BLINDSIDE
I never saw that coming!
In relationships, in the economy, disasters, health, etc: everything that touches our lives we can be blindsided when we are not watchful. We are instructed to be alert and watchful at all times.
Proverbs 3:5 [cp. Jude: 24,25]
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct, [make straight] your paths.
Proverbs 3:21b - 26
Keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.
Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.
You are not strong enough or wise enough to keep yourself safe.
Courage is a reflection of your trust and confidence in the One who is able to do it all.
Word Origin & History
BLINDSIDE
also blind-side, blind side; the last, with the meaning "unguarded aspect," is from c.1600; the verb meaning "to hit from the blind side" (written as one word) first attested 1968, Amer.Eng., in ref. to U.S. football.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
verb (used with object), -sid·ed, -sid·ing.
Sports . to tackle, hit, or attack (an opponent) from the blind side: The quarterback was blindsided and had the ball knocked out of his hand.
Informal . to attack critically where a person is vulnerable, uninformed, etc.: The president was blindsided by the press on the latest tax bill.
blind spot
noun
1Anatomy . a small area on the retina that is insensitive to light due to the interruption, where the optic nerve joins the retina, of the normal pattern of light-sensitive rods and cones.
2.an area or subject about which one is uninformed, prejudiced, or unappreciative: I confess that operettas are my blind spot.
4.Also called dead spot. any part of an auditorium, arena, or the like, in which a person is unable to see or hear satisfactorily.
5.an area to the side and slightly behind a driver's field of vision that is not reflected in the vehicle's rearview mirror. Acts 20:29, 30
Jesus was never blindsided.
John14:30
“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.”
Paul to the church leaders of Ephesus
Acts 20:29, 30
“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
Adversary – roaring lion – from outside
Devouring the
weak,
young,
isolated,
unguarded.
Savage wolves – coming in among them
Not sparing the flock
Satan – Satanas – an adversary
Devil – diabalos – an accuser, a slanderer
Resist the Devil not the people involved.
Alertness
[gregoreo]
I Peter 5:8-11
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
I Thessalonians 5:6, 8
Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
I Corinthians 16:13
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
Colossians 4:2
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;”
II Corinthians 2:10, 11
Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ lest Satan should take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Noemata – purposes
Revelations 3:2, 3
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”
Fully Armed
Ephesians 6:11, 12
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Spiritual Alertness
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness on the heavenly places.”
Wiles – methodia – denotes craft, deceit [meta, after, hodos, a way], a cunning device, a wile, and
is translated “wiles [of error] in Eph. 4:14 R,V, [A.V. paraphrases it, “they lie in wait {to deceive}
{, lit,. ‘[with a view to ] the craft, sing. Of deceit;’ in 6:11, “the wiles [plural] [of the Devil.]”
Jude:4
“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Pareisduno – to enter in by the side; to insinuate oneself into, by stealth, to creep n stealthily.
Ephesians 6:13 – 18
Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit,
being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-
Be fully armed
Word of God
Blood of Jesus
Name of Jesus – authority
Pray in the Spirit
Praise
Protected by armor
Watch in prayer. Be aware of what is going on around you Care for the weak, the young and the isolated.
II Corinthians 10:4,5
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,…’
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
MEASURE
Counted, Measured and Numbered
While reading in the Book of Numbers, I noticed that God seemed to count, measure or number everything and in another place, the hairs on our heads. Even a king weighed in the balances came up short.
This not only indicates order but also limitation, prescription, appointment and value.
It indicates a determined extent or a portion measured off.
Also a dimension, capacity as determined by a standard, not to be exceeded, or a reasonable limit. A number, symbol or word showing how many or what place in a sequence designating grade, size, rank, position, sum or collection.
Governments and kingdoms set the standard for all measurements as well as the instruments used for the measuring of anything. Without a standard for measuring how would one know when there was enough or when it was full?
Purpose
Exactness of God’s Order.
