glory_and_Becoming_Whole_Seeing_and_Savoring_God_as_the_Heart_of_Mental_Health/"> <strong>this message</strong></a> by <strong><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/AboutUs/JohnPiper/">Pastor John Piper </a> </strong>and the following is an excerpt of his message: <blockquote> <h4>God’s Ultimate Purpose</h4> <a href="http://read.ly/Eph1.4.NASB"><strong>Ephesians 1:4–6</strong></a> takes us from eternity past to eternity future—from the cause of all things to the goal of all things. I am especially interested in the goal of all things. Why has God created the universe, permitted the Fall, planned redemption, sent his Son, founded the church, guided history? Here is his answer: <blockquote>God chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, <em>to the praise of the glory of his grace</em>.</blockquote> This is the most ultimate statement in the book of Ephesians. The reason for election. The reason for holiness and blamelessness. The reason for predestination and adoption. The reason for bringing all this to pass through Jesus Christ” is “to the praise of the glory of his grace.” (That is a more literal translation than “to the praise of his glorious grace.”) <h4>Made to Praise the Glory of His Grace</h4> God has done everything with a view to one great end—namely, that the glory of his grace should be praised by innumerable redeemed human beings. You, and everybody you counsel, were made by God to praise him. More specifically, you were made to praise his glory. And more specific yet, you were made to praise the glory of his grace. He says it two more times in this chapter. <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Eph1.12.NASB">Verse 12</a></strong>: “So that we who were the first to hope in Christ <em>might be to the praise of his glory</em>.” So this is why we exist: We exist to praise the glory of God. Then <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Eph1.14.NASB">verse 14</a></strong>: “The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, <em>to the praise of his glory</em>.” Our final inheritance is this: that we will see the glory of God and praise him for it. We will see his glory, savor his glory, and show his glory</blockquote> The statement "You, and everybody you counsel, were made by God to<strong> praise him</strong>. More specifically, you were made to <strong>praise his glory</strong>. And more specific yet, you were made to <strong>praise the glory of His grace</strong>." (emphasis mine), really hit home with me. I never looked at my life in this specific way. <!--more--> I have always thought of myself as praising God, but never about praising His Glory nor the Glory of His grace. That is one of the greatest things I love about God, He is like a diamond, containing many facets of brilliance. Then as I thought about this statement and meditated on it this I thought to myself, it is would easy to praise the glory of His grace in the good times, but do I praise the Glory of His grace in the bad times. I am firm believer that our mere ability to be here on earth and in hell is grace in and of itself. Meaning, everybody saved/unsaved are recipients of God's grace (some not salvific grace). Because if we are sinners and the punishment of sin is death in hell, then for God to allow us to not go directly to hell, that would be grace (and mercy - taking away the punishment we deserve). As I thought about this, I remembered the following passage: <blockquote><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Rom8.28.NASB">Romans 8:28</a></strong> And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to <em> His </em> purpose.<strong> </strong></blockquote> Many people use this verse to give hope to those who are going through "tough times"; and rightly so because the following verse explains: <blockquote><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Rom8.29.NASB">Romans 8:29</a></strong> For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined <em> to become </em> conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;</blockquote> Therefore, we can conclude those "tough times" are God's grace. But do we <em>really</em> live like that? Do we really seek to praise the Glory of His Grace when we lose a child a parent or get sick with cancer? I would say that it is in <em>those</em> times that is "do or die" time. It is in <em>those </em>times, when living the gospel <em>really</em> counts. We can all live the gospel when things are good, but to depend and lean on God in faith that Him allowing us to have such tragedy in our lives happen...is when we praise the glory of His grace; and in that, God is blessed. All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> Recently I was listening to this message by Pastor John Piper and the following is an excerpt of his message: God’s Ultimate Purpose Ephesians 1:4–6 takes us from eternity past to eternity future—from the cause of all things to the goal of all things. I am especially interested in the goal of all things. Why has God created the universe, permitted the Fall, planned redemption, sent his Son, founded the church, guided history? Here is his answer: God chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace . This is the most ultimate statement in the book of Ephesians. The reason for election. The reason for holiness and blamelessness. The reason for predestination and adoption. The reason for bringing all this to pass through Jesus Christ” is “to the praise of the glory of his grace.” (That is a more literal translation than “to the praise of his glorious grace.”) Made to Praise the Glory of His Grace God has done everything with a view to one great end—namely, that the glory of his grace should be praised by innumerable redeemed human beings. You, and everybody you counsel, were made by God to praise him. More specifically, you were made to praise his glory. And more specific yet, you were made to praise the glory of his grace. He says it two more times in this chapter. Verse 12 : “So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory .” So this is why we exist: We exist to praise the glory of God. Then verse 14 : “The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory .” Our final inheritance is this: that we will see the glory of God and praise him for it. We will see his glory, savor his glory, and show his glory The statement "You, and everybody you counsel, were made by God to praise him . More specifically, you were made to praise his glory . And more specific yet, you were made to praise the glory of His grace ." (emphasis mine), really hit home with me. I never looked at my life in this specific way. I have always thought of myself as praising God, but never about praising His Glory nor the Glory of His grace. That is one of the greatest things I love about God, He is like a diamond, containing many facets of brilliance. Then as I thought about this statement and meditated on it this I thought to myself, it is would easy to praise the glory of His grace in the good times, but do I praise the Glory of His grace in the bad times. I am firm believer that our mere ability to be here on earth and in hell is grace in and of itself. Meaning, everybody saved/unsaved are recipients of God's grace (some not salvific grace). Because if we are sinners and the punishment of sin is death in hell, then for God to allow us to not go directly to hell, that would be grace (and mercy - taking away the punishment we deserve). As I thought about this, I remembered the following passage: Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Many people use this verse to give hope to those who are going through "tough times"; and rightly so because the following verse explains: Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son,...John Piper, Grace, Glory196166http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196166-thumbnail.jpg?1001241108http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196165http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196165Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <object height="344" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sABnKcNC5bA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> </object> <br /> </div> </object>Pretty cool to see the Gospel in a way I haven't seen it. Christo-centrism, observe how it works in a Church context: <ul> <li>Christ centered worship...</li> <li>Christ centered preaching...</li> <li>Christ centered service, and</li> <li>Christ centered teaching.</li> </ul> All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" title="Bookmark and Share"><img height="16" width="125" alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> Pretty cool to see the Gospel in a way I haven't seen it. Christo-centrism, observe how it works in a Church context: Christ centered worship... Christ centered preaching... Christ centered service, and Christ centered teaching. All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved JudsonChrist196165http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196165-thumbnail.jpg?1001241106http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196164http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196164Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <img height="115" width="497" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1789" title="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg" alt="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" /> <br /> </div> <br /> This was a VERY HARD time for those in Israel. The economic status was down, due to the sins of Israel, which impacted generations - because Israel forget God and ignored spiritual leadership. It was a time when God and Wisdom was needed more than ever. <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>"there was a famine in the land"</strong></span></h4> <em> </em> To add salt to the wound of those living in Israel,they not only lived in very hard times but also a famine. Typically, when food has a sudden decrease in a geographic location, crime increases and people become desperate, begin to deceive (i.e. claim unemployment compensation, while making money "under the table"), commit theft (i.e. steal for the "common good") and become vengeful (i.e. do everything they can to pull others down). <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Who is Elimelech?</strong></span></h4> The name "Elimelech" means “<em>My God is King</em>”. He is from Bethlehem and married to a woman named Naomi and they have two sons: Mahlon and Chilion. <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>What did Elimelech do?</strong></span></h4> He sojourned to the land of Moab. Soujoun means to "take a pilgrimage", "live as aliens" or "strangers in a new land". It is the idea of establishing a temporary residence. Typically, people would “Sojourn” in times of famine. So we have hard economic times due to the famine in Bethlehem (which ironically means house of bread)... <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><!--more-->What does this tell us about Elimelech?