ENTERING THE NEW YEAR WITH CONFIDENCE....

             ENTERING THE NEW YEAR WITH CONFIDENCE

PROVERBS 28:1 DECLARES, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth:
but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

   NOT “BOLD” in the sense of “brash” “impudent” or “crudely forward.” But rather, as the Hebrew word denotes, “BOLD” as in “confident” or as seen in those with “strength of purpose.”

WHO ARE THE CONFIDENT ONES?

The text says “the righteous” are such.

Both those who are positionally righteous IN Christ Jesus (made such at salvation), and, those believers who day by day are becoming righteous BY Christ Jesus.

1.     Believers IN Jesus Christ ARE righteous, the righteousness of God imputed to them at salvation.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

2.     Believers in every day practice are becoming more and more righteous BY Jesus Christ.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. ¹³ Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:12-14).

*THE BLESSED TRUTHS OF SALVATION GIVE CONFIDENCE!

WHAT REALLY IS CONFIDENCE?

The Hebrew word batach (batah) signifies boldness, sometimes a reckless boldness. But, in the better sense, a boldness rooted in trust or grounded upon that which is undeniably trustworthy.

DAVID HAD SUCH CONFIDENCE FACING THE GIANT (1 Samuel 17:40-49):

^“And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. ⁴¹ And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. ⁴² And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. ⁴³ And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods….⁴⁵ Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. ⁴⁶ This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands. ⁴⁸ And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. ⁴⁹ And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.”

*THE POWER AND PRESENCE OF GOD GIVE CONFIDENCE!

HOW CAN WE BE LION-LIKE WITH SUCH CONFIDENCE?

“Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
 do no violence to his home;¹⁶ for the righteous falls seven times and rises     again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity” (Proverbs 24:15-16).  

WHY IS THIS SO????? Righteousness (obedience to the Word of God) unquenches and ungrieves the Holy Spirit who then fills the believer and gives confidence for life. The Bible says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).         

*THE ENABLING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES CONFIDENCE!                                                               

Dr. Dick D. Christen

WHEN JESUS WAS EIGHT DAYS OLD...

WHEN JESUS WAS EIGHT DAYS OLD

When Jesus was eight days old He was brought to the Temple by his parents. According to Old Testament law (Leviticus 12:1-8) he was to be circumcised on that day. In LUKE 2:22-35 an aged and godly man, SIMEON, took Him in his arms and said amazing things about Jesus. He said:

1.     Baby Jesus was “THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL” (v 25)

2.     Baby Jesus was “THE LORD’S CHRIST” (v 26)

3.     Baby Jesus was “THE CHILD JESUS” (v 27)

4.     Baby Jesus was the Father’s “SALVATION” (v 30)

5.     Baby Jesus was “ A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES” (v 32a)

6.     Baby Jesus was “THE GLORY OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL” ((v 32b)

7.     Baby Jesus was “DESTINED FOR THE FALL AND RISING AGAIN OF MANY IN ISRAEL (v 34b)

8.     Baby Jesus was “A SIGN  WHICH SHALL BE SPOKEN AGAINST (V 34c)

LEVITICUS 12:1-7a (THE JEWISH PROCEDURE REQUIRED AFTER THE BIRTH OF A MALE CHILD):  UNDERLINING AND EMPHASIS, MINE

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ² Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: THEN SHE SHALL BE UNCLEAN SEVEN DAYS; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. ³ AND IN THE EIGHTH DAY THE FLESH OF HIS FORESKIN SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED. ⁴ AND SHE SHALL THEN CONTINUE IN THE BLOOD OF HER PURIFYING THREE AND THIRTY DAYS; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. ⁵ But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. ⁶ And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, SHE SHALL BRING A LAMB OF THE FIRST YEAR FOR A BURNT OFFERING, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, FOR A SIN OFFERING, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: ⁷ Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her…” (underlining and emphasis, mine)

