So quickly turned out of the way?

 

“And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.” -Deuteronomy 9:12

It seems that human beings are so easily turned out of the right way. The Bible points out that sin does “so easily beset us” (Hebrews 12:1). This is a sad fact of sinful human nature. Paul warns even, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). We must be ever careful. Satan is out to get us and he is always disguising his efforts in such a way as to trap us and he is aiming for the spots in our character where he knows from experience that he will find weakness. He took Adam and Eve that way, Samson, David, Moses, Aaron, Mariam, the Children of Israel, and you just name them, the list goes on. Let us ever be thankful for God’s grace and mercy through Jesus Christ for if it was not for such then we would all surely be left for dead!

Let us be thankful that in Christ and His word there are power and great promises that will lead to overcome and “to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust” (John 15:4,5; 2 Peter 1:4). And though are sins have been as scarlet, yet they will be as white as snow if we confess and forsake them while trusting in Jesus to deliver by His blood and righteousness (1 John 1:9; Isaiah 1:18; Proverbs 28:13).

Have you been quickly turned out of the way? Have you seen yourself sliding away from God and perhaps doing what you should not have been doing? Did you ever wake up one day and realize that you had followed a path that had led you away (even far away) from God, our Father who loves us? Perhaps you have. Do not despair. It’s very sad. It’s very terrible! But the good news is that God loves you and me still! He longs with a Father’s great heart of love for His wayward child to return to Him and to repent of the sin. God has a place for us still. He shows His great love and mercy for us! He is not willing for any to perish, but desires for all to come to repentance if they will. In fact, He pleads with us to do so (See Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 2:9; Matthew 11:28-30). See also this picture in Jesus’ story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:17-24).

Here is a simple recipe for coming back into the Father’s love and His holiness: Stop where you are…all dirty and sinful. Think of His love. Choose to leave the sinful life and to go back to God’s love (even knowing your unworthiness). The Father will welcome you back with arms of love. He sees you coming when you are still “far off.” When you meet Him confess your sin. He will embrace you, forgive you, cleanse you, fill you, and cover you with His love and righteousness. He will guide you in His way again. Go now and be blessed in God’s love! Do not remain even another moment outside of His love. Stop wallowing in sin and trying to avoid God. Run to Him!! He alone can deliver and save you!

Learning to Fear the Lord through His word

“And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:” -Deuteronomy 17:19

We are to read and meditate in God’s word all the days of our life! I would submit that we cannot learn to “fear the Lord” our God without diligently studying and respecting His word! We must hear it and study it much. We must learn about the God who can turn waters into blood, who can drive back oceans, who can call the dead to life, who can create creatures from nothing and humans from dust.

Learn of the God who can open blind people’s eyes, cause the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the dumb to speak. Learn about the God who rebukes disease and sends demons running and cowering in fear. Learn about the One who can change the heart of a sinner (you and me) and make us to desire holiness and seek it forever. Learn about the God who can forgive the hated and despised of human beings and make them into a person you could love and respect. Know the God who put our Solar system into orbit and who is soon coming again to re-claim this planet, to take it over, and who will destroy all evil.

Get to know Him today while mercy yet lingers! Who cannot fear, reverence and respect such a God? Let us learn from His word to deeply respect/reverence (fear) and follow Him. Only with such a relationship with God can we be overcomers and grow in His Holiness. “By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). And only through the Bible (plus prayer and contemplation of His mighty works in nature) can we learn to fear Him! Go and fill yourself daily with His Holy words!!! Be blessed in Christ Jesus today!

Building a Sturdy Character: A Mystery?

“Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” -Luke 6:47-49

Most people, if you asked them, would say that they would love to have a better character. Wouldn’t you? Some disagree about how to do that. Some doubt if it were even possible. Others wonder how to achieve such a thing, if it were possible. Jesus tells us that it is possible and He tells us how. It’s actually quite a simple recipe that He gives us. It’s no mystery.

Jesus teaches us that character building is like building a house. It takes time to develop, but everyday it will grow if we follow His plan. Then if done rightly, it will stand the tests of various temptations and hardships in this life. The result will be very rewarding! It is achieved by both hearing God’s word and by choosing to believe and to obey it. We have to put it into practice. We should hear and obey God’s word. Do whatever He says! Seek to do it and strive to do it. Pray to do it and take steps to do it. You and I have to be wise. We need to make a choice today and every moment to fill ourselves with Christ’s word and to practice it. In the end we will be blessed by a strong and better character which is more like the character of Jesus.

If we do not obey God’s word (in anything) then we are sowing weakness into our character (just like building upon the sand) which later will reveal itself when the storms of temptation arise in our lives. The weakness of our character will surely show itself when put to the test! When the floods arise our house will fall because it is weak and poorly built (if we have failed to obey God’s word). “The fall of it will be great” Jesus says. How sad and terrible such things will be? How embarrassing and shameful to have a house so poorly and unwisely built that it collapses when the pressures and temptations arise upon us.