</strong></span></h4> It tells us he is attempting to be a responsible husband/father. Where he chose to go into a foreign land because there was something offered/available there that was not available in Bethlehem. Elimelech was probably highly concernd about finding a place for work and food so they can sustain their own lives. One may even say this is an honorable move on Elimelech's part. However, we must evaluate Elimelech's decision making. As written <strong>last time</strong>, I stated Israel was receiving divide judgment/punishment for their sins. Rather than receiving the judgment/trial, Elimelech chose to circumvent/escape/miss the problem or punishment. It is ironic, Elimelech’s name may means “My God is King” but his actions show he does not beleive “His God Does Care”. It is apparent from his actions, he has no faith in that God will see him and his familiy through this trial and he did not commit himself to relying wholly on God to meet his needs. He may have had doubts about the truth his name declared. Althought it is honorable to provide for your family, food, shelter, money ect.; however, it is never honorable at the expense of dishonoring God. <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>What are the consequences of Elimelech's Actions?</strong></span></h4> Elimelech made the decision to move out of God’s design by moving to Moab. This led to his sons marrying Moabites. Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. Although Israel is not specifically forbidden to marry Moabites <strong>[<a href="http://read.ly/Deut7.1.NASB">Deuteronomy 7:1-3</a></strong>]; Moabites were not allowed in corporate church gatherings [<a href="http://read.ly/Deut23.3.NASB"><strong>Deuteronomy 23:3</strong></a>] therefore one can conclude it is unwise to marry a Moabite; and I would go as far to say against God’s will. Due to the implications this would have on your church attendance, learning God's word and teaching God's word to your familiy's children. <strong><em> </em></strong> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>So what is Elimelech's Story? </strong></span></h4> A man is living in tough economic times of oppression, persecution and famine; attempted to care for his family by sojourning to land not called for God's people, Moab for work/food - in an attempt to escape the punishment/consequences for the sins of God’s people as if he was privileged above the rest of Israel. There are consequences for his actions: his children made unwise choices to marry unwise people, he died, his children died and his wife and two daughters were left alone and more hopeless than if they lived in a land of famine. Elimelech chose to circumvent God’s judgment in an effort to benefit his family’s good. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Proverbs and Elimelech</strong></span></h1> <em>Some of Elimelech’s Good traits </em><em> </em> <em> </em> <blockquote>[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov16.26.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 16:26 NASB</strong></a>] A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him <em>on.</em></blockquote> Elimelech strongly desired to have a job. This is wise for any man and wise for a woman to seek a man who has a job, can keep a job or is earnestly/honestly seeking to be employed (I am not speaking about layoffs).The idea here is, if the man wants something he goes for it - earnestly. <blockquote>[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov4.26.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 4:26 NASB</strong></a>] Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.</blockquote> Elimelech evaluated where his steps were and where they were headed. He knew there was no food and if he went to Moab there would be food, so he headed there. <blockquote>[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov4.27.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 4:27 NASB</strong></a>] Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.</blockquote> Elimelech stayed focused on his path. He knew he had mouths to feed, he knew where to go to get food and he headed there. <h2><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4 Characteristics We Need To Look For In A Spouse </span></strong></h2> <ol> <li>They Trust God</li> <li>They Discern Righteously</li> <li>They Take Responsibility</li> <li>They Live Out Godly Stewardship</li> </ol> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong> <h3><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1.) Trusting God – <em>do not listen to yourself</em></span></strong><em><strong> </strong></em></h3> <em>Elimelech forgot to trust God. He was focused on correcting the problem. </em><em> </em> He didn’t trust God enough to follow through with God’s plan/decision; and he found it appropriate to chose to design his own solution rather than follow through with God’s plan. Althought it may <em>seem honorable</em> to move to moab to feed the family, it was not a wise decision. We all come across difficult times and it is in those time you make a choice. You make a choice to shine or whine. Either way, you will leave a mark on another person. We need to remain faithful to God in the bad times. We need to not only believe but <em>live out our believe that </em>God will get you through the trial and he will not leave you or forsake you. <strong>[</strong><em>For a great resource on this topic pick up</em><strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trusting-God-Even-When-Hurts/dp/1600063055/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1255022258&amp;sr=8-1">Jerry Bridges' </a></strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trusting-God-Even-When-Hurts/dp/1600063055/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1255022258&amp;sr=8-1"><strong>book,</strong></a><strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trusting-God-Even-When-Hurts/dp/1600063055/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1255022258&amp;sr=8-1">"Trusting God"</a> ]. </strong>Proverbs instructs us not to lean on our own understanding [<a href="http://read.ly/Prov3.5.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 3:5 NASB</strong></a>] and to listen to counsel [<a href="http://read.ly/Prov12.15.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 12:15 NASB</strong></a>]. However, we sometimes tend to focus to believe we can "buy our way through/around" trials [<a href="http://read.ly/Prov11.28.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 11:28 NASB</strong>]</a> or we forget to include God in our decision making and we begin to jump ahead of Him and get caught up in doing and forget God. <a href="http://read.ly/Prov19.21.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 19:21</strong></a><strong> </strong>states<a href="http://read.ly/Prov19.21.NASB"><strong> </strong></a><strong><em>Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.</em></strong> Although we may have many plans in ourselves, we may not be "delivered" : <blockquote>[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov28.26.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 28:26 NASB</strong></a>] He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.</blockquote> It is just foolish to think you can do any of this without God. Elimelech believe he could do it and he ended up dieing, along wit his sons, the ones he was trying to serve and protect all because he <em>believed </em>he was doing the right thing. Belief is not good enough, one needs wisdom. Becaues… <blockquote>[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov21.2.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 21:2 NASB</strong></a>] Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.</blockquote> <p style="text-align: left;">We all think we are right, but it is not us who judge what is right but God who does.<em><strong> That is trusting God: A man must trust God over himself and His Family. Women look for a man who seeks the counsel of God. If he goes to make a decision without prayer, you got the wrong guy. Men look for a woman who is going to guide guide/direct/help you to do so. </strong></em><strong> </strong></p> <h3><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2.) Biblical Discernment – true wisdom</span></strong><strong> </strong></h3> <em>So your husband is going to seek wisdom from God but is he going to take that wisdom and use it accurately? Elimelech never grasped God’s faithfulness; he heard it but he didn’t apply it to his life. </em><em>He made decisions based on his family and not God. He displaced God with Family. </em><em> </em> <p style="text-align: left;"><em><strong> </strong></em></p> <p style="text-align: left;">We need to not only receive the word of God but keep the word of God in front of us[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov6.20.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 6:20-24 NASB</strong></a>] . We must seek continually seek to make it a priority or we will forget God <a href="http://read.ly/Deut6.6.NASB"><strong>Deuteronomy 6:6-9</strong>.</a> We are called to obey pur teachers, parents all the while using the word of God to guide us. For the purpose of not making unwise decisions that will greatly impact others . Otherwise "<em>Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them</em>".[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov28.4.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 28:4 NASB</strong></a>]<em><strong>. Men look for a woman who is going to assist you in raising righteous children, they need to be “on the same page” and able to keep Jesus central in your child raising.</strong><strong>Women, you need a man who is going to lead you and your family to raise Children who actively pursue righteousness.</strong></em><strong> </strong></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong> </strong></p> <h3><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">3.) Responsibility</span></strong></h3> <em>If you Trust God and Discern with His wisdom correctly you will be a responsible spouse. Elimelech was responsible but without the first two steps (Trust in God’s Faithfulness &amp; using that to discern biblically) he showed are a lack of spiritual leadership responsibility that led to unintended consequences. (He was not evil, just unwise)</em> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p> <blockquote>[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov6.6.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 6:6-10 NASB</strong></a>] Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer <em>And</em> gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest"--</blockquote> A wise spouse examines the situation and is autonomous in his/her life. They make decisions without being “told” and own up to their surroundings, going out and working to make things happen - without compromising God's righteousness. Proverbs makes it clear, on many occasions, that responsibility is not easy [<strong><a href="http://read.ly/Prov10.4.NASB">Proverbs 10:4-5</a>; </strong><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Prov12.27.NASB">12:27</a>; </strong><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Prov15.19.NASB">15:19</a>];</strong> rather<strong>, </strong> you have to work hard to maintain focus, purpose and at times youwill have to get your hands dirty. You have to tough it out. Proverbs also states, this cannot be accomplished if you are a lazy responsible person [<strong><a href="http://read.ly/Prov19.15.NASB">Proverbs 19:15</a>;</strong><strong> <a href="http://read.ly/Prov19.24.NASB">19:24 NASB</a></strong>] Moreover, Proverbs indicates a wise spouse cannot be controlled by things other than God a desire to Glorify God [<a href="http://read.ly/Prov23.21.