The Birthing of Spiritual Fads

Posted on October 30, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

Paul Hoffmaster

There is always something to write about, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. When you think the Bible (KJV) has 1,189 chapters and 31,173 verses, which includes 773,746 words, there should be enough content to occupy our interest until we meet Him face to face. When we compare the extra curricular “self help” tutorials that strive to explain the Scripture, we have entered into the world of interpretive theology. Christianity has become big business in promoting editorials on what God means from His Word. Today, Christian publications have surpassed the Bible in revenue growth. Whenever someone writes anything, from a pamphlet to a book, inquiring minds rush to purchase the newest “must have.” Electronics bridge the gap between the “seeker” and his desire to hear or see the manna from Heaven.

Does God really need help in making the Bible more relevant to its hearers? There seems to be a “cliff note” mentality in so many Believers. Instead of searching out the Scriptures themselves, they want someone to present a condensed version, which highlights the important aspects of selective Truth. This trend is also evidenced in our Saturday/Sunday worship experiences. Let the Pastor spoon feed his congregants and burp them so they can best understand the Word without feeling uncomfortable! The Pastor/Shepherd is to lead his people to the truth of God’s Word and encourage them to search for themselves.

Do we really need people to explain what God has so clearly said in His Word? Throughout the years there have been periods of “discovered truths” that have been presented to the body of Christ. These “uncovered” truths are like a shot of spiritual adrenalin to the Christian. Whenever the Bible is neglected, modern interpretations are birthed to satisfy the stagnant Believer. These fads are short lived and are eventually replaced by “updated relevancy.” So much of the Christian literature today is centered on receiving, instead of giving. Our faith is more vertical than horizontal. The evidence of our spiritual growth is displayed by the outward instead of through the inner man. Reality has become the new faith.

Instead of supplementary books and recordings, why don’t we just open the Word and let the Holy Spirit illuminate the Word in our spirits? Let us not be so quick to reach a goal of reading the entire Bible in a year. Instead, let us read one word at a time, giving the Holy Spirit time to seed that Word into our spirits. Once that Word germinates into a living entity, our minds will grasp its power and we will begin to exhibit its Truth. Many Christians are bypassing the Bible for explanatory books that convey an editorial understanding of the Scripture. There is no substitute for God’s Word! If we do not understand certain verses, move on to the next verse. When the Holy Spirit believes we are ready for its meaning and application, He will open our understanding.

There is nothing wrong with extra Biblical publications, as long as they do not become the text book for our spiritual journey. When religious books transcend the Bible, we will be vulnerable to extra Biblical truths which will lead to confusion. Whatever we read, we must make sure it does not conflict with or contradict the Scriptures. We must never dilute the Word to fit it into our comfort zone. Let us be patient in our quest for Biblical understanding. There are no short cuts to Scriptural comprehension. We need to study the Word and let the Holy Spirit illuminate it.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 1; Secularist and Christian View of Time:

Posted on October 26, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

Copy right to the author-Posted with his permission
Gene Whittum

In an article in the August 2012 National Geographic (page 38) there is a short illustration of the battle between the secularist and the Christian view of time. Chapter one speaks about the circular view of time (1:4-11) in which there is a continuous repetition of events and outcomes. The article concerns the Oglala Lakota Indians on the Pine Ridge Reservation which is near the site of Wounded Knee Creek where Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer fought the Sioux Nation and was annihilated. The statement simply says: “Partly because time is not linear for the Oglala Lakota but rather is expressed in circular endlessness and beginnings, and partly because many can recite the members of their family trees, branch after branch, twig after twig, vines and incidental outgrowths included . . . ”

I mention this simply to illustrate that the concept of the circular view of history is not dead. There are millions of religious people in the world who believe in reincarnation and the repetition of history. It is a meaningless pursuit “under the sun”. Solomon introduces the Hebrew view in chapter three, which is linear. It is time which has a definite beginning and end with important events along a chronological time line. We will discuss that later. We are still seeing the elaboration of this ancient form of skepticism and pessimism. It is not only in chapter one of Ecclesiastes, but we find it in Egyptian pessimism and ancient versions of Greek skepticism which have been most formative in the development of Western civilization.

The Greeks developed what they called the cyclical view of history. It means, simply, that history has no definite point of beginning and no definite point of ending. It repeatedly goes around and around and around in an endless repetition in a meaningless, vicious circle of insignificance.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), in the 19th century spoke of the myth of the eternal return in which he called attention to this same idea of the circle. In his writings, he spoke of the image of Apollo, the god of classical Greek beauty, form, harmony, rationality, order and teleology (purpose) which was a characteristic of the high age of Greek culture. Not all Greeks accepted that view of history.

