Newsletter 188 - April 10, 2010
Bob Mills
I don’t remember where I read it first, but the quotation went somewhat like this. “Show me a man’s check stubs and I will tell you how seriously he takes the Lord’s work.” I know it did not come from me first, but it is very true. I make a spread sheet of all my banking and it reveals a lot; the source of all my income, and where it is spent. If one were to add a log of every day’s activities, even more would be revealed. Our lives are open books, nothing is hidden from God. Jesus knew Judas Iscariot was a thief, right down to the last penny. He knew Judas had arranged to betray him, and how much he had been promised. He knows exactly everything about every one of us, and he still loves us. He loves the most vile sinner, for he knows what he is capable of being, and doing. He knows why he made them as they are.
His disciples represented a cross section of mankind. There was a thief, there was a tax collector, there was one so unstable that he was called a little pebble stone, one was a doubter. Each has his own weaknesses, but it is not what they were, it is what they became that counts. Jesus also knew that.
WE WORRY INSTEAD OF TRUSTING HIM
Luke 12:22-34 (King James Version)
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. (Luke 12:22-31, Matthew 6:25-33)
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
GOD WILL CARE FOR HIS OWN
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (Job 38:41, Luke 12:18)
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? (Psalm 39:5)
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? (1 Kings 10:4-7, 2 Chronicles 9:3-6)
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:30)
JESUS THE SEVENTY OUT ON FAITH
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. (Matthew 6:31)
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Matthew 14:27John 21:15-17, Ephesians 5:9)
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. (Matthew 19:21, Luke 11:41, Luke 18:22, Matthew 6:20, Luke 12:21)
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21)
It is natural for anyone to feel uneasy when he lacks a sense of security. Jesus is pleased when we place our trust in him.
This a lesson that I have difficulties with, so you can imagine how uneasy I was recently when bringing my spread sheet up to date I saw that it had dropped to a very uncomfortable low balance. God was showing me that He cares and will provide. Surely enough a few days later it was restored to a much more acceptable balance. God sees, and he cares when we trust Him.
_________
Friday, April 23, 2010
THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS
Newsletter 186 - March 26, 2010
Bob Mills
Luke 4:1-13
(King James Version)
Some use James 1:13 as a “proof text,” saying that Jesus could not be tempted because he is the Son of God and part of God, ignoring that this is a part of his sacrifice when he came to earth to be born of Mary and take on a human body. The only way to provide an acceptable sacrificial death was that he must use his own sinless body for that that final blood sacrifice.
This is affirmed by Hebrews 4:15. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Having a human body, he could be tempted, but did not sin. This period of temptation continued for forty long days during which he had no food. That, in itself, would weaken most men to death. His body would have been crying for food when Satan suggested that he use his power to turn the stones, scattered everywhere, into bread. He never used his powers for his own benefit to gain an easy life. He came to be a sacrifice.
THESE WERE REAL TEMPTATIONS IN EVERY WAY
And without doubt there were more than these listed in our text and continuing on even through the crucifixion. Remember his agony as he prayed in Gethsemane just before his arrest; recall how he ended with the words, “Not my will but thine be done.“. (Luke 22:42). Then he was taunted on the cross, “If he is the Son of God, let him come down.“ He even refused a little wine to relieve his agony and thirst.
Luke 4
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, (Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 3:3)
TO USE HIS POWERS FOR HIMSELF
2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. (Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:6)
3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3)
TO COMPROMISE HIS PURPOSE
5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (Matthew 4:8-19, Matthew 24:14)
6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (1 John 5:19)
7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Deuteronomy 6:13, Deuteronomy 10:20, Matthew 4:10)
TO GAIN INSTANT POPULARITY
9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: (Matthew 4:5-7)
10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: (Psalm 91:11)
11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:12)
12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 6:16)
13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season
SATAN LEFT FOR A SEASON
_________
Bob Mills
Luke 4:1-13
(King James Version)
Some use James 1:13 as a “proof text,” saying that Jesus could not be tempted because he is the Son of God and part of God, ignoring that this is a part of his sacrifice when he came to earth to be born of Mary and take on a human body. The only way to provide an acceptable sacrificial death was that he must use his own sinless body for that that final blood sacrifice.
