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Who Is God?

April 13, 2009 in God with 0 Comments

Some words about God from Psalm 18:

God is:

  • My God (v. 2, 6, 21, 28)
  • My Strength (v. 1)
  • My Rock (v. 2, 31, 46)
  • My Fortress (v. 2)
  • My Deliverer (v. 2)
  • My Shield (v. 2)
  • The Horn of My Salvation (v. 2)
  • My Stronghold (v. 2)
  • Worthy to be praised (v.  3)
  • The Most High (v. 13)
  • My Support (v. 18)
  • A shield for all those who take refuge in him (v. 30)
  • The God of My Salvation (v. 46)

God does:

  • Saves us (v. 3)
  • Hears us (v. 6)
  • Takes us (v. 16)
  • Draws us out of many waters (v. 16)
  • Rescues us from enemies and those who hate us (v. 17, 19, 48)
  • Supports us (v. 18, 35)
  • Deals with us according to our righteousness (v. 20)
  • Rewards with us according to our righteousness (v. 24)
  • Shows himself merciful with the merciful (v. 25)
  • Shows himself blameless with the blameless (v. 25)
  • Shows himself pure with the purified (v. 26)
  • Makes himself seem tortuous with the crooked (v. 26)
  • Saves a humble people (v. 27)
  • Brings down haughty eyes (v. 27)
  • Lights our lamp (v. 28)
  • Lights our darkness (v. 28)
  • Enables us to engage in battle (v. 29)
  • Equips us with strength (v. 32)
  • Makes our way blameless (v. 32)
  • Makes us secure (v. 33)
  • Trains us (v. 34)
  • Gives us the shield of salvation (v. 35)
  • Keeps us from slipping (v. 36)
  • Equips us with strength (v. 39)
  • Defeats our enemies (v. 39, 40)
  • Delivers us (v. 43, 48)
  • Lives (v. 46)
  • Exacts vengeance (v. 47)
  • Brings salvation (v. 50)
  • Shows steadfast love (v. 50)

Our God is an awesome God worthy of our praise!

Nightline Debate – Is Satan Real?

March 29, 2009 in Satan with 2 Comments

Recently, ABC Nightline conducted another debate in their “Face-off” series.  Previous face-offs have debated pornography and the existence of God.  In their most recent face-off, ABC sought to debate the existence of the Devil.  For this installment, they brought together Pastor Mark Driscoll of the Mars Hill Church and Annie Lobert who founded the Christian ministry “Hookers for Jesus” (on team Christian) to face-off against philosopher Deepak Chopra and Bishop Carlton Pearson.

Several interesting points were raised during the debate, and I think there are some fascinating items to reflect on, so I thought I would do this blog entry with my thoughts.  I have not taken a lot of time to organize my thoughts, but I wanted to point out some of the high and low points. I also promised some preliminary thoughts in The Christian Forum (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=19371839356) a Facebook group I administer.  So, here goes! Continue Reading…

Psalm 119 – The Word of God

March 21, 2009 in The Bible with 4 Comments

I am currently working on another blog entry called simply “Why I Believe the Bible.”  However, in my daily reading today, I came to Psalm 119 again.  It is the longer single chapter in the Bible and longer than several books of the Bible.  It is also the single greatest summary of the the attributes and benefits of God’s word.  So, before I get into Why I Believe the Bible, it makes sense to take a couple of minutes to look at God’s word.

Psalm 119 says numerous times that we should meditate on God’s Word and store it in our hearts.  Part of that includes examining what this Psalm says about God’s Word.

Psalm 119 uses several different terms for God’s word.  My ESV Study Bible (which is an excellent resource which I highly recommend) includes a nifty little table which distinguishes the meaning of each:

Continue Reading…

Isaiah 52:6 – Here I Am!

March 16, 2009 in God with 1 Comment

The English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible renders Isaiah 52:6 as follows:

Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.

However, it was while I was reading the New English Translation (NET) of the Bible and keeping track of the different ways that God is referred to that this verse really jumped off the page at me.  That translation renders it:

For this reason my people will know my name, for this reason they will know at that time that I am the one who says, ‘Here I am.’

The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) is similar,

Therefore My people will know My name;
therefore [they will know] on that day
that I am He who says:
Here I am.”

What an awesome statement from God, “I am the one who says, ‘Here I am.’”  The verse is presented in the Old Testament in the context of God’s redemption of Israel (his chosen people).  But at a very fundamental level, it speaks to the relational aspect of God.  Here is the God who created us, spoke the world into existence and holds the universe together, and he says “Here I Am.”  God does not require that we search for him or reach some higher plateau before we can find him.  He is right there the whole time whispering to us, “Here I Am.”  He provides us the proof of his existence that we need, and he calls out to us, “Here I am!”