Competing all of this time, was the figure of Dionysus who was connected with the god Bacchus, the god of wine and debauchery. He was the god of irrationality, chaos, and the father of the bacchanalia which was an ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus. They were drunken revelries and orgies and carousing in honor of Bacchus. The people would seek to escape the controls of rationality and just respond with abandon in order to escape the meaninglessness of the world. Nietzsche said “we must side now with Dionysus.” He was using the image of the circle coming around again. That is life “under the sun”, without meaning, purpose or definition. After this kind of teaching, there is a severe time of skepticism and depression in society.

A more modern apostle of despair was Ernest Hemingway who wrote the book “The Sun Also Rises” in which he borrows Ecclesiastes words (1:5). He said that ultimately death wins and the only way we can have victory over death is for us to determine the time and the place of our demise. The only way to cheat death is by suicide. In 1961 he used one of his rifles and killed himself. He was completely consistent with his ‘philosophy’. The sun rises, the sun sets; the sun rises, the sun sets. The image of the circular view is that “everything that goes around, comes around”.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Posted on October 10, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

Chapter 6 of Revelation is a turning point in the prophecy of this final book of the New Testament and the Bible. This is the chapter of the Scroll “SEALS.” There are a total of seven seals. Chapter 6 discusses 6 of these seals. This is also the chapter renown as the chapter of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. What so many do sometimes fail to understand is, the breaking of each seal is what releases each horseman. Chapter 7 is the breaking of the 7^th seal. This helps us locate events in Revelation 6 and 7. In chapter there are 6 seals and in chapter 7 we find the 7^th seal.. Seal number seven in the 7^th chapter of Revelation is the sealing of the 144,000 witnesses and the seal of Christ on all who accept Him during the Tribulation. We will get back to Seals #5 & 6 later in this discussion, but for now we want to discuss the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

i.e. Chapter 6 finds the 6 Seals broken and completed;

Chapter 7 finds the 7^th seal opened, the sealing of the 144,000 witnesses from the twelve tribes of Israel and God’s wrath poured out on those who are not sealed in Him.

Each of the first four of the six seals broken “the lamb” in chapter 6, the only one worthy to open the scroll, reveal four different colored *horses:

Click on the accompanying graph to see the sequence of these four horsemen and their fulfillment of scripture during the Tribulation. Tribulation graph

Seal #1 is the WHITE horse and rider;
Seal #2 is the RED horse and rider;
Seal #3 is the BLACK horse and rider;
Seal #4 is the PALE horse and rider.

*As you read this full article, allow for the possibility that there is nothing that demands in these verses or insists that the riders are different men, but possibly the same rider on a different horse; only his mission changes.

Before discussing seal #5 and #6, let’s discuss these four horsemen of the Apocalypse. Too often one will hear or read the short descriptions of these horsemen and then discuss or preach on what each signifies. This is almost too obvious. But, let’s put them into perspective with the Apocalypse of the (7 year) Tribulation. Here is what scripture tells us per the very first seal/horse-man.

Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering (nikaō) and to conquer (nikaō).
(Revelation 6:1-2)

What we learn from this passage is that there is the white horse, a rider with a bow, and that he is out to *conquer. What we only sometimes hear is what is going on as it compares or should be placed on an End Time Line graph.

The Koine Greek states the word nikaō is what we translate “conquer.” There is nothing in the Strong or Thayer translation of this word that suggests war type conquering… to overcome, the end result, maintaining ones cause, to prevail. One can do all of this by diplomatic treaty. Remember he has ONE crown and a bow without arrows.

Let’s step back and recall that the 7-year Tribulation is divided into two 3 ½ year periods of time and listed events. Israel is given a promise of peace for 7 years by someone (antichrist) who dominates global politics enough that Israel believes in his or its power to enforce this peace agreement. In other words, he has conquered the world diplomatically or with a show of unquestionable military force. He then breaks this peace agreement with Israel at the 3 ½ year point. This is the guy on the white horse who conquers. He has a bow in his hand, no arrows, but a crown (singular) is given to him. It is the antichrist who signs the pact of peace with Israel and our absolute indication that the 7-year tribulation countdown has begun.

This white horse and rider cannot be Jesus Christ. He comes with a sword on a white horse at the END OF the 7 year Tribulation. No one gives Christ a crown, but he is wearing many crowns. No other horsemen follow him other than his angels all on white horses; not a red, black, then pale horse. Seals 5 and 6 cement this truth. What follows the first white horse are three evil horsemen all bent on war, death and the destruction of ALL mankind.

If you have not previously clicked on the graphic link that comes with this article, please do so now. Notice that the first seal and this particular horseman on the graph begin the Tribulation and up to the 3 ½ year mark. This is when the Red horse and horseman appear. (JIV: I believe the horses change color for identity purposes but the horseman is one and the same. Each horse indicates a different calling or mission for this rider)

The Second seal; second horseman. A fiery Red horse appears at the breaking of this seal. This does not stipulate we have a different rider now in charge, It does however tell us that this guy takes peace from earth and causes huge conflict between mankind on earth… beginning in the Temple at Jerusalem where he sets himself up as a god to be worshiped. This still sounds like the Antichrist from the white horse and seal #1. It could simply mean that he has changed steeds from a peace-keeper (deception) to a war monger; i.e. the fire-red horse. What we do know for a fact is he breaks the covenant at the 3 ½ year mark. He signed one with Israel assuring their peace for 7 years. Deception is now running rampant in the world. People are scrambling and begin fighting amongst themselves.

