God is My Portion

25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. Psalm73

Such timeless truth that endures. No thing or no person upon earth warrants our passion equal to that desire we should have for God. Everything visible, all that we can touch, taste, smell and hear will one day perish. Earthly senses are temporal but the soul is eternal. May our souls be consumed to draw near to Him, the Eternal One. Those who are far from God go whoring after those things that fulfill the senses of sight, sound, touch and taste bringing about their ultimate destruction. When the redeemed have glorified bodies as our Lord so we shall see, hear, touch and taste but the senses shall not be our master.

In these trying times may we not be ruled by what we see and hear for in so doing our flesh and our heart(our will) shall fail us. Let God be our strength and our portion for ever.

When my earthly father died my brother and I inherited equal portions of his estate. In order for me to inherit God as my portion I must die to my selfish desires and vain pursuits. God Himself becomes my inheritance.

Selah! Meditate on this.

Debunking the Pre-Trib Rapture

I have never accepted the teaching of a pre-tribulation rapture. There is no basis for it whatsoever from scripture nor from church history. We are called to suffer for Christ. Christians from the very beginning have suffered tribulation and will to the end. I have not posted links to other sites on this blog but I feel this is important enough. Great deception prevails in churches today and one of those deceptions is the false teaching of a pre-trib rapture. The following video is very lengthy. I encourage you to watch at least 30 minutes. Two pastors give a clear presentation debunking the pre-trib teaching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvv2HPYdhMA&list=PLI3GJsBPCzTE2pDXiS3ViLZlwDhe1wuZE

The Inferiority of Miracles

Who doesn't like a miracle? We are all captivated by the unexplained. Though science and skeptics may try to explain away miraculous events I still love to hear a physician say,"I don't know why or how she healed". Modern medicine may involve science but in the end its usually one big educated guess. Science is defined by that which can be duplicated in a laboratory. While science may gather together in a laboratory all of the substances that make a man they cannot duplicate the very essence of life that God breathed into Adam. Colossians chapter 1 tells us that Jesus is the creator. He knew how to heal because he created every living thing.

The Gospels record 34 different miracles but we know this is only the tip of the iceburg. On some occasions Jesus was up all night long healing people. An interesting side note here on healing. Jesus could have looked at the multitudes of people standing in line and said, "All Y'all are healed" but he did not do that. He spoke with every person individually. He personally saves us and personally heals us. He knows your need better than you do.

There is generally a difference between the infirmities that we as Westerners have compared to the infirmities of those who sought out Jesus. Many of the diseases that we seek healing of are diseases due to our sinful living such as poor eating habits and lack of exercise. Lets face it folks, heart disease and diabetes are more sin related than genetically related. Genetics is all too often a scape goat to excuse our sinful behavior. All of the diseases recorded in the bible which Jesus healed appear to be diseases of affliction not sin. Many were demonic related.

Jesus also gave authority to his disciples to heal the sick and cast out demons. As much as I like to see a miracle, be a participant, recipient or just here about a miracle, miracles are not an end in themselves. The Disciples asked Jesus if a certain blind man was blind because his parents sinned. "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." John 9:3 And again in John 11 when Lazarus was dying, "Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby"

These miracles are amazing but I remind you that Satan can imitate some of these miracles. He is the prince of the power of the air. The ruler of darkness in this world and Satan can perform miracles. For this reason Jesus told the 70 disciples in Luke 10

"And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

Miracles are great but they take second place to knowing our names are written in the Lambs book of life. That is one thing that Satan cannot duplicate or imitate. Do you know if your name is written in the Lambs book of life? You can know.

Seek the Lord while He may be found. There is coming a day when the door will be shut and no one can seek God. Ask the Lord to reveal sin in your heart. Turn from that sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you can be saved and know that you are saved.

A Word of Praise

April has been an incredibly trying month for me. Four visits to the ER. Twice rejected care by the VA only to seek help at a local ER and find the help I needed. My health is improving every day but I still have ground to cover. I believe when I am fully out of the woods my health will be the best its ever been. That is how my decline began. Early in the month I made some drastic changes in my diet and increased my exercise. Along with some other factors my body rebelled and sent me walking through the darkest valley. During all of this my secular employer informs me that my hours will be cut. I do not work for the government but my income is dependent upon Department of Defense money. In spite of the work for my company excelling far beyond my peers they want to cut my hours and increase my work. The Lord gave me wisdom in addressing this injustice and I have another meeting schedule to negotiate my contract.