LUKE 2:22-35 (SIMEON’S WORDS):  UNDERLINING AND EMPHASIS, MINE

“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; ²³ (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) ²⁴ And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. ²⁵ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ²⁶ And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen THE LORD’S CHRIST. ²⁷ And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in THE CHILD JESUS, to do for him after the custom of the law, ²⁸ Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
²⁹ Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart
in peace, according to thy word:
³⁰ For mine eyes have seen THY SALVATION,
³¹ Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
³² A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES, and THE GLORY OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL.
³³ And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, THIS CHILD IS SET FOR THE FALL AND RISING AGAIN OF MANY IN ISRAEL; and for A SIGN WHICH SHALL BE SPOKEN AGAINST; ³⁵ (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

-dr.dick christen

WHO IS BABY JESUS?

                WHO IS THE BABY BORN IN THE MANGER?

                                     (According to the Gospel of John)

DESCRIPTIONS OF JESUS:

     We struggle to adequately define and explain just who JESUS is. After all, He is the Infinite One living ages ago for a just a short time on earth. Even the Apostle John acknowledged this when he said, "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." We define Him by what He did, but also have defining statements that closely tell us who He is. Teachers have given us some noble remarks such as these: 

     “Christ uncrowned Himself to crown us, and put off his robes to put on our rags, and came down from heaven to keep us out of hell. He fasted forty days that He might ‘feast’ us for all eternity; He came from heaven to earth that He might send us from earth to heaven.” – W. Dyer

     “A cloud over the sun makes no change in the body of the sun; so, though the divine nature be covered with the human, it makes no change in the divine nature.” – Thomas Watson

     “He is not the Great. He is the ONLY!”  - Carnegie Simpson

And then, in Holy Scripture itself, even in just one book, we have divinely inspired names for Him:

WHO IS JESUS? (As set forth in John’s Gospel)

1.     The Apostle John called Him “THE WORD…GOD” (1:1)

2.     John the Baptist publicly pointed to Him as “THE LAMB” (1:29)

3.     Andrew said He is “THE MESSIAH” (1:41)

4.     Nathaniel actually addressed Him as “RABBI…THE SON OF GOD” (1:49)

5.     Again, Nathaniel calls Him “THE KING OF ISRAEL” (1:49)

6.     The townspeople at Sychar said He is “THE CHRIST, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD” (4:42)

7.     Thomas gasped “MY LORD AND MY GOD” (20:28)

     -dick christen

IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL STAR...

IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL STAR, Matthew 2:1-12

Charles Wesley penned: “Let earth and heaven combine, angels and men agree/ To praise in songs divine the incarnate Deity/ Our God contracted to a span, Incomprehensibly made man.”

The birth of Jesus, the very Son of God, is the most significant moment of human history! It was highlighted by God Himself by the appearance of THE STAR! The wise men, part of a caste who studied astronomy and astrology, saw it from the east, and learned it was God pinpointing Jesus’ presence.

1.     JESUS’ STAR WAS VISUAL (2) – “FOR WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR”

This star was the Shekinah Glory, a light, often dazzling, that led Israel through its wilderness wanderings, and now led men to Jesus. Its frequent appearance throughout history was the very presence of God Himself.

2.     JESUS’ STAR WAS PERSONAL (2) – “FOR WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR”

Just as all the Messianic prophecies focused on the coming Christ, so this star miraculously focuses upon Him.

3.     JESUS’ STAR WAS INFORMATIONAL (7) – “HEROD….DETERMINED FROM THEM WHAT TIME THE STAR APPEARED…”

King Herod wanted information from them so he could eliminate a competing King, thereby safeguarding himself and eliminating conflict with Rome.

4.     JESUS’ STAR WAS DIRECTIONAL (9) – “….IT CAME AND STOOD OVER WHERE THE YOUNG CHILD WAS…”

Just as the star indicated the way to Jesus, so Jesus would indicate the way to eternal life. He is “the way, the truth and the life.”

