Holy and True

O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?

Revelation 6:10

This is the heart cry of those who suffered death for Jesus' sake because they were true to Him in life and testimony. Is it not such a cry as sometimes bursts forth from our own souls as we see the hellish hatred of Satan for the souls of men? "How long, O Lord, how long, Thou Holy and True One?" But we must abide in faith. He says, "What I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter." How marvelous is the grace and patience of God our Savior! But the day is coming when the Righteous Judge will render His judgment. Thou Holy and True One, we look to Thee in full assurance of faith. Keep us close to Thyself this day. Amen.

[Hurlburt, Charles E. and Horton, T.C. , The Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord: Names and Titles of the Lord Jesus Christ as Found in the Old and New Testaments, Abridged Edition, pg.178]

Daniel's 70 Weeks

This prophecy, found in Daniel 9:24-27, is one of the most precise prophecies in the Bible concerning the Messiah and the end times.

"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."
(Daniel 9:24-27 ESV)

Chuck Missler, of Koinonia House Ministries, explains the prophecy in detail.

Article
14-Part Video

A-Atheism?

Sam Harris, who is often associated with internationally renown atheists Richard Dawkins, Dan Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens, gave this talk at the AAI (Atheist Alliance International)'07 Conference. Expecting a bashing on God and religion in general, I was surprised to hear Sam talking about reason and the necessity to look at each belief carefully, instead of initially rejecting any type of spiritual experience. He talks about the absurdity of Mormonism and the inhumane beliefs and acts of radical Muslims, but leaves the door open to spirituality that support love and reason. He talks to a crowd of atheists and tells them that his shift in philosophy and strategy as a rational thinker may be controversial to some, but nevertheless is an honest appeal for truth. Is it possible that Sam may one day find the Truth? I believe so, for he already has a glimpse of it. Pray for him, that he may find God and see his need for a Savior.

Put on the Whole Armor of God

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:11-20 ESV)

• belt of truth - the whole counsel of God; the Gospel
• breastplate of righteousness - the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us by God
• the gospel of peace - brings peace to a mind that was once hostile toward God
• shield of faith - God is our shield (Genesis 15:1)
• helmet of salvation - in Christ we are saved
• sword of the Spirit - the Word of God, with its two edges - the law and the Gospel. It convicts of sin, wrath, and destruction. (Hebrews 4:12) It humbles us and cuts down all forms of self-righteousness. It tells us we cannot depend on our reasoning or wisdom, but trust God in all things.
• prayer - God alone gives the victory and we are to fervently ask for it, in all forms of prayer - public, private, casting away of evil, petitions for good, thanksgiving for mercies, looking for every opportunity to pray.
  

Whom, When, How to Deliver

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. (2 Peter 2:9)

The godly are tempted and tried. That is not true faith which is never put to the test. But the godly are delivered out of their trials, and that not by chance, nor by secondary agencies, but by the Lord Himself. He personally undertakes the office of delivering those who trust Him. God loves the godly or godlike, and He makes a point of knowing where they are and how they fare.

Sometimes their way seems to be a labyrinth, and they cannot imagine how they are to escape from threatening danger. What they do not know, their Lord knows. He knows whom to deliver, and when to deliver, and how to deliver. He delivers in the way which is most beneficial to the godly, most crushing to the tempter, and most glorifying to Himself. We may leave the "how" with the Lord and be content to rejoice in the fact that He will, in some way or other, bring His own people through all the dangers, trials, and temptations for this mortal life to His own right hand in glory.

This day it is not for me to pry into my Lord's secrets but patiently to wait His time, knowing this, that though I know nothing, my heavenly Father knows.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Sequoia

July 5, 2008

Crystal Cave - We stopped in a huge magnificent underground room, the largest in all of Sequoia National Park, where the tour guide turned off all the lights for what seemed to be about five minutes. It was absolute darkness, with not a trace of light anywhere. The guide hushed the group to a complete silence, and the only sound that was heard was the dripping of water from the cave ceiling. Sadness overcame me because I could not enjoy anything. There was no light. This is darkness and life apart from God.


I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

(Matthew 8:11-12 ESV)

also in the parable of the wedding feast and of the talents:

Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."

And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 25:14-30



General Sherman Tree - This is the largest tree in the world. As I approached this natural wonder, I stood in awe of its size. Everyone looked like little ants. There must have been hundreds of cameras snapping photos of this wonder.

