The Bible, A Book Like No Other!

This is an excerpt from chapter 2 of my EBook Squished! Why God Seemingly Destroys Our Fruit.  The book was written from the experience of when my home church split in a disagreement among the elders and pastor. This was one of the bits of knowledge I learned as I felt and watched how my brother and sister Christians responded to the upheaval.

The Bible, A Book Like No Other:

If there is a book today that tries to describe God in any way other than the original text, then God did not have anything to do with its production. I believe that God has one Book He wants mankind to read above all else—the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 12:12, 13, “And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: ‘Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.’”

Have you ever looked at the marvels of the book of Judges? Who witnessed Samson asking the servant boy to place his hands on the pillars inside the pagan temple? Who told the story of what happened? Everybody died!

Consider the story of Esther. That is a great example of holy living in a pagan world but who told the writer what was going on in Haman's house? GOD was the witness! God imparted that information to the writer; maybe it was a servant in Haman’s house, maybe one of his henchmen babbled it after the hanging. No matter how the news got out, ultimately God made it known.

Because God wanted us to have it, we have the amazing testimony of Job. Just the first chapter should raise goose bumps. God gave the writer the information about what happened before His throne in Heaven. Who else was there?

In the New Testament, who told the writers the truth about what went on between Jesus and Pilot? Could that information have come from the Roman guards that came to know Jesus as Lord after the crucifixion and resurrection? Wow! What incredible grace if that is how it came to be included in the Bible? God knew!

What about Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, that was only between Jesus and the Father. The only other people there were asleep!

The Bible is truly God's book! It's all true. It truly is a living book, a miraculous book!

We must confess we don’t understand it all and at times it can blow our thought processes, however if you are truly born again you know the Bible is true. We accept the things we cannot understand because we know God is that amazing!

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Moses In The Cleft Of The Rock

We sing "Rock of Ages, Cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee" That song carries in it a tremendous amount of Spiritual truth and Scriptural truth.

In Exodus 33, Moses asks God for a marvelous gift when he asked to see God. Not Jesus incarnate, whom talked to Moses face to face at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, but God the Father.

"And he, (Moses). said, 'Please show me Your glory." Ex 33:18.

God seems quite pleased with Moses request, immediately answering: "Then He, (God) said, 'I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you." Ex 33:19a

But, God gives a concession in one thing: "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion'" Ex 33:19b.

No one has seen God the Father at any time (John 14:9), and He lives in unapproachable light, (1 Tim 6:16).

The Bible also declares that the pure holiness of God will destroy anything impure and unholy by nearness to Him. Because Adam's sin corrupted every thing God created, means every created thing will be destroyed by God's perfection, no matter what, (2 Thess 2:8, Heb 12: 18-21), (Ex 19), unless God consents to spare it. Which means He is being VERY gracious to the world.

So God has to give this extra declaration that He will choose not to destroy Moses. Yet He said He would show only His back; "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live" Ex 33:20.

But Moses still wants the joy of seeing God, and with absolute child-like trust in God's grace, Moses goes to the place on the mountain where God shows him to wait.

Moses did not go to a cleft to wait. There is no break in the mountain for him to squeeze into. God opened the side of the mountain, placing Moses into it, and closing up the mountain. Moreover, God gave the protection of His hand over the place where He enclosed Moses. Then God, the Father, allowed Moses to see His Almighty Light after passing. God's glory, (the Hebrew word Kabod), His Might.

"So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you into the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen" Ex 33:22,23.

Moses couldn't place himself in the rock to save himself from God's perfection, and he couldn't get out once God had placed him in the rock. It was all God's doing. And He did it just because Moses asked.

God has done a similar thing for those who believe in Him and have asked for forgiveness of sin. We can't stand in the perfect Light of Almighty God, (Rev 19:11-15), unless God has chosen to do something to save us.

Which He did, for the same reason He told Moses. "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" Ex 33:19. Jesus took our sin and died for it, (2 Cor 5:21), so God the Father can give us Jesus' righteousness.

"For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" Romans 10:13. (Joel 2:32)

We can't get ourselves into Christ without the Father's grace, (John 14:6, John 17), and after we're in, we can't get out because He holds us there by His grace,(John 10:28-30).

wow

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It Makes More Sense Than Evolved Intelligence

I believe in the Eternal Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Creator God because it makes more sense than man's evolved intelligence having imagined the creation of a Creator God.