5.     JESUS’ STAR WAS FINAL (9) – “…IT CAME AND STOOD…”

The star led the wise men on their journey to where Christ was. It then “stood” over Him. Today, we must steadfastly insist that this Jesus IS THE ONE. He alone has the words of truth and life.

6.     JESUS’ STAR WAS EMOTIONAL (10) – “THEY REJOICED WITH EXCEEDINGLY GREAT JOY.”

These wise men didn’t know the carol JOY TO THE WORLD, but they sang its meaning just the same.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make
His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found

-Dr. Dick Christen

THANKSGIVING - ALL BECAUSE OF CALVARY

           THANKSGIVING…   “ALL BECAUSE OF CALVARY”

Psalm 26:6,7:

“I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.”

“The altar of burnt offering (bronze altar) is commonly thought to be a type of the cross upon which Christ, our whole burnt offering (Lev. 1), offered Himself without blemish unto God (Heb. 9:14), the brass speaking of divine judgment as in the bronze serpent (Num. 21:9; John 3:14; 12:31-33).” – Unger’s Bible Dictionary

Encompassing the altar of Calvary, there are at least seven redemptive realities for which we may give THANKSGIVING:

1.   ACQUITTAL – Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

2.   ACCEPTANCE – Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

3.   AFFECTION – John 19:26,27  “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! ²⁷ Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

4.   ATONEMENT – Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

5.   ANGUISH – John 19:28 “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

6.   ACCOMPLISHMENT – John 19:30  “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

7.   ASSURANCE – Luke 23:46  “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

Rdc

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

A VERY SPECIAL THANKSGIVING VERSE.... 2 CORINTHIANS 4:15

THANKSGIVING

      (Definition: Thanksgiving is man’s vocal impetus in God’s cycle of care.)

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:15

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”  -KJV

“For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is  spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.”  - NASB

1.    THANKSGIVING’S INSTIGATION – (GOD’S GRACE, v 15a)

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace…”

(The riches of grace in Christ Jesus are abundantly ours. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32. Shouldn't all this elicit many spontaneous 'thanksgivings'? They should but too often don't. Where are the nine? Dwell upon these riches and they can't help but move our mouths in praise.)

2.    THANKSGIVING’S VOCALIZATION - (GOD’S PEOPLE, 15b)

“…might through the thanksgiving of many…”

a.      The harmony of cooperation (Unlike a solo, "many", as in a choir, can make harmony. Hence, the church full of the beauty of thanksgiving.)

b.     The intensity of multiplication (With a choir, or many voices, the volume can be increased and thus be heard in a larger sphere.)

c. The constancy of Perpetuation (Many voices allow for a long sustaining of tone.)

3.    THANKSGIVING’S INTENTION – (GOD’S GLORY, 15c)

“…redound to the glory of God.”

(Of course, all we think, say or do should redound to His glory, because what have we that we have not received? "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (Psalms 100:4-5)

- Dr. Dick Christen

THE DAY GOD TALKED ABOUT HIMSELF...

      THE DAY GOD TALKED ABOUT HIMSELF, Exodus 34:1-9.

In this passage God says ten things about Himself. Can you list them? Hint: They are in verses 6&7.

1._________________2.________________3._______________4._______________5.________________6.________________7._______________8._______________9._______________10.________________

NOTE THESE FOUR THINGS IN THE TEXT:

1.    GOD’S INVITATION TO MOSES TO COME UP ON MOUNT SINAI (vv 1-4)

^“And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. ² And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. ³ And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.
⁴ And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.” (Exodus 34:1-4)

GOD’S PEOPLE MUST SUBMIT TO ABSOLUTE TRUTH. Here, God addresses post-modernity, which isn’t all that modern????)! Truth is; truth must be found in God and in His Word….not made up by us in our self-determined and pragmatic ways. To find truth we must:

     Agonize – “…hew thee two tables of stone…”

     Realize – “…and I will write upon these tables…”

     Prioritize – “And be ready in the morning…”

     Individualize – “And no man shall come up with thee…”

     Specialize – “…neither let the flocks nor herds feed be-

     Fore that mount.”

