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Archive for the ‘God Thoughts’ Category

Second Commandment

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Doctrine, Faith, General, God Thoughts, God's Law, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »

In our day, we are not given to graven or carved images to worship. A strong argument could be made that we have substituted the visual arts, especially screen time with its plethora of images of strength and beauty. The lack of carved images does not make us any less idolaters. As John Calvin said, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” As I was considering Calvin’s quote one day, I heard a radio preacher say, “You think most about what you love most.” Following that train of thought, it may be said that what you love most you worship.

Good theology, but how does that intersect with my daily life? Here is an example. On my way to work I pass a billboard showing the lottery millions you can win. I never have nor will I waste money on any kind of lottery, but as I passed this billboard daily, I began daydreaming about being rich and what I would do with all of that money. Of course, I could rationalize the activity as trivial or mention all of the good ways I would use the funds. One or two random thoughts about using money for good might be dismissed as an imaginative thought experiment, but this went on for more than a few days. ”If I were a rich man” (1), became a morning theme song. After a few weeks I had to avert my eyes from seeing the billboard and quote Scripture out loud to avoid the distraction.

You may be saying, he has an overwrought conscience. I don’t think so, and what if the billboard instead had pictured an insufficiently dressed man or woman? (2) The Scripture says, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”” (Hebrews 13:5) Rather than be thankful for what God had abundantly provided, I began to worship unseen riches. Ezekiel 14:1-3 says, “Then some elders of Israel came to me and sat down before me. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity. Should I be consulted by them at all?“ God is changing the hearts and minds of those whom He has called to Himself in salvation, so that they may consult with Him and be taught by Him. Let us flee “idols of the heart”, worshipping God alone, being thankful for all God has provided, and loving God more than people or things.

Question 55: Which is the second commandment?
Answer: The second commandment is, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6

Question 56: What is required in the second commandment?
Answer: The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances, as God has appointed in his word.

Deuteronomy 12:32; 32:46; Matthew 28:20

Question 57: What is forbidden in the second commandment?
Answer: The second commandment forbids the worshipping of God by images, or any other way that draws the heart away from his glory rather than toward his glory.

Romans 1:22, 23; Deuteronomy 4:15, 16; Colossians 2:18; 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31

Question 58: What are the reasons added to the second commandment?
Answer: The reasons added to the second commandment are God’s holy jealousy for his name, and the zeal he has for his own worship.

Exodus 20:4-6; Exodus 34:14; 1 Corinthians 10:22

  1. “…Ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum.” You know, “Fiddler on the Roof”
  2. Rhetorical question with an obvious answer: Matthew 5:27-28

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LORD (1)

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Doctrine, Faith, General, God Thoughts, tagged , , , , , , , , on February 28, 2026| Leave a Comment »

As the people of Israel stood before Mt. Sinai, God spoke to them audibly from heaven, giving them the Ten Commandments. He began by declaring who He was, “saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”” (2) In this statement, the word translated LORD is Yahweh in the Hebrew, using this name for first to reveal Himself when He met Moses at the burning bush. Being a form of the Hebrew word for “I am”, it translates to “I am who I am” (3). This speaks of His eternality, self-existence, and self-sufficiency. Each of these concepts are worthy of considerable musing. In the context of God pursuing Israel’ s rescue through Moses, Yahweh is also associated with His covenant keeping character, as Moses says, ”Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand  generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments” (4). What a blessing His faithfulness is.

That He includes what He has done for them in rescue from Egypt and slavery, declares His ownership and prerogative over them. This ownership is more intimate and immediate than Creator, and is further tied to the giving of the name Yahweh at the burning bush, for He says, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.” (5) His presence, His “I Am”, is deeply connected to His care and watchfulness over His people. For all of who He is and had and was doing for Israel, He was worthy of their trust, obedience, and praise. It is no different for us. He is worthy of our complete trust, humble obedience, and heart-felt praise. As His people we may resolve by His Spirit’s enabling to better pursue Him.

A side thought of mine concerning the name Yahweh. God is eternal in His person and attributes, but had He always had the name Yahweh? Or did He begin to be called by that name when the angels were created to praise Him? Or did He just label Himself at the burning bush for purposes of glorifying His person and majesty. I feel like it should have been from eternity past, but I have no biblical reason to say that, and there is no substantial reason to believe that the Hebrew language was eternal (6). There is so much that we don’t know about eternity, heaven, and our God. For believers, we have eternity to ask and listen and learn and praise.

Question 49: What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?

Answer: The preface to the Ten Commandments is, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”  Exodus 20:2.

Question 50: What does the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?

Answer: The preface to the Ten Commandments teaches us that because God is the LORD, and our gracious Redeemer, his commandments are for our good and he does not will for us to depend on ourselves in keeping them, but to trust his grace and power.  Deuteronomy 10:13, 16; 30:6.