But how wonderful it would be if our house stood firm under pressure! For example, how wonderful if our testimony was like that of Joseph who was tempted by Satan (through a married woman in that case, see Gen. 39) and who stood victorious for God! Joseph did not arrive there by accident. Rather, it was by decision after decision every day (little though they may have seemed) that Joseph was able to have a house/character built upon the solid rock of God’s word! By choosing to obey God’s word time after time (rather than lust or some other thing) in the seemingly little things of daily life Joseph was able to develop a pure and holy character that loved righteousness and repulsed evil. We, through Christ, His word (both hearing and choosing to obey), and prayer can be overcomers even like that! Through Christ we can have the victory! Let us seek God daily and choose to obey His word. Also keep in mind that Joseph did not put himself into temptations way or go looking for trouble. He was there by necessity as a slave, just minding his own business and doing his daily work. That’s when Satan brings sin a looking for us! When it tried to take him he knew the best thing was to RUN away! It is manly and Godly to run away from sin when the temptation seems overpowering. Sometimes that is the best thing! Let us not be foolish. Build on the rock as Christ Jesus taught us to do and you will be blessed with more of His strong and righteous character!

Prayer and Decisions – The Example of Jesus

“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;” – Luke 6:12-13

Jesus had been busy preaching and building up His public ministry work for lost humanity. Although He was indeed the Son of God, he was also the Son of Man. He keenly sensed His need for reliance upon the Heavenly Father and for the wisdom that only the Great God of Heaven could reveal. As Christ entered human flesh he also became subject to the dependence of human beings upon the power, strength, and wisdom of God the Father. Jesus knew that they only way to tap into this power was through prayer! Sincere, earnest, heartfelt, humble, passionate, persevering prayer. Christ often spent whole nights in prayer as He needed strength and wisdom for the activities of the next day.

When it came time for choosing His twelve disciples who were to become the apostles or messengers of the gospel to the whole world, Christ felt the need for much prayer! He chose these 12 men from among those who had begun to take an interest in His work, and who had a heart to follow Him, and even Judas.

Christ prayed for wisdom all night long. And then, knowing that He had received from the Father what was needed, he begun the work of choosing His 12 disciples from among the others. He chose the men who were later going to spearhead the carrying of the gospel to the entire world and begin His church upon the earth. What an important task to be done, and what a terribly important job of selecting these men.

Should we not follow the example of Christ? Oh, let us pray! Let us pray earnestly for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance for our lives and for His work! Before making those critical decisions of life let us bow before the throne of the Almighty God of Heaven and Earth and pour out our hearts to Him for wisdom! Let us linger upon our knees before the Lord, talking with Him sincerely. Let it not be a surface work merely, or just a short uninterested few lines, but rather a season of heartfelt and sincere prayer. Praying about a job? Praying about a move? Praying about a spouse? Consider well our need for God’s incredible wisdom and let us seek it earnestly!

The Love of Isaiah 54 – God’s Incredible Love!

The love expressed in Isaiah 54 is none other than the incredible love of God! This chapter pictures the love of God that never gives up until the very end! Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon for us. Though His people were barren, yet He had mercy on them. Though He was angry at His people and cast them away for a time, yet in His love and by His mercy He reached out to gather them again. To seek them and draw them with His love again, if only they might repent of their sins and be saved at last! This is the incredible love of God that is seeking out after us! He longs for us to be saved and for none to be lost, if there is any chance possible (2 Peter 2:9; Ezekiel 33:11). The choice of course lies within us to respond to His callings, and to, by His power, be overcomes together with Christ Jesus!

Just take a moment to read through Isaiah 54 and meditate upon the incredible redeeming love of God!

“Sing, O barren,
You who have not borne!
Break forth into singing, and cry aloud,
You who have not labored with child!
For more are the children of the desolate
Than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord.

Meditation: Though it seems like you have no hope in life, but only trial, sadness, or hardship, yet God has many blessings for you, and so many things for you to simply enjoy and rejoice about. Therefore, rejoice!

² “Enlarge the place of your tent,
And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings;
Do not spare;
Lengthen your cords,
And strengthen your stakes.
³ For you shall expand to the right and to the left,
And your descendants will inherit the nations,
And make the desolate cities inhabited.

⁴ “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;
Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame;
For you will forget the shame of your youth,
And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.
⁵ For your Maker is your husband,
The Lord of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.

Meditation: God and His holy presence is our greatest blessing and fulfillment in life! Seek Him! We need not be ashamed when we have the Lord on our side! Don’t let present circumstances beat you down because God will be the One who will bring blessings to you! They are now, and they are coming, even more so! Never be disheartened but only rejoice in the Lord!

⁶ For the Lord has called you
Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
Like a youthful wife when you were refused,”
Says your God.
⁷ “For a mere moment I have forsaken you,
But with great mercies I will gather you.
⁸ With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,”
Says the Lord, your Redeemer.

