by David Long
We measure riches by material things. But how bout being rich in mercy, love, grace, kindness and such like? Those are the riches that really matter. Those are the riches of God.
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7).
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us" (Eph. 2:4).
"That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7).
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Time is filled with swift transition
by David Long
"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" (James 4:13-15). What a difference a year can make, or a day, or an hour or a minute.
"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" (James 4:13-15). What a difference a year can make, or a day, or an hour or a minute.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Creation
by David Long
The Bible teaches creation not evolution. "For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is..." (Exodus 20:11). Read Genesis 1-2. The key to creation is "And God said." God said and what happened? "And it was so." How important is the creation record? "The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:3-6). Notice Jesus referred to the creation record a true. I believe Jesus, how bout you?
The Bible teaches creation not evolution. "For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is..." (Exodus 20:11). Read Genesis 1-2. The key to creation is "And God said." God said and what happened? "And it was so." How important is the creation record? "The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:3-6). Notice Jesus referred to the creation record a true. I believe Jesus, how bout you?
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Back to Bible Basics (3)
by David Long
Can we understand the Bible? Some say no. God desires all to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). The Bible is truth (John 17:17). The apostle Paul wrote by inspiration, "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:4). So yes, we can understand the word of God by applying some basic principles. (1) Who is speaking? Everything in the Bible was written by men who were inspired of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). However, those inspired men sometimes recorded the words of evil men and even the words of Satan (Gen. 3:1-4). Those words were accurately recorded but are not words we should follow. (2) To whom is it spoken? God told Noah to build an Ark (Gen. 6:14-16). Are we commanded to build an Ark? No. That command was given to Noah. (3) What time frame is it being spoken? There are three Biblical time frames: Patriarchal age; Mosaic age and the Christian age. We live in the Christian age and the New Testament is our law (Heb. 1:1-2; 9:15-17; 10:9-10). (4) What type of language is being used? Is it literal or figurative or symbolic? Jesus called Herod a fox (Lk. 13:31-32). Did He mean Herod was a literal four legged animal that catches chickens? No. He used figurative language. (5) What are the conditions, circumstances or context? Because of what Paul said in 1 Cor. 7:7-8, 38 some would say that Paul was against marriage. Was he? No. Then why say such things? Because of the context of 1 Cor. 7:26. The Bible can be understood by applying some common sense rules.
Can we understand the Bible? Some say no. God desires all to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). The Bible is truth (John 17:17). The apostle Paul wrote by inspiration, "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:4). So yes, we can understand the word of God by applying some basic principles. (1) Who is speaking? Everything in the Bible was written by men who were inspired of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). However, those inspired men sometimes recorded the words of evil men and even the words of Satan (Gen. 3:1-4). Those words were accurately recorded but are not words we should follow. (2) To whom is it spoken? God told Noah to build an Ark (Gen. 6:14-16). Are we commanded to build an Ark? No. That command was given to Noah. (3) What time frame is it being spoken? There are three Biblical time frames: Patriarchal age; Mosaic age and the Christian age. We live in the Christian age and the New Testament is our law (Heb. 1:1-2; 9:15-17; 10:9-10). (4) What type of language is being used? Is it literal or figurative or symbolic? Jesus called Herod a fox (Lk. 13:31-32). Did He mean Herod was a literal four legged animal that catches chickens? No. He used figurative language. (5) What are the conditions, circumstances or context? Because of what Paul said in 1 Cor. 7:7-8, 38 some would say that Paul was against marriage. Was he? No. Then why say such things? Because of the context of 1 Cor. 7:26. The Bible can be understood by applying some common sense rules.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Back to Bible Basics (2)
by David Long
The Bible is divided into three time dispensations: the Patriarchal age; the Mosical age and the Christian age. The Patriarchal age runs from Adam to Moses. During this time God spoke to heads of households like Adam, Noah, Abraham and Job. God had no written law at this time. The Mosical age runs from Moses to Christ. During this time God spoke through Moses and the prophets (Heb. 1:1). During this time God's law was the Old Testament. The Christian age runs from Christ to the end of time. It's called the last days (Acts 2:16-17; Heb. 1:2). During this time God's law is the New Testament. When we understand the different time frames and God's law under each then we can understand what's binding on us.