  1. LORD in all upper case letters indicates that the Hebrew word being translated is Yahweh.
  2. Exodus 20:2
  3. https://www.gotquestions.org/meaning-of-Yahweh.html
  4. Deuteronomy 7:9
  5. Exodus 3:15
  6. The fact that languages are changing suggests that they have a beginning, even if only coming from another language. However, one of God’s attributes is His ability and will to communicate and reveal Himself. Therefore, somehow God’s language is eternal. Was Adam’s language the same as God’s? Did Babel distort that language? Are the vestiges of original language still resident in modern languages? The questions just keep coming, and at this pre-eternal time, we may only speculate, which is OK as long as it doesn’t distort truth. Wow, that rabbit hole was deep.

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Q40- Benefits

Posted in Assurance, Baptist Catechism, Doctrine, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Work of Jesus, tagged , , , on January 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Rescue from the penalty of sin is surely more than enough of a reward to precipitate worship and obedience from God’s children. But He has, is, and will give us far more: peace with God; introduction into grace; hope of glory; joy in tribulation leading to perseverance, proven character, hope, and the love of God; Christ’s righteousness; protection; assurance of eternal life; indwelling of the Holy Spirit; fellowship with Christ and believers; answered prayer. (1) He also sustains His own (Psalm 37:17) and calls us His brethren (Hebrews 2:10-12). (2)

Question 40: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
Answer: The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, fellowship with Christ, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, the privilege of prayer, and perseverance therein to the end.

Romans 5:1-5; 14:17; Proverbs 4:18: 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 5:13; 1 Corinthians 1:9; John 15:7.

  1. See Scripture passages above.
  2. Though not an exhaustive list, it should be reason for thankfulness, confidence, and praise which are further benefits of His presence in our lives.

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Priest and King

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Gospel, Person of Jesus, theology, Work of Jesus on October 29, 2025| Leave a Comment »

In the last entry we considered that the offices of prophet, priest, and king are the means and authority by which our Redeemer Christ accomplished our grand rescue. Jesus is the only one in Scripture who fulfilled all three offices. Some, like David who was both prophet and king, fulfilled two offices, but only Christ fulfilled three.

Now we consider the offices of priest and king (1).

Who can imagine a priest who crawls up onto the altar? That is what Jesus did, becoming the sacrifice as well as the mediator and intercessor before the Father, and a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (2).

As sovereign king, He has power to bring about all that He has purchased for us. “For You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9) Thus, He rules over His church as Head (3), indeed “over all rule and authority” (4), and will at last rule visibly over all the earth and then forever (5).

Question 29: How does Christ perform the office of a priest?
Answer: Christ performs the office of a priest by once offering himself as a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God; and by making continual intercession for us before God.

1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2: 17; 7:25; 9:28; Ephesians 5:2; Romans 8:34.

Question 30: How does Christ perform the office of a king?
Answer: Christ performs the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.

Psalm 110:1-2; Matthew 2:6; Luke 1:32-33; 1 Corinthians 15:25.

  1. For an introduction and consideration of Christ as prophet, click on “Kinsman-Redeemer“.
  2. Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 5:6, 6:20, 7:17.
  3. Colossians 1:18
  4. Colossians 2:10
  5. Daniel 7:14, Revelation 20:4, Daniel 2:44

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Who Are We?

Posted in Faith, General, God Thoughts, The Church, tagged , , , , , on October 24, 2025| 2 Comments »

Before I gave brief commentary on and reading of the catechism questions before my church, I would greet my brothers and sisters in Christ with “Good morning, _________,” the blank being different monikers for believers. After a few times, I realized that I would need 59 different phrases for them if I was to continue with new greetings every time. My desire was to encourage the believers in how much God cares for them and is able to do so. As I considered it, I doubted that I would come up with that many biblically accurate greetings. I ended up thinking of more than 60. The congregation would call back with “Greetings” or “Good morning” in response to my greeting. Following is the list I made in the my journal and drew from for the catechism. You will notice that some are holiday oriented and that they all allude to a Scriptural passage.

Greetings……..

Church of the Living God, Assembly of the Saints, Beloved of the Lord, Followers of the True God, Believers in the Triune God, Favored of the Father, Justified of Jesus, Sanctified of the Spirit, Glorified of God1, Servants of the Most High, Pillar and Support of the Truth, Household of God, Sheep of His Pasture, Wisemen and Women of God, The Jachin2 of God, Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Saints who are in the Earth3, Godly Ones of the Holy One, Indwelt of the Holy Spirit, Empowered of the Spirit, Abiding Branches of the True Vine, Children of the Heavenly Father, The Elect, The Equipped for the Work of the Service, The True Israel of God, Warriors of Our Sovereign Lord, Purchased of Christ, Righteous Ones of God, Apple of His Eye, Servants of the Almighty, Thankful People of the Abundant Provider, Bond-servants of the Good Master, Followers of the One Wo Walked on Water4, Disciples of the Good Teacher, The Sheep wo hear His Voice, Flock of the Good Shepherd, Those Enlightened by the Light of the World, Pursuers of the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Christians, Harvest of the Son of Man5, Branches of the True Vine, People of His Pleasure6, Bride of Christ, Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, Saints by His Calling, Soldiers of His Kingdom, Beneficiaries of the Mediator of a Better Covenant, Lights of the world of the Light of Men, Fellow Soldiers of the Cross7, Celebrants of His First Advent, Citizens of Heaven, True Circumcision who worship in the Spirit8, Redeemed from the Slave Market of Sin, Redeemed from the Domain of Darkness, Redeemed of the Lord, Called of God in Christ Jesus, Co-heirs of the Resurrected One, Faith-Resting Ones of the Father, The Boaz9 of God, Living Stones of His Temple, Friends of Christ.

