May 13, 2010

Numbers 22

What about the Heathen who never heard? That used to be a common objection to embracing Jesus as the only way. Yet, the Lord never leaves Himself without some trace of the knowledge of Him. Who is this Balaam? He lives in Pethor, a Hittite city in Northwest Mesopotamia. Roughly it would be located near today’s border of Iraq and Syria. The Hittites were a culture of a thousand gods. It was from this area that Abram came to be a sojourner in the land that the Lord had promised to the Israelites. How did Balaam come to a knowledge of the Lord? We are not told. All we know is that he had some kind of relationship with the Lord, albeit somewhat lacking in truth. The relationship was strong enough that the Lord blessed those whom Balaam blessed and cursed those whom Balaam cursed. Hmmm. . .

What does this tell me about the glory of the Lord? It tells me that His glory is so great that no man is without excuse. Anyone who really desires to know the Lord, may find Him if he will seek Him. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john

John 3:22-38

I have been a groomsman in a couple of weddings, my brother's and a friend. The neat thing about being a groomsman is you don't have to do anything. The attention is all on the bride and groom. Indeed, as a groomsman you are not supposed to do anything that detracts attention from the bride and groom. Like John the Baptist, we are groomsmen. Jesus is the groom. All that we do should bring attention to Him. That is why we must focus upon His glory daily and share what we find with others. His fame must increase and ours decrease. What can we know from this passage about Him?

He is from above. We enter into existence upon this earth. We do not have a pre-existence as some would teach. But He is from above. He existed from the beginning. He is from eternity in fellowship with the Father. Because of that, He was able to explain what the Father is like.

He is true. He never speaks or spoke a false word. He never exaggerates or exaggerated except as a figure of speech. His word can be counted upon. What He says, He will accomplish. We can entrust our lives to Him. I have been disappointed by many who have not spoken the truth to me or about me or were unfaithful to me. But Jesus always speaks the truth, and He is always faithful to me.

He gives His Spirit so generously that His gift cannot be measured. I need His Spirit to become what He wants me to be. And He gives generously.

He gives me everlasting life if I just believe in Him. Couldn't be simpler. He is also a God of wrath. Failure to trust in Him-something so simple-produces wrath. There is none like Him. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john