The Bible is divided into three time dispensations: the Patriarchal age; the Mosical age and the Christian age. The Patriarchal age runs from Adam to Moses. During this time God spoke to heads of households like Adam, Noah, Abraham and Job. God had no written law at this time. The Mosical age runs from Moses to Christ. During this time God spoke through Moses and the prophets (Heb. 1:1). During this time God's law was the Old Testament. The Christian age runs from Christ to the end of time. It's called the last days (Acts 2:16-17; Heb. 1:2). During this time God's law is the New Testament. When we understand the different time frames and God's law under each then we can understand what's binding on us.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Back to Bible Basics
by David Long
The Bible is made up of 2 testaments or covenants: Old Testament and New Testament. On this side of the cross we live under the New Testament. When Jesus died on the cross He took the Old Testament out of the way. "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross" (Col. 2:14). He shed His blood to establish the New Testament (Matt. 26:28). The New Testament is the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). It is the law of liberty (James 1::25; 2:12). We will be judged by it on Judgement Day (John 12:48).
The Bible is made up of 2 testaments or covenants: Old Testament and New Testament. On this side of the cross we live under the New Testament. When Jesus died on the cross He took the Old Testament out of the way. "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross" (Col. 2:14). He shed His blood to establish the New Testament (Matt. 26:28). The New Testament is the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). It is the law of liberty (James 1::25; 2:12). We will be judged by it on Judgement Day (John 12:48).
Monday, May 18, 2020
Anxiety
by David Long
Has this pandemic got you all worried? Is the stay at home order got you going crazy? I'm glad that the stay at home order has come to an end here in Missouri. But you know, stay at home or not, I'm not gonna be anxious about it. "casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you" (1 Pet. 5:7). I hear people say, "We got this." That's not the way I think or live. I lean upon God. I say, "God's got this." Dear reader, turn your life over to God and His word. That's the only way to get through anything. Obey the gospel (Rom. 6:4).
Has this pandemic got you all worried? Is the stay at home order got you going crazy? I'm glad that the stay at home order has come to an end here in Missouri. But you know, stay at home or not, I'm not gonna be anxious about it. "casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you" (1 Pet. 5:7). I hear people say, "We got this." That's not the way I think or live. I lean upon God. I say, "God's got this." Dear reader, turn your life over to God and His word. That's the only way to get through anything. Obey the gospel (Rom. 6:4).
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Inspired of God
by David Long
Read 2 Tim. 3:16-17. How do we know Scriptures are inspired of God? How do we know that the Bible is a God-breathed book?
1. The unity of the Bible (2 Pet. 1:17-21). The Bible was written by 40 men over a 1500 year period. Could forty different men, writing over a 1500 year period all agree if they were not inspired of God?
2. The historic accuracy of the Bible. The people and places of the Bible have been proven to be real. Would the Bible be inspired of God if it were not historically accurate?
3. The scientific accuracy of the Bible.
a. Job 26:7 How did Job know that the earth is free floating in space?
b. Isaiah 40:22 How did Isiah know that the earth is round?
c. Psalm 8:8 How did the psalmist know about the continental currents?
4. Fulfilled prophecy.
a. 150 years before Cyrus was born Isaiah named him by name (Isa. 44:28; Ezra 1:1).
b. Isaiah foretold the virgin birth of Jesus 700 years before it occurred (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25).
c. There are 300 prophecies concerning Jesus in the Old Testament and He fulfilled them all. How do we account for that?
Read 2 Tim. 3:16-17. How do we know Scriptures are inspired of God? How do we know that the Bible is a God-breathed book?
1. The unity of the Bible (2 Pet. 1:17-21). The Bible was written by 40 men over a 1500 year period. Could forty different men, writing over a 1500 year period all agree if they were not inspired of God?
2. The historic accuracy of the Bible. The people and places of the Bible have been proven to be real. Would the Bible be inspired of God if it were not historically accurate?
3. The scientific accuracy of the Bible.
a. Job 26:7 How did Job know that the earth is free floating in space?
b. Isaiah 40:22 How did Isiah know that the earth is round?
c. Psalm 8:8 How did the psalmist know about the continental currents?
4. Fulfilled prophecy.
a. 150 years before Cyrus was born Isaiah named him by name (Isa. 44:28; Ezra 1:1).
b. Isaiah foretold the virgin birth of Jesus 700 years before it occurred (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25).
c. There are 300 prophecies concerning Jesus in the Old Testament and He fulfilled them all. How do we account for that?