Numbering troops for war
Counting for inheritance
Levites for service
To build
Judgment - To finish a matter.
From the Beginning
The Spirit of God moved over the water, but nothing happened until God spoke.
Divine Order went out and the Spirit carried out the order.
And it was good.
Not until man was placed in the garden was the Divine Order disrupted.
His order violated and man lost without possibility of recovery on its on, God began His recovery plan to bring His creation back to Divine Order.
With the redemption price paid by one who was without the sin and corruption, God extended grace to whosoever would receive by faith. Acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus, [God’s Lamb], being filled with the Spirit of His Holiness, recovery could begin.
Jesus is our plumb line.
The Spirit is building us together for a dwelling place of God.
The transformation of the man begins with the renewing of the mind. Romans 12:1,2
How do you measure a heart? To what is a soul restored?
Who knows the precise measurement? Who skillfully works the parts together transforming it into the finished work of the Creator?
“He restoreth my soul… Psalms 23
Behold Him, become like Him…II Corinthians 3:18
If we are created in the image and likeness of God and Jesus is the manifested image of the Godhead [Hebrews 1:3], then He alone is the full measure. Until we look like Him we are not finished.
When Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb paid the price for our redemption and we accepted it by faith in His work, we are ready to receive again the life of God within. He, the Holy Spirit, from within begins the restoration process. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of the mind…” Romans 12:2
Our circumstances provide the training ground as well as the proving ground for this work. The Word of God is the instrument of measure.
The evidence seen is the fruit of the Spirit, the character and nature of Jesus Christ. The Body of Christ coming together reveals the beauty, the glory of God’s purpose in His creation. One New Man Full of Glory.
Romans 8:19 “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”
Romans 8:29 ‘For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image
Of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren.
Paul prayed for the new believer:
“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all”. Ephesians 1:15-23
Full Measure
Fullness – pleroma
Full number
Full complement
Full measure
Copiousness
Complete.
John1:16 – And of His fullness we have all received.
Full measure of Christ
Ephesians 4:7 – 13
v. 13 “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
When everything comes to its full measure, the work is finished, judged and rewarded.
Guilt – Matthew 23:32 - … fill up the measure of your father’s guilt.
Sin – I Thess. 2:16 – to fill up the measure of their sin
Iniquity – Genesis 15:16 – But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for
the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.
Unwise Measure
Using the wrong standard or instrument leads one to a false conclusion
II Corinthians 10: 12
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Respecting the properly prescribed measures produces the harmony needed to function in any given realm. To transgress these boundaries brings dysfunction or even wars.
Limited Measure
Extent – II Corinthians 10:13 –Divinely appointed sphere
Dimension
Capacity
Limitation
Portion
Value
Without Measure
There are beginnings and endings, limits and measures but the greater things cannot be measured.
Eternity -
Heaven – Jeremiah 31:37 – If heaven above can be measured
Spirit – John 3:34 – God does not give the Spirit by measure
Love
Read: Isaiah 40:12 – 31
The Same Measure
The Law of Sowing and Reaping is based on measure. Here we provide the measure by which the same is measured back to us.
Luke 6:38
Matthew 7:2
Mark 4:24
For the Nations – Zech. 1:6 – 2:5
Jerusalem is the measuring line.
The New Jerusalem will be built and God will be the Glory in the midst of her.
Measured and built according to the measure. The city has been measured and the cornerstone laid.
Justice and Righteousness the measuring line. Isaiah 28:17
Ephesians 2:19 – 22
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners,
but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
in whom the whole building, being fitted together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
in whom you also are being built together
for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
While reading in the Book of Numbers, I noticed that God seemed to count, measure or number everything and in another place, the hairs on our heads. Even a king weighed in the balances came up short.
This not only indicates order but also limitation, prescription, appointment and value.
It indicates a determined extent or a portion measured off.
Also a dimension, capacity as determined by a standard, not to be exceeded, or a reasonable limit. A number, symbol or word showing how many or what place in a sequence designating grade, size, rank, position, sum or collection.
