They Will See God

Scripture: Genesis 21:16-17 "So [Hagar] sat opposite [ Ishmael], and lifted her voice and wept. Then God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is."

Observation: By all means, the descendants of Ishmael should have continued in worshipping God. Here God did amazing things for their patriarch. This is consistent with the rest of Genesis that describes how God has spread His name and great glory to every tribe and nation in the world. Everyone, everywhere is held responsible for worshipping the True God and truly we have great reason to.

This is also the second time that Hagar met The God Who Sees. He once again saw her hurt. This is another display of God's personalized and intimate concern and caring for each of us. The Bible is full of examples of the ways God has demonstrated what He can do and how He calls us to submit ourselves to His ways and to believe in faith that they are the best thing for us, and that He will care for us.

Application: God's promise to greatly bless Ishmael based on her faith and His will is convicting... and encouraging.

I often read the Bible and take obedience only so far. When He says "Let nothing come from your mouth except what is encouraging" (Ephesians 4:29), He can't really mean that, right? I mean, "nothing"? Admonishments against anger, gossip, sexual lusting - the Bible says eliminate it all but He doesn't really expect me to completely forgo things that may cause me to sin in those ways, does He?

Doesn't He know what that would mean? Where would it end? I would end up being a wierdo in other's eyes! How would I relate to people if I don't take in the the latest movies and TV, sports, or parties? Or stay current on news and Hollywood happenings.

But the word is "Be holy... as I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16).

It says, "Whoever is ashamed of Me and My word in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of the Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).

Jesus said, "Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worhty of Me..." (Matthew 10:37). If I am to put God and His word before and above even my family (when there is a contradiction), I should certainly put Him and obedience to His word before and above recreation and pleasure.

Even more specific are Paul's words in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things."

I will entrust it to the Holy Spirit to tell me what and how much to leave - what it means for me to pick up my cross and to crucify the flesh.

Prayer: Father, I desire to obey You in this truth. At the same time I could become legalist in this. That's a danger. The only way I know for it not to be merely adherence to a set of do's and do not's is for my motivation to be the reward of joy, happiness and fulfillment found only in sweet relationship with You. As Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!" God, I want to see You!
Help me to act in accordance with that desire. I need to remember that You are a greater joy, a deeper satisfier, a stronger pleasure than anything and everything in this world; like the sun eclipsing the stars, they are nothing before You. I love You. Amen.

It's A Good Day To Dye

Nothing really says Easter to me more than forcing five people to sit around a too-big table with five very full, very spill able containers of vinegar and food coloring attempting to change the God-given color of shells for chicken eggs that were never given the chance to carry life.

Here are some of the great smiles (and eggs) we managed to pry from ourselves yesterday. Wyatt invented the method that made the eggs look like a colorful granite slab. (You probably have a better way of describing it... if so, please leave it as a comment below because I don't want to keep saying it like that.)

 

"Buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God who raised Him from the dead" Colossians 1:20

Rocking The Lederhosen

My sister Wendy put this together. I had to put the link here so I never, never, never, ever, never, ever lose it.

Enjoy!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Hope Lies In The Prayer Of The Saints

Scripture: Genesis 18:32, "Then [Abraham] said, 'Suppose ten should be found [in Sodom]'. And [the LORD] said, 'I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.' "

Observation: This is perhaps the third punishment or display of wrath by God thus far in Genesis: (1) the flood, (2) Eden, (3) Sodom. I wouldn't count Babel because there was little wrath displayed; God just intervened to direct mankind the way He willed.

In Eden all (both) persons were guilty. In the flood, all persons except Noah were guilty (and perhaps his family). Technically Scripture doesn't declare Noah innocent; it simply states that he found grace in the LORD's sight.

Here we know that only Lot (and perhaps his family) feared and loved God in the whole city of Sodom, because Sodom was destroyed once they left.

Abraham was doing far more than praying for God to save his nephew. This was intercession for the whole city and he was basing his entreaty with God on God's character as a Righteous Judge.

Application: A fear has come on many people in America that the end of all things is approaching because of the immorality that is being established in law by our lawmakers and reaffirmed by our judges. The velocity of this degradation in righteous laws appears to be increasing exponentially now.

