Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: May 2012 Page 2 of 3

Who is Jesus?

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On May 17, 2012

In Christian

If Jesus posed the question to you, that he asked his disciples – “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15), how would you respond.

The angel annunciated it.(Luke 1:32 and 35)
The demons announced it. (Mark 3:11)
The high priest asked it. (Matthew 26:63)
The disciples acknowledged it. (Matthew 16:16)
The Roman centurion and his crucifiers asserted it. (Matthew 27:54)
God the Father advertised it. (Matthew 3:17; Mark 9:7)
The Holy Spirit of God assents it. (Romans 1:4)
The Lord Jesus himself affirmed it. (John 10:36)

Jesus is God, the Son, i.e., the Son of the Most High God, God’s only begotten Son, in whom, if you believe you shall have eternal life.

Points to ponder:
Who do you say Jesus is? He whom the Son of God (Jesus Christ) sets free, is free indeed.

John 10:36 (KJV)
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 

 

God is always in control – How come?

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On May 16, 2012

In Christian

Many a times when things go awry in our lives, we are encouraged and told that “God is in control”, but is God always in control? Is God still in control, when bad things happen to good people ang good things happen to bad people?

Job, the upright man who eschewed evil (Job 2:3), questioned God, when he was afflicted, only to later recount that he ought to be silent before God and repent for his audacity in questioning the Great I AM (Job 42:1-6). Job realized that God is sovereign over all, always in control, because God never lost control. God permitted Satan to afflict Job but made it very clear that Satan had no right to take Job’s life (Job 2:6). In other words, God was not only in control over what transpired in Job’s life, but God never lost his control over Job’s life.

Another example of God’s perpetual control can be seen from the life of Joseph, who affirmed that it was not his sinful brothers who sold him to serve his masters in Egypt, but God sent him ahead to preserve life as the master of Egypt (Genesis 45:5, 8). In other words, God was not only always in control over all that transpired in Joseph’s life, but God never lost control over Joseph’s life, whether he was in the pit or prison or the palace.

Points to ponder:
Next time we have to wonder, if God is always in control, let us correct our thinking to recognize that “God never loses control” and that is why he is always in control.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (KJV)
11 Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

Why Give or should I say why Love?

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On May 15, 2012

In Christian

The Bible teaches us that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), but have you wondered as to what that means? The Bible states that happy are the people whose God is the Lord (Psalm 144:15) and from the Bible we also learn that God so loved you and me that he gave (John 3:16). The demonstrable expression of love is to give. In other words, if we love we give or we give because we love.

So why give or should I say why love? We don’t give because it makes us happy; we give because we are happy/blessed. In other words, we don’t love because we will be blessed; we love because we are blessed. We give because God first gave us his Only begotten son and salvation to all who believe in him (John 3:16). We love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19).

2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV)
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

1 John 4:19 (KJV)
19 We love him, because he first loved us.

More than a father or mother

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On May 14, 2012

In Christian, Mothers Day

On May 13, 2012, most of the world celebrated Mother’s day in honor of our earthly mothers and soon we will be celebrating Father’s day on June 17, 2012 in honor of earthly fathers. As I pondered on what the scripture has to say about fathers and mothers, I actually learned about the unfailing never forsaking character of God.

Some of us have been blessed to have earthly mothers and fathers that love us and care for us, while there are others who are not quite as fortunate. In my wife, I see a mother who unconditionally loves our two precious sons, Reuben and Ittai. Some of us have lost our father or mother or both physically while others have lost them relationally, either on account of their faith or some other reason. For some, the very thought that a father or mother can forsake their children is not only improbable but impossible, while for others it may be reality. In any case, no matter what, the scripture gives a blessed assurance that even if your earthly father and mother forsake you, yet the Lord will never forsake you.

Points to ponder:
God is more than a father or mother to each one of us, because even if our earthly fathers and mothers forsake us, yet will the Lord never abandon us, and we can take solace in that blessed assurance.

Psalm 27:10 (KJV)
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Half Truth :: Money is the root of all evil

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On May 11, 2012

In Christian, Half Truth

The familiar saying “Money is the root of all evil” has been the subject of several sermons and messages from the pulpit, and often only half the truth as expressed in the Bible is exposited on. The Bible says that “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10). Note it is not money itself that is evil, but it is the love of money that is root of all evil.

Jesus said, you cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). In other words, he was stating that you cannot have both God and money be your master, for you will serve only one, loving one while hating the other; holding on to one, while despising the other. You can have only one master, either God or money. In other words, you can love God or love money, not both. While the love of money is the root of all evil, the love of God is the root of all things pure, good and holy. Whom do you/I love? Whom do you/I serve?

The half truth is “Money is the root of all evil”. The truth is “It is the love of money that is the root of all evil and you cannot serve both God and money”. If you don’t let God be your master, you may find yourself with a lifestyle in which money is. Let us learn to be content with what God has graciously provided unto each one of us and flee from anything that tries to rob us of our love of God (1 Timothy 6:11).

1 Timothy 6:7-14 (KJV)
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Half Truth :: All things work together for good

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On May 10, 2012

In Christian, Half Truth

The familiar saying “All things work together for good” has been the subject of several sermons and messages from the pulpit, and often only half the truth as expressed in the Bible is exposited on. The Bible says that “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). For whom does all things work together for good? On one part, it is to them that love God and on the other part it is to them who are called according to God’s purpose, and they go hand in hand.

