The Glory of God

The Glory of God

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

when we let others see Jesus in us, they see an extension of the glory of God in us because we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4).

When we let others see Jesus in us, they see an extension of the glory of God in us because we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4).

Hebrews 1:3

I’m reminded of when Philip asked Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us,” to which Jesus replied, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?  Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…” (John 14:8-9).  No wonder the Hebrew writer called Jesus “the radiance of the glory of God!”  When we behold Jesus, we see the glory of God (John 1:14)!  Even more thought provoking, when we let others see Jesus in us, they see an extension of the glory of God in us because we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4).  This is why God wants us to grow in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (2 Pet. 1:5-7).

Earlier in that same conversation, Jesus had said to Thomas, “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.  From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:7).  This is why the Hebrew writer referred to Jesus as “the exact imprint” of the nature of God.  Paul said this about Jesus:  “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col. 2:9).

Paul also said earlier in his letter to the Colossians, “…and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17).  In like manner the Hebrew writer proclaimed that Jesus “upholds the universe by the word of his power.”  With such power and might as Jesus has, how foolish are we to deny him!

Thank God we have nothing to fear if we obey him, because he purified us from our sins through his sacrifice on the cross, something the Hebrew writer would allude to both here and later in his epistle (Heb. 2:17; 9:26, 28).  After doing so, he “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” when he ascended into heaven.  There he sits right now, our Lord and Savior and Mediator, reigning over his kingdom the church and all angels, authorities, and powers (Eph. 1:20-23; 1 Pet. 3:22).  There he will continue to reign until all enemies are under his feet (1 Cor. 15:25-26).

Have you submitted to him?

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EL MIERCOLES DE CENIZA

EL MIERCOLES DE CENIZA
Nicodemo, un maestro de la ley se aproximó a Jesús en Juan 3,  e hizo la pregunta más importante que el Ser humano puede hacerle a Dios: ¿Maestro, que puedo hacer para heredad la vida eterna?. La respuesta de Jesús a este hombre fue contundente, nacer del agua y del Espíritu. La vida eterna parte de esta mima declaración, sin embargo  el tema que tenemos por delante puede ser importante a tratar, para aclarar dudas.

Ash Wednesday is indeed a practice that corresponds almost in a unique way to the Roman Catholic Church with some exceptions in sectors of Methodism.

Ash Wednesday is indeed a practice that corresponds almost in a unique way to the Roman Catholic Church with some exceptions in sectors of Methodism.

El Miércoles de Ceniza es de hecho una práctica que corresponde casi de una manera única a la Iglesia católica Romana con algunas excepciones en sectores del Metodismo. La intención principal es marcar el inicio de la “Cuaresma”, esto es cuarenta días antes de la celebración de la semana santa o la semana mayor. Estas cenizas son el resultado de las palmas quemadas del año pasado del domingo de ramos, poniendo una marca de la cruz en la frente cada persona que está participando de esta tradición. Una búsqueda simple del origen de esta práctica revela que no es algo que inició en los tiempos del Nuevo Testamento y ni siquiera es una práctica que inicia en Israel o en el sector del Judaísmo. Wikipedia apunta a lo siguiente:  “Los ninivitas usaban la ceniza como gesto de arrepentimiento profundo. Los mensajeros de malas noticias solían cubrir de ceniza su cabeza.” Por supuesto que la practica especifica de la marca en la frente cobra vida como un acto religioso hasta después del 606 cuando  formalmente inicia el catolisísmo. 
  La Biblia, la palabra de Dios escrita siendo la fuente y la autoridad nuestra en todo, no menciona absolutamente nada en cuanto a el miércoles de Ceniza, ni Jesús, ni los apóstoles, ni los primeros cristianos ni siquiera la gente de las ciudad hizo esto o al menos que haya registro de ello. Sin embargo el asunto de la marca de la cruz  en la frente en un Miércoles lleva a otra causa más grande y lo es la semana santa. El sistema judío observada con mucho cuidado días especiales que para cuando se hace el cambio de ley y establece el Nuevo Pacto, Dios mismo decide no tomar en cuenta ya más ninguno de estos días o semanas o festividades de carácter especial (Col. 2:14-16)excepto uno… a saber el Domingo. No existe mandamiento alguno para reflexionar específicamente en el sacrificio de Jesús en un una sola semana en el año, contrario a eso el mismo Señor instituyó la cena en Mateo 26 para que la Iglesia pudiera hacer memoria de este sacrificio cada primer día de cada semana, esta es la instrucción de Pablo para con la Iglesia (1Co. 11:23-30). La semana santa y el Miércoles de ceniza no son más que una simple tradición humana que por tradiciones humanas semejantes a estas los liderez religiosos en los tiempos de Jesús invalidaban los mandamientos de Dios (Mt. 15:1-8). El Miércoles de ceniza, pintando una cruz en la frente de las personas es un símbolo de amargura, sufrimiento, vergüenza y todo lo peor que existe en este mundo, del cual trajo amargura al Señor Jesús ( Heb.5:7). Los verdaderos cristianos esperamos una marca en la frente, la que describe de una manera simbólica el apóstol Juan en Apocalipsis,  una marca que simplemente signifique posesión y pertenencia al Señor que nos amó , aquel día cuando estemos en la nueva Jerusalén para siempre  donde seguramente también Nicodemo estará presente con esta nombre, su nombre en nuestras frentes y no una simple marca de vergüenza. “Ellos verán su rostro, y su nombre estará en sus frentes”. (Ap. 22:4).
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Captivity