Here's why I believe God made me and I did not make myself.

Some people are taught that human' evolved over billions years to the state we are in now. Somehow they have been convinced we are getting smarter, and more civilized as we are evolving higher and higher on the chain of life.

Huh?

Evolution teaches that the human is his or her own god because they have reached the top of the evolution of intelligence. That their deification comes from being able to think, make decisions and grasp for more in their lives to enhance own wellbeing.

Um....then after billions of years, somewhere about 7000 years ago, our beautifully, perfectly, intelligent, evolved minds decided we needed to worship a God who created us. About 7000 years ago we somehow made up a God who created heaven and earth. He created a man and woman and walked and talked with them in a Garden of Eden. (every culture discovered so far has some sort of written history similar to this and also a change in the earth resembling the flood of Noah's day)

Also our beautifully evolved intelligence decided to think up something called sin that separates us from the Creator God. Then humans decided that One God-Man would come to earth to die for all the sin of the world so we all, (perfectly evolved humans) could go be with Him forever and ever in a Paradise. We also decided that there has to be a counterpart to Paradise called Hell and the Lake of Fire for all those who somehow reject this Creator God's salvation.

Think about this--the evolved human mind had to come up with that if evolution is the truth.

If the human race has evolved to the epitome of the chain of existence, there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON for ANY human on the planet to imagine a deity higher than themselves.

That means all the religions of the world including Buddhism, Christian Science, Jehovah Witness, Mormons, Islam, every Native tribe of any land, Illuminati, Zodiac, Naturalism, & Humanism, Witchcraft, Satanism, Superior Aliens, etc.. Not only our Christianity as learned from the Holy Bible, but ALL of these would be foolishness in the imagined creation of the semblance of a god above an evolved human.

But the human mind in all parts of the world have some sort of out-of-this-world gods in their culture, some deity beyond their evolution. What for? How? Why?

So I believe Almighty God created me and has put in me the mind to seek Him and know Him. And, praise the Lord, to be saved by Him out of this sinful, crazy world and be with Him forever and ever in Paradise!! (Psalm 100)

Those who worship evolution have to figure out just which god they want to worship, since each time they add more years to their religion of evolution, they give more proof they cannot be evolved into perfection yet--and who wants an imperfect god?

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God Does Not Change: Originally posted August 7, 2013

Reposting an early blog from August 2013

God Does Not Change

"For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" Colossians 1: 7.

     One of my favorite J. Vernon Magee quotes is, ‘Don’t let what you don’t know interfere with what you do know’. I think this very good advice for bible believing Christians. Many times, I have heard people say things about God that contradict what I know. While they may believe what they say, their ignorance or denial does not change anything about God. Paul stresses this in Galatians 2: 6 when he says, ‘But from those who seem to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.’ Paul knew that man’s ideas do not change one iota of God.

     People may preach false doctrine, or misinterpret scriptures, mistakenly or purposefully twisting them for their own agenda; it does not negate the truth about God. He has never, and will never, change. Man cannot debate God off the platform. A person may humiliate another’s intelligence. They may outtalk their opponents. They can gather others around them with similar ideals and beliefs and change human perspectives but it will never change God or make Him disappear. 

     The second Psalm states that man will try to get rid of God. Man will refuse to believe His existence. Man will attempt to claim God is an oppressor and His ways are evil, but it also states that He who sits in the heavens will laugh. God looks down on the world from His mighty throne and knows exactly what man is doing, and whatever he is doing, will not change God.

     If I listen to someone talking about God, I try to listen with the discernment of the Holy Spirit. He will always help me know the truth about what they are saying. If I get an idea that something is wrong, I listen to understand their ideas of God and their belief of salvation. Some people can talk about God with an appearance of knowing Him, but if they do not know Him as the holy, gracious, saving God I know, it will come out somewhere in their conversation. They may have the most eloquent speech, the most intelligent concepts, the most perfect arguments, and run circles around my education but one thing I know: God is my God. Jesus is my Savior.

     A Christian or a non-Christian can have knowledge beyond books learned on this earth but only a Christian will know their Savior beyond explanation by earthly means.

     1 John 5: 13, ‘These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.’

     I know that I know that I know.

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25 Life Applications from the Book of Ruth

Here are 25 Life Application to be found in the book of Ruth.

