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I noticed while going through all the discussion groups listed, that BC does not have a library of recommended reading material which, along with God's word "the Bible" might be of benefit to other believers. If I have missed something, please let me know.
If you have suggestions of Christian materials which might benefit another person on this site, please let us know the name of the book/publication, the author/publisher, and where this might be obtained.
Bibles come in numerous translations but are all the Word of God. What Bible do you use, and why is it meaningful to you?
In setting up this site, I would like to let everyone know that they would please stay to the topic intended for the use of others who may be in need of information.
God Bless all who respond, and thank you.
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All The People
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Sep 2, 2009 1:51 pm
351 Views
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Nehemiah 8:1
"And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel." KJB
It has been estimated that there were 42,000 people who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon to rebuild the temple and they were all gathered there together just to hear the word of God being read. Today, if you see that many gathered together to have church, you would find that they are there simply to have their ears tickled as Scriptures said would happen in the last days, just before the Lord's second coming. Even if it was not "all the people" but rather a figurative portion of the the people, this 42.000 people is still a rather large group. However, it does say in the next two verses this: "And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law." (Nehemiah 8:2-3) KJB. Therefore, what we see represented here is the "...men and the women, and those that could understand...", and these are all except the smallest child. I also want you to see something about these people, they all "stood up" during the reading of God's Word and also over the exposition of said Scriptures. (Nehemiah 8:5-7) KJB. There were 14 people listed, and also the "Levites" which were the religious group of the Israelites, and the people stood while these 14 preachers and the Levites expounded or preached the Word of God to the people. I cannot fathom our churches standing for that many of preachers, 14 plus, who expound the word of God, little own, one Preacher. They stood there from "...before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand;..." and there was something else that I cannot see the churches of today doing and that is "...and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law." (Verse 3). KJB
It has been presumed that the only thing they had was the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible), because according to Jewish tradition, Ezra, one of the those who read that day, eventually compiled the rest of the books together, which by the way is the entire Old Testament canon. But this reading of only the Pentateuch, was enough because we read that "...all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law..." (verse 9). Today, we have more of a cause to weep, because we have the finished work of redemption through the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to read about. Ezra further explained that, even though they had sinned against their God, God had forgiven them and redeemed them and kept His promises to them by restoring them to their land, then they had joy as well as grief over their sins.
This is a fine example of what our churches should be like today. For we gather together in order to hear the Word of God being read and expounded on, just as they did there in Ezra's day. The only difference is that we have the whole word of God whereas they only had the Old Testament. When the Word of God is read we should be both sad and glad because we are saved or redeemed from our sins because God loved us enough to die for us on the Cross of Calvary. We are still sinners, just like the nation of Israel during Ezra's day, but we are forgiven completely from our sins, all of them by one sacrifice of the only perfect one who could, Jesus Christ. Then, as we stand to hear the Word of God read, we also can have "...the joy of the Lord..." which becomes our "strength" and we can give to God our true worship and true obedience. (Nehemiah 8:10) KJB. We can only take this as an example of what true believers are to do, stand for the reading of God's Word and then worship Him in true joy and in true repentance of our sins.
What about you, do you stand during the reading of God's Word?
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Guarding Our Heart
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Sep 1, 2009 12:58 pm
322 Views
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Proverbs 4:23
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." KJB
I want you to understand that the Greek word here, "nasar", translated here as "keep", and gives us the sense of guarding or protection. In Psalm 119, this same word is used "4" times and seems to stress the idea or necessity for "keeping" (guarding) things, which are our "testimonies, God's statutes, God's laws, God's precepts, and God's commandments." I must stress that if there is anything from God, especially His Written Word, then we need to KEEP (guard) it.
Our text tells us of the importance of "guarding our hearts" which is the issues of this life. Our Lord Jesus said: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:45-46) KJB. In other words, our hearts are the central thing of this life and indeed needs to be guarded or kept in His word. Jesus also said, regarding our heart: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15; 15:10) KJB. The idea of keeping His Commandments is not a matter of the head but of the heart, so, when we keep His commandments we are doing so not because we have to but because we want to and love Him.