⁹ “For this is like the waters of Noah to Me;
For as I have sworn
That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth,
So have I sworn
That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.
¹⁰ For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”
Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

Meditation: Incredible love of God! Incredible mercy He has shown us!! Though it may all appear to you so hard now at this time. Though it appears that you may have been forsaken or forgotten about, yet the Lord has NOT forgotten you! He thinks loving and tender thoughts of you. Even if He had been angry at your sin, yet He has not removed His covenant of peace from you! He has remained faithful in His untiring and relentless love for you! Though floods come, and mountains crumble, though the earth shake or your heart be troubled with deep sorrow, yet the God of love and peace stands calmly and firmly by in His covenant of peace which He will not remove! Only seek Him more!

¹¹ “O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
¹² I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
Your gates of crystal,
And all your walls of precious stones.
¹³ All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
¹⁴ In righteousness you shall be established;
You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
And from terror, for it shall not come near you.
¹⁵ Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me.
Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.

¹⁶ “Behold, I have created the blacksmith
Who blows the coals in the fire,
Who brings forth an instrument for his work;
And I have created the spoiler to destroy.
¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.

Meditation: Though we have been afflicted and tossed by hardships, though comforts have seemed to escape from us and to leave us barren, though enemies have sought to slay us and made grave attacks upon us, though we have felt hurt or in pain, yet God says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” If a “tongue rises against us in judgment” to condemn us for our faults, yet God says, “You shall condemn” that tongue. As the servant of Christ Jesus this blessing is yours because our righteousness comes not merely from ourselves but from Christ Jesus! “Their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord!” God will establish, bless, comfort, and enrich us fully through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior! Blessed be His name!

“Out from there” to Go into God’s Blessings

²³ Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers.” – Deuteronomy 6:23

The Bible says that God brought His people out of the land of Egypt, where they were slaves, so that He could bring them into the promised land. God is in the business of relocating His people for their own good. Sometimes by wandering, or by inheritance, or by chance we could find ourselves in a place where God does not want us to be. That could be a place where we live, a place where we work, a relationship we’re involved with, a sinful thought process we have, or something else. God wants to bring us out of the bad place to bring us into the good place.

“He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in…” God has to do a work of removing us from our present harmful situation, so that He can bring and lead us into the wonderful things that He desires for our lives. There first must be a work of detachment before there can be a work of reattachment to something which is far better for us. God has our best interests in mind.

We simply must be careful though to ensure that we are not found to be fighting against God! Sometimes we are so busy trying to hold onto the things that we’ve grown accustomed to (although they are not really best for us, and possibly not even good). God may be trying to remove us from those hurtful things so that He can bring us into the promised land–something far better! Let us not be content to stay with something that is hurtful to our spiritual life, or retarding our progress in usefulness for God’s kingdom (as long as leaving it is in harmony with God’s commands and will for our lives). Let the bad things part, that God may fill us with the good. And let us not argue with God like many of Israel, who though they were taken out from a bad place, let their minds linger there. Many tried to hold onto what had appeared to be the benefits of Egypt, while forgetting the harmfulness of that land, and even God’s promise to fulfill with something better. Let us not doubt God’s promise or become discouraged in the way from there to the new place where God is leading. Though the journey may seem difficult, the place where God is leading us well surely be worth it!

The Curse of Bitter Water

^“23 ‘Then the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall scrape them off into the bitter water. ²⁴ And he shall make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and the water that brings the curse shall enter her to become bitter.” “²⁹ ‘This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, while under her husband’s authority, goes astray and defiles herself,” -Numbers 5:23-24, 29.

In the days of early Israel, after God had brought them out of Egypt, He gave them many Laws and statutes to guide them in the ways of righteousness and truth. At the head of spiritual, social, and moral leadership was the priesthood. They were to do the work of judging and evaluating all serious matters among the people. Their judgment was to be based upon the Laws and guidelines the Lord had given through Moses. Among those laws was an established law to deal with the issue of jealousy, from a husband, and marital unfaithfulness on the part of a wife. The entire law is found in Numbers 5:11-31. Obviously men were held to strict sexual integrity within the nation as well (Deuteronomy 22:22-24), but this law in particular deals with the woman.

This law was a way to deal with a husband’s aroused suspicion of jealousy of an unfaithful wife, and to decipher whether someone had been faithful or not. Essentially, if the husband became jealous or suspicious of his wife being unfaithful to him then he could take her to one of the priests of the nation, bringing a certain offering, and the charge of suspicion against his wife. The priest would take holy water and mix it with some dirt. The woman would hold the husband’s offering in her hand and the priest would take an oath from the woman while pronouncing a curse through this “bitter water.” The woman was to agree fully to the curse and to solemnly and sincerely swear in her oath that she had not been unfaithful to her husband.Then, the woman was to drink the cursed “bitter water” with the understanding that if she was indeed innocent and telling the truth, that she would be set free and would be without harm. But, if she had been lying, unfaithful, and had sworn falsely, then she would incur the curse of the bitter water. In this curse, her belly would swell up, and her thighs would “rot,” most probably with some horrible form of disease (whether an STD, leprosy, or another).