Many of these titles I thought of as I did my daily Scripture reading. I know that many of these have overlaps. Most have both a name for the church or saints with a name for God, so that the connection is brought to mind. I feel as though there must be more. Add any you may think of in the comments. It would be helpful if you provide a Scripture reference as I should have with all that listed, not just a few. I hope that it encourages you and points you toward God’s love, watch care, and grace.

  1. Romans 8:30
  2. ”established” I Kings 7:21
  3. Psalm 16:13
  4. Provided by a brother who got excited about me coming up with new greetings each week
  5. Matthew 13
  6. Psalm 149:4
  7. Philippians 2:25
  8. Philippians 3:3
  9. “strength”, I Kings 7:21

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Kinsman-Redeemer

Posted in Assurance, Baptist Catechism, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Person of Jesus, Salvation, Work of Jesus, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 19, 2025| 1 Comment »

The Hebrew word for Redeemer is used once in the book of Ruth to refer to Boaz, who redeemed the widow Ruth. Then also, Isaiah refers to “your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,” using the word Redeemer 13 times. A similar Hebrew term is used used twice in Ruth, kinsman or intimate friend. These are terms that show that someone like us who cares for us, rescues us. The idea is one who buys back another from slavery, debtor’s prison, or the destitution of widowhood. This concept originates in Leviticus 25:25 where God says, “If a fellow countryman of yours becomes so poor he has to sell part of his property, then his nearest kinsman is to come and buy back what his relative has sold.” The book of Ruth gives the example that specifically has the kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, marrying Ruth which is a picture of Christ and His Church. Then Isaiah fills our the description of Messiah as strong, able, willing, loving, diligent, and patient to carry out the rescue of His people. Jeremiah proclaims strongly, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well; and all who took them captive have held them fast, they have refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is His name; He will vigorously plead their case so that He may bring rest to the earth, but turmoil to the inhabitants of Babylon.”” (50:33-34)

Jesus best fulfills the dual role of kinsman-redeemer, having taken on flesh to become one of us and having died in our place to pay our sin debt, rescuing us from the wrath of God and the domain of darkness. By nature God, He had the power and purity to take the sin of everyone who believes. By nature man, He had the standing in the heavenly court to die in our place.

But wat do the offices or duties of prophet, priest, and king have to do with being a redeemer? The offices are the means and authority by which the Redeemer accomplishes this grand rescue. Consider the office of prophet. We think of a prophet as one who can reveal the future. Jesus certainly did that predicting His own future: death, resurrection, the destruction of Jerusalem, and His second coming. But in a wider sense, He reveals God, most notably in redemption through God’s justice and mercy in the plan of salvation.

Next time we will talk about Jesus as Priest and King.

Question 27: What offices does Christ perform as our Redeemer?
Answer: Christ, as our Redeemer, performs the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his condition of humiliation and exaltation. Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:6; Psalm 2:6.

Question 28: How does Christ perform the office of a prophet?
Answer: Christ performs the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. John 1:18; 14:26; 15:15.

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Moving Forward

Posted in Assurance, Civil Debate, Consequences, Cultural commentary, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Gospel, Implications, Sermon, Society, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on September 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »

I avoid political comment or commentary on this blog, but Charlie Kirk’s death is not primarily or most essentially a political assassination. His was a death (1) for his faith and the boldness with which he proclaimed the truth of God’s Word and power of Christ to save those who will turn from their wickedness to trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross and in His resurrection. This past Sunday, my pastor preached on how the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 apply to this and other situations of persecution. You can hear the sermon at “The True Meaning of the Blessed Life”. Without fully reviewing or summarizing the sermon, I want to point out three ideas that he communicated about the text, Matthew 5:1-12.

Firstly, he pointed out that the word “blessed” that Jesus spoke to His Jewish hearers would be understood to mean a “spiritual well-being growing out of a close relationship with God resulting in a happiness and settled nature in the recipient.” This is not prosperity gospel; it is peace and joy in knowing God.

Secondly, verses 3-9 about what blessedness looks like will result in verses 10-12, persecution. I add that Paul said, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2) Therefore, Peter explains that since you do not do their sinful deeds, “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you.” (3) On the other hand, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” (4). Persecution for doing what is right is to be expected.