It is no marvel that the very first commandment that if the heart of all the rest is to "...love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength." (Mark 12:30) KJB. Again, it is because we "keep" our hearts towards Him that we show forth our Love for Him. There are a few things or principles that need to be guarded because they are centered in our hearts and these are the issues of life.
First thing: If we seek our God with all our hearts, we will find Him. (Deuteronomy 4:29; Jeremiah 29:13) and we read: "But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul...And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." KJB.
Second thing: We need to believe completely the Gospel with all our heart in order to be saved. (Romans 10:9; Hebrews 11:6) and we read: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved...But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." KJB
Third thing: If we KEEP iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us. (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:1-2) and we read: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:...Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." KJB
The last thing: We will have confidence with God if our hearts do not condemn us, and if we are saved we are not condemned. (1 John 3:21-24) "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. KJB.
Therefore, "He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart" (Psalm 15:2), he/she it is who will live forever with the Lord of heaven and earth. This does not mean that it is our works which save us but rather that, because He is in our hearts, we will "DO" all these things through the love for Him and not for our salvation, because that is given freely to all who believe. If we receive Christ into our hearts we must "guard" our hearts in doing well, for that is the will of God for all believers.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Holy Ghost Power
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Aug 31, 2009 1:33 pm
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Acts 1:8
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." KJB
This promise from Jesus tells us about the beginning of the New Covenant which is to change the Old Covenant which God made with Israel and also it heralds in the age of the Gentile's who would take the gospel around the world. However, prior to the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:" (Joel 2:2 KJB, which is repeated in Acts 2:16, and on the day of Pentecost (fiftieth day after Passover), all of the saints were empowered from on high with the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, there are many who seem to think that this power is the ability to speak in an unknown language, which is not a language man can understand and even saying that if one does not speak in this "unknown language" they are not saved. But, is that the reason the Holy Spirit was to come? No, actually the Holy Spirit came to provide comfort to us, and to give us the "power (ability) to be witnesses for Jesus Christ "...both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." KJB.
All Children of God have the Holy Spirit come upon them, and comes to dwell within at the instant of salvation. We will never receive any more of the Holy Spirit, contrary to popular belief, than we have at the instant of salvation. We will receive "the better thing" (Hebrews 11:40) at the time of salvation, and our bodies have become the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19) or we could say, of the Holy Spirit and His Son. At times, the Holy Spirit will help us to pray, when we do not know what to pray for and we read: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27) KJB. We who are saved have been "quickened" (made alive) as the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 3:1 comes into our hearts, therefore, we need to "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). Hence, the question, what is this "dunamis" (Greek for power), that the Holy Spirit gives to us?
Obviously, the Holy Spirit comes in and gives to us the ability to be witnesses for Jesus all over the world, to preach the Gospel to the dying, being His witnesses to these dead souls. It is His indwelling us at the instant of Salvation when He gives us this power (Ephesians 3:16-20). KJB. We read that our flesh has "no good thing" (Romans 7:1 but our souls have been made completely clean and made alive, which gives us this empowered Spirit-filled life. We can grieve the Holy Spirit by succumbing to the temptations which our flesh comes in contact with but we will never lose the Holy Spirit, or rather He will never leave us nor forsake us because He is a part of the Godhead. We cannot lose our salvation contrary to what some believe. Jesus died only one time and cannot be placed on the cross again to die for us, for it was once and for all that He died. If it was not for this indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we would never be able to live the righteous life that God demands that we do (Ephesians 1:14, John 15:5).
Thanks to the omnipotent and omniscient Creator and the Holy Spirit who dwells within, we receive gifts for the edifying and encouraging each other. (Ephesians 4 -16). The Holy Spirit also gives us the ability to show forth the "fruits of the Spirit" to others. And we can read about these "fruits" in the epistle to the church at Galatia which Paul wrote, for they are Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Then, through this encouragement from each other within our assemblies and also by the fruit of the Spirit, which is obvious in our daily lives, the great privilege and honor to tell others of the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16) KJB. This "witness" is not only spoken by our mouths but is also by what people see in us, or how we handle ourselves. It is by what people see through us which most often gives them the desire to have what we have. So it is very important that Christ be seen rather than our flesh, which wars against the Spirit. Read what Paul said to the church at Thessalonica: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." (1 Thessalonians 1:5) KJB. Therefore, what we say, what we wear makes a great impression on those around us, so be all you can be for His names sake, because people are listening to you and watching what you do.