Throughout my life, even during my 20 years of backsliding from the Lord, God has always been faithful to provide my needs. I have always had just what I need. Never more and never less. Today I was eating brisket at one of my favorite places to dine. The restaurant has a Blues theme and there is Blues music playing. During my rebellious years I was a Blues hound traveling around to festivals and very supportive of the local blues scene. When God brought me back into fellowship with him the taste for the Blues went away. But my taste for BBQ and brisket remain. So when I dine at this restaurant I put my earphones in and listen to hymns or gospel bluegrass while I enjoy my brisket. Today I was listening to a beautiful medley of instrumental hymns. When Amazing Grace was playing, the verse, "The Lord has been so good to me" came to mind. My eyes swelled and I nearly had a hallelujah shouting spell right there in the restaurant.

You see, friends. For the Christian, we have this blessed hope that Christ gave His disciples before he ascended to glory. "Lo, I am with you always". A few days ago I began to thank the Lord for these trials. I felt shamed that I was fearful and not trusting. It was one of those moments, that I trust each you have felt at some time in your life, where you are truly humbled and sense our smallness and complete finite being before the Infinite Holy One. I bless His Holy name. I thank Him for His tender loving mercy.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:1-4

Easter Heresy

The Limits of Mortal Reference
When a U.S. Citizen wants to validate their position on law, liberty or license they may reference the U.S. Constitution. When the citizen wants to invalidate an opponents position they may say,”that is unconstitutional”. The U.S. Constitution is the American standard whereby we measure our freedoms and responsibilities as American citizens. But the perspective from which we view the Constitution determines the validity of our position.
Some people view the constitution from a subjective perspective called ,”the living document theory”. This perspective interprets the constitution in the context of present day morals and morays of society. Basically this perspective, which the current administration holds, means they can interpret the Constitution any way they desire. There is no objectivity. The opposing view to this is “original intent” whereby the Constitution is interpret from the perspective of the men who wrote it. Original intent strives to understand the mind of the framers in the context of their time and apply the principle to our current age. This is an objective standard that secures truly American liberties for all. The serious danger of the “living document theory” is that ones perspective of all of history is distorted and manipulated to meet their own desires and ignores historic fact.
Even when we use the appropriate original intent approach we may still be left wanting. The Constitution was written by fallen men, heirs of Adams sinful nature and thus subject to flaws. The Constitution is not perfect because it was written by imperfect men but in all of history there is no government document greater and none will ever again reach this pinnacle of civil freedom until the Lord Jesus Christ returns.
When we reference the Constitution to support our position we will often mention the framers. Those men who worked out the concepts found in the document. Many of those framers were brilliant and noble men. All were courageous. But not all had righteous intents. Some were tyrannical in their motives and desired much power.
We find a similar parallel within the visible Body of Christ, the church. When a Christian has a position on doctrine or practice that they attempt to defend they may reference the early church fathers or councils. There were 7 church councils in the early church from 1st Nicean council, 325AD to 2nd council of Nicea 787. The first council of Nicea is considered the birthplace of the catholic church wherein church law, doctrine and practice was first codified and agreed upon by the bishops throughout Christendom. The succeeding councils all addressed doctrinal issues and church practices that were to be universally accepted in the visible church.
The first Nicean council established some very important truths that the church today still accepts. They clarified important doctrinal points relative to the nature of man, God and Christ. They also established the cannon otherwise known as the Bible as we have it today. Much debate occurred as to what would be included in this sacred book. I believe that God honors His word and superintended their debates to bring about Gods word in written form to guide His children through through the ages. The council of Nicea was extremely important for the church even unto this day. However, it was attended by men, heirs of Adam's sinful nature, subject to flaws in matters non-essential to the salvation of man. These non-essentials would be in the matters of religious practices and observance of holy days.

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:...” Colossians 2:16

Unbiblical Choices at Nicea
When determining the date of observing the resurrection of Christ the Council of Nicea abandoned the scriptures and chose a date that coincided with a pagan observance. Adopting pagan customs, traditions and holy days would become a standard practice of the Roman Catholic Church to this day. Religious syncretism is an ancient practice observed by Romans and Greeks alike whereby deities of different cultures are blended with their own deities. Roman Catholicism has carried on this practice and even non-Catholic churches, formerly known as Protestants, follow these same practices. Religious syncretism is happening in a grand scale in many arenas including Evangelicals but we are focusing only upon the syncretistic heresy of Easter.
The Council of Nicea, 325AD determined that Sunday would be the day when Christians observed the resurrection. It would be a fixed day of the week but not a fixed date on the calendar such as December 25th. This differed from churches in Asia Minor who followed the Jewish calendar of 14 Nisan being the date of the crucifixion. The early church observed Passover with Christ the Lamb of God being the final sacrifice. The noted 19th century church historian Philip Schaff states,
“The feast of the resurrection was thenceforth required to be celebrated everywhere on a Sunday, and never on the day of the Jewish Passover, but always after the fourteenth of Nisan on the Sunday after the first vernal full moon. The leading motive for this regulation was opposition to Judaism, which had dishonored the Passover by crucifixion of the Lord. In Constantine's circular letter regarding the council of Nicea he wrote,” we would have nothing in common with the most hostile people, the Jews; for we have received from the Redeemer another way of honoring God(the order of the days of the week)and harmoniously adopting this method, we would withdraw ourselves from the evil fellowship of the Jews. For what they pompously assert, is really utterly absurd: that we cannot keep this feast at all without their instruction...it is our duty to have nothing in common with the murderers of our Lord”

