tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57566403559220129482024-02-20T09:36:56.749-08:00Not all minds that wander are lostThoughts of a sheep in the care of the Good Shepherd focusing on how very good my Shepherd is to me.Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.comBlogger407125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-31315099198362052022020-01-07T10:20:00.001-08:002020-10-29T09:18:46.203-07:00Must I be taken advantage of?This question was submitted earlier this year:<br /> <br />Is there a line between humility and letting someone take advantage of you? Specifically, an employer.<br /> Response:<br /> <br /> <br /> Eph. 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. <br /> 1 Thess. 4:11 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, <br /> Col. 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, <br /> Of course there is! Every relationship will come with certain boundaries and expectations. While you may, under certain circumstances, choose to forgo your rights for the purpose of being a light to an employer, the legal definitions of your relationship are there for your protection. You will have to evaluate whether these abuses of authority are appropriate or not. As an employee in the United States, you generally have the freedom to discuss those boundaries with your employer and come to an agreement or terminate your relationship. <br /> <br /> There may be times in your life when you have no choice but to endure an employer who will take advantage of you and godly wisdom and experience will tell you how much you need to tolerate in order to be a good employee. All this being said, as long as you work for any employer it is your place to honor that employer, and work for that individual or company as unto the Lord…whatever you do.
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-33826699467244419332019-12-17T10:30:00.001-08:002020-10-29T09:19:32.567-07:00Questions about CounselorsWe received the following important question: <div><br /> Do you think it is a sin to see a counselor? If I need help to find ways to deal with my stress and I think a counselor would help is that wrong? <br /><br /></div><div> RESPONSE: <br /><br /></div><div> Prov. 11:14 - Where there is no counsel, the people fall;<br />But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. </div><div><br /></div><div> There is no doubt that it is not a sin to seek a counselor. Quite to the opposite you should see as many counselors as you can! The question that you want to be asking is what kind of counselor should you be seeking. Start with the people closest to you who know you and are of a Godly character…friends, parents, other Christian family members. Next, seek the godly leaders of your church who can pray with you and give you godly biblical wisdom. If you are at a point where you think you need professional help you should seek a counselor who is a believer in Jesus Christ. There can be medical and even biological features to stress and anxiety that may need attention…but you want to receive that kind of attention from someone who also understands what it means to be spiritually alive in Christ. Materialist and atheist counselors, who operate from an evolutionary mindset may jump to using drugs or ungodly suggestions to help cope with your stress. Seek a counselor by all means…but be quite certain that counselor is a believer with a right view of the fundamentals of the faith. <br /><br /></div><div> On a personal note I would add that stress is the challenge through which the Lord is taking you. It is never promised that the Lord will remove our trials…only that we must rely upon him through those trials. Paul had some unknown medical issue that plagued him throughout his ministry…he prayed that God would take that away, but God refused and 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us: <br /><br /></div><div> And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
</div>Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-74031088721673338882019-12-10T09:56:00.001-08:002020-10-29T09:20:00.396-07:00What are the differences between churches and denominations? We received this question regarding what differentiates the various different local churches, and larger denominational associations, and how we should choose a church in light of that reality. <div><br /> In the Bible, the church is addressed in two ways: the universal church, and the local church. The Universal Church is called the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5) and The Bride of Christ (John 14, Ephesians 5:23—33), and consists of every believer in Jesus Christ from Pentecost to the Rapture. Believers are meant to gather in Local Churches (such as we see in Revelation 2-3). These local gatherings of believers are a large part of the plan of God, but will often contain both believers and unbelievers…and each body is meant to be growing towards the unity of the faith (Ephesians 4:13). Some churches and bodies have chosen to identify themselves by certain beliefs, practices, and traditions and then give that group a label, or some kind of organizational affiliation. 1 Corinthians 3 makes it very clear that we were never meant to follow men, but seek Him in word alone. This practice of denominationalism is certainly not what the Lord has in mind for His Church. Churches that identify with a certain denomination or movement will often ask, not what the Bible has to say, but: “What does my denomination say about this issue?” Which we want to avoid at any cost. Rather than learn every detail you can about every church, denomination, and tradition I advise you to find a church that is seeking to clearly teach and understand the Bible. When you know the word of God the traditions and ideas of men will become apparent in where they stand in contrast to the Truth. <br /><br /></div><div> A final note on this issue: Just because a church claims to be a “Bible Church” or “Non-denominational” does not mean that it is immune to all of the same temptations and pitfalls of a denominational church. Having spent much time in Bible Churches I can say with some authority that Bible Churches are often the most dogmatic in their extra-biblical traditions, practices, and doctrinal errors. The old saying goes that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. For the purposes of this topic, that means that we do well as individuals and as local fellowships to seek after the Word of God and constantly allow the Spirit of God to challenge our shortcomings of faith and practice that we all may come to a mature and full expression of the life and character of Christ.
