Showers of Blessing

Ezekiel is a hard book to read.  There is the wheel within the wheel, there is the object lesson of laying on his side for a year and making a clay model of Jerusalem and prophesying against it.  Like many of the prophetic books, one must understand where they were in the timeline of Israel to appreciate what was going on in their lives.  I like to tell my Old Testament Literature students that you have to ask:  Was the prophet ministering before during or after the exile?  That changes everything.  I even try to get them to look at this sign in the back of the room:

This way it reminds them of the 2 most important events in the Old Testament.


1.  Exodus
2.  Exile

Did the events in the Old Testament happen before, during or after the Exodus?  Or did they happen before, during or after the Exile?

Context changes everything.


Ezekiel was before and during the exile.


The time period in which he lived was full of frustration and social upheaval.  The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell in 722, The Southern Kingdom of Judah fell in 586 and the Babylonian Kingdom led by Nebucahadnezzar deported the people of God to Babylon.

Ezekiel was among the deportees.  The Expositor's Bible Commentary puts it this way:

It was in this period of international turmoil and unrest, combined with the immorality and apostasy of Judah, that Ezekiel ministered. Having grown up during the reform of Josiah, and having been taken captive in the deportation of Jehoiachin in 597 b.c., Ezekiel, both a priest and a prophet, proclaimed to the exiled Jews in Babylonia the Lord’s judgment and ultimate blessing.^[1] Frank E. Gaebelein, Geoffrey W. Grogan, Charles L. Feinberg et al., The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 6: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986), 739.

In chapter 34, Ezekiel is on a roll talking about the future of Israel, when God's promises will finally be fulfilled.

That's what caught my attention.  Here's the passage:

Ezekiel 34:25–31 (ESV)

25 “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. 27 And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 28 They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. 29 And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. 30 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. 31 And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.”

Paul the apostle understood this great truth when he declared in Romans 

Romans 8:12–30 (ESV)

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

I'm concerned that today's believers are living way below their high status in Christ.  Consider this:

God sent His Son in Christ to redeem us from all sin.

Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death, hell and the grave

The disciples, following Jesus command, waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus instructed His disciples on the necessity of Spirit baptism in John 7:37-39

The Angel told the disciples on the Mt. of Olives that Jesus would return in the same manner that He wen into heaven.  Acts 1:9-11

Jesus declared to John 60 years later from the throne of God that He would return (Revelation 22:6-7)

We have the blessing of Salvation, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of His Soon Return.

Showers of Blessings!

129 Years ago, Major Daniel Whittle, and  James McGranahan collaborated on this song that has landed in almost every hymnal since.  It echoes the cry of the Church and the believer for blessings from God.  This hymn first appeared in Gospel Hymns No. 4, 1883.

“There shall be showers of blessing”—this is the promise of love; there shall be seasons refreshing, sent from the Savior above.

“There shall be showers of blessing”—precious reviving again; over the hills and the valleys sound of abundance of rain.

“There shall be showers of blessing”—send them upon us, O Lord; grant to us now a refreshing; come and now honor Thy Word.

“There shall be showers of blessing”—O that today they might fall, now as to God we’re confessing, now as on Jesus we call!

Chorus: Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need; mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead.^[1] Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990), 94.

 Thankfully, He not only fulfilled His promise in Christ and the Power of the Spirit, but we have today the joy of His presence and the hope of eternal life.  It's time to look up and thank God for His mercy on all who believe, now and forevermore.  Showers of Blessing!

Rumors of Wars

This morning, NBC had a troubling piece of news that Iran, even the Ayatolla himself were planning to attack the U.S. homeland.  No one wants war with Iran, but I find it interesting how quick the media throws down stories just to keep the hype going.  My reaction to this news was to remember a t-shirt that I saw when I had the privilege of visiting Israel back in 1998.  Here it is:

I know that the mighty F-16 is built in Ft. Worth.  This t-shirt reminds me that there is always more info to rumors of wars.  Here's what Jesus said about war rumors:

Matthew 24:5–14 (ESV)

5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The future of the world is dependent on one thing.  The mercy of God.  Peter clearly made this point in his epistles to the whole church scattered all over the ancient world at the close of the first century.