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 23:21 NASB</strong></a>]. Therefore, I encourage you to honestly LOOK at your boyfriend/girlfriend's life look for these <strong>RED FLAG</strong> characteristics that may be in them: <blockquote> <ul style="padding-left: 30px;"> <li>The Excuse Maker [<a href="http://read.ly/Prov26.13.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 26:13-15 NASB</strong></a>]</li> <li>The Let Down [<a href="http://read.ly/Prov10.26.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 10:26 NASB</strong></a>]</li> <li>The Prideful [<a href="http://read.ly/Prov11.14.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 11:14 NASB</strong></a>]</li> <li>The Whiny Dreamer[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov13.4.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 13:4 NASB</strong></a>]</li> <li>The "Innovator" [<a href="http://read.ly/Prov14.23.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 14:23 NASB</strong></a>]</li> </ul> </blockquote> <h3><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4.) Stewardship</span></strong></h3> <em>So he/she must trust God, take the wisdom of God and discern biblically to make responsible choices for the prupose of being a good steward of something that is not his in the first place.</em> <em><strong>We are called to Pay Attention, Know our Options and Give Reasonably to others</strong> </em> <blockquote>[<a href="http://read.ly/Prov27.23.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 27:23-27 NASB</strong></a>] Know well the condition of your flocks, <em>And</em> pay attention to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown <em>endure</em> to all generations. <em>When</em> the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, The lambs <em>will be</em> for your clothing, And the goats <em>will bring</em> the price of a field, And <em>there will be</em> goats' milk enough for your food, For the food of your household, And sustenance for your maidens.</blockquote> Does he/shemake good use of what he has? Does he/she take the limited resources granted to them and use them to maximize the value of God by magnifying God's work in all things? <h2><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span></h2> <em>Elimelech didn’t set his wife up for success. The goal for every man is to cultivate the desire and motivation in his wife to live out Proverbs 31. The woman's goal should be to be cultivated into the <a href="http://read.ly/Prov31.10.NASB"><strong>Proverbs 31</strong></a> woman in an effort to support her husband to Trust God, Discern Righteously, Live Responsibly and be a Godly Steward of God's Grace -and ultimately bring Glory to God alone.</em> All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>VoM| Ruth Series</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Introduction" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/19/2009/10/31/2009/10/07/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-introduction/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Introduction</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 1:6-22" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/19/2009/10/31/2009/10/21/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-%e2%80%93-ruth-16-22/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 1:6-22</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 2:1-13" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/19/2009/10/31/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-%e2%80%93-ruth-21-13/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 2:1-13</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth Chapters 2:14-3:17 (a)" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/19/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-chapters-214-317-a/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth Chapters 2:14-3:17 (a)</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth Chapters 2:14-3:17 (b)" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/21/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-chapters-214-317-b/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth Chapters 2:14-3:17 (b)</a></strong></p> <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> This was a VERY HARD time for those in Israel. The economic status was down, due to the sins of Israel, which impacted generations - because Israel forget God and ignored spiritual leadership. It was a time when God and Wisdom was needed more than ever. "there was a famine in the land" To add salt to the wound of those living in Israel,they not only lived in very hard times but also a famine. Typically, when food has a sudden decrease in a geographic location, crime increases and people become desperate, begin to deceive (i.e. claim unemployment compensation, while making money "under the table"), commit theft (i.e. steal for the "common good") and become vengeful (i.e. do everything they can to pull others down). Who is Elimelech? The name "Elimelech" means “ My God is King ”. He is from Bethlehem and married to a woman named Naomi and they have two sons: Mahlon and Chilion. What did Elimelech do? He sojourned to the land of Moab. Soujoun means to "take a pilgrimage", "live as aliens" or "strangers in a new land". It is the idea of establishing a temporary residence. Typically, people would “Sojourn” in times of famine. So we have hard economic times due to the famine in Bethlehem (which ironically means house of bread)... What does this tell us about Elimelech? It tells us he is attempting to be a responsible husband/father. Where he chose to go into a foreign land because there was something offered/available there that was not available in Bethlehem. Elimelech was probably highly concernd about finding a place for work and food so they can sustain their own lives. One may even say this is an honorable move on Elimelech's part. However, we must evaluate Elimelech's decision making. As written last time , I stated Israel was receiving divide judgment/punishment for their sins. Rather than receiving the judgment/trial, Elimelech chose to circumvent/escape/miss the problem or punishment. It is ironic, Elimelech’s name may means “My God is King” but his actions show he does not beleive “His God Does Care”. It is apparent from his actions, he has no faith in that God will see him and his familiy through this trial and he did not commit himself to relying wholly on God to meet his needs. He may have had doubts about the truth his name declared. Althought it is honorable to provide for your family, food, shelter, money ect.; however, it is never honorable at the expense of dishonoring God. What are the consequences of Elimelech's Actions? Elimelech made the decision to move out of God’s design by moving to Moab. This led to his sons marrying Moabites. Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. Although Israel is not specifically forbidden to marry Moabites [ Deuteronomy 7:1-3 ]; Moabites were not allowed in corporate church gatherings [ Deuteronomy 23:3 ] therefore one can conclude it is unwise to marry a Moabite; and I would go as far to say against God’s will. Due to the implications this would have on your church attendance, learning God's word and teaching God's word to your familiy's children. So what is Elimelech's Story? A man is living in tough economic times of oppression, persecution and famine; attempted to care for his family by sojourning to land not called for God's people, Moab for work/food - in an attempt to escape the punishment/consequences for the sins of God’s people as if he was privileged above the rest of Israel. There are consequences for his actions: his children made unwise choices to marry unwise people, he...Naomi, Ruth, Elimelech196164http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196164-thumbnail.jpg?1001241104http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196163http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196163Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <img height="116" width="506" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1789" title="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth.jpg" alt="Finding Wisdom In The Book of Ruth" /> <br /> </div> I am beginning a Hybrid Study in my teaching and thought I would share my summaries here. It is focused on two old testament books, Ruth and Proverbs. I will be attempting to teach Ruth primarily and utilize the wisdom from Proverbs to apply Ruth's principles. With that said, let us get started... <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Background &amp; Context:</strong></span></h4> Ruth is a Moabite woman who married a son of Elimelech, who became a widow, arrived in Bethlehem as a foreigner, became a maidservant, married a Bethlehemite - Boaz and ultimately ended up as an ancestor of Jesus Christ . Moabites were descendants of an incestuous relationship between Lot and his oldest daughter [<a href="http://read.ly/Gen19.36.NASB"><strong>Genesis 19:36-37</strong></a>]. The Moabites also opressed Israel for 18 years [<a href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org//read.ly/Judg3.12.NASB"><strong>Judges 3:12-14</strong></a>] and the Moabites were defeated by Saul in [<a href="http://read.ly/1Sam14.1.NASB"><strong>1 Samuel 14:47</strong></a>]. <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Interesting Facts about the book of Ruth</strong></span></h4> Some suggest Ruth was attached to the book of Judges; Like Lamentations with Jeremiah. Due to most scholars believing Samuel was the author. Other Old testament Scholars believe that the events that took place in Ruth happened in or around the 10th chapter of Judges. Ruth is part of what the Jews called "Megilloth" or "5 scrolls". These 5 scrolls would be read at various times throughout the Jewish year, and Ruth would commonly be read around the time of pentacost during harves times. Most scholars believe it was read at harvest time because of the strong harvest scene in <a href="http://read.ly/Ruth2.1.NASB">Ruth Chapter 2 </a>(Which has a major focus in today's teachings on Ruth)... <blockquote><!--more--><strong>[<a href="http://read.ly/Ruth1.1.NASB">Ruth 1:1 NASB</a>]</strong><strong> </strong> <strong>Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. </strong></blockquote> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Why was there a famine?