Lastly, my pastor began listing some of the benefits of persecution even in the face of its horrors and difficulty. He seemed to have perhaps four or five items on his list, but he went on to list many more from which I made the following list:

Persecution brings

  1. Assurance of salvation
  3. Strength for the conflict
  4. Hope in the struggle
  5. Boldness to witness and life
  6. The Gospel being spread
  7. Rejoicing
  8. Prayer
  9. God’s Intervention
  10. Purification of the Church
  11. Clarity of Purpose
  12. God’s Provision
  13. Legacy to those following after
  14. Repentance for slack living
  15. Closeness among believers
  16. Zeal for the things of God

In all of these encouragements I have realized another most obvious result which Peter says most clearly, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (4) The reason for the 16 things above in the life of individuals and the Church is the presence of God. I do not desire persecution to come, but God will bless us as believers when it does- all glory be to Him. May God give us zeal through the loss of this brother in Christ to raise up many more like him, bold to proclaim truth.

  1. I purposefully did not use the word martyrdom in the text, because it has so many connotations that may cloud the true meaning of what happened. It is a true moniker, but what I desired to explain is what it means2 Timothy 3:12
  2. 1 Peter 4:4
  3. 1 Peter 4:12
  4. 1 Peter 4:14

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One Yet Three

Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, tagged , , , on March 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Somewhere recently in my blogging, I described some of the process for my writing of poetry. Not evidently being so well organized as I would have liked, I cannot find it. Oh well, I can focus on the one thought I had pertaining to this present poem. The structure of the poem is sometimes intentional and other times comes about in the writing of it. This poem represents the latter. Once the structure is revealed, I make every effort to stick to it and rhyme to boot. The structure of the poem ended up being chiastic in form and meaning. I urge you to utilize the three middle verses in order to meditate on the “far more of them”.

One yet three
How can this be?

One in His essence
Three person presence

Language and logic cannot avail
To understand or explain or tell

Father God reigning
Creator, sustaining

Son Divine Savior
Purchased God’s favor

Spirit indwelling
Righteous enabling

Far more of them does the Bible tell
Its truth over falsehoods will prevail

In concert they act
Not from three detract

Believe and see
One yet three

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Ex Nihilo

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Creating, Faith, General, God Thoughts, God's Word on February 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Out of nothing?
We create in the sense of making something not previously thought of or produced by man or else improving on previous creations. But we absolutely do not, nor can we, nor should we ever claim to create something out of nothing. And since we cannot even conceive of how that happens, many skeptics, even, if not especially educated ones, deny that it is possible and deny the creation of all things by God, even though Creation screams it. Logic also attests to its necessity since anything which has a beginning must have been created by something totally outside of itself, with sufficient power and intelligence to pull it off. Our God, as revealed in Scripture, is an infinite, immaterial spirit, all powerful, uncaused First Cause. Our ability to create in the sense of using existing materials to make something new is a testimony to our being made in the image of God (Zechariah 12:1), but we simply don’t speak to the emptiness, bringing about loveliness, order, information, and persistence of the material world.

The debate has too long raged over how many genders there be. God declares that he made them male and female (Genesis 1:27), end of discussion. If we don’t stand on the Word of God, we don’t stand at all, nor long will we stand. And consider the privileges of being created in His image. Dominion over the creatures and all of creation come first and most tangibly to our minds, but knowledge of self, God, and the world, and righteousness before God which was at first given and still available through His Son, are better and bigger.

All glory be to our Creator!

Question 13: What is the work of creation?
Answer: The work of creation is God’s making all things [out] of nothing, by the word of his power and all very good.
Genesis 1:1, 31; Hebrews 11:3; Exodus 20:11; Romans 4:17.

Question 14: How did God create man?
Answer: God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
Genesis 1:27-28; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24.

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Declared and Done

Posted in Baptist Catechism, God Thoughts, theology, tagged , , , , , , , , , on January 19, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Our two catechism questions for today are like two sides of the same coin. What God decrees, He accomplishes; nothing accomplished is outside of His decree; both proceed from His will. Because of this connection, His decree and accomplishment through creation and providential care are so inseparable that they are hard to talk about separately. Consider Psalm 115:3: “But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.” What He “does” is create and providentially guide, and what He “pleases” is His decree proceeding forth from His will, which cannot be overcome or questioned (1).

It is good to mention the Christian definition of providence. Rather than being an impersonal hand of an absentee manager as the Agnostics (notably Deists) and nominal Christians fancy it, providence is the care, control, and rule of an involved, benevolent Father God. Being a giver of good gifts (James 1:17) and “righteous in all His ways” (Psalm 145:17), He is not fickle, changeable, vindictive, or trifling. He is good. Foreordain is a word meaning simply to “appoint or decree beforehand.” (2) Certainly, He is an omnipotent and omniscient God to be able to pull off what He decrees (3). All glory be to Him.