This fits perfectly on the graph as located at or shortly after the 3 ½ year Tribulation mid-point. What we know about Islam today and their actions as Muslim (means life style believers), it makes it highly unlikely Islam is going to simply go away. We should factor this into any thoughts that this conflict between men beginning at the 3 ½ year juncture of the Tribulation may be as political as it is cult or religious based. (Be patient; when we get to the pale horse, things will begin to make a lot of sense)

Since the second half of the Tribulation is identified as the Great Tribulation; Jacobs trouble (Jeremiah 30:4-7), there is going to be much bloodshed and conflict with it beginning in Israel/Jerusalem and the Temple Mount that Islam believes to be one of their top three holy places. Not just with Israel, but with world leaders and those trying to become world leaders. The antichrist is the one on top, but even he has to put down three of the ten nations in their military alliance when they rebel per his policies, dominance, or fighting tactics. (Read Jeremiah 1:10, Joel 3:2, Daniel 7:23, 24)

The Black horse (third seal and rider: This rider is renowned for the scales (of his justice?) in his hand. Since this article identifies these scales as “to take or not take” the seal of 666 (antichrist)” this could still be same person or his agent using a different tactic to conquer.

And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
(Revelation 6:4; NIV)

Great famine and economic inflation occur at this time. Let’s consider the mark of the beast discussed in Revelation 13. This famine for some may reflect that if one does not receive the mark of the beast, s/he cannot buy, sell or trade in the globally controlled market. This seal is on his or her hand or forehead. Replacing “discriminatory evangelical practices,” such as not politically correct beliefs, will be a *semi-global world false religion. It is likely this is when Islamist’s are given a portion of the world to run rampant and this world false prophet religion, mostly in of the western powers, temporarily controls the rest of the world. The mark of the beast may or may not be a factor with Islamist’s and in fact may be the grounds for breaking the forth seal thus entering the Pale horse and horseman.

*I say a semi-global false religion when there will most likely be two conflicting and at war false religions on earth at this time, The revived Holy Roman Empire of Europe (King of the North) and the Middle East and Africa dominated by Islam; i.e. the King of the South; controlling ¼ of the world.

The Pale horse is a yellowish-green color. This is the color of Islam today. If they are given dominance over ¼ of the earth as an appeasement with some deal to leave Israel alone during the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation and in agreement with the anti-Christ, we now have the King of the North and the King of the South poised for a major head-to-head conflict.

Here is what scripture says about this fourth seal and Pale horse-horseman.

Revelation 6:8: And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

“…over a fourth part of the earth?” Simple mathematics tells us how and where this prophecy might play out. There is 57,000,000 square miles of habitable land on this planet. 71% of this world’s surface is water. In the Middle East there is 3,600,000 sq miles of land and Africa has 11,608,000 sq miles of land. This is a combined total of 15,200,000 square miles of habitable land. This is very close to ¼ of the total world land mass… 15,200,000 x 4 = 56,000,000. (CIA global land mass calculation).

There is great turmoil on earth during the tribulation. No one is simply sitting neutral on the sideline. This is a true global conflict; man slaying man; man jockeying for political power and dominance; great military forces trying to virtually eliminate each other; in short… mankind destroying mankind. This is precisely why Matthew 24:22 is written as a warning.

Zechariah 12:3b states “…And *all nations shall be gathered against it.” This is the net result of the Red Horse, Black Horse and then the Pale Horse and why the sequence is shown on the included chart/graph of the 7 Tribulation years. A huge number of mankind will be slain, Christian, Gentile, Hebrew, Israelite, Arab, … When the king of the North and the King of the South converge in the Valley of Jezreel to war with each other, about 50 miles north of Israel, they are joined by Russia and China from across the Euphrates. This is when they find a common enemy in the new guy on the block of world powers standing over on the Mt of Olives about 50 miles south of this 200,000,000 million man army; i.e. Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives where he declares himself King of the World.

So ends our current discussion and graph help per Revelation 6

Archeological Digs

Posted on September 29, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

On September 28, 2015 while continuing my 2-year archeological dig at the historical Land of Kysor (park), I unearthed what is believe to be a third battle field. It is assumed this to be the traditional site where two rival tribes, using their 9 or 10 best warriors would engage in the clubbing of projectiles thrown at them thrown at them by a machine.

One at a time these very young and brave warriors would step in front of this machine. Each tribe member could defend with only a round long stick and quick reflexes. The machine was backed up by 9 or 10 members of the other tribe. Each tribe had a unique name. The goal, I believe, was to take out three of the opposing tribe at a time.