Here we find the council of Nicea and the emperor Constantine overtly and blatantly ignoring the very scripture that affirms Christs prophetic claim of resurrecting Himself
“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:17-18
The passover feast is a memorial, a memory of how the Lord delivered the Hebrew children out of bondage. The Last Supper was the final Passover feast of the Old Testament and marked a new Passover feast of the New Testament.

“And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:15-20

How can any Christian read this account of the Last Supper and deny that it was a Passover meal with Christ Himself being the Passover sacrifice? If you don't deny it then why do you observe Easter? I remind you, Christian, that the observance of Passover was a memorial feast to be celebrated FOREVER,
“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. “ Exodus 12:13-14
The Passover feast memorializing the exodus was a prophetic image pointing to Christ. I am convinced now more than ever that those who have been grafted in to the vine and heirs to the promise of Abraham should observe the New Testament Passover in memory of Christ the Lamb of God by whose blood the judgment of God passes over the believer.

Another God
Easter and Passover are NOT synonymous. Easter is the Saxon word for “Estera” or “Oestra”, the Teutonic goddess of spring. Previously stated, the Romans and the Catholic church have no problem syncretizing their religion with pagan religions and Easter is nothing but syncretized mixing of a false god and pagan practices with Christian practice.* This violates the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” Exodus 20:3. To “have” another god is not restricted to “possessing” or “owning” another god. The word “have” implies merely acknowledging other gods because there are no other gods to acknowledge. There is only ONE God.
The truth of this first commandment became profoundly clear to me when having a discussion with a Jewish woman. I was visiting a local historic synagogue and engaged this women in the discussion of Passover. I made comment that it troubles me deeply that Christians will not acknowledge the Passover in relation to the resurrection of Christ but prefer to name the event after the pagan god Easter. The women responded by saying, “what other god?”. There is only ONE. Christian, when you use the word Easter you not only violate the first commandment but you are guilty of blasphemy when you associate a pagan god with the resurrection.

Another Religion
Most professing Christians who believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ will acknowledge that the customs of Easter such as bunnies and eggs have nothing to do with the resurrection of Christ but they engage in it anyway saying, “its for the children”. God will hold you accountable for teaching your children these pagan practices no matter how “fun” they might be. Also, let me note that the sunrise service on Easter also has nothing to do with Christ. This too is a pagan practice to observe the sun rising for the sun is one of many deities in the pantheon of pagan gods. Christ did not rise from the dead at sunrise.
“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.” John 20:1
Christ arose before the sun came up. So, what is the point of your sunrise service? Its not relevant to the account of His resurrection.
Before all of you write me off as some insensitive religious bully let me acknowledge that we were all raised with this tradition. For many years I used the expression “Easter” in reference to the resurrection. But it always made me feel uneasy to do so. I believe this was the conviction of the Holy Ghost. I pray that God will convict you to turn from this wicked practice and celebrate the risen LAMB of GOD, Jesus Christ.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter 1:18-19

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb..." Revelation 5

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
Ephesians 5:11

The Hebrew children were commanded to utterly destroy all images and traces of pagan gods when they entered the promised land. So it is when a Christian enters in to new life all things must become new and vain traditions abolished.
“When the Lord thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee.....thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. 6For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:1,5

“These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the Lord God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. 2Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: 3And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. “ Deuteronomy 12:1-3

We are not to even acknowledge the names of pagan gods, like Easter, but destroy them.

“Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images. “ Exodus 23:24
The scriptures are replete with commands to destroy pagan altars, images and even the names of false gods yet Christians hang on to this beloved Easter tradition. Bunnies, eggs and the sunrise service are all traditions from pagan practices of spring festivals. The Easter ham is most certainly an anti Jewish tradition probably from Constantine's directive that Christians are to disassociate themselves from the evil Jewish murders. No better way to distance yourself from a Jew than to have an un-kosher animal as the main dish at the resurrection feast.
Even the date whereby Easter Sunday is determined is not in reference to the resurrection but in reference to the pagan observance of the Vernal(Spring) Equinox otherwise known as the first day of Spring, March 21. It is from this date of March 21 that Easter Sunday is determined NOT from the actual date of Christs resurrection which coincides with Passover. To determine the date of Easter Sunday it is the first Sunday following the first full moon after March 21st.
Christian, I admonish you, I plead with you to stop observing this pagan practice. You grieve the heart of God and blaspheme His Holy work.