Question 11: What are the decrees of God?
Answer: The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby for his own glory, he has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Ephesians 1:11; Romans 11:36; Daniel 4:35; Isaiah 46:10; Psalm 115:3; Amos 3:6.

Question 12: How does God execute his decrees?
Answer: God executes his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Matthew 5:45; 6:26; Acts 14:17: Proverbs 16:9, 33; 19:21; 20:24; 21:1, 31

  1. Job 42:2
  2. https://www.bing.com/search?q=define+foreordain&FORM=DCTSRC
  3. all powerful and all knowing

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3 in 1

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Faith, God Thoughts, theology, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

3 in 1 Multipurpose Oil (1) was as much an assumed part of a household when I was growing up as toast for breakfast. Its ability to “clean, lubricate, and protect” (1b) was as multi-purposed as Jell-O and Duct Tape (2). But all of these examples are uses rather than essentials of existence.

Deuteronomy 6:4, called the Shema (“to hear”) in Hebrew, says, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!” It does not merely say that there is one God, but it also communicates that God is a unity, one in essence. However, 2 Corinthians 13:14 says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all,” and all are declared to be God in various places. How can there be one God who has three parts?

In reality, He doesn’t have three parts which is heresy (3). Instead, God is three persons, one in essence. Language and logic cannot fully explain or grasp triune God, three in one. It is true, the Bible teaches both the trinity and unity (4) of God in both the Old and New Testaments, and therefore, we believe it and declare it.

Thus, the catechism asks…

Question 9: Are there more Gods than one?

Answer: There is only one living and true God.

Deuteronomy 6:4, Jeremiah 10:10, Psalm 96:4-5.

Question 10: How many persons are there in the Godhead?

Answer: There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in essence, equal in power and glory.

1 Corinthians 2:11, 8:6; John 1:1, 10:30, 14:9, 20:28; Acts 5:3-4, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 1:3,8.

  1. a) https://www.fohbc.org/PDF_Files/3-In-One_Oil_CMunsey.pdf and b) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-in-One_Oil
  2. a) https://www.kraftheinz.com/jell-o/recipes and b) https://allusesof.com/electricity/19-uses-of-duct-tape/#:~:text=19%20uses%20of%20duct%20tape%201%201.%20Remove,Squeeze%20Toothpaste%20in%20their%20tube.%20…%20More%20items
  3. Either polytheism or modalism
  4. Though some skeptic will immediately point out that the words trinity and unity appear nowhere in the Scriptures, being labels for concepts clearly taught.

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What is God?

Posted in Delights, General, Glory, God Thoughts, tagged , , , , , on December 29, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Shouldn’t it be “Who is God?” That is a simpler question to answer. The God revealed in the Bible is the only true God, and there is no other (1).

But how do you describe the substance of something so utterly different than anything we understand? It seems like an unreachable goal. And yet, God has condescended to reveal much about Himself to His creatures in the Word of God so that we may know Him and glorify Him. The latter part of this statement brings up another question: Do you delight in God for His benefits, or do you delight in Him for who He is? Delighting in Him for His benefits is great and encouraged by such passages as Psalm 103, but delighting in Him for who He is, is a more glory-ascribing, higher calling.

I was reading Psalm 119 recently. In the psalmist’s ecstasy over God’s statutes, I can only claim that perspective and desire as a far-off ambition of which I have made the smallest, little progress. But herein may be found the danger of loving Him only for His benefits over His essence. We have a tendency, as many among “god-believing” people in our society do, of making God in our own image as a doddering grandpa, an impotent, weak, fair god who makes us feel good. When we are confronted with the true God of the Scriptures who is so utterly different from us, we are at best afraid and at worst repulsed. We do share the characteristic of having a spirit, but we live in a tactile, concrete existence far removed from His timeless, noncorporal experience. We are woefully finite, only eternal from this day forward by His Spirit’s enabling, and as changeable as the waves and tides. God doesn’t just feel awesome and transcendent, He is.

In the catechism question for today, all of His attributes fall under the superlatives of eternal, infinite, and unchanging, with no dilution of one character trait by another (2). Furthermore, the list of attributes given covers all of the categories, but it does not begin to plumb the scope or depth of them. For example, what about goodness? His goodness is expressed in kindness, mercy, compassion, provision, salvation, common grace, pleasures, purpose, and more.

So then, what is God?

Question 8? What is God?

Answer: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

John 4:24; Psalm 89:14, 90:2, 147:5; James 1:17; Revelation 4:8; Exodus 34:6-7; 1 Timothy 1:17; Numbers 23:19

  1. Deuteronomy 4:35
  2. Love does not lessen justice, for example, nor vice versa.

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Use of the Scriptures

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Faith, God Thoughts, Grace, Obedience, tagged , , , , , , , , on December 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

What does the Bible teach and who is it written for?

These questions are covered in questions 6 and 7 of the Baptist Catechism:

Question 6: May all men make use of the Scriptures?
Answer: All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Scriptures.
Question 7: What do the Scriptures mainly teach?
Answer: The Scriptures mainly teach what man is to believe about God and what duty God requires of man.

