A Little Thought About Creation...

Firstly, watch this video...

Amazing isn't it... Psalm 8:3, 4 says this:

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

What is man? The obvious answer that I would give is... nothing. And yet, there is a God who would, after creating these GIGANTIC bodies, say something like this:

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." 

Matthew 10:30

And because He knows even the number of hairs on our head, we can claim this:

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 

1 Peter 5:6-7 (emphasis supplied)

He cares for you.

God Bless,

Adam

Main Study 2: Let me prove it to you! (Part 1)

In this world, we like claiming to be things. Let me explain, imagine a group of friends together doing a certain activity, one friend will always claim to be the best! Or, in the career world, we are always claiming to be the best at what we do! Shops are always claiming to be the cheapest and the best place to buy our goods and services from! You get the picture, we like to claim to be things, however, most of the times, what we claim to be is not what we often are! So to show that a shop is what they claim to be, they must do one simple thing; prove it. Whatever we claim to be, we must prove it, or it becomes an empty claim only to be bettered by another empty claim.

Now that situation is among ourselves. Let us add God to the equation. God claims to be the LORD (Exodus 6:2) and that "there is none else, there is no God beside me" (Isaiah 45:5). Now what God could do, because He is God, is say "I am God, you better believe it", and that is it, and expect us to believe! However, Paul says "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 2:12). Paul does not say here that he has blind faith, that he has brought into this idea that God has said that He is God and I just went along with it... No, instead he says he KNOWS it and this means he is persuaded that the God he knows is the real thing is able, and that he (and all of us) can surrender everything to Him. God does not deal with blind faith, He wants us and expects us to KNOW.

In Isaiah 46:9, 10, God says something we should all notice:
"Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure."

Here, God claims that he is God, and there is no one else and that there is no one like Him! Then, God adds something, as if He has anticipated the question that a lot of us ask, that question that goes something like "Well, if you are God, why don't you prove it?" God says"Declaring the end form the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet done], saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." (see Ezekiel 18:32 and 2 Peter 3:9 for the beauty of God's pleasure).

In Isaiah 46:9, 10, God says that prophecy, the act of telling that which will come to pass before it happens, is His answer to our "prove it" challenge. (But, not everyone who "tells the future" is of God, we will deal with this in a few weeks). No one, but God, can truly tell the end from the beginning, and by doing this, He gives more than definite evidence and support for His claim to be God.

In 2 Peter 1:19, Peter tell us this:

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts..."

Now in context, Peter says in 2 Peter 1:16:

"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

Peter makes a bold claim! He says that we have not followed cunningly devised fables (made up stories) when we preached and told the world about the power and the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! He makes the certain statement that what he is preaching is TRUE and GENUINE. In reply to our "prove it" challenge, he then says he was a eyewitness of His (Jesus') majesty! If you read 2 Peter 1:17-18, Peter basically says that the place that he was eyewitness of his majesty was at the Mount of Transfiguration (read Matthew 17:1-8). Peter says I know that Jesus is Lord, I know His power, and I know that He is coming again because I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES!

So then going back to 2 Peter 1:19, after saying that I KNOW this is true because I saw it with my own eyes, he then says we have a MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. Peter says that prophecy in God's Word is more sure of a foundation of our faith than what He saw with His own eyes! So on these occasions, the Bible tells us that God's answer to the humans 'prove it' challenge is His unique ability to tell the future!

To add to this, Jesus confirms this to in John 14:29, where He says: 

"And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe."

Jesus states that He tells us prophecy, the things that will happen in the future, so that when it comes to pass, we might believe! (See Romans 10:17 which also shows that our faith comes from the Word of God).

God has stated that He is LORD, and that there is no one else like Him! He then says, let me prove it to you through prophecy! When we see these prophecies, and their fulfilment and see that only God can so accurately predict the future, then we can admit that God is LORD; his claim is proven.

So here is a few (and by no means exhaustive amount of) prophecies that God put in the Bible, and next week (or the next few weeks), we will be looking at how God predicted the future, and how it has come out exactly as He has said, so that we can, through His Spirit, have a firm foundation of faith!

Cyrus
Isaiah 45:1-3 is a prophecy in regards to the conquering of Babylon! This was written approximately 150 years before Cyrus was even born, and yet God names him as the conqueror of Babylon! Research Cyrus' cylinder for more detail!

Cyrus's Cylinder

The Jews and their Seventy years
Jeremiah 25:12 and 29:10-12 tells us of the prophecy in regards the seventy years in which Judah was in captivity to Babylon! All proven by history!

Prophecy in regards to Egypt
Ezekiel 29:14, 15 tells us of the decline of Egypt and the fact that it will never return to a commanding position among the nations! This is yet to be proven wrong! Another prophecy fulfilled!