2.    GOD’S VISITATION TO MOSES, COMING DOWN TO MOUNT SINAI (5, 6a)

^“And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. ⁶ And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed…” (Exodus 34:5-6)

GOD’S SINNING PEOPLE MUST RETURN TO HIS ABSOLUTE BEING! He is LORD (Jehovah)! Jehovah occurs 6,823 times in the O.T. and refers to God’s being, what He is in and of Himself. “El” or “Elohim” is more His generic name telling us He is the strong One, the mighty Leader, the supreme Deity.

3.    GOD’S PROCLAMATION OF HIS NAME ON MOUNT SINAI (6b, 7)

“…The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, ⁷ Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7)

IN RETURNING TO THE LORD, GOD’S PEOPLE MUST UNDERSTAND HIS ABSOLUTE CHARACTER! (Hence, the ten things God says about Himself!)

4.    MOSES’ SUPPLICATION TO GOD IN BEHALF OF GOD’S OWN PEOPLE (8, 9)

“And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. ⁹ And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.” (Exodus 34:8-9)

IN RETURNING TO GOD IN REPENTANCE AND HUMILITY, WE FIND HIM TO BE A GOD OF ABSOLUTE GRACE! And so, we worship Him (8) and expect His pardon and faithfulness to His people (9).                                                       – dick christen

BIRTHMARKS OF A REAL CHRISTIAN...

                  BIRTHMARKS OF A REAL CHRISTIAN

1 JOHN (various passages)

A birthmark is any minor disfigurement (a nevus) or blemish on a person’s skin at birth. Jokingly we may say it is proof that a person was born. Not funny is the fact that many, in fact multitudes, think they are born again or true Christians, when, in fact they are not. It is important, therefore, to put ourselves to the test (s) to make sure we are indeed “in Christ Jesus.” The Apostle Paul challenges us accordingly,

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5) – This word of instruction is very straight forward. A ‘reprobate’ is a hypocrite. We must ask ourselves the hard questions. Eternity hinges on it!

IN JOHN’S FIRST EPISTLE SEVEN SUCH POINTS OF PROOF ARE SET FORTH:

1.   THE TEST OF DELIGHTING IN GOD’S WORD (1 John 2:3-6)

“And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” – (The Psalmist declared, “Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). Is such a yen strong in my heart? If so, it is part of confirming my faith in Jesus to be real.)

2.   THE TEST OF DOING RIGHTEOUSNESS (1 John 2:29; 3:7)

“If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” (1 John 2:29)

“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:7) – (A real believer puts on “the breastplate of righteousness” every day. Righteousness results when we hear God’s Word, appropriate it obediently, and therefore walk in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. A real Christian takes most seriously the matter of daily righteousness. The “breastplate of righteousness” is located over the heart. He takes ‘to heart’ the matter of living obediently for the Lord. If he doesn't, he's bothered.)

3.   THE TEST OF DETESTING SIN (1 John 3:9; 5:18)

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9)

          The AMP translation clarifies: “No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.” (1 John 3:9)

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” (1 John 5:18)

          The AMP translation clarifies: ¹⁸ “We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him].” (1 John 5:18) – (A genuine believer cannot look ‘ho-hum’ on sin. He hates it! “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil…” (Prov. 8:13). He sins but is not comfortable or indifferent to the fact. He’s bothered. He quickly confesses (1 John 1:9).)

4.   THE TEST OF DESIRING GOD’S PEOPLE (1 John 3:10-11, 14, 19; 5:1)

¹⁰ “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ¹¹ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (1 John 3:10-11) – (God’s redeemed ones constitute family. All in the family have their weaknesses, glaring wrongs, bothersome traits, slips and backslidings, but brothers and sisters in Christ use all such as occasions for loving one another, with patience, forgiveness and mutual admonition.)