There were so many places in this story where disobedience, selfish ambitions, and pride of any number of those involved could have created disaster. But three people, Boaz, Ruth and Naomi were determined to obedience to the law given to Moses so that God would be glorified.

#1 Have quiet patience with people who insult us.
      Ruth holds her peace even as Naomi ignores her. (1:21)

#2 Seek God, even when we don’t know what’s going on.
      Ruth leaves all she knows, trusting in God, whom she's newly put her faith in to take care of her. (1:16,17)

#3 Trust God when we are taking a new direction.
      Ruth travels to Bethlehem not knowing what awaits her, only she knows that the God of Israel will take care of her. (1:22)

#4 When repenting, don’t just stop doing something, but leave it far behind.
      Ruth left Moab and a life of idolatry. (Ruth 1)

#5 Our everyday, ordinary conduct is an integral part of our witness.
      Ruth stays pure and holy in her new life.

#6 Pray despite your pain.
     Naomi prays for her two daughters in law. (1:8,9)

#7 Our loyalty shouldn’t hinge on the character of the person we love (unconditional love).
       Ruth ignores Naomi's urging to stay in Moab, and insists on going to Bethlehem. (1:15)

#8 Stick to your promises.

     Ruth stays with Naomi through all the troubles.

#9 Respect is earned, never granted.
      Boaz and Ruth have both earned the respect of the harvesters. (2:4-7)

#10 Humility is knowing your limits and your needs.

      Ruth humbles herself to ask for the charity of gleaning in Boaz' fields. (1:7)

#11 Once we’re saved, God has forever forgiven us of our past.
       Boaz never derides Ruth because of her ancestry.

#12 As ambassadors of Christ, we need to guard our reputations.
       Ruth, Naomi and Boaz stay true to God among an immoral society. (Judges 21:25)

#13 Some sacrifices will hurt severely, but the rewards for pleasing God are worth it.
       Boaz and Ruth sacrifice their desire to marry to keep the Kinsman/Redeemer Law. (3:13)

#14 Many times our sacrifices to God will make no sense to anyone else but us.
       To fulfill the law, Boaz sticks to the rules and offers Ruth, whom he loves, to the closer relative. (4:1-5)

#15 God moves in our ordinary lives to bless us in extraordinary ways.
       God moves behind the scenes through the entire book of Ruth.

#16 No one is beyond the amazing salvation of God.
       Even though a Moabite, Ruth is saved through her faith in God.

#17 Obedience is rewarded.
      Boaz, Ruth and Naomi enjoy the birth of Obed. (4:13-16)

#18 Our need is to continue to pray about everything.

#19 God is always with His children through everything.

#20 God wants us to rely on Him for everything.

#21 If your prayer isn’t answered right away, keep praying.

#22 What we choose to do good or bad is going to affect the reputations of our fellow Christians.

#23 We should do nothing that would cause unbelievers to blaspheme the name of our Lord

#24 God can make us wait before He fulfills all He’s going to give us.

#25 God sees the end from the beginning. He sees us in heaven right now enjoying our rewards. He is seeing our worship perfected.

Ruth Boaz and Naomi show how to live our lives

in obedience, purity, holiness and faith.

Christians are not under the law today, but we are to live holy lives, set apart for God's glory.

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None Perfect, No Not One!

Born again Christians are not perfect people.

Born again Christians are imperfect people living on this imperfect earth who know God saves imperfect people and He will change us into perfect people in the next life for all eternity.

  "Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--
  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:50-53."


Perfect, Holy God knows we're not perfect but by His grace He chooses to accept all believers as perfected in His Son Jesus. Because born again Christians accept Jesus' death on the cross as the substitute for their own punishment, God gives all believers this future of perfection guaranteed in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

  "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
  "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"
  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:54-57."

Have you gotten your guarantee of perfection yet?

   "Jesus said, "Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" John 3:3."

"Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." Hebrews 3:7."

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When God Says No

We give thanks to You, O GOD, we give thanks! 

For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. 

Psalm 75:1

God has answered my prayers. In fact, I have just received an answer. It was not the one I was hoping for, but God did answer me. 

Though I am disappointed, the fact I RECEIVED an answer is so awesome as to take away all disappointment in the denial of my request.