</strong></span></h4> <a href="http://read.ly/Lev26.1.NASB"><strong>Leviticus 26</strong></a> gives us a picture of God's judgment on Israel if Israel doesn't follow God's commandments provided through Moses. Such judgement includes "<em>Your strength will be spent uselessly, for your land will not yield its produce and the trees of the lan will not yield their fruit</em> " (i.e. a famine). As mentioned above, Ruth happens during the time of the Judges (A "Judge" is a <em>govenor</em> called by God to deliver His people from foreign oppressors [<a href="http://read.ly/Judg2.16.NASB"><strong>Judges 2:16</strong></a>]; therefore, when we read the Book of Judges we note; God becomes very angry with Israel for not following His commands (i.e. utterly destroying conquered enemies, intermarriage with foreign cultures ect) and begins to place judgment on Israel [<strong><a href="http://read.ly/Judg2.1.NASB">Judges 2:1-23</a>; <a href="http://read.ly/Judg3.5.NASB">3:5-6</a>;<a href="http://read.ly/Deut7.1.NASB"> Deuteronomy 7:1-6</a></strong>]. Israel repeatily did evil in the sight of God, forgot God and His commands and worshiped idols <strong>[<a href="http://read.ly/Judg3.7.NASB">Judges 3:7-14</a>; </strong><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Judg4.1.NASB">4:1-3</a>; </strong><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Judg5.3.NASB">5:3</a>; </strong><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Judg6.1.NASB">6:1</a>; </strong><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Judg10.6.NASB">10:6-8</a>; </strong><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Judg13.1.NASB">13:1</a>] </strong>Israel and the Book of Judges ends with this infamous phrase: <blockquote>[<a href="http://read.ly/Judg21.25.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Judges 21:25 NASB</strong></span></a>] In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.</blockquote> Therefore, the time of the Judges consisted of excessive selfishness, evil, disobedeince, obstinante faith and "religion" (in the sense of a checklist mentality to get out of trouble, then when "things" are "ok" you allow yourself to fall back into sin - this is not Faith but Religion and it kills). The people in the tiem of the Judges repeatdily did two things: <ol> <li>Forgot God, Ignored leaders/teachers (i.e. didn't put their faith into practice)</li> <li>Worshiped the created over the Creator</li> </ol> The people in these days no doubt became tired, beat down, hard hearted and obstiant. When people get to this part in life they do one of two things: <ol> <li>White knuckle it and try not to show their true emotions - this gets you nowhere but on a vicious cycle of religion and ultimately destroys your life, this does not get at the root; rather only the fruits of the problem</li> <li>Realize they are not right with God and in need of repentance - this is root issue.</li> </ol> Israel became disobedient to God and they received the penalty for their violations. Because, they didn’t fully fulfill God’s law when driving out and destroying nations God commanded them to; rather they only did <em>part </em>of God’s word. When they took their eyes off of completing God’s word 100%, they forgot the Lord, worshiped things that were not God and spent time under the oppression of other countries. God ignored their prayers until their penalty was "fulfilled" and once Israel was “<em>ok</em>” – they forgot God again and went back to their old ways. This not only impacted them personally but their children's, children, children (i.e. multiple generations<strong> ).</strong> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>We too follow this same way of behavior.</strong></span></h4> We know God’s will and we either ignore it or only do part of it to "feel good" with ourselves “today”. This is the evil of religion, there is NO heart change and ultimately remain selfish and receive the penalty that not only impacts us but others. This is a Vicious Cycle: we get down on ourselves, turn around for a short time until we are happy with ourselves and then relapse. <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>What Can Ruth Teach Us?</strong></span></h4> <ul> <li>God doesn’t always teach scholastic books but also teaches us through true stories.</li> <li>The book of Ruth falls in the middle of Judges, a time of a vicious cycle of disobedience and obedience, sin and righteousness and it provides us a glimpse of <strong>hope</strong> in the midst of darkness, and hopelessness. This actually reminds me of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEqfzr-5dBY">THIS SCENE</a> in Batman: The Dark Knight; where in a city of such darkness - there is a glimps of hope and goodness. We can apply this to our lives, that in the midst of our very hard times, there is still Mercy and the Grace of God.</li> <li>The Book of Ruth Provides us with <strong>models</strong> of Mercy,Grace and Lovefor us to strive to live. This should move us to act for the benefit of another without respect to the advantage it might bring to one who is being merciful/gracious</li> <li>Perhaps God has you a “hard time” right now, for the purpose of doing something awesome and great in your life that will impact others for Good and bring hope to those who are hurting. (i.e Ruth went through hard times, but ultimately used all that happened for His Glory by placing her in the lineage of Jesus)</li> </ul> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Conclusion: </strong><strong>This is what I want you to remember</strong></span></h4> <ul> <li>The book of Ruth takes place in a HARD time - Economic status was down, spiritual adultery and evil times.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>When these times occur in our lives we do 1 of 2 things:</li> </ul> <blockquote> <ol> <li>Obey God and persevere</li> <li>Forget/disobey God and those He appointed to be over us (i.e teachers); and we will seek to live for those things which are not God.</li> </ol> </blockquote> <h4><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Practical Application This Week </span></strong></h4> <ul> <li>Write down glimps(es) of <strong>hope </strong>during these hard times and pray for them to impact others with the same <strong>hope </strong>seen.</li> <li>Write down some people you know personally who are <strong>models </strong>of such Mercy and Grace and pray for them to be to be blessed this week.</li> </ul> All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>VoM| Ruth Series</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 1:6-22" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/19/2009/10/31/2009/10/21/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-%e2%80%93-ruth-16-22/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 1:6-22</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 1:1-5" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/19/2009/10/31/2009/10/10/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-%e2%80%93-ruth-11-5/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 1:1-5</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 2:1-13" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/19/2009/10/31/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-%e2%80%93-ruth-21-13/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth – Ruth 2:1-13</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth Chapters 2:14-3:17 (a)" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/19/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-chapters-214-317-a/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth Chapters 2:14-3:17 (a)</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong><a title="Permanent Link to Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth Chapters 2:14-3:17 (b)" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/../2009/11/21/finding-wisdom-in-the-book-of-ruth-chapters-214-317-b/">Finding Wisdom in the Book of Ruth Chapters 2:14-3:17 (b)</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: right;"></p> <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <p> </p> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> I am beginning a Hybrid Study in my teaching and thought I would share my summaries here. It is focused on two old testament books, Ruth and Proverbs. I will be attempting to teach Ruth primarily and utilize the wisdom from Proverbs to apply Ruth's principles. With that said, let us get started... Background & Context: Ruth is a Moabite woman who married a son of Elimelech, who became a widow, arrived in Bethlehem as a foreigner, became a maidservant, married a Bethlehemite - Boaz and ultimately ended up as an ancestor of Jesus Christ . Moabites were descendants of an incestuous relationship between Lot and his oldest daughter [ Genesis 19:36-37 ]. The Moabites also opressed Israel for 18 years [ Judges 3:12-14 ] and the Moabites were defeated by Saul in [ 1 Samuel 14:47 ]. Interesting Facts about the book of Ruth Some suggest Ruth was attached to the book of Judges; Like Lamentations with Jeremiah. Due to most scholars believing Samuel was the author. Other Old testament Scholars believe that the events that took place in Ruth happened in or around the 10th chapter of Judges. Ruth is part of what the Jews called "Megilloth" or "5 scrolls". These 5 scrolls would be read at various times throughout the Jewish year, and Ruth would commonly be read around the time of pentacost during harves times. Most scholars believe it was read at harvest time because of the strong harvest scene in Ruth Chapter 2 (Which has a major focus in today's teachings on Ruth)... [ Ruth 1:1 NASB ] Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. Why was there a famine? Leviticus 26 gives us a picture of God's judgment on Israel if Israel doesn't follow God's commandments provided through Moses. Such judgement includes " Your strength will be spent uselessly, for your land will not yield its produce and the trees of the lan will not yield their fruit " (i.e. a famine). As mentioned above, Ruth happens during the time of the Judges (A "Judge" is a govenor called by God to deliver His people from foreign oppressors [ Judges 2:16 ]; therefore, when we read the Book of Judges we note; God becomes very angry with Israel for not following His commands (i.e. utterly destroying conquered enemies, intermarriage with foreign cultures ect) and begins to place judgment on Israel [ Judges 2:1-23 ; 3:5-6 ; Deuteronomy 7:1-6 ]. Israel repeatily did evil in the sight of God, forgot God and His commands and worshiped idols [ Judges 3:7-14 ; 4:1-3 ; 5:3 ; 6:1 ; 10:6-8 ; 13:1 ] Israel and the Book of Judges ends with this infamous phrase: [ Judges 21:25 NASB ] In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Therefore, the time of the Judges consisted of excessive selfishness, evil, disobedeince, obstinante faith and "religion" (in the sense of a checklist mentality to get out of trouble, then when "things" are "ok" you allow yourself to fall back into sin - this is not Faith but Religion and it kills). The people in the tiem of the Judges repeatdily did two things: Forgot God, Ignored leaders/teachers (i.e. didn't put their faith into practice) Worshiped the created over the Creator The people in these days no doubt became tired, beat down, hard hearted and obstiant. When people get to this part in life they do one of two things: White knuckle it and try not to show their true emotions - this gets you nowhere but on a vicious cycle of religion and ultimately destroys your life, this does not get at...Ruth, Proverbs, Naomi, Elimelech, Boaz, Orpah196163http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196163-thumbnail.jpg?1001241103http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196162http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196162Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <img height="263" width="497" alt="The Gospel Reloaded" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/09/the-gospel-reloaded2.jpg" title="The Gospel Reloaded" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1667" /> </div> <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Col1.12.