Two questions must be asked and answered by me: (1) Have we gotten to the "less than 10 righteous" point? No. (2) Am I loving enough to entreat God for mercy and grace on our nation despite America's stubborn, rebellious, self-seeking, God-blaspheming, idolatrous, greedy, violence-loving, righteousness-hating, Scripture-despising hearts and actions? I pray for God's grace to be.

Prayer: God, I am a sinful man. My heart is prone to wander. I turn from You so often. Forgive me. Change me.

Our nation refuses to enforce our laws on murders, molesters, rapists, thieves, and on and on; but we ensure our people have the right to murder babies by the millions! We've even given it a nice sounding name so satiate our consciences. We're condoning role-reversal and destroying Your designed covenantal purpose for marriage. We've despised Your Holy Scriptures and driven You out of the public life. Our government leaders are motivated by greed and personal agendas.

And we wink at it all. Forgive us. For Your names' sake, do as David cried in the Psalms: "Save the humble people and bring down haughty looks!"

You see the hearts of all men and women. You know of the rebellion within us. You see the pain and hurt that we've inflicted on ourselves because we refuse to submit to You. Have mercy.

We are responsible for it all. We have ceased teaching our children Your ways. I don't teach them to love You. We have turned aside to instead teach them to love pleasure, leisure, entertainment, personally-glorifying pursuits and materialism.

Work in the lives and hearts of every person in our nation to bring greater glory to Your name. I know that may mean that You bring us down to the dust to demonstrate You wrath, and yet I pray it. You are God and we are the creation. You have that prerogative.

But my prayer is that You heal our land! Chasten us into repentance. Draw us by Your mercy and goodness! And we will praise Your holy and worthy name!

I love you. Amen.

Fairies and Aliens

My daughter is pretty sure I have a few things wrong.

Fairies exist.

Unicorns exist.

Aliens exist.

I think the first two are possible, but the last one is a bunch of hogwash. In my opinion.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that the best way to make me mad and to see me throw away something I've paid for is to create a movie with a surprise ending that assumes or attempts to prove the existence of extra-terrestial beings (especially using biblical references!).

Over the years I've watched a few movies that focused on the little green monsters. Some I enjoyed, others, like I said, didn't agree with me.

The original. A little touchy feel, right? But a classic.

Definitely classic. Aliens = bad. Simple and straight forward.

A thinker. Matthew's point of the purpose of the universe is upside-down, but worth a watch.

The world's first 4-letter word with seven letters. The word "hate" should be reserved for special occasions like this. And for the first time in a long time, it wasn't Nicolas Cage that made this movie so bad.

 These guys report that there is one less bit of evidence against me on the alien thing.

Catholic vs. Reformers on "Justification"

This is a repost from FB to hopefully get some views outside of my "friends". I think it's important.

To any Catholics out there, I'd love to hear any response on the below citations. This is how I've always understood the Catholic position on salvation, so if any of this is taken out of context please provide some clarification.

Reprise: The ‘Gospel’ According to Rome
by Nathan Busenitz

With a new pope elected, the eyes of the world are on the Roman Catholic Church. No doubt many evangelicals find themselves confused as to the critical differences between the biblical gospel and the gospel according to Rome. Hence today’s post:

In Romans 11:6, Paul says of salvation, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”

By contrast, Roman Catholicism finds itself in the impossible position of advocating a gospel in which salvation is offered by grace plus works. The Catholic church promotes a synergistic sacramental soteriology in which human good works, along with God’s grace, contribute to the sinner’s justification.

This is in distinct contrast to the evangelical understanding of the gospel, in which salvation is received by grace through faith alone.

Despite the ecumenical efforts of some, the difference between Roman Catholicism and Protestant Evangelicalism is one of substance not merely semantics.

Today’s post is intended as a summary of Roman Catholic teaching with regard to the essence of the gospel (in order to demonstrate how it strays from the biblical message of salvation). Catholic sources are included under each of the following points.

* * *

I. According to Rome, salvation is not by grace alone through faith alone; it does not come through the sole imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner.

Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 9: “If anyone says, that by faith alone the impious is justified . . . let him be anathema.”

Council of Trent, Canon 11: “If anyone says that men are justified either by the sole imputation of the justice of Christ or by the sole remission of sins, excluding grace and charity which is poured into their hearts by the Holy Spirit and inheres in them, or also that the grace which justifies us is only the favor of God, let him be anathema.”

* * *

II. According to Rome, good works are necessary for salvation. They are not merely the fruits of justification (as evangelicals assert), they are actually the root of it. They are meritorious and will be rewarded with eternal life.

Council of Trent, Canon 24: “If anyone says that the justice [or justification] received is not preserved and also not increased before God through good works but that those works are merely the fruits and signs of justification obtained, but not the cause of the increase, let him be anathema.”

The Catholic Encyclopedia, in an article entitled Sanctifying Grace, states that the sinner “is formally justified and made holy by his own personal justice and holiness” such that “over and above faith other acts are necessary for justification” including acts of charity, penance with contrition, and almsgiving.

Catholic Answers: “Even though only God’s grace enables us to love others, these acts of love please him, and he promises to reward them with eternal life (Rom. 2:6–7, Gal. 6:6–10). Thus good works are meritorious. When we first come to God in faith, we have nothing in our hands to offer him. Then he gives us grace to obey his commandments in love, and he rewards us with salvation when we offer these acts of love back to him (Rom. 2:6–11, Gal. 6:6–10, Matt. 25:34–40). . . . We do not ‘earn’ our salvation through good works (Eph. 2:8–9, Rom. 9:16), but our faith in Christ puts us in a special grace-filled relationship with God so that our obedience and love, combined with our faith, will be rewarded with eternal life (Rom. 2:7, Gal. 6:8–9).”

Notice the confusion Catholic theology portrays in trying to maintain a gospel of both grace and works. On the one hand, Catholic apologists assert that believers do not earn their salvation through good works. On the other hand, they contend that God rewards good works with eternal life. Those two concepts are contradictory. Is eternal life a free gift (received by grace) or is it a reward (received on the basis of good works)? It cannot be both.

But Catholics do not seem to be aware of that critical contradiction. Hence, the Catholic Catechism asserts that heaven is “God’s eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ” (P 1821). In other words, heaven is offered on the basis of grace plus works.

Catholic theologian Ludwig Ott reiterates the confusing concept that eternal life is both a gift of God’s grace and a reward for human good works.

Catholic theologian, Ludwig Ott: “The Council of Trent teaches that for the justified eternal life is both a gift or grace promised by God and a reward for his own good works and merits. . . . According to Holy Writ, eternal blessedness in heaven is the reward . . . for good works performed on this earth, and rewards and merit are correlative concepts” (Ludwig Ott,Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma [Rockford: Tan, 1974], 264).

Ludwig Ott: “As God’s grace is the presupposition and foundation of (supernatural) good works, by which man merits eternal life, so salutary works are, at the same time gifts of God and meritorious acts of man. (Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, 264, 267).

In particular, Catholic theology asserts that the sacraments are necessary for salvation — including baptism and the keeping of the Ten Commandments.

Catholic author, John Hardon: “Are the sacraments necessary for salvation? According to the way God has willed that we be saved the sacraments are necessary for salvation” (John Hardon, Question # 1119).

The Catholic Catechism: “The Council of Trent teaches that the Ten Commandments are obligatory for Christians and that the justified man is still bound to keep them [fn, Cf. DS 1569–1570]; the Second Vatican Council confirms: “The bishops, succors of the apostles, receive from the Lord . . . the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments” (P 2068; ellipsis in original)

Notice that “baptism” and the “observance of the Ten Commandments” have been added to “faith” as being necessary for unbelievers to “attain salvation.” This is similar to the Judaizers of Acts 15, who wanted to add circumcision and Mosaic Law-keeping to the requirements for salvation in apostolic times. In fact, in Roman Catholic theology, baptism is regarded as the equivalent of circumcision, and the Ten Commandmants are the heart and summary of the Mosaic Law.

