Clarence Hall: "But it Won't Stay There"

The Lord went into a grave, but He didn't stay there! :D

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there."

~Clarence W. Hall

    What an interesting way to describe the Resurrection! Truth, put in a grave, but not able to be held there long.
    Jesus Christ is the Truth. In John 14:6, He even states it's one of His titles:"'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'" (NKJ). And His claim is clearly supported by His actions and the affects of His actions. Never once has He spoken or suggested anything that isn't 100% true, and never once did He act hypocritically. His words hold all the answers to life's questions and dilemmas, and He's made ancient prophecies and mysteries clear and understandable. Even today, we can look at the world and then look at the Word, and things make a lot more sense.
    Indeed, Jesus Christ and the message of salvation He pronounced is truth for all time. And when His enemies arranged for Him to be crucified (unwittingly fulfilling prophecy) and His body was put in a tomb, He had died, but He didn't stay dead. On Easter Sunday, the tomb was empty; the grave couldn't hold Him. The Lord had risen from the dead, is still alive today, and His message lives on!
    So this analogy Clarence Hall has written is a really awesome way to think of one of the most important events in history. It's like a victory cry! Amen?
    Have a wonderful Good Friday!

"Hilkiah the Priest Has Given Me a Book"

There's truly no book like the Book! :)

    The latter half of 2 Chronicles 34 is kind of set up like a dramatic story. Wicked kings had been reigning in the land for fifty-seven years, doing their very best to stamp out proper worship of the true God; but then King Josiah ascended to the throne and got to work in leading the nation back to the Lord. One of the things King Josiah did was start restoring the temple of God (which his predecessors had trashed and filled with profane idols), and while the reconstruction took place, something very significant was discovered.
    It was a copy of the Scriptures, the book listing all the instructions and statutes God gave His people. And it was taken to the royal scribe, Shaphan, right away in order to show the king what had been found. Once King Josiah had seen and had read the Scriptures, he quickly made sure the people also learned what it said. And in verse 34:33, it's said that for all of Josiah's lifetime, the people "did not depart from following the LORD God of their fathers" (NKJ).
    This story is so awesome on multiple levels! The very way that Hilkiah, Shaphan, and King Josiah all reacted when they found the precious word of God was fascinating. Hilkiah, the high priest, seemed surprised but elated to have discovered the Word of his God. Shaphan, when showing Josiah the rediscovered Scriptures, didn't have to explain what it was or even call it something like "the holy words of our God;" all he had to do was say, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book" to convey that it was the most important document ever written. Even the way King Josiah grieved after he read the Scriptures--because he compared the current quasi-pagan traditions to what God had actually instructed them do to--is a huge deal because it shows he took every word to heart. He didn't come across something he didn't like and think, "well, that's not a huge rule that needs to be followed; we can overlook it." No, he was determined to obey it to the letter. All three of the people mentioned in this story showed God's word the absolute respect and obedience it deserves; it's great when that happens!
    And another incredible thing about this story is the way it shows how God can protect His Word. Today there are so many people who say that the Bible is "nice" but not absolute truth because supposedly the translations it's been given have mixed up the meaning of the message. But this 2 Chronicles account--and just the plain logic that the God who sculpted the entire world out of nothing probably wouldn't fail to keep His truth available to people--shows how He can keep His Word completely intact, no matter what. Kings Manasseh and Amon had apparently been so thorough in their attempts to bring down worship of the true God that the high priest was shocked to find a copy of the Law in his hands. But as powerful as the wicked rulers had been, God was clearly stronger, and as always, His good will prevailed.
    The whole dramatic element of this story is also a really fascinating part as well. After so many years of darkness, finding a sole surviving copy of the Scriptures was the spark that began an age of light and obedience. And the fact that there was possibly just one surviving copy that made it possible to revive a whole nation to God's ways is incredible! It's something you'd think could only happen in fiction; something that only God could accomplish in real life.
    Isn't it an awesome event in Israel's history? What aspect of this story do you find most impressive?

G. K. Chesterton: Fallacies

"Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become popular."

~G. K. Chesterton

    I love this author so much; he wrote the Father Brown mystery stories, where a humble, small town Catholic priest goes about solving murders. The stories are really awesome not just because they're well written, but Chesterton has a talent with balancing the pure, precious subject of faith and the gruesome topic of murder. In his writing, he also reflects biblical principles without bluntly preaching in the readers' faces.

