by David Scott Robertson
John 7:40-43 (NLT)
When the crowds heard him [Jesus] say this, some of them declared, "This man surely is the Prophet." [41] Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? [42] For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born." [43] So the crowd was divided in their opinion about him.
* * *
Pardon me, but would I sound crass and self-righteous if were to raise the question to those in the crowd the day these statements were made that were recorded in the gospel of John:
"Wait a minute! Has anyone bothered to ask Jesus where He was born? Where did He grow up? Let's ask Jesus right now to help us understand how His life thus far has fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah."
The reason the crowd, both in Jesus' day and in our day, are divided about their opinion about Him is that they have not done their homework. Discovering the truth has rarely been a priority to a busy, self-centered culture. We are prone to make value judgments long before we have the facts established. We permit others to formulate our opinions for us, somehow trusting that they have done their homework when in fact they have not.
There were probably remnants of the multitudes that at various times may have approached Jesus after His public discourses and in essence said:
- "Excuse me, Jesus, may I ask you what you meant when you said…?"
- "Pardon me, Lord, I want to believe what you're saying but I'm having a little trouble understanding. Can you help me?"
- "Rabbi, I'm not a Pharisee, Sadducee, scribe, or teacher of the law. I'm an ordinary man. Will you explain the meaning of the parable you just shared with the crowd, please?"
It's people like these that went home with a revelation of who Jesus really was. It's no wonder why God plainly says through the prophet Hosea: "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge…" (4:6).
The reason those in the world at large who has heard the gospel message and still question or reject it is that they have not done their homework. If they had, they would come to the inevitable conclusion that Jesus is who He claimed to be - God's only provision for their sin.
Unfortunately, many stubbornly refuse to accept the fact that their personal sin has estranged them from the living God. In their heart of hearts, many sincerely believe that they are good enough to make it to heaven or at least not bad enough to be condemned to hell. They may be sincere but they are sincerely mistaken.
Many agnostics have embarked on a journey to disprove the Bible and the claims of Christ and have collided with the truth along the way and have converted to Christianity.
Christian apologist Winkey Pratney writes in his excellent article "Holy Bible, Wholly True?" that the odds that just 48 of the prophecies concerning Jesus Christ would coincidentally be fulfilled by someone else are 1 x 10to the 157th power (that's 1 x 10 followed by 157 zeros)!
Mr. Pratney goes on to say that Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies in His coming to earth (not even counting those He will fulfill in His return to earth)!
It amazes me how much homework American consumers will do before they purchase a new car, or secure a mortgage, or decide which university their daughter will attend. They'll spend hours on the Internet gathering information, interview friends, make on-site visits to car dealerships or banks or colleges investing money and time into what they consider to be an important decision for their future.
How much more, then, should we do our homework investigating the claims of Christ who alone can save our souls?
DSR
11/28/04
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Monday, November 22, 2004
The Book of Books
by David Scott Robertson
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…" (2 Timothy 3:16)
* * *
If there's one thing that's here to stay, it's change. Virtually everything and everybody in the natural world changes.
People change clothes, they change their minds, they change jobs, they change addresses, they change diapers, trash can liners and even spouses. The weather changes, the interest rates change, and public opinion changes depending upon which way the wind is blowing.
The birth and death rate changes ever single day. The calendar changes every 24 hours, the clock changes every 60 seconds, and our lives change ever so slowly or ever so quickly one meaningful or meaningless day at a time.
All change is not for the better but very often it is. Many times, pain is the traveling companion of change. In this ever-changing world, it's nice to know that God does not change. His Word does not change. The two, in fact, are as inseparable as they are solid.
- Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
- Jesus is the Word (John 1:1).
- Jesus was the Word made flesh that dwelt among men (John 1:14).
The infinite Word of the Lord has been forever recorded in the written languages of the world. Regardless of the native tongue, this supernatural book called the Bible possesses what no other book on earth does - the ability to reveal God's plan of salvation to its reader - that is, the revelation of Jesus Christ to a human being.
The revelation of Jesus as Savior and Lord is the overarching theme and message of God's Word to mankind. This is what separates the Bible from all other books on the planet. It is alive (Hebrews 4:12) and supercharged with life that can be transferred to the reader through a conduit called faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Bible indeed is the Book of books.