2 Peter 3:8–13 (ESV)

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 

The return of Jesus is a certainty.  He is coming back in power! Oh Hail the Blessed Hour!  I notice that verses 11-12 tell believers what to do:

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 

The viewpoint of the Church is summed up in verse 13.  May the Lord bless you as you reflect on the real and living hope of Christ's imminent return.

13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Christ's Attention on His Church

God has His attention on the Church!  In Revelation 1, while John was on the isle of Patmos, as he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, heaven was opened and a revelation was provided to the saintly apostle.  John tells how he: who bore witness to the word of God and to ^ethe testimony of Jesus Christ, even ^fto all that he saw. (Revelation 1:2).  This is wonderful because John did not just take the "revelation" down without processing it.  He compared what he was hearing to what Christ had revealed to him on earth, and what had been taught in the 60 years since the ascension of Christ!  John noticed that the content of the revelation:
1. bore witness to the word of God (the OT Scriptures and NT books he was aware of)
2. the testimony of Jesus Christ (what He knew of Jesus)......AND  all that he saw 


Wouldn't that be all that John saw?  wow. The more I study the book of Revelation (the whole Bible for that matter) the more I discover how rich the revelation of God to man.


I'm writing, however to draw attention to the focus of Christ's revelation to John.  It was to the Church!


In Chapter one, the word churches or ecclesia in Greek is mentioned 4 times in 3 verses in chapter one of Revelation 1.


First, in Revelation 1:4, the letter is addressed to actual churches in Asia:



Second: Jesus tells John to write in a book what he sees and mentions the 7 churches BY NAME!


 Revelation 1:11


Third:  Jesus Reveals the mystery of the 7 stars and the 7 lamp stands!  in Revelation 1:20
Christ walks and dwells among His churches!  He is the Lord of His Church! Remember when Peter made His grand confession to Christ in Matthew 16:17-18.  He is building His Chruch, He loves His Church!  He's watching over His Church.


Around the world, across denominations....His attention is on His Church!  

Hebrews....Things are Just Better!

We live in a world that's trying to make things better, all the time.  That's admirable and good.  No one wants to go back to a world when our situation was less comfortable.  I readily admit I appreciate the improvements of society.  Air conditioning, technology, and medical technology are just some of the things that make the world better.  

The presence of evil in the world complicates things.  Sin is destructive. (Genesis 4:7).  Sometimes, in our world of improvements and innovations, the spirit of improvement can creep into the Church. This can be a problem for believers. We are encouraged to grow in Christ and we want to make improvements with our relationship with Jesus.  Here is the challenge: The Gospel is already the BEST NEWS in the WORLD!  We have to make the decision to understand we have received the One who made everything better!  The Acres of Diamonds are in our own back yard.

The book in the Bible that makes the case for us is Hebrews.  As you think about your Bible study in the next few months.  Let me encourage you to take a good look at this wonderful portion of God's word.  I've decided to write this introduction on Hebrews for those of you who take up the challenge.

They don't know who wrote Hebrews. A good guess is Apollos.  One might recall that Apollos is mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians and by Luke in Acts.  Apollos was a gifted teacher.  Here is what the Inter-varsity New Testament Background Commentary says about Apollos:

It is more commonly suggested that the writer is Apollos, whose Alexandrian rhetorical and possibly philosophical training would have suited him especially well to write such a letter; he was certainly respected as Paul’s peer in the Pauline churches. (He seems to have been moving from Rome toward the east or south a few years before Hebrews was written—Tit 3:13—but he could have returned.)

I don't know.  I do know that the structure of the book is amazing.  I had to outline the whole book in Bible College and there discovered the wonderful detail of Hebrews.  For those of us raised in church.  Hebrews should be a treasure.  We did not happen upon the Gospel.  All of the redeemed are part of God's high redemptive plan.  The book of Hebrews makes the case. 