This law served an important purpose and provides a number of lessons for us. First, God expects marital faithfulness and honesty from both partners in a marriage (both before and after their marriage). Secondly, jealousy is a serious issue in a marriage and should be resolved. Thirdly, we should “be sure your [our] sin will find you [us] out” (Numbers 32:23).The wisdom and implications of this law are clearly evident. First, one should fear to transgress against their spouse lest they should be put through such a process and found guilty. Secondly, one should never give behavior that would arouse suspicion or jealousy in their spouse – they should “avoid the appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22) lest their behavior arouse suspicion and give reason to lead to such a trial. Thirdly, under such an oath, one should fear to lie and then be found out by their own confession (if guilty). Fourthly, if they were truly innocent it would be known and the matter would be settled forever, but if they were indeed guilty and had lied about it (under oath) then their wickedness would still be found out and they would suffer the additional punishment of a swollen belly and a diseased and rotting crotch – truly a just punishment for such a sin or crime.

The same God who opened the Red Sea for His people to cross, who turned Moses’ staff into a serpent, who brought water from a rock in the desert, and turned a rebellious Mariam [Moses’ sister] into a leper for one week, was no God to fool around with or be careless before. The potency and power behind the curse was real, and not merely a bluff from men to scare people into confession. The truth would indeed be uncovered no matter what!

From this law, let us take the following lessons: (1) Don’t sin – run from it! (2) Don’t even give a reason for doubt or suspicion – avoid the appearance of evil and show your faithfulness. (3) If you do mess up in your life, don’t hide it from those who need to know – confess it and deal with it. That is the only possible way for healing (See James 5:16; 1 John 1:9). Sin and unfaithful lifestyles will eventually lead to our total ruin. Lying or adding sin up sin will only make matters worse, so don’t! Sin will eventually be found out; and even if no human being ever discovered it, we can be sure that God has already known about it and judgment for it will surly come if it is not reconciled (See Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 1:16-20).

When God Stops Listening

⁹ “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. ¹⁰ Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.’ ¹¹ “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. ¹² Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. ¹³ Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts.” -Zechariah 7:9-13

God is very “slow to anger,” “of great kindness, or compassion,” and “of great mercy” (Psalm 145:8). But there comes a limit to the Divine forbearance. God will not allow people to transgress His holy laws of love and righteousness continually without impunity. As people persist in evil, refusing to hear or obey His voice, then finally the time will come when God will no longer hear their voice or prayer. Such is the teaching of these verses in Zechariah. After all, if we’re not going to listen to God, then why should He listen to us? Other places in the Bible confirm to us this solemn truth.

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” (Proverbs 15:8). “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9). In 1 Peter 3:7 the New Testament speaks about living lovingly and righteously with our spouses so that “your prayers be not hindered.” In the Old Testament we also have the example of King Saul’s life. He started out well, but then went into a path of transgression that led him farther and farther away from God. He basically refused to listen to God’s voice, and just continued walking in his evil ways. Finally it was said that when he inquired of the Lord “the Lord answered him not…” (1 Samuel 28:6). When there’s no other way to get our attention, then God moves to stronger measures. Plug your ears to God’s holy law and truth for too long, persist in that, and God may just show us what it is like when no one listens to our voice. For such evil persisted in, God says “…when you make many prayers, I will not hear…” (Isaiah 1:15). But is there any hope for those of us who fear, “What if we’ve gone too far?” “Will God ever hear my prayers?” “Is there any hope left for me?” “Can I still repent?”

The answer to these questions is, “Yes!” We can repent, humble ourselves before God, start listening to His voice, and He will hear us. That is the promise of His incredible mercy!! Isaiah 1, verses 16-19 continue the story and show us the incredible hope that we can have from God, even in such a situation!! “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, ¹⁷ Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. ¹⁸ “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. ¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;”

Let us close with the following promise from God,  “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Let it be so with us, that we would listen to God and humbly obey Him. Then we can be sure that our prayers are heard on High! “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).

Revelation Series Update! (studied through lesson 4 now, and...)

Hey just a quick update! Currently teaching through the book of Revelation in our Bible class! We've studied up through lesson 4 now, but only finished the first chapter! We took our time to study through chapter one slowly just to make sure everyone could spend more time getting to know Jesus - the main person of Revelation - before moving into the messages from Christ to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3.

You can print the PDF notes and listen to our audio lessons to study along with us as we go through the book of Revelation!! Simply go to our Revelation page!

God Bless,

Ben B.

God’s Promised Power for Those who Trustingly Pray and Obey

 

“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.” -Psalm 145:18-19.