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Colossians 1:12-14</strong></span></a> 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.</blockquote> Last time, I wrote about how people can hear the gospel and think it is stupid. You may have heard <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf5heuUEUE0">seen this video</a></strong>; where some believe that "<strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf5heuUEUE0">Jesus can't be the<em> ONLY </em>way</a></strong>". Now, this belief works out among many people that may even sit next to you in Church. This is where some believe they truly are saved; yet, find Jesus to be "<em>restrictive</em>", "<em>discriminatory</em>" or "<em>narrow minded</em>". They take offense when you tell them their parents, children or spouse are not saved - and they reply with "<em>Well my parents/children/spouse are just backsliding</em>". When in reality, they are probably not saved. But people allow their own sinful selfishness to take over their minds and they "justify" their parents/children/spouse's own denial of Jesus. <blockquote><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Rom1.21.NASB">Romans 1:21 </a></strong> <strong><em>For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened...</em></strong></blockquote> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></em> God not only reached down from heaven to rescue us from the domain of darkness - but He placed us somewhere. He placed us in the kingdom of His beloved Son. You may recall, I wrote: <blockquote><em>This “Domain of Darkness” is a place of jurisdiction/rule/influence or authority of evil that engulfed all mankind...[where] we have chosen a darkened mind – one where sin has rule/control/authority.</em></blockquote> God not only just took us out of that but put us in a new jurisdiction of rule/influence and authority; one where we are enabled by the power of God Himself to overcome sin and evil. Let us look into this a bit more... <!--more--> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></em> <strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">“and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son”</span></em></strong> To be transferred means to be "<em>removed</em>" or to be "<em>put out</em>" from a place and "<em>kingdom</em>" is a place of not only a jurisdiction of rule/influence, but also of Royal power of "<em>rule</em>" or "<em>right</em>" to govern and govern other governorships. The idea here is a "<em>complete territory of rule/absolute authority</em>" over all in such a jurisdiction. Not only is this kingdom a jurisdiction of royal "<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">right-hood</span></em>" of absolute authority; but also of righteousness, correctness and a territory without fault. There is no authority over a "<em>kingdom</em>". In fact, it was once believed, in context of the writer's understanding, that a king who ruled over a kingdom had a "divine rite" to govern over others and allow certain domains to have their own "sub-rulership". This is indirectly recognized in Romans: <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Rom14.17.NASB">Romans 14:17</a> "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."</blockquote> This kingdom, is not necessarily a physical/tangible place of absolute divine authority - noticed by the <em>senses</em>; rather it is a place of character and conduct. A jurisdiciton without a tangible/physical boundary; rather it is a jurisdiction of one's heart. Because one was removed from the jurisdiction of evil and put into a place of absolute divine authority of righteousness - it is demanded to have result in new persona (in terms of conduct and character). We see tthe writer of Colossians, Paul, begin to emphasize this replacement of darkness with righteousness in later in the letter to the Colossians: <blockquote><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Col3.1.NASB">Colossians 3:1-25</a></strong></span> Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.</blockquote> This spiritual reality that has physical working in our lives. This is a present reality in the hearts of those with the seal of the kingdom imprinted on one's hearts [<strong><a href="http://read.ly/Eph1.13.NASB">Ephesians 1:13</a></strong>]. Also, it is important to note, this kingdom is not something that only "you and Jesus" live in; rather it is a community. It is a gathering of people, the called out, the Church - those specifically chosen to live the life as outlined in <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://read.ly/Col3.1.NASB">Colossians 3:1-25</a></strong></span><strong> .</strong>These are those people who walk the talk and live out the Gospel. Therefore, I want you to think and pray about this: <p style="padding-left: 30px;">If you have been transferred to the kingdom, ask yourself - do you merely try to conform to outward actions of the "Gospel" or does your placement into the kingdom permeate your conduct and ultimately your character? A transformed heart pours out into your life; however, if you are trying to conform your behavior by outward performances - you are living religion. God is very clear, "religion" is something God hates. So don't be religious but out of genuine love and desire to know God more, love Jesus and allow Him to rule and drive your life to righteousness. You live in a kingdom now; therefore, this involves a community of people, coming together and loving the <strong><a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/thats-my-king-dr-s-m-lockridge/">King of Kings</a></strong>.</p> All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" title="Bookmark and Share"><img height="16" width="125" alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> Colossians 1:12-14 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Last time, I wrote about how people can hear the gospel and think it is stupid. You may have heard seen this video ; where some believe that " Jesus can't be the ONLY way ". Now, this belief works out among many people that may even sit next to you in Church. This is where some believe they truly are saved; yet, find Jesus to be " restrictive ", " discriminatory " or " narrow minded ". They take offense when you tell them their parents, children or spouse are not saved - and they reply with " Well my parents/children/spouse are just backsliding ". When in reality, they are probably not saved. But people allow their own sinful selfishness to take over their minds and they "justify" their parents/children/spouse's own denial of Jesus. Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened... God not only reached down from heaven to rescue us from the domain of darkness - but He placed us somewhere. He placed us in the kingdom of His beloved Son. You may recall, I wrote: This “Domain of Darkness” is a place of jurisdiction/rule/influence or authority of evil that engulfed all mankind...[where] we have chosen a darkened mind – one where sin has rule/control/authority. God not only just took us out of that but put us in a new jurisdiction of rule/influence and authority; one where we are enabled by the power of God Himself to overcome sin and evil. Let us look into this a bit more... “and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” To be transferred means to be " removed " or to be " put out " from a place and " kingdom " is a place of not only a jurisdiction of rule/influence, but also of Royal power of " rule " or " right " to govern and govern other governorships. The idea here is a " complete territory of rule/absolute authority " over all in such a jurisdiction. Not only is this kingdom a jurisdiction of royal " right-hood " of absolute authority; but also of righteousness, correctness and a territory without fault. There is no authority over a " kingdom ". In fact, it was once believed, in context of the writer's understanding, that a king who ruled over a kingdom had a "divine rite" to govern over others and allow certain domains to have their own "sub-rulership". This is indirectly recognized in Romans: Romans 14:17 "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." This kingdom, is not necessarily a physical/tangible place of absolute divine authority - noticed by the senses ; rather it is a place of character and conduct. A jurisdiciton without a tangible/physical boundary; rather it is a jurisdiction of one's heart. Because one was removed from the jurisdiction of evil and put into a place of absolute divine authority of righteousness - it is demanded to have result in new persona (in terms of conduct and character). We see tthe writer of Colossians, Paul, begin to emphasize this replacement of darkness with righteousness in later in the letter to the Colossians: Colossians 3:1-25 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ...196162http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196161http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196161Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT <strong> <a href="http://theresurgence.com/">The Resurgence </a> </strong>originally posted this video and we want to enforce their initiative. Please read their post <a href="http://bit.ly/nUmYx">HERE</a>. The following a short excerpt: <blockquote>This video is worth taking a few minutes to think about—what are some of the ways that you should change some of your ministry <strong>methods</strong> to tell more people about the <strong>principles</strong> of Scripture that we hold so dear?...How many people first hear about the gospel of Jesus through online ministries?</blockquote> So, what do you think? Send <a href="http://www.lakehillsonline.org/facebook.com/mikeanderson">Mike Anderson </a>a tweet <a href="http://twitter.com/mikeyanderson">@mikeyanderson</a> <object height="340" width="560"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sIFYPQjYhv8&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /></object> All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> The Resurgence originally posted this video and we want to enforce their initiative. Please read their post HERE . The following a short excerpt: This video is worth taking a few minutes to think about—what are some of the ways that you should change some of your ministry methods to tell more people about the principles of Scripture that we hold so dear?...How many people first hear about the gospel of Jesus through online ministries? So, what do you think? Send Mike Anderson a tweet @mikeyanderson All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson196161http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/196161-thumbnail.jpg?1001241101http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196159http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196159Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <img height="263" width="497" alt="The Gospel Reloaded" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/09/the-gospel-reloaded2.jpg" title="The Gospel Reloaded" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1667" /> </div> <blockquote><a href="http://read.ly/Col1.12.NASB"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Colossians 1:12-14</strong></span></a> 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.