This is affirmed by Hebrews 4:15. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Having a human body, he could be tempted, but did not sin. This period of temptation continued for forty long days during which he had no food. That, in itself, would weaken most men to death. His body would have been crying for food when Satan suggested that he use his power to turn the stones, scattered everywhere, into bread. He never used his powers for his own benefit to gain an easy life. He came to be a sacrifice.
THESE WERE REAL TEMPTATIONS IN EVERY WAY
And without doubt there were more than these listed in our text and continuing on even through the crucifixion. Remember his agony as he prayed in Gethsemane just before his arrest; recall how he ended with the words, “Not my will but thine be done.“. (Luke 22:42). Then he was taunted on the cross, “If he is the Son of God, let him come down.“ He even refused a little wine to relieve his agony and thirst.
Luke 4
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, (Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 3:3)
TO USE HIS POWERS FOR HIMSELF
2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. (Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:6)
3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3)
TO COMPROMISE HIS PURPOSE
5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (Matthew 4:8-19, Matthew 24:14)
6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (1 John 5:19)
7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Deuteronomy 6:13, Deuteronomy 10:20, Matthew 4:10)
TO GAIN INSTANT POPULARITY
9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: (Matthew 4:5-7)
10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: (Psalm 91:11)
11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:12)
12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 6:16)
13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season
SATAN LEFT FOR A SEASON
_________
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
“YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED”
Bob Mills
Our first passage to Africa was made on a passenger liner which also carried cargo. There were only about seventy passengers which assured that we got great service since they had space for at least twice that many. We also were allowed unlimited baggage and a very cheap rate on our automobile. Soon after we sailed, we received an beautiful invitation to the captain’s “Cocktail Party.” Having two small children, one of them very ill, and not being interested in such an evening, we chose to ignore it. When the time arrived, there was a discreet knock at our door. One of the officers had been sent to see why we had not appeared. I had not realized that no one ever ignored what was considered to be a “command appearance.”
Later, Phyllis told me of the times that her family had been invited to such affairs by the Colonel in charge of the city of Batang, China. There, it was considered unacceptable to go on the first invitation. There would be a second, and even a third. Then it was time to go, and it was a required appearance.
And later I was sent a gold printed invitation to the State President’s reception on the occasion of the opening of the Afrikaans Language Museum in Bloemfontein, South Africa. I was included because of my publication of Bible study booklets in that language. That was another occasion we did not accept, largely since I had set the type totally from translations others had made. I, at that time, neither understood or spoke Afrikaans at all.
The host in Jesus’ parable here is God Himself, and the feast is probably the wedding feast of His Son, Jesus, and his bride, the church. That feast is still to take place, of course. And it is one we do not want to miss. It too is a command appearance, and God has provided proper attire. We know that because another parable tells us of a man who attempted to enter in, not wearing the proper garments. In other words, he tried to “crash the gate”, without repentance, confession, and baptism. It is obedience to these commands that prepares one. In still another, Jesus compares this to being like the thief who tries to climb into the sheep kraal over the side and not by the entrance he has prepared. There is only one entrance, and that the one of Acts 2:38., and Acts 8:23-39. The apostle Peter was the man with the key that opens the door..
Luke 14:15-24 (King James Version)
15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. (Revelation 19:9, Matthew 8:12)
16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: (Matthew 22:2-14, Luke 14:16-24)
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
BOUGHT A PIECE OF LAND
Who would buy land, sight unseen?
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
EXCUSE OF THE OXEN
This would be the equivalent of buying a major farm tractor without starting its motor.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
MARRIED A WIFE
A newly married man was exempted from the military, but not from a wedding!