This ancient ritual included a dug out. Tribal members and reserve forces could hide while watching one of their tribal members step onto the field to wage battle with that machine. Some would be asked to “self-sacrifice.” Each youthful sacrifice would be met with cheers as another tribal member who had distracted the other tribe by hitting the projectile would advance further behind the lines of the opposing tribe.

This excavation continues. A box in the ground found next to the high ground mound shows where this tossing machine was tethered. If a tribal member was successful at defending him or herself with this rounded stick, s/he would then race behind enemy lines. Opposing tribal members would then throw the same projectile at the one who successfully hit it; all without further assistance from the tethered machine.

Over the past two years two other battle fields have been discovered and are now excavated. Those interested in this ancient ritual are welcome to visit and use these ancient fields of battle.

I have amassed significant information during my archeological digs as ancient tribal members stop by to share their experiences with the machine and opposing tribes. Some had sons or daughters who did self-sacrifice for their tribe. We must remember them and train future warriors.

The Living Word of GOD -Connecting the dots of the history of mankind

Archaeological digs are very similar to deep study of the Bible. The more of this ancient history book we dig into, the more we realize it makes a lot of sense. One can’t dig just one hole in a research. The dots need to be connected by discovery digging. Eventually the dots connect themselves.

Reliable and Valid Christian Living

Posted on September 25, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

Reliability is the extent to which an experiment, test, or any measuring procedure yields the same result on repeated trials.

Validity refers to the degree to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the specific concept that the researcher is attempting to measure. While reliability is concerned with the accuracy of the actual measuring instrument or procedure, validity is concerned with the study’s success at measuring what the researchers set out to measure.

Using a scientific approach, can we say that the Bible is true via reliability and validity? The world of secular research and science usually holds to this regimen. They MUST demonstrate reliability and validity of results in order to confirm its reported results.

Let’s begin with Reliability? Question: Is the Bible reliable to the extent that it produces the same results regardless of the text used to support or make a point? Let me explain this as the world would use and accept the results per this part of the measure.

I recently went in for a hearing test. I do have severe hearing issues, deaf in my left ear and limited hearing in my right ear. The test results from this test were the same minus a few exceptions with a test I had two years earlier by another audiologist. This would suggest that the testing method is reliable; it yields the same results on repeated trials. But this is also contingent upon all other variables being constant in that means the testing circumstances are controlled in similar manners. But it also means that the client (me in this scenario) is also unchanged.

The Bible has similar conditions and pre-conditions. Can over time the scriptures be reliable? Let’s consider the simplest yet most important verses in Scripture, that which concerns salvation. This is also where the word faith (pistis in the Greek) comes into the equation. As early in the New Testament as one can go (The Book of Mark) salvation comes only through faith, belief in Jesus, and a committed heart. Belief is not simply accepting the facts as presented, but acting upon them. Faith that a well-tuned piano can produce some of the most beautiful music is more than looking at a piano and making such a statement. It requires the good works of application by a true pianist. If my brother who was a concert pianist played the keyboard and another applied pianist did the same thing, we would prove two things; the piano was reliable and a true pianist was valid. For me to sit at the ivory keys, we would still have reliability per the piano, but no longer valid beauty in the sound results.

This is true of the Christian faith. True believers demonstrate time after time that Christ makes a difference in his or her life. This is reliability. We get similar changes in lives. To prove the validity of this measure, one would need to see if this same “improvement” occurred in all measured subjects. These measures would be Galatians 5:22 “ the fruit (evidence) of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, fruitfulness, gentleness, self-control i.e. indwelling of the Holy Spirit. There must be consistency between those measured with only occasional blips. When it is the blips that are more often revealed in this example research, the measure is somehow wrong.

When a by-mouth-only so stated Christian tries to sit at the ivory keyboard of Christianity, s/he would soon prove to be a fraud or invalid as a true believer in and follower of Christ; thus reliability of inconsistent living AND little to but no validity. Put the two side by side and our Christianity study or measure would demonstrate different results meaning something is invalid.

Want a check list for yourself? Okay here is one. If you don’t’ want to personally know about validity and reliability in Christian living, stop reading here. The rest of this blog or article may be too truthful to accept. Remember that true results must have both measures.

Do you thirst for bible knowledge or are the simple “stories of the Bible” good and deep enough for you?
Do you pray on a continual basis for more things than a blessing on the food you are about to eat, and then only if in private and NOT in a public place? Do you forgive others as you want the Lord to forgive you your sins?
Do you want to share what God has done for you or are you still wondering IF God has done anything for you?
Do you seek to be with other believers in fellowship and WORSHIP or is Sunday attendance good or close enough?
When was the last time you picked up, opened and STUDIED the bible other than to possibly carry it to church?-
Is a Bible devotional to you the same thing as bible study?
Are you more worried about the ball game next weekend than the salvation of your neighbor, friends and/or family?
Do you pray for the healing of others so that you yourself may be healed?
Is a little gray sin, a little deceit, or little lie not a sin in your opinion?
What does the word HOLY mean to you? Just a special word or do you grasp its true depth?

