Various Articles
f we’re honest, we like being in control.
It can look different in each of us. You like having a plan, knowing what’s next; or maybe it’s feeling like if you just try hard enough, do everything right, pray just the right words, you can manage the outcome. But surrendering to God means releasing our illusion of control.
Over and over God provided for His people, over and over He warned them to get rid of their idols, keep His commands and observe His Sabbaths. Over and over Israel failed to obey God and experienced the consequences. Over and over God was compassionate and loving and forgave His people and restored them to blessings.
The historic fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is well verified, but it means little unless it is personally experienced. A dynamic personal encounter with the risen Christ is key. But this personal encounter must be grounded in training. Until we “go to school” with Jesus, and are thoroughly taught truth by Him, we are not ready to serve Him.
Each person is responsible for their own actions. Parents are not held responsible by God for the sins of their children, and children are not held responsible by God for the sins of their parents. Each person is responsible for their own behavior. In the same way, you don’t get credit for your parents good behavior if you do bad. Each person is responsible for their own sin and will be judged accordingly.
Now in 8th grade, I was listening to the Math teacher, taking notes and totally absorbed in “math”. The teacher was talking about historical representations of Pi. Then I almost fell out of my seat when he said that the Bible said Pi was 3. I mean no one talks about the Bible in school, let alone Math.
The fact that God must punish Israel for her spiritual adultery is not surprising. Israel is only getting what they deserve. What is surprising is that God is going to restore Israel. Not because Israel deserves it now any more than it deserved it when God first cleaned her up and made her His bride. God is doing it because God is faithful to His Covenant promises.
Ezekiel’s description sounds like something in a science fiction movie- 1:27-28 says: “ I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him
In Second Kings 9:22 Joram asks Jehu if he has come in peace. Jehu responds, “How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Jehu is clearly communicating that peace does not come between God and evil. Our application should be a bit cautious, but clear.
Naaman seems to have some pretty simple, albeit specific, expectations of how God would show up in his life. In his first statement, I wonder if Naaman feels a little ignored or slighted that Elisha did not come out himself to see him. Naaman is a man of some importance within Aram but Elisha sends his messenger to Naaman rather than coming out himself. This is a good lesson to us to not think too highly of ourselves as well (Romans 12:3).