</div>Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-59905306767928112682019-12-03T13:23:00.000-08:002019-12-03T13:23:01.535-08:00What Would Have Been...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><sup>21</sup></b> “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,
Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre
and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Matthew
11:21<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Matthew 11 Jesus is rebuking the Nation of Israel for not
recognizing that He, the Messiah, had come unto them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fulfillment of the promise of God was
attested to by His birth, by the timing of his arrival, by His teaching
ministry, and by His many miracles…yet they had failed to believe in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a powerful reminder that we are held
accountable for the clear ways in which God has revealed Himself to us at any
time in world history…but this verse has another interesting insight for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus explains that if others had seen what
the Israelites of His day saw they would have repented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This tells us that God does not simply “know everything
that is” He also knows everything that would be, could be or might have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This extends God’s divine knowledge past the
actual into any possible contingency that could imagine or even those that
could never be imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, when God
does something or allows something, we can always be absolutely confident that
there is no better thing that He could have done for His own glory, and for the
ultimate benefit of those who love Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-30374916628019339832019-11-26T13:22:00.000-08:002019-11-26T13:22:00.199-08:00Naming the Stars<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
He counts the number of the stars;<br />
He calls them all by name.<br />
<b><sup>5</sup></b>Great<i> is</i> our Lord, and mighty in power;<br />
His understanding<i> is</i> infinite. Psalm 147:4-5<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So often in life we know what happened…we just don’t know
why or how.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a student studies their
hardest and fails the test anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
know the facts…they just can’t figure out why it happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many such cases we are never allowed to
know more than the bare facts of the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet for God there is no information let out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the greatest of things, unimaginably far
away, God is intimately acquainted – knowing each star by the name which He
gave it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it comes to the subtlest minutiae
of our social situations or the inner workings of our hearts…God knows all the
factors and has a perfect understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So when things seem beyond your understanding you can rest in the fact
that while our understanding is always limited…the Lord of our lives
understands completely what is going on…and how it is affecting us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-41226835398967012262019-11-19T13:21:00.000-08:002019-11-19T13:21:05.049-08:00Omniscience<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
O LORD, You have searched me and known<i> me.</i><br />
<b><sup>2</sup></b>You know my sitting down and my rising up;<br />
You understand my thought afar off.<br />
<b><sup>3</sup></b>You comprehend my path and my lying down,<br />
And are acquainted with all my ways.<br />
<b><sup>4</sup></b>For <i>there is</i> not a word on my tongue,<br />
<i>But</i> behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 138:1-4<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The thought that God knows all things is likely quite
familiar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, if He is God, it
stands to reason that He alone has the capacity to know all things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no twist ending to a movie, nor a
mystery that God needs to untangle…he knows it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the focus of this passage is
personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David takes great comfort in
knowing that God knows more than just his actions…but God knows everything that
David will think – and long before David thinks it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God knows where he will go, and God knows
exactly what David is going to say…long before he says it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two points…God knew everything you would
think, say, and do long before He saved you and yet He chose to send His Son
Jesus Christ to save you anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
no surprises for God that will throw off His salvation for those who know Him
by grace through faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second point
is this…God wants to know about your thoughts, he knows what you will say, but
waits to hear you say it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The God of the
universe knows all about you, and he is interested in you personally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-27669672020051076182019-11-12T13:20:00.000-08:002019-11-12T13:20:00.267-08:00Sovereignty<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“…the eyes of your
understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His
calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19
and what<i> is</i> the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when
He raised Him from the dead and seated<i> Him</i> at His right hand in the
heavenly<i> places,</i> 21 far above all principality and power and might and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that
which is to come.” Ephesians 1:18-21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A nation is said to
be sovereign when no other nation has the final say, or control over its affairs or
working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a nation is ruled by a
single person with the unquestioned rule we find that person can justly be called
the sovereign…or the sovereign ruler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
doesn’t mean that the sovereign nation controls every detail of the life of her
citizens it means that whenever the governor of that nation weighs in there is
no one with the power or authority to challenge that ruling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it is with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s sovereignty does not mean that God is
controlling every through breath or decision made on earth…though He surely
knows all things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s sovereignty
tells us with great clarity that nothing can stand in the way of God declared
will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This includes his plan for the
ages, His judgment upon sin, and even His perfect sovereign provision of our
Salvation in His Son Jesus Christ.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-59450505782788137462019-11-05T13:19:00.000-08:002019-11-05T13:19:07.579-08:00Close at Hand<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i>Am</i> I a God
near at hand,” says the LORD,<br />
“And not a God afar off?<br />
<b><sup>24</sup></b>Can anyone hide himself in secret places,<br />
So I shall not see him?” says the LORD;<br />
“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23-24<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you picture a lawman from the old west there is only