These are enough measures to test one’s Christian reliability and validity. Here is how the Biblical addresses each of the above questions. If we believe in Jesus Christ, live the above and the Bible commands it, one is a reliable and valid Christian. See you here, there, or in the air.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 6:9-13, Daniel 9:3-19 (forgiveness of sin) Adoration of God’s Holy Name and His holiness, His goodness, His omnipotence, His sovereignty. The Lord’s Prayers says “Hallowed be your name.” also read), Daniel 6:10
Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 8:39John 4:28-29.
Hebrews 10:25, Matthew 18:20
Luke 4:4, Exodus 24:3, Deuteronomy 6:6, Acts 17:11
1 Timothy 4:15, John 5:39, 1 Corinthians 2:13
Acts 10:1-8, Acts 16:20-34, Luke 23:39-43
Matthew 7:7, Psalms 107:28-30, James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18
Romans 6:23 simply calls sin, SIN, James 2:10, Matthew 12:31-32
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/o/holyholy.htm

Drj Stark

PS: There is an old song and saying that goes like this:

“God said it, I believe it, and that’s good enough for me.” On the surface this seems to be good enough. But the validity is missing; i.e. evidence. Now if one can relate to this… “God said it; I LIVE it, and that’s valid enough for a witness,” then we have a true Christian life after which one can model his or her own.

Ecclesiastes -Chapter One: The Futility of Life

Posted on September 21, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

Copy right to the author-Posted with his permission
Gene Whittum

The Book begins with a morbid and negative range of ideas which continue throughout the book. The pessimistic motif of the book is quite contrary to the rest of Scripture. To account for the pessimistic pattern isn’t always easy.The antidote to the pessimism is to recognize the positive verses that are scattered throughout the chapters as well as the subjects under discussion by Solomon.

For instance, the observations of life in chapter four can be reversed and taught as warnings concerning the hazards of life. If one prepares for the negatives in life, it must be accompanied by positive approaches mentally and spiritually. Mental and spiritual preparation comes only from an fuller understanding of the rest of Scripture as well as a positive relationship to the God of the Bible. Another is in chapter five where the reader is admonished to “guard your steps when you go the the house of God.” Solomon then gives warnings concerning the approach to the God who is “above the sun” as opposed to the life of one who is constantly “under the sun.”

Verse 2. “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanitiy of vanities; all is vanity.” (KJV) Solomon was not alone in his study of wisdom literature. There were other writers in the ancient world who discussed life’s problems that included serious philosophical essays in which they would probe the depths of the same questions that atheists and existentialists do today. It is a strand of literary pessimism in which the authors would raise the question as to whether life was ultimately worth living.

In chapter one, Solomon is not giving a weather report or a scientific discussion of the sciene of evaporation and precipitation. He is addressing the idea of many cultures and religions concerning the ebb and flow of time as being a futile recurrence of the same thing. The Eastern philosophy of reincarnation is probably the prime example of what Solomon is really discussing.

The word “futile” is the most gross obscenity in the human language. A person can take most any kind of disappointment or discouragement as long as there is a ‘light at the end of the tunnel.’ However, if one believes that all of life is nothing more than an exercise in futility, it becomes unbearable and completely vain and meaningless. That is the message that Solomon is addressing and that is what a person faces when approaching life entirely “under the sun”.

Solomon (vs. 12) then gives his credentials and authority for writing the Book. We must remember the great wisdom that was given to Solomon by the Lord; he is well qualified to face the problems of life but admits that he was facing a “heavy burden that God had laid on men!” He had seen “all the things that are done “under the sun” and “all of them are meaningless, a chasing after wind.” (vv 13-14 NIV)

(continues in column to the right)

He admits in verses 15-17 that even his great wisdom is insufficient regarding events and knowledge “under the sun.” In chapter two, he gives his testimony of his experiences of life “under the sun”.

“All if futile”. That is the message of the skeptic, the nihilist. These are words to describe the philosophy of despair. The life of despair is so severe that the only conclusion is that it IS meaningless. There are no values, no purpose for life and human existence that we are at best a kind of cosmic joke. If that is all we have, then life, truly, if vain.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), the German philosopher and poet, is one of the ‘fathers’ of modern nihilism. He examined life and came to the conclusion that God is dead and that the end of life is nothingness, the ‘nihil’. The same sentiment is taught again and again in schools and universities in our day. Our children are flooded by the philosophy of the absurdity of life. Philosophy begins with a contemporary novel or book; the motion picture industry promotes it and ultimately it filters down to teaching in grade schools and mingles into the lives of our children.

His French contemporary, Albert Camus, made the comment that the only serious question that is left for philosophers today is the question of suicide (written about by the ancient Egyptians). Much of these attitudes came into out country as a result of reaction to the revelation of the holocaust of WWII where as many as 8,000 people (mostly Jews) were killed every day. When many Nazis escaped punishment, the pessimism became even more ingrained the populations of the world. There is much more that could be said regarding the development of the philosophy of despair and the doctrine of reincarnation,but the reader can study that on his own.

One more thought on Nietzsche’s philosophy of nihilism. When he declared that God is dead, the world rejoiced that they no longer had to be accountable to a “dead” God. The problem was that some of the existentialists looked at that and then looked at the other side of the coin. Their determination was that: “If I am no longer accountable, that means that I am also no longer of any account.” If God is dead, there is no standard of good and evil, right or wrong and the philosophy of nihilism is magnified and life truly becomes “meaningless” and “futile” “under the sun”. The existentialist and philosophers have nowhere to go and nothing to offer.

Such lack of meaning can explain the chaos that exists in societies throughout the world today. However, Solomon goes on to examine life “above the sun” and continually brings the God of the universe back into the picture. He is not dead, but alive and working in the hearts of men and women around the world. His book is summarized in chapter twelve where he begins with “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth . . .”

Ecclesiastes – Part 2

Posted on September 19, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

Gene Whittum

Ecclesiastes is the quest of one man seeking the meaning of life “Under the sun”. When you look for the ‘interpretation’ of a book such as this, it helps to see what words are prominent, especially in the Wisdom Literature of the Bible.

1. Vexation occurs some 10 times 2. Under the sun about 31 times 3. Vanity occurs 33 times 4. Folly 7 times 5. Profit 6 times 6. Enjoy 6 times 7. God, occurs some 40 times 8. Labor about 23 times 9. Work 15 times 10. Wise, wisely, and wisdom about 30 times. There will be other words that stand out to you in your study of the book. (Gene often uses the N.I.V. Other translations may have different numbers)

What the author is looking for is what is ‘above’ the sun, and the question that he seeks to answer is: “Is there any meaning to the time that I spend in this world?” [JIV: ‘under the sun’ would be ‘in this world’]

We are born in a certain year and die in a certain year. In between our birth and death, we live out our lives. Is the time we spend here significant, or not? He asks the question early on in 1:3 “What does a man gain from all his labor at which he toils ‘under the sun’?” (The Apostle Paul answers that in I Corinthians 15:58 when he writes:”Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is NOT in vain.”)

Solomon’s sermon begins with dark colors and as he develops his theme(s), the colors get brighter. Note that “God” is mentioned some 40 times in his discussion and what he is doing is poking holes in the canopy that is “under the sun” and letting the light of the knowledge of God shine through the ‘holes’ so that we can see the God that is “above the sun”. It is not a book of pessimism, but of encouragement to those who live in a dark, dreary and disappointing world. Solomon is simply looking at life under the sun, giving examples and explanations of that kind of life which seemingly stymies any chance or thought of happiness.

So, the collision course, or the deeply rooted question in the human heart is: “Am I doing this for nothing? Would it be easier to do nothing?” The ultimate answer and his conclusion is “NO”. The message is simple: There is a reason for one’s life; there is a reason for our suffering, pain and joy. The Apostle Paul answers this in the New Testament in Romans 8:28″And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”In all things–circumstances of life, or in the midst of negative experiences, God is working for THE good. The rest of the chapter defines what the good is and what it leads to.

Solomon is plumbing the depths of some heavy questions that have been asked throughout history and were prevalent even before his lifetime. Note that the Queen of Sheba had a list of difficult questions that she brought to Solomon and she was impressed at his answers. Undoubtedly her own ‘wise men’ were unable to satisfy her curiosity.

There was, in the ancient world, a strand of very pessimistic literature and Solomon begins his book with such a statement in 1:2 when he says: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” It doesn’t seem that there is any hope when “everything is meaningless.” What chance does a person have with such an outlook?

The book is heavily philosophical in nature and Solomon is certainly acquainted with the literature extant [existing] in his day. (Note: Solomon’s history in I Kings 3-11 and 2 Chronicles 1-9 which will give an overview of his experience in Israel).

There is a sense in which the book deals with literary pessimism but is not really dealing with it in its basic message. It is, rather, addressing the issue of literary pessimism. Both ancient and modern philosophers deal with the meaning of life and some existentialists (Camus and Sarte e.g.) determine that life is not really worth living. The futility of life is as old as life itself. It is not a modern innovation but an investigation of life that people have struggled with whenever they have looked at and examined the significance of life.

This for That or That for This

Posted on September 6, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

Not only did I go through a lot of training to be a Service Dog, every day is like on the job training. My mom went through training with me and we will always be in “training.”

One of the reasons I used to love training so much was I always got “this for that.” I got a treat for doing whatever my mom asked me to do if I responded correctly. Boy, once I figured out that I got a treat each time I was faster than fast…YUM! But as I grew and matured the treats got less and less. Sure, I do get treats for doing what I am called to do but only when my mom decides to give them to me. Doing what I do without getting this (a treat) for that (performance) is no longer my motivation. I sort of grew up and do “that” for my mom because it is who I am and what I do.