20 And another said, I have married a wife, therefore I cannot come. (Deuteronomy 24:5, 1 Corinthians 7:33)
THE JEWS HAD BEEN THE INVITED, BUT NOW EVERYONE
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
SEARCH THE WORLD. THE ORIGINAL GUEST LIST IS SCRAPPED!
24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
GO YE UNTO ALL THE WORLD. (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:19-20)
Our first passage to Africa was made on a passenger liner which also carried cargo. There were only about seventy passengers which assured that we got great service since they had space for at least twice that many. We also were allowed unlimited baggage and a very cheap rate on our automobile. Soon after we sailed, we received an beautiful invitation to the captain’s “Cocktail Party.” Having two small children, one of them very ill, and not being interested in such an evening, we chose to ignore it. When the time arrived, there was a discreet knock at our door. One of the officers had been sent to see why we had not appeared. I had not realized that no one ever ignored what was considered to be a “command appearance.”
Later, Phyllis told me of the times that her family had been invited to such affairs by the Colonel in charge of the city of Batang, China. There, it was considered unacceptable to go on the first invitation. There would be a second, and even a third. Then it was time to go, and it was a required appearance.
And later I was sent a gold printed invitation to the State President’s reception on the occasion of the opening of the Afrikaans Language Museum in Bloemfontein, South Africa. I was included because of my publication of Bible study booklets in that language. That was another occasion we did not accept, largely since I had set the type totally from translations others had made. I, at that time, neither understood or spoke Afrikaans at all.
The host in Jesus’ parable here is God Himself, and the feast is probably the wedding feast of His Son, Jesus, and his bride, the church. That feast is still to take place, of course. And it is one we do not want to miss. It too is a command appearance, and God has provided proper attire. We know that because another parable tells us of a man who attempted to enter in, not wearing the proper garments. In other words, he tried to “crash the gate”, without repentance, confession, and baptism. It is obedience to these commands that prepares one. In still another, Jesus compares this to being like the thief who tries to climb into the sheep kraal over the side and not by the entrance he has prepared. There is only one entrance, and that the one of Acts 2:38., and Acts 8:23-39. The apostle Peter was the man with the key that opens the door..
Luke 14:15-24 (King James Version)
15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. (Revelation 19:9, Matthew 8:12)
16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: (Matthew 22:2-14, Luke 14:16-24)
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
BOUGHT A PIECE OF LAND
Who would buy land, sight unseen?
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
EXCUSE OF THE OXEN
This would be the equivalent of buying a major farm tractor without starting its motor.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
MARRIED A WIFE
A newly married man was exempted from the military, but not from a wedding!
20 And another said, I have married a wife, therefore I cannot come. (Deuteronomy 24:5, 1 Corinthians 7:33)
THE JEWS HAD BEEN THE INVITED, BUT NOW EVERYONE
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
SEARCH THE WORLD. THE ORIGINAL GUEST LIST IS SCRAPPED!
24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
GO YE UNTO ALL THE WORLD. (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:19-20)
Friday, April 2, 2010
SOW THE WORD OF GOD
Bob Mills
This scripture separates itself into two separate portions. We shall treat it in the same way. The first portion is the parable as Jesus taught it to the large crowd of people who were following him from the cities through which he had traveled and preached. (Luke 8:4-8)
As was the custom of teachers of his day, he taught them with both words amd deeds. What he said was reinforced by what he actually did. But there was a crowd, sometimes a very large crowd, of those who came and went. They were attracted by his miracles, and by his preaching, but they varied much in the intensity of their faith. For some, it was more curiosity, than faith. With others it was more political than a way of life. They sought an earthly king to deliver them from the despised Romans. These were not the characteristics of a true disciple.
To these Jesus used many parables.
THE PARABLE MESSAGE
Luke 8:4-15 (King James Version)
4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable (Luke 8:4-8, Matthew 13:2-9, Mark 4:1-9)
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15, Mark 7:16, Luke 14:35, Revelation 2:7)
THE PARABLE EXPLAINED
9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? (Luke 8:9-15, Matthew 19:13-23, Mark 4:10-20)
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (Matthew 13:11, Isaiah 6:9, Matthew 13:14, Acts 28:26)
Jesus made it clear that he was not here to provide what the
masses were seeking.