Here is the outline the Bible Knowledge Commentary gives for Hebrews

OUTLINE

I. Prologue (1:1-4)

II. Part I: God’s King-Son (1:5-4:16)

A. The King-Son exalted (1:5-14)

B. The first warning (2:1-4)

C. The King-Son as the perfected Captain (2:5-18)

1. The destiny of the Captain (2:5-9)

2. The Captain’s link with His followers (2:10-18)

D. The second warning (chaps. 3-4)

1. The call for faithfulness (3:1-6)

2. The admonishment from Israel’s failure (3:7-4:11)

3. God’s Word and the throne of grace (4:12-16)

III. Part II: God’s Priest-Son (chaps. 5-10)

A. Introduction: the qualified Priest (5:1-10)

1. The general requirements for a high priest (5:1-4)

2. The Son’s call to priesthood (5:5-10)

B. The third warning (5:11-6:20)

1. The problem of immaturity (5:11-14)

2. The solution to the problem (6:1-3)

3. The alternative to progress (6:4-8)

4. The concluding encouragement (6:9-20)

C. The greater Priest and His greater ministry (7:1-10:18)

1. The superior Priest (chap. 7)

a. The greatness of Melchizedek (7:1-10)

b. The new priesthood supersedes the old (7:11-19)

c. The superiority of the new Priest (7:20-28)

2. The superior service (8:1-10:18)

a. Introduction to the superior service (8:1-6)

b. The superior covenant (8:7-9:15)

c. The superior sacrifice (9:16-28)

d. The superior effect of the new priesthood (10:1-18)

D. The fourth warning (10:19-39)

1. The basic admonition (10:19-25)

2. The renewed warning (10:26-31)

3. The renewed encouragement (10:32-39)

IV. Part III: +The Response of Faith (chaps. 11-12)

A. The life of faith (chap. 11)

1. Prologue (11:1-3)

2. The divine acceptance of faith (11:4-16)

3. The variegated experiences of faith (11:17-40)

B. The final warning (chap. 12)

1. The introductory admonition (12:1-2)

2. The reminder that things are not as bad as they seem (12:3-11)

3. The call to renewed spiritual vitality (12:12-17)

4. The final warning itself (12:18-29)

V. Epilogue (chap. 13)

In the ESV the English word "better" is mentioned 11 times in 10 verses.  What's interesting to me is the scope.  From chapter 6 to chapter 12, the author keeps making the point. HINT: (hover your mouse over each reference and it will pop up., double click it and it will take you to the verse in context @ www.biblia.com)


Hebrews 6:9 
Hebrews 7:19 
Hebrews 7:22 
Hebrews 8:6 
Hebrews 9:23 
Hebrews 10:34 
Hebrews 11:16 
Hebrews 11:35 
Hebrews 11:40 
Hebrews 12:24 


I hope your year of 2012 is the best year yet.  May the Lord be magnified in your life.  Be assured that the salvation that you have today....is BETTER than anything this world has to offer.

Bible Study in 2012

Here is a re-posting of a Bible Study blog that I wrote last year with some updates.  I hope you plan on making the living and active word of God a part of your new year.

Keeping up to date with the new and different ways to study the Bible is a challenging task as there are so many wide and divergent ways that people go about studying God's word. To keep this as simple as possible let's ask a few questions.

First, are you content to read an actual Bible, or do you prefer to look up things online?

That alone will make a difference in what you should do next. For instance, if your Bible study is restricted to one Bible, then the choice of that Bible is crucial. This is a good place to talk about versions. What's the deal with so many and what's the point? The point of course is to get as much as you can out of Bible study as possible. That is to say, when Paul said to Timothy to study to show yourselves approved, it benefits not only the believer, but also God's Church! Hover over this reference, 2 Timothy 2: 15 and consider the value of study for the believer as well as the purpose of God.