Its timeless doctrines are not subject to edits, revisions, improvements, deletions, modifications, and/or amendments to add to or take away from the fundamental truth it espouses. There are not many "truths" or multiple methods of reconciliation of fallen man with his Creator - the Book of books reveals that there is only one way, one plan, "...one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time" (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
When God's Word and man's opinion collide, when the dust settles, guess who will remain standing? God and His Word preceded your birth and will remain after your death.
The Word of God is the spiritual food of all those who lay claim to Christ as Savior and Lord. We must by all means feed on Jesus if we are to earnestly contend for the faith.
The unchanging Word of the Lord will encourage you, edify you, correct you, exhort you, instruct you, and transform you to the degree that you partake of it.
I suggest that you value it properly and feast on it daily. The light of the Gospel is to the Christian what sunlight is to the plant initiating the miracle of photosynthesis.
Multiplied thousands of books have been written about the Book of books, but none surpass its wisdom and knowledge. Truly, the Bible is the Word of God.
DSR
11/22/04
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…" (2 Timothy 3:16)
* * *
If there's one thing that's here to stay, it's change. Virtually everything and everybody in the natural world changes.
People change clothes, they change their minds, they change jobs, they change addresses, they change diapers, trash can liners and even spouses. The weather changes, the interest rates change, and public opinion changes depending upon which way the wind is blowing.
The birth and death rate changes ever single day. The calendar changes every 24 hours, the clock changes every 60 seconds, and our lives change ever so slowly or ever so quickly one meaningful or meaningless day at a time.
All change is not for the better but very often it is. Many times, pain is the traveling companion of change. In this ever-changing world, it's nice to know that God does not change. His Word does not change. The two, in fact, are as inseparable as they are solid.
- Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
- Jesus is the Word (John 1:1).
- Jesus was the Word made flesh that dwelt among men (John 1:14).
The infinite Word of the Lord has been forever recorded in the written languages of the world. Regardless of the native tongue, this supernatural book called the Bible possesses what no other book on earth does - the ability to reveal God's plan of salvation to its reader - that is, the revelation of Jesus Christ to a human being.
The revelation of Jesus as Savior and Lord is the overarching theme and message of God's Word to mankind. This is what separates the Bible from all other books on the planet. It is alive (Hebrews 4:12) and supercharged with life that can be transferred to the reader through a conduit called faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Bible indeed is the Book of books.
Its timeless doctrines are not subject to edits, revisions, improvements, deletions, modifications, and/or amendments to add to or take away from the fundamental truth it espouses. There are not many "truths" or multiple methods of reconciliation of fallen man with his Creator - the Book of books reveals that there is only one way, one plan, "...one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time" (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
When God's Word and man's opinion collide, when the dust settles, guess who will remain standing? God and His Word preceded your birth and will remain after your death.
The Word of God is the spiritual food of all those who lay claim to Christ as Savior and Lord. We must by all means feed on Jesus if we are to earnestly contend for the faith.
The unchanging Word of the Lord will encourage you, edify you, correct you, exhort you, instruct you, and transform you to the degree that you partake of it.
I suggest that you value it properly and feast on it daily. The light of the Gospel is to the Christian what sunlight is to the plant initiating the miracle of photosynthesis.
Multiplied thousands of books have been written about the Book of books, but none surpass its wisdom and knowledge. Truly, the Bible is the Word of God.
DSR
11/22/04
Monday, November 15, 2004
Statement of Faith
by David Scott Robertson
"'[Jesus speaking] You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven'" (Matthew 5:13-1)
* * *
1. Have you ever heard of a bird that's afraid of heights?
2. Have you ever heard of a cheetah that preferred walking to its prey instead of running?
3. Have you ever heard of a fish that didn't like swimming?
4. Have you ever heard of a Christian that was afraid to share their faith?
Why is it that first three statements seem abnormal to most of us while the fourth seems perfectly acceptable? How odd is must appear to God, who made birds, cheetahs, fish, and man, to see them acting contrary to His design for their lives!
Should not a Christian person sharing their faith in God with a friend be as natural as a fish in water? Why is it, then, that a zealous Christian who is outspoken about his or her faith intimidates the daylights out of most of us?
Are we under conviction or are we just lazy? Are we more afraid of offending someone than concerned for where they will spend eternity? If we feel ill prepared then why don't we prepare since we know that every day we will encounter lost people who need Jesus? Are we stuck in a mindset that it's the pastor's job to save the lost and not ours? Do we buy the lie the enemy sows into so many hearts that we can deal with this issue later, at a more convenient time?
Sharing the love of God with others should be the natural by-product of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It should also be an act of obedience to God's Great Commission:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).
