February 12, 2014

Presuming to Know the Mind of God

Man Under Rainbow

In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul described the unfolding of God’s scheme of redemption as the revelation of a mystery that was previously hidden.

“For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).

Paul explained that the only way for man to know the mind of God is for the Holy Spirit to reveal it. Today, that revelation is found in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16). It is not only erroneous but also dangerous to the fate of our eternal souls to go beyond the Scriptures and presume to know the mind of God. Let us notice how we may, if we are not careful, be guilty of this.
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August 15, 2013

Making Wise Investments (Part 5): A Counterfeit Spirituality

Making Wise Investments (Part 5): A Counterfeit Spirituality

When the Lord addressed the church at Laodicea, He condemned them for practicing a spirituality that was not of the Lord, but was counterfeit. Therefore, He advised these brethren who thought they needed nothing to buy certain things from him so that they might have a real spirituality.

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see” (Revelation 3:15-18).

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September 9, 2012

Declare All That You See (9/9)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Ezekiel 40-41.

“In the visions of God He brought me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, and on it to the south there was a structure like a city. So He brought me there; and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze, with a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand; and he was standing in the gateway. The man said to me, ‘Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see’” (Ezekiel 40:2-4).

After being introduced to this man with a measuring rod in a vision, Ezekiel sees him measure the temple area, is given the specific measurements, and is expected to “declare to the house of Israel all that [he] sees.” There are some lessons in here for preachers of today:
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July 11, 2012

“God Does Nothing Unless He Reveals His Secret Counsel” (7/11)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Amos 1-5.

As God revealed His message to the prophet Amos about the punishment that was coming to Israel, He made a point about prophecy and calamity that would be good for us to remember today.

“If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it? Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:6-7).

When a calamity occurs, is God the one behind it? When a tragedy strikes, is God trying to send some sort of message? People wonder about these things all of the time. As a result, they spend many hours speculating, wondering, and worrying over some message from God that they assume must be interwoven in the events of their life. So they try to figure out what God is trying to show them.
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April 8, 2012

Samuel’s First Message from the Lord (4/8)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 1-3.

As a boy, Samuel “ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest” (1 Samuel 2:11). At this time the Lord spoke to Samuel, calling him three times, yet each time Samuel thought it was Eli who was calling him (1 Samuel 3:4-8).

“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him” (1 Samuel 3:7).

Naturally, Samuel did not recognize the voice of the Lord. After Eli figured out what was happening and told him to listen to the word of the Lord, God revealed His message to the young boy.
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March 20, 2012

"The Secret Things Belong to the Lord" (3/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Deuteronomy 28-29.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

This verse comes after Moses reviewed the law and the covenant with the people. Many commands and instructions were handed down, yet God did not reveal everything in His mind to man. He revealed enough for man to be faithful to Him.
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January 26, 2012

It is Not in Me; God Gives the Answer (1/26)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Genesis 41-42.

When Pharaoh was troubled over two dreams which he had, he was told of a young Hebrew in prison who could interpret dreams. Pharaoh sent for him immediately to teach him the meaning of these dreams.

“Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer’” (Genesis 41:16).

Joseph knew that he was not the one who possessed such great insight and wisdom. Independently, he was incapable of interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. He knew that without God’s revelation to him, he could not accurately explain them. He was also humble enough to admit this. It did not matter to Joseph that Pharaoh gave him credit. Joseph wanted it to be clearly understood that he merely explaining the interpretation which God was revealing to him. He wanted God to receive the glory, not himself.
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