It is at moments like these that I have to remind myself that the catechism is a concise question and answer format. That format has its significant advantages, making the main things the main things, but it does leave some holes that are hard to not comment on. The one detail I feel compelled to add about question 6 is “believe”. All men are commanded and exhorted to read, hear, understand, and believe the Scriptures. Examples include the command to the Philippian jailer to “believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31), “there is salvation in no one else” (Acts 4:12), “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies” (John 11:25), and “unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)

The succinct answer to question 7 is spot on. It is very God-centered rather than emphasizing what the sinner will get out of trusting God. The Scripture does list many benefits to trusting and obeying God, but these point also to His goodness and justice. I only feel compelled to clarify that our “duty God requires of man” is as follows: “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (John 6:29) since “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight.” (Romans 3:20)

Take note of the fact that the Bible does not look to any external source of authority or truth. Truly, Scripture alone properly understood by the guidance of the Holy Spirit is our source of truth and practice. We plead with all men to submit to it as such, because it brings life and godliness, peace and joy, purpose and direction.

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Epistemology

Posted in Assurance, Baptist Catechism, Doctrine, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Questioning, theology, Truth, Work of the Holy Spirit, tagged , , , , , , , , , on November 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

How do we know? How do we know we know?

I would like to propose a definition of “know”: to perceive and be convinced of truth. Since truth is what is in accordance with fact or reality rather than what is thought to be, knowing something that is not true is not knowing but believing something to be true that isn’t. This definition of truth accepts that truth is an absolute, not a perception or belief apart from reality.

So, back to the question: How do we know? How do we know that what we believe and claim to be true is in fact true? Not being omniscient, we must rely on (believe, hold presuppositions) sources of truth. Evidence for the truthfulness of a source is important. There are two types of evidence: internal and external. Question 5 of the Baptist Catechism gives both concerning the Christian’s source of truth.

Question 5: How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?

Answer: The Bible evidences itself to be God’s Word by the heavenliness of its doctrine, the unity of its parts, and its power to convert sinners and to edify saints. But only the Spirit of God can make us willing to agree and submit to the Bible as the Word of God.

The internal evidences are “heavenliness of its doctrine” and “the unity of its parts”. The former points to its high view of God and accurate view of man. The latter demonstrates its internal consistency even in the light of 40 authors in 66 books over 1500 years.

The external evidences are its “power to convert sinners” and “[power] to edify saints”. Lives are changed. This is the reason that personal testimony is so important and persuasive. The Bible is not just a set of facts and rules. It is a life-giving change agent. Other external evidences such as scientific discoveries, archaeology, logical arguments, historical confirmations, and answers to prayer, are useful, removing barriers to open-minded skeptics, but the Word of God opened to us by the Spirit of God is our only solid, unchangeable, ruling source of truth and knowledge.

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First Things

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Blessing, General, God Thoughts, theology on November 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »

As we began the catechism questions in the worship service, The Catechism starts off with questions of highest import.

Question 1: Who is the first and best of beings? Answer: God is the first and best of beings.
Isaiah 44:6; Psalm 8:1; 96:4; 97:9, 1 Samuel 2:2

First has more than one meaning. Chronologically it means first in time, or in this case, eternity. Additionally, it means first in position, rank, or accomplishment, as it says in Isaiah 44:6-7a: “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me. Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it…”

He is best: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!” (Psalm 8:1) Being best of beings extends far beyond power and glory. “There is no one holy like the Lord…” (2 Samuel 2:2a) Holy is so unreachable and unfathomable to us. We can better understand and appreciate a best being who “…is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.” (Psalm 145:17)

He is best at being best, that is, He is best at any and all areas of which you may think.

Question2: What is the chief end of man? Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. 1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 16:11, 37:4, 73:25-26; Isaiah 43:7

What is our purpose for existing, our reason to remain alive, the goal around which we should center our lives? The answer given is twofold when the question asks for just one. I think that they are really one answer given from two perspectives, God’s and ours. Enjoying God, while obviously a great benefit to us, is the ultimate way to glorify God. Our passion of enjoyment of Him communicates more solidly than words that He is valuable and worthy of my attention, worship, witness, relationship, obedience, and our whole life. The more I cherish and desire Him, the more He is glorified. Therefore, do not look at your belief in God as a responsibility to be fulfilled but a relationship to be sought out.

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Unexpected Delight

Posted in Baptist Catechism, Education, Faith, God Thoughts, God's Word, tagged , , , , , , , , on November 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Having heard catechism questions read in a worship service several times and done well, I thought it might be of benefit for our church to do so. I volunteered to the pastor, receiving an enthusiastic confirmation.