So the question for today is, are you allowing the “power” of the Holy Spirit to work through you?
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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I Will Never Leave Thee
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Aug 30, 2009 3:25 pm
334 Views
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Hebrews 13:5
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." KJB
We hear this one verse many times over the course of our lives as we struggle to serve Him and oft times doubt that He is with us during those times. But have we ever spent the time just thinking about what is being said here, and have we truly committed ourselves to believing it and "using" the phrase "I will never leave thee" into our daily lives? I have found that in order to be truly said to believe something I have had to commit it to my daily life and believe what it says. If our Lord says, and remember He cannot lie, that He will never leave us then we can rest assured that is exactly what will happen. When the times come in which we feel that He is not with us, it is not because He left us, but rather we stopped believing that he said, "I will never leave thee".
The first part of our text would seem to not be a part of this verse but when we stop and realize what the word means, when it was written by the Old English writers, that it makes perfect sense. The word "conversation" does not mean, in our King James Bible, speaking, but rather it means our attitudes or our character. Our character (conversation) should never be with covetousness, because that is sin in the eyes of God. The Greek word used here is the combination of two words. It is the first word in the Greek alphabet, "a" and "philarguros", so we have "aphilarguros" which literally means without covetousness and means the desire to have more than what we already have. And the next portion of our text today would suggest the meaning also because it says, "...be content with such things as ye have...". Therefore, our attitude or character should be such as that we desire nothing more than what we already have. Now, the last portion of our text says, "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." If we think about it, do we actually need anything more than Christ Himself? NO! He did say that we are not to be concerned about what we eat, or what we wear because He will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19) KJB.
This marvelous promise should serve to help us realize that our strength does not come from without, but rather from within us, because we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit and it is He who gives us comfort for He is the Great Comforter that Jesus said would come after He left for good and that happens to all believers the minute they ask Jesus to come into their hearts and save them. AMEN! Our trust, complete trust, should always be in the Lord and in His promises which is in stark contrast to the admonition which is in our text, our character or mindset should "...be without covetousness; and [to] be content with such things as [we] have." I have come to the great knowledge that the presence of God in our lives is far more important that silver, gold or our material possessions, and He should always be enough in our lives. Unfortunately, our world teaches that the possession of things will make ones life full and happy. But that is not true. I have know some very rich people and not a one of them were happy with their lives. It takes the indwelling of God into our hearts which gives us the fulfillment and joy that we desire. I know, even though I sometimes do not look like I am happy, that without Him in my life I would be miserable, and most likely dead and in hell's torment by now.
This promise we read in our text is even more emphatic in the original Greek. Earlier I defined the Greek word "aphilarguros" (without covetousness) but it is the rest which makes this verse so great. The word "leave" in our text means to uphold or sustain, but it has two, yes two, negatives which is repeated. If we read it as the Greek says, we would read it this way: "I will not, I will not cease to uphold/sustain you!" What a marvelous promise. Remember, if God repeats something in Scriptures it is very important and even though our text has to "negatives" it should never be taken negatively, but rather "VERY" positively. Now the word "forsake" gives us the implication of forsaking one in a position of hopelessness, and it is repeated with a three/fold negative, therefore, we read: "I'll never, never, never abandon you in a hopelessness state!" Remember if God repeats something, we need to pay attention and trust completely what is being said. He said "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Wow, what a great promise.