God will be near to those who “call upon Him.” These are those who give sincere time to earnest prayer and who seek the Lord! God will be near to us if we do so. Do you want to be near to God? Would you like God to be nearer to you? This is His promise to us, so how about we pray more!! Also, those who “fear Him,” that is those who respect and reverence His name, those who obey Him by keeping His word will have His blessing, power, and visible answers to prayer in their lives. That’s His promise! Will you read and obey His word more faithfully? Lord bless you if you will!!!

God will Judge all Persistant Evil-Doers

^“18 so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood; ¹⁹ and so it may not happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart’—as though the drunkard could be included with the sober.

²⁰ “The Lord would not spare him; for then the anger of the Lord and His jealousy would burn against that man, and every curse that is written in this book would settle on him, and the Lord would blot out his name from under heaven.” -Deuteronomy 29:18-20

God will deal with all evil doers. He is a merciful God and will “abundantly pardon” those who repent of their sins and who come to Him for mercy (See Isaiah 55:7). Jesus Christ took our sins upon Himself and died for us, taking the punishment or payment for our sins (See Romans 6:23; Isaiah 53:4-6). However, if we turn away from the Lord’s mercy and stubbornly persist in our sins, just trampling upon His grace as if it were a license to sin then we are deceiving ourselves! God will not tolerate such wickedness. The verses above remind us that bitter and stubborn rebellion against God’s ways, or the choice to live in sin, when Jesus is saying, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11), will be fatal choices. Such a choice to continue living in sin, while comforting yourself with the thought that no retribution or punishment will come for it, would be a fatal one–a seal or mark of death.

The Lord says, “Repent” or “Turn from your evil ways, for why will you die…” (See Ezekiel 33:11). God hates sin. But He loves people. Sin destroys lives. Both our relationship to God and to one another is deeply injured by sin. Therefore, God hates sin. Sin is the opposite of true and pure love. Therefore, because God is love, He utterly hates sin! Since God must destroy all sin, those who choose to persist in their sins will die with their sins.

Some say, “I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart” (v.19 above). Such a statement is utter blindness and deception. Only the righteous and pure, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, who follow the “dictates” of God’s Holy word will receive the reward of eternal life (See Revelation 22:14,15; 21:7,8,27; Matthew 5:8). Let us not be deceived by thinking to follow the “dictates” of our own hearts, the worldly desires, lusts, or “imaginations of our own hearts” (as some Bibles have put it). God’s word makes it clear that such will never receive salvation (Hebrews 10:26,27). Let us therefore rather be those who follow the dictates of God’s Holy word and who receive the commendation of God, “Well done thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21; 4:4). Amen?

Video sermon on Busyness and Spirituality!

Are you too busy for God? Feel like you're missing something? Want to be closer to God? Be encouraged in the right direction by this sermon! Maybe you don't feel like your missing anything...? Danger. Find out how to be close with God and be blessed by His spiritual power and presence in your life! Go to our video.

Have a blessed day!

-Ben B.

Finished studying 1-3 John! Studying Revelation next!

Our study of 1st-3rd John was just finished the other day! Those letters talked a lot about walking in the light of truth, loving God and others by sincere and righteous actions towards them, trusting in God as the source of our strength, living pure and holy lives consecrated to Him, and understanding His incredible love and how to live that way towards others! It was truly a blessing from God, as always, to be studying through His word. These letters also warned of the dangers of false teachers whom we must watch out for! Let us always be careful to live by the word of God, not merely the sayings of men. And we should be careful not to be deceived because Satan comes to us as an angel of light! That's a basic summary of what we learned, among other things in our Letters of John study series.

Next up? Revelation!! Starting this study series soon...in about two weeks from now. You can view the page, but sound and other materials will not be available there until two weeks from now.

My you be blessed in the Lord Jesus and seek Him always!

Ben B.
Clear Call Ministries

Mark Series now Posted up on Clear Call Ministries webpage!

Just noticed the other day that somehow our Mark series page was not available on our website! Just fixed that and now it's up and running! You can now access any audio or PDF file from our full study series through the Gospel of Mark! I hope you'll take the time to study the gospel of Mark! It's always a transforming blessing when we study from the life and words of Jesus Christ!

To find our Mark lesson series, please visit this link, Go to Mark Series. Or, just go to the clearcallministries.org Audio resources page and find the link to our Mark series in the navigation menu.

May God Bless you today as you study His word and seek Him more!!

-Ben B.

Finished 2nd Peter! Now studying 1st John!

