Thoughts by the Fire

Thoughts by the Fire

Recently, I wrote an article entitled, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and I discussed the occurrences of cold in the Bible.  Well, it is still cold here in Missouri (below freezing).  So, I am keeping the fire blazing to stay warm!  I want to share with you my “Thoughts by the Fire”. The scriptures speak of keeping warm by the fire.  Peter warmed himself by the fire in Mark 14:54 and the inhabitants of Melita as a show of kindness kindled a fire to warm Paul and those who had been shipwrecked (Acts 28:1-2).  Fire can be such a blessing.  I have good memories of being around it with family and friends.  I am certain that the disciples never forgot being near the fire with Jesus and sharing fish and bread (John 21:9).  Today, let’s take a gander at a few of the instances where the Bible speaks of fire.

Thoughts by the Fire

Thoughts by the Fire

The Bible itself is referred to as a fire.  Jeremiah, sharing the Word each day in a Jerusalem soon to be destroyed came to be mocked and treated poorly because of his proclamations.  He decided not to share God’s revelation anymore, however, it was a “burning fire shut up” in his bones.  Jeremiah couldn’t keep it in!  God later says through Jeremiah “Is not my Word like as a fire?”  I think the prophet would agree.

Fire was actually used to communicate in at least two occurrences within scripture.  First, Moses was drawn to a burning bush, in which an angel of the Lord spoke to him. Second, the voice of God came from fire upon Mt. Sinai with Israel fresh from Egypt camped below.  Of course, communication by fire is not the norm.  That being the case, the fact that fire can also cause great fear is not surprising.  When Israel saw and heard the voice from the fire on Mt. Sinai they were terrified and did not want to see that fire anymore for fear of death.

On the other side of fear, fire for many is a form of comfort.  When the children of Israel were led out of Egypt, by night they could see the presence of God in a pillar of fire.  You could literally say that God was their light.  Throughout all their journeys in the wilderness, God was there.  When Solomon built the temple, though it was not God’s intention for it to be built, fire came down and the Glory of the Lord filled the temple.  This caused Israel to bow faces to the ground and worship and praise God saying “For He is good; for his mercy endureth forever.”  How comforting to know that God was among them.  When the servant of Elisha was concerned about being surrounded by horses and chariots, Elisha prayed that the servant’s eyes be opened.  God answered that prayer, and the man could see the Lord’s chariots of fire filling the mountain.  Now that is assurance!  Fire is even used in the New Testament as a sign of comfort.  The apostle Paul speaks of providing food and drink even to an enemy.  Additionally, he mentions providing coals of fire (which were carried in a ceramic container upon the head) to care for that person in giving them a source to create their domestic fire.

The Old Testament speaks frequently about the fire used for the many sacrifices of Israel.  The fire upon the altar consummating the offering to God.  Outside of the camp of Israel, the sin offering of the bull would be carried and then in a clean place burned with fire.  Within and outside of the walls of Jerusalem, the fires reminded the people of God and His Graciousness toward them.  The thought of fire and sacrifice harkens back to the second mention of fire in the Bible.  Abraham was instructed by God to offer His son Isaac upon an altar.  Scripture says ”And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand and a knife; and they went both of them together.”  Of course, God would provide another offering in this type through the sacrifice of Christ for all mankind; but what a powerful initial example to Israel about devotion to God this example sent.

The first mention of fire in scripture was used to show God’s judgment.  Due to the sinful state of Sodom and Gomorrah, God rained fire and brimstone down upon them from heaven.  God’s judgment is often shown in scripture by the use of fire.  Fire was utilized in the plagues upon Egypt.  Nadab and Abihu were destroyed with fire from heaven due to their disobedience to God.  Complaining from Israel fueled God’s anger toward them, and many were consumed by fire.  God commanded frequently throughout the Old Testament that idols and false Gods were to be destroyed by fire as well.  Significantly, Jerusalem was destroyed by the fire of the Chaldeans in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:9, Jeremiah 37:8) and it was prophesied to be destroyed in the same manner in 70 AD (Zephaniah 1:18, Luke 3:16).  Both occurrences could have been avoided if Israel would have clung to God and honored him through deeds of repentance, but they refused.  Though these earthly judgments are terrifying displays of God’s power, a greater judgment waits for all mankind.  Matthew 18:8, 25:41, and Jude 1:7 all speak of an eternal fire to come punishing those whose hearts would not turn to God.

There are many uses and instances of the word fire in the Bible.  Its impact can range from the pleasant to the horrifying.  Its flame can be a blessing or an eternal curse depending on the heart of man.  The wrath of God burns like a fire, but he will not hide it forever (Psalm 89:46).  This fiery anger of God will come upon those whose heart has departed from Him (Jeremiah 17:4-5).  Let’s let our thoughts by the fire examine whether our hearts are turning dark and cold.  May we all kindle a flame of repentance, love, and honor to God before it is eternally too late.

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What Are You Thankful For?

What Are You Thankful For?

