Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Tag: Sovereignty of God

Sovereignty of God :: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do

By

On March 21, 2016

In Christian, Good Friday, Seven Sayings

Jesus’ first words from the Cross was “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” While many focus on the forgiveness part of this saying, it is important to recognize that the second part is equally important because it establishes the sovereignty of God. Unbeknownst to those who played a part in the crucifixion of Jesus, for whom Jesus sought forgiveness, was the fact, that it was God’s master plan for the redemption of mankind that the Son of God must shed his blood for the remission of mankind’s sin. God sovereignty comes out on top in the affairs of man, even in the crucifixion of Jesus for the Scripture was to be fulfilled as mentioned in the prophecy of Daniel, that they shall put the Anointed One to death (Daniel 9:26). While men played a mere part in God’s redemptive work, it was God who was not only the conductor but he was also in control of all that transpired that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. It was indeed God’s plan that Jesus should be made an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10). While man intended to hurt Jesus and do him evil, God intended it all for good – the good of all mankind – to save all mankind (Genesis 50:20).

Points to ponder:
God is Sovereign and his word will always come true and while men may mean evil against you, God means it all for good (to save much people – made alive in Jesus Christ). In other words, the words of Jesus today ring – Father, forgive them, for you are Sovereign and all that you have planned shall come to pass, which the people do/may not know.

Luke 23:34 (KJV)
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Isaiah 53:10 (NLT)
10 But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

Albert Einstein was a fool

By

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;

No matter what – I will bless the LORD at all times

By

On October 12, 2009

In Christian, No matter what

Many decisions that ought to be taken are not taken due to one of the following reasons:
1. we try to rationalize the situation assuming that our finite and limited human minds has infinite comprehension and abilities or
2. we think of the consequences of the decision and are paralyzed for fear of life or fear of being ridiculed.

In today’s text, taken from the book of Job, we will look at Job, who chose to bless the LORD at all times, NO MATTER WHAT.

Speculated to be chronologically one of the earliest books of the Bible, the book of Job tells the story of a man who loses everything, his health, his wealth and even his family, in spite of the fact that he was an upright man. His record begins with a heavenly debate between God and Satan and moves through three iterations of earthly debates between Job and his friends, in which they try to answer the question – Why; why is an upright man persecuted so gravely, that at one point, he even wishes death over his misery. In conclusion, the divine diagnosis yields the conclusion, that no matter what, the sovereignty of God is in fact unquestionable and mere acceptance of that is what God seeks of each of us. Job does indeed receive in return two times more than what he had lost (Job 42:10), but that is not the highlight of the entire account, although it may seem to be the case.  The highlight of Job’s life is his integrity and resolve to bless the LORD at all times, NO MATTER WHAT and despite him, losing his position (his servants were slain), his property (cattle taken away) and his paternity (children killed), he makes a very powerful statement; one that each of us should live each day with, which states “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away: blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21). Interestingly in parallel, Philippians 1:21 states, For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

If Job had rationalized the situation, he might have concluded that God was indeed evil, for having subjugated him under intense emotional, physical and mental turmoil, and he would have probably ended up like anyone else who cursed God and died. His act of integrity not only did it deliver him from all his troubles, but it also restored unto him twice as much as he had before, aand before he died full of days, he saw four generations. But most importantly, his act of integrity, did not let the head of God hang in shame. See God had boasted about Job to Satan and had questioned 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? Job’s fervency and resolve to bless the LORD at all times, helped God to hold His head high and in essence, it would not be far fetched to say that a befitting conclusion to the life account of Job, is reflective of this testimony that God had of Job – there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?. Can this be said of us?

Points to ponder:

  1. Are we blessing the LORD at all times?
  2. What is God’s testimony of you/me today and what will it be when your/my life is over (hopefully full of days as was Job)?
  3. Can we have the heart of Job, one of integrity, that will bless the LORD at all times, NO MATTER WHAT?

Footprints on the water

By

On April 2, 2009

In Christian

Matthew 14:24-33 records the supernatural event of Jesus walking on the water.
The Bible describes that the disciples of Jesus were in the boat, in the middle of the sea, tossed around by waves, facing a contrary wind.
This is when they see Jesus walking on the water and they were afraid. Jesus asks them not to be afraid and in the end, they worship him, the Lord of all creation, exclaiming, that He truly is the Son of God.

What is the sea, you are in the middle of? Is it a health crisis, a financial crisis, a spiritual downtime …?
What are the waves of doubt that are tossing you around? Are you questioning the sovereignty of God?
What are the winds that are buffeting against your beliefs? What are you afraid of ?

While the world today is concerned of the state of economy it is in, with unemployment and layoffs on the rise, with the health condition of men/women taking disastrous turns, Jesus is telling us just one thing – DO NOT BE AFRAID. Jesus is asking us to see His footprints on the water.

When all other ground is sinking sand, On Jesus Christ, the SOLID ROCK, we can stand.

He is the Lord of all creation, the LORD over all your circumstances. See his footprints in the middle of your circumstances and your waves of doubt will be tossed away and all contrary winds of opinions will dissipate. He is to be worshiped as He truly is the Son of God.

Matthew 14:24-33
24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén