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Tag: son

  • Define God

    Define God

    Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke… Hebrews 1:1 excerpt

    So you ‘go to church’ to hear a man say what God has said. Or you read a book by a man (supposedly of God) who will tell you what God has said. Or you will agree with nearly anyone who will mention God in conversation, even if they say Allah is god or Jehovah is god or Buddha is god or best of all, god is in everything.

    What do you believe about God? Can you define it? Can you define God?

    Genesis 1:

    In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… And the Spirit of God… And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light… And God made… And it was so.

    26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.

    Who IS this God who was in the beginning, who created; this Spirit who said and made and it was? Who is this God who said, “Let us…” let the reader understand, ‘us, plural; “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness?” What Spirit can say, “Let us make man in our image?” How can the likeness of God live in the flesh of a man? How can the image of God exist in the image of a woman?

    One of many supposed preachers of the Gospel, a wolf clothed as a sheep who would claim that nearly all paths could lead to God, has written a book asking the reader to consider his understanding of the all-inclusive forgiving nature of god to include unrepentant sinners. (That is not how he states is, but that is what he preaches.) A promotional review of a supposedly traditional protestant denomination states of his book (and definition of God): “Good news for people who want nothing to do with religion; better news for those of us who are deeply committed to the faith, but see that religion is way off track.”

    Really? A book with only a passing, eventual reference of Jesus Christ, Son of God, proclaims an all-inclusive grace for unrepentant sinners apart from the purification brought forth by a permanent change and repentance to our sinful nature.

    Religion, which the world maligns, is much more than a feel-good routine. Religion is a dedication of purpose to a constant worship of God in our very life, created in His Image.  For the purpose of definition: Religion – The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

    We had best be clear that the distinctive of Christianity is Christ.  How can a book, preacher or christian claimant speak of God without pointed reference to Christ Jesus?

    Perhaps the one who references ‘god’ does not have any more commitment to faith in all of God’s word than one who claims many gods or even the one god of the deceitful heart.

    Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30  “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

    If any preacher, author or friend would claim a religion other than what Christ Jesus teaches in the Gospel – yes, forsaking our sinful flesh for a new life in Christ is Good News – let us remind the one who would re-define God what Holy Scripture has instructed. Perhaps they will tell us, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” – Matthew 7:1 (a favorite of many of the unrepentant) Let us remind them of the rest and the context of Jesus’ teaching.

    Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

    A Tree and Its Fruit
    15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

    ‘God’ or ‘god’ is many things to many people. The Bible contains more than four thousand references to ‘God.’ Perhaps it is time for some of us to review just a few of these and renew what it is we believe in our faith in God. Are we not called by scripture to ‘in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you… – 1 Peter 3:15

    Our Lord cautions us: “For many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14  We cannot define God with only slight mention of Christ Jesus, and that not as a true Lord of our life. We cannot define God without support of faith in the Gospel or without belief in the truth of all of scripture. We cannot have god serve our flesh, while we will not worship Christ our Lord, who was sacrificed for our sins.

    You may certainly ponder our Creator in the light of John’s introduction to the Gospel.  You know well John’s description of Jesus love for the world; that is, sinners like you and me [John 3:16].

    It is not enough to just smile and pitch love without repentance and change. Jesus also cautions: … but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

    How dare we claim Christ without mention of His Lordship over our will!  May Thy will be done.

    The writer of Hebrews finishes his description of God in the context we must consider and believe to have true faith in the One God who IS and was and will be.

     God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

    5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

    “You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”?

    Or again,

    “I will be to him a father,
    and he shall be to me a son”?

    6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

    “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

    No, our “religion” is certainly not about angels or spirits, worshiping earth or the heavens, conjecture in aliens or chance, teaching from prophets or authors. Our religion and faith is in the One hope of all mankind for the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection of our spirit into the very presence of God our Father, the love of Christ Jesus the Son, who became Holy sacrifice for our sins, and eternal life in fellowship with God the Holy Spirit; our God Who IS and was and will be forever. Amen.

     

  • Fatherly Advice

    Fatherly Advice

    Psalm 103:13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

    Proverbs 10:1 A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

    Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

    Deuteronomy 5:16 “‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

    Therefore, fathers: how must we instruct our sons; mothers, how must we raise our daughters?

    Instruct them in scripture and raise them in Christ Jesus.

    Although the Proverbs etched in our memory of scripture speak specifically of fathers raising sons in obedience to scripture and to the Lord, the advice of Proverbs should flow also from a mother’s instruction and be heeded by our young women of faith.

    Proverbs 1

    English Standard Version (ESV)

    The Beginning of Knowledge

    1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

    2 To know wisdom and instruction,
    to understand words of insight,
    3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
    in righteousness, justice, and equity;
    4 to give prudence to the simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the youth—
    5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
    and the one who understands obtain guidance,
    6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

    7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction.

    Warn your christian child against becoming a fool without knowledge of scripture and the commands of Christ.

    The Enticement of Sinners

    8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,
    and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
    9 for they are a graceful garland for your head
    and pendants for your neck.
    10 My son, if sinners entice you,
    do not consent.

     Our christian sons and daughters (like us) live in a world opposed to Christ, daily temptations to be enticed by many a sin to the company of the seduction and darkness of welcoming ‘friends.’

     Proverbs 3:

    5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
    6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
    7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

    At what age in your childhood did you become ‘wise in your own eyes?”

    Our younger children may earlier become friends of the world.  Children of rebellious parents would lead your child to their worldly wisdom at an earlier age in these last days.

    Proverbs 5:

    20 Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman
    and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?
    21 For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord,
    and he ponders all his paths.
    22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
    and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
    23 He dies for lack of discipline,
    and because of his great folly he is led astray.

    Proverbs 10

    2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
    but righteousness delivers from death.
    3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
    4 A slack hand causes poverty,
    but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
    5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

    8 The wise of heart will receive commandments,
    but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
    9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
    10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
    and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
    11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
    12 Hatred stirs up strife,
    but love covers all offenses.

    Proverbs 12

    8 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
    19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
    20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.
    21 No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
    22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.

     Proverbs 14 

    1 The wisest of women builds her house,
    but folly with her own hands tears it down.

    11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.
    12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.

    Is yours a Christian home filled with the love, instruction and correction of scripture?

    Does your Holy Christian marriage stand as example before your children of Christ’s own love for us?

    Is your relationship to each of your children near to you as your relationship to Christ Jesus?

    Do your children witness your relationship with God in their relationship with you?

    LORD, Christ Jesus, we are your little children with so much to learn in humility in bowing down to your will for me, for my wife, for our children. Lord help us to be wise in your word and to walk faithfully in witness to your ways.

     

     

  • Getting Out Of Bed In The Morning – Alice J. Wisler

    Getting Out Of Bed In The Morning – Alice J. Wisler

    Christian Non-Fiction Review

    An Introduction by Roger Harned

    As I write this on September 21, 2013, my daughter is celebrating her 21st birthday with friends.  If you do the math from the cover photo you will see that Daniel Paul Wisler was born just 28 days before my daughter Rachel, who will be hosting our discussion on grief.

    In 1997, the year that Daniel died, Rachel’s mother, my wife Becky, also discovered cancer spreading aggressively through her body.  We prayed fervently for the Lord’s intervention, as did many of our faithful friends; but like Daniel, Becky also died 2-10-99.

    Please take a moment to read this review from Alice Wisler’s website.  Join in our discussion on grief.  And consider ordering her book:

    GETTING Out Of Bed IN THE MORNING – by Alice J. Wisler

    A book by a grieving mom for others going through sorrow associated with loss, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache, is a tribute to my four-year-old son Daniel. Filled with prayers, scripture and thoughts on walking through this rocky path called Life, this is a companion for others who want to know that they are not alone.

    Written in devotional format, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning is a companion for those going through sorrow associated with loss—whether brought to the journey through the death of a loved one, failing health, job loss, broken relationships, or weakened family ties.

    Getting Out of Bed in the Morning is ideal for:

    •  Parents who have had a child die
    •  Those faced with an illness, financial dilemma or troubled relationship
    •  Those desiring to be sustained on their journey by God’s comfort, love, joy and
    • forgiveness
    •  Those who yearn to incorporate journaling and prayer into their daily routines
    •  Those who find beauty in walking and seek unique ways to pray and meditate as they exercise

    Alice J. Wisler has contributed an important resource for grieving families by authoring Getting Out Of Bed In The Morning from her own experience of faith in Christ and eternal life.

    Again, please SHARE your heart, scriptures and grieving experiences with all of us as your Christian Social Witness.

    We appreciate your COMMENTS on this or any post.

    Roger Harned