Governments and kingdoms set the standard for all measurements as well as the instruments used for the measuring of anything. Without a standard for measuring how would one know when there was enough or when it was full?
Purpose
Exactness of God’s Order.
Numbering troops for war
Counting for inheritance
Levites for service
To build
Judgment - To finish a matter.
From the Beginning
The Spirit of God moved over the water, but nothing happened until God spoke.
Divine Order went out and the Spirit carried out the order.
And it was good.
Not until man was placed in the garden was the Divine Order disrupted.
His order violated and man lost without possibility of recovery on its on, God began His recovery plan to bring His creation back to Divine Order.
With the redemption price paid by one who was without the sin and corruption, God extended grace to whosoever would receive by faith. Acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus, [God’s Lamb], being filled with the Spirit of His Holiness, recovery could begin.
Jesus is our plumb line.
The Spirit is building us together for a dwelling place of God.
The transformation of the man begins with the renewing of the mind. Romans 12:1,2
How do you measure a heart? To what is a soul restored?
Who knows the precise measurement? Who skillfully works the parts together transforming it into the finished work of the Creator?
“He restoreth my soul… Psalms 23
Behold Him, become like Him…II Corinthians 3:18
If we are created in the image and likeness of God and Jesus is the manifested image of the Godhead [Hebrews 1:3], then He alone is the full measure. Until we look like Him we are not finished.
When Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb paid the price for our redemption and we accepted it by faith in His work, we are ready to receive again the life of God within. He, the Holy Spirit, from within begins the restoration process. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of the mind…” Romans 12:2
Our circumstances provide the training ground as well as the proving ground for this work. The Word of God is the instrument of measure.
The evidence seen is the fruit of the Spirit, the character and nature of Jesus Christ. The Body of Christ coming together reveals the beauty, the glory of God’s purpose in His creation. One New Man Full of Glory.
Romans 8:19 “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”
Romans 8:29 ‘For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image
Of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren.
Paul prayed for the new believer:
“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all”. Ephesians 1:15-23
Full Measure
Fullness – pleroma
Full number
Full complement
Full measure
Copiousness
Complete.
John1:16 – And of His fullness we have all received.
Full measure of Christ
Ephesians 4:7 – 13
v. 13 “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
When everything comes to its full measure, the work is finished, judged and rewarded.
Guilt – Matthew 23:32 - … fill up the measure of your father’s guilt.
Sin – I Thess. 2:16 – to fill up the measure of their sin
Iniquity – Genesis 15:16 – But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for
the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.
Unwise Measure
Using the wrong standard or instrument leads one to a false conclusion
II Corinthians 10: 12
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Respecting the properly prescribed measures produces the harmony needed to function in any given realm. To transgress these boundaries brings dysfunction or even wars.
Limited Measure
Extent – II Corinthians 10:13 –Divinely appointed sphere
Dimension
Capacity
Limitation
Portion
Value
Without Measure
There are beginnings and endings, limits and measures but the greater things cannot be measured.
Eternity -
Heaven – Jeremiah 31:37 – If heaven above can be measured
Spirit – John 3:34 – God does not give the Spirit by measure
Love
Read: Isaiah 40:12 – 31
The Same Measure
The Law of Sowing and Reaping is based on measure. Here we provide the measure by which the same is measured back to us.
Luke 6:38
Matthew 7:2
Mark 4:24
For the Nations – Zech. 1:6 – 2:5
Jerusalem is the measuring line.
The New Jerusalem will be built and God will be the Glory in the midst of her.
Measured and built according to the measure. The city has been measured and the cornerstone laid.
Justice and Righteousness the measuring line. Isaiah 28:17
Ephesians 2:19 – 22
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners,
but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
in whom the whole building, being fitted together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
in whom you also are being built together
for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Seasons
I love the fall season. The refreshing, cool, crisp mornings wash away the hot summer slump. Harvest festivals are being planned and the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are just ahead.
