Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: April 2009 Page 2 of 3

Are you hungry for the BIBLE?

By

On April 14, 2009

In Christian

The Bible is God’s infallible word.Canonized within two testaments (the Old and New) it begins with Creation and closes with an apocalyptic  unveiling (Revelation). It is so rich and filled with stories of love, war, romance,  rebellion, repentance, redemption, hope, salvation and instructions to live life abundantly. The Bible is inspired by God to inspire us (2 Tim 3:16-17 ) and it guides us and shows us the way (Psalm 119:105)

Someone once said, that The B.I.B.L.E. stands for Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.
Jesus said, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, which includes every word in the Bible. We must seek to consume it so that it nourishes us.
Psalm 119:11 states “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee“ but the devil is seeking always to deceive us and make us sin against God.

So be aware and be aware of his evil schemes and wield the Bible (the sword of the Spirit, the word of God) against his attacks. Someone once said, “Even the devil is not afraid of a Bible that has dust on it“.
Are you hungry for the Bible?

2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalm 119:105
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Living among the Dead

By

On April 12, 2009

In Christian

It’s Easter (Passover), the day where people worldwide, celebrate the fact that Jesus, who was killed had risen from the dead and is Alive today.

The question that the two men posed to those who sought the body of Jesus in the tomb where they had laid Him, after they had taken Him down from the Cross, was “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” and then they exclaimed, He is not here, but is risen.

Because He is risen (alive), all who come to accept Him (Jesus) as Lord and Savior will have eternal life and not perish (die the second death).
We are commissioned to reach out (seek) souls that don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior (dead souls), among those who do (living souls).

This Easter, the question is not just “Why seek we Jesus, the living among the dead?” but the real question must be
“Why aren’t we seeking the dead for the living One who is risen?“. Think about it!

Luke2 4:1-8

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words

God’s alias

By

On April 10, 2009

In Christian

It is Good Friday and as I wondered what to write about, I realized that Good Friday is indeed a Love story …

We call on God by many names

  • El (God) and its variations – Elohim (the Almighty Creator), El  Elyon  (“Most High God”), El Shaddai (“God Almighty”), El `Olam (“Everlasting God”), El Hai (“Living God”), El Ro’i (“God of Seeing”), El Elohe Israel (“God, the God of Israel”), El Gibbor (“God of Strength”) …;
  • Jehovah (THE Being, The I AM) and its variations – Jehovah-jireh (God, my provider), Jehovah-rophe (God, my healer), Jehovah-nissi (God, my banner), Jehovah-M’Kaddesh (God, my sanctifier), Jehovah-shalom (God, my peace), Jehovah-tsidkenu (God, my righteousness), Jehovah-rohi (God, my shepherd), Jehovah-shammah (God, my presence)
  • Adonai (the Lord); Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) and so on

Ever wondered as to what God’s alias is, that would not dilute His character or demote His being?

The entire Bible is a love story. God’s love for his creation, for us. The Bible also records in 1 John 4:7-8 that we ought to love one another, for Love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God, He that loves not, knows not God for God is Love, Beloved, let us love one another.

God’s alias is given in the portion of his infallible word. God IS Love.

Replacing the word ‘love’ with the word ‘God’ as recorded in 1 Corinthians 13 which gives us the excellent attributes of “Love”, makes us in fact see who God is.

Love (God) is patient, love (God) is kind. Love (God) does not envy, love (God) does not boast, love (God) is not proud.
Love (God) is not rude, love (God) is not self-seeking, love (God) is not easily angered, love (God) keeps no record of wrongs.
Love (God) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Love (God) always protects, love (God) always trusts, love (God) always hopes, love (God) always perseveres.
Love (God) never fails.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love (God) . But the greatest of these is love (God).

Point(s) of ponder:

Call on God as He is Love and you will find the warmth of his unconditional, sacrificial and sanctifying love embrace you, no matter what state you are in or who you are.

What is the Maundy in Maundy Thursday

By

On April 9, 2009

In Christian

Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the immediate Thursday that precedes Good Friday (that commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion) and Easter (that commemorates Jesus’ victory over sin and death by his resurrection from the dead).

As I researched the origin of the word, “Maundy”, I was surprised to learn that it is a derivative from the word mandé that was used in the medieval times of England and archaic France, with roots to the Latin word mandatum. Mandatum is the first word in the phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” which is recorded in John 13:34 that states “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you“. This was said by Jesus as he washed his disciples feet, demonstrating that just as He, the God of the universe came to serve, we must also do so, with compassion/love (the new commandment) and humility.

This Maundy Thursday, let us realize that we are given

  1. a new commandment (mandatum) to LOVE (God first, and all others as ourselves next) as God loves us (which  is unconditional, sacrificial and sanctifying)
  2. a commission to SERVE – for just as God (Jesus) washed the feet of his disciples, we must also humble ourselves to serve one another. A leader for God is a Servant unto him and men/women first.

John 13:34
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Sinless vs. Blameless

By

On April 8, 2009

In Christian

In a message by (late) Dr. Adrian Rogers, he mentioned that sin must be
1. Exposed to the Light
2. Expressed to the Lord – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness
3. Expelled from our Life

It it impossible for man/woman to be sinless, except when Jesus washes ALL sins away. This happens when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, believe that Jesus is the sacrificial lamb of God, an atonement for our sins and we confess our sins to Jesus. This however gives us no carte blanche license to sin, instead, we must aspire to be Holy (without sin) as God is Holy – the first requirement.  Jesus is able to present us blameless (even if we are sinners), because of His sanctifying blood that was shed, that can wash our uncleanliness whiter than snow.