    Which gives a bit of foundation work when considering this quote he wrote. Chesterton clearly had a solid faith and a strong awareness of spiritual matters and people; he wasn't ignorant to God's truth, or to the way people think, and he specifically stated that fallacies--practiced characteristic flaws--are not good, but that they tend to be thought of as acceptable.
    That's definitely happening today. A lot of things that are common now were unthinkable a hundred years ago, particularly things that the Bible deems sinful. Taking the Lord's name in vain, getting into brutal arguments with parents, idolizing rebellious figures, entertaining inappropriate humor. Issues like this have somehow become so common that everyone seems to take it as the norm in life.
    And it's not just the non-Christians who go with it. A couple years ago I started hanging out with a classmate who said she knew the Lord, and had a testimony of a genuine conversion (meaning that she recognized her need for a Savior, asked Christ to redeem her from sin, and became serious about her faith), and finding this fellow believer was really awesome, a cause for celebration. But the happy dance I was inwardly doing kind of faltered once I heard this fellow believer sprinkling cuss words into most of her sentences. It was a little shocking, to say the least, for someone who's grown up being taught that cussing is something we're never supposed to do.
    The other Christian acknowledged that the profanity wasn't exactly Christ-like, but didn't seem to think it was that big of a deal.
    Wasn't it?
    I'm not a preacher, and neither was G. K. Chesterton, but Chesterton was well acquainted with them. And from the way he spoke about fallacies in this quote here, it's very apparent that he thought fallacies are not acceptable at all, even when everybody else doesn't see what the problem is.
    And just what is the problem? Well, let's look at cussing. Foul language can be identified as wrongful in the Bible; in Colossians 3:8 (NKJ), Paul says that believers need to take "filthy language out of [our] mouth;" and in Exodus 20:7, one of the Ten Commandments reads that we are not to "take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain" (NKJ).  Plus, there's the fact that Christ never cursed or used the term h-e-double-hockey-sticks unless He was actually talking about the place. So with these examples in Scripture, it's clear that cussing displeases God, and since we want to please Him, it'd make sense to not practice it, right?
    Another thing to consider is that the way we behave affects how people view us, and in turn, how they view God. As Christians, we represent the Lord; the Bible calls us His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). If I wasn't a believer and I looked at that Christian who cussed as a prime example of a follower of Christ, I wouldn't see the Lord the way He truly is. I would see someone who uses more profanity than my war veteran grandfather; and if things got really bad, I might think about all the Christians who have said that cussing is wrong, and come to the conclusion that the church--and basically the whole Christian faith--is full of hypocrisy.
    So there are two serious problems that come from embracing a fallacy; but yet it can still be so tempting to think that some of it is just a natural thing in life.
    All I can say is: thank goodness we have God's word. The Bible is so clear cut and detailed that it offers explanations for every aspect of life. And with the discernment it gives, whether we just abstain from practicing a fallacy, or if we actually speak out against it, we'll understand where we're standing and why.
    So what are your thoughts? What do you think of fallacies?

Psalm 1:2-3

 

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Psalm 1:2-3 (NKJ)

    A tree planted right next to a clean river has basically everything it needs: nourishing water, nourishing soil, sunlight (maybe not directly mentioned in these verses, but I think one can assume that it's provided), and a secure place to stand. It's a very nice analogy to the word of God, and how it blesses us. Just like the tree gets all those benefits in the place where it's been planted, we get the blessings of nourishment, light, and a secure foundation in the word of God as we dig into it.
    And another really wonderful thing that this verse points out about the word of God is that while we can definitely experience these things while reading it, thinking about it just as we go along also gives the nourishment, light, and security! Having godly principles on the brain while commuting from one place to another, and recalling stories in the word every now and then for reflection opens up doors to a righteous mindset, deep and thoughtful prayer with the Lord, and joy in accomplishing things throughout the day.
    So the word of God is a major blessing that we can experience during quiet times while reading the Bible, and at practically any moment. Isn't that awesome? :D

John 17:3

 

"'And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent,'"

John 17:3 (NKJ)

    This is so true. Life with God really is life!
    Learning things about Him is incredible, being able to please Him is fulfilling, receiving His generous blessings is fantastic, and knowing God personally is the most beautiful thing anyone can experience. He is an awesome, awesome God! And the fact that we get to have this great kind of life for all eternity (on earth and then in heaven) is wonderful!
    The very thought of it is exciting, isn't it?

C.S. Lewis: Peace In Difficulties

 

"Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties."

~C.S. Lewis

    Isn't this the truth? No one's life is absolutely problem-free. Everyone faces the same sort of difficulties at some point; financial problems, loneliness, worry about the near future . . . it's a long list. Being a Christian doesn't make us immune from the causes of these things, but our relationship with God does give us a way out of being constantly stressed and worrying ourselves sick.
   God cares about us (1 Peter 5:7) and He has a plan for our entire life (Jeremiah 29:11).  The fact that God can create an intricate world in six days and part a sea within minutes (or moments!) is enough to prove that He's capable of turning the tables of a situation quickly. And even when the tables aren't turned, we can still have peace in God; Christ Himself is said to be our peace (Ephesians 2:14). He is our living hope; His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).
    So we don't have to freak out or wring ourselves emotionally dry. The peace of God is perfect (Isaiah 26:3), and He gives it to us freely.
    C.S. Lewis has so many fantastic quotes! Do you know any off the top of your head?