Studying through 2nd Peter was a blessing because this was the last letter of Peter, which we have, that was written before his death. He shared strongly his testimony and witness of how he had seen the 1st coming and power of Jesus Christ as "an eyewitness" (2 Peter 1:16); "We have not followed cunningly devised fables...", he said, but we have believed in the very truth for which Peter lived and died! And, we don't only have to take his word for it! There is also the "sure word of prophecy" (2 Peter 1:19) which we would do well to take heed unto until true faith develops in our hearts! It was also a blessing to consider how our characters must be reshaped from sin to holiness by the power of God, His promises, and our daily choices! Peter stressed that we must become godly as we are waiting for the coming of our Holy God and making plans to live in His new holy land--the earth made new!! Peter stressed that we should not be led astray by false teachers (chapter 2), who make light of sin and live wicked lives! We are to follow holiness because God who is holy said, "Be ye holy for I am Holy!" (1 Peter 1:16). Second Peter was a real blessing for these reasons! I hope you'll check it out and study it!

Now we are beginning the 1st Letter of John and we're off to a good start--learning to "walk in the light as He is in the light!"

God Bless,
Ben

Rulers who were Placed and Chosen by Men (not by God)

“They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.” -Hosea 8:4

It is a well known Bible fact that God raises up kings and He takes them down. You can get the basic idea from Daniel 4:32 where it says, “…the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will.” But is it also true that men choose and put up leaders of their own accord without God choosing them as the leaders? Absolutely!

Should we ever assume that God raised up someone like Hitler to be a king or ruler? No, we don’t have to. God did raise up the ancient Pharaoh of Egypt in Moses’ day who was a real scoundrel. But, God allowed the man to rule Egypt because God wanted to let the man reveal his own evil heart tendencies, and stubborn sinful rebellion, before finally showing the power of Heaven to judge such evil doers (See Romans 9:17).

Men are always putting up people they want to put up in spite of what God would prefer! That is sin and rebellion at it’s core! Lucifer exalted himself to a place of leadership in sin, where God never would have put anyone! Now, having said that, it is true that there is no king or ruler who can take any position without God allowing it to happen. We have to make a distinction here. God allows freedom of choice, even to sinful beings. He does not always interfere with sinful man’s plans. He allows them to work their chosen course of evil and rebellion until finally one day God says, “Enough is enough!”

Hosea 8:4 (above) shows us that men often raise up their own leaders who God did not choose. Also look at Jeremiah 23:21, “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran…” The Bible says of many church goers in the last days, “…after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3,4).

So, be on your guard! And do not think that God has raised up every person to every position. That is NOT the true case. God has allowed the liberty or freedom for them to be raised up (by theirs and others choice), but He has not specifically raised all men to their places. Many have climbed up by some devising of their own. God has simply permitted it, by His gracious Liberty. However, we should be most certain that God will judge all men. One day every sinner who persists in their rebellion without repentance will meet the stern rebuke of God! When God is ready to take them down because they’ve far transgressed the boundaries of His Divine mercy and forbearance, they will come down hard by His Divine justice and judgment! (As happened to Pharaoh, Exodus 15; to King Herod, Acts 12:21-23; Nebuchadnezzar, in Daniel 4, and Belshazzar in Daniel 6).

Be faithful in the Lord and serve Him humbly!

Beginning our study of 2nd Peter! (6-4-2013)

Today we just finished studying through 1st Peter! In the final chapter we learned about God's call to faithful leadership in the church and how leaders should conduct themselves in working with others. We also looked at God's warning about our enemy the Devil going about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour! We are instructed to be sober and alert towards this cunning and dangerous enemy. The Bible says, "Resist [the Devil] steadfast in the faith" (1 Peter 5:9). We are to "resist" the devil "steadfastly in the faith." Let us have this "steadfastness" in the faith, by deep and fervent prayers, diligent searching of the Bible, vigilant watching,  and decided commitment to Christ Jesus! The end is at hand and Satan knows it! Let us be faithful to the Lord!

May God Bless you today! Tomorrow we will begin our study of 2nd Peter!!

2nd Timothy Series Completed - Starting 1st Peter!

We just finished our 2nd Timothy series today, Friday! The series through 1st Peter will begin Monday! Those files will be updated soon after! Hope you have a chance to listen and be blessed! Happy Sabbath everyone! Have a great rest over the weekend! -Ben

Started 2nd Timothy Series! (5-22-2013)

Just began studying through 2nd Timothy a day ago! It's the final letter written by the Apostle Paul before his death, at least that we have a copy of. It's a blessing to read his heartfelt appeals, and encouragements to the young minister Timothy as he helps to prepare the young guy [and the church with many future readers] for a life of ministry! The counsel is so practical and inspires us to dig deeper into our Bibles, to find God's blessed truth, to know it well, to live by it, and to share it, in a prayerful spirit of love and meekness, with others! Be sure to check out the series when you can! God Bless! -Ben

Began New Series through 1st & 2nd Timothy! (Thurs. 9 May 2013)

We just began a new Bible series through Paul's letters to Timothy! As I write this we're currently going through 1st Timothy! Sound files and PDF files will be updated on our page and ready to access very soon! Please keep checking back! God Bless you today!