A season is a short span of time with a specific characterization.
Seasonings add flavor and zest to bring about a desired effect.
A season may call for specific responses or preparations.
A season can be missed if not prepared for or properly received. It has a beginning, the first rain drop or snow flake, and an end as the day after Christmas.
When one ends another begins, and so it goes around the year.
God also has seasons, often called 'times'. If we can discern the season we will know what to do and how to prepare. To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose. Eccl. 3:1
There are seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19
Don't miss the season.
A season is a short span of time with a specific characterization.
Seasonings add flavor and zest to bring about a desired effect.
A season may call for specific responses or preparations.
A season can be missed if not prepared for or properly received. It has a beginning, the first rain drop or snow flake, and an end as the day after Christmas.
When one ends another begins, and so it goes around the year.
God also has seasons, often called 'times'. If we can discern the season we will know what to do and how to prepare. To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose. Eccl. 3:1
There are seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19
Don't miss the season.
Monday, September 19, 2011
ORDER II
KINGDOM ORDER
When man was created, according to the Genesis account, he was given dominion in the earth. He was given food to eat and a garden in which to live and work. Concerning the trees he was given a command; he could eat from all of them except one. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was there and he could exercise his ability to freely choose to follow God’s order. The consequence of disobedience was death and it was made clear to him.
Man followed God’s order until another voice was heard in the garden. This deceptive speaker drew them away from God’s [order] command. He had been warned that in the day he ate from this tree he would die.
As you know, however, if you are only going a short distance, being slightly off course may not make a lot of difference. When the distance is long you can be so far off that you are lost.
Believing the lie instead of the truth, man separated himself from God and was lost to the divine order in the earth. The earth being cursed no longer responded to him, his dominion being stripped by the usurper. Man was so far off course a thousand or so years later that God was sorry that He had made him and chose to destroy him.
But Noah found grace in God’s eyes. By his obedience to God he and his family were saved from the destructive flood.
Following the flood, God again blessed man and made a covenant with him. God commanded him to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
However, communion with God being broken, mankind was unable to order their lives in a manner that would reflect the image and likeness of their creator.
When the LORD came down to see what men were doing, He found them, [mankind] building a tower for their own preservation. Because the people were one and had one language they could do what ever they purposed. They were going their own way. To prevent this, God confused their language and scattered them over the face of the earth.
God had brought divine order in the world but mankind, who was to have dominion, was not able to maintain it Not until God called Abram, did He have a man on the earth that would, of his own choice follow Him. God promised to take him to a chosen land and make him a great nation. He made a covenant with him to bless him and protect and provide for him. The nations would be blessed through him and his descendants, especially through One who would come.
The descendants of Abram [Abraham] went to Egypt because of a famine and came out a nation. The man, Moses, was called to lead them back to God and to the land promised to them. Although they were the people of God, they did not yet know His ways or how to order their lives.
Through many signs, wonders and powerful works, God, through Moses, brought the people out of Egypt.
Before entering the Promised Land, this new nation would need the Laws and regulations necessary to order their lives and worship their God. The worship and approach to God would be established and priests ordained. It is here that the term, ‘order’, is used most often. This nation was to be a demonstration to the world of the relationship between God and man. Their approach to God was seen in the tabernacle, there, God would meet with them and live among them.
Many years later, king David would learn the consequence of violating God’s order while moving the ark of God’s covenant with them and place of God’s presence among them.
After many judges, prophets and kings failed to conduct their lives according to the laws of God and preserve His order, the nation was divided and finally defeated. Although a captive people, God promised deliverance and a new covenant. Instead of outward laws, God would write them on their hearts to be lived out.
Seventy years later they did return and a new temple was built but the nation was under the rule of other kingdoms.
From the days of Moses a new leader had been promised and their hopes rested in His coming.