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Humans vs animals
by David Long
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Gen. 1:26-27). Animals weren't created in the image of God. Human beings are superior to animals. Human beings are of much more value then animals. "Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not Ye of much more value then they?" (Matt. 6:26). Human beings aren't animals and animals aren't human beings. Let's don't get those confused.
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Gen. 1:26-27). Animals weren't created in the image of God. Human beings are superior to animals. Human beings are of much more value then animals. "Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not Ye of much more value then they?" (Matt. 6:26). Human beings aren't animals and animals aren't human beings. Let's don't get those confused.
Monday, May 11, 2020
Return to the dust
by David Long
After Adam had sinned God said, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. 3:19). Sobering words, read them carefully. On a physical level this is true of us all. Now there was a new reality for Adam and for us. As bad as we hate to think about it, we will die (Heb. 9:27). The good news is God gave hope (Gen. 3:16). Not the hope of escaping physical death but spiritual death. Yes, we will return to the dust, can't get out of that but we can get out of going to hell. I do have a choice in that matter (Matt. 7:13-14).
After Adam had sinned God said, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. 3:19). Sobering words, read them carefully. On a physical level this is true of us all. Now there was a new reality for Adam and for us. As bad as we hate to think about it, we will die (Heb. 9:27). The good news is God gave hope (Gen. 3:16). Not the hope of escaping physical death but spiritual death. Yes, we will return to the dust, can't get out of that but we can get out of going to hell. I do have a choice in that matter (Matt. 7:13-14).
Thursday, May 7, 2020
and it was so
by David Long
"and it was so" is some six times in Genesis chapter one. "And it was so" was result of "And God said." God said and it was so. What happened when God said? Whatever God said happened. The power of the word of God. That power is found not only in the spoken word of God but also in the written word of God (Rom. 1:16). The written word has the power to save our souls (James 1:21). What happens when a person obeys the gospel? Exactly what God said will happen. What happens when one will not obey the gospel? Exactly what God said will happen (2 Thess. 1:7-9). It will be so!
"and it was so" is some six times in Genesis chapter one. "And it was so" was result of "And God said." God said and it was so. What happened when God said? Whatever God said happened. The power of the word of God. That power is found not only in the spoken word of God but also in the written word of God (Rom. 1:16). The written word has the power to save our souls (James 1:21). What happens when a person obeys the gospel? Exactly what God said will happen. What happens when one will not obey the gospel? Exactly what God said will happen (2 Thess. 1:7-9). It will be so!
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
And God said
by David Long
"And God said" is some nine times in Genesis chapter one. Wish I could have been there during that creation week. It must have been an amazing sight to see. God speaking things into existence. "Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast" (Psa. 33:8-9). The angels got to see it. "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7). What did God think about His creation? "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day" (Gen. 1:31).
"And God said" is some nine times in Genesis chapter one. Wish I could have been there during that creation week. It must have been an amazing sight to see. God speaking things into existence. "Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast" (Psa. 33:8-9). The angels got to see it. "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7). What did God think about His creation? "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day" (Gen. 1:31).
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Faith healers
by David Long
Where are the faith healers? Where are those churches, religious groups and individuals that claim they can heal people? No one is flocking to those people to get healed from covid-19 and the faith healers aren't healing anyone with covid-19. I bet you if any of them got covid-19 they went to the hospital. You know what the funny part is (although it's really not funny)? People won't give it a second thought. They will continue to support such. I believe the miracles of the Bible were real but they had a purpose and a time limit (Mk. 16:19-20; Heb. 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 13:8-13).
Where are the faith healers? Where are those churches, religious groups and individuals that claim they can heal people? No one is flocking to those people to get healed from covid-19 and the faith healers aren't healing anyone with covid-19. I bet you if any of them got covid-19 they went to the hospital. You know what the funny part is (although it's really not funny)? People won't give it a second thought. They will continue to support such. I believe the miracles of the Bible were real but they had a purpose and a time limit (Mk. 16:19-20; Heb. 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 13:8-13).
Monday, May 4, 2020
Savior of the body
by David Long
"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body" (Eph. 5:23). Jesus is the savior of the body. What body? "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23). Jesus is the savior of the church, His body. If you want to be saved you must be a member of His body (Acts 2:47).
"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body" (Eph. 5:23). Jesus is the savior of the body. What body? "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23). Jesus is the savior of the church, His body. If you want to be saved you must be a member of His body (Acts 2:47).
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