one place to imagine that he would have his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right on his hip, in its holster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Police officers today keep their weapons in
the same place…why is that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not because
it is the most comfortable place…it is because it keeps their protection right
next to their hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord here
describes himself as ‘near at hand’…and the Hebrew Poetry Pattern gives us the
repetition that God is “not afar off”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What does God want us to know about himself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is near, and present with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no place where we can escape his
gaze, and no possibility that we could ever be outside of his knowledge and
care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is as true in the moments when
we may wish to hide our rebellion from Him as it is during the moments when we
feel most alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you cry out to the
Lord, He is always near at hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-28511042021308821002019-10-29T13:17:00.000-07:002019-10-29T13:17:13.619-07:00Omnipresence<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>7</b>Where can I go from Your Spirit?<br />
Or where can I flee from Your presence?<br />
<b><sup>8</sup></b>If I ascend into heaven, You <i>are</i> there;<br />
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You <i>are there.</i><br />
<b><sup>9</sup></b><i>If</i> I take the wings of the morning,<br />
<i>And</i> dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,<br />
<b><sup>10</sup></b>Even there Your hand shall lead me,<br />
And Your right hand shall hold me.<br />
<b><sup>11</sup></b>If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”<br />
Even the night shall be light about me;<br />
<b><sup>12</sup></b>Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,<br />
But the night shines as the day;<br />
The darkness and the light<i> are</i> both alike <i>to You. </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Psalm 139: 7-12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">As a child I distinctly
remember being separated from my mother in a department store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surrounded by racks of clothing that obscured
my view I raced through one aisle after another…hoping to find my mother again.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As tears filled my eyes I wondered how
my mother had gotten so far out of sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then I heard her call my name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
couldn’t see her for the height of the racks…but she could see me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I was lost, but I was never for a
moment out of her caring and protective gaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, David relates the great comfort of knowing that whether we are in
the deepest jungle, or in our own comfortable homes – the Lord knows right
where we are…because He is right there with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-4294319311573606012019-10-22T13:16:00.000-07:002019-10-22T13:16:04.738-07:00Immutability<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><sup>6</sup></b> “For I <i>am</i> the LORD, I do not
change;<br />
Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Malachi 3:6<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When theologians talk about God’s “immutability” His
unchanging nature is in view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet we see
there are a handful of times in which God seems to adjust His plans based upon
changes in the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can this be,
if God is unchanging?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is important to
understand that the immutability of God applies to His character, but it does
not limit his interactions with time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, we must understand that while God is
perfect and unchanging in his character humanity is always dynamic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, when a person changes they will also
change in their relationship to His perfectly constant character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam and Eve provide a perfect example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God created the world for them to live and
thrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were in a right
relationship with Him…until they rebelled against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, everything had to change in
order to accommodate their rebellion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God’s character didn’t change…but how humanity would need to relate to
Him in his perfection changed forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just remember…if God ever seems far off or distant it is never Him that
moved away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-24886497209944163622019-10-15T13:14:00.000-07:002019-10-15T13:14:04.830-07:00The Constancy of God<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><sup>27</sup></b> But You <i>are</i> the same,<br />
And Your years will have no end. Psalm 102:27<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things change, relationships change, our bodies change, even
the landscape changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has well been
pointed out that change is the one constant upon which we can rely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, we find that because God is not affected
by time, He alone can remain unchanged by time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Lord never has “an off-day” nor does he get better at being God…God is
perfectly constant in His character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This means that God is always dependable and reliable in every aspect of
Who He is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need never imagine that
His standard of righteousness or justice differs from one day to the next, nor
do we need to wonder if He will ever lose the edge on his omniscience and get
caught by surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps most
importantly to us – when God declares and displays His love for us NOTHING will
ever change that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-30272679738483561642019-10-08T13:13:00.000-07:002019-10-08T13:13:02.544-07:00Everlasting to Everlasting<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><sup>2</sup></b> Before the mountains were brought forth,<br />
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,<br />
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You <i>are</i> God. Psalm 90:2<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the mountain ranges, as we know them, came into
being during the Great Flood of Noah’s day…but this verse looks back before
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the beginning, when God
created the heavens and the earth, and the surrounding universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From “everlasting to everlasting” is a
curious phrase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While our blip of time
that exists between the creation and final destruction of this cosmos seems
long to us, it is simply a space that exists between two expanses of absolute
eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we gaze backwards and
forwards into those two vast and incomprehensible preponderances of