How prone we are to worship creation instead of the creator. I can only imagine what the people at the Tower of Babel thought as they attempted to usurp God's glory and His righteousness by making a name for themselves and worshiping the works of their hands. We are all capable of forgetting to give credit due God's name. How we are all easily deceived without the Spirit leading us to Him.

Lunch - I stopped at Lodgepole Village for lunch. I bought a hamburger with fries and took my food outside. Flies started to swarm my food. These were not regular houseflies but wild ones. I swatted the flies with my hands but they didn't get the message, and kept coming back. If I relaxed one moment, looking at the nature that surrounds me, the flies would take advantage and come really close to the food. I've wondered why Satan is called Baal-zebub, meaning the lord of the flies. I think I have a better understanding now. Satan is not domesticated. He's wild and runs loose, looking for every opportunity to contaminate the good work that God has begun in His children. Thank God that out of His mercy and grace, saves us and restrains evil. How much more do we need to be aware of the plans of the enemy and keep watch and stay alert.

After lunch, I drove to Grant Grove, home of the third largest tree in the world, the General Grant Tree. This is where I walked on a side path and asked God why the journey to Sequoia National Park. I wanted to spend quiet moments with Him. I've contemplated running away into the mountains before, completely separated from the world, a world filled with evil and with people who reject and hate God. This is one of the reasons I ventured here. This is the reason I wanted to hear from God. What could the God who created such beauty and the God who allows the world to turn everyday and allow goodness to fall upon everyone want from me? The response was simple. "Be with My people, and love them." Despite the suffering, pain, irritation, misunderstandings, wrongdoings, I want you to be with the people and love them. Isn't this what Jesus did when he walked on this earth? I left the mountain at peace, knowing that I don't belong there. Coming down the mountain I sing, Lead on Lord Jesus, lead on.

Vomit and Grace

Here's the page from my spiral notebook journal, dated July 1, 2008:

3:30 a.m.

Incredible stomach ache. Food poisoning? I'm immobilized and cannot even stand up. I can't remember the last time I've been in this much pain. I've already vomited, and thought that all the poison is gone. I was wrong. Minutes later, I vomited again. I realized, that the body will reject even a trace of poison. I can be thankful I have a healthy functioning body. I have to suffer and wait for all the poison to leave my body.

So it is with our spirit when we sin against God.
Do we cover up and make excuses for our sin?
God, in order to dwell in us by the Holy Spirit, must purge us (sanctification) of all sin. This may be uncomfortable and even painful because our spirit strives and battles with our carnal, lustful flesh.
Are we alive to the cleansing, or do we deny the Spirit's work? For the Christian, cleansing is a continuous on-going process. Jesus tells us of this daily cleansing. "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. " (John 13:10 ESV).

What are some common poisons?

• pornography - don't be deceived by excuses such as it's not real, it's just for fun, and it relieves stress and sexual tension.
• illegal software, movies, music - isn't this stealing?
• materialism - ipods, cameras, TVs, cars, computers, clothes - rather than saying we should get rid of all these things, examine the worth of these things in bringing glory to God. Once you make enough to buy a house, a car, and almost anything you want, consider carefully whether these things are enjoyed to the glory of God or if they add to the poison.
  

I'm not clean in all these areas and realize that there's still a lot of poison in my body. God help me, cleanse me, that I may see clearly and live victoriously and joyfully.

5:00 a.m.

Just as I'm writing this, I had to make a run to the bathroom to vomit out the rest of the poison. Even when we think we're ok, we must always be alert. To be alive in Christ is to be dead to sin. Since sin still lingers, we must always be at war with it. Do not be deceived - the enemy is always at war with the Christian. However, the outcome has already been determined. The victory has already been declared. It is ours and we must claim it in Christ's name. How good it feels to have vomited all the poison. I am renewed. Thank you God for cleansing me, for your grace which strengthens me.

July 1, 2008 - I'm making a new commitment to the cause of Christ, brought forth by God through the work of the Holy Spirit, revealing the incredible mysteries of God, opening my eyes to the world beyond this world. Lord, make me alive to spiritual things and help me put to death sin and the things of this world. Lead on Lord Jesus, lead on.

The Greatest Words in all of Scripture

[from recoverthegospel.com]