Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: October 2012 Page 2 of 3

According – to faith, to commandment

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On October 17, 2012

In Christian

When Paul introduces himself in his letter to Titus, he introduces himself as an servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, not based on his own works, but according to the faith of God’s elect (Titus 1:1) and according to commandment of God his Savior (Titus 1:3). Unfortunately, today we see many who claim to be “called” to serve God, but in their modus operandi reflect little to no faith, in word or action, or any obedience to God as a response to his commandment to be his ambassadors of reconciliation (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Points to ponder:
When we function as servants of God and apostles of Jesus Christ, let us make sure that it is not motivated because of some personal emotion or on our works, but let it be according to faith, in God, which makes God our Savior and let it be according to the commandment of commission that we receive from God and God alone. It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6) and obedience to be commandment.

Titus 1:1-3 (KJV)
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Jesus – The Balm of Gilead

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On October 16, 2012

In Christian

There Is A Balm in Gilead” is a well-known African-American spiritual song.
The lyrics of the song goes:
There is balm in Gilead,
To make the wounded whole;
There’s power enough in heaven,
To cure a sin-sick soul.

The reference to the Balm of Gilead is taken from the book according the prophet Jeremiah, wherein the voice of the Lord questions through the prophet – Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wounds of my people? (Jeremiah 8:22). There is no healing for the wounds of God’s people (his creation), because it was not until Jesus, that healing came for only by his wounds (stripes) are we healed of our sin-sick state. The balm of Gilead in essence, refers to the Salvation (healing from being sick in sin) one gets in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the balm of Gilead. Jeremiah 46:9, 11 state that the mighty Egyptians need to go to Gilead to get medicine for the medicine they make can provide no healing. Human efforts to be healed of spiritual sin is futile. Only in Jesus is spiritual healing possible for Jesus is the Balm of Gilead.

Points to ponder:
It is futile to strive to save one’s soul from the sin-sick states by our own efforts. We need Jesus the balm of Gilead to cure our sin-sick soul. Is your soul healed?

Jeremiah 8:22 (KJV)
22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Jeremiah 46:11 (KJV)
11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.

Is Jesus a personal God?

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On October 15, 2012

In Christian, Personal God

Thomas Alva Edison is well known with over a thousand patents for his inventions such as the Phonograph (voice recorder), Kinetoscope (motion movie camera) and for what he is mostly attributed to – the long lasting incandescent electric light bulb.  Unfortunately though, Edison is quoted in Columbian magazine to have said “I have never seen the slightest scientific proof of the religious theories of heaven and hell, of future life for individuals, or of a personal God.” This is sadly one of the strongest quotes used in support of aethism as a valid choice.

The book of John in chapter 5 records the account of a man who was sick and suffering for thirty eight years. This man had no one to help him get into the Bethesda pool of healing to be made whole. When Jesus encounters this man, he asks the man “Do you want to be made whole (well)?”. The man responds, “I have been trying to get healed, but there is no one (man) to help me get into the pool for healing.” In other words, this infirm man’s only chance was Jesus. Jesus, being a personal God,  asks him to rise, take up his bed and walk and immediately the man was made whole.

Points to ponder:
Jesus is a personal God, who is interested in every individual person, but he does not force his interests on you. Instead, he wants you and me to acknowledge our need of him, despite his omniscience and omnipotence. Jesus is personal not pushy. When he asks, “Do you want to be saved (made truly whole)?”, let us not respond by asking for scientific proof of heaven and hell, or of future life for individuals, or of a personal God, but instead let us respond with by faith (spiritual proof – Hebrews 11:1) our need of him.

John 5:1-9; 14 (KJV)
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I’d rather sit and PRAY than play

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On October 12, 2012

In Christian

God speaks in various ways and once again he uses our six year old beloved son, Reuben to remind me of some truths that I should never forget.