On this side of heaven, we are removed from the penalty and power of  sin but not from its presence, because this is where Satan’s, the lord of sin dwells (Rev 2:13), but on the other side of heaven, we are not only removed from the penalty and power of sin, but also from the presence of sin.

Point(s) to ponder:

Can God tell of you/me as he told of Job, Look at my servant <fill your name here>, none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright (blameless) man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil?

Colossians 1:21-22
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Job 1:8
8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Me against the world as was Antipas …

By

On April 7, 2009

In Christian

Antipas is one of the few martyrs mentioned in the Bible by name. Not only is he mentioned in the Bible, he was spoken of by God. Rev 2:13 records the martyrdom of Antipas, who did not deny the Faith and was faithful to the point of death.

His martyrdom cannot be refuted and the most accepted version of his death as recorded in 92 A.D. by Simeon Metaphrastes is that he was roasted alive in a copper bull-shaped altar. Antipas refused to deny Jesus Christ and worship the Roman Emperor, just as the Hebrew boys, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (more commonly known by their Babylonian names – Shadrach, Meshach and  Abednego) did.

Antipas, whose name means “against all”, was advised that “the whole world is against you!” before he was sentenced to be martyred. His response was “Then I am against the whole world”.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. Can God tell of us that we are faithful and that we will not deny Him? (like he did of Antipas)
  2. Are we against the world, set apart, or are we one with the world? What are we going to be known for?
Rev 2:13
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

James 4:4
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Romans 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Letting God down

By

On April 6, 2009

In Christian

In a Time Magazine interview, Billy Graham once said –  “I wake up every morning with a fear, that I may let my Lord down.”
One thing to realize though, is even if we let God down, God will never let us down, for He is FAITHFUL and TRUE (Rev 19:11)
Let’s try not to let God down, holding fast to the profession of our faith without wavering – for He is FAITHFUL. He will never let you down.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. What is our prayer when we wake up every morning?
  2. What is the righteous fear we have?

Rev 19:11
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Hebrews 10:23
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

Can a leopard change his spots?

By

On April 5, 2009

In Christian

The prophet Jeremiah asks two possibly rhetorical questions, to illustrate that it is impossible for sinners (those accustomed to do evil), which is you and I, to be saved by our own accord.
The questions recorded in Jeremiah 12:23 are 1. Can the Ethipioan change his skin and 2. Can the leopard change his spots?

Think about this, can a leopard change his spot? Likewise, we cannot rid ourselves of our sinful habits (sins’ dark spots), except by the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus can make you spotless clean.
For a tow truck to be able to pull a defunct vehicle, it’s engine needs to be more powerful to pull the weight of the vehicle. There is power in Jesus and no matter how heavy our sins and situations are, He can pull you through.

So ask God today to be THE Strength, to overcome sinful habits that hold us in bondage. We cannot do it on our own, save by Jesus alone, for He paid it all.

Lord, now indeed I find. Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leopard’s spots And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

Jeremiah 12:23
      Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? the may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

Lord of the law

By

On April 4, 2009

In Christian

When my 3 year old son, Reuben, was repeating Psalm 1, when he came to the part – but his delight is in the law of the Lord, he instead said, but his delight is in the Lord of the law.

When I reminisced over what he had said, I could not help but wonder on God’s amazing revelation through children; Our delight should not merely be on the law of the Lord, but even more so, be in the Lord (of the law)!

Luke 24:44 states that all things which are written in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in psalms, concerning Jesus must be fulfilled.
Matthew 5:17 records the sayings of Jesus, that He indeed came to fulfill the law (and the prophets) and not to destroy (abolish) it.
How did Jesus fulfill the law, when He is the Lord of the law, the one who gave it for the benefit of man in the first place.
Romans 13:10 states that LOVE is the fulfillment of the law.

Jesus’ willingness to die in our place, by being tortured, tormented and painfully crucified on a cross on calvary is LOVE not only PERSONIFIED but EPITOMIZED.

It was this love that fulfilled all the law ever written for man. Let our delight be on the law of the LORD and in the LORD of the law.

Afraid to Amazed

By

On April 3, 2009

In Christian

Mark 6:46-51 recounts the story of Jesus walking on water, a supernatural event in history to say the least.
The miraculous aspect of this event is not just the fact that Jesus was able to walk on water, which no other man or god can claim to have done, but the miraculous transformation in the minds of those who witnessed it.

Careful introspection of the text brings to light that the disciples that saw Jesus walking on the water, perceived him to be a ghost and were first Afraid. Then when he got into their ship (boat), they were then Amazed.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. If you were to encounter Jesus today, would you perceive him to be a ghost (unreal) and be afraid?
  2. Until you ask him to come into your lives (ship/boat), where He becomes real, there is every reason to be afraid
  3. When he comes into our lives, our fear (afraid) turns to wonder (amazement), beyond measure.
  4. If you are afraid about anything, ask Jesus to come into your life and you can be guaranteed of one thing, you will no longer be afraid, but AMAZED beyond belief.

Mark 6: 46-51
46. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50. For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
51. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Page 2 of 3

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén