Sunday, July 7, 2013

Less Traveled Highway!


In our modern day a high way brings to our mind wide, straight paved roads, where the   vehicles will be traveling at a high speed. In ancient times when we say high way it specifies road where travelers travel probably in donkeys and other animals which could be used to move around to get the task done.  Ancient Romans regularly rode on stuffed pad saddles or pieces of cloth folded as to form a pad of comfortable thickness and was made secure by one or more girths. Travel in ancient Greece includes very often travel by foot, cart, chariot, and ship.

In ancient cities there were often special roads, and also high ways which only Kings and Priests could use. During Biblical times of Assyrian invasion, the high ways are not at all safe, and those who journey in those roads will be often attacked and they were plundered of their goods. The Assyrians not only ravaged the land, destroyed the crops, but really made the high way very unsafe to travel.


      Definition of highway (n)

1. Main road: a principal road, especially one that connects towns or cities and is part of a numbered system

2. Direct way: a direct route or course


In this article we are going to compare modern high way to, the high way what the Prophet Isaiah is talking about! He is comparing the high way, as a way which is not commonly used by people because the standards to move in that is high, and we are called to walk in that high way of holiness. To move in that high way it is not possible with our strength, but God’s call is for every one who believes in Him to walk in that high way.  Prophet Isaiah is saying when Messiah rules, all of His people will be invited to use this high way whether one is a priest, King, or an ordinary person. God is our Father and he is impartial and the invitation is to all!

A highway shall be there, and a road and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others; whoever walks the road, although a fool shall not go astray
”; Isa: 35:8. Isaiah is expressing in this verse one of his favorite themes: that is the high way of holiness! The way of godliness here is called the way of holiness. The way of holiness is the way of God’s commandments, where the unclean will not be able to walk, but the redeemed shall walk in that road.
 
The road of redemption, the highway to heaven, is a restricted road, being only for the redeemed, who have been ransomed through the blood of Christ. “Blessed [is] the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; Psa: 1:1. The word translated as ungodly signifies unsettled, having no fixed focuses, and follows every lust and wishes of their heart. When a righteous man sees this he looks at it with a sad heart and he does not want to walk in that road. If one really wants to walk in that less traveled high way they do not take their measures from the living patterns of the world. Instead they want to please God in their lives and want to know what the Living word of God wants them to do.  In other words there are many other roads and highways where the sinners can walk, which break out into open rebellion against God. 

What is the way to God?
Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:5, 6. Not two ways, but one; the way shall be a highway, a way cast up, raised, and "elevated" this is to be understood principally of Christ, the only way of life and salvation; and of the lesser paths of duty and ordinances.

As such the idea is that those who are on this road will not go astray despite their own foolishness. In other words those who walk in this high way have eternal security! Despite one's folly, such a person who want to walk in that high way will inevitably repent and not stray from the path altogether. Such is the natural behavior of God's sheep. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27, 28. Jesus Christ is perfectly holy in nature and life, born of a woman and yet without sin. Christ leads his people in paths of righteousness; in the paths of truth, of ordinances, and of worship, public and private, all which are holy. This is a very narrow path, the real ‘high way’ and only very few will find this way.

Applying the above truth to our real life situations below are some questions to our heart.
  1. If we would compare our spiritual journey on a road, are we really going on that high way?
  2. As we travel in this high way, how do we feel? Do we feel really lonely? Do we feel safer?
  3. There are many roads, and many other high ways! How sure are we that we are on the right high way spiritually?

God rescued Judah from Assyrians and redeemed His people in the past. Would He not keep His promises to His people in the future and establish His glorious Kingdom for His chosen people? With great relief we will enter the presence of God holy and blameless and as such we will be filled with joy. For the times of sorrow, sighing and suffering which is temporary will pass away and we will be in peace in eternity. "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all." 1Tim 2:5, 6.
 
References: 

1. Dr. Ed Murphy. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992, 1996, pgs: 432-436.
2. Jay E. Adams. Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling, Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started.  New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002.
3. Jay E. Adams. How to Help People Change, The Four-step Biblical Process. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
4. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty. Introduction To Biblical Counseling, A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.
5. Jay E. Adams. Lectures on Counseling. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203.
6. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Women of Destiny Bible. Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures, A Spirit Filled Life Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.
7. Warren W. Wiersbe. Devotions for comfort & Hope, Hebrews & John. Colorado, Springs, Colorado: Honor Books, @2006.


Website References:

        1. John 1 NKJV - The Eternal Word - In the beginning was - Bible Gateway

The Eternal Word. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through ...

   2. 1 John 1 NKJV - What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched - Bible Gateway

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched. 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our ...

  3. John 1 New King James Version | The New Bible.com

Bible.com is all new! Enjoy a free online Bible from You Version. Now, the simple, ad-free Bible experience loved by millions is available at Bible.com.

        4. Highway - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway
A highway is any public road or other public way on land; the term exists in distinction to waterway. In North American and Australian English, the term frequently ..
What is a highway? That may sound like a silly question, but the quality of highways can vary immensely within and between counties. Here are some things to expect.

       6. Isaiah 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way ...

biblehub.com/isaiah/35-8.htm
New International Version (©2011) And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way.
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men ...

        8. Isaiah 35:8-10 KJV - And an highway shall be there, and a - Bible ...

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men ...

        9. Isaiah 35:8-10 - BCBSR - The Berean Christian Bible Study ...

Highway to Heaven Isaiah 35:8-10 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it ...

       10. Isaiah 35:8 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Read Isaiah 35:8 commentary using John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. Study the bible online using commentary on Isaiah 35:8 and more!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

The dangers of pride


Definition of Pride
  1. satisfaction with self: the happy satisfied feeling somebody experiences when having or achieving something special that other people admire
  2. proper sense of own value: the correct level of respect for the importance and value of your personal character, life, efforts, or achievements
  3. feeling of superiority: a haughty attitude shown by somebody who believes, often unjustifiably, that he or she is better than others

Synonyms: arrogance, conceit, smugness, self-importance, egotism, vanity, immodesty, superiority

Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries two common meanings. With a negative connotation, pride refers to an inflated sense of one's personal status or accomplishments. With a positive connotation, pride refers to a satisfied sense of attachment toward one's own or another's choices and actions, or toward a whole group of people, and is a product of praise, independent self-reflection, or a fulfilled feeling of belonging.[1]

Here is a narrative and Biblical records go like this and we learn a deep lesson on the dangers of pride. King Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, and there was no one like him except King David and King Solomon; 2 King 18:5. King Hezekiah began his reign about 715 BC, and historians believe that he might have been a coregent with his father as early as 729, BC. While in reign, he destroyed the idols and the hill shrines where people falsely worshipped Jehovah, and started to bring vital faith in the Lord. So he brought back temple facilities, and services of worship, and led the people a nation wide two-week celebration of Passover and also invited Jews from the Northern Kingdoms to participate.    
 
Sennacherib, King of Assyria tried to take over Judah when Hezekiah was the king of Judah. After the fall of Northern Kingdom in 722 BC, Judah has constant conflict with Assyria and finally Hezekiah rebelled against Assyria. When Sennacherib threatened to attack, Hezekiah in his strength tried to bribe him with tribute, which was a lapse of faith on King Hezekiah’s part. Any way, Sennacherib accepted the bribe, but broke his treaty with Hezekiah and invaded Judah. “Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them” Isa: 36:1.

As we read further to Isaiah chapters 36-39, we learn some valuable lessons on the dangers of pride, and also on faith and prayer.  Sennacherib boasted of his military strength, his military strategies, and his great conquests and absolutely no one would be able to stand against him and his capacity. King of Assyria totally forgot about the Living God, His purposes on earth and His Omni potency! God humbles Sennacherib and his army by treating them like cattle and horses and leading them away from Jerusalem; Isa: 37:7, 29. “Then the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning--there were all the dead bodies! So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there”Isa: 37:36-37. Later in a power struggle among his sons, Sennacherib was assassinated by two of his sons in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy; Isa: 37:7; and this happened in the temple of his god; Isa: 37:38. As we read the history of these nations in the Book of Isaiah, we noticed that the field commander has ridiculed the gods of the nations, but Sennacherib’s god was not able to protect his life! The record of God’s miraculous deliverance of His people was recorded in Isaiah chapters 36 and 37.