If God has spoken to your heart is it only because He wants you to be encouraged? Or is it so that you can strengthen the faith of others by passing along an encouraging word?
If God has blessed you financially, is it so that you can invest and store up (for a time you may never see) or is it to release desperately needed funding into the kingdom of God?
If God has revealed a truth to you from the Bible, is it so you can hoard the pearl of wisdom for yourself or spread the wealth of revelation liberally to others?
If God has saved you, is it so that you can feel good about your "fire insurance policy" or could it be that you are the very worker that Jesus was referring to when He exhorted His disciples to pray for more laborers to be released into the harvest field?
"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38).
May I exhort you to be all that God has made you to be? He has made you to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), a city set on a hill (Matthew 5:14), and a beacon of truth to a world darkened by sin (Matthew 5:16). The Holy Spirit will help you to share you faith in appropriate, respectful, caring, and loving way. God gave us the Law, the Ten Commandments, as a key to help sinners comprehend how miserably they have missed the mark of God's righteous standard. Bypassing intellectual arguments, the Law can be a tool to help the pre-saved see their great sin, their great death sentence, and their great destruction in a place the Bible calls hell.
At that time, it can be your privilege and mine to share the gloriously good news of the gospel that "…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Let's determine in our hearts to allow our very lives to become our statement of faith.
DSR
11/15/04
"'[Jesus speaking] You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven'" (Matthew 5:13-1)
* * *
1. Have you ever heard of a bird that's afraid of heights?
2. Have you ever heard of a cheetah that preferred walking to its prey instead of running?
3. Have you ever heard of a fish that didn't like swimming?
4. Have you ever heard of a Christian that was afraid to share their faith?
Why is it that first three statements seem abnormal to most of us while the fourth seems perfectly acceptable? How odd is must appear to God, who made birds, cheetahs, fish, and man, to see them acting contrary to His design for their lives!
Should not a Christian person sharing their faith in God with a friend be as natural as a fish in water? Why is it, then, that a zealous Christian who is outspoken about his or her faith intimidates the daylights out of most of us?
Are we under conviction or are we just lazy? Are we more afraid of offending someone than concerned for where they will spend eternity? If we feel ill prepared then why don't we prepare since we know that every day we will encounter lost people who need Jesus? Are we stuck in a mindset that it's the pastor's job to save the lost and not ours? Do we buy the lie the enemy sows into so many hearts that we can deal with this issue later, at a more convenient time?
Sharing the love of God with others should be the natural by-product of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It should also be an act of obedience to God's Great Commission:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).
If God has spoken to your heart is it only because He wants you to be encouraged? Or is it so that you can strengthen the faith of others by passing along an encouraging word?
If God has blessed you financially, is it so that you can invest and store up (for a time you may never see) or is it to release desperately needed funding into the kingdom of God?
If God has revealed a truth to you from the Bible, is it so you can hoard the pearl of wisdom for yourself or spread the wealth of revelation liberally to others?
If God has saved you, is it so that you can feel good about your "fire insurance policy" or could it be that you are the very worker that Jesus was referring to when He exhorted His disciples to pray for more laborers to be released into the harvest field?
"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38).
May I exhort you to be all that God has made you to be? He has made you to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), a city set on a hill (Matthew 5:14), and a beacon of truth to a world darkened by sin (Matthew 5:16). The Holy Spirit will help you to share you faith in appropriate, respectful, caring, and loving way. God gave us the Law, the Ten Commandments, as a key to help sinners comprehend how miserably they have missed the mark of God's righteous standard. Bypassing intellectual arguments, the Law can be a tool to help the pre-saved see their great sin, their great death sentence, and their great destruction in a place the Bible calls hell.
At that time, it can be your privilege and mine to share the gloriously good news of the gospel that "…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Let's determine in our hearts to allow our very lives to become our statement of faith.
DSR
11/15/04
Monday, November 8, 2004
I've Been Thinking About You
by David Scott Robertson
I don’t know about you, but I enjoy getting emails, cards, calls, and visits from good friends. I like it when they let me know that they have been thinking about me and have taken the time to encourage and bless me.
Did you know that God has been thinking about you, too? For a very long time now you have been on His mind. He had you in mind before there ever was a you; before you were born, God was thinking about you. As a matter of fact, there are seven times that God was thinking about you that I’d like for you to think about today:
1. GOD WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU IN THE ETERNAL PAST
Before the world began, you were on God’s heart. If that were not so, then why was Jesus called “the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” (Revelation 13:8)?