Captivity

[Years past], we watched as the nation of Iran took 15 British sailors into captivity in the waters of the Persian Gulf. Though controverted by England, Iran believed these hostages to have crossed into their territorial waters thus transgressing the borders of their nation. What is not in dispute is that they were precariously near the border and as a result of their being so near ended up being captured. While in captivity, the hostages each were paraded on television and coerced to speak out regarding their transgression of Iranian waters. They became instruments of the Iranian government. [Finally], those hostages were released and rejoiced as they returned to their home country. We’re very happy that they are back home.

Iranian military personnel captured 15 Royal Navy personnel and held them captive.

Iranian military personnel captured 15 Royal Navy personnel and held them captive.

Looking at captivity from a spiritual perspective, 2 Timothy 2:25b-26 (ESV) reads, “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” This reflects the state or condition in which all are who transgress God’s will and fall into the hands of the devil; they are captured! And while they are captured by the devil, they are bound to do his will. What spiritual lessons can we draw from this analogy?

First, the proximity of those British sailors to the border increased their chances of being captured. Had those British hostages kept their distance from that line, they likely would not have been captured. Similarly, when we don’t take sin seriously and take chances by hanging out on the border between right and wrong, Satan has a much easier time capturing us. Several proverbs instruct the wise man not only to stay away from wickedness, but to stay far away from it. Proverbs 22:5 says plainly, “Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.” See also Proverbs 4:24, Proverbs 5:8, Proverbs 30:8. The wise man knows not to play along the border between right and wrong, but to stay far away from wickedness.

Second, when those British sailors were captured they became the instruments of the Iranian government. So also, being captured by Satan through sin means becoming his instrument as well. Romans 6:13 says, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Those who cross that line between right and wrong and enter Satan’s camp and become instruments to his desires.

Third, there is a way back home. Those British sailors were fortunate to be able to return to their home after the Iranian president allowed them to leave, though, they could have faced serious penalties. The Bible tells us that the penalty for the trespass of sin is death ( Romans 6:23). There is, however, a way out of that penalty through the grace of God. God sent Jesus, His Son, to die in the place of the sinner and to bear the guilt of man’s sin. Paul wrote, “For he [God] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” ( 2 Corinthians 5:21). Because Jesus took our place, He was able to redeem sinful man out of sin’s captivity and bring him back to God. Paul said to Titus, “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 2:14).

What a great blessing it is to know that God has provided a way out of the captivity of sin. To escape, we need to accept God’s plan for our release and follow His instructions to return. What must we do? Hear the gospel message ( Romans 10:17); believe that message ( Hebrews 11:6); repent of the sin that brought us into captivity in the first place ( Acts 17:30); confess Jesus as our new Lord ( Romans 10:10); and be baptized in water to show our obedience to our new master ( Mark 16:16, Hebrews 5:9). By so doing, our freedom is promised by God and by continuing to live faithfully to Him we will remain His for all eternity.

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Every Kingdom Divided

Understanding What is Happening

The words of Jesus have never had more meaning. “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand” (Matt. 12:25). Those who fully understand the impact of the Lord’s words can see that the clouds which are all around us are just a foretaste of the coming storm.

Our nation is divided.

Our nation is divided.

