A Better Altar than God’s

Finding Something “Better” Than God Planned

For more than two hundred years, every person who entered the temple saw everything the way Solomon had established it. Entering through the east gate, one first saw the magnificent bronze altar designed by David and built and dedicated by Solomon. That was exactly the way it should be. One should not approach God’s holy presence without a reminder of man’s need for redemption from sin.

Is the altar of man better than God's?

Is the altar of man better than God’s?

However, in the reign of Ahaz it all changed. As men entered through the east gate, the altar was not there. It had been removed toward the north side of the temple area (2 Kings 16:14). There was another altar, even greater in appearance, that now stood where the one dedicated by Solomon once stood. Men had forgotten that when Solomon finished his prayer of dedication of the temple, God sent fire from heaven to burn the sacrifices placed on the altar (2 Chron. 7:1). Yet, somehow that very altar had been replaced by a new one!

How had all this come about? King Ahaz (the father of righteous King Hezekiah) was in dire circumstances because the Syrians had come and besieged Jerusalem. Instead of turning to God for help, he asked the Assyrians to come help him and send treasures of gold and silver from the temple as gifts to the king of Assyria. The Syrians were defeated, and Jerusalem was saved. To show his gratitude for the help given to him, King Ahaz traveled to Assyria and while there saw the beautiful altar used in pagan worship. He made drawings of that altar and an exact copy of it was soon brought into the holy temple in Jerusalem. God’s plan for the bronze altar was rejected, and now a pagan altar stood in its place.

Evidently, King Ahaz saw the new altar and the pagan gods worshiped at that altar as being more desirable than the true God and the altar He had dedicated. Ahaz did not use the altar to worship pagan gods, he just preferred that altar above what God had designed.

Isn’t this precisely what has happened to the holy church designed and sanctified by the blood of Jesus? It is not that difficult to read the New Testament and see what He planned. That church had no clergy/laity concept with a religious hierarchy ruling over His people. There were no reverends, vicars, or elevated priests. Morality was not defined and changed by church conferences or conventions where mortals decided the acceptability of the LGTB lifestyles of our day. It was so different then—baptism was always by immersion; the Lord’s Supper was observed every Sunday; worship was designed to appeal to God rather than to entertain men.

Ahaz thought human wisdom was superior to God’s wisdom, and America is making the same mistake today!

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Laboring for Food? John 6:22-27

My Thoughts On John 6:22-27

After miraculously feeding five thousand men and walking on water, Jesus went to Capernaum.  When the crowds Jesus had fed discovered he was gone, they followed him and, upon finding him, asked when he had arrived (vs. 22-25).  Jesus knew that they wanted only another free meal, and so admonished them, “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life…” (vs. 26-27).

What food gets the bulk of your effort?

What food gets the bulk of your effort?

Our Lord knows that we need to devote some attention to work for material necessities like food (Gen. 3:19), so he is not telling us that we shouldn’t work for physical food.  Rather, he is telling us to not give our primary attention to the material things of this life.  Our primary focus should be on obtaining that which will give us eternal life (Col. 3:1-2; Matt. 6:25-33).

It’s no secret that God tests our faith and loyalty to him (Gen. 22:1-12; Heb. 11:17).  It’s easy for us to sing None of Self and All of Thee…but do our actions back up our words when tested by God?  On Super Bowl Sunday at churches that offer evening worship services, will we choose to not assemble to worship our God and learn from him because we’d rather watch the Super Bowl…or will our focus be primarily on what will help us obtain eternal life?  Today, tomorrow, and every day thereafter, will we take a decent amount of time before or after work to study God’s Word and pray to him…or will recreational activities or more work be more important?

God tests our loyalty every day.  Are we passing his tests?  Are we truly laboring for the food that endures to eternal life?

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Does Doctrine Matter?

Does Doctrine Matter?

Several years ago, Rick Warren released a book called The Purpose Driven Life. While the premise of the book is a good one, much religious error is propagated throughout its pages. It is not a book that should be read or studied by those who do not have a good grounding in the Scriptures, as they may be misled by the author’s errant views.

God's Word is the authority regarding Doctrine.

God’s Word is the authority regarding Doctrine.

Take, for instance, what Mr. Warren says on page 34, concerning the final judgment: “God won’t ask you about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?”

Think about this statement for a moment. Does not one’s “religious background and doctrinal views” depend directly upon one’s acceptance, love, and trust of the Savior?
If one truly accepts Jesus, he will follow Him. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Do you accept Jesus as the only way into a righteous relationship with the Father?

If one truly loves Jesus, he will follow Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Do you obey Jesus, or do you only say you love Him?

If one truly trusts Jesus, he will follow Him. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Do you trust Jesus, or do you “explain away” this crystal-clear statement?

One who accepts, loves, and trusts Jesus will have the “religious background and doctrinal views” that God expects and desires of His people. “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).