</blockquote> <strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness,”</span></em></strong> First we must note, in this portion of the verse, we are focusing our our sinfulness prior to salvation. The Domain of darkness is a very interesting term. This term "<em>Domain</em>" gives us the understanding of being under the authority, influence or physical area of another's ownership. It is a confinement, a place where one has complete ownership. Typically, a "<em>Domain</em>"<em> </em>is given by someone to have control over; yet is still under the subjection of a higher ruler or <em>"giver"</em>. This tells us that it is not obtained or generated by itself. It is given to someone to be allowed to govern a land/place and have a rule/authority over a specific area. Just like an individual who lives with their parents. That person who lives with their parents has a bedroom, and that bedroom is "their <em>domain</em>". They have a particular rule in their bedroom; yet, the parents still have an "overall" authority for the bedroom but they allow the person to run their bedroom the way the person living there wants. <!--more-->Take <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Gen1.26.ESV">Genesis 1:26</a></strong> (ESV), mankind was givin "dominion" over "<em>fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth</em>". Yet, mankind is still subject to God's rulership. The interesting notation here, is "<em>Darkness</em>". This word is a typical metaphor for immorality, ungodliness and unrighteousness; that all comes from a spiritual ignorance of righteousness (<strong><a href="http://read.ly/Matt8.12.NASB">Matthew 8:12; </a><a href="http://read.ly/Matt22.13.NASB">22:13;</a> <a href="http://read.ly/Matt25.30.NASB">25:30; </a><a href="http://read.ly/Rom13.12.NASB">Romans 13:12</a>;<a href="http://read.ly/Eph5.11.NASB"> Ephesians 5:11</a></strong>). This is typified in our culture as well. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darth_Vador"> <strong>Darth Vador</strong></a> wore black - which <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_symbolism_and_psychology#Black">represents darkness/evil</a>;</strong> he is from the "Dark Side". Many people have <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_the_dark">Achluopobia </a></strong><span style="font-family: new gothic nt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a name="A-"></a></span>(Fear of the Dark) - one reason people are afraid of the dark is they are afraid of the unknown. A person may have an ignorance of his/her surroundings; thus the fear of the unknown begins to pierce at their minds. This "Domain of Darkness" is a place of jurisdiction/rule/influence or authority of evil that engulfed all mankind <strong><a href="http://read.ly/Gen3.17.NASB">due to the sin of Adam</a></strong> [<strong><a href="http://read.ly/Rom5.12.NASB">Romans 5:12</a></strong>]. Due to our sinful, willful acts of disobedience to follow God's commandments, we have chosen a darkened mind - one where sin has rule/control/authority. [<a href="http://read.ly/2Tim3.8.NASB"><strong>2 Timothy 3:8</strong></a>]. Therefore, if you do not know Jesus as savior, you are a prisoner under the sentence of judgment. Your sin has convicted you to the point you are controlled and under the authority of evil. Due to that your mind is darkened, wicked and evil - and you can do no good only evil and find this amusing. If this sounds like rubbish to you, then you have fallen <blockquote><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>1 Corinthians 1:18 </strong></span> For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God</blockquote> So my call to you, do you cling to the cross and remember the grace of God in you to transform you? Take some time this week and remember; remember the old life you once lived and give thanks to God and <em>continue </em>to plead for His mercy because you are in deep need of it every day. All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" title="Bookmark and Share"><img height="16" width="125" alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> Colossians 1:12-14 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness,” First we must note, in this portion of the verse, we are focusing our our sinfulness prior to salvation. The Domain of darkness is a very interesting term. This term " Domain " gives us the understanding of being under the authority, influence or physical area of another's ownership. It is a confinement, a place where one has complete ownership. Typically, a " Domain " is given by someone to have control over; yet is still under the subjection of a higher ruler or "giver" . This tells us that it is not obtained or generated by itself. It is given to someone to be allowed to govern a land/place and have a rule/authority over a specific area. Just like an individual who lives with their parents. That person who lives with their parents has a bedroom, and that bedroom is "their domain ". They have a particular rule in their bedroom; yet, the parents still have an "overall" authority for the bedroom but they allow the person to run their bedroom the way the person living there wants. Take Genesis 1:26 (ESV), mankind was givin "dominion" over " fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth ". Yet, mankind is still subject to God's rulership. The interesting notation here, is " Darkness ". This word is a typical metaphor for immorality, ungodliness and unrighteousness; that all comes from a spiritual ignorance of righteousness ( Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; Romans 13:12 ; Ephesians 5:11 ). This is typified in our culture as well. Darth Vador wore black - which represents darkness/evil ; he is from the "Dark Side". Many people have Achluopobia (Fear of the Dark) - one reason people are afraid of the dark is they are afraid of the unknown. A person may have an ignorance of his/her surroundings; thus the fear of the unknown begins to pierce at their minds. This "Domain of Darkness" is a place of jurisdiction/rule/influence or authority of evil that engulfed all mankind due to the sin of Adam [ Romans 5:12 ]. Due to our sinful, willful acts of disobedience to follow God's commandments, we have chosen a darkened mind - one where sin has rule/control/authority. [ 2 Timothy 3:8 ]. Therefore, if you do not know Jesus as savior, you are a prisoner under the sentence of judgment. Your sin has convicted you to the point you are controlled and under the authority of evil. Due to that your mind is darkened, wicked and evil - and you can do no good only evil and find this amusing. If this sounds like rubbish to you, then you have fallen 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God So my call to you, do you cling to the cross and remember the grace of God in you to transform you? Take some time this week and remember; remember the old life you once lived and give thanks to God and continue to plead for His mercy because you are in deep need of it every day. All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson196159http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196158http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=196158Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT <img height="116" width="557" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1524" title="Religion or Jesus" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/07/stadium-seats-2-copy2.jpg" alt="Religion or Jesus" /> <br /> <br /> If you spent any time in Church you probably have heard this audio before. Well, I found a video online that accurately plays out this audio.<br /> <br /> <object height="340" width="560"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yzqTFNfeDnE&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /></object> <br /> <br /> All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson <hr /> <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <div style="text-align: right;"><a title="Bookmark and Share" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;pub=xa-4a8e082606779eb7" target="_blank"><img height="16" width="125" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" alt="Bookmark and Share" /></a></div> <!-- AddThis Button END --> If you spent any time in Church you probably have heard this audio before. Well, I found a video online that accurately plays out this audio. All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved Judson196158http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=158189http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=158189Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:00:00 GMT <div align="center"> <object height="344" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UnV9mXkLI_I&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /></object> <br /> </div> Grace &amp; Peace, You Are Loved, Judson <hr /> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://delicious.com/save" onclick="window.open('http://delicious.com/save?v=5&amp;noui&amp;jump=close&amp;url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&amp;title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'delicious','toolbar=no,width=550,height=550'); return false;"> <img height="20" width="20" alt="Delicious" src="http://static.delicious.com/img/delicious.small.gif" /></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=&lt;url&gt;" onclick="return fbs_click()"><img height="22" width="22" src="http://b.static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?7:26981" /></a><a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http:%2F%2Fwww.yoursite.com%2Farticle.php&amp;title=The+Article+Title"> <img border="0" src="http://cdn.stumble-upon.com/images/120x20_su_black.gif" /></a> <a href="http://digg.com/"><img height="20" width="100" alt="Digg!" src="http://digg.com/img/badges/100x20-digg-button.gif" /></a> <a href="http://www.reddit.com/submit" onclick="window.location = 'http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location); return false"><img border="0" alt="submit to reddit" src="http://www.reddit.com/static/spreddit7.gif" /></a></p> Grace & Peace, You Are Loved, Judson158189http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=156493http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=156493Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:00:00 GMT <p align="left" style="text-align: center;">TO VIEW THIS ENTIRE SERIES <a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/category/christian-life/life-issues/sexuality/">CLICK HERE!