King James Version. (KJV)

This version has worked well for over 400 years! 2011 marked the 400 year anniversary of this great text. Many of us have a King James memory, as we studied only this version while we were being disciple. The problem is, however, language usage has changed in 400 years and there are some passages that are difficult to negotiate.

New International Version. (NIV)

This is the most popular and widely used version in the last 30 years. It has found its place into our teaching/preaching and discipleship materials. The NIV illustrates the perpetual challenge that translators face in trying to bring the original text of Hebrew and Greek into modern day language usage. As such, they rely on a method of translation that focuses on the "concept" of Scripture rather than the actual words. The translators in 1979 did a fantastic job of staying faithful to the original text, (KJV only detractors notwithstanding) and this translation has been a blessing to the Church. The problem? The NIV is changing. Several years ago, Zondervan produced the TNIV (today's New International Version) one if its "features" was the removal of gender specific language for God. For example, referring to God as a male was discouraged even when the male personal pronouns were used in the original. This is not good.  The future will show those looking for the "original" NIV.  None of the "gender neutral for God" language made it into the new NIV in 2011.  The Assemblies of God chose it as their version along with New King James for the Kid's Fire Bible.  It is not the 1984 version that most are accustomed to, so hold on to that old NIV!  

New American Standard. (NASB)

This is a fantastic version that rather than use the "dynamic equivalence" approach of the NIV translators, focused on word for word translation. The faithful work of these scholars has stood the test of time and the NASB still exists as the gold standard of translation work. The problem of course is the readability of the text. This is why it never took hold in church use.

English Standard Version  (ESV)

The ESV is a triumph of biblical scholarship. Focusing on a word for word translation and using the latest in textual analysis tools, the scholars of the ESV have produced an amazing translation that is not only readable but focuses on conveying the word for word standard of the King James and NASB. This is the version that I use in the pulpit as well as the classroom.  Consider this from the preface to the ESV to help illustrate my enthusiasm for this version:

We know that no Bible translation is perfect or final; but we also know that God uses imperfect and inadequate things to his honor and praise. So to our triune God and to his people we offer what we have done, with our prayers that it may prove useful, with gratitude for much help given, and with ongoing wonder that our God should ever have entrusted to us so momentous a task.

Soli Deo Gloria!—To God alone be the glory!

New Living Translation  (NLT)

If you remember the Living Bible, then you can appreciate what the New Living Translation has done. This is an amazingly relevant translation that will span the test of time. Many churches have adopted its use rather than the ESV because of its amazing readability. What's the issue? It follows, like the NIV, the dynamic equivalence approach of translation. Personally, I have no problem with this, but you cannot interpret the NIV or the NLT without doing exegesis or word studies on the text.

Holman Christan Standard Bible  (HCSB)

This Bible is a direct translation from Broadman and Holman publishers. (The Baptists) This publishing house is owned by the Southern Baptist convention. The Assemblies of God has yet to come up with their own version of the Bible, but thankfullythe HCSB is a faithful word for word translation on the lines of the KJV, ESV, and NASB. It has shown up mostly in theme oriented Bibles for children, youth, and professions.

As I continue, let me simply say that if you study your Bible with paper only. You should invest in a study Bible. My recommendation is the ESV Study Bible. You can find it at www.mardel.com ; sometimes cheaper at www.christianbook.com or the publisher's site itself: www.crossway.com The ESV Study Bible has 20000 notes and resources that are a wonderful introduction to all that is good in Christian Theology. With the purchase of any ESV Bible, they also give you a code where you can search online and find many other resources for FREE.

If you prefer to use online and/or phone Bibles, an amazing world of learning and adventure awaits you.

If you are interested in indepth study of Scripture using your computer, Then allow me to direct you to 4 different options. As you look at these, think of them the way you think of automobiles. You don't need them all, you only need 1. 

E-Sword. This is free and amazing. If you want to save the most money and get the most value, stop here. www.e-sword.com

The next bang for your buck with an amazing interface and many conservative resources is BibleSoft

The next resource is Wordsearch. It has many features with the ability to expand your library as well as a great interface. It has recently been purchased by Lifeway.  