limitlessness we cannot begin to understand them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not a vacuum…but our personal Father
God…who always was and always will be Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like a child looking down from the high dive to see his daddy waiting in
the pool assuring his safety, we can face the future because our Father God is
God from everlasting to everlasting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-50612435343158582782019-10-01T13:12:00.000-07:002019-10-01T13:12:01.809-07:00Eternity<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then <i>Abraham</i> planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba,
and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. Genesis 21:33<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When waiting in line time just crawls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When riding a roller-coaster 5-minutes can
feel like mere moments in passing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
we have different experiences with time, we are always bound by it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot go forward or back, speed it up or
slow it down, nor can we manipulate or change it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are stuck in time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God, however, created time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Genesis 1:1 gives us the moment where God created
our timeline: “in the Beginning…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
strange to think that the beginning is only the beginning because God chose to
start there…and had he not created space and matter, time would continue to be
an abstract concept in the wake of his eternality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Genesis 21:33 God is called the
Everlasting God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everlasting” translates
the Hebrew word: ‘olam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This word means
far more than simply lasting forever, but even has the sense of the fact that
God is timeless…without beginning and without end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nowhere you can go…and no<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">when</i> that you can go to escape from the
love and care of your Everlasting God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><br />
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-9434040037193792052019-09-24T13:11:00.000-07:002019-09-24T13:11:04.143-07:00Writing Himself Into the Story<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is
Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Acts 17:24<o:p></o:p></div>
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Famed author Kurt Vonnegut is one of the most curious
writers of the 20<sup>th</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He makes elaborate and strange fictions…but then some think he will
often write himself into those fictions through a recurring character named Kilgore
Trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to create these fictions
he must exist outside of them…were he limited by them the author could not plan
them and shape the story and the characters to an effective and meaningful
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, while everything is ultimately
his design, there may be a time to come into the story and interact with the
characters he made.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a similar manner, we see that God created the heavens and
the earth, yet he is in no ways contained by these limitations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we can encounter God anywhere, we find
that He is not confined to be in one place at a time, because the entire cosmos
is His creative work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, the best
chapters of this story are when God writes His Son Jesus Christ in as the main
character…to bring the story to a most meaningful and glorious conclusion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-84080579694217741952019-09-17T13:09:00.000-07:002019-09-17T13:09:11.532-07:00Greatness<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><sup>3</sup></b>Great<i> is</i> the LORD, and greatly to
be praised;<br />
And His greatness<i> is</i> unsearchable. Psalm 145:3<o:p></o:p></div>
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In his play Twelfth Night, Shakespeare tells us “some are
born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often ask ourselves how we can move
something from “good to great”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it
comes to God’s character we are told he is great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time “great” is used in this verse
it is the Hebrew word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gadol</i> meaning
big, immense, or large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can mean
something that is physically large or vast, or in as a figure of speech for
unseen attributes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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“greatly to be praised” is a different Hebrew word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ma’od</i> which as the idea of his praise
(in this case) justly always multiplying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, the nature of his greatness (back to the root word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gadol</i>) is expressed as being
unsearchable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try as we might, we will
never find the end of his perfection in every attribute and fullness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will spend all eternity marveling at his
greatness…and the only appropriate way to respond is to multiply our praises
unto Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-27390112959734749562019-09-10T13:08:00.000-07:002019-09-10T13:08:10.461-07:00Infinity<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and
the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I
have built! 1 Kings 8:27<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Temple Solomon built was a marvel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beauty of it had been unparalleled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been planned and supplied for by King
David, and it was placed exactly where God had designed man to meet him as a
permanent and unmoving version of the tents of the Holy Tabernacle before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, God had a house that was permanent,
beautiful, meaningful and glorious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet,
Solomon realized that this was very different from the pagan temples that are
seen throughout the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God would not
be contained in this beautiful temple…for even the heavens could do not contain
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us the concept of “infinity” is
incomprehensible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it is important
to realize that God is not a part of our world system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He transcends and supersedes all of the
limitations and laws of time and space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Put simply – the God we serve is never stumped by the situation, He
never needs to rush to be somewhere in time, he never gets caught unaware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can trust in Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-42342352734853096472019-08-27T13:07:00.000-07:002019-08-27T13:07:03.785-07:00Unity<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD<i> is</i> one!