</a><br type="_moz" /> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/category/christian-life/life-issues/sexuality/"><img height="282" width="523" border="0" alt="nc-17-ratings" src="http://vesselsofmercy.wordpress.com/files/2009/02/nc-17-ratings.gif" title="nc-17-ratings" class="size-full wp-image-1001 aligncenter" /></a></p> Recently, we've received some questions of a sexual nature. With that said, the following series of blogs may be somewhat <em>taboo</em>. These topics can be <em>uncomfortable</em> for some to speak, ask or inquire about; therefore, we are providing this warning, there may be strong sexual content in the following series. <!--more--> Now that you clicked this blog to read, I want you to write down the time to the second. (Trust me - you will be shocked) Odd Title huh? Well, it seems to be there are a lot of people who "get saved" or "have been saved for a long time" who fall in to porn and sexual sin. Then their sin gets "justified" by saying - "I have needs" or "God sees us as married in His eyes anyways - besides God is not bound by time". Honestly, I have heard both of those arguments. It is always quite shocking - because it is just the mind that is darkened and doing theological gymnastics around the Bible so one can sin "righteously". Anyhow, I know this topic is "Taboo"; however, it needs to be discussed and tools needs to be provided. <div><strong>Before we start I want this disclaimer to be known. </strong></div> <div style="padding-left: 30px;">I understand no one likes to speak about pornography and I am sure some people probably think that people should not publicize nor speak about pornography, sexual sin or "sex" for that matter. However, I am truly convinced that "that" kind of mindset is exactly what Satan wants us to think. Why you may ask? Because the Bible is not silent on sex. In fact, the Bible has an entire book about sex. It is called the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs. That book is all about having amazing Godly sex - in the covenant of marriage. Again, I will say "<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>in the covenant of marriage</strong></span>".</div> Furthermore, this may be a shocking title for us to digest; yet, before anyone gets judgmental read some of these statistics. <ul> <li><strong>Every second </strong>- $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography</li> <li><strong>Every second</strong> - 28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography</li> <li><strong>Every second</strong> - 372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines;</li> <li><strong>Every 39 minutes</strong> - a new pornographic video is being created in the United States.</li> </ul> In the mean time, here are some more statistics for you to digest. My attempt is to show you the depth of the problem we (Humanity) have when it comes to sexual sin. Here are the reported Revenue in <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Billions </strong></span>Spent on Pornography by country: <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>China</td> <td>$27.40</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br type="_moz" /> </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Taiwan</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$1.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td>South Korea</td> <td>$25.73</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br type="_moz" /> </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Germany</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$.64</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Japan</td> <td>$19.98</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br type="_moz" /> </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Finland</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$.60</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;">US</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$13.33</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br type="_moz" /> </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Czech Republic</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$.46</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Australia</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$2.00</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br type="_moz" /> </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Russia</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$.25</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;">UK</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$1.97</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br type="_moz" /> </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Netherlands</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$.20</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Italy</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$1.40</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br type="_moz" /> </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Brazil</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$.10</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Canada</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$1.00</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br type="_moz" /> </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Other</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$212</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Philippines</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$1.00</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br type="_moz" /> </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">Unavailable</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;">$97.06</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Want some more shocking news? The pornography industry is <strong>larger </strong>than the revenues of the top technology companies <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>combined</strong></span>: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, Netflix and EarthLink! (<strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.editmymovies.com/pornography_statistics.html">SOURCE CLICK HERE</a></strong>) Just think of the impact mankind can have on fighting AIDS, Cancer, poverty, the country’s deficit etc, if we just took all the money from porn and used it for good rather than evil? Let us just consider, we say we need to give here and we need to give there; but, what would happen - think of it - what would happen if we just stop spending money on porn and sexual sin? Seriously, what would happen? Better yet, how much good could be done? Worst yet - the stats provided are only the <strong>RECORDED </strong>numbers. These statistics do not count the "hidden" porn out in the world that is not "on the books". Moreover, statistically, this just proves, people like to look at porn and people like to look at people who arouse and awaken the sexual spark within their hearts in mind. Meaning people like to sin in a sexual nature. We all know that men desire to look at porn and/or lust after women because most men are fallen and sinful. Society makes that clear. In fact, “<em>More than 70% of men from 18 to 34 visit a pornographic site in a typical month</em> ” (<strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.lightedcandle.org/pornstats/stats.asp">SOURCE CLICK HERE</a></strong>). If that doesn’t prove my point here are some more statistics: <blockquote> <ul> <li>March 20, 2007: At a men's summit in Oregon before 2,000 men, Shelley Lubben of Shelley Lubben ministries challenged those who were struggling with porn addiction to stand. 30% rose to their feet. She immediately challenged them a second time, with the result that some 70% were standing.</li> <li>March, 2007: At a small Christian conference in Austria, 75% of the 25 men in attendance admitted to being involved with porn; 50% within the past 6 months.</li> <li>April 6, 2007: 70% of Christians admitted to struggling with porn in their daily lives. From a non-scientific poll taken by XXXChurch, as reported by CNN.</li> <li>August 7,2006: 50% of all Christian men and 20% of all Christian women are addicted to pornography. 60% of the women who answered the survey admitted to having significant struggles with lust; 40% admitted to being involved in sexual sin in the past year; and 20% of the church-going female participants struggle with looking at pornography on an ongoing basis.</li> <li>*The porn industry employs an excess of 12,000 people in California. In California alone the porn industry pays over $36 million in taxes every year." <ul> <li><em>Bill Lyon, a former lobbyist for the defense industry turned lobbyist for porn, as quoted by CBS News November 2003.</em></li> </ul> </li> <li>In March 2005 Christianity Today published the results of a study called “Christians and Sex” in their Leadership Journal. 680 pastors and 1,972 laypersons were surveyed, with the following results: <ul> <li>44% of churchgoers want to hear more scriptural teaching from their pastors on the subject of sex.</li> <li>22% of pastors feel they should spend more time on the topic.</li> <li>85% of pastors say they speak about sexual issues once a year, while 63% of churchgoers say their pastors do so. Among those churchgoers who say they want their pastors to preach more about sexual issues, 47% say their pastor speaks about it once a year, an even bigger difference of opinion. A CTI analyst was quoted saying "Perhaps this desire for more biblical exposition on sexual issues exists because pastors are not speaking forcefully or clearly enough, while exposure to sexual images and messages in today's media is ever more heightened."</li> <li>57% of pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most sexually damaging issue to their congregation.</li> <li>Almost 9 in 10 pastors reported counseling a layperson on sexual issues once a year or more.</li> </ul> </li> <li>87% of university students are having sex over webcams, instant messenger or the telephone. <ul> <li><em>Reuters, Ontario Canada, February 16, 2006.</em></li> </ul> </li> <li>38 percent of adults believe it is ‘morally acceptable’ to look at pictures of nudity or explicit sexual behavior <ul> <li><em>Morality Continues to Decay. Barna Research Group, 3 November, 2003. </em></li> </ul> </li> <li>47% percent of families said pornography is a problem in their home. <ul> <li><em>Focus on the Family Poll, October 1, 2003.