Do We Know the Bible by Heart?

Friends,

In His book, “Taking the Guesswork out of Applying the Bible,” Jack Kuhatschek says…while studying in the Holy Land, a professor of mine met a man who claimed to have memorized the entire Old Testament…in Hebrew! Needless to say, the astonished professor asked for a demonstration. A few days later, they sat together in the man’s home – “Where shall we begin?” the man asked. “Psalm 1,” replied the professor, who was an avid student of the Psalms. Beginning with 1:1, the man began to recite, from memory, while the professor followed along in his Hebrew Bible. For two hours the man continued word for word without a mistake, as the professor sat in stunned silence. When the demonstration was over, my professor discovered something even more astonishing – the man who had accomplished this great task claimed to be an atheist! Here was someone who knew the Scripture better than most Jews or Christians ever would, and yet, he didn’t even believe in God! This is not exactly what the Lord had in mind in giving us His Word. It is one thing to know the words in God’s Word in your head…it is quite another to study with an open mind and spirit so that they impact your heart! We Christians have a great responsibility to truly know the message of Jesus Christ that is found in God’s Word and make it our own. Blessings,

Don

Surviving August

Friends,

This (surviving August) is not just talking about the weather in Texas...it is about Texas weathering August -- their pitching staff, that is. I have mentioned here, there or somewhere, that the true test of whether the MLB Texas Rangers will be in the playoff hunt through the summer and to the end of September, is if their pitching staff would hold up. In years past...conditioning, whether physical, mental -- or both -- has come back to haunt them. With Nolan whipping the Rangers' pitchers into shape, it seems to have made a difference...not only are they holding their own through the dog days of the Texas summer, but they have been excelling. Scott Feldman, Derek Holland and Tommy Hunter, among others, have all pitched impressively this summer. Here's hoping that they can stay strong through the last month of the season...that they can overtake the Red Sox...and be the Wild Card for the playoffs. Playoffs? Did somebody say, playoffs? (Sorry, Jim Mora Sr. :-). Blessings,

Don

Lightning x2

Friends,

I write this as the thunderstorms are nearly over our building. :-) Usain Bolt is quickly becoming the most amazing athletic story of this generation. He set a new world record in the 200 meters, yesterday, running it in 19.19 seconds...which is incredible. His nearst competitor was at 19.81...nearly a whole second off the pace! This is like miles ahead on the track, as Yogi Berra would say. Hats off to the lightning bolt -- the only question that lies ahead...will he break 19 seconds? This would be track and field miraculous. Blessings,

Don

Lightning Strikes Again

Friends,

Usain "Lightning" Bolt of Jamaica broke his own world record in the 100 meters yesterday at the World Championships, running it in an amazing 9.58 seconds. The second place finisher, American, Tyson Gay ran a 9.71, which would have been very noteworthy as the second fastest time ever, next to Bolt's 9.69 he ran last year in the Olympics. Instead, Gay wasn't even sniffing Bolt's dust. It is truly cool to watch Bolt run...at 6'5", and with a big stride, he is not your prototypical sprinter. I don't know what he is doing...hopefully not illegal supplements -- one has to wonder...but it is working. He has brought excitement back to track and field's premier event. He makes it look so easy. It took so long for the 10 second barrier to be broken, and then to even get below 9.8...now he may very well run in the 9.4s or some such...unimaginable even 10 years ago. So...count me as impressed. Blessings,

Don

Like Father, Like Son

Friends,

After the healing of the man who had lain by a pool for those 38 years, the Scribes and Pharisees seek out the person who would dare do such a thing on the Sabbath (John 5:19ff). When they find Jesus, they ask him why He healed the paralytic on the Sabbath(?). Jesus replies with an equally bold statement to accompany His actions – “my Father is working ‘til now, and so am I!” The point is not lost on the Jewish leaders, who instantly understand His claim: He is making Himself to be equal with God…blasphemy -- and the penalty is death! They are threatened by all of this because they cannot disprove it, so…they try to destroy Jesus and just get Him out of the way. What is truly amazing is that instead of denying their accusation, Jesus endorses it! Would there really be a need for any other response? No.

Jesus claims to be equal with His Father in His works. If healing a man on the Sabbath is a sin, then the Father is to blame! Jesus does nothing on his own accord, but only that which the Father is doing. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness to use His divine powers for Himself, He refused to act independently…rather; He is totally dependent on the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit. And not only His works, but the Father shares His love (v.20), as the first three gospels open with the Father calling Jesus, “My beloved Son” and echoed by John (3:35). It is this unconditional love that is the motivation behind the revealing of the Father’s works through Jesus. Jesus presses on, mentioning His authority to raise the dead. This is another blasphemy in the eyes of the Jewish leaders – God alone has this power. Jesus is also able to give spiritual life to the spiritually dead…and He is not done with this subject.

