 New Years Resolutions -- We should not make rash promises based on false presumptions
of knowing the Lord's future will, for us. What if we promise, and later the Lord wants something
different -- then we have to break our promise or disobey the Lord. James 4:15 (New Testament) rightly
says: For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
But, the concept of "resolution," -- purposing to do right for Jesus
Christ, is good. Paul, the Apostle said in Philippians 3:15: I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul
correctly tells us that a prize awaits faithful service. In Revelation 22:12 Jesus Christ says: And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. In Hebrews 12 the writer heartily exhorts his readers to forge ahead diligently. This
is in light of the heros cited in Hebrews 11 (some call this God's Hall of Fame): Hebrews12: 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed
about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let
us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking
unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For
consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4Ye
have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. I will review the great Hebrews 11 passage
a little later. The writer also notes that our faithful heavenly father is not going to let his true children "fall
throught the cracks." But will lovingly discipline them, as needed. Hebrews 12: 5And
ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the
Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6For whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If
ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Note: Pretty strong word here in this last sentence in the King James Bible (KJB).
Modern bibles would put it more delicately, but in so doing, obscure the true meaning. Furthermore,
the King James Bible, being a very strict translation gives us God's correct "conceptualization" -- God's
correct way of thinking about the matter. It is not simply that some words have become archaic. It IS
that, ENTIRE character-behavioral practices are archaic! Notably, many things ARE true
and right with God and must not be let slip. So, to accurately render, the KJB effectively forces us
back to the time in history when that character-behavioral trait WAS still active, and the KJB will use the appropriate term. Modern
versions often render a passage according to modern thinking, when the correct conceptualization is preserved by
the King James Bible. In the following section, I review the heroes of God's "Hall of Fame"
(Hebrews11). |
 Hebrews 11 (New Testament) is often called God's "Hall of Fame." Notice
the formula "by faith" a named person - ACTION VERB - something. True faith leads to ACTION. It
may be quiet, and not seem like much to big guys, but still, true faith results in action. Notice too,
the person may seem like a weakie, even a screw-up, BUT BY FAITH (because of their faith) GOD USES THEM, and empowers
them. This is so encouraging to others of us who may not be Saint Paul. As the
commentary notes, the evidence on which faith is based is real to the SOUL. A good illustration --
the markedly different "contents of faith" between the two thieves on the crosses next to Jesus' cross. See
my page They Came to Jesus. Notice that Abel's more excellent sacrifice, being by faith, -- YET
SPEAKS OUT IN TESTIMONY. Notice that Noah became an heir of God, by the righteousness
which is by faith -- God IMPUTES, God RECKONS, RIGHTEOUSNESS, to an individual by faith. (Book of Romans chapters
3 to 8) We may, and must, please God by trust in him, in what he has done, and in what he has
said. Many many times I've seen people facing awkward, or unpopular bible passages -- "creatively
interpret" around the difficulties in the passage. This is WRONG. They
should take it straight, and then confess to God their inability, or lack of courage, or lack of power to apply the passage
to life. They should ask for God's guidance. They should NOT falsify
the passage. To do so shows a refusal to believe God and to trust him. 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are
seen were not made of things which do appear. 4By
faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God
testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5By
faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his
translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder
of them that diligently seek him. 7By faith Noah,
being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he
condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. |
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 Hebrews 11:8-19: Abraham had occasions of wavering
or lapsing, but IS the great man of faith, by believing God. Notice he had
that Pilgrim mentality, which we should have, in NOT regarding earth as his true home. It's hard to leave one's home area, but he did. For commentary with cross references CLICK here (Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, and
David Brown 1871) 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for
an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By
faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs
with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city
which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11Through
faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she
judged him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore sprang
there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the
sea shore innumerable. 13These all died in faith, not having
received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they
were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that
say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And
truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered
up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in
Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was
able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. |
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 Hebrews 11:20-31: Joseph was sold to be a slave
into Egypt, but was made a very great man by faith and obedience to God. He commands that his
bones be not left in Egypt, but taken to the promised land in the Exodus. Moses refuses to be
called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Egypt was THE Super Power of the time with a long and
powerful reach. Rahab the Canaanite harlot of Jericho and her family were all that were saved in
the overthrow of Jericho. A quick look at the Wikipeda article on Rahab indicates considerable effort, unsuccessfully, by some in the past to say she was not really a
harlot. God can and will save anyone, no matter how bad, by faith alone. She and her family
became part of Israel. For commentary with cross references, CLICK here (Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset,
and David Brown, 1871) 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things
to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was
a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children
of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23By
faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were
not afraid of the king's commandment. 24By
faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the
pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming
the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured,
as seeing him who is invisible. 28Through
faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians
assaying to do were drowned. 30By
faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she
had received the spies with peace. |
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| ANDROMEDA GALAXIE |
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| THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD; THE FIRMAMENT SHOWS HIS HANDIWORK BOOK OF PSALMS 19 |
Hebrews 11:32-40: Scripture seems to portray some
of these as weakies or screw-ups, but here they are -- in God's Hall of Fame. We
must realise, many lived under very difficult condition, Israel being occupied by the Philistines. Samson is a favorite of mine, a man extraordinarily gifted, but with a spectacular bent for wild women. And here he is -- in God's Hall of Fame. -- by his great faith. Torture
is a pretty scary thought -- but we must assume that God will give us the strength, and faith, should he allow us to be tested
in such a manner. The heroes refused deliverance to obtain a better resurrection. We have the historic reality of Christ's coming -- we live in the Church age with full realization. They, looked forward, in faith toward God, with the light that they had to go on. For commentary with cross references, CLICK here (Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset,
and David Brown, 1871) 32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon,
and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises,
stopped the mouths of lions. 34Quenched
the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight
the armies of the aliens. 35Women
received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection: 36And others had trial
of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered
about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves
of the earth. 39And these all, having
obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
As we analyse current world events in the much greater light we
have --
Surely we can not have
much time left. At least good time to do good.
Perhaps our New Years Resolution, then, should be like Paul's in Philippians 3:14: I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Remembering again Hebrews 12: 1Wherefore seeing
we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily
beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and
faint in your minds. 4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,
striving against sin. 5And ye have forgotten the exhortation
which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked
of him: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth
every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening,
God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected
us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that
we might be partakers of his holiness. 11Now no chastening
for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness
unto them which are exercised thereby. 12Wherefore lift
up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13And
make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up
trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16Lest there
be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he
found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 18For
ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which
voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain,
it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21And
so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22But
ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of
angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn,
which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better
things than that of Abel. 25See that ye refuse not him
that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away
from him that speaketh from heaven: 26Whose voice then
shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things
that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Wherefore
we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly
fear: 29For our God is a consuming fire. |
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