A Call to Restoration
Its time for the Body of Christ to have a restoration instead of a reformation. The reformation of the middle ages was incomplete and held on to these pagan syncretistic practices. May the Body of Christ throw off these shackles of heathenism and rediscover the beauty of Christ our Passover Lamb. I encourage you to celebrate the Passover Seder this year Friday April 22nd. This is not a celebration of the Jewish Passover but a celebration of the fulfillment of Passover in Christ the Lamb of God. Its a remembrance of our Lord as He commanded us in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and John 13.
“And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:14-20

Paul even commands us to keep Passover saying, "Let us keep the feast".
"Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." I Corinthians 5:6-8

Paul is not talking about Easter but the Passover feast. The word Easter appears only one time in the King James Version in Acts 12:4. The word translated as "Easter" is pascha which is Passover. The translators knew exactly what they were doing. This was nothing less than an anti-Jewish inference. Easter is anti-Jewish, anti-Passover and anti-Law. If you are going to deny the Passover observance of Christ our Passover then what else will you deny in the scriptures? The ten commandments?
Easter is an affront to God Almighty. You could just as easily use the word Baal or Molech. They are all false gods which means they do not exist. The church has been brainwashed with Easter and its time you come out from this unholy practice.

*There is some evidence to suggest that Eastre or Oestra were syncretized gods from the ancient Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar and subsequent Canaanite and Syrian goddess Astarte also called Ashtaroth mentioned in the scriptures. Judges 2:13, 10:6; I Samuel 7:3-4; 12:10
All false gods and false doctrines can be connected to Nimrod first and ultimately to Satan whose lie in the garden,” you shall not die but you shall be like gods” is found in every false teaching. The essence of man's sin nature is to be a god.
Sources:
1. Budin, Stephanie L. (2004). "A Reconsideration of the Aphrodite-Ashtart Syncretism". Numen 51 (2): 95–145 (Wikepedia)
2. Schaff, Philip (1981 reprint), History of the Christian Church Vol.3,pgs 404-407, Eerdmans
3. Orr, James (1939) International Standard Bible Encylopedia Vol.2 p. 889, Eerdmans
4. McClintock, John; Strong, James(1873) Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, Vol. 3, pgs 12-13, Harper and Brothers
5. Holy Bible, KJV
6. Robertson, A.T. (1950) A Harmony of the Gospels, pgs 190-192, Harper and Row

Three Rules for Sound Bible Study

3 Rules for Sound Bible Study

Rule number 1. Context
Rule number 2. Context
Rule number 3. Context

How many times have you had something you said or written taken out of context and it skews your original intent? We see contextual violations all the time occurring in our society. I remember the Trayvon Martin 911 tapes where MSNBC edited the tape, took George Zimmermans statements out of context and made him out to be a white racist. I was once declared a heretic by an old pastor friend of mine after he took statements I made to him out of context and presented them to his church board.

Historical context is equally important. When I hear or read about the atrocities of how slaves were whipped and beaten we are left with the impression that only blacks were treated this way, therefore it must be racially motivated. When Denzel Washington is whipped in the movie Glory they want to give the impression that whitey is racist. This type of punishment is being taken out of context. Any soldier in that day regardless of color who deserts his post is subject to public whipping. In fact, he should have received a courts martial and been executed. Whipping was a very light sentence. In 1860, any sailor who was insubordinate, not rendering proper respect to an officer, would be flogged before the whole crew. It did not matter what his race was. Historical context is important for understanding history.

When we read the scripture or hear scripture preached or taught we must be careful to consider textual context.

I think the following scripture is taken out of context more than any other:

“And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

A friend of mine just the other day quoted this verse out of context. Many people know the truth and they are not free. I know of people who sit in churches and hear truth all the time and they are not free. Judas knew the truth and was not free. The Pharisees knew the truth and they were in bondage.

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” John 3

Even Satan knows the truth and will always be in bondage, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19

Knowing the truth does NOT make you free. We must consider the context to understand what makes us free.

31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8
Continuing in Christs word is what makes us free. It is vital for the Christian to be in the word of God. This is fruit of discipleship in Christ and remaining in all of Gods word, contextually, will make us free.

False doctrines and cults are started by taking a verse out of context and building a theology around it. Its called proof texting. I Corinthians 13:1 is used as a proof text for the Charismatics who claim a “prayer language”.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. “ I Cor. 13:1

The context of this passage and even the context of the entire chapter encompasses 3 chapters. The love chapter, I Cor. 13 is sandwiched in between chapters 12 and 14 where Paul is chastising the Corinthians for their misuse of the gifts of the spirit. Paul is not endorsing a “prayer language” but rebuking them. The word, “though” can be translated, “If”.