</em></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </blockquote> <div> <blockquote><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazinggrace.org/cms/bg/pornstats">WANT TO READ MORE STATS CLICK THIS SOURCE</a></strong></blockquote> </div> Curious about what people consider is "Morally Acceptable"? <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&amp;BarnaUpdateID=152">CLICK HERE</a></strong> or <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&amp;BarnaUpdateID=315">CLICK HERE</a></strong> What is my point? We as a humans are highly susceptible to being addicted to sex. As this series progresses I will be providing links to helpful resources. So here are a couple of good resources regarding Redeeming Sex: <ul> <li> <a href="http://www.obf.org/filesermons/2009/04/20090419.mp3"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong> </a>for an intro on "Life Together" by <strong><a href="http://www.obf.org/welcome/staff/lead-pastor-jeremy-carr/">Jeremy Carr</a></strong> at <strong><a href="http://www.obf.org/">Oxford Bible Fellowship</a></strong></li> </ul> <ul> <li>Seeking to know more about God's intent for sex or how to Redeem your sex life? <a href="http://www.obf.org/filesermons/2009/04/20090426int.mp3"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong> </a>for Interviews on Singleness &amp; Dating by <strong><a href="http://www.obf.org/welcome/staff/lead-pastor-jeremy-carr/">Jeremy Carr</a></strong> at <strong><a href="http://www.obf.org/">Oxford Bible Fellowship</a></strong></li> </ul> <hr /> Grace &amp; Peace, You Are Loved, Judson <hr /> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://delicious.com/save"><img height="20" width="20" alt="Delicious" src="http://static.delicious.com/img/delicious.small.gif" /></a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=&lt;url&gt;"><img height="22" width="22" src="http://b.static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?7:26981" /></a><a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http:%2F%2Fwww.yoursite.com%2Farticle.php&amp;title=The+Article+Title"> <img border="0" src="http://cdn.stumble-upon.com/images/120x20_su_black.gif" /></a> <a href="http://digg.com/"><img height="20" width="100" alt="Digg!" src="http://digg.com/img/badges/100x20-digg-button.gif" /></a> <a href="http://www.reddit.com/submit"><img border="0" alt="submit to reddit" src="http://www.reddit.com/static/spreddit7.gif" /></a></p> TO VIEW THIS ENTIRE SERIES CLICK HERE! Recently, we've received some questions of a sexual nature. With that said, the following series of blogs may be somewhat taboo . These topics can be uncomfortable for some to speak, ask or inquire about; therefore, we are providing this warning, there may be strong sexual content in the following series. Now that you clicked this blog to read, I want you to write down the time to the second. (Trust me - you will be shocked) Odd Title huh? Well, it seems to be there are a lot of people who "get saved" or "have been saved for a long time" who fall in to porn and sexual sin. Then their sin gets "justified" by saying - "I have needs" or "God sees us as married in His eyes anyways - besides God is not bound by time". Honestly, I have heard both of those arguments. It is always quite shocking - because it is just the mind that is darkened and doing theological gymnastics around the Bible so one can sin "righteously". Anyhow, I know this topic is "Taboo"; however, it needs to be discussed and tools needs to be provided. Before we start I want this disclaimer to be known. I understand no one likes to speak about pornography and I am sure some people probably think that people should not publicize nor speak about pornography, sexual sin or "sex" for that matter. However, I am truly convinced that "that" kind of mindset is exactly what Satan wants us to think. Why you may ask? Because the Bible is not silent on sex. In fact, the Bible has an entire book about sex. It is called the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs. That book is all about having amazing Godly sex - in the covenant of marriage. Again, I will say " in the covenant of marriage ". Furthermore, this may be a shocking title for us to digest; yet, before anyone gets judgmental read some of these statistics. Every second - $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography Every second - 28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography Every second - 372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines; Every 39 minutes - a new pornographic video is being created in the United States. In the mean time, here are some more statistics for you to digest. My attempt is to show you the depth of the problem we (Humanity) have when it comes to sexual sin. Here are the reported Revenue in Billions Spent on Pornography by country: China $27.40 Taiwan $1.00 South Korea $25.73 Germany $.64 Japan $19.98 Finland $.60 US $13.33 Czech Republic $.46 Australia $2.00 Russia $.25 UK $1.97 Netherlands $.20 Italy $1.40 Brazil $.10 Canada $1.00 Other $212 Philippines $1.00 Unavailable $97.06 Want some more shocking news? The pornography industry is larger than the revenues of the top technology companies combined : Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, Netflix and EarthLink! ( SOURCE CLICK HERE ) Just think of the impact mankind can have on fighting AIDS, Cancer, poverty, the country’s deficit etc, if we just took all the money from porn and used it for good rather than evil? Let us just consider, we say we need to give here and we need to give there; but, what would happen - think of it - what would happen if we just stop spending money on porn and sexual sin? Seriously, what would happen? Better yet, how much good could be done? Worst yet - the stats provided are only the RECORDED numbers. These statistics do not count the "hidden" porn out in the world that is not "on the books". Moreover, statistically, this just proves, people like to look at porn and...156493http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/156493-thumbnail.jpg?0906200358http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=153502http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=153502Fri, 22 May 2009 18:00:00 GMT <em> <strong>TEXT: <a href="http://www.youversion.com/bible/nasb/jas/4/17">James 4:17 - 5:6 </a></strong> </em> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Theology</strong></em><br /> <br /> <ul> <li>In <a href="http://www.youversion.com/bible/nasb/jas/4/17">James 4:17</a>, James is telling us that if we sit under teaching and we hear the truth then do not do it we are in sin.</li> <li><a href="http://www.youversion.com/bible/nasb/jas/5/1">James 5:1</a> tells us that we need to pay attention to our lives and what judgment is coming in our lives. We need to realize what we are doing that abuses the grace of God. Once we realize it we need to return and repent from sin This is the second time James is exhorting us to weep over sin [<a href="http://www.youversion.com/bible/nasb/jas/4/9">James 4:9</a>]</li> <li>James moves on to tell us that our works/lives on earth are storing up judgment for us on the day of judgment. He tells us that our works, if not for God, will be destroyed and that our works that are not for God will have become an idol to us. [<a href="http://www.youversion.com/bible/nasb/jas/5/3">James 5:3</a>]</li> <li>In <a href="http://www.youversion.com/bible/nasb/jas/5/4">James 5:4</a>, he gives us a practical example of what this looks like. If you are doing everything in your life, ignoring the Grace of God for your earthly possessions/desires; this will ultimately be destroyed and then God is going to be very angry with you because you have withheld what is owed to God.</li> <li>All because you want this life of luxury and selfish desires to “have it all” and “take advantage” of everything apart from God’s will. So you have turned against those who want to lead you to Jesus and true joy.</li> </ul> <br /> <em><strong>Application</strong></em><br /> <br /> <ul> <li>We have all been enriched by the Grace of God (believers and unbelievers) and have abused the Grace God has given us. How have you abused the grace God has given you?</li> <li>And as we do this we are going to be just adding up the judgment that will come to us on judgment day. Unless we realize, repent, return and regenerate our hearts for the Love of God through the Son Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. What are some areas in your life you need to realize you need to repent of?</li> <li>For the purpose of putting God first, destroying our idols and love one another. What idols in your life are you putting before God?</li> <li>Look at your life this week. Check out what people do for you (i.e. Boss, Pastor, Parents etc) and give back to them this week</li> </ul> <br /> <em><strong>Prayer</strong></em><br /> <ul> <li>Praise God for the life you have to lead, praise Him for His mercy and grace.</li> <li>Confess to God those areas in your life that you have put before Him and agree with Him that you need to change.</li> <li>Thank God for repentance and his Grace</li> <li>Ask God to grant you a heart’s desire for Him. </li> </ul> TEXT: James 4:17 - 5:6 Theology In James 4:17 , James is telling us that if we sit under teaching and we hear the truth then do not do it we are in sin. James 5:1 tells us that we need to pay attention to our lives and what judgment is coming in our lives. We need to realize what we are doing that abuses the grace of God. Once we realize it we need to return and repent from sin This is the second time James is exhorting us to weep over sin [ James 4:9 ] James moves on to tell us that our works/lives on earth are storing up judgment for us on the day of judgment. He tells us that our works, if not for God, will be destroyed and that our works that are not for God will have become an idol to us. [ James 5:3 ] In James 5:4 , he gives us a practical example of what this looks like. If you are doing everything in your life, ignoring the Grace of God for your earthly possessions/desires; this will ultimately be destroyed and then God is going to be very angry with you because you have withheld what is owed to God. All because you want this life of luxury and selfish desires to “have it all” and “take advantage” of everything apart from God’s will. So you have turned against those who want to lead you to Jesus and true joy. Application We have all been enriched by the Grace of God (believers and unbelievers) and have abused the Grace God has given us. How have you abused the grace God has given you? And as we do this we are going to be just adding up the judgment that will come to us on judgment day. Unless we realize, repent, return and regenerate our hearts for the Love of God through the Son Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. What are some areas in your life you need to realize you need to repent of? For the purpose of putting God first, destroying our idols and love one another. What idols in your life are you putting before God? Look at your life this week. Check out what people do for you (i.e. Boss, Pastor, Parents etc) and give back to them this week Prayer Praise God for the life you have to lead, praise Him for His mercy and grace. Confess to God those areas in your life that you have put before Him and agree with Him that you need to change. Thank God for repentance and his Grace Ask God to grant you a heart’s desire for Him.153502http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/153502-thumbnail.jpg?0905231239http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=153090http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10174&entry_id=153090Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT153090http://www.lakehillsonline.org/Content/10174/Thumbnails/153090-thumbnail.jpg?0905191005