Jesus speaks of four resurrections. First, there is a resurrection of the spiritually dead to life. Those who listen to Jesus and obey Him will be able to participate in eternal life – this should be our hope and goal in coming out of the old dead world to life in Christ. The second resurrection Jesus mentions is His own. The grave could not hold Him, because He is life (1:4). He laid down His life and took it up again. Because He has life in Himself, He can share it with all who trust in Him! The third is the ultimate, final resurrection, where believers will be raised from the dead physically/eternally and given a new glorified body. This may be similar, perhaps, to the one Peter, James and John saw on the mount of transfiguration – a body suited for eternity. The fourth resurrection is one of judgment, and this involved only those who are lost and outside of Christ. Theirs will be a negative judgment with resulting eternal separation from God. All four resurrections have, or will take place. Through all of this, Jesus claims equality with the Father in executing judgment. The Father will judge the world through His Son, whether or not they respond to Him (see Acts 17:31).

In order to support His teaching and argument, Jesus also shares four witnesses with the Scribes and Pharisees in order to give evidence that Jesus is who He says. In yet another interesting twist, the OT Law required the testimony of two or three witnesses (Numbers 35:30, Deuteronomy 17:6). The first is John the Baptist, whom the Scribes and Pharisees had interrogated carefully. John knew who Jesus was and faithfully declared what he knew to the people of Israel. In chapter one, John told the people that Jesus is Lord, Lamb of God, and Son of God. The second witness is the miracles that Jesus performs. There are seven key “signs” in this gospel that prove Jesus is the Son of God…His works, being the Father’s works. The third…His Father, on that mount of transfiguration, and other thoughts that have been shared. Finally, and most condemning for the Scribes and Pharisees, the Scriptures…the Old Covenant. Their covenant pointed to the Messiah, and now that He is among them, they cannot see Him because of their blindness and hardness of heart. Verses 39-40 are quite telling. They lack the very love that Jesus has lived, shared and wanted them to understand. They claim to know the Word of God, but do not know the God of the Word.

In our culture, we are very familiar with the legal system and the things associated with it thanks to the multitude of movies, real life and television dramas over the years. The court of justice has been part of our judicial system in this country since its birth. In general, courts have been in existence for thousands of years, and are even evidenced in the Bible. What is the purpose of legal counsel, witnesses, testimony, judge and jury? The court is filled with a multiplicity of words and emotions…and for what? It is to provide for us the means by which we can have justice – wrongs righted, rights justified, laws upheld. So, is it a surprise that Jesus appeals to His audience in making His case concerning whom He is? He is simply speaking to the Scribes and Pharisees in legal language that they would understand…He is on their level making His case.

What is the point? That we, like the Scribes and Pharisees should know and fully believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We cannot deal with Jesus as the Jewish leaders did...on legal terms. We must accept Him on His terms. Antagonism toward the Father and His Son is rampant in this world we live in today. The media, politicians and even people we know scream at us that God is not real! Why is there war, suffering, they ask? Why poverty, trouble? Why do bad things happen to good people? Satan is running wild in this present world…we don’t belong here! God gives us the answer and solution in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus took the sins, attitudes, antagonisms of this world, including those of the religious people, and died on a cross so all could be set free. Do we believe the evidence? We see and understand that Jesus was able to influence many people – disciples, Nicodemus, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Joseph of Arimathea among many others. What we truly believe concerning Jesus makes all of the difference for you and for me concerning our eternal destiny. Blessings,

Don

NFL Preseason

Friends,

The NFL Preseason kicks off in earnest tonight. It will be interesting to see what happens this year. I am going to make a few bold :-) predictions and we'll see if some of them come true. If last season is any indication, then...I might have a slight chance. The story that won't go away is Michael Vick. He will end up with a team, probably before the end of the week. Even though it will be a hard sell to whatever city where he ends up, I believe he will be a productive player and help said team. So...we'll see if it is the Steelers, Patriots, Packers, Panthers or Redskins that land him. -- at least, I believe these are the best possibilities.

In the NFC, the Cowboys are going to have a good year, now that they are minus the T.O. and Jessica distractions and Wade is running the "D". Romo is going to do well. Now, whether they win the Super Bowl or not, that is another question. They may very well have problems getting by the Eagles in their own division. I will be surprised if they do not win a playoff game this year and get the 13 year old monkey off their backs. The Saints can't possibly finish last again in their division with their prolific "O", but their "D" can't be any worse than last year. I think that last will fall to the Bucs...rather, the Bucs will fall there. This will still likely be a tough division with the Saints, Falcons and Panthers all battling for #1. Concerning the North --who cares? There is not a team in the division that excites me...although it is intriguing to see "how far up" the Lions can go from 0-16. The only two players that matter are Adrian Peterson for the Vikes and Calvin Johnson for the Lions. The one big curiosity will be to see what Jay Cut-it-out-ler will do for the Bears. It will be awfully tough for the Cards to repeat what they did last year. Even with his amazing trio of receivers, Kurt Warner will be hard pressed to get them back to the SB. If they do, I would call it a minor miracle -- I guess these can happen in AZ(?). The Seahawks and Niners will be much improved and could snatch away the division. The Rams will be better, but are still not contenders.