You can see how Paul responded to the synergistic gospel of the Judaizers in Galatians 1:6–9.

* * *

III. According to Rome, the act of water baptism brings forgiveness for sins. Any major sins committed after baptism must be paid for by the sinner through acts of penance.

The Catholic view on penance represents a distorted understanding of the biblical doctrine of repentance.

The Catholic Catechism: “By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as punishment for sin.” (P 1263)

The Catholic Catechism: “Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded the ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification.” (P 1446)

The Catholic Catechism: “Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused. Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must ‘make satisfaction for’ or ‘expiate’ his sins. This satisfaction is also called ‘penance’.” (P 1459; emphasis mine)

John Hardon: “Penance is . . . necessary because we must expiate and make reparation for the punishment which is due our sins. . . . We make satisfaction for our sins by every good act we perform in the state of grace but especially by prayer, penance and the practice of charity” (Question #1320).

* * *

IV. According to Rome, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is not sufficient to send the redeemed directly to heaven. Thus, sins that are not properly paid for in this life (through penance) will be purified after death through temporary punishment in Purgatory.

Council of Trent, Canon 30: “If anyone says that after the reception of the grace of justification the guilt is so remitted and the debt of eternal punishment so blotted out to every repentant sinner, that no debt of temporal punishment remains to be discharged either in this world or in purgatory before the gates of heaven can be opened, let him be anathema.”

Handbook for Today’s Catholic: “If you die in the love of God but possess any stains of sin, such stains are cleansed away in a purifying process called Purgatory. These stains of sin are primarily the temporal punishment due to venial or mortal sins already forgiven but for which sufficient penance was not done during your lifetime” (p. 47).

The Catholic Catechism says that Purgatory is for “all who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation, but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (P 1030).

Pope Paul VI: “The doctrine of purgatory clearly demonstrates that even when the guilt of sin has been taken away, punishment for it or the consequences of it may remain to be expiated and cleansed. They often are. In fact, in purgatory the souls of those ‘who died in the charity of God and truly repentant, but who had not made satisfaction with adequate penance for their sins and omissions’ are cleansed after death with punishments designed to purge away their debt.” (Paul VI, Indulgentiarum Doctrina, January 1, 1967).

This, of course, is in direct contrast to biblical teaching about divine forgiveness:

Romans 8:1 – “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 5:18–21 – “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Colossians 2:13–14 – “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

* * *

V. According to Rome, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is repeated every time the Mass is celebrated.

Council of Trent: “If anyone says, that the sacrifice of the mass is only a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; or that it is a bare commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross, but not a propitiatory sacrifice . . . and that it ought not to be offered for the living and dead for sins, pains, satisfactions and other necessities: let him be anathema” (Doctrine on the Sacrifice of the Mass, Canon 3).

John Hardon: “The Sacrifice of the altar . . . is no mere empty commemoration of the Passion and death of Jesus Christ, but a true and proper act of sacrifice. Christ, the eternal High Priest, in an unbloody way offers himself a most acceptable Victim to the eternal Father as He did upon the Cross. . . . In the Mass, no less than on Calvary, Jesus really offers His life to His heavenly Father. . . . The Mass, therefore, no less than the Cross, is expiatory for sins” (Questions #1265, 1269, 1277).

This is in direct contrast to the biblical teaching about Christ’s death:

Hebrews 7:26–27: “For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”

Hebrews 10:10–14: “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”

* * *

The Biblical Position: In contrast to the Roman Catholic position, salvation comes through faith alone by grace alone based on the work of Christ alone. (Though good works result from our new birth, they are not the basis of it. Good works are the fruit of justification, not the root of it.)

Here are just a few verses to make the point.

Luke 18:9–14 – “He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

John 20:31 – “These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Acts 16:30–31 – “After he brought them out, he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”

Romans 4:2–5 – “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”

Romans 10:9–10 – “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Ephesians 2:8–10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Titus 3:4–8 – “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.”