The best….by far….is Logos. It's the same in features and price as the ones already mentioned, but you might prefer the interface or focus of the others. As you add resources, however, it becomes more powerful and more expensive: way more expensive. The people at Logos are committed to the primacy of Scripture and have created ways to search and study the Bible that are not available anywhere else (they simply built a better mouse trap) and they charge $$$$ for it. Logos is available for the PC, MAC, the iPhone, Android phones and tablets as well.


I dare you to ask me about Logos Bible Software :-)

If you are a mac user then I think your problem is solved with logos, but you also might like accordance

If you are a crazy original language study person and refuse to use logos then you should take a look at Bibleworks

Then there's the question of Phones.

If you have a smartphone. You have the ability to read the Bible, your devotions, do word studies and have a Bible reading plan. The question is what kind of phone do you have? If it's an Iphone, you have a wide array of choices. If you use a blackberry or android based phone you can find a Bible and reading plan for your device at:

www.olivetree.com

This developer has the most vast and easy to use resources for phones and tablets.

My favorite is

www.logos.com instant word studies on your phone….do I need to say more? J

many users like:

www.youversion.com

for a nice dramatic Bible,

www.bible.is

There are MANY others. I've just listed the ones I'm aware of. The amazing thing to me is the ability to customize Bible reading plans. This can be done with the top three Bible software programs and some of the phone apps.

E-Readers

If you use an e-reader like Kindle or Nook you used to have to purchase individual Bibles. Not anymore. I'm personally partial to Nook Color as it is IN COLOR, and has the capacity mark up text, attach notes, and keep your place as well as recommend what you read through facebook, and twitter. 
 Now, in 2012 there are a number of tablets available.  The latest is the Kindle Fire which is in COLOR.   As I mentioned above, both Olive Tree and Logos have Bibles for devices running on the Android platform.  

Finally, there is the question of Bible searching

The hands down most popular online searching interface is Bible Gateway. Using "the cloud" keeps you from having to have the Bible on a device like a desktop, laptop, or smartphone, and meets the needs of most people for Bible searching. My preference is being able to search across several versions, which I'm not sure you can do. Bible Gateway has the most online features it appears.

Bible.logos.com I think has the future in view but no customizable reading plans like Bible Gateway

However you study the Bible does not matter, what matters is whether or not, you are studying Scripture.  Technology has obviously made it easier for all of us, the question remains whether or not we will. 


Consider this great encouragement from a writer of Scripture himself.

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," ¹⁸ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. ²¹ For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:16–21 (ESV)

May the Lord bless you as you study His word.

A Christmas Carol, revisited

Although Charles Dickens did not claim Christianity that I'm aware, he did write quite the story of redemption in "A Christmas Carol". I'll assume you know the story and not attempt to address it here.  I do want to make mention of one quote I read once.  The setting is with the spirit of Christmas present, he has taken Scrooge to see his nephew's party.  Dickens then says they started playing a game called "forfeits".

But they didn’t devote the whole evening to music. After a while they played at forfeits; for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself. 

That's what got my attention, "it's mighty Founder was a child himself".  Praise God!  How very true.  The prophet Isaiah had predicted it 700 years prior to His birth.

^uFor to us a child is born, 

to us ^va son is given; 

^wand the government shall be ^xupon¹ his shoulder, 

and his name shall be called² 

Wonderful ^yCounselor, ^zMighty God, 

^aEverlasting ^bFather, Prince of ^cPeace. 

⁷  Of the increase of his government and of peace 

^dthere will be no end, 

on the throne of David and over his kingdom, 

to establish it and to uphold it 

^ewith justice and with righteousness 

from this time forth and forevermore. 

^fThe zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 

It was the "zeal of the Lord" that made it happen.  This Jesus understands the human condition.  He was a child himself, that became the sacrifice for all of our sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Now, two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, He makes it possible for us to have relationship with Him....sin free  (Romans 10:9-10).

May the wonder of the Good News be rich upon your heart this Christmas