5.   THE TEST OF DEFINING JESUS (1 John 5:1)

¹ “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (Who is Jesus? Jesus Himself even asked what people were saying about Him. Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Yes, Jesus, the Man of Nazareth, is the fulfillment of the many O.T. prophecies that a Messiah would come, pay for the sins of His people, and someday rule the world.)

6.   THE TEST OF DEFEATING THE WORLD (1 John 5:4, 5)

⁴ “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ⁵ Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5) – (Real Christians not only believe in Jesus as personal Lord and Savior, but then proceed day by day to walk by faith. What is faith? Looking to Jesus. Depending on Him. Obeying Him. Including Him in in daily life. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; and the things of life will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” And so the world fades and the Kingdom of Jesus is what we seek first.)

7.   THE TEST OF DELIGHTING OURSELVES IN HIS KEEPING GRACE (1 John 5:18)

          NASB translation: ¹⁸  ”We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:18) – (This is a difficult verse to translate. I believe the NASB gets it right. Below is a scholarly explanation by A.T. Robertson. First, consider the context. The preceding verses (16,17) pertain to a sinning brother for whom the real believer prays and seeks to restore. The key to understanding A.T. Robertson’s explanation is at the end of line 4 where he refers to “A B”, which signifies a family of Greek manuscripts. A B autographs are among the oldest and most complete. In the above verse, the phrase “He who was born of God keeps him” is based upon this family of MSS. Notice that ‘He’ has the capital ‘H’ unlike the authorized version.  (In the Greek there are no punctuation marks, capitals, etc.) It refers to Jesus. He was born or begotten of the Father. He “keeps him”, the erring brother. A B accepts that it properly reads “him”, not “himself.” “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). When a brother in Christ strays, He (Jesus) exercises His keeping power and prohibits the evil one from touching him. 'Touching' is a strong word indicating severe and even deathly injury. Even as God allowed Satan to go just so far in testing Job, so Christ not only saves us, but keeps us, in more ways than we know! But, in the end, nothing can “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:29). All this spells out the eternal security of the genuine believer. He is safe in the arms and unending love of Jesus! A true believer rests in this amazing salvation. Believing it and sensing it, a true Christian knows he is saved. 

A.T. ROBERTSON: “1Jn 5:18 We know (οιδαμεν). As in 3:2,14;5:15,19-20. He has "ye know" in 2:20;3:5,15. Sinneth not (ουχ αμαρτανει). Lineal present active indicative, "does not keep on sinning," as he has already shown in 3:4-10. He that was begotten of God (ο γεννηθειϛ εκ του θεου). First aorist passive articular participle referring to Christ, if the reading of A B is correct (τηρει αυτον, not τηρει εαυτον). It is Christ who keeps the one begotten of God (γεγεννημενοϛ εκ του θεου as in 3:9 and so different from ο γεννηθειϛ here). It is a difficult phrase, but this is probably the idea. Jesus (Jn 18:37) uses γεγεννημαι of himself and uses also τηρεω of keeping the disciples (Jn 17:12,15;Rev 3:10).”

RDC

HANDLING DEPRESSION GOD'S WAY...

HANDLING DEPRESSION GOD’S WAY

PSALM 42:1-11

In Psalms 42 and 43 God gives us the same verse three times (42:5, 11; 43: 5).

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”  (Psalms 42:5)

In each verse there is:

1.     Self Conversation - “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?

2.     Godward Anticipation -“Hope thou in God…”

3.     Divine Celebration - “…for I shall yet praise him…”

4.     Hopeful Expectation - “…for the help of his countenance.” 

DO NOTE THESE FOUR THINGS IN PSALM 42

1.   THE PSALMIST’S INWARD DEPRESSION (vv 3, 5a, 6a, 7, 9, 10, 11a)

“O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. ⁷ Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.”  Psalm 42:6-7

(The Psalmist takes himself by the nape of the neck and gives himself a good talking to. In v. 5 he asks "why?" After honestly raising the question and facing the fact he has a problem, he pours out his soul to God, describing the depths of his oppression. He sees himself underneath torrents of water and unable to keep his head above his burdens. The spring thaw allows the snow on Mt. Hermon to melt, the Jordan rolls tempestuously, and he sees himself carried along and beneath it all.)