Conclusion: Before evangelicals rush headlong to enthusiastically embrace the new pope (pretending as if the Reformation never happened), they should stop and remember the fact that the Roman Catholic Church teaches a gospel that is utterly incompatible with the biblical gospel of grace. In the same way that Paul denounced the false teachings of the Judaizers (Gal. 1:6-9), the gospel according to Rome deserves unhesitating words of condemnation.

That means that those who promote Rome’s false gospel, including the new pope, ought to be confronted for their part in the propagation of damning error.

Telling Of Things To Come

Scripture: Genesis 15:13-14 "Then [God] said to Abram: 'Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.'"

Observation: Throughout the OT God displayed shadows of things to come. The temple, the alter, the conquering of Canaan - each of these represents or is a picture of an aspect of the completed structure of God's finished work through Jesus Christ. On the walk to Emmaus Jesus explained to two of His disciples all the things in the Scriptures (OT) that spoke of Him; this was a several hour journey.

This significant event between God and Abram does that as well. Romans 9:6-8 clarifies that those of faith in God through Jesus are Abram's descendants (c.f. Gal 3:28-29). The fact that his descendants would be strangers is emphasized in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 and Ephesians 2:11-13, 19-20. A believer in Christ, someone truly submitted to the Lordship of Jesus will have afflictions (John 15:18-19). God will eventually judge this world. Believers will be brought out of it with eternal, spiritual riches - a heavenly inheritance (1 Peter 1:5-6; Colossians 1:12; Matthew 6:19-21).

Application: God has provided His word to us that we might believe and after believing we might have assurance and an enduring hope. Believe God's word and rest in it. Be floored daily by the gift of the Scriptures. Be diligent to read, study, meditate on, memorize, and hear God's word in faith on a daily basis. Wait on the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth as Jesus promised the Spirit would.

"Rest my hope fully on the glory that will be revealed."

Make abiding in Christ my treasure. Desire God as the plant desires the water. Grow toward God as the trees grows to the sun. Dig deep into God's word as the roots spread and drives into the soil.

Prayer: Father, lead me into You. May I know You and Your presence. Give me a pure and holy passion for You. You are the all-sufficient One, the true and only Satisfier.

The Greatest Blessing

Scripture: Genesis 9:25-27 "Then [Noah] said, 'Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants he shall be to his brethren.' And he said: 'Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japeth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem..."

Observation: Noah's cursed Canaan and not Ham who actually did the deed. I can't get into that in a journal; I've already written an entire essay on that topic. As far as I can tell Canaan wasn't even Ham's first-born.

Noah blessed Japheth.

Noah blessed the God of Shem. This indicates two things:
(1) Shem followed the Lord.
(2) Noah was prophetically pronouncing that God would do great things that would go much farther than Shem's life (as is then described in the narrative of Genesis 11:10 to 12:1, when Abram is called away by God). Here again is the sovereignty of God. It wouldn't be seen in blessings of wealth and expanse. God was going to do a sovereign, electing work through a specified line of individuals that would eventually lead to Jesus, the chosen one.

Application: Far greater is it to be known as the servant, than the materially blessed. If all I am remembered by is the name of my God, then it's God that gets all the fame, hey? I am determined to commit my life to God and to live my life for Him in a way that my name is not mentioned without it bringing about greater glory to my Lord.

Prayer: May I become lower and You greater. Blessed be the God of Dale. I love You. Amen.

What Would Drive God to Wipe Us Out?

Scripture: Genesis 6:13 "And God said to Noah, 'The end of all flesh has come before me, for the land is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the land.' "

Observation: Based off the last journal man had been populating the land for 1565 years. In that time God had passed over much sin. He finally determined that He would no longer pass over sin because of the extensiveness of it. Of all sthe ins occurring, violence was especially abhorrent to God. This is repeated in verse 11.

Why violence? What about violence would be so specifically heinous? Were the land full of lies or idolatry or covetousness would he have done the same thing? Violence is the result of a complete disregard for God. Violence ignores that God is life, love, creation, peace, beauty, purity and joy. Violence also ignores that God is judge, the only righteous one, and the only holy one. Violence not only ignores God as God, but by it we clearly display that we have put ourselves in the place of judge and executioner. All victims of the violence have become subjects (in my mind). In other words, I am god and I deal judgment and wrath out as I see fit.

