Does The Bible Contradict Itself?

If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and know Him as your Lord and Savior then no, the Bible does not contradict itself. If you have not confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, and don’t believe that God has raised Him from the dead, then you probably believe that the Bible does contradict itself. An unredeemed intellect easily becomes confused about absolute truth.

Since I believe that Jesus is the personification of unadulterated truth I believe that every word of the Bible is true. It fits together perfectly and flows unhindered through God who became a man (Jesus). He is literally the “Word who became human and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)

Yet, if I did not believe this, it is still the truth. Truth is truth even if few believe it, and a lie is still a lie even if the majority believes it. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

The moment this becomes a reality in our lives we begin to discover that the Bible has been the Word of truth all along. When the light of Christ dispels the darkness from our heart and mind we begin to see that “the entirety of God’s word is truth, and that every one of His righteous judgments endures forever.” (Psalm 119:160)

Through Jesus the word of God becomes living and powerful in our lives. It acts as a sharp two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of our soul and spirit. It discerns the very thoughts and intents of our heart perfectly (Hebrews 4:12).

The grace of Jesus enables us to be hearers and doers of His word. We become like a man who builds his house on a firm and solid rock. Storms of life come, but they don’t cause us to fall. (James 1:22, Matt. 7:24-27)

The Bible is not confusing, it is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. By it we see. (Psalm 119:105)

Every Word of God is tested (pure). (Proverbs 30:5)

Jesus is the Word of Life (1 John 1:1)

His name is “The Word of God.” (Rev. 19:13)

Why do I read and believe my Bible every day? Jesus.

Do you know Jesus? You can.

I Hear From God

What makes you more nervous: Christians who claim to hear from God or Christians who claim they don’t hear from God? Abuses of statements such as, “I’ve heard from the Lord” have made us cautious (possibly overly cautious) toward anyone who claims to have heard God talk. However, is it not also a problem when we Christians are unsure of our Father’s voice?

Samuel grew up in an era where it was “rare” to hear God’s voice (1 Sam. 3:1). He was surrounded by spiritual leaders that were full of corruption and compromise. Disobedience, contempt, and sexual immorality were common. As a result the gentle, still small voice of the Lord was quenched. Should this concern us today? Certainly.

What should we do then? We should be like Hannah, Samuel’s mother. She walked in obedience and prayed with great intensity in the midst of an ungodly society (1 Sam. 1,2). The spirit of prayer and obedience broke through the corrupted atmosphere and created a genuine sensitivity to God. Hannah’s prayer brought forth Samuel who heard from God and accurately spoke forth what God was saying. We can also hear from God through the Holy Spirit. Hearing God is actually more normal than not hearing Him.

How can we learn to hear from God? Following are some tips from the School of Samuel.

Realize that you can develop a sensitivity to God’s voice wherever you are (1 Sam. 2:11,17,21,26,3:1). Samuel learned while submitted under the leadership of a corrupted priesthood.

Realize that it takes time to recognize God’s voice (1 Sam. 3:2-10). It took Samuel three times, plus help from Eli before he began to recognize the Lord.

Test God’s voice. Although Samuel didn’t know who it was who was speaking, he acted each time he heard the whisper.

Listen! Slow down, stop, and listen. (1 Sam 3:10)

Realize that God’s voice can be very uncomfortable. Samuel was afraid to say what He heard from the Lord. (1 Sam. 3:11-15)

Obey every detail of God’s voice. Samuel held nothing back. (1 Sam. 3:16-18)

Obedience causes God’s voice to have increased influence in our lives. (1 Sam. 3:19-20)

Realize that God still reveals Himself to us by His Word ,written and spoken. (1 Sam. 3:21-4:1)

Conclusion

No matter what the world says about this subject, it’s normal and natural for Christians to hear from God. It is abnormal when we don’t. Just as a sheep follows and listens to its shepherd, a Christian follows and listens to his God. This isn’t weird, it’s Biblical.

Author’s note: I admit, there are more details to discuss concerning this subject, but that will have to happen at a later date.

A Litany of the Love of God

A litany is simply a series of petitions to God with set responses. This type of prayerful rhythm has enriched the life of the Church throughout all of its history. The Psalms are a beautiful guide for this spiritual practice. For example, the phrase “For His mercy endures forever” follows each of the twenty-six verses in Psalm 136 (See also: Psalm 106:1, or Psalm 118:1-4). It is very easy and beneficial to pray along with these repetitive scriptures.

Prayer is much more meaningful when our heart and mind are concentrated on the wonderful attributes of our God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Utilizing a litany of intercession aids us in this focus. Jesus has challenged us to “Ask, and it will be given to you ; Seek, and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7-8) He literally means for us to keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking. Focus is required to do this.