The AFC is going to be more complicated, as usual. The truly mighty teams of the league reside in this conference. It's hard to bet against the Steelers, although Big Ben finds himself out of sorts again. What is amazing, is that these types of things never seem to affect him, and he always manages to be a winner. If I do have one bet against the Steelers, it is the Patriots. With Tom Brady back and the team reloaded...again, it will not surprise me at all if they do not hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February -- in fact, I say that they will do it. The Dolphins will likely continue to improve in the East, as will the Jets with Rob Ryan guiding the "D". The T.O. Barnum and Bailey circus lands in Buffalo, but it will take more than him to turn them around.
Can't see much from the North, with the Bengals likely being the best of the under .500 Ohio teams. The Ravens surely can't be as good as last year, right? Don't think so. The Colts will miss Dungy, while the Texans could very well snatch the South. They will be much improved and get off the 8-8 mark they have had for a few years now. The Titans will be good, but not great. The West is a toss up to me...although, I think the Chargers and Broncos will be at the top. The Broncos are revamped, but I believe that Kyle Orton will actually be better for them than Cut-it-out-ler. The Chiefs will be better with new coach Todd Haley, he of the Cards "O" success last year..but not good just yet. The Raiders management stinks, but they could win more games than most people suspect. They showed some improvement in many areas last year, but much will depend upon QB Russell...they will go where he takes them. I will say with certainty that there will be some surprise team that jumps up to contend that no one was expecting...seems to happen every year. If I had a guess, I would say either the Bengals or the Raiders. So...stay tuned. Blessings,

Don

P.S. Okay...how about Vick to the Eagles (several hours later)...first prediction --NOT.

When Judgment Comes

Friends,

In Genesis, we see that Abraham is a friend of God…Lot, his nephew, is a friend of the world.
Now, Lot is living in a very worldly city of the time, Sodom, and is in fact sitting by the gate, which may indicate that he has some authority or influence there (chapters 18-19). We have seen Abraham appeal to God to spare Sodom if there were even ten believers, because the Lord has determined to destroy it because of its wickedness. Lot is one of only a very few “believers” there although he is not a very good one. Lot is edgy -- he may know what is right, but he chooses to ignore it and to live as he pleases…and it ultimately has some disastrous consequences.

What happens to Lot’s personal values as the result of being "in the world"? They go completely down the drain. Because of his carnality or worldliness, Lot has no spiritual influence either in the city or in his own home…his family ridicules him and they refuse to leave the city. Nevertheless, his wife and two daughters accompany him out of the city, but…the city is too much a part of them. Lot’s wife has to take one last look, and in one of the more memorable Biblical moments for all the wrong reasons, is turned into a giant cow lick. And the story, itself, ends up even more sordid, indeed. Lot loses everything in Sodom, yet he himself is saved “as by fire” so to speak (1 Corinthians 3:15). Abraham watches the cities of the plain be destroyed, yet God delivers Lot because of Abraham…a situation displaying God’s love, grace and mercy. This also reveals that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of God’s righteous judgment, as revealed in Jude 7. At the same time, Jesus was sent to save sinners like those in Sodom and Gomorrah…and the rest of the world – those who lived then, as well as us today. As He ministered, Jesus was known as “a friend of tax-collectors and sinners” (Matthew 9:10). He died and was raised for all…the ungodly and sinners (Romans 5:6).

When sudden gross temptations rear their ugly heads, most Christians instinctively shrink back and avoid the pitfall. But, the thing that causes many to get away from God is the almost imperceptible, day by day drifting away from the Lord…as Lot did. A famous preacher says...the course of rebellion against God may be very gradual, but increases in rapidity as you progress in it; and if you begin to run down the hill, the ever-increasing impetus will send you down faster and faster to destruction. You Christians ought to watch against the beginning of worldly conformity. I sometimes get this question put to me, concerning certain worldly arguments, “May I do so-and-so?” I am very sorry whenever someone asks me that question, because it shows that there is something wrong, or it would not be raised at all. If a person’s conscience lets him say, “Well, I can go to A,” he will very soon go on to B, C, D, E and through all the letters of the alphabet. When Satan cannot catch us with a big sin…he will try a little one. It does not matter to him what bait he uses as long as he catches his fish. Beware of the beginning of evil, for many, who desired to go right, have turned aside and perished among the dark mountains in the wide field of sin.

God’s message to the world is that judgment is coming, but His promise to His own people is that He will rescue them (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11). Jesus still wants to befriend sinners and will save those who come to Him and are converted. The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah had no idea that they were awakening that morning to the last day of their lives. It was life as usual…then fire fell. When judgment comes will you be like Abraham…and not have to be concerned about the wrath of God? Or, like Lot, will you perhaps be saved “as by fire”…or, then again... Blessings,

Don

Sunset at the North Pole

Friends,

Here is a cool pic...seems like a shot from a distant solar system, but as we know, photography is all a matter of perspective... Blessings,

Don