Context is vitally important to much of how we interpret life. Context of a crime is important in a court of law. Context is important in politics. The context of your physical being is important for your doctor to accurately diagnose your condition and context is important for our eternal souls when studying the scriptures.

When reading the scriptures you may find a verse curious. Read over the passage again within context. This can be done by reading several verses before and after the passage in question. Sometimes you may need to read an entire chapter. A good study Bible will often provide the context with a heading at each chapter. For example, Colossians establishes its context in the first chapter with the supremacy of Christ. Everything else in the book is a result of and points back to the supremacy of Christ.

In the Old Testament historical context is important to understanding much of what is written, especially with the prophets. Some study aids that can be helpful in understanding the Old Testament is a bible encyclopedia or a survey of the O.T. I would be cautious about running to your local bookstore and buying the latest O.T. survey. If you want recommendations just respond to this post and I would be glad to oblige.

Keep the scripture in context to keep yourself out of error.

Joel Menges Testimony

A Memorial to the Lord

11And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’S passover. 12For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. 13And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

25And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. Exodus 12

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, 2Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, 3And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night. 4Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: 5And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: 6That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? 7Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. Joshua 4

Exodus 12 we find the LORD's Passover to not execute judgment upon those who obeyed His command to sacrifice the lamb and sprinkle the blood upon the door post. The feast of the passover is a memorial a remembrance that God did not bring judgment upon His chosen people because they obeyed His command.

Joshua 4 the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord passed over the Jordan. This signified the chosen of God passing into new life in Canaan. Here too we find a memorial, a reminder unto the children of Israel that the God of the Covenant keeps His covenant forever.

If you have passed from death to life we practice baptism as a memorial to the Lord of our entrance into Canaan. We celebrate the Lords Supper as a memorial to the sacrificial Lamb who bore our sin and the judgment of our sin. Communion is our memorial to the Lord, our remembrance.

The regenerate, blood bought, born again believer has not only the memorials of the Lords supper and Baptism but we also have a memorial in the testimony of Gods grace wherein He saved us. The moment that the grace of God was appropriated to your sinful soul and cleansed you of sin is a testimony of the Lord. Its the Lords passover for you that can never go away what ever you may do. No matter how far you may stray. It is the Lords memorial that you can never deny nor hide from. For many years, up until recently, I thought that I had damaged the testimony of what God had wrought in my life. I felt that my backsliding negated what God had done in me 35 years ago. God never breaks His covenant. We do. It is that memorial, that testimony that kept me from going further away from the Lord than I did. And its that testimony, the memorial of my conversion that ultimately brought me back into the way. Throughout my backsliding years I could sometimes hear the voice of God say, “I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. Why have you returned to bondage?”.

Testimony is a powerful weapon against Satan, Rev. 12:11. Never forget that moment that God spoke peace to your soul through the blood of Christ and brought you into the kingdom of God.
Please listen to the podcast message to the right of this post. This podcast is the actual message I preached at the Bible Methodist Church of Salisbury, NC on January 17, 2016. If the link does not appear you can access the podcast here: http://cryinthewilderness.podbean.com/e/joel-menges-testimony/?token=f7bc4f19476d4d0637cd20d70a220869

No Greater Love

Valentines Day. What does it mean and where did it come from?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Origins of Valentine’s Day: A Pagan Festival in February
While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial–which probably occurred around A.D. 270–others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then strip the goat’s hide into strips(februa), dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city’s bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage.
Valentine’s Day: A Day of Romance
Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity and but was outlawed—as it was deemed “un-Christian”–at the end of the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love. During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance.(1)


Valentines Day is in essence a Roman Catholic observance. I am a protestant and choose to distance myself from any catholic observance as much as possible. Consider the fact that Pope Gregory the not so Great created the calendar we use today. Here is an example of the paganism rampant in Roman Catholicism dating back to Constantine in the early 4th century. The month of February is named after these strips of goat hide that lasched the backs of Roman women. Why is the so called leader of the church naming the calendar after pagan gods and practices? Christian, we are marking time and counting the days and months after the names of pagan gods. Does this bother no one? I would have no problem with changing the names of our days and months to that of Godly people. Thankfully, no one is running around with goat hides slapping women in the back. At best Valentine is a an unsubstantiated person, a myth, that was embellished to move the hearts of people away from paganism yet embracing pagan customs at the same time. Its Catholic hypocrisy at its best.
The myth of Valentine has morphed into a tradition of romance. Romance can be good and it can be bad. In my 50 years of observing married people I surmise that romance is missing in most marriages. Romance can be good for a marriage. In my opinion I think it would be essential. However, we must never mistake romance for love. True romance should have an element of self-less love but it is not synonymous with love. There is a higher love than romance and we will explore this love today.