Prophecy in regards to the destruction of Jerusalem
Matthew 24:2 tells us that Jerusalem would be destroyed, totally destroyed! This happened in AD 70 and history tells us that not one Christian was destroyed because they followed the prophecy and took heed of the warning given by Jesus in Luke 21:20, 21.

Prophecy in regards to Disasters, Famines and Diseases
Matthew 24:7/Luke 21:11 tells us that in the last days that there will be earthquakes, famines and pestilences, of which, we see an increase in number and severity in this generation!

Prophecy regarding the moral decline of society
2 Timothy 3:1-5 describes a scene of moral decline in society that our society is fast fulfilling! We should not be surprised by the things going on in the world! Read it, and we can identify these things happening in our local area!

London Riots 2011

Throughout the Bible, God is showing us proof for His claim for being the true and genuine God of heaven! God is seeking to develop a relationship with us, not based on blind faith, but on KNOWING Him, and knowing that He is indeed real! The last few prophecies mentioned show the nearness of the coming of the Lord, and undeniable proof of God's claim to us; that we are His children.

Luke 21:28 gives us much comfort, and a command about what we are to do in these last days:

"And when these things come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

That redemption can be yours, if you believe in Jesus Christ and claim it, after all, He did prove His claim!

Next week, we will be looking at another prophecy that proves God, and also tells us where we are in this earth's history!

God Bless,

Adam

How to Study the Bible!

Firstly, I must apologise. My plan was to post this last week, but due to a busy week, I have not been able to post, and for this, I am sorry. I pray to God that through His strength, that even in a busy week, this blog will be updated as planned!

I remember science lessons at school! Experiments were always so exciting! Yet, there was one thing that was always so, so, so important, and that was the method! The method of things can so easily ruin the outcome we are looking to achieve, or guide us to reaching that outcome! It is no different with God's Word. Last week, we looked at how God wants to guide us by His Word, and now here is a small article I found on "How to study the  Bible", so have a read, and pray that God will lead all of us to His truth, and be led the right way!

Main Study 1: God's Sat Nav

The Sat Nav; the Satellite Navigation system. Epic in its potential, and the answer to the dreams of millions of drivers.

We LOVE this thing, it tells us where to go and we follow it. It has destroyed the map. In fact, the Daily Mail reported that research showed that 11 million drivers could not read a simple road map. (See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-473344/Fifty-cent-drivers-read-map.html).

What an interesting thought. The fact that in this society, where many of us do not even trust our own neighbours, would feel safe to trust a box that tells us "Turn Left" when we cannot even see who has given the box that information. In fact, we trust it so much that I am sure some people would even trust the Sat Nav rather than the road signs that they see with their own eyes! Yet, this is still, a box. I mean the fact is that it messes up, it loses signal, it will sometimes guide you to the wrong place, and will run out of battery! But yet... We still trust it. So here is my question, is there something better than the Sat Nav? Is there something that we can trust greater than the box that is stuck to our windscreens? Is there something that can guide us to the destination I believe many of us want to be?

Proverbs 14:12 gives us a simple, yet grave warning:

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Quite simple. I mean, look how many "ways of life" there are! We live in a society where everyone does there own thing, yet, if you ask many, TRUE HAPPINESS has not been attained, and then the inevitable thing happens, we die. So there MUST be a way which is right to God, and there MUST be something that can lead us along that way, and the end result if we faithfully follow MUST be eternal life! So ladies and gentleman, I present to you God's Sat Nav, the thing that WILL lead us on His way; The Bible. Let's look at a few AMAZING specifications. 

The Maker- 2 Timothy 3:16 (emphasis supplied)

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..." 

So the author of the Scriptures, the maker of the amazing guide to life is GOD (and by the way, God knows everything- Psalm 139:2-6).

The Team- 2 Peter 1:19-21 (emphasis supplied)

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 

Yes, the Bible does say that it was written by men, however, these men were moved by the Holy Ghost, and so "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." 

The Audience- Romans 15:4 (emphasis supplied)

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." 

The Bible was written for everyone! So throughout the ages, the Scriptures, have brought comfort and hope to those who have read it and studied it, and now, it is for YOU, and me! God, through holy men, has written to us the way for us to go! He had you in mind when He gave this message!

Will it ever crash?- John 10:35 (emphasis supplied)

"If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken..." 

Jesus Himself said that the scripture cannot be broken! This amazing truth is throughout the Bible! (see Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 24:35; Psalm 12:6, 7)

Where is it pointing to?- John 5:39 (emphasis supplied) 

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." 