NEXT IN ORDER
Jesus’ birth was announced by angels to shepherds and by the star to wise man of the east. The religious leaders rejected him, yet the people came by the thousands to be healed, fed and taught by Him. He demonstrated a new life of love and a relationship with God. The old sacrificial system would find its fulfillment in His death as the Lamb of God for the world and resurrection to new life. The corrupted creation could be restored to its created order.
The mission of proclaiming this good news was given to the twelve men He had chosen and taught during His three years of ministry before His death and resurrection. This mission would begin on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven to indwell and fill the new believers in Jesus the Messiah.
The kingdom of God within mankind, lived out as a witness to the entire world.
The importance of godly order in the churches is revealed in the Apostles letters to the churches or believers of every place. Leaders were ordained and churches set in order. They were instructed that everything should be done decently and in order. God was not the author of confusion or disorder, but of peace. I Corinthians 14:33. James warned that where envy and self-seeking existed you would also find confusion, [disorder] and every evil work. Evil forces would thrive in disorder.
Luke informed them that before the end came there would be wars and commotion, [disorder].
Love, the fulfillment of the Law is now the measure of our conduct. Those who conduct themselves disorderly in the form of unruliness, and insubordination and idleness are disqualified for leadership positions.
As God, by His Spirit continues to transform believers and restore His image and likeness, we wait for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
John reveals the process by which the final battle between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdoms of this world will be brought to the global stage. We are already hearing many things about a New World Order.
Divine order will be restored; the good news is we have all been called to be a part of this creative purpose. The glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
When man was created, according to the Genesis account, he was given dominion in the earth. He was given food to eat and a garden in which to live and work. Concerning the trees he was given a command; he could eat from all of them except one. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was there and he could exercise his ability to freely choose to follow God’s order. The consequence of disobedience was death and it was made clear to him.
Man followed God’s order until another voice was heard in the garden. This deceptive speaker drew them away from God’s [order] command. He had been warned that in the day he ate from this tree he would die.
As you know, however, if you are only going a short distance, being slightly off course may not make a lot of difference. When the distance is long you can be so far off that you are lost.
Believing the lie instead of the truth, man separated himself from God and was lost to the divine order in the earth. The earth being cursed no longer responded to him, his dominion being stripped by the usurper. Man was so far off course a thousand or so years later that God was sorry that He had made him and chose to destroy him.
But Noah found grace in God’s eyes. By his obedience to God he and his family were saved from the destructive flood.
Following the flood, God again blessed man and made a covenant with him. God commanded him to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
However, communion with God being broken, mankind was unable to order their lives in a manner that would reflect the image and likeness of their creator.
When the LORD came down to see what men were doing, He found them, [mankind] building a tower for their own preservation. Because the people were one and had one language they could do what ever they purposed. They were going their own way. To prevent this, God confused their language and scattered them over the face of the earth.
God had brought divine order in the world but mankind, who was to have dominion, was not able to maintain it Not until God called Abram, did He have a man on the earth that would, of his own choice follow Him. God promised to take him to a chosen land and make him a great nation. He made a covenant with him to bless him and protect and provide for him. The nations would be blessed through him and his descendants, especially through One who would come.
The descendants of Abram [Abraham] went to Egypt because of a famine and came out a nation. The man, Moses, was called to lead them back to God and to the land promised to them. Although they were the people of God, they did not yet know His ways or how to order their lives.
Through many signs, wonders and powerful works, God, through Moses, brought the people out of Egypt.
Before entering the Promised Land, this new nation would need the Laws and regulations necessary to order their lives and worship their God. The worship and approach to God would be established and priests ordained. It is here that the term, ‘order’, is used most often. This nation was to be a demonstration to the world of the relationship between God and man. Their approach to God was seen in the tabernacle, there, God would meet with them and live among them.
Many years later, king David would learn the consequence of violating God’s order while moving the ark of God’s covenant with them and place of God’s presence among them.
After many judges, prophets and kings failed to conduct their lives according to the laws of God and preserve His order, the nation was divided and finally defeated. Although a captive people, God promised deliverance and a new covenant. Instead of outward laws, God would write them on their hearts to be lived out.