Staying Watchful

    "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJ). It's a wonderful Bible verse to know. It's strengthening, encouraging . . . and vital, really.
    The Lord is coming back soon, and as we wait for Him, we should be doing what we can to tell others about Him, spreading the truth of God. As this happens though, there seems to be (actually, there is) a conscious effort on multiple levels to try to deter us. Like when a serious case of anxiety or a spout of anger erupts, or when a huge life crisis occurs. Backsliding can occur, and that's such a horrible thing to happen.
    That's why this exhortation to watch is so great and helpful, I think. Because when we're alert and aware, these spiritual problems don't sneak up on us. We can identify problems immediately and take them to God for help.
    So how is a person to watch in the walk of life?
    I think reading the Bible is a huge factor. It's God's actual words, His absolute truth. Reading through the Word, we understand God's character and the way He wants us to be. Likened to water, it can make us see things clearly and understand. Reading it constantly is also an extremely effective reminding system, warning of actions or behaviors to avoid, and which virtues should be built up. The Bible is really perfect; reading it is a wonderful gift.
    Prayer is also a fantastic blessing. It's talking to the Lord and knowing that He's listening! And it's also a way to be watchful. In addition to giving God thanks and worship, praying for others, and praying for aid ourselves (all really important things to do), we can ask God if there's anything in our lives He wants us to change or build on. A clear Voice probably won't always answer (though sometimes He does), but asking Him gives a chance to search one's life and say, "Lord, what about this?" and think of things in the Bible that deal with the topic.
    The Word and prayer are ways I use to stay watchful. Can you think of any others?

John 3:17

 

 

"For God did not send His only begotten Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

John 3: 17 (NKJ)

    Just about every Christian has John 3:16 memorized--it's the embodiment of the gospel message. However, maybe not as many people know the verse after it by heart.  But John 3:17 is also very vital to remember as a Christian. It's a fantastic proof for remembering God's character and for showing it to the person who thinks God is nitpicking at people's sins. The verse clearly verifies that God doesn't look for reasons to punish us or to condemn us whenever we slip up, but that He lovingly and graciously sought out salvation for all mankind.
    God is good, and this verse is awesome. Agreed? :)

Psalm 55: 22

 

"Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

Psalm 55: 22 (NKJ)

 

    Physical burdens are difficult, but emotional ones can be heavier and even more difficult to get rid of. Stress, worry, fear, sadness. They're not fun, and you can't just wish it away.

    But amazingly and wonderfully, the Lord says that He'll take them! He promises us rest in Matthew 11: 28, and since God is all-powerful and unchanging, security is assured.

    Prayer and just trusting in God are two ways to cast our cares upon Him, and they work wonderfully. Don't you agree that it gives peace?

    Hope you have a wonderful week! :)

Mark 16:6--He Is Risen!

 

"But he said to them, 'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.'"

Mark 16: 6 (NKJ)

    The tomb is empty! He is risen!
    What does this mean? It means that Jesus Christ came back from the dead. And what does that mean? It means that Jesus is who He said He is--the Son of God--and that His sacrifice on the cross has atoned for all of our sins. It means that God's plan to redeem humanity has succeeded, and that we can now be forgiven and have a personal relationship with Him!
    How good it is to remember what the Lord has done! Not only did He die for us, but He rose again and came back. He's showed us His incredible love in both the day He went to the cross and the morning He went out of the tomb.
    He is risen! What a wonderful reason to rejoice!

Psalm 119:103

 





"How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Psalm 119:103 (NKJ)

    God's Word is so sweet. Full of kindness and love, it can stir up a warm, fuzzy feeling inside without hiding any bitter realities. God's Word is a hundred percent truthful; absolutely dependable. And it brings good tidings of salvation. Isn't it wonderful? :)

Psalm 46:1-3

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah."

Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJ)

Psalm 145:8

 

"The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy."

Psalm 145:8 (NKJ)

 

 

    This is a comfort verse. Short and sweet, it can put you at ease when doubts and fears are swarming. It silences lies and gives you something true you can cling to.

    God's grace is vaster than our mistakes, His compassion and mercy abounding, and He doesn't instantly become furious with us when we slip up. God loves us, and He's incredibly patient, caring, and forgiving.

Jeremiah 1:8

"'Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,' says the LORD."