After we had finished our shopping at the local Costco store, we came out of the store, only to be greeted by a torrential downpour of rain. Not having an umbrella with us, I suggested to Reuben that we wait patiently until the rain subsided before heading for our car and sang to him the song – “Rain, rain go away. Come again another day. Little Reuben wants to play. Rain, rain go away.” However, Reuben was more keen on getting to the car and going home. He expressed that waiting outside the store till the rain stopped would be a waste of time. Recognizing that if we stepped into the rain, we would be drenched completely in a couple of seconds, I told Reuben – “Why don’t you just sit down here and play until the rain stops?“, showing him my phone on which are a few games. To this Reuben quipped, “I’d rather sit down and PRAY for the rain to stop.” and sure enough he prayed. Needless to say, within a matter of minutes, the downpour lessened in its fury, and we were able to head to our car and go home.

From the mouth of babes indeed, God reminds us of some invaluable truths that we tend to forget. First, in everything, by PRAYer and petition, we ought to present our requests before God (Philippians 4:6). Second, God is in control of all things, and even the elements (winds and waves of rain) need to obey him (Matthew 8:27). Third, what may seem impossible for man is possible with God (Luke 18:27) by prayer which changes us or the situation we are in.

Points to ponder:
Instead of focusing on spending time and playing on the things that amuse us, are we recognizing and taking the time to spend time in prayer which amuses God. From my son, I learned that I’d rather sit and pray than play, and from the Word of God, I learn that I should not worry about anything, but rather by prayer and supplication, make known all my requests to God and thank him for what he has done. Have you made known all your requests to God with thankfulness? Are you going to take time to sit and pray? God is in control and what may seem impossible for you is not hard for the Lord God to accomplish, if it is in his will for you. Nevertheless, pray without ceasing and you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything you can understand.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 
7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

There is no God :: Girding and Strengthening

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On October 11, 2012

In Christian

Isaiah 45:5 states “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:”
Psalm 18:32 states “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.”
Nehemiah 8:10 states “… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalm 51:10 states ” Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
Jude 1:24 states “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”

Hidden in these verses is the treasure of knowing that
1. God girds (surrounds/binds) us.
2. God girds us with strength (even if we don’t know him).
3. God girds us with his joy for the joy of the Lord is our strength and our Salvation.
4. God girds us with exceeding joy of his Salvation in Jesus Christ who makes our way (life) perfect (faultless), when we know him.

Points to ponder:
Jesus among other gods stands out for there is no other God like Jesus who can present us faultless with exceeding strength that he girds us with. Are your girded with the truth? The Truth, which when known, shall make you free (John 8:32). Jesus said, I am The Way, The TRUTH and The Life (john 14:6). To know God is eternal life (John 17:3) making you free from the power of death. Are you girded with the joy of the Lord? Are you girded with the Salvation of the Lord, which is given freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ – the only God who girds and strengthens. Let the weak now say, I am strong (Joel 3:10), girded by the Lord.

Isaiah 45:5 (KJV)
4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.

Psalm 18:32 (KJV)
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Jude 1:24-25 (KJV)
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

There is no God :: Just and Savior

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On October 10, 2012

In Christian, There is no God

It must be pretty important for us to recognize that God is serious when it comes to our recognition that he alone is God. The very first commandment of his is “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3). The prophet Isaiah, in chapters 44 and 45, records the phrase “there is no God” not once or twice, but five times (Isaiah 44:5,6,8 and Isaiah 45:14,21), each time as the words of God himself. The last time that Isaiah records this saying of God, he qualifies the nature of God as a Just (Righteous) God and a Savior, before affirming that there is none beside him (Isaiah 45:21). Jesus is the Righteous Branch from the line of David, whom God sent to execute judgment and justice/righteousness (Isaiah 23:5; 33:15). All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). God’s pristine righteousness required him to have to judge man for man’s sinfulness, as justice had to prevail. This means that man had a death sentence proclaimed on him. This is where God has to step into the scene himself and is begotten and named Jesus, which means Savior (Matthew 1:21). There is no other God who is a Just God and a Savior.