Furthermore, if what I said earlier is not enough, what we read is a personal promise from Jesus Himself. The simple phrase: "He hath said" (which is in a high intense form in the Greek) and if we use what we learned earlier, this could read: "He, himself, hath said..." and means that our Lord and Savior is staking His entire reputation on what He is saying and His ability to keep the promise He makes in our text. It is not a wonder that we can very boldly say, "The Lord is my Savior, and I trust Him with all my heart, because He promised that He would never leave me nor forsake me." He is not only ABLE to keep His promises but He desires to keep them because He loves us and desires to have the very best for us.
Paul said: "...we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:6) KJB. If the greatest evangelist that has ever hit the road can say, after all the things that He went through, I should be able to say the same thing. That is what we all should think and believe.
Remember the last verse of one of the greatest hymns that has ever been written: It is the hymn, "How firm a Foundation" We read: "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I will not desert to his foes. That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake I'll never, no never, no never forsake."
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Prayers needed for Dr. Cleveland
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Aug 28, 2009 8:38 pm
307 Views
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I would ask all who read my postings from Dr. Cleveland to pray for his health. Many years ago, he was in contact with Agent Orange, and it has affected his health severly. In place of a posting sent from Dr. Cleveland, the following are two devotions from Charles Spurgeon sent from another friend who is also a retired pastor.
"Oil for the light."-Exodus 25:6
My soul, how much thou needest this, for thy lamp will not long continue to burn without it. Thy snuff will smoke and become an offence if light be gone, and gone it will be if oil be absent. Thou hast no oil well springing up in thy human nature, and therefore thou must go to them that sell and buy for thyself, or like the foolish virgins, thou wilt have to cry, "My lamp is gone out." Even the consecrated lamps could not give light without oil; though they shone in the tabernacle they needed to be fed, though no rough winds blew upon them they required to be trimmed, and thy need is equally as great. Under the most happy circumstances thou canst not give light for another hour unless fresh oil of grace be given thee.
It was not every oil that might be used in the Lord's service; neither the petroleum which exudes so plentifully from the earth, nor the produce of fishes, nor that extracted from nuts would be accepted; one oil only was selected, and that the best olive oil. Pretended grace from natural goodness, fancied grace from priestly hands, or imaginary grace from outward ceremonies will never serve the true saint of God; he knows that the Lord would not be pleased with rivers of such oil. He goes to the olive-press of Gethsemane, and draws his supplies from Him who was crushed therein. The oil of gospel grace is pure and free from lees and dregs, and hence the light which is fed thereon is clear and bright. Our churches are the Saviour's golden candelabra, and if they are to be lights in this dark world, they must have much holy oil. Let us pray for ourselves, our ministers, and our churches, that they may never lack oil for the light. Truth, holiness, joy, knowledge, love, these are all beams of the sacred light, but we cannot give them forth unless in private we receive oil from God the Holy Ghost.
FAITH'S CHECK BOOK
Out of Any Circumstance
As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. (Psalm 55:16)
es, I must and will pray. What else can I do! What better can I do? Betrayed, forsaken, grieved, baffled, O my Lord, I will call upon Thee. My Ziklag is in ashes, and men speak of stoning me; but I encourage my heart in the Lord, who will bear me through this trial as He has borne me through so many others. Jehovah shall save me; I am sure He will, and I declare my faith.
The Lord and no one else shall save me. I desire no other helper and would not trust in an arm of flesh even if I could. I will cry to Him evening, and morning, and noon, and I will cry to no one else, for He is all sufficient.
How He will save me I cannot guess; but He will do it, I know. He will do it in the best and surest way, and He will do it in the largest, truest, and fullest sense. Out of this trouble and all future troubles the great I AM will bring me as surely as He lives; and when death comes and all the mysteries of eternity follow thereon, still will this be true: "the Lord shall save me." This shall be my song all through this autumn day. Is it not as a ripe apple from the tree of life? I will feed upon it. How sweet it is to my taste!
Used with permission
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Abstinence is Godly
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Aug 27, 2009 2:52 pm
345 Views
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1 Thessalonians 5:22-23
"Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
KJB
In todays devotional I want to speak about what we need to be for the Lord's sake. I see, in todays "modern" church, many things should not be, mostly their physical appearance. Not because it makes it seem like the church has rules that are to strong but so that the name of Christ will not be seen in the same light as the world, which is in darkness. The world, and it's systems, definitely do not reflect God in any shape or form. And for the Christian to come to the assembling of ourselves together [going to church], which we are commanded to do, looking like the world, and as we see the time when our Lord comes back, we need to look like something different, which the world is looking for, even though they do not know it. (Hebrews 10:25) KJB.