I cannot be naive about this though - anger and violence are from the same heart. Anger toward my son is from the same root that murdering my son would sprout from. They are not two branches of sin; they are one branch with violence simply being further out on the branch from the trunk.

Truly, at its core violence is destructive. God builds up. Satan's goal is to destroy everything God builds. Ultimately, violence both glorifies, and is the chief aim of, Satan. Therefore, what this text says is that all the world but one man was worshipping and acting as accomplice to God's enemy.

Application: Purity your heart, Dale. Consider carefully where violence (and its root) exists in my heart and life. Do I entertain myself with violent movies? Do I joke about destructive and violent things? Is death, abuse, or physical, verbal or emotional violence in any way humorous to me? Do I laugh at it? Do I act in anger or violent ways toward others? The word of God implores me in contrast: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue or if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8.

Prayer: Sanctify me Father. I want to love You with all my soul, strength, body, and heart. Amen.

Altus Activities

One of the great things about Altus, Oklahoma is the easy access to outdoor... er, country activities. This day it was going across the street to hunt crawdads at the creek. These are some good memories.

Timeline

Scripture: Genesis 5 - 7:6 Genealogy

 

 

 

 

Observation: God waited to bring the flood until the days of righteous Methuselah were complee. This Lamech, Noah's father, was very likely also righteous and died 5 years before the flood.

 

This geneaology has no gaps and appears to be intentionally recorded for the purpose of documenting the passsage of time and the righteous line of Seth.

A Little Splash of Fact for Your Fiction

I don't watch the news much these days, but our current budget problems and the so-called possible solutions are kind of killing me and making me giggle at the same time. It seems our country to destined to pay the penalty making money and material objects our god and savior.

It's not too late to repent and pray for our nation and its leaders to repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

However, I think it's important that we stop for a near-history lesson. I posted this in 2009 when the Obamacare bill was being lobbied for (really just the first two paragraphs).

It's extremely important that we understand that those financial tactics that are suppose to make Obamacare such a smashing success are still being employed today.

Will anyone do anything about it?

And, yes, I spent several hours reading that bill... I would image I read more than many, many of the representatives that lobbied for it and signed it.

The Heart of Cain's Problem

Scripture: Genesis 4:5-6 "but [God] did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?' "

Observation: This interaction between God and Cain continues on for another 9 verses, but it starts with Cain's unsanctified offering, his response to rejection, and God's greatest concern at that point.

We do not know many specifics surrounding why God didn't accept Cain's offering but some things are clear: Cain's heart was wrong during and after the offering. The only reason Cain could have for anger to be his response to God's disapproval is that he knew the offering was not done with a heart that wholly desired to please the Lord. God always accepts the imperfect offerings given from a perfect heart. If God for some reason cannot accept it He will, like any loving father, tell me.

This is further proven by the fact that God didn't even mention the offering afterward. He passes it by and moves straight to Cain's heart. Anger and self-pity were Cain's responses. It was all about Cain. God was concentrating on the heart of the issue - Cain's self-centered, sinful heart.

Application: First, the offering was expected. I am, along with people everywhere, under obligation (to our own good) to worship God. That is good and right. It also is the primary source of man's rebellion by which man condemns himself to hell's eternal punishment. Our sinful nature refuses to bow to God. So worship the Lord, all you people!!!

Second, God is praised by the trees, rocks, oceans, horses, eagles, and sharks. The only exceptional aspect that I can bring is a heart that willingly desires to worship the King. A willingness, more than that - a joyfulness at my opportunity to be a living sacrifice to my Creator God is my special gift from God.

Third, God loves me beyond my comprehension. He is "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth " (Exodus 34:6). Only Satan and his demons comes at us with fingers pointed. God returns with arms open, and will bring specific sins or attitudes to us for us to turn from (repent).

Prayer: Father, my greatest problem is my rebellious and wandering heart. Please continue to draw me by Your goodness and to teach me that You alone can satisfy the longings that burn in my heart. You are good Lord! I love You. Amen.