Jesus also challenges us not to pray with vain or meaningless repetition (Matt. 6:7). Personally I believe that He is confronting the inner motive of our heart rather than the form of our prayer. If our hearts desire is to receive approval from men then our repetition (or lack of it) in prayer becomes vain and meaningless. However if our motive is to enter into the inner room, shut the door, and seek our Father who is in secret our petitions will be seen and rewarded by Him. In this spirit of prayer, written or unwritten prayers become effective.

In the age we are living concentration is rare. For this purpose a simple litany of prayer could be of great value to our communion with the Trinity. Following is an example of one that I use in prayer from time to time.

• Lord, have mercy. – LORD HAVE MERCY.
• Christ, have mercy. -CHRIST, HAVE MERCY.
• Lord, have mercy. -LORD, HAVE MERCY.
• God our Father in heaven -HAVE MERCY ON US.
• God the Son, Redeemer of the world – HAVE MERCY ON US.
• God the Holy Spirit -HAVE MERCY ON US.
• Holy Trinity, one God -HAVE MERCY ON US.
• Infinite Love -I LOVE YOU.
• You who first loved me -I LOVE YOU.
• You who commanded me to love you -I LOVE YOU.
• With all my heart – I LOVE YOU.
• With all my soul -I LOVE YOU.
• With all my mind -I LOVE YOU.
• With all my strength -I LOVE YOU.
• Above all possessions and honor -I LOVE YOU.
• Above all pleasures and enjoyments -I LOVE YOU.
• More than myself and all that belongs to me -I LOVE YOU.
• More than all my relatives and friends -I LOVE YOU.
• More than all human beings and angels -I LOVE YOU.
• Above all created things in heaven and earth -I LOVE YOU.
• Only for yourself -I LOVE YOU.
• Because you are the Sovereign Good – I LOVE YOU.
• Because you are infinitely worthy of being loved -I LOVE YOU.
• Because you are infinitely perfect -I LOVE YOU.
• Even if you had not promised me heaven -I LOVE YOU.
• Even if you had not warned me of hell -I LOVE YOU.
• Even if you try me by want and misfortune -I LOVE YOU.
• In wealth and in poverty -I LOVE YOU.
• In prosperity and in adversity -I LOVE YOU.
• In health and in sickness -I LOVE YOU.
• In life and in death -I LOVE YOU.
• In time and in eternity -I LOVE YOU.
• In union with that love by which all the saints and angels love you in heaven -I LOVE YOU.
• In union with that love by which the Blessed Virgin Mary loves you -I LOVE YOU.
• In union with that love by which you love yourself eternally -I LOVE YOU.
• you are just, O Lord, in all your ways -AND LOVING IN ALL YOUR DEEDS.

Mighty love of God, overflowing into creation and into every created order: Bring us up before the great white throne where, in profound awe and reverence, we shall enjoy all goodness and peace at the heart of the Blessed Trinity. We ask this through Christ our Lord.-AMEN

(Adapted from a litany composed circa 1775-1799)

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,300 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 38 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Prayer For The New Year

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face to shine upon you

and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you

and give you peace.

(Numbers 6:24-26)

Through The Valley of Weeping

When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. (Psalm 84:6)

I had lost my purpose. Discouragement and lack of direction overwhelmed me. Frustration gripped the inner-most part of my heart. I didn’t know what to do. Sadness began to set in. Then a friend looked into my eyes and said, “Go put your face in a pillow and cry your eyes out before God.” I did. It wasn’t hard. I was ready to cry. My valley of weeping became a spring of life in that place of prayer! Direction and new life came at the altars of God. I found my way. His name was the Lord of hosts. It was Him all along.

Our first child was lost through miscarriage. Grief overtook us. I placed my head on my wife’s shoulder and together we wept. For months grief and sadness welled up within us. Then we decided to make a spring in the deepest part of the valley of weeping. We worshiped. For hours, days, weeks, and months we worshiped. That season will be forever etched into our memories as a place of refreshing springs. We found our Reward. It was Him all along.

My daughter almost lost her ability to walk. Guillain-Barre syndrome took her strength, her nerves, and her reflexes. It was a tough, deep, and long valley. It broke me down. In my emotional, spiritual, and physical exhaustion I fell back on my bed. I began to weep before God. As I wept and prayed a picture entered my mind. I saw my daughter running and saying, “Daddy look, I’m doing it!” I crawled out of bed, got on my knees, and worshiped my King. That day in the valley I went from strength to strength. For it was that day that my worshipful weeping appeared before God. He looked upon me and I looked upon His glory and grace. It was Him I desired all along.