Points to ponder:
Jesus among other gods stands out for there is no other divinely begotten eternal god; all others are man-made. There is no God like Jesus – for he is the perfect, unblemished, sinless, sacrifice that a Righteous God accepted, which makes him the only provision of Salvation unto all mankind. Have you believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior? There is no God who is a just God and a Savior! Don’t delay in believing that Jesus is Lord. Respond now, for now is the appointed time, now is your day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Isaiah 45:20-22 (KJV)
20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

There is no God :: Covenant and Mercy keeping

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On October 9, 2012

In Christian, There is no God

We have often heard of the saying that “The fool says in his heart, there is no God and is corrupt”, but can the wise say,”There is no God”? Solomon, the king of Israel who was known for his wisdom, says, in the dedication of the temple of God, that there is no God – no God like God Almighty who manifested himself fully in the person of Jesus Christ. Solomon affirms in his prayer of dedication, that there is no God in heaven or on the earth beneath, who keeps his covenant and mercy with his servants who walk before him with all their heart (1 Kings 8:23). So next time, a fool (atheist) says “There is no God”, you don’t have to disagree with him/her, but help that person see the error of his/her ways, by elaborating that “Indeed, there is no God like Jesus, who keeps his covenant and mercy to all his fervent and faithful servants.”

Points to ponder:
Jesus amongst other gods stands out for there is no other divinely begotten eternal god – all others are man-made. There is no God like Jesus – for Jesus keeps his covenant and his mercy with all of his servants who walk before him with all their heart. In other words, only if we have an undivided heart dedicated to Jesus, loving him (God) with all our heart, can we affirm and announce, that he is a covenant and mercy keeping God, unlike any other. Is your/my heart completely dedicated to Jesus?

1 Kings 8:22-24 (KJV)
22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
23 And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
24 Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.

Albert Einstein was a fool

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On October 8, 2012

In Christian, Physics and Christ

Major news agencies on October 4th, 2012 reported that an original 1954 stamped envelope and a handwritten letter which shed light on the famed scientist and Nobel prize winner Albert Einstein’s religious belief was to be going to be auctioned on eBay starting October 8th, 2012 and ending ten days later. It was reported that the opening bid on what came to be dubbed as Einstein’s “God Letter” would be $3 million dollars. This letter was written to the Jewish philosopher Eric Gutkind, a year before Einstein died, as a response to Gutkind’s book “Choose Life: The Biblical Call to Revolt.” In this letter, Einstein writes, “The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends, No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this.”

Undoubtedly, Einstein was one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century and I mean no disrespect to him for his contributions to the discipline of Physics, but if I was to meet him, face to face, I would tell him, that he is a fool, not because I am any more smarter than he was, but because of a strong Biblical conviction. Failing to recognize the sovereignty of God and unable to explain “why evil exists”, Einstein questioned the existence of a personal God and reduced the God of the universe who created him with strengths and weaknesses as a product of human weaknesses. The man who came up with the theory of relativity, postulating that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant regardless of their relative motion or of the motion of the source of the light, failed to recognize that the speed (timing) of the LIGHT of the world, Jesus Christ, in a vacuum (a life without Jesus) is constant regardless of his relative motion (mental state of understanding the Sovereignty and Salvation of God) or of the motion (working) of the source of the LIGHT of the world (God). Jesus is the light of the world and he is the constant – same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and only a fool says in his heart that there is no God (Psalms 14:1) or that God is nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses. To say (or write) such a thing. in and of itself, is a weak expression.