2.   THE PSALMIST’S GODWARD AGGRESSION (vv 1, 2, 5b, 11b)

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
² My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:1-2

(It is good to come to the place where we desperately need the Lord! Does God allow depression in order to get us to a place where there is no where to look, but UP? Too often it is hard for Him to get us to call upon Him! He waits and waits for us to cry out. Jesus stretched out His hand to Peter when he was sinking in the lake, but only after he had cried out, "Lord, save me!"

3.   THE PSALMIST’S BACKWARD RECOLLECTION (vv 4, 6b)

“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me:
for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God,
with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
⁶ O my God, my soul is cast down within me:
therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.” Psalms 42:4,6

(It is uplifting to recall past blessings. Purposefully we need to reach into our history and remember all the Lord has done for us. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" - Romans 8:32)

4.   THE PSALMIST’S FORWARD ANTICIPATION (vv 5b, 8, 11b)

5 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?
hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

⁸ “Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

¹¹ “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalms 42:5-11

(HOPE is essential to mind's well-being! God's promises are multitude for today and for the future. He says, "I will never leave you or forsake you." He is the good Shepherd who leads us through the valley with all manner of goodness and mercy, and, will cap it all with us dwelling in His house forever. Hope builds when we take God at His Word and truly believe in His unfailing care.)

-Dick Christen 

THE BIBLE'S FIVE FOOLS...

                             THE BIBLE’S FIVE FOOLS

PSALM 14:1-7

A FOOL is someone lacking sense, not using his/her reasoning powers, a simpleton, or, someone who is just plain unthinking. It is an individual who forgets God’s truth and launches into life on his own. The Greek word, aphron, means without sense, simple or foolish. Our English word comes from a late Latin word, follis, meaning empty-headed. Probably the harsh word jerk would be a suitable contemporary translation (smile).

THE BIBLE INTRODUCES US TO FIVE FOOLS.

THE ATHEISTIC FOOL – Psalm 14:1-4

​^“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good.
² The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men,
to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
³ They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy:
there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
⁴ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge?
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and call not upon the Lord.”

THE EGOTISTIC FOOL – Luke 12:15-20

^“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. ¹⁶ And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: ¹⁷ And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? ¹⁸ And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. ²⁰ But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? ²¹ So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

THE RATIONALISTIC FOOL – Luke 24:25-27

^“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ²⁶ Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? ²⁷ And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

THE RITUALISTIC FOOL – Matthew 23:16-19

“Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! ¹⁷ Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? ¹⁸ And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. ¹⁹ Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Matthew 23:16-19

THE CHRISTO-CENTRIC FOOL – 1 Corinthians 3:18 -21; 4:10

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. ²⁰ And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. ²¹ Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours…” (1 Cor. 3:18-21)

“We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.” (1 Corinthians 4:10)

-rdc

A QUOTE: “When we find ourselves deficient in wisdom, it is not because the Word of God has pages missing, but because we have not seen all there is on the pages we already have. It is not another book we need, but better attention to the book we have; it is not more knowledge we require, but better vision to see what has already been revealed in Jesus Christ” (Eugene H. Peterson in LIVING THE MESSAGE).

IN 'GRACE' MY LORD HAS ARRANGED....

Apart from grace my heart would be estranged,
   Wayward, rebellious, faithless and lost;
But, oh! in grace my Lord has arranged
   To rescue my soul at infinite cost.

Proud man, reckon that thou art nothing
   Apart from the Christ of matchless grace.
Of this God-Man exuberantly sing
   While proud self-centered thoughts you erase.

-rdc