You see, before God formed Adam out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the first man became a living being (Genesis 2:7), God absolutely knew that Adam would sin. Adam and Eve’s offspring all the way down the timeline of history to you and me would also sin, and God knew all this in advance.
Nevertheless, He created us and provided a way of escape from the sinful condition that we would eventually find ourselves in. Make no mistake, God was seriously thinking about you, yes you specifically, before the creation of the world.
2. GOD WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE
You and I were formed to be part of God’s family. He has always desired fellowship with human beings created in His image and in His likeness. This is easily shown by seeing God reaching out to man in the first book of the Bible – Genesis.
After God created thousands of species of beasts and birds, He brought each one to Adam to see what he would name them (Genesis 2:19). God was allowing man to actually partner with God in establishing order on the earth.
Apparently God’s custom was to walk in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden with Adam and talk and enjoy each other’s company (Genesis 3:8). The Lord still desires to walk and talk with us in covenant friendship to this very hour.
3. GOD WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT TIMES
Moses and Abraham were both consider “friends” with God (Exodus 33:11; James 2:23 respectively). I see them as types of God’s great desire to have close friendship with those who are willing to believe in Him.
Thousands of years ago, God (who plays no favorites) was setting the stage for men to have communion with Him on a regular basis.
4. GOD IS THINKING ABOUT YOU THROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT TIMES
God has always wanted to reveal Himself to mankind. He has always desired to make the revelation His love known to mankind. This is best illustrated through God’s gift of Jesus Christ to the world. Jesus spoke this plainly when He said:
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him…Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:21;23)
Jesus painstakingly took the time to reassure His followers of how very much He and the Father long to be with us.
“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).
When you and I are separated from a loved one, we use photographs, personal notes, memories, and other things to remind us of how much we love that person. God said through the prophet Isaiah: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me” (Isaiah 49:16). I think the Lord’s ugly crucifixion scars are one of the most beautiful reminders in the whole world that we have been on His mind for a very long time. The old hymn rightly says it: “when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.”
5. GOD IS THINKING ABOUT YOU IN THE LAST BOOK OF THE BIBLE
From Genesis to Revelation, you have been on God’s mind. When Christ-followers die now, the Bible teaches that they go to a place called heaven. I don’t know where it is but it’s sure not here on earth as we know it. One day, however, instead of us going to His actual location, He is moving His actual location to where we are!
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).
Think about it! God, who wrote the end from the beginning was thinking about setting up His kingdom not only in your hearts but ultimately setting up His permanent dwelling place in your midst!
6. GOD WILL BE THINKING ABOUT YOU IN THE ETERNAL FUTURE
God’s experience with you (and to some extent your experience with God) is not limited to your life span from cradle to grave. For God it began before your birth and for us it never ends, even outliving our deaths.
The scriptures foretell of a time when we time shall become obsolete and transition into forever, infinity, eternity. When Jesus Christ returns to earth to claim His Bride, the Church, living or dead, from that point forward, we shall live forever with God in glorified bodies:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
It’s no wonder the Bible says: “Therefore encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)!
Forever with God! Truly, God had you and me in mind when He created creation and laid out His plan for the ages.
7. GOD IS THINKING ABOUT YOU RIGHT NOW
Finally, I believe God is thinking about you right now, as you read these words. I believe this because His Word says:
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
I think it would make God smile if you were to think of Him right now too.
DSR
11/8/04
I don’t know about you, but I enjoy getting emails, cards, calls, and visits from good friends. I like it when they let me know that they have been thinking about me and have taken the time to encourage and bless me.
Did you know that God has been thinking about you, too? For a very long time now you have been on His mind. He had you in mind before there ever was a you; before you were born, God was thinking about you. As a matter of fact, there are seven times that God was thinking about you that I’d like for you to think about today:
1. GOD WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU IN THE ETERNAL PAST
Before the world began, you were on God’s heart. If that were not so, then why was Jesus called “the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” (Revelation 13:8)?
You see, before God formed Adam out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the first man became a living being (Genesis 2:7), God absolutely knew that Adam would sin. Adam and Eve’s offspring all the way down the timeline of history to you and me would also sin, and God knew all this in advance.
Nevertheless, He created us and provided a way of escape from the sinful condition that we would eventually find ourselves in. Make no mistake, God was seriously thinking about you, yes you specifically, before the creation of the world.