Let me ask you, what are you truly thankful for? As strange as it may seem, the answer you give is likely the very opposite of the answer Paul would give. Read his words, then read them again, slowly. “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake” (2 Cor. 12:10).

How can anyone take pleasure in infirmities? The word signifies the opposite of strength, it signifies weakness and the inability to produce results. If this seems strange, keep reading.Thankful script

How can anyone take pleasure in reproaches? The word indicates insult, contempt, and harsh treatment. So many of us can hardly go without words of encouragement from others. If this seems strange that Paul would find pleasure in this, keep reading.

How can anyone take pleasure in needs? We are living in a time when the cost of what we consider necessities is almost overwhelming. Paul took pleasure in those times when the necessities of life were scarce. If this seems strange to you, keep reading.

How can anyone take pleasure in persecutions? Compare in the previous chapter his list of all he had suffered and compare it to what we have to endure. Paul took pleasure in those periods in his life where his enemies pushed so hard against him. If this seems strange to you, keep reading.

How can anyone take pleasure in distresses? This word is best defined as being pressed on every side so severely that it appears there is no escape. If this seems strange to you that Paul would find pleasure in this, keep reading.

To understand Paul’s “Thanksgiving List,” read the rest of the verse. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Pay special attention to the words “when” and “then,” for they point to the same time. It is not that “after” I am weak and look back on a situation that I became strong. At the time of his greatest weakness, he had his greatest strength.

When life is easier and we have so many good things for which we can be thankful, we can so easily forget how good circumstances can make us forget about living close to God. However, when circumstances are not “pleasant,” we sense our need for God and turn to Him. He is there, because when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. James says that such times when trials come, we should count it all joy. He then gives the reason, and it is the same one Paul gives. The results of such trials strengthen us and bring us to spiritual maturity (James 1:4). It might be a good time to look at our lists and see that the best times in our lives is when we are having trials!

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It’s About People!

It’s About People!

One of the greatest challenges that we face in our lives is connecting with other people.  When we think about our purpose, to love God and love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39), we realize that this is the great challenge God has given us.  We let things get in the way of doing that.  We also let things get in the way of others showing love to us.  Being about the Lord’s business is being about the business of visiting with and learning about other people.  The more that we can do this, the better job we will do in fulfilling our purpose in life.person group

One of the greatest obstacles that we place in our path of connecting with other people is simply failing to talk to them.  So often we conceive of prejudices in our mind as to why a person is one way or another.  We think, “I can’t talk to him/her about this because he/she will never listen.”  How do we know until we try?  Jesus told us that if we have a problem with another that we need to go to him/her and talk (Matthew 18:15).  Jesus’ way is the best way.  More often than not, we will be able to resolve our differences.

Many times the reason we don’t want to talk to other people lies within our own heart.  We allow others to control us by blaming them instead of doing what we can.  This is debilitating.  We must take responsibility for our own thoughts, beliefs, decisions, feelings, and actions.  This will put us back in control of our own life and go a long way toward helping us be more relaxed and comfortable around other people so that we can fulfill the purpose that God has given us in this life.

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Eve: The Mother of all Living

Eve: The Mother of all Living

Eve was the first female upon the earth.  Genesis 1:27 records her creation in brief.  She was created in the image of God.  According to Genesis 2 she was created after the first man, Adam.  Eve was created from a rib which God took from Adam.  She was created because there was not found a help who would be a mate for Adam.  After God created Eve, He brought her to Adam.  The first recorded words Adam spoke to this female were: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”  The first recorded command by God to Eve, including Adam,  was: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

The mention of Eve’s name occurs only four times in scripture.  Genesis 3:20, 4:1, 2 Corinthians 11:3, and I Timothy 2:13.  The first passage mentioning her is interesting.  Adam “called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.”  The reason this passage is interesting is that to this point no children had been mentioned.  Were there children already?  How could she be a mother, especially of all living, if she did not?  Additionally, what did Adam call her before she became the mother of all living?  It would not be shocking if she had a different name prior as many well known individuals in the Bible were renamed: Abram, Jacob, Gideon, Daniel, Cephas, and Saul to name a few.

Genesis 4:1 is the second passage Eve’s name is mentioned.  Adam and eve had sex and she conceived a son.  The boys’ name is Cain and Eve gives honor to God.  Was this the first child?  It is the first child recorded.  Eve and her husband were obediently following the command given by God to be fruitful and multiple.

Assuming Genesis was written by Moses by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Bible does not mention Eve’s name again for over 1600 years.  In 2 Corinthians 11:3, the apostle Paul recalls a life altering event from Genesis 3.  In the garden, Eve was deceived by the serpent (The serpent is identified in Revelation 20:2 as Satan, the devil.).  The context of Paul’s usage is his concern over the Corinthian Church.  He uses the language of marriage in explaining he was instrumental in their betrothal (by baptism) to Christ.  Paul is worried that they will be deceived by others and led away from their “sincere and pure devotion to Christ”.  Paul’s comparison comes from the fact that God had told Adam in the garden that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was not to be eaten.  This command had been shared with Eve, likely by her husband.  Rather than being devoted to him and respecting his authority and God’s, she fell to deception and ate of the fruit, and gave Adam to eat as well.