As we apply the above Bible story to real life situations, my questions are as follows:

  1. As believers, do we come across bullies like Sennacherib? How do we handle such abusive people?
  2. If circumstances around us are overwhelming and over powering and if we are outnumbered, how do we react as a believer? Where is our hope? Where do our strength, sustenance and vitality come from?
  3. If some one in our life is always boasting on their capacities, and if you are in their life, what is the Biblical way of handling this?

God in His mercy demonstrated again and again His faithfulness to the people of Israel, and we need to have faith in the Living God. Prayer is a powerful weapon and hedge against our enemy, in all situations and circumstances. “When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the Lord” Isa: 37:1. The best way to baffle the malicious designs of our enemies against us is to be driven by them to God, and of course we talk to Him in prayer. The more Rabshakeh, the commander of King Assyria reproaches God, the more Hezekiah learns to honor Him. Hezekiah sent messages to Isaiah his desire for prayers. If our day is a day of trouble, let it become a day of prayer. There is nothing impossible with God, and the above history proves it.  


References: 

1. Dr. Ed Murphy. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992, 1996, pgs: 432-436.
2. Jay E. Adams. Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling, Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started.  New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002.
3. Jay E. Adams. How to Help People Change, The Four-step Biblical Process. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
4. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty. Introduction To Biblical Counseling, A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.
5. Jay E. Adams. Lectures on Counseling. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203.
6. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Women of Destiny Bible. Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures, A Spirit Filled Life Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.
7. Warren W. Wiersbe. Devotions for comfort & Hope, Isaiah & 1 Peter. Colorado, Springs, Colorado: Honor Books, @2006.

Notes:

1.        Pride - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride
Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries two common meanings. With a negative connotation, pride refers to an inflated sense of one's personal status or ...

Website References:

        1. John 1 NKJV - The Eternal Word - In the beginning was - Bible Gateway

The Eternal Word. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through ...

   2.        1 John 1 NKJV - What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched - Bible Gateway

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched. 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our ...

  3.        John 1 New King James Version | The New Bible.com

Bible.com is all new! Enjoy a free online Bible from You Version. Now, the simple, ad-free Bible experience loved by millions is available at Bible.com.

      4. Isaiah 36:1-22; Isaiah 37:1-7; Isaiah 37:30-35 - New King James ...

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them.

5.        Isaiah 37:1-3 NKJV - Isaiah Assures Deliverance - And so it ...

Isaiah Assures Deliverance - And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

6.        Isaiah 37:1 NIV - Jerusalem’s Deliverance Foretold - Bible Gateway

Jerusalem’s Deliverance Foretold - When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the LORD.

      7. Pride | Define Pride at Dictionary.com

dictionary.reference.com/browse/pride
noun 1. a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct ...

 8. Pride - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride
Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries two common meanings. ... The term Vanity originates from the Latin word vanitas meaning emptiness, untruthfulness ..
Pride (pr d), Thomas Died 1658. English Parliamentarian who led a regiment to Parliament and expelled Presbyterian and Royalist members who opposed the condemnation ...

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Confidence…..in Whom?


The words “confident” and “confidence” come very often in contemporary advertising. For example: automobile manufacturers, pharmaceutical firms, publishers, promote their products and their work with confidence. Confidence is a matter of trust and advertisers invariably ask us to trust their products, their company and want us to buy their products.  

Meaning of confidence:

1. Trust or faith in a person or thing.

2. A trusting relationship: I took them into my confidence.

3. a. That which is confided; a secret: A friend does not betray confidences.

    b. A feeling of assurance that a confidant will keep a secret: I am telling you this in strict confidence.