If my mom felt she always had to give me something for turning the light off or picking up her slippers she would be doing “THAT” for “THIS.” It equally speaks of the wrong motive of her heart. She would be striving to repay me for what I freely give. That would steal my joy of serving.

Are we always expecting “this” for “that?” Or do we feel obligated to give something when they do something (THAT). Both can bring disappointment. “This for that” is the I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine attitude. ”That for This” is striving to and always paying someone back for a good deed or gift. When we don’t expect “THIS” for “THAT” or strive to do “THAT” for “THIS” it changes us. Giving without expectation and receiving without striving to pay someone back is balance living. It is unconditional love and acceptance. One of the best things in life is when we know the how to give and accept love unconditionally.

But there is one thing you lack….(Mark 10:21; NIV)

Posted on August 26, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

BLOG – August 26, 2015

But there is one thing you lack….(Mark 10:21; NIV)

Here is a passage that has a very broad application to major single item issues in our lives. The bible records that a rich young ruler approached Jesus and asked “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

The Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17-27; ESV)

¹⁷And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” ²¹And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²²Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

²³And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

This is not a passage that condemns wealth. Job, Abraham, Jacob, and others in scripture were very wealthy individuals; many camels, sheep, servants… It is about the possessions or in this situation the one possession that keeps us from living a full life with God. I recall a similar situation when preaching at a church many years ago. The preacher was ticking off a list of sins and an elderly lady sitting in the front row was vocally agreeing with each sin he identified. It goes something like this:

There are some here today who need to get certain sins out of their life. There are those here who have wondering eyes (amen mumbled the lady in the front row); those who seek wealth more than God (again she mumbled amen but a bit louder). There are those who cheat (Yes! Amen says the lady now audible to others). There are those who have tempers (Amen; now loud enough for those a few rows back). Some here have not supported the church as they should (now with a bit of a shout… Amen). There are those who have secret sins (Amen). Someone here is a compulsive liar (AMEN ). Someone here is an over-the-fence gossiper. With that the lady in the front row shouts out…”Now you are getting too personal!”

It was the one sin for which she felt was excusable and okay since it was her practice in life and unwilling to give it up… a gossiper; “there is one thing…“ To keep this story parallel to our passage in Mark, she agreed with hearty amen’s to the other listed wrongs and wasn’t guilty of those other sins (in her opinion that is). But there was one sin she felt was too much to give up and in her opinion was justifiable.

The rich young man in Mark 10 (also found in Luke 18:18-23 & Matthew 19:16-22) asked Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life. There is nothing in any of the passages found in Matthew, Mark or Luke to indicate he was not sincere. He knew Jesus was the Messiah, good teacher, and sent from God. He wanted to be a follower of Christ like the other disciples.

Jesus then listed (v19) a few laws of Judaism (10 Commandments); the young man replies…”all these I have kept since I was a boy (v20; NIV)” Then comes the zinger; the point we all need to consider in our personal lives, worship, and faithfulness to our salvation. In verse 21 Jesus looks (emblepō; to fix one’s eye upon) him in the eyes and says… “One thing you lack,” (v21a; NIV) “go and sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then, come and follow me.”

Note that Jesus didn’t tell him that he would never again have treasures or that he would no longer possess wealth. Jesus told him… “you will have treasures in heaven.” The word ‘treasures’ in the Greek is thēsauros; a coffer, box, or storehouse in which valuable things are deposited/stored. By deduction this suggests that his exchange of wealth on earth is but a deposit box for the wealth he would have in the storehouse of God in heaven.

Like the amen-lady in the story told on page one of this article, he was unwilling to “give up that one thing” that was too close to his heart; she: gossiping; him: wealth. It isn’t like he sacrificed much to live within the laws of Judaism. We are not told about this other than he has upheld these laws since a bay. This obedience to the laws made him a recognized, respected and good man in Jewish society and culture. This goodness is a given in his life since childhood. He sincerely wanted to follow Jesus, but on his own terms; willing to follow but wanted to keep one hand on his earthly security of treasures or desires. He was not willing to empty his earthly coffer of one particular thing in order to follow Jesus Christ; “One thing you lack.”

It isn’t a matter of giving up wealth or any one-thing, but it is a position or attitude of the heart. We can be more sincere than the pastor or leadership of a great or small church yet still covet one thing in life that seems too much to give up so Christ can completely fill and fulfill our life on earth. Maybe that one thing is telling an exaggerated story, a lustful eye, watching questionable movies, that drink that takes us to the red-eye of the wine, unwillingness to share in and nurture the growth of a child (Greek: pahee-dee’-on; a child or immature Christian), bear false stories, gossip, adultery, not giving due honor to those who deserve it whether it is earned or not, speeding, etc.