The first thing is that of our outward appearance. If we look like the world then where is the change? That is the question. If our dress, our outward appearance, still looks like the world, then how can the world see the difference that is within us? We are changed on the inside so why not change the outward appearance in order to reflect what Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, has done for us on the inside, and that is making us clean, throwing our sins from us "...as far as the east is from the west..."(Psalm 103:12) KJB. Women, if you wear the same clothes that you wore before you were saved, which is actually to attract the male, then you are sinning. Why would you be sinning if you wear the clothing that reveals more than it should? Because it is how God created the man in the first place. We all know that men and women react to each other in different modes. The woman usually needs to be stimulated by touch, whereas, the male, only needs to see a woman in order to get excited. Take for instance what David did, we read this: "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" (2 Samuel 11:2-3) KJB. Therefore, when the woman wears clothing which reveals too much, they are stimulating men in a sexual sense. This is the reason porno is so popular with the world and out of control, and it is usually men who are looking at it and becoming addicted to it. Ladies, if you are born again, you need to wear clothing which has less stimulating affect in the gentlemen. In other words, clothing that actually fits and is not skin tight, and clothing which does not reveal what you have. God gave you the ability for a reason, that is nothing more than the procreation.. Remember David, when he was standing on his balcony one evening, he saw the wife of one of his top generals in her back yard and become excited and ordered that she be brought before him and he committed adultery with her, and even had her husband killed so that he could have her. This is what David did, we read this: "And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child." (2 Samuel 11:2-5) KJB.
And as we read further, after David found out that Bath-sheba was with child because of his adultery, he sent Uriah to the front of the battle and ordered the others to move away from Uriah so that he was killed in that battle. Therefore, David not only sinned with adultery but with pre-meditated murder also. All because David "saw" Bath-sheba taking a bath in her back yard and desired her. So you see, man is excited or turned on by sight, where the woman is usually excited by touch. Ladies, so you can see how important it is that you dress in modest apparell so that the men around you are not caused to sin, and our Bible tells us that even if we think about doing something it is sin. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good , and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17) KJB. Jesus said: "That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." (Mark 7:20-23) KJB. Yes, it is true, that if we act on those thoughts, then it becomes evil, but it starts from thinking, and the man thinks about things and is excited, and sins when reacts to that thinking. Ladies, then is it not better to remove that temptation from the sight of men? YES! The next and last thing is what comes from our mouths. We read this: "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth." (Colossians 3: KJB.
And we read also this: "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:...He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." (1 Peter 3:10; Proverbs 13:3) KJB. What comes from our mouths usually defines who we are. If we use language that is unbecoming of a Christian, then are we not reflecting that back onto Christ? YES! The world is watching, listening to everything that we do and say and judges us accordingly. If our language is the same as before salvation, then they can not see the change that is from within. If our clothing looks just like the world and entices the opposite sex, then are we not the same as the world? YES! Our appearance needs to be such as becomes a Christian and our language needs to be such as brings honor and glory unto the Lord.
What about you, does your outward appearance of your language still look and sound like the world? Now, think about it and answer honestly.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Fiery Trials
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Aug 26, 2009 2:49 pm
369 Views
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1 Peter 4:12-14
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." KJB
We all have trials that we have to go through but there are those who go through trials for worse than any one who simply is rejected by loved ones because of their faith. These are those who actually lose their lives for the cause of Christ. Today, on Christian radio, I heard of an ex-Muslim, who was killed simply because those who killed him heard a rumor that he had converted to Christianity. Yes, even in the 21st century, there are those who are still being killed for the cause of Christ. Millions of Christians, throughout the centuries, have been martryd because of their belief in Christ. "...on their (those who are not Christian) part he (Christ) is evil spoken of, but on your (Christians) part he is glorified." Notice the comparison between the non-Christian and the Christian. On the part of the non-Christian, Jesus' name is spoken as though He is Satan incarnate, even though He created Satan, but on the part of the Christian, Jesus' name is glorified, wow, what a marvelous thing to learn.