Paid by God for your Service (4-23-2013)

 

18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to labor strenuously against Tyre; every head was made bald, and every shoulder rubbed raw; yet neither he nor his army received wages from Tyre, for the labor which they expended on it. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Surely I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he shall take away her wealth, carry off her spoil, and remove her pillage; and that will be the wages for his army. 20 I have given him the land of Egypt for his labor, because they worked for Me,’ says the Lord God.” -Ezekiel 29:18-20

Does God pay us for our faithful service to Him? Yes, a thousand times, the answer is yes! Jesus promised it over and over again. God will pay us with the wages of Heaven! But, even in this life we can receive blessings and rewards from God for our service to Him (See Matthew 6:4,6,18; 20:8; Luke 10:7; 2 Timothy 4:8).

In these verses from the book of Ezekiel God was paying back the nation of Babylon and it’s King for their service done to Him. God had wanted to send Judgment upon the wicked, proud, sinful city of Tyre! The armies of Babylon did their service to destroy this place. However, the spoils gathered from that destruction were not that great, but the cost was a little much for their army’s labor and travels. Therefore, God said, “I will reward them with Egypt and it’s riches also for their service to me.” God allowed them to overtake and destroy Egypt as well, thus finding the riches and getting the funds that were needed to pay for their military labors and to make it profitable for them. How nice of God to pay them for their services to Him. God also pays us for our services to Him!

You may think, “Oh, but when I do gospel labor there is not much profit. Oh, there is not much to be gained when I sell or give a Christian book to someone who has almost no money. Or when I do a Bible study freely for another person it is only for the value of our study and a soul, nothing more.” You may not get much apparently at this time for your efforts, but you can be sure that the rewards of God are on their way! You will be rewarded NOW with blessings from God, but rest assured that there is even a far greater reward that is coming from God in the future! Maybe at the next house (for you Colporteurs) your reward is coming. But, even more so when the Lord appears the greatest of all payments will be ours! The King of Babylon didn’t get his pay when he labored against Tyre, but God gave him what he needed as pay and profit at the very next military encounter. The treasures of the next campaign easily paid for both endeavors! God blessed these servants and rewarded them for their service! Maybe our kind act today, in service for God, will put us down a little bit financially speaking, but tomorrow God has plans to pay and to reward your kind service of faith! So, serve Him faithfully today, not counting the cost, but trusting that if it is God’s service, then He will richly repay you at just the right time! Be blessed in the Lord today!

[originally posted on our old CCM blog, April 23, 2013]

Our Hebrews Series is now finished! 4-19-2013

We just finished studying through the book of Hebrews! What a blessing it was to study through this book again! Hope you'll study it too! May the Lord Bless you as you study through His word!

Is sharing sickness or disease love?

To the title question of this article, you might quickly say, “No!” That would seem like a reasonable response. However, believe it or not, there are people and cultures in the world who in practice (and/or belief) would think that sharing sickness and disease was love. After all, some people we really just “love so much!” Perhaps we think, well, if they can suffer it, then I will too. Is that love? The face of your spouse, that cute little child, or significant other; wouldn’t it just be love to share their sickness and feel their ill ease together? Is that right? To some, such an idea would seem like madness! And it is madness, isn’t it? Others would just buy it as “love” and suffer the illness of a loved one. However, despite people’s personal opinions and various cultural ideas, what does God have to say about this in His word? It is love, or insanity and sin? Well, let’s take a look at the Bible, the ultimate source for truth and right thinking! Surely, God has an answer for us!

The very first sin of man was done in the name of “love” to a certain dear one, but it savored much more of idolatry and rebellion against God, than it did of love. Certainly, SIN never deserves the name of “love.” It is the farthest cry from it! “Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). “Sin” however “…is the transgression of the law” of God (1 John 3:4). Sin is the disobeying of God’s law. But “love” is the keeping of God’s law (See also John 14:15,21; 1 John 4:7-9; 1 John 5:2,3). And certainly, “no man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). Adam disobeyed God’s commandment by choosing to partake in the same sin as Eve, his wife. Thus, he became a transgressor too and was put out from the garden along with the woman who he had made an idol over God. Clearly, God hates sin, but loves people (John 3:16; Isaiah 13:9). He will destroy sin, and save those who are willing to escape through His Help. But those who love sin will perish with their sin.

Sin is like a disease. It affects the human race and spreads contagiously. Adam should have remained loyal to God, hating the sin of his own wife (while yet having love for her as a person), and loving God enough to remain faithful to His commands. Adam chose instead sadly, to take the disease of sin from his own wife, and to dishonor God. That was idolatry because he made her greater than God. We have to remember that God himself has the highest claims upon our lives!! It is not that child, or spouse, or significant other in this world, but it is God! Hate sin, and love people. Love God and hate sin!