He was not seeking a political agenda.
Neither was he entertaining the curious.
Nor was it, his primary purpose to perform miracles. Yes, he performed miracles, but their purpose was to establish without question that he was the Son of God and the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Covenant, which they all knew,
11 Now the parable is this: (1 Peter 1:23)
THE SEED
The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
The message is preached to all, “all the world“: ( Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20) All will hear, but many will not believe. Mark tells us that they judge themselves. (Mark 16:16) They do not believe. They, shall be damned.
ROCK
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
These represent those who are attracted by the wrong reasons. They like the excitement,. They like the novelty of the music, perhaps much like the music of the world they knew and perhaps still listen to. They are attracted by the crowds, like those who followed Jesus but departed when they discovered that His purpose was not their purpose.
THORNS.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
These are those who follow the masses and respond in droves, only their faith is not strong enough to sustain them when the going gets tough. Satan will see that it does just that, the sooner the better as far as he is concerned.
GOOD GROUND
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
These are the faithful who have loved the Word of God and prepared and maintained their Spiritual relationship with God through His Word and prayer.
Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. Let us make our hearts a well cared for garden, tending and caring for it. Know that the Word will fall on many deaf ears, but know that some will respond and flourish. That is our purpose in this life.
_________
This scripture separates itself into two separate portions. We shall treat it in the same way. The first portion is the parable as Jesus taught it to the large crowd of people who were following him from the cities through which he had traveled and preached. (Luke 8:4-8)
As was the custom of teachers of his day, he taught them with both words amd deeds. What he said was reinforced by what he actually did. But there was a crowd, sometimes a very large crowd, of those who came and went. They were attracted by his miracles, and by his preaching, but they varied much in the intensity of their faith. For some, it was more curiosity, than faith. With others it was more political than a way of life. They sought an earthly king to deliver them from the despised Romans. These were not the characteristics of a true disciple.
To these Jesus used many parables.
THE PARABLE MESSAGE
Luke 8:4-15 (King James Version)
4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable (Luke 8:4-8, Matthew 13:2-9, Mark 4:1-9)
5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15, Mark 7:16, Luke 14:35, Revelation 2:7)
THE PARABLE EXPLAINED
9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? (Luke 8:9-15, Matthew 19:13-23, Mark 4:10-20)
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (Matthew 13:11, Isaiah 6:9, Matthew 13:14, Acts 28:26)
Jesus made it clear that he was not here to provide what the
masses were seeking.
He was not seeking a political agenda.
Neither was he entertaining the curious.
Nor was it, his primary purpose to perform miracles. Yes, he performed miracles, but their purpose was to establish without question that he was the Son of God and the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Covenant, which they all knew,
11 Now the parable is this: (1 Peter 1:23)
THE SEED
The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
The message is preached to all, “all the world“: ( Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20) All will hear, but many will not believe. Mark tells us that they judge themselves. (Mark 16:16) They do not believe. They, shall be damned.
ROCK
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
These represent those who are attracted by the wrong reasons. They like the excitement,. They like the novelty of the music, perhaps much like the music of the world they knew and perhaps still listen to. They are attracted by the crowds, like those who followed Jesus but departed when they discovered that His purpose was not their purpose.
THORNS.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
These are those who follow the masses and respond in droves, only their faith is not strong enough to sustain them when the going gets tough. Satan will see that it does just that, the sooner the better as far as he is concerned.
GOOD GROUND
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
These are the faithful who have loved the Word of God and prepared and maintained their Spiritual relationship with God through His Word and prayer.
Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. Let us make our hearts a well cared for garden, tending and caring for it. Know that the Word will fall on many deaf ears, but know that some will respond and flourish. That is our purpose in this life.
_________
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