Therefore, if He is glorified by the Christian, should we do all we can not to reflect the world on His name. In what we do, what we wear, or even by what we say in the way of words. These all should never make the world think that Jesus is anything other than who He is, the God of all creation. If what we do, what we wear or the words which we use, show Him in a light other than that of perfection, then should we not do something about that, for His being in us, because of Salvation, we are supposed to be changed, but if there does not seem to be change, then how does that reflect on our Lord? You see, it matters what we do now, because every thing we do is being looked at by someone else. If we still look like the world, and it's many traps, then how will someone come to know Him as Lord and Savior, because we are His example to the world. The world, the people in the world, are looking for something different: let that difference be reflected in you. Yes, it will cause "fiery trials" to come, but would you rather not have them, than for your Lord to ask you, "And what did you do for me?"
Remember, Christ never promised that all would be a bed of roses, but rather He did promise that we would be hated for our stand (John 15:18-21), but He did say that we would be victorious in our stand and also we are to be sanctified in it. We read: "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:14-17) KJB.
Remember what we sing in the fourth verse of "How Firm a Foundation": "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flames shall not hurt thee, I only design, Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine." In God's wisdom, He may allow this fiery trial to block our life's paths, but we will never face these times alone. His grace will always supply our every need. If we need strength to get through them, even though our bodies might be killed, our souls will never feel death. We are given, at the moment of salvation, eternal life and that life is in His presence, because eternal death, being the opposite, is total separation from Him and His glory in heaven. Our needs, at times such as these, will always be with strength and courage, because through out the many centuries there have been many instances of His strength being given and by the testimonies of those who have been killed for His names sake we learn of this.
Remember, that the heating of Gold above it's melting point, allows the heavier gold to be separated from the rest of the impurities which is always in gold, gold never comes from the ground in it's pure form, 24 carat, but rather might contain some other metal, such as silver, copper, platinum, steel or any other thing that makes it impure. Gold has to be heated beyond it's melting point in order to separate it from the other things. Such is the Christian, we have to go through these "fiery trials" so that we can come out the other side, being perfect. He, God, allows this to push us beyond the melting point, in order to separate us from all that is un-Holy and imperfect. He does it to "...purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14) KJB.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Deep Waters
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Aug 25, 2009 11:09 am
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Isaiah 43:2
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." KJB
Unfortunately, the world we live in is not the Garden of Eden but rather a world which sin has plagued it and the curse which God placed upon it when Adam and Eve did their thing and disobeyed the one rule that God the Father had placed on them. Even the most Godly of Christians cannot get away from that one not so simple fact. We are subject to the ravages of disease, of accidents, old age, famine, drought, and all kinds of pestilence, and we are all subject to the sins and the wrong choices of others. If we stop and think about what is going on in this world, we cannot help but see the sin which ravages the whole world and it's systems.
Many times in our life, the suffering we are plagued with is deserved, which is due to our own personal sins and most definitely the wrong choices we make and we all make wrong choices. The consequent suffering that we have to go through may be the direct result of those choices, or may be simply the chastisement of God in order to correct us and move us toward the right choices. If we could change anything, it needs to be the choices we make, even though, at times it is very hard to make the right choice because of our flesh and what it desires, which most often has nothing to do with the will of God. But as we go through these "deep waters" of our choices, we can rest assured that our God is there with us. One of the most often quoted verses in the Bible, and it is a Psalm which only contains six verses, we read: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." (Psalm 23:1-6) KJB.
Notice that this Psalm literally tells us, as we go through the valleys of death, the rod and staff of God comforts us. He is our Great Shepherd, and we should never desire anything but God and He will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory. There might be times when we need to go through these "deep waters", but, we do not have to ever face them alone, because our God and Savior tells us that He will never forsake us nor leave us during those times. One of the greatest of Old Time Christian songs, "How Firm a Foundation" teaches us this: "When through the deep waters I call thee to go. The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."