Sickness, sin, and suffering all come from Satan, not God, and one day they will be done away with fully! (Luke 13:12,16; Revelation 21:4). They are enemies to us and to our loved ones. We should avoid them at all costs! God teaches us the principles of containment and desires to save us from the disease and suffering of the world. He wants us to be well and in good health! (3 John 1:2). Read Leviticus 13 sometime fully when you have the chance. Very serious and contagious diseases were dealt with very carefully. The policy of containment was ordered by God! An infected or contagious person was not allowed to pollute the environment around them or to contaminate others with their disease. They were to receive a certain amount of isolation, as needed, to contain the disease. Again, Romans 13:10 says that “love works no ill to his neighbor.” Therefore, it seems fitting that out of love, those with an infectious disease would labor to contain it. And out of love, those without the disease would labor to give care for one who was sick, while being careful not to contract such a disease themselves (Matthew 9:12; 10:8; 25:34-41).

What about other pesky illnesses and colds? Should we just shrug them off and choose to share them with the faces of those we love? Is that love? Well, to care for them is love. That does put us at some risk, but in the name of Jesus, that’s a necessary evil and Christ expects it. He will care for us and help us to maintain our own health in such a case. But, if we needlessly put ourselves into the risk of becoming sick and with careless regard perform acts that are highly likely to share a sickness, then maybe we should think twice before doing so. That is not love. Taking what no one in their right mind (not even your loved one) should ever want, is not love.

Before you choose, just remember that, “…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). Can you or anyone else afford to get sick nearly on purpose and to lose time and service to God for even a day because you have become needlessly sick? God holds first claim upon all of us, and He expects faithful service of love from us. Let us not cheat God out of the daily service and energy that belongs to Him, but was lent to us. We can’t ignore the claim of God, even for a dear face. Take care of your health. Avoid becoming sick if at all possible. It will make a great difference in your ability to do faithful service for God! Be well, healthy, and strong to honor and serve God for as many days of the year as are possible! Every day belongs to Him! Us too!

[originally posted on our old CCM blog, April 14, 2013]

Now Studying through the Book of Hebrews 4-4-2013

We've just begun studying through the book of Hebrews! Now four chapters into it! What a blessing to be able to study through the word of God on a regular daily basis! Have a listen to our lessons and be blessed by the Lord!

Having more Clout with the Almighty! How to get answers!!

 

“Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth” (Jeremiah 15:1).

Clearly, God was angry with his people in the days of Jeremiah. They had crossed the line of NO return! There was no remedy, except to cast them out to the enemy. They had to receive the harsh curses of God to wake up and realize their own wickedness! For generation upon generation they had been living in wickedness and the voice of God’s true prophets and His word (the Law) had been nothing to them. Their ears would not listen, nor obey. Now God himself was not going to listen to them!

Moses and Samuel were some of the most earnest pleaders and petitioners of God’s throne. They were righteous men and the Lord listened to their pleadings! (For example, see Exodus 32:31-31; Numbers 14:15-21). Another who we know had such clout with God as a petitioner of the heavenly throne of mercy was Abraham, the friend of God (See Genesis18:17-33). Abraham questioned with God for the lives of those in Sodom and Gomorrah–to spare the city for the sake of the righteous. God answered him fairly according to his questions and demonstrated His great mercies.

There was also Job, whom God boasted of proudly as a heavenly Father, saying, “Have you beheld my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth…?” (Job 1:8). We have also Daniel of whom the heavenly angel spoke of as “…a man greatly beloved” of God (Daniel 10:11). We can find a number of others who were quite faithful and beloved of God. The Scriptures go on, “Jacob, I have loved…” (Romans 9:13), etc.

What is it with these men to whom God and the inspired record of the Scripture give such favor and applause? Why did they have such clout with God? Such favor? Was God just arbitrarily playing favorites? No, of course not! God doesn’t ever do that! (Acts 10:34). What then? Simply this. These men obeyed God’s word diligently and faithfully while seeking Him earnestly! That’s it!!! That’s the secret! How can we have more clout with God? How can we have favor and strength from God? Obey Him faithfully and seek Him earnestly!

Simply look at a few of the many texts in the Bible on this subject and you’ll be quickly convinced, that IS the truth!

The Lord “…is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). “…pray to your Father who sees in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6). “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight” (Proverbs 15:8). “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Proverbs 28:9).

God’s faithful servants have His abundant blessings surrounding them!! They are excellent pleaders and petitioners before His throne! God answers their prayers! God does not answer the prayers of the wicked who will not listen to Him (although these very ones are aware of what the truth is). Sadly, in Jeremiah’s day, the professed people of God had become so wicked, that God said, essentially, “Even though one of My righteous servants like Moses or Samuel pleaded for them, I would still not answer to save these people from calamity.” How sad. The professed worshipers of God had lost all of God’s favor and had gained His certain wrath!! Let us not be among that number! Rather, let us obey God faithfully while seeking Him diligently. Let us be among the number who have power and clout to plead with God, and prevail, reaping the blessings of His Majesty’s favor. Amen?

[originally posted Jan. 30, 2013 on our old CCM blog]