Seventy years later they did return and a new temple was built but the nation was under the rule of other kingdoms.
From the days of Moses a new leader had been promised and their hopes rested in His coming.
NEXT IN ORDER
Jesus’ birth was announced by angels to shepherds and by the star to wise man of the east. The religious leaders rejected him, yet the people came by the thousands to be healed, fed and taught by Him. He demonstrated a new life of love and a relationship with God. The old sacrificial system would find its fulfillment in His death as the Lamb of God for the world and resurrection to new life. The corrupted creation could be restored to its created order.
The mission of proclaiming this good news was given to the twelve men He had chosen and taught during His three years of ministry before His death and resurrection. This mission would begin on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven to indwell and fill the new believers in Jesus the Messiah.
The kingdom of God within mankind, lived out as a witness to the entire world.
The importance of godly order in the churches is revealed in the Apostles letters to the churches or believers of every place. Leaders were ordained and churches set in order. They were instructed that everything should be done decently and in order. God was not the author of confusion or disorder, but of peace. I Corinthians 14:33. James warned that where envy and self-seeking existed you would also find confusion, [disorder] and every evil work. Evil forces would thrive in disorder.
Luke informed them that before the end came there would be wars and commotion, [disorder].
Love, the fulfillment of the Law is now the measure of our conduct. Those who conduct themselves disorderly in the form of unruliness, and insubordination and idleness are disqualified for leadership positions.
As God, by His Spirit continues to transform believers and restore His image and likeness, we wait for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
John reveals the process by which the final battle between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdoms of this world will be brought to the global stage. We are already hearing many things about a New World Order.
Divine order will be restored; the good news is we have all been called to be a part of this creative purpose. The glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Order
"...and the rest I will set in order when I come. "I Corinthians 11:34
"...that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting." Titus 1:5 KJV
While reading this, the word 'order' seemed to stand out above the rest. In the past when a word was more prominent than the others there was treasure to be found in it. First what did the word mean in my own language, then what was its meaning, as far as I could discover, in the language of the speaker? Trusting in God to guide me through this new study I began to search out this seemingly simple word.
Turning to the dictionary I found that it could mean; a social position, a state of peace, arrangement, a fixed or definite plan, a group or class, a condition of place and function, a general state, a request, command, the list goes on. I am sure you could add many more. This broadens the field of thought and meditation but more is needed.
Not being a Greek scholar, I need help in understanding more about the word in the language of the writer. The list comes from more than one word translated 'order' and the in depth meanings are for those more skilled in the language. For my study they are honed to a short list. They include; to make straight, a fixed succession, arrange, consecutive, proper rank, appointed, prescribed, etc.
Sometimes to better understand a word, looking at the opposite is very helpful.
For the opposite we find chaos, confusion, commotions , tumults, unruly, disobedient, insubordination, out of place, lawless and the list could go on a while.
Looking in the Old Testament I find that Hebrew is the language used. Again I need help from the Scholars. The word meanings are similar but can, for those digging deeper, open up vast treasures. Maybe you can help here by sharing your own discoveries. Thank you so much.
I find here again, different words translated, 'order'; they include, arrange, cause, equalize, straighten, compose, sequence, array, custody, space off, furnish, ordain, prepare, formal decree, command, appoint, make ready, establish and I am sure there is much more to discover.
Now with my limited tools in hand, I begin my search.
My first find is in Genesis 1:1 "... and the earth was without form and void..." my first mention of chaos. This restructures my view of this chapter. God bringing in His Divine Order to the creation. Now I need to think about this for a while. How this brings the heart to awesome quiet as I view this scene.
"...that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting." Titus 1:5 KJV
While reading this, the word 'order' seemed to stand out above the rest. In the past when a word was more prominent than the others there was treasure to be found in it. First what did the word mean in my own language, then what was its meaning, as far as I could discover, in the language of the speaker? Trusting in God to guide me through this new study I began to search out this seemingly simple word.