Continue Reading…

God’s Word…

October 15, 2008 in The Bible with 9 Comments

We’re taking a little break this week from our study of love (mainly because I didn’t get it done) to look at what the Bible has to say about the Bible.  So here is a list of 100 things simply titled:

God’s Word…

  1. is finished and complete (Dt 4:2)
  2. should be on our heart (Dt 6:6)
  3. is our sustenance (Dt 8:3)
  4. is near (Dt 30:14)
  5. prolongs your days (Dt 32:47)
  6. is truth (2 Sam 7:28, Jn 17:17)
  7. is tested (2 Sam 22:31; Prov 30:5)
  8. helps the tottering (Jb 4:4)
  9. strengthens the feeble (Jb 4:4)
  10. is pure and refined (Ps 12:6)
  11. is tried (Ps 18:30)
  12. is perfect (Ps 19:7)
  13. restores the soul (Ps 19:7)
  14. is sure (Ps 19:7)
  15. makes the wise simple (Ps 19:7)
  16. is right (Ps 19:8)
  17. rejoices the heart (Ps 19:8)
  18. is pure (Ps 19:8)
  19. enlightens the eyes (Ps 19:8)
  20. is clean (Ps 19:9)
  21. endures forever (Ps 19:9)
  22. is sweeter than honey (Ps 19:10)
  23. serves to warn (Ps 19:11)
  24. is upright (Ps 33:4)
  25. created the heavens (Ps 33:6)
  26. is sure (Ps 111:7)
  27. should be our delight (Ps 112:1)
  28. is worth treasuring (Ps 119:11)
  29. revives (Ps 119:25)
  30. strengthens (Ps 119:28)
  31. is better than gold and silver (Ps 119:72)
  32. is faithful (Ps 119:86)
  33. is settled in heaven (Ps 119:89)
  34. is exceedingly broad (Ps 119:96)
  35. brings wisdom (Ps 119:98)
  36. is sweeter than honey (Ps 119:103)
  37. is a lamp to the feet and a light to the path (Ps 119:105)
  38. sustains (Ps 119:116)
  39. is righteous (Ps 119:123)
  40. gives light (Ps 119:130)
  41. is truth (Ps 119:160, Jn 17:17)
  42. is awe inspiring (Ps 119:161)
  43. brings rejoicing (Ps 119:162)
  44. brings peace (Ps 119:165)
  45. gives understanding (Ps 119:169)
  46. delivers (Ps 119:170)
  47. runs very swiftly (Ps 147:15)
  48. stands forever (Is 40:8)
  49. goes forth in righteousness (Is 45:23)
  50. will not return empty (Is 55:11)
  51. accomplishes the will of God (Is 55:11)
  52. should cause trembling (Is 66:2)
  53. consumes like fire (Jer 5:14)
  54. is meant to be consumed (Jer 15:16)
  55. is a joy and a delight (Jer 15:16)
  56. is like fire (Jer 23:29)
  57. is like a hammer which shatters a rock (Jer 23:29)
  58. will come to fulfillment (Ez 12:28)
  59. does good (Mic 2:7)
  60. chases and overtakes (Zech 1:6)
  61. is gracious (Zech 1:13)
  62. is comforting (Zech 1:13)
  63. feeds us (Mt 4:4)
  64. will be accomplished (Mt 5:18)
  65. casts out spirits (Mt 8:16)
  66. heals (Mt 8:16)
  67. brings persecution (Mt 13:21)
  68. is foundational (Mt 13:23)
  69. will not pass away (Mt 24:35)
  70. brings blessing (Lk 11:28)
  71. is pre-existent (Jn 1:1)
  72. became flesh (Jn 1:14)
  73. lives in us (Jn 5:38)
  74. brings eternal life (Jn 6:68)
  75. cannot be broken (Jn 10:35)
  76. is the power of God (Rom 1:16)
  77. gives faith (Rom 10:17)
  78. is encouraging (Rom 15:4)
  79. gives hope (Rom 15:4)
  80. is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor 1:18)
  81. is the power of God to those who believe (1 Cor 1:18)
  82. is the Sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17)
  83. comforts (1 Thes 4:18)
  84. sanctifies (1 Tim 4:5)
  85. can not be imprisoned (2 Tim 2:9)
  86. is inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16)
  87. is useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16)
  88. upholds all things (Heb 1:3)
  89. is living and active (Heb 4:12)
  90. is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb 4:12)
  91. is piercing (Heb 4:12)
  92. is able to judge thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12)
  93. is purposeful (Jm 4:5)
  94. is living and enduring (1 Pet 1:23)
  95. endures forever (1 Pet 1:25)
  96. is desirable (1 Pet 2:2)
  97. is sincere (1 Pet 2:2)
  98. leads to growth (1 Pet 2:2)
  99. is given by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:21)
  100. slays (Rev 6:9)

I Wish I Had Written That!

October 8, 2008 in Love with 2 Comments

three-red-hearts-clipart

“Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own.” …Harold Coffin

“When men are full of envy, they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad”…Publius Cornelius Tacitus

Resentment kills a fool,
and envy slays the simple. (Job 5:2)

Introduction

Continue Reading…

The Power of Kindness

October 7, 2008 in Love with 1 Comment

three-red-hearts-clipart

Originally posted October 1, 2008 on Facebook

“Love demands the perfecting of the beloved; that the mere ‘kindness’
which tolerates anything except suffering in its object is,
in that respect, at the opposite pole from Love.” Larry Crabb

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be
kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Introduction

Continue Reading…

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