James begins his book, which details the effective Christian life, he describes the benefits of our trials, we read this: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience...Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [or trials]: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life" (James 1:3, 12) KJB. I want you to understand, even Job, through all the he went through, reflected the very same thing that James said about our faith. The very same thing is talked about by many of the Bible's writers and none more than Peter and especially Paul, (for example 1 Peter 1; Romans 8:1 KJB and has many saints down through the centuries.
God never promised that it would be all roses in fact He promised the very opposite. He allows things to happen so that we might have a stronger faith in Him and especially our trust in Him. When we get through the other side of these "deep waters" we cannot help but give God the honor and praise, if we know up front that we will go through them, but when we are told before we receive Him, that if we do, all will be hunky dory in our lives when we become a Christian. Folks, I would rather have people know the truth rather than to be told a lie and fall by the wayside having been told that all will be well if they accept the Lord as their Lord and Savior. God promised to be with us through each and every one of our valleys or deep waters. Let us give Him the honor and glory when we go through them. Let us lean on Him, taking His strength because His strength will see us through all trials and tribulations.
What about you, have you been trying to get through these times in your own strength and failing? Then go through them in Jesus' strength and see the difference.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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No Fear
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Aug 24, 2009 7:56 pm
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Isaiah 41:10
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." KJB
No where in Scriptures does it tell us that as a Christian we will have a life of ease, wealth or even world acceptance. In fact we are told over and over again that we will have many trials and tribulations in this world. If we learn any thing from our text for today, let us learn that our God, our Savior, will never leave us nor will He forsake us. Jesus said: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.." (John 15:18-19) KJB. We, as Jesus said here, are not of this world any more, having been born again, therefore, the world hates us and will come against us. The world killed our Lord and Savior but the grave could not hold Him for He rose the third day. Therefore, proving that He is God, when He said, "...I am with thee..." so you need not "fear" what the world will do to you. If the world kills you Paul said "...to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8b) KJB. In other words, if the world kills us, we will instantly be in the presence of the Lord. That is the great doctrine which Christians throughout the centuries have believed and died knowing it.
Our text for today is the basis for one of the greatest old hymns that has ever been written.. The second verse follows closely to what our text says: for we read in this old hymn this: "Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand." As we sing this song we are learning Bible Doctrine. Therefore, as we learn this doctrine, we should not have any illusions regarding his or her possible circumstances. If the Lord will have us to be wealthy, we will be wealthy, if He wants us to be poor, then that is what will happen. He should have total control over every aspect of our lives, no matter what happens in it. Too many "Christians" fall away because of something happening within their lives that they cannot understand. Such as someone they love dying before their supposedly time, being too young. Who are we to know the mind of God and know what He has in mind for each and every person on this earth? When we are taken, we are taken, that is it.. I know for a fact that I should not be here but I am, therefore, I need to be about His business.
Remember, He does not ever promise us that we will have everything in this life. But He does promise that He will never leave us no matter what happens. Remember, He is just, Holy and all powerful, able to deal with any situation with rightness and we will ultimately be completely victorious, even though we have that victory now, we might not feel that we have it. It is with His help that we gain the strength to get through each and every day, no matter what happens. We also read: "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." (Isaiah 41:13) KJB. However, before this text we read something that we need to learn and learn well and that is the fate of those who come against us: "Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought." (Isaiah 41:11-12) KJB. "...they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish." Wow, notice that those who come against us are nothing in the grand scheme of things. We also read in the New Testament this: "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?..Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?" (Romans 8:31, 33) KJB. Three great questions, which are answered in the name of Jesus Christ, for it is He who defeated Satan on the cross of Calvary. He has already won the war, even though we are still in the battle and will be till He takes us home. Remember, the Spiritual Armor that Paul tells us about in Ephesians chapter six. If we place on this Armor, we will not be dismayed nor discouraged. But if we fail to put on the armor of God, then we will be buffeted about and brought down. Let us gain our strength to live each and every day for His names sake and for Him alone. If we fail to follow Him in all things then the world will win the battle but will never win our souls because they are permanently God's, therefore, Satan can never harm who we are truly. He might be able to kill these bodies but He will never touch the true us, which is in our born again souls. For it is the soul which is saved and atoned for in the first place.