Following is how I introduced the subject to the church:

“Considering that “the Word of God [is] the only infallible rule of faith and practice” (1), why are confessions, creeds, and catechisms useful and prudent (though not necessary)? The truths about God, man, and the way of salvation are scattered throughout the Scripture like nuggets in a quartz vein of a goldmine. Many do not have the skills or inclination to dig so hard, tough that is no excuse to not learn and acquire them. So, a catechism is a systematic, focused, concise set of questions and answers to train the young, the uninformed (2), and the forgetful in the overall message of the Scriptures. We are accused of indoctrination. [Certainly,] the world continually teaches and persuades of its lies, so we must counter with truth carefully and consistently conveyed.”

I did not grow up with confessions and catechisms and only occasionally recited the Apostle’s Creed in church. In fact, when I first came in contact with them, I thought they were unnecessary and even detrimental since they could be a source of division. Furthermore, why not just study Scripture so that you get it right? That is more complicated than it may first appear. There are the matters of Hermeneutics (3) and Exegesis. Throwing around big words and saying it is complicated throws up red flags for many people to avoid the subject and claim agnosticism concerning truth. That is a cop out. The Scripture encourages and enjoins with these words: “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…” (4)(John 16:13), and “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). So, you can know and must avail yourself to know. Having a tool to point you to the major points of truth in Scripture, like a confession or catechism with Scripture references to look up, is very helpful for the “young, uninformed, and forgetful.” They are also useful to parents and teachers of the Word in order to convey the basics and crucials of Scriptures while pursuing the study of the details in Bible Study.

God has no grandchildren, that is, each generation must be convicted, repent, and believe on the Lord Jesus, but that does not absolve the church, the teacher, and the parent from indoctrinating their hearers in the truth. All belief systems indoctrinate (5); we best not fall behind.

  1. This quote is part of the answer to question 4 of the Baptist Catechism of 1693 (Collins), which makes the rest of the sentence somewhat of an irony.
  2. I originally wrote “ignorant” which is not wrong, but I thought better of it since many people would be insulted by the term, though accurate.
  3. Three good articles on biblical hermeneutics: https://www.apologeticsindex.org/5846-biblical-interpretation-rules#hermeneutics; https://www.logos.com/grow/biblical-hermeneutics-guide/?msockid=091b1c02a8ee649603de0914a9f96573; https://seminary.grace.edu/what-is-biblical-hermeneutics/
  4. Since context is king and this Jesus was speaking to His disciples, it is proper to understand that the truth they were to be guided into was the inspiration of the Scriptures. However, immediately after Jesus prays the Father “sanctify them in the truth;…” (John 17:17), He continues with “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word” (v.20). You, believer, are included.
  5. A fact I know all too well from having studied Biology at a secular university

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Metaphorically Speaking

Posted in Blessing, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Metaphor, Psalm, Strength, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on October 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »

A brother in Christ was laughing with me about how I make lists. It set me to thinking about how I organize, deal with, and convey information. I do make lists, either numbered or bulleted (1), often indented much like outlines I enjoyed in school, and metaphors. Somehow, those seem worlds apart, lists and metaphors, but they seem to delineate the two most divergent (2) types of human thinking, analytical and creative.

So, when I run across lists or metaphors in the Bible, my mind and emotions sit up and take notice. Reading through the Psalms recently I came to the following verses in Psalm 84:5-7:

“How blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the highways to Zion!
Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.
They go from strength to strength,
Every one of them appears before God in Zion.”

Heart as highway is certainly metaphorical, but initially I struggled with what it meant, how it represented the heart. Two sources of confusion were 1) What is the antecedent of “it”? and 2) What is the meaning of the metaphor in light of the change from inanimate, singular “it” to personal, plural “they” and “everyone”? Further, confusion arises from how to end verse 5. Many translators believe that “to Zion” is implied because verse 7 ends “in Zion.” Translations without this phrase struggle to make sense out of the words. The context of the psalm is the temple in Zion.

Clarity came to me by zooming out to see what the overall message was before making inroads (3) into the details of the metaphor. How does one gain strength in God? He is a believer, a follower, a disciple, a worshipper. These children of God are blessed because each one makes his heart to contain multiple highways for God, to God, to and for blessing, to and for worship, and to and for righteousness.

When these hearts pass through the valley of weeping (“Baca”), they make them into springs. The early rains (those needed to sprout the crop) make blessings (literally, pools (4)). These highways in the blessed ones’ hearts are wet, initially with tears, but ultimately with life-giving springs and pools. The antecedent of “it” is valley of Baca. The antecedent of “they” is the ones’ whose hearts are highways.

“Strength to strength” reminds me of the phrase in Romans 1:17, “faith to faith”, which I find to be very confusing words. I don’t know exactly how to interpret it, but the passage certainly conveys a transition from the strength of trusting in God through the trials of the valley of weeping to the triumphant appearance before God for worship (5).

And what is the ultimate point to be understood? Those who trust in God have strength and blessing even in the midst of sorrow, and they mark the world with that blessing, being enabled (strengthened) to appear before God for worship. So, “direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone” (1 Samuel 7:3 (6)), and He will bless and strengthen you.