Turning to the dictionary I found that it could mean; a social position, a state of peace, arrangement, a fixed or definite plan, a group or class, a condition of place and function, a general state, a request, command, the list goes on. I am sure you could add many more. This broadens the field of thought and meditation but more is needed.
Not being a Greek scholar, I need help in understanding more about the word in the language of the writer. The list comes from more than one word translated 'order' and the in depth meanings are for those more skilled in the language. For my study they are honed to a short list. They include; to make straight, a fixed succession, arrange, consecutive, proper rank, appointed, prescribed, etc.
Sometimes to better understand a word, looking at the opposite is very helpful.
For the opposite we find chaos, confusion, commotions , tumults, unruly, disobedient, insubordination, out of place, lawless and the list could go on a while.
Looking in the Old Testament I find that Hebrew is the language used. Again I need help from the Scholars. The word meanings are similar but can, for those digging deeper, open up vast treasures. Maybe you can help here by sharing your own discoveries. Thank you so much.
I find here again, different words translated, 'order'; they include, arrange, cause, equalize, straighten, compose, sequence, array, custody, space off, furnish, ordain, prepare, formal decree, command, appoint, make ready, establish and I am sure there is much more to discover.
Now with my limited tools in hand, I begin my search.
My first find is in Genesis 1:1 "... and the earth was without form and void..." my first mention of chaos. This restructures my view of this chapter. God bringing in His Divine Order to the creation. Now I need to think about this for a while. How this brings the heart to awesome quiet as I view this scene.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Light
Notes:
Pure light cannot be seen with our natural eyes; we only see its reflection bouncing off physical particles. We see this when the windows are opened and the light of the sun streams in and we see the dust particles reflecting the rays.
God gives us His pure light, in ways we can bear, eternal values in human terms. Pure light we cannot bear, natural or spiritual, it needs to be broken up for us to see or comprehend it. God is Light, but we only see the fragments. The rainbow is such a beautiful example.
Jesus came as the full manifestation of God that could be touched, seen and related to. He sent the Spirit of His holiness to radiate that light into all the corners of the believers soul transforming us into His image from glory to glory until His fullness is achieved, perfecting His image in each. His Life received within, His Light reflecting out to others. This takes faith, hope and love; faith that God is doing it, hope that He will finish what He has started and love and grace for each other as He works in each of us.
“In the beginning was the Word….” John 1:1 KJV
God spoke and all creation began to take shape, form and order.
God speaks and we hear a baby cry, the angles sing glory and shepherds follow a star.
Pure light cannot be seen with our natural eyes; we only see its reflection bouncing off physical particles. We see this when the windows are opened and the light of the sun streams in and we see the dust particles reflecting the rays.
God gives us His pure light, in ways we can bear, eternal values in human terms. Pure light we cannot bear, natural or spiritual, it needs to be broken up for us to see or comprehend it. God is Light, but we only see the fragments. The rainbow is such a beautiful example.
Jesus came as the full manifestation of God that could be touched, seen and related to. He sent the Spirit of His holiness to radiate that light into all the corners of the believers soul transforming us into His image from glory to glory until His fullness is achieved, perfecting His image in each. His Life received within, His Light reflecting out to others. This takes faith, hope and love; faith that God is doing it, hope that He will finish what He has started and love and grace for each other as He works in each of us.
“In the beginning was the Word….” John 1:1 KJV
God spoke and all creation began to take shape, form and order.
God speaks and we hear a baby cry, the angles sing glory and shepherds follow a star.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Learning
My son has just walked me through the process of setting up this site. Thank you, David for your patience. This is a new experience, knowing the world could be listening.
The words we hear are very powerful, they can impact our entire lives, or create the atmosphere we live in. Hear them carefully and speak them softly, someone may be listening. Have a blessed day.
The words we hear are very powerful, they can impact our entire lives, or create the atmosphere we live in. Hear them carefully and speak them softly, someone may be listening. Have a blessed day.
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