We should make a ‘study-note’ that in this situation it is but an example of other one-things we are not willing to surrender in order to follow God. Buying into political correctness does not assure it is correct with God just as is looking past evils, speeding, filing almost correct taxes, the white lie, not using our spiritual gift in church, and the like. Not leaving a tip worthy of being called a tip at a restaurant is NOT a sin but is politically incorrect, anti-culture and it is being judgmental or perhaps selfish. I have seldom met a wealthy waiter or waitress; often: the poor.

Before we are tempted to use this opportunity to begin staring in the face of incorrect political correctness go back to v21; ”Jesus looked at him and loved him.” This is agapaō love. It means Jesus loved him. I found this definition of two types of love:

There are generally two types of love spoken about in our New Covenant. The first is the Greek word phileō; it means a brotherly love, to be a friend, to have affection for. This is the most common type of love that we experience in this world and it’s an emotional love that occurs in almost every person to some degree. Whether they’re saved or unsaved, the average person today readily has this phileō, this emotional type of love within them.

The other Greek word for love is agape (ah-gah-pay) and sometimes agapaō. This is a much rarer type of love that only comes from our Father in Heaven through His Son Jesus Christ. Agape / agapaō love is the love of Jesus shining forth from his and our heart. It’s that divine love that’s related to being obedient to God’s Word. (John 14:23) Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves (agape) me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love (agape) him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

The wealthy young ruler desired to follow Christ and Jesus loved (agape/agopao) him; not for his willingness but for his being a person for whom Jesus Christ was soon to die on Calvary and pay the debt of sin. “For God so loved the (entire ) world that he gave his only begotten son.”(emphasis mine). Here in the life of the rich young man seeking to follow Jesus on earth, we have a very familiar phrase that is often used by God the Father and his son Jesus Christ when making a promise or covenant. It goes like this; If you_________, then I (God-head) will ______________. In the case of this young man, it was a matter of giving up, not an easily identified sin, but something that he held more personal and of value than a fulfilled walk with Jesus. It was not the wealth, but his unwillingness to give up the “ONE THING” that kept him from Christ fulfilling His plan for his life… ours too.

Does the reader of this blog have just one inner secret of issue in life that keeps him or her from a closer walk with Christ? If there is, it is _(confidential)______ _____________________ ?

When Hope is Beyond Reach

Posted on August 23, 2015 by ahabiblemoments.com

What does one do when h/she no longer sees the light at the end of the tunnel? Is there a burial ground for broken hearts? What do we do when life is shattered by words, stabbed by mistrust, and shot by consuming jealousy and manipulation; until a punch in the face dealt the final blow? What does one do when all that is left is a heart that is bleeding to death?

There are times in life when hope is nowhere in sight. These are the desperate times. Sometimes life brings us to a crossroad. It is a cross road of making changes we do not want to make. Yet to stay in the same place life would be a mere existence.

Being a child of God doesn’t exempt us from real issues. Along time ago I made the decision to be real with God-He knows me better than I know me- anyway. Even if all I can do is weep before Him; He understands my tears. I can trust Him with my emotions. He is big enough to handle my fears, my broken dreams, and even the truth that I have moments when hope is beyond my reach. I found out God has a much greater reach. He has never failed to reach down with His Presence and love me through the times of writhing pain whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual. Support

The Word of God has many examples of hurting people who were open and honest about the pain in their lives. Jeremiah asks God, “Why is my pain unceasing, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?” (Jer 15: 18)

The greatest thing that changes when I voice my struggles and heartaches to the LORD is me. If only we knew how Great is our LORD and how much He longs for a us to have a relationship with Him, He would be the first One we run to when we are in pain of any kind and He would also be the One we give our deepest thanks to for being our loving Father. If we don’t give continual thanks to God, why should He continue to listen to our pleas? (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Jeremiah learns from trusting God with all his emotions as he writes in Jer. 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” (note that he not only trusts in the Lord; Jeremiah wrote TRUST IS THE LORD.)

Life can hurt us so bad that we lose hope. Sometimes hope is just behind the veil—we can’t see it. Like Jesus Who said He would never leave us or nor forsake us- we often don’t feel His Presence but He is with us. When we voice our deepest pain to the LORD it changes us. Will we still go through pain in this life? I don’t know how to avoid it while we are on earth. But with the LORD we will go through it. Hope is often behind a veil we create when we bury our pain deep within our hearts. We need to deal with it by giving it to the One who is well able to help us. As we trust God and share our pain with Him (remember He already knows but longs for a relationship with you and me) our hearts will be filled with His Prevailing Hope. He is the One who loves you. He is the One who can heal and restore your heart with His love, joy and peace that passes understanding. He will guide you through the deepest raging river of pain and help you find the pathway to safety and place of peace. He is the Only One who can do that. He loves You. -McKee

God’s grace is sufficient for all the human race;

God’s grace is sufficient for who are in this place.

God’s grace is sufficient for each of use to see’

God’s grace is sufficient for me, yes even me. -jStark

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