Tag: Stone

“It Is Written…”

2 Timothy 3

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.

According to Dr Kent Hovind, the Bible can be defined as, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. A select few men, were chosen and inspired by the Spirit of God, to record specific events of history, so that man could learn the knowledge of God, and gain an understanding of His purposes. The purpose of reading scripture is to study, meditate on, understand, then apply biblical knowledge to our daily lives. The more we learn about God’s word, the better equipped we’ll be to handle the issues of life. Take time daily to read and study God’s word, and allow it to strengthen your faith in Him.

Presumptuous Sin

Numbers 15:30-41

Committing sin through ignorance, or unwillingly, was handled very delicately by God in ancient times. If a man or woman, who was among the children of Israel, committed an act against the commandment of God, but was unaware of their offense, that particular sin could be forgiven. Fortunately, at the cost of offering an animal sacrifice to the Lord, the priest could make an atonement for all the congregation of Israel. Conversely, in the case where an individual of the congregation of Israel willfully went against the words the Lord had spoken through Moses, that person would be sentenced to death. While some may feel God’s punishment in these instances was too harsh or strict, the simple act of obedience was an easy remedy to avoid certain death.

God takes sin very seriously today, just as He did in time past. When a man knows to do good, yet refuses, this is considered sin, according to James 4:17. Our text mentions a man who was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. According to the law, it was forbidden to perform labor on the Sabbath, so gathering sticks was considered work. While there was a law to cover those who sinned through ignorance, those who had knowledge of their actions were deliberately despising the word of the Lord, and broke His commandments. Thus, that soul would utterly be cut off, and their iniquity would forever be upon him. In addition, those who literally defied the commandments of God would be stoned outside the camp.

It’s a privilege and an honor to be covered under the new covenant, because many today (including myself) knowingly commit sin, and go against the commandments of the Lord. But, by the grace of God, we can be forgiven, and set back on the righteous path. Taking advantage of grace to sin willfully, is abusing God’s gift. In this case, God could literally turn you over to a reprobate mind, so be thankful we aren’t condemned when we fall, but are justified and renewed by the blood of Jesus.

Hearts Of Stone

Zechariah 7:8-14

Living as a born-again believer can oftentimes seem toilsome and laborious, but many who carry heavy burdens while on their spiritual journey, have more than likely added extra weight, due to their disobedience to God’s Word. I can attest to this fact, because I’ve ignored the Spirit many times in the past, thus finding myself in unfavorable situations that linger, even today. When we obey God and His simple commandments, we can avoid adding unnecessary distractions in our lives that cause stress, shame, depression, and regret.

The Lord orders our steps for reasons that cater to fulfilling His divine plan for our own lives, and those He connects us with. Conversely, when we disobey the Father, we can bring potential harm to innocent souls that could have been won, had we only obeyed. The prophet Zechariah was one of three prophets after Judah’s exile; the others were Haggai and Malachi. In our text, the Lord brought word to Zechariah, commanding His people to obey a few simple commands, so that He could bring restoration to the people and their land. The seven commands were, execute true judgment, show mercy and compassion, don’t oppress widows, don’t oppress the fatherless, don’t oppress strangers, don’t oppress the poor, and don’t imagine evil against your brother. Those commands sound extremely easy to follow, right? Hearing the words from the Lord is one thing, but doing them is where the real test begins. Rather than hear and obey God’s commandments, so they could be restored, the people did the total opposite! The text reads, “But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets:”

When a man refuses to obey the law, he is dealt the appropriate punishment. In the same sense, God dealt with Judah according to their disobedience. Judah refused to hear God and obey, so He, in turn, refused to hear them when they cried out to Him. God came upon the people with a great wrath, and scattered them with a whirlwind among all nations whom they knew not. “Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.”

Can you imagine how many blessings you’ve missed throughout your life because of your disobedience? Can you also admit, things in your life could have been a bit more manageable, had you only listened to the Spirit, urging you to do the right thing? Be mindful not to harden your hearts toward the Word of the Lord, as the people of Judah did, because only through the Word of God, can we find wisdom, direction, peace, safety, and provision, while avoiding the Lord’s wrath, and all that comes with the penalty of disobedience.

Bring Them In

John 1:37-42

Of all the disciples who followed after Jesus, none were more recognized than Simon Peter. Upon meeting Jesus for the first time, Peter was instantly given the name, Cephas or a stone. In other words, Jesus was actually able to judge a man at first sight, and saw that Peter was strong, firm, and not easily swayed from what he set his mind to. Peter did many great things for the cause of Christ, and a great many people were saved because of his obedience to the will of God. All that Peter did for God’s kingdom was counted as worthy in the eyes of the Father, but what if his brother Andrew never left from following John the Baptist, sought to find him, and brought him to meet Jesus? Andrew could have easily stayed with John or Jesus, and learned from their teaching, but it’s hard for anyone to have an experience with the Son of God, and not run to tell others about it. There’s a song that has the words, “Said I wasn’t gonna tell nobody but I… Couldn’t keep it to myself, what the Lord has done for me.” Reading the words of Scripture are always fascinating, but can you imagine hearing those same words coming from the mouth of the Son of God? Andrew knew, bringing his brother to Jesus would be a great thing, and he was right!

One of the mandates of the Christian is, to go out and make disciples. In the book of Matthew, Jesus said it this way, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” In the books of the Ephesians, the apostle Paul summarizes that God’s purpose is to bring everything into subjection to Jesus Christ through the church. He says that the church is the vehicle the Father wishes to use to subject all things to the Son. Andrew was wise in sharing Jesus words with his brother, and the world was never the same because of it.