How many times has God answered a prayer with Yes, No, or Wait and it's taken for granted because you received an answer?  A bit cheeky isn't it? The Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, the Mighty Redeemer, Savior, Holy God gave YOU an answer. The reply shouldn't be treated as an average daily occurrence, should it?

Ask yourself this, "Who am I that Almighty God should take note of me? What did I do to deserve such condescension from such a One as GOD?"

Although what I was hoping heartily for received a No, Wait, Trust Me answer, I am in awe that my God truly cares enough for me to speak so gently and kindly to me even while saying No to my request. I am His child and He knows what is best for me.

The next time you receive an answer to prayer Thank God no matter what the reply to your request. 

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Thank you. 

Guest Post: Walk In Holiness

Guest Joel Littlefield - Author of Grace In Crossville

This essay was first posted on the Calvary Chapel Crossville website. Please visit the site for more of Pastor Joel Littlefield's teaching.

"To walk in this thing we call holiness, 

every eye must remain on the prize.

 That prize is Jesus."

                                                            J. Littlefield

Pastor Joel has written a fine essay on the awesome attribute of God---His Holiness. 

Walk In Holiness

No one is innately holy except God. No man is innately holy except Jesus Christ, the God-man. What then do we do with the command "Be holy, as I am holy"? How can we possibly follow this one? We must see that it is not an optional command. We cannot just back out of this as if anything less than holy were acceptable to God. Holiness is who God is, and what we must seek if we are truly His. To better understand this, let's consider this phrase we often hear, "walk in holiness", and break it into three parts.

First - To walk in holiness is just that, a walk. It's a life with holy movement. It's a life of faithful step-taking. Not sluggish or lazy. Some steps are big and some are small, but the Christian is to be constantly on the move in the strength of the Spirit. This is not like the "busybody". The scriptures condemn that behavior. The busybody is so active, and so loose with his or her decisions, so sloppily involved in everyone's affairs, that they are not acting as the Lord in His holiness. God is purposeful, and deliberate in every action, so that every word, and every move is for the goal of glorifying Himself for the good of others. Let us do the same. Walk in holiness. Walk with purpose and with one goal, the glory of God and the benefit of others. 

Second - Holiness is something that envelopes the true child of God. It is not a secondary nature, but part of a new, God given, primary nature that identifies with Christ. "Therefore if you have been raised with Christ, walk in newness of life."  The action of walking and doing as a Christian is really an outflow of something deep inside you. Yes, something fully worked by God, but something we MUST take hold of. This is justification, that which Christ bought with His own blood.  It is only in Christ that we are made holy.  In Jesus we are acquitted of all unrighteousness and counted worthy - blameless before God - forgiven.  It is a matter of position because of absolute payment on our behalf. The walking becomes easier when we realize what we are walking in. There's more purpose when we begin to understand the grace we have received. To walk in this is to acknowledge the miraculous work of God that placed you here, and glory in Him because of it. 

Thirdly - Holiness is a personal God. Without God, holiness is non existent. Not only should we walk, and walk in, but even more than these we must  worship the one who was, and is, and always will be holy. Try to define God with human words. It's impossible right? At some point we must revert to this one truth, "God is...Holy". It is a term that fits Him and Him alone, and every human knows this. It is a term that speaks of infinite worth and splendor, endless love and purpose, perfect promises and just judgments To walk in this thing we call holiness, every eye must remain on the prize. That prize is Jesus. Jesus came to make the unholy, positionally holy through faith in Him. He is the God who always was, the Great I AM, the holy one of Israel. The train of His Kingly robe fills temples, and His voice shakes mountains.

Walk in holiness today, for holiness is yours through the grace of Christ. Step out in faith with deeds of love and holiness, acting and living in the name of Jesus, spreading His Word to the ends of the earth. Reverence Him for He alone is worthy. He alone is Holy.

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Pastor Joel Littlefield
I am 30 years old, the father to 3 wonderful children, and blessed to be 11 years married to my beautiful wife, Callie. I'm currently serving as the worship leader and assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel in Crossville, TN.  My passion is to preach and teach Christ to the Church, and show that His glory, His joy, and His will are our primary mission in life as Christians. Since writing is a form of teaching, and can be used to equip the body of Christ unto love and good works, this too has become a passion in my daily walk and growth with God.

Be sure to read the 30 Day Devotion by Joel Littlefield Grace In Crossville available at Amazon