But first I want to make an observation about the word, “love”.

What is in a word? I have always been curious about the meaning of words. Where did this word come from? What is its origin? What does it communicate? These are significant questions to ask especially in our age that we live. Words are the principle means whereby we communicate a thought, idea or an emotion. Language is the single most important defining characteristic of a culture. When the language is altered or deteriorates then its a reflection of the culture deteriorating. Read a book from 100 years ago and you will find the words are more expressive. There will be words you don't understand because our language has been declining for decades thanks to television and electronic media. That 100 year old book may also have words that have changed meaning over time.

This dilution and denigration of our language is a disease of the culture. And the word “love” has not been immune to this demise. Love in our culture has been taken to a lower level whereby “things” become the object of our love. People love chocolate, games, hobbies, music, movies, clothes, foods of all sorts and stuff that will have no bearing on eternity. The object of your love is a reflection of what is in your heart. If you love things that will rust and decay then your heart is full of death. If you love things that are corrupt then your heart is corrupt. This brings us to the first kind of love we shall look at.

I. The Demise of Love
Eros- This word is not found in the bible though its practice is found there. Eros comes from one of the Greek gods and is often associated with cupid and Aphrodite. This erotic love is selfish and based solely on body chemistry. It basically says, “I love you because you make me happy”. The foundation of this love is based on a characteristic in the other person. If that characteristic ceases to be demonstrated then the reason for loving them would be gone. “I don't love you anymore”. Sound familiar? Erotic love is the basis of most marriages that end in divorce. “You no longer please me so I'm leaving you”. “We fell out of love”. I have spent most of my adult life working in care giving jobs. I have observed many people in these jobs who enjoy helping others because it makes them feel good. This is kindness or love based upon what I get in return. This is selfish love that holds water like a colander.
There are 3 kinds of love mentioned in scripture.

II. The Devoted Love
Storge'- “This word refers to natural affection of a husband to wife or parent to child. It is a quiet abiding feeling within a man that rests on something close to him and that he feels good about” In Romans 1:31 and 2 Timothy 3:3 we find this word prefixed with an “a” negating its meaning. In the context it refers to people without natural affections.

III. The Delightful Love
Phileo- Brotherly love This word carries with it the meaning of affection or fondness. This love comes forth as a response to the qualities in others.

IV. The Distinguished Love
Agape- This is a love of esteem. It has the idea of prizing the object of love. It delights in giving and keeps on loving even when the loved one is unresponsive, unkind, unlovable and unworthy. It is a consuming passion for the well being of others. This is unconditional love. And this word is used 329 times in the New Testament and there are very few places this word is used outside of the bible. This my friends is the love of God. (2)

Now let us turn our attention to what our Lord said about love.

John 15:10-17
10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17These things I command you, that ye love one another.

I. Love for the Saints
Jesus said that the world will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another. The first time I attended a church after the Lord saving me I was astounded by what I witnessed. After the service was over I beheld how they loved one another. I was not accustomed to this in the Godless church I was raised in. When I observed these Christians fellowshipping and sharing with one another I was profoundly impressed by the Spirit of God in our midst. You see, when we as Christians love one another then Christ takes delight and manifests Himself in our midst.

II. Love for the Savior John 21:15-17
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus asks Peter 3 times if Peter loves him. In the first two questions Jesus uses the word Agape. Apage, the highest most noble form of love. Unconditional and selfless love. Peter responds with the word phileo meaning, “affection”. In the final question Jesus uses the word phileo. Peter denied the Lord 3 times. And 3 times the Lord questions Peter's love. Peter, feeling the pain and guilt of denying the Lord could not bring himself to profess Agape love toward the Savior.
But that would change for Peter for we find in I Peter 1:7-8
”That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love” Agape
(Note: No where in the book of Acts is the word love found. Agape is found 329 times in the bible but no form of the word "love" is found in the book of Acts.)

III. The Love of the Savior
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

This passage expresses the extent of human love. I find the greatest example among mortal beings of one dying for another is those who have been in combat. I have not known the horrors of combat yet I have studied war and saw the effect of combat in my father. I have seen my father speak of acts of bravery he witnessed on Iwo Jima with tears in his eye and a quiver in his voice. Those who have been in combat and witnessed the death of their friends and witnessed heroic actions of others to save the lives of comrades form a bond that few of us know. Sure, their motives for service may be patriotic, but in the heat of battle when the lead is flying and their buddies bleed and die they are fighting for one another and there is a bond that forms for a lifetime. Speak with anyone who has seen the elephant and most of them will have a deep admiration for the Navy Corpsman or Army medic. There was one such man by the name of Desmond Doss. Desmond Doss was a conscientous objector who enlisted in the Army to serve his country as a medic but he refused to touch a gun. He was ridiculed, mocked and scorned not only by his peers but by his superiors. Doss held true to his convictions though he was singled out for the worst kinds of duty and repeatedly denied liberty passes because he refused to be qualified on a weapon. His commanding officers did all within their power to have him court martialed but they failed. Then they attempted to have him discharged on a section 8 claiming he was mentally unstable due to his religious convictions. This failed as well because he was protected by an act of Congress that C.O.'s serving in the military were not required to take up arms.