Points to ponder:
God is Sovereign irrespective of the existence of evil. Job suffered evil but in and through his experiences, he realized that God is sovereign and  always in control and recognized that His Redeemer lives. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and his love for you and me and for that matter to anyone, whether they refuse to change or not, is a constant – the same. Are you a fool denying the existence of God or are you wise, fearing God, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)?  Let no man deceive himself. If any of you seem to be wise, let him become a fool so that he may be wise, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:18); the God, Only Wise (Jude 1:25).

Psalm 14:1 (KJV)
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

1 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your’s;

The Blood of the Lamb :: Conciliatory

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On October 5, 2012

In Christian, The Blood of the Lamb

The word ‘conciliate’ has its roots in Latin and comes from the word ‘conciliāre’ which means ‘to unite or to assemble or to bring together’. It is synonymous with words such as ‘appeasement’ and ‘propitiate’. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word ‘concilate’ as ‘to gain (goodwill) by pleasing acts’.

Romans 3:25 affirms that Jesus is the One, God has sent forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood. In other words, the Blood of the Lamb of God conciliates or brings us back to God. When Jesus was born, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, peace and good will toward men.” (Like 2:14) Colossians 1:20 states that Jesus made peace through the blood of his cross. This establishes that what the angels sang, though it gives men (mankind) a reason to celebrate, it was in fact a death sentence, proclaimed on Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God without blemish. The Blood of Jesus appeased (made peace) and gained the good will of God, reuniting mankind, who was separated from God (in the garden of Eden on account of man’s own disobedience and sin) back with God.

Points to ponder:
Have you believed in Jesus, whom God sent to bring (conciliate) you back to God? The Blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God is conciliatory.
Glory to God in the highest, the Blood of the Lamb, which makes peace and gains God’s good will, be on you and me.

Romans 3:22-26 (KJV)
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [conciliation] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Colossians 1:19-23 (KJV)
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
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:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

The Blood of the Lamb :: Covering

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On October 4, 2012

In Christian, Reuben, The Blood of the Lamb

Denis Diderot (1713-1784), who is best known for serving as contributor and chief editor of the Encyclopédie was a prominent French Philosopher, art critic and writer, during the 18th century cultural movement (known as Enlightenment or Age of Reason) among the intellectuals in Europe and America. Diderot is quoted to have said “The blood of Jesus can cover a multitude of sins, it seems to me.” Interestingly even though we often hear such a phrase in our churches, the Bible never directly talks about the “Blood of Jesus” as something that covers. However, extrapolating from a few other verses in the Bible, we see that the “Blood of Jesus is a Covering.”

1 Peter 4:8 says, “… Love covers a multitude of sins.”
Proverbs 10:12 affirms “Love covers all sins.”
1 John 1:7 states that if we have fellowship with God, the blood of Jesus his Son, cleanses us from all sins.
John 3:20 informs us that God loved the world so much that he gave us Jesus, his Only begotten son. Jesus is therefore God’s expression and personification of  love and by substituting the word ‘love’ with the Name ‘Jesus’ in the before mentioned verses, we get “… Jesus covers a multitude of sins” and “Jesus covers all sins“. Jesus covers all sins because his blood cleanses all sins. In other words, the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, covers all sins.

James 5:20 reads “.. he who converts a sinner from the error of his ways shall save his soul from death and hide a multitude of sins.”
During the exodus of the Israelites from the land of Egypt, the LORD passed over the houses that had the blood of an unblemished lamb on their doorposts. The blood of the lamb hid the residents and saved them from death. (Exodus 12:13, 23)
Only Jesus can convert a sinner from the error of his ways and save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins, because Salvation is [solely] of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). The Blood of Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb hides and covers all those who believed in his Name.

Points to ponder:
The Blood of Jesus is a covering. Have you believed in him, for in doing so, your sins shall be hidden from God’s wrath and your soul saved from death. In other words, Are you under the covering of the Blood of the Lamb?

1 Peter 4:8 (KJV)
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins.

James 5:20 (KJV)
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1 John 1:7-9 (KJV)
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Jonah 2:9 (KJV)
9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.

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