Doctrine does matter! We must give heed to those things taught in the New Testament—not only accept them as true, but obey them! If we reject the words of the Lord, if we rebel against Him and refuse to obey, we have no one to blame if we are lost (John 12:48).

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Dress Test for Men

Dress Test for Godly Men

In the beginning God created mankind. They sinned and realized they were naked. They covered up their loins, but they didn’t cover all their nakedness. God would soon cover the nakedness of both man and woman. There was no “cultural definition” of nakedness. What God established from the beginning is the definition of nakedness for all time. What God covered them with was a “coat”. By definition, such an article of clothing begins above the shoulders and would go below the loins. This means chest, stomach, and back were also covered as naked. However, this term “coat” is not the same as the jacket we know today. It was much longer. What additional nakedness did God cover? By God’s definition of nakedness, the coat would cover the thigh going all the way down to the knee (Exodus 28:42). Dressing Godly, does not just involve covering nakedness. Test your own manner of dress by asking yourselves a few questions:

• Do I meet God’s standard for covering nakedness? (Genesis 3:21, Exodus 28:42) Will any of these areas be exposed when you sit, stand, turn, or bend down?

• Am I dressing so women will see me as a good man or a good body? (I Thessalonians 4:3-6; Galatians 5:19). Lasciviousness is an attempt to draw someone to lust after you. Clothes which allow others to see through them to your skin or are so tight no part of the anatomy is left unnoticed have the end result of creating lust. Yes, women do have desires. See examples of Potiphar’s wife and her advances on Joseph (Genesis 39:7-10) or the desire of the Shulamite for her shepherd (Song of Solomon 2:3-7).

• Am I concerned about keeping the purity of others?(Matthew 18:7, 1 Corinthians 8:9; I John 2:10, Ephesians 5:25-27) Each man should work to protect and keep every woman he encounters pure, as if she were his sister or wife. This means you.

• Will my clothing help or hurt my influence for Christ? (Romans 13:10; 15:3; Philippians 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:14) A man should strive to be without blame in regard to his clothes.

• Will What I am wearing identify me as something other than Godly? ( I Corinthians 10:31, I Timothy 3:7) Do your t-shirts have lewd or suggestive sayings? Are your pants down below your butt making you look like someone from a gang or prison?

• Is it appropriate and respectful for the occasion? (Genesis 41:14; Matthew 22:11-14) Going to the ball game is definitely different than going to Church. God wants your best. Indeed, it may be your best jeans and shirt, but he still wants your best.

When you are in doubt… Remember I Thessalonians 5:22.

Now go share this dress test with others!

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Dress Test for Women

Dress Test for Women by Mary Martini

Look at yourself in a full length mirror – front, back and sideways!

Ask yourself the following:

  • Will what I am wearing bring God glory (1 Corinthians 10:31; Exodus 28:40, 43; Isaiah 61:3) and portray me as a godly woman? (1 Timothy 2:9,10) Yes or no?
  • Does what I am wearing meet or exceed God’s standard for being modest? (Genesis 3:21; Exodus 20:26; 28:40-43) Yes or no? You know!
  • Is it appropriate and respectful? (Genesis 41:14; Matthew 22:11-14) When I dress, would someone think I was going to a picnic or other social activity, or can they really tell I am displaying my best in service to God? (Exodus 20:26)
  • Will my clothing help or hurt my influence for Christ? (Romans 13:10; 15:3; Philippians 2:3, 4) Am I concerned about the way other think about me?
  • Is it too short? Sit down, cross your legs, bend over, reach up and squat down. At any time, does the garment reveal any of your leg above your knees? (Exodus 28:42) With tops and blouses, is your midriff showing at any time? (Genesis 3:21)
  • Is it too tight? Am I revealing my body form (which highlights or emphasizes my feminine sexuality), thus tantalizing, enticing, or tempting men (young or old) to have impure thoughts (Matthew 18:7; Galatians 5:19 – lasciviousness)?
  • Is it too sheer? Can I see my skin or undergarments through the material? (John 21:7 – undergarments exposed = naked in God’s eyes)
  • Is the neckline too low? Bend over – what can you see? Sit. Have another female tell you what they can see while looking down at you. This is a real situation – be honest.
  • If sleeveless, are my undergarments visible? (John 21:7) Why? What does it say about me? What does it say about the God I am trying to serve with my clothing?
  • Is what I am wearing stating that I am dressed to be chaste (pure and holy) or chased (by men)? What do I really want for my self-esteem? God’s approval or man?
  • Because of how I am dressed, would someone mistake me for a worldly woman? (A harlot – Proverbs 7:10; Genesis 38:15)
  • Will it encourage a man to lust after me, thus causing him to stumble and sin? (Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Matthew 5:27, 28) So, do I want them to sin?

Please Remember

God holds me responsible for immoral reactions IF I dress inappropriately
(Yes, I am liable for the reactions produced in others by MY appearance)

(Matthew 5:27-28; 14:1-12)

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