How do we love God? Jesus said, if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15), but we must be careful to not mistake that our actions and works of following God’s commandments will oblige him to make all things work together for our good. A good life is not what God expects of us, but a Godly life that walks after the Spirit of God (Romans 8:4). 2 Timothy 1:9 makes this very clear for it reads “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

Who are those who are called according to God’s purpose? But before we answer that, we must first recognize that it is God’s purpose and not our own that is being stated and we must also answer the question – What is the purpose of God? God’s purpose is that all mankind must be saved (2 Peter 3:9) and this is made manifest in the Savior, Jesus Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10; Ephesians 3:11). So those who are called according to God’s purpose are those who have believed in Jesus (i.e.) those who are saved from death into life and immortality by grace.

The half truth is “All things work together for good”. The truth is “To those who have believed in Jesus Christ and who love God by obeying him; to them all things work together for good. ” It is not one or the other. We cannot be saved and not love God and expect all things to work together for good. Nor can we merely obey God’s commandments while having an unbelieving heart and expect all things to work together for good. We must love God and we must be called according to God’s purpose (and not our own) for all things to work together for good for us.

Romans 8:28 (KJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Timothy 1:8-11 (KJV)
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Half Truth :: Resist the devil and he will flee from you

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On May 9, 2012

In Christian, Half Truth

The familiar saying “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” has been the subject of several sermons and messages from the pulpit, and often only half the truth as expressed in the Bible is exposited on. The Bible says that “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). The Aramaic Bible in Plain English version, renders this same verse as follows : “Submit therefore to God and stand against Satan, and he will flee from you.”

Notice, how it is important for us to first submit ourselves to God and only then stand against the devil. Standing on our own strength against a mighty and cunning foe who seeks to devour us, without submission to the Almighty God is futile. In order to stand against the devil, we must first kneel before God, humbling and submitting ourselves into his hand. Jesus prayed, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (like 23:46) and we must do so likewise as well, for Jesus assured us that no one, absolutely no man can snatch us out of the Father’s hands.” (John 10:29). Once we have submitted ourselves to God, we can rise from our knees to stand with the spiritual armor of God, against the devil and when we use wield the weapons of spiritual warfare, he will flee from us, as he did when Jesus resisted and rebuked him (Matthew 4:1-11).

“The half truth is “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. The truth is “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” In other words, submit first to God and then stand against the devil and when you stand, stand adorned with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. To stand against satan, we first need to stand on our knees with a heart of humility and submission before God.

James 4:7
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)
7  Submit therefore to God and stand against Satan, and he will flee from you. (Aramaic Bible in Plain English).

John 10:27-30 (KJV)
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
30 I and my Father are one.

Half Truth :: There is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus

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On May 8, 2012

In Christian, Half Truth

The familiar saying “The is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus” has been the subject of several sermons and messages from the pulpit, and often only half the truth as expressed in the Bible is exposited on. The Bible says that “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (John 8:1). The word ‘therefore‘ implies that there is something of note which precedes this blessed assurance and the preceeding verses establishes the fact that only in Christ Jesus alone is the redemption from the law of sin and the salvation of mankind (Romans 7 24-25). Because of Christ, we now have no condemnation, but what is of note that we ought not to overlook or ignore, is the fact that there is no condemnation now to those who are in Jesus Christ, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit of God.

The half truth is “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”. The truth is “To those who walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh, after recognizing that only in Jesus Christ is the deliverance of their souls from spiritual death possible; to those believers, there is now condemnation.” This is not a license to continue a lifestyle of sin, for when we wilfully sin, we have no more sacrifice left by which we may be saved, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the enemies of God (Hebrews 10:26-27).

Jesus asked the woman caught in adultery, “Where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you?” and when she recognized him as “not just another ordinary man, but as Lord”, he assured her that he did not condemn her either, and then proceeded to say, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11). In other words, “I do not condemn you, but going forward, do not sin by walking after your flesh, but sin no more, by walking after the Spirit of God.”

Romans 8:1-2 (KJV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

John 8:10-11 (KJV)
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Half Truth :: The truth shall make you free

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On May 7, 2012

In Christian, Half Truth

The familiar saying “The truth shall make you free” has been the subject of several sermons and messages from the pulpit, and often only half the truth as expressed in the Bible is exposited on. The Bible says that “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) but the four verses preceeding that gives the account of many who believed in Jesus when he spoke of being lifted up and being recognized as the Messiah. Then said Jesus to those who believed on him, that if they continue in his word (i.e) in their belief, that he indeed is the promised Messiah, they would be his disciples (John 8:28-31). It is this truth that Jesus is the Messiah and the knowing of this truth, that shall make one free.

The half truth is “The truth shall make you free”. The truth is “When you  shall know the truth that Jesus is the Messiah and when you believe in him, you shall be made you free.” Jesus said, I AM the truth (John 14:6) and to know him is eternal life (John 17:3), meaning total freedom from spiritual death.

John 17:3 (KJV)
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 

I – With or Without Love

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On May 4, 2012

In Christian

With Love —

  • I am patient
  • I am kind
  • I am not jealous
  • I am not boastful
  • I am not proud (1 Corinthians 4:1)
  • I behave
  • I seek not my own
  • I am not easily ticked off (angered)
  • I think no evil (1 Corinthians 4:5)
  • I rejoice not in sin
  • I rejoice in the truth (1 Corinthians 4:6)
  • I bear, believe, hope for and endure all things (1 Corinthians 4:7)

for LOVE never fails (1 Corinthians 4:8).

Without Love —

  • I AM nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2)
  • I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Points to ponder:
Are you with or without Love? Am I with or without Love?

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (KJV)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

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