So here, Jesus says that the scripture points to Him! The whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is concerned with our amazing Saviour! And here is some extra beauty...In 1 John 5:11, it says that eternal life is IN HIS SON (that is Jesus), so putting these two texts together, the Bible points us to eternal life, because that is wrapped up in Jesus! 

Can it tell what is coming up?- Isaiah 42:8, 9 (emphasis supplied)

"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."

A normal Sat Nav can (sometimes) tell you the road that is coming up, but it cannot tell you the cars that will be on the road; it cannot tell the future. Yet God says that He can, the Bible tells us the future! We will be focussing on this next week... IT IS AMAZING! 

Is it right though?- John 17:17 (emphasis supplied)

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." 

A very definite statement wouldn't you think? God says His word is truth. Simple.

Is it complicated to use? Who will show me how to use it?- 1 Corinthians 2:14/John 16:13 (emphasis supllied)

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

The natural man, our natural state of being, cannot naturally understand the things of God. It is kind of like a baby understanding an Maths degree formula, it is just not going to happen! So how do we understand it?

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)

The Spirit of truth is the Holy Ghost. (how do we know this?! Well, John 15:26 tells us that another name for the Spirit of truth is the Comforter, and John 14:26 says that the Comforter is the Holy Ghost! So the Spirit of truth=Comforter=Holy Ghost). So the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of God (compare the titles of the Holy Spirit at the baptism of Jesus) will guide us into ALL TRUTH, so, the author of the Bible will teach you what it means! (through principles that I will share on Friday's thought).

What does it show about you? Hebrews 4:12 (emphasis supplied)

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

It will show you what you are really like, who you really are, after all, God does know how many hairs are on your head (Luke 12:17). However, it will also show you the way to becoming more like Christ! 

What is it capable of?- James 1:21 

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." 

This just adds on to John 5:39, it is able to save our souls, if we receive it with meekness! 

The Bible is a POWERFUL thing, and God gave it us, not to leave it on our shelves, but to read it, and ask God to give us understanding, and trust in Him to show us the way! To sum it all up, David says in Psalm 119:105:

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." 

God's Word shows God's Love!

So God has given us a way, and the directions to walk in it! So why not try God's Sat Nav? He wants to guide us to eternal life! For more studies, and wonderful presentations and Bible knowledge, go to:

http://www.amazingfacts.org

God Bless,

Adam

The First Thought... Getting Ready

So, last week I was away in Wales, at a wonderful place called Aberdaron!

A picture of the landscape, taken whilst on a walk

On my way back, I knew that I was going to arrive to a household that was brimming with excitement. You see, a few weeks before I left to go to Wales, we received a confirmation; Grandma was coming to England.

My Grandma lives in Jamaica, and she last visited England in 1980's for my parents wedding, and so this news stirred a massive excitement in my Mom!

So, when I got home, I walked into a house which was so clean! Things that had not been touched for years had suddenly been removed and placed into the bin, piles of books which had been placed in order of last read to not touched in years had now been sorted out into sizes. The fruits were arranged in the bowl in order of colour. The duster received the most attention it had in ages! You kind of get the picture... My Grandma was coming, and so the whole house was put in order, tidied, cleaned and put in more order so that Grandma would enjoy her stay!

The spiritual lesson and thought is twofold, firstly, when my Grandma is here, we will treat her as a queen, give her attention, and make sure she is in the most comfortable place she could wish to be in.

John 14:17-18, 20 says:

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you... At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."

(John 14:17-18, 20)

Here we see a God who loves us so much that He wants to be WITH us, He wants to abide with US (blows me away really!) We see this again in 2 Corinthians 6:16:

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." 

(2 Corinthians 6:16)

So, the fact that those who are brought with a price, and accept this (see 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) have the Spirit of God living in them, then surely we should aim to treat this temple as best as possible, for One who is more important than anything else lives in there!

The second lesson is this: 

My parents took a lot of time and effort to clean the house, and make it ready for my Grandma's stay... Someone far greater and more important than her is coming to this world once again! He has offered us the free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23) and so should we not then start cleaning our lives ready for His appearing?

An illustration of the Second Coming

Friends, Jesus is coming again, coming for His people who...

"...live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

(Titus 2:12-14) 

The God who gave up all for YOU is coming back for YOU... An important occasion would you not say? So are you going to ask Jesus to take control and cleanse you? Or is He going to come to back to find a dusty person who just never gave Him the opportunity to cleanse him?

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 

(1 John 3:1-3)- emphasis supplied

So this blog is going to be about thoughts and Bible studies about becoming the pure people that Jesus has done everything possible for us to be! I pray that you truly ask God to guide you into all truth, and that we can ask Jesus to cleanse us and make us ready for His appearing!

Adam Hazel