2. GOD WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE
You and I were formed to be part of God’s family. He has always desired fellowship with human beings created in His image and in His likeness. This is easily shown by seeing God reaching out to man in the first book of the Bible – Genesis.
After God created thousands of species of beasts and birds, He brought each one to Adam to see what he would name them (Genesis 2:19). God was allowing man to actually partner with God in establishing order on the earth.
Apparently God’s custom was to walk in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden with Adam and talk and enjoy each other’s company (Genesis 3:8). The Lord still desires to walk and talk with us in covenant friendship to this very hour.
3. GOD WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT TIMES
Moses and Abraham were both consider “friends” with God (Exodus 33:11; James 2:23 respectively). I see them as types of God’s great desire to have close friendship with those who are willing to believe in Him.
Thousands of years ago, God (who plays no favorites) was setting the stage for men to have communion with Him on a regular basis.
4. GOD IS THINKING ABOUT YOU THROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT TIMES
God has always wanted to reveal Himself to mankind. He has always desired to make the revelation His love known to mankind. This is best illustrated through God’s gift of Jesus Christ to the world. Jesus spoke this plainly when He said:
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him…Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:21;23)
Jesus painstakingly took the time to reassure His followers of how very much He and the Father long to be with us.
“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).
When you and I are separated from a loved one, we use photographs, personal notes, memories, and other things to remind us of how much we love that person. God said through the prophet Isaiah: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me” (Isaiah 49:16). I think the Lord’s ugly crucifixion scars are one of the most beautiful reminders in the whole world that we have been on His mind for a very long time. The old hymn rightly says it: “when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.”
5. GOD IS THINKING ABOUT YOU IN THE LAST BOOK OF THE BIBLE
From Genesis to Revelation, you have been on God’s mind. When Christ-followers die now, the Bible teaches that they go to a place called heaven. I don’t know where it is but it’s sure not here on earth as we know it. One day, however, instead of us going to His actual location, He is moving His actual location to where we are!
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).
Think about it! God, who wrote the end from the beginning was thinking about setting up His kingdom not only in your hearts but ultimately setting up His permanent dwelling place in your midst!
6. GOD WILL BE THINKING ABOUT YOU IN THE ETERNAL FUTURE
God’s experience with you (and to some extent your experience with God) is not limited to your life span from cradle to grave. For God it began before your birth and for us it never ends, even outliving our deaths.
The scriptures foretell of a time when we time shall become obsolete and transition into forever, infinity, eternity. When Jesus Christ returns to earth to claim His Bride, the Church, living or dead, from that point forward, we shall live forever with God in glorified bodies:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
It’s no wonder the Bible says: “Therefore encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)!
Forever with God! Truly, God had you and me in mind when He created creation and laid out His plan for the ages.
7. GOD IS THINKING ABOUT YOU RIGHT NOW
Finally, I believe God is thinking about you right now, as you read these words. I believe this because His Word says:
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
I think it would make God smile if you were to think of Him right now too.
DSR
11/8/04
Monday, November 1, 2004
The Black Highlighter
by David Scott Robertson
"Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes" (Jeremiah 36:23-24).
* * *
This passage of scripture shows us an interesting approach to Bible study. If you read something you don't like, just cut it out! Burn it. Delete it. Pretend that it doesn't exist. Ignore it. You be the judge instead of God. You override the prophetic word and let truth be whatever you determine it to be.
Instead of using a yellow highlighter to MARK passages you like use a black highlighter to MARK OUT passages you don't like.
To many this sounds absurd. Too many, however, act just as absurd when they read God's Word but don't believe it let alone act on it. Their unbelief is tantamount to them using a black highlighter to do away with a statement they don't want to deal with.
What color of highlighter do you use in your Bible study?
DSR
11/1/04
"Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes" (Jeremiah 36:23-24).
* * *
This passage of scripture shows us an interesting approach to Bible study. If you read something you don't like, just cut it out! Burn it. Delete it. Pretend that it doesn't exist. Ignore it. You be the judge instead of God. You override the prophetic word and let truth be whatever you determine it to be.
Instead of using a yellow highlighter to MARK passages you like use a black highlighter to MARK OUT passages you don't like.
To many this sounds absurd. Too many, however, act just as absurd when they read God's Word but don't believe it let alone act on it. Their unbelief is tantamount to them using a black highlighter to do away with a statement they don't want to deal with.
What color of highlighter do you use in your Bible study?
DSR
11/1/04
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