The final passage mentioning the name of Eve is found in I Timothy 2:13. The context of this passage begins with verse 9.  The apostle Paul is proclaiming in this letter to Timothy that godly women are not to be focused on drawing attention to themselves by their adornments but rather their focus should be upon good works.  They are to learn quietly and in subjection.  They are not to conduct themselves as a teacher or exercise authority over a man.  Why? “For Adam was first formed then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in transgression.”  These are the two eternal reasons given.  They are given by God through the Holy Spirit to Paul and shared to Timothy.  The reminder of the woman’s role and Eve’s sin in the beginning (An eternal reminder of the need to be devoted to her husband, a given role and responsibility, not an inherited sin.) is not meant to overwhelm a woman.  As a comfort to her, she will find healing and fulfillment (“shall be saved”) in the raising of godly children (Genesis 3:16).  This was from God’s intention from the beginning: Malachi 2:15 “And did not he make one? [He Bound them like a rope with the breath of life]. And why one? That he might seek a godly offspring...”.

Although Eve is only mentioned 4 times by name in scripture, she still plays an important role in the shaping of mankind.  She was created to be a loving help to her husband.  Her role was not to lead, but to be devoted to Adam’s wellbeing.  Additionally, serving in her role she was to bring about godly offspring.  These items are what  God desired from Eve, the mother of all living,  and He still desires the fulfillment of women in this same role today.

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The Dogs

The Dogs

I share my home with my darling wife, two dogs, and two stupid cats.  The cats and the wife have days where they really don’t like me much.  However, the dogs just love me.  Every morning, I open my eyes and as I peer to my side of the bed, there my dogs are.  They are happily resting and waiting for our routine to start.  I get out of bed, stumble around the bathroom, get dressed, and then leave the bedroom.  At this point my English Shepherd pops up to follow me.  We go to the kitchen, take morning pills, then pour a cup of coffee.  Often, I will plop down on the couch for a bit and wake up.  The shepherd lays down on my feet happy to be there.  At some point, I head upstairs to start my studies.  This is when the Bluetick Hound comes and joins us.  The hound comes and gets a pat on the head, greets the shepherd, then they lie down as I try to work my brain.The Dogs

While I regularly work on articles, lessons, or word studies, my most frequent activity in the morning is listening to lessons online.  I imagine my dogs have listened to more lessons than many people.  They have heard lessons on baptism, premillennialism, marriage, and many books of the Bible. The list would be quite extensive if I wrote it all down.  I know I have a drawer with piles of lesson notes that the dogs have been present to hear.

Typically, around 9 am, the hound lets me know it is time for her to go outside and bark at the brush for 15-20 minutes.  The shepherd joins her and then they beg to come back in to eat some breakfast and be in my presence as I finish up my morning studies.  Next on our agenda is a few hours of outside work, some lunch, and then some late afternoon study.  Finally, at the end of the day, the bluetick heads to bed while the shepherd typically gets in one more lesson with me and my darling wife.

Did you know the words dog and dogs appear a combined 65 times in the King James Bible?  (Cat does not appear once.)  There really aren’t many kind comments you are going to find about dogs in the Bible, but there are some.  The Bible makes it clear comparing someone to a dog typically isn’t a compliment.  It is pointed out that dogs enjoy vomit.  They can be noisy.  They will howl.  They sleep a lot.  Unfortunately, the term is lumped into this verse from Revelation 22:15 – “Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”  However, it is mentioned they can work with a flock (my shepherd would like that).  They will clean up the crumbs from your table (my hound would like that).  They will lick your sores if you have them.  And last but not least, a living dog is better than a dead lion.

Regarding my two pups again, the question might be asked, “With all the exposure to Biblical investigation and analysis, how much has it helped them?”  The truth is, when you get right down to it, and you consider the serious nature of scripture, all the exposure to the spoken words of the Bible has not done them a bit of good.  They are dogs.  A human can understand, will benefit from, and needs the Word of God in their life.  A dog? No.  My dogs certainly do recognize a number of words I use such as: sit, stay, get back, outside, lay down, go get it, are you ready, and treat.  However, when it comes to spiritual matters, dogs do not understand.  God put them here as beasts upon the earth for man.  He gave man authority over them.  Dogs are good companions, but they aren’t human.  They aren’t made in the image of God.  They are not eternal.  According to Ecclesiastes 3:21 and 12:7 a dog’s spirit goes to the ground while the spirit of a man returns to God.  God values man above all his creation.  A dog’s life is not comparable to the value of a human.

I am thankful to God for dogs.  My two bring me a lot of joy.  Studying about the occurrence of their mentions in the Bible has been interesting, but it only benefits me, and you if you take a look too.  It is amusing to see the dogs stare at the computer or television screen as if they knew what was going on.  Yet, they don’t.  Therefore, I just love them and enjoy them which is what God intended.

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