I’ve learned something in the deepest part of the valley of weeping. I have learned that if I dig deep (real deep), and allow God to dig deeply into me, that I will find springs of life. Sometimes they begin with a trickle, but if I keep digging I will break through into one of the Almighty’s wells of Living Water. Then my weeping turns into joy, and with that joy I draw more water from the wells of salvation.

Allow your soul to long, even faint for the presence of God. Allow your heart and flesh to cry out for the living God. The altars of the Lord are your rightful home. There is a blessing over those who dwell in Gods house and worship Him continually. Strength comes to those who have their heart set on Him. Strength to stand up in the middle of the valley of weeping and worship the Holy and undivided Trinity (Father, Son, and Spirit). God hears in these moments. He is our shield! He is our Sun, lighting the path through (and out) of the valley. Trust Him.

Mourning can be turned into comfort. Blessed are those who have experienced this!

Through the Crowds

When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” (Mark 5:27)

Large groups of people pressed around Him. Possibly many sick people were present. One in particular suffered a great deal. Twelve years to be exact. She had gone to many doctors. Nothing worked. She grew worse. She heard Jesus was in the crowd. A thought came clearly, “I just need to touch His clothes. Then I will be healed.” She pressed through. She found Jesus. She touched Jesus. Her suffering ended.

What crowd is standing in your way, keeping you from reaching Jesus?

Crowds still create obstacles that separate us from Him. Crowds can be brutal. They can trip and trample us. Kick dirt in our faces. Push us out. Suffocate us. Make us uncomfortable. They rarely show us mercy. Is it really worth the struggle to press through the crowd? Why not just accept our condition and live with it? Wouldn’t it be easier?

What if it were still true that Someone is in the crowds Who will meet our needs and answer our questions? Would we press through and find Him? Unfortunately, too few will face the challenge of crawling through the crowds. For some, it seems way too difficult. For others, it’s too simple.

The crowds confront us with some painfully honest questions. As soon as we begin the journey, we will realize that these questions can’t be answered without our willingness to change everything.

The crowds of life unmask our established behavioral patterns that expose what we really believe about healing.  They reflect our unbiblical opinions. They cause us to ponder our paths, both past and present. The crowds dare us to delve into, divulge, discuss, and defeat the deep internal issues of our lives.

The crowds show us how much time and effort we have truly devoted to becoming a disciple of the life and ministry of Jesus.  Our weaknesses are magnified in the midst of the mayhem. Lack of discipline becomes evident when our endurance runs dry. Cries for a miracle are suddenly squelched by the reality that we have been selfish. Simultaneously deep convictions spring forth giving us the motivation to press in harder. If we battle through the crowds long enough, we find what we really believe about Jesus (right and wrong).

We realize that in order to receive and experience God’s will concerning healing a complete lifestyle change is necessary. We can’t live the way we have always lived. We see that being a disciple of Jesus is not effortless. The process demands discipline. It craves constant reforming and refocusing.

As we press through the crowds, eventually we come upon people who are closer to our Answer. They have seen Jesus from a different angle. Their experience shows that Jesus never once rejected a person that came to Him for healing. His power to heal works in their lives. They have seen it for themselves. They have payed the price. They have been close enough to touch Him. They speak from a lifestyle of applied knowledge. Their testimonies either frustrate or empower our determination. It’s our choice. This part of the crowd seems to know that His power is present to heal at this very moment.

Are we willing to take on the crowds? I’m not sure we are.

Crowds of time. Crowds of hype. Crowds of doubt. Crowds of questions. Crowds of answers. Crowds of faith. Crowds of wrong thinking. Crowds of confusion. Crowds of bad attitudes. Crowds of unforgiveness. Crowds of opinions. Crowds of encouragement. Crowds of naysayers. Crowds of different experiences. Crowds of miracles. Crowds of pain. Crowds of failure. Crowds of Scriptures. Crowds of prayer. Crowds of fear. Crowds of sickness. Crowds of Christians that did or didn’t get healed. Crowds of doctors. Crowds of diagnoses. Crowds of hospital visits. Crowds, crowds, crowds!

Don’t quit. Push into, through, and past the crowds. Find the Healer. He has been there all along. The day we find Him is when we learn how to find Him again and again. The process is hard. It takes time, but when we reach out and touch Him we will be healed. That part is easy when we’re close to Him.

How do we know when we have touched Jesus or He has touched us? While everyone’s journey is different, I believe that when we truly touch Him, He becomes all that matters. Not the struggle, not the pain, not the sickness, not the crowds, not even the healing. Only Him. Jesus.

“And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said…”Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” (Mark 5:30-34)