Jeremiah 1:8

    I can't be the only one who's afraid of making people angry with my words, right?
    Surely it's understandable. People are not pleasant when they're angry, and when that unpleasantness is directed towards you, it's not fun. At all.
    As Christians, we want to talk about God, tell people how wonderful it is to have a relationship with Him, and show them how to get saved. But when we do that, there's a real risk of being mocked, branded as narrow-minded, or of making that person really ticked off at us. Of course no one wants that to happen--so a lot of people are scared of mentioning God at all.
    But God encourages us and tells us not to be afraid. He is with us all the time, and He'll give us the right words to say. Sure, you might be put down or made fun of. But if someone listens and becomes interested in God as a result, isn't it totally worth it?

Luke 12:25

"'And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?'"

Luke 12:25

    The answer is . . . no one.
    You can't get taller or solve your problems by worrying. If anything, being worried worsens the situation and it wears you down.
    A lot of people are stressed and sleepless because of worry. They're unable to hope for the future because there are so many things that could go wrong. Some people might think that being worried is logical--that by expecting the worst, it won't hurt as much when it happens. There may even be people who think it's healthy to worry.
    But God says otherwise. He knows that worrying is torturous, and that by worrying, we're denying ourselves hope. Worse than that, we're denying God's promises. He's promised to keep us safe and that everything happens for a good reason. Time and time again, He's told us not to be afraid, but to trust Him.
    God will be with us no matter what we go through. He has a plan that ends in our favor, and He is with us every step of the way. So no matter what happens, we don't have to worry.
    God is with you. Everything will be okay.

Romans 8:15

"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'"

Romans 8:15 (NKJ)

 

    "Abba" in the English language, basically means "Daddy." An affectionate term for one's father.
    One of the great things about our relationship with the Lord is that we've been adopted into God's family.  He is our Father--our Abba, who loves us more than anyone else--and He sees us as His precious children. As our Father, God cares for us, helps us grow, defends us, and picks us up when we fall. He's always there when we need encouragement, and He gives us the strength and wisdom we need to get through life.
    Isn't it wonderful?

1 Corinthians 16:14

 

"Let all that you do be done with love."

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NKJ)

    Why do something if you don't like to do it?
    Not counting chores or other mandatory duties, of course.
    The best things made are those that were made with the labor of love. A real passion to create, a determination to work hard because you deeply care about it. Love is the strongest, most powerful motivation--and sometimes, it's all that gets you to continue on when you'd otherwise want to give up. Love for something is very important in writing and other ministries.
    But I think this Bible verse applies not only to using your talents, but also in "normal" stuff life as well. Like going to school/work--you can do that with love by brightening your teacher/boss's day with enthusiasm and diligence.
    It really makes things better--tasks become more pleasant for everyone. Don't you agree? :)

Romans 5:20

". . . But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,"

Romans 5:20 (NKJ)

    I used to be constantly haunted by guilt about the dumb things I did before becoming a Christian--stupid, hurtful, childish things. Embarrassing things. It's painful to think about, and those memories just kept coming back to me on a daily basis. The guilt made life miserable.
    But one day, God got me to understand something this Bible verse exemplifies: His grace is greater and more powerful than not only the small mistakes, but the biggest sins--His grace forgives me of all the sins I committed.
    There's no limit to how many mistakes and sins God will forgive if we turn to Him with honest repentance. And He won't give up on us when we keep slipping up because His forgiveness is so vast.
    So we don't have to live with haunting guilt--we don't have to listen to the voices that continuously tell us we should be ashamed. God's grace has us completely covered, absolutely forgiven, totally redeemed.

Not A Robot

    Repetitious conversation with meaningless words are not good between friends, spouses, or family--often, it indicates that there's something amiss in the relationship. I think it's the same with our relationship with God.
    There's a lot of people who say the same prayer to God every day without meaning the words, people who recite without actually speaking to Him, like they're talking to a brick wall. The words are often pious, polite--but cold and emotionless. Robotic. And God doesn't want that.
    He wants a real, genuine relationship with us where we have deep and meaningful conversations with Him. Where we're comfortable speaking with Him, being in His presence often, and have His perfect peace with us everywhere. He wants us to have fun with Him, chat with Him, go on adventures with Him. He wants the real you, not a robot.
    Having this kind of real relationship with God is truly awesome. It makes you feel so alive.
    Can I get an amen?

Luke 8:17

 

"For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light."

Luke 8:17 (NKJ)

    Eventually, everything that was hidden will be known. All the secrets will be revealed.
    Every intention--bad and good--will be shown, every bad thing done in secret will be exposed, and the most important truth--rejected so often these days--will finally be shown to all as reality. Nothing will be covered up, nothing true will be ignored.
    This is a breath of fresh air, isn't it? To know that one day--perhaps very soon--every evil thing that was done and hidden will be revealed, justice will finally be served. Lies will be obliterated, and everyone will realize that God's truth--the truth we speak--is genuine and real.
    That will be such an awesome day, won't it? :)