4. A feeling of assurance, especially of self-assurance.

5. The state or quality of being certain: I have every confidence in your ability to succeed.

Synonyms: confidence, assurance, aplomb, self-confidence, self-possession

Everyone lives by faith in something, and our faith is only as good as the person or the thing we are trusting. Very often the world system asks us to put our confidence and trust on wealth and possessions! We are going to compare this confidence to Biblical confidence. For a believer faith means trusting in God and doing what He wants, regardless of the circumstances and consequences, Ref: Gen 37, on Joseph’s profile. Book of Hebrews (Ref: Heb 11) relates how God takes ordinary people and helps them face tremendous challenges and do incredible things because they have confidence in Him. 

In the Old Testament we find the lives of various people who experienced these great victories, like Joshua and Deborah who subdued Kingdoms; Joshua and Judges 4-5. Daniel was saved from the mouth of lions; Dan: 6. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were kept from the fiery furnace; Dan: 3. A widow’s son was brought back to life by the prophet Elisha; 2 Kings 4:8-37. Hebrews 11 has been called faith’s Hall of Fame, and the author surprised us by his conclusion. These mighty Jewish heroes did not receive God’s final reward, because they all died before Jesus came. In God’s total plan, these Jewish heroes and those of us who endure much testing would be rewarded together.

We too can experience victory through faith in Christ. Our victories over oppression may be like those of the Old Testament saints, but more likely our victories will be directly related to the role God wants us to play. The Bible says, in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." When God is our motivator, why do we fear? God loves everyone in this world and His intension was to bless His people.

As we read in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control", let us be confident and take the first step in trusting Him and God will guide our steps further. The Bible says, in Proverbs 3:26 says, "For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared". Having a steadfast faith and trust in God does not guarantee a happy, carefree life without any trials along the road. On the contrary, the reality will be our faith almost guarantees us some form of abuse from the world. While we are on this part of eternity we will be never able to fully comprehend the purpose of our suffering, but we can be assured that God will keep His promise to us.


“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength”- Isaiah 30:15. Are we limiting God by the way we think? Imagine a circumstance that we can consider really bad. We can use whatever descriptive words we want - difficult, hard, agonizing, frustrating, strenuous, debilitating, horrific, sorrowful, confusing, perturbing, penetrating or painful. Is there a problem too awful or too hard for God to handle? If the answer to the above questions are NO; what is it that sopping us from trusting Him?

When the voice of disqualification comes to remind us of all the areas that we have fallen short in, that’s the time to turn to Jesus and be reminded of the One who qualified us perfectly by His undeserved, unmerited favour. It is better to remind ourselves that God gave His one and only Son Jesus Christ to die in our place, and because of that we shall live.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faintIsa: 40:31.
Do we truly believe that God will keep His promise to us?

References: 
1. Dr. Ed Murphy. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992, 1996, pgs: 432-436.
2. Jay E. Adams. Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling, Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started.  New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002.
3. Jay E. Adams. How to Help People Change, The Four-step Biblical Process. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
4. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty. Introduction To Biblical Counseling, A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.
5. Jay E. Adams. Lectures on Counseling. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203.
6. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Women of Destiny Bible. Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures, A Spirit Filled Life Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.
7. Warren W. Wiersbe. Devot    ions for confidence & Integrity, Hebrews & John. Colorado, Springs, Colorado: Honor Books, @2006.

Website References:

        1. John 1 NKJV - The Eternal Word - In the beginning was - Bible Gateway

The Eternal Word. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through ...

   2.        1 John 1 NKJV - What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched - Bible Gateway

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched. 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our ...

  3.        John 1 New King James Version | The New Bible.com

Bible.com is all new! Enjoy a free online Bible from You Version. Now, the simple, ad-free Bible experience loved by millions is available at Bible.com.

       4. Confidence - definition of confidence by the Free Online ...

1. a feeling of trust in a person or thing I have confidence in his abilities. 2. belief in one's own abilities; self-assurance.

5.        Building Self-Confidence - Prepare Yourself for Success - Stress ...

You CAN become be self-confident! Learn how to build self-confidence that will really last with our 3-step action plan and video.

     6. What The Bible Says About Self Confidence

ezinearticles.com/?What-The-Bible-Says-About-Self-Confidence&id=...
 Self confidence or self esteem is very important for a human to prosper in his life. A person without confidence will never trust himself and will miss ...
What verses in the Bible help with increasing confidence in yourself?