"Desmond struggled through the pain to clear his mind and reconcile himself to his surroundings.  He was on a hospital ship just off the coast of Okinawa.  Every inch of his lean frame hurt, he was covered with bandages, and he knew he had a compound fracture in one arm.  As the fog cleared in his mind he thought of his Bible, the one his wife had presented to him on their wedding day.  That Bible had sustained him though the months of training when he had been the brunt of ridicule and hate among his fellow soldiers.  It had been his constant comfort through the months of combat at Guam, Leyte, and Okinawa.  He reached slowly to the shirt pocket where he had always carried it.  The Bible was gone...lost somewhere on the top of the Maeda Escarpment beside the blood that had leaked from his shattered body.  "Please," he begged someone nearby, "get word back to my men.  I've lost my Bible."

It had been almost a month since that "miracle morning" when Doss had prayed and the men of Company B had taken the escarpment.  During the period Doss had been busy.  The Japanese were not willing to easily relinquish control of their rocky fortress, and many battles had followed the April 29th initial assault.  The nature of the escarpment with its caves and tunnels made it possible for the enemy to hide from the Americans who struggled to control the top, then sneak out in the dark of night.  Three days after the initial assault Doss had braved a hail of enemy rifle and mortar fire to rush 200 yards forward of the lines to rescue a wounded soldier.  Two days later four soldiers who were assaulting an enemy gun emplacement fell.  Desmond ignored the rain of enemy grenades around him to rush to their aid.  Moving to within 8 yards of the mouth of the cave from which the enemy had cut down his fellow soldiers, Doss made 4 separate trips to reach and rescue the wounded.
Medal of Honor Day
On May 5th the tide of battle turned against the Americans.  Enemy artillery, mortars and machinegun fire began to rake into the ranks of Company B, 77th Infantry Division.  Japanese soldiers swarmed out of their foxholes and caves in every direction.  Almost immediately 75 men fell wounded, and the remaining men were forced to fall back and retreat to the base of the escarpment.   The only soldiers remaining at the top of the cliff were the wounded, the Japanese, and Desmond T. Doss. 
Heedless of the shells that burst around him and the bullets directed his way, Desmond tended his injured comrades.  At the base of the escarpment those few soldiers who had managed to escape the onslaught could only   sit helplessly by and hear the sounds of the battle as the wounded struggled to survive atop the cliff.  And then...amazingly...a wounded soldier appeared over the face of the escarpment.  Dangling from a rope, he slowly descended to the safety of its base as a tall medic fed the rope through his hands from the summit.  First one, then another, and another....and another.  Heedless of the advancing Japanese, Desmond Doss went about the work of sending the wounded to safety.  Reports of that day tell of Japanese advancing with rifles and bayonets to within a few feet of the medic, slowly lowering his men to safety, before one of the wounded could kill the enemy before they shot Doss. 
For twelve hours Doss lowered soldier after soldier down the face of the escarpment, using little more than a tree stump to wind the top edge of the rope around.  Throughout the twelve hours Desmond had only one thought.   He prayed, "Lord, help me get one more.  Just ONE more!"  How many men Doss saved that day, only God knows.  One hundred and fifty-five soldiers went up the escarpment that day, and only 55 were able to retreat without assistance.   The Army determined the conscious objector who had almost been court martialed or discharged as unfit for military service, had saved 100 lives.  "Couldn't be," Desmond had replied.  It couldn't have been more than 50.  I wouldn't have had the time to save 100 men."  In deference to Desmond's humble estimate, when the citation for his Medal of Honor was written, they "split the difference", crediting the intrepid soldier with saving 75 fellow soldiers.