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Hebrew word “echad” gives the sense of unity from multiple
parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this word that is used when
God tells us that a man and his wife are to become one (echad) flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible is consistent, there is but one
God, yet God consists of three persons have distinction from each other, yet
are co-equal, co-eternal, infinite in unity and all sharing the same
essence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this certainly is more
than our minds can handle that is a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is the fact that God, in His very nature is not fully comprehensible
to us is further evidence that God created man…not the other way around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a man invents a god, he invents a god he
can fully understand and manipulate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
God who created man designed us to know Him, and respond to His love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy
Spirit dwell in eternal unity, order, and perfect fellowship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The character of God is known to us through
that unity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-14576629571481633372019-03-11T12:28:00.000-07:002019-03-11T12:28:15.971-07:00A Spiritual Mind<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Romans 8:6 New King James Version (NKJV):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For to
be carnally minded <i>is</i> death, but to be spiritually
minded <i>is</i> life and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So often we don’t enjoy what we have. Health is often not appreciated fully until
it is lost. We may have thousands of
dollars in the bank but never enjoy a dime.
Loved ones often go entirely take for granted until they are taken from
us. In just this way the child of God
has access to the unlimited peace and wholeness that comes from knowing
Jesus. Yet, when we walk in carnality we
don’t take advantage of the peace which we have been given. We live like spiritual beggars when we have
been given everything that we need for life and godliness. Being carnally minded may have to do with
clear and outward sin, and it may be nearly invisible to the people around us. While carnality can take many forms it
usually involves being heavily self-focused.
But how to be spiritually minded?
Clearly, this involves changing our focus, from ourselves and our need
to Jesus Christ and His perfect provision.
When we are fully dependent upon the Lord, beholding him through His
word we tap into the life and peace that only He provides. <br />
This has been a Minute for the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-3992788416491270712019-03-04T12:26:00.000-08:002019-03-04T12:26:01.189-08:00The Peace from Wisdom<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Psalm 37:37 New King James Version (NKJV):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mark the blameless </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">man,</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and observe the upright;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For the future of <i>that</i> man <i>is</i> peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like spoiled children, we often think of the Lord’s righteous standard as being overly demanding and stringent. Yet, like a patient parent, the Lord allows us to learn that his upright and perfect character is the only way to have to enjoy life. How many non-believers have found this to be true. They do not trust in Jesus, but by being honest, hard-working, and basically moral they have a seemingly peaceful and pleasant life. This is because they are making the right choices even if their reasons are entirely selfish. However, the person who is a child of God, walking by means of the Holy Spirit, will experience permanent spiritual peace and, most often, the peace that comes from living out His life and character. Or, as Proverbs 16:7 put it: “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-55653767814525246522019-02-25T12:25:00.000-08:002019-02-25T12:25:04.875-08:00When the birth pains are over...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isaiah 55:12:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“For you shall go out with joy,<br />And be led out with peace;<br />The mountains and the hills<br />Shall break forth into singing before you,<br />And all the trees of the field shall clap <i>their</i> hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This passage proclaims the joyous life in the Kingdom of God. When Jesus reigns upon the earth we will see everything respond with glory. Romans 8:22 says: “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” Creation groans because it is subjected to the futility of man’s sin. It doesn’t groan in hopeless suffering, but as an expectant mother who is longing to give birth. That time will come when Christ reigns and even the earth itself will respond in praise and glory from being finally righteously ruled by the Creator and Redeemer of planet earth…Jesus Christ. When you think of the beauty of the earth remember, she is still in labor pains…if you have trusted in Jesus Christ you will see her in her restored splendor as she flowers under the hand of her One True Master.This has been a minute for the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-72205375522326192322019-02-18T12:25:00.000-08:002019-02-18T12:25:04.185-08:00God has done His works in us...