While here on this earth, we are in the flesh, even though our souls are God's, the flesh wars against the soul. He loves us and will never leave us nor forsake us, no matter what happens in our lives. Everything that is written in the Bible is there to make us better than who we are.
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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Children's Children
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Aug 24, 2009 7:51 pm
300 Views
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Proverbs 17:6
"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers." KJB
If you are a grand parent you can understand what this verse means because our "Children's children" is my crown. We are told that we are to bring up our children "...in the nurture and admonition of the Lord..." (Ephesians 6:4). Paul gives each and every parent this warning: "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged." (Colossians 3:21) KJB. We should take heed but this verse does not mean that we are to let our children walk all over us either. Unfortunately our society, specifically our schools, are teaching our children that they have rights and that their parents are not allowed to discipline them if they do wrong, taking the parents control over their children away from them. We are told over and over again that we are to teach our children the word of God and to love them as Christ would love them. Christ Himself punished those who did wrong. Many Biblical messages to fathers, and not to the mothers even though they are also a part of this, but the responsibility of teaching their children the word falls on the fathers. These biblical messages reflect the real familial need for family discipline and godly leadership in the home (Proverbs 22:6, 15; Genesis 18:19) KJB. Parents need to lead by example and if we as parents are giving to our children the wrong message about duty and responsibility then they will give the wrong message to their children. Usually what we teach our children gets passed down through generations.
Our text for today tells us that as grandparents our grandchildren are a crown to us but there is another part of our text for today that is different. Even though it teaches Godly leadership, the immediate central theme is on the children themselves. Children, as I said before, receive "glory" or praise from their parents, and if we as parents fail to tell our children we are proud of them, then the possibility that they will not say that to their children is very likely. Now, what is this "glory" that is being spoken of?
In out Bible, "glory" actually centers on values, worthiness or the reputation of the child or adult. For example, our Bible teaches us that our Lord and Savior was to "...come in the glory of his Father..." (Matthew 16:27; Mark 8:38; and other verses), and the reputation of the Father was conferred or given to the Son.. We read this: "For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (2 Peter 1:17) KJB. Now, it only seems to be logical that, as His children also, we can receive this same honor and glory: receiving from the Father "Well done , thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:21, 23) KJB. Jesus came to do the will of the Father and the Father said, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22) KJB.
So, it would behoove us, fathers, it is important that we learn this very important and critical principle. Your reputation is reflected in your children. Your behavior, at home, or the work space, is most often the indicator of your children's potential. If we treat our children, and grand children as they are the most precious thing that we can ever have and love them as Christ loves them, for He said, "Suffer little children , and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14: Mark 10:14) KJB. What you say and do in those moments when your anger or uncontrolled passion, gets the best of you is what your children will pick up the most because it is what they think is the real you. Unfortunately I have allowed those moments of unbridled passion to get the best of me, at least before salvation, and that is how my children see me now. I am called the Great Grump or Grumpa by my children. The very common cliche, "like father, like son" has been seen as a very accurate measure of our cultures human existence. If we act out, most likely our children will do also. The best thing we can do is to love our children as Christ loves them. I know for a fact that I would die for my children, the question is, would you?
Our Lord tells us in a place in our Bible we learn that "the iniquity of the fathers" will be passed "upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation" (Exodus 34) KJB. If we teach our children evil things, then most likely they will do them when they have children, even unto our great, great, great grandchildren. Now is that what you want to happen? I know it isn't. If we teach our children good things, and the Word of God is the best of them all, they will most likely teach their children's children the same thing.
Now, isn't it much better that your children receive that glory that our text speaks of from your
righteous life?
By Dr. Terry Cleaveland, Pastor (retired), Preacher, Teacher of God's Holy Word, Grand Junction, Co.
Used with permission
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