The bloody struggle for the Maeda Escarpment continued for weeks.  On the night of May 21st the Americans launched a bold attack.   When the return fire forced the Americans to take cover, Desmond remained in the open to treat the wounded.  Then he, and three other soldiers, crawled into a hole to wait out the darkness.  Suddenly a grenade landed among them.  Three men scrambled out but Desmond was too late.  Reflexively he covered the grenade with his boot, then felt it detonate beneath him and hurl his body into the darkness of night.   When he fell back to earth the leg was still there, but bleeding badly from numerous wounds.  Rather than call for another medic to leave shelter and risk his own life, Desmond bandaged his own wounds and waited the five hours alone until daylight broke.  As the litterbearers arrived with the dawn and began to carry the wounded medic out of danger they passed another critically wounded soldier.  Desmond instructed them to put down his litter, then rolled off it tended the wounds of the other man and told them to take the other man.  While he awaited their return he was joined by yet another wounded soldier.   Together the two of them set out for safety, leaning upon each other.
Once again rifle fire split the morning.   Pain stabbed Desmond's arm which was curled across the shoulders of his new comrade.  The sniper's bullet went into his wrist, exited through his elbow, and then lodged itself in his upper arm.  Had the bullet not hit Doss, it probably would have struck his wounded compatriot in the neck.  Desmond borrowed his friend's rifle and used the stock to fashion a splint for his useless arm.  Then the two continued to crawl to 300 yards to safety.
Seventeen pieces of shrapnel were removed from Desmond's leg and his arm set in a sling.  On the hospital ship Desmond was being prepared for the return home.  Desmond Doss' war was over.  He'd fought a good fight...his own way...without ever compromising his strong beliefs.
On October 12, 1945 Desmond Doss was invited to the White House.  President Harry S Truman held a Medal of Honor in his hand as he looked at the brave young medic.  "I would rather have this Medal," he said, "than to be the President."  Then, with those words, he hung the Medal of Honor around the neck of Corporal Desmond Thomas Doss.
At home another surprise awaited the young man.  His men hadn't forgotten the brave medic or his love for the Word of God.   The message about "Doss' Bible" had been delivered.  Incredibly, the men who once mocked the God fearing Doss who would not compromise, had returned to the Maeda Escarpment with a new mission and purpose.  After soundly defeating the Japanese they fanned out across the rocky terrain and conducted a search until they found, and mailed home, Desmond's Bible." (3)

As touching and moving as stories of sacrifice and valor in combat may be they still do not rise to the love of our Lord as He displayed on Calvary.
Christ went well beyond dying for his friends. He died for his enemies. For every sinner is by nature an enemy of God.
Romans 5
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
The very word “reconcile” means to abolish the enmity between two parties. We were the enemies of God in our sin and it is God who made peace not us. We are the ones who sinned and God made the sacrifice. There is nothing I can bring to appease for my sin.
God lowered Himself and became a man and as a man became a servant. As a servant He became our sacrifice.
There is hardly any earthly illustration or example that can compare to the Lord of glory laying aside His omnipotence to become the sacrifice for us. This love of God demands we surrender to Him no less than all of our heart, mind, soul and strength.

Sources:
1. Valentine history adapted from: history.com; The Gods of Ancient Rome, Robert Turcan, Routledge Publ.
2. “Love” Word studies adapted from :https://www.mcleanbible.org/sites/default/files/Multiply-Resources/Chap3/GreekWordsforLoveWS_Chapter3.pdf
3. Desmond Doss story adapted from: homeofheroes.com

Desert Life

Psalm 62

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

3How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

4They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

5My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

7In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

8Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.


Please listen to the podcast message to the right and discover the background behind this beautiful Psalm and what God may be calling you to.

Half Hearted Seeking

About a year ago I spent several days searching online for an affordable yet reliable stationary bike. I had seen a documentary about a technique used on a stationary bike that was very effective in lowering A1C levels. These are the blood sugar markers whereby diabetes is diagnosed and monitored. I have struggled with my A1C for a couple of years. On one occasion I was able to dramatically lower it through diet and exercise. When the weather is cold or wet it limits my options for exercise. Thus I searched for a stationary bike.

I purchased a very affordable stationary bike that had nearly unanimous stellar reviews online. When it arrived I opened the box and looked at the first page of directions. The first page of the instructions showed 200 parts. I was immediately discouraged and moved the box to my garage where it has sit for nearly a year. In the past few months I have been losing weight but not my gut. I have been losing muscle due to inactivity. The old adage is true concerning muscle, "use it or lose it". Today I decided enough is enough. I must do something. I brought the boxed up bike into my living room and determined that 200 parts or not I'm going to assemble this thing if it takes me all night. When I took the parts out of the box and looked more closely at the instructions I discovered it was partially assembled. It took only 13 bolts and nuts, 2 screws and about 30 minutes to assemble it. I had within my possession for nearly a year the very thing that could restore my health but I did not read the instructions far enough.

How true is this in many of our spiritual lives. If only we take a little extra time to seek the truth in God's word and tarry before Him then we can find spiritual health and wealth that has been just outside our grasp all along but we never took the time to seek Him.

13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29


(By the way, the bike works as advertised.)

Biblical Loopholes

The contemporary Christian spends more time looking for biblical loopholes to validate their selfish appetites instead of surrendering them to Christ.

"6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8