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isaiah 26:12:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord, You will establish peace for us,<br />For You have also done all our works in us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This passage foretells the victorious culmination of Israel’s long and turbulent History. While the rulers of the age would squabble and plan, prepare and bargain, with the threats all around them the Lord had a different message. They would be disciplined by being taken off to the Babylonian Captivity but there is a time, yet future for us, when the LORD will establish peace for Israel. That will be the full peace of the millennial Messianic Kingdom wherein God will provide all that He promised Israel, proving that all God’s promises are “YES!” in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But there is an indirect application for us in the church today. Just as all of Israel’s best efforts to create and maintain peace were a failure on the national front, so our best efforts for creating peace in our lives will result in failure. Light a candle, take a bath, listen to some quiet music. All these things just provide a temporary illusion of peace. The only true peace comes from the Lord’s work within us. The paraphrase the Lord Jesus: A branch can produce no fruit on it’s own…it can only stay close to the life-giving vine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-86597463037380532172019-02-11T12:23:00.000-08:002019-02-11T12:23:23.001-08:00Justified Peace<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Romans 5:1:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Justified translates the Greek word <i>dikaiow</i> and means to be declared righteous. This is different than being righteous. Nobody is righteous before the Lord as all are touched by the death dripping guilt of our sin stain. Yet a person is DECLARED righteous by accepting the perfect payment of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. The result of this declaration of righteousness is a complete and total peace between the Saved Saint and the Righteous God. Bad days and good days, through all of life’s ups and downs, nothing can take the peace that comes from the eternally valid sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We all have growing to do, and will likely walk in sin from time to time…but we can never lose the peace that exists between us and God, because we didn’t make, earn it, or maintain it…it is a grace gift of our loving God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-76069149713864055732019-02-04T12:22:00.000-08:002019-02-04T12:22:06.872-08:00He Cares, He Can<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Don’t worry about it!” The voice of the used car dealer rang in my ears as I sat by my broken-down car, wishing that I had worried about it while I was on the car lot. The fact was that he didn’t know much about the car he was selling, nor have the care or power to fix anything. His direction that I shouldn’t worry turned out to be especially hollow. But when the Lord tells us not to be anxious, we should listen. The Greek word <i>merimnao</i> means to be troubled with cares and we are here COMMANDED with a present active imperative not to be troubled by our cares. But why? What are we to do with our burdens and fears? We are meant to make our requests known to God. This tells us two very important things about the Lord. First, he Cares. Second, He can. The Lord commands us not to be burdened with our worries – because for Him they are light, and we were never meant to bear them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-9400996642447481032019-01-28T12:21:00.000-08:002019-01-28T12:21:12.736-08:00Personal Peace<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">John 14:27 New King James Version (NKJV):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">27 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; <br />not as the world gives do I give to you. <br />Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When the Bible uses the word “peace” it means a wholeness, fullness, or completeness. In the Biblical concept, we find that peace is the result of having needs met and being free from want. Interestingly, peace is not something that a person can find or achieve for ourselves. When Jesus was getting ready to go to the Cross, He comforted his disciples by promising peace. But He gives them some extra information. The peace that Jesus promised is personal. It is His peace, and he alone can give peace. Furthermore, this peace is given in a special way. It is not given in the same way the world gives. The world gives with conditions and expectations, but the Lord gives His peace freely and fully to all who believe in Him. While we may get distracted, and we may be deceived, we never have less than all that we need. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756640355922012948.post-9979985241414694412019-01-21T12:20:00.000-08:002019-01-21T12:20:21.320-08:00The Peace Peace of the Lord<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isaiah 26:3 says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You will keep <i>him</i> in perfect peace,<br />
<i>Whose</i> mind <i>is</i> stayed <i>on You,</i><br />Because he trusts in You.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A peaceful time might include your favorite music, or a cup of tea while the snow falls. But perfect peace? Why that would have to be getting a massage on a Hawaiian beach while listening to Benedict Cumberbatch read the funnies out loud to you. Perhaps we all have different ideas of what a peaceful day might be like. However, the perfect peace that the Lord promises in Isaiah 26:3 has nothing to do with our circumstances. This verse, when read in Hebrew is: Natsher samooch tithsor shalom shalom. No, I did not repeat myself. The Hebrew expression translated “perfect peace” is shalom shalom – or “peace peace” The sense of this repetition is intensifying the meaning of peace. When we are focused solely upon the Lord, trusting in Him through every situation, we don’t just have peace…we have peace peace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bradley W. Mastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12377591854417834617noreply@blogger.com0