Our nation is divided. We are divided politically, but this division is so meaningless when compared to the other divisions which permeate our land. Of far great importance is the moral division among us. The definition of sexual perversion used fifty years ago no longer applies to us. That which was once perversion is often the common practice in our culture today. Paul described the decadence of the Roman world. “Those who practice such things…not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Rom. 1:31).  The Roman world is now our world!

Our homes in this land are divided—even in many homes where parents outwardly embrace Christianity. The psalmist was not talking about a physical building when he said, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psa. 127:1). He was talking about our families, our homes. Unless the Lord builds our homes, we labor in vain! What has happened in this land? The creator who ordained marriage and the home is ignored. We have decided our own ideas about marriage are far better than anything He said.

To show the division in our homes, consider the following questions. Has there ever been a time when husbands were more selfish and self-seeking? What has happened to those words spoken in the sinless world of Adam about his wife being “…bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh”?  Paul said that no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourished it. Yet, when men fail to see their wives as their own flesh, there is no nourishing and cherishing.

Think of how so many wives would inwardly cringe when told they must honor and reverence their own husbands. These words were the precise words God gave to them (Eph. 5:33). Yet, we live in a time when wives openly mock their husbands.

Our homes are divided over the values we impart to our children. They fail to see parents having the church first in their lives, and manifesting that the whole duty of man is to fear God and honor him (Matt. 6:33; Ecc. 12:13).

When nations are divided, desolation lies ahead. When homes are divided, they will not stand. What can we do? What is the solution to all of this? The answer is found in each of us humbly recommitting our devotion to God in relationship to self, to our nation and to our homes. God help us!

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Changing Taste

Changing Taste

As a boy growing up in north west Texas my family did what others would consider strange. At best, strange. When Momma had finished brewing coffee for her and Daddy, we kids would often take the grounds and chew them. Okay, really strange. However, with this early introduction to the taste of coffee, I learned to love the taste of coffee. I enjoyed coffee so much that I would drink it hot, cold or lukewarm – the stronger, the better. My coffee would always be black with no sugar or any other taste to enhance it. I loved coffee. Two twelve cup pots a day was usual. But something happened. I don’t know how or why, but something happened. One morning I woke up and the taste of coffee turned my stomach. I don’t like the taste of coffee. Friends and relatives told my wife to have my DNA checked to see if this really was Foy. I have also often heard of other people who, when they had grown older their tastes in many things changed – from fashion to hair style to food and drink. Okay, so what?

The gospel is not a matter of taste, but truth and salvation.

The gospel is not a matter of taste, but truth and salvation.

If there is nothing but personal taste to determine some situations, then each person’s taste are the only thing that matters. This is true, for the most part, with matters of food, clothes and hair styles. However, there are some matters which can not be adduced merely from personal likes, tastes. Matters of eternal significance must be determined by the highest, the revealed, standard given by the Eternal Divine Nature, GOD! Cain tried to determine his worship merely from his situation instead of following God’s directives, Genesis 4:3-7. Cain’s unauthorized worship led to murder and exile. Morality based on the feelings of the moment, by king David of Israel, rather than God’s directives, led not only to adultery and murder but also to the death of a child, 2 Sam. 11:2-12:18. Biblical examples could be multiplied. Moreover, in the New Testament we find Christians turning from honesty which God ordained and a husband and wife, Ananias and Sapphira, suffering both the humiliation of Divine wrath but also physical death, Acts 1-11. The Divine standard does not change, regardless of human taste.

I also grew up in a family where music was everywhere. Momma sang ditties and great songs. We all sang secular songs and spiritual songs. Momma played the ukulele. In college I learned to play the trombone and took some lessons in piano. I loved listening to the “big band” sounds of famous orchestras. When I came to the New Testament, the last will and testament of Jesus Christ, Heb. 9:15-17; 10:9-10, it was immediately obvious that God said “sing,” Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 13:15 AND that God intended this for psalms, hymns and spiritual songs wherever and whenever they were used, James 5:13. Now, my personal tastes no longer have any value because God has spoken. The truth will not change so I must change my tastes to match the truth.

I have often wondered what it would be like to stand before Jesus in the judgment, 2 Cor. 5:10, and try to explain to him why I thought my tastes were of more value than His and why He should accept what I like rather than what He said. If Matthew 28:18-20 is true AND IT IS, then we must observe what Jesus said and that’s all. Tastes change. The New Testament does not change.

Foy Forehand

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