How many people have you brought to Christ since you’ve been born again? Do you read, study, and meditate on the Word of God, only to keep it all to yourself? Or, do you willfully share God’s goodness with those you meet? I’ve heard a few cool phrases over the years that are relevant to this lesson: “Each One Reach One”, and “Many Hands For Many Hearts”. God wants all of mankind to subject themselves to His Son, but many had unfortunately chosen the unrighteous path, which led to their demise. For those who remain in the earth, there is still hope, and the church should shift their focus from self and amusement, to diligently winning souls for God’s kingdom.

All For His Glory

John 11:1-11

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “All For His Glory”! Starring, Martha, Mary, Lazarus, Jesus, and the Disciples! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

Lazarus: (Moaning in pain and agony) Mmmmm… ugghhh… Martha…. Mary….

Martha: Lazarus! Lazarus! Oh no! Mary, his condition is getting worse!

Mary: God, if you’re listening, please help our ailing brother.

Martha: If Jesus was here, He would save our brother. Mary, let’s send word to Jesus that we desperately need His help.

Mary: Alright sister, I’ll make haste to do so. Lazarus, you hold on. I’m sending a messenger to find Jesus.

Lazarus: (Moaning goes from intense, to subtle, as Lazarus drifts into sleep) mmm…hmmm…Mar..

(Messenger arrives where Jesus is, and is met by the disciples)

Messenger: Excuse me. Pardon me, but is the healer here?

Disciples: If you’re referring to Jesus, yes. He is.

Messenger: If possible, could you bid Him to come, because I have an urgent message to deliver.

Disciples: Whatever you have to tell the Master, you can say to us.

Messenger: Well, if you insist. The message reads, “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.”

(Jesus overhears the message)

Jesus: Worry not kind sir, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of man might be glorified thereby.”

Disciples: Oh, hello Master. We were just…

Jesus: It’s ok men. Tell them I will come soon (to the messenger).

Messenger: Thank you my Lord. I shall.

Disciples: Master, what’s going on? What was that all about? Do you know who the man was referring to?

Jesus: Prepare yourselves men, for in two days, we will journey again to Judea.

Disciples: Woah woah woah! Wait a minute. My Lord, a few weeks ago the Jews there sought to stone you. It’s too dangerous to return there now. Don’t you agree?

Jesus: Gentlemen, when you know the plan of the enemy, you can wisely plan around it.

Disciples: Oooooh, right. That makes so much sense. You are beyond man’s wisdom, my Lord

Jesus: Besides, you’ll soon see and understand my purpose in doing things the way I do, then youI’ll believe.

*The disciples often questioned the methods Jesus used in certain situations, and failed to see the spiritual significance behind it, but the longer they observed His works, the more they realized how amazing the power of God was, working through His Son. Oftentimes we see things in our own lives that may appear as dead, but God allows things to be put on hold, long enough for the world to assume it’s over, so that He can then restore life and purpose to that dead situation. In times when you don’t understand God’s plan, keep the faith, and watch how He works things out in your favor.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “All For His Glory”! Thanks for tuning in.

Don’t doubt; Trust God’s promises

Numbers 13:1-2, 17, 25-28; 14:1-2, 5-10

Knowing God the way I do today, allows me to see things in Scripture differently than I did when I first began to meditate on the Word. When I use to read about the children of Israel, I had a slight case of envy for them, being that they were God’s chosen nation, set apart to establish His kingdom in the earth, and to be the line by which Christ was to come through. Unfortunately, the more you read about the ancient Israelites, the more disgust I’m certain you’ll develop for their consistent disobedient behavior, as I have as well.

God literally proved Himself, His amazing power, and sufficient grace and mercy to His people on multiple occasions, yet those miraculous acts weren’t enough to convince the privileged Israelites to commit their trust totally to Him. When they complained about being in bondage, and suffering persecution, God delivered them with a mighty hand. When they cried as they stood facing the Red Sea, while being pursued by a bloodthirsty Pharoah and his army, God parted the sea, allowed His people to cross over on dry land, then closed the waters to drown Israel’s pursuers. As the people roamed the wilderness, following God’s path to the Promise Land, their complaints reached elevated heights, as they assumed God brought them out of Egypt, only to kill them in the wilderness. So, God miraculously provided food for them, day and night. God provided top-notch protection for the people as He allowed pillars of cloud and fire to go ahead of them by day, and night as well. Out of all these things the Lord did for the children of Israel, they were nowhere close to being sold on His promise of Canaan, especially following the evil report of Giants and fortified buildings in the land.

I’m having trouble understanding the logic and reasoning of the people, because they saw God’s handiwork before their very eyes, yet when facing giants, they cowered in fear. God told them time and time again, the land was theirs, even though someone else attended to it until they arrived (which was actually a good thing). They were also promised God’s personal protection to aid them in taking what was rightfully theirs. But……some people…..no matter what you say, or do to convince them that their victory is indeed assured, they’ll prefer to hold on to their own fear, rather than confide in someone who’s already proven they can take care of them.

Things got even worse when the people threatened to stone the very men who led them, and had faith in God to deliver the land into their hands. While Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the people, no doubt as a sign of “what do I do now, these people are hopeless”, Joshua and Caleb became angry, tore their clothes, then reminded the people that with God, there is nothing to fear. If God hadn’t stepped in to protect His men, that mob of cowards would have probably stoned them to death.

Fear can cause us to make unwise decisions. The next time you’re faced with a challenging situation, rather than doubt God and react out of fear, pray to Him, and ask for wisdom to make the right choices, and courage to see the process through. God wants the best for you, but you must trust that His word is true, despite what comes against you.

Walk in love,

Ell