  1. https://clearlyscientific.com/best-practice-writing-formatting-bulleted-lists/#:~:text=Sub-bullets%20should%20be%20indented%20further%20in,%20and%20it%E2%80%99s%20worth
  2. I am using the word divergent, not as opposed to convergent thinking, but in the usual way of considering the distance between the two, as in right and left brain.
  3. I hope that you didn’t miss that one.
  4. https://biblehub.com/interlinear/psalms/84.htm
  5. I keep assuming worship because Zion is where the temple was and that was where the children of Israel worshipped. The wider context of the psalm is about worship before God in the temple.
  6. 2 Chronicles 11:16-17, Isaiah 51:1, Hosea 6:3

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His Voice

Posted in General, God Thoughts, tagged , on August 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Psalm 29 exalts the glory of God revealed through the voice of the Lord. When I am giving praise to Him, I think to praise His attributes, His works, His name, and His mercy and grace, but not His voice. His voice is a metaphor for His communication, His Word, which is audible and written and the very essence of His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2, John 1:1, 14). His voice, i.e. His Word, is eternal, powerful, life-giving, efficacious, and instructive.

So efficacious is His voice that it spoke all things into existence from nothing. He spoke man into existence (Genesis 1:26), completing the task with His hands and His breath (Genesis 2:7), His very Spirit.

His voice has given manifestation to His will, His very intentions which are accomplished (Isaiah 55:11). He spoke audibly to Moses in the cloud and in the tabernacle, instructing Israel in His statutes and ways. He spoke to Jesus in the hearing of the people in order to exalt and confirm His Son. He, Jesus, spoke many words of healing, salvation, condemnation, and instruction for the purpose of revealing who He is and His power. He spoke again to Saul on the road to Damascus in order to ordain him to build the church among the Gentiles and extend God’s communication to His people.

He will speak again to raise the dead, judge the wicked, reward those who He has declared righteous, and institute His personal and eternal rule.

The psalmist emphasizes the glory and sovereignty of God’s voice, but he concludes by proclaiming that God will give strength and peace to His people. Praise God for His mighty voice!

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His Abundance

Posted in Blessing, Delights, General, God Thoughts, Metaphor, Providence, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , , , on August 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Psalm 65 is a tremendous call to worship. It highlights the marvelous abundance of God toward people and the earth. It emphasizes both His spiritual and physical abundance.

Having been asked to read Psalm 65 as the call to worship this morning, I read through it several times. Then I read it in several different translations. It was with difficulty that I got past the first phrase of verse 1. It reads variously as follows: “There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, O God” (NASB), “Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion” (ESV), “Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion” (NIV), “Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion” (KV), “Praise is rightfully Yours, God, in Zion” (HCSB), “God, you will be praised in Jerusalem.” (NCV). To my reading, there are three interpretations of whatever is going on in Hebrew concerning praise of God: Praise of God 1) comes through silence, 2) is due Him, or 3) awaits or will be coming.

Seeing that these three translation routes are significantly different, I was somewhat confused. Then I found a commentary online (1) that shed light on the source of the confusion. The literal Hebrew translation of the phrase reads, “to you silence praise Oh God in Zion.” (2) Unlike English wherein adjectives precede nouns, Hebrew adjectives and articles follow nouns (3) So, in English, I understand the phrase to read “praise silence”. In my everyday way of thinking, that sounds like “calm before the storm”. In other words, waiting to praise, anticipating praise, praise that should momentarily happen (is due), and praising by silence (meditating, considering) do all make sense.

Verse one concludes with praise acted upon through performing vows made. Given what follows, it occurs to me that contemplative silence is praise intended and thought, vows performed is praise acted out, and the rest of psalm is praise pronounced.

Then David pours out praise. In verses 2-5a, he praises God for the following spiritual blessings to believers: 1) hearing prayer, 2) forgiving sin, 3) choosing His own, 4) bringing them near, 5) satisfying them (4), and 6) answering prayer by awesome works.

Verses 5b through 8 praise God for His sovereign control of earth and its peoples, a great blessing in what otherwise would be chaos. David uses some illuminating and endearing word pictures throughout the rest of the psalm. Consider the ones related to His sovereignty. How far do people trust God? Answer: to the “ends of the earth and the farthest sea”. That pretty much covers everywhere. God controls the roaring seas and waves is an apt word picture for the “tumult of the peoples”. What is the full extent of where people are who are in awe of His signs? Answer: “the dawn and sunset”. And these “shout for joy”, meaning the peoples are overjoyed at His wonders.

The description of God’s provisioning through the earth’s abundance in verses 9-13 is not hyperbole. Water, grain, pastures with their flocks “overflow”, “greatly enrich”, “full”, “abundantly”, “bounty”, “drip with fatness”, “drip”, “gird themselves”, “clothed”, “covered”, “rejoicing”, and “shout for joy, yes, they sing”. David had been a shepherd, but he knew of farming. I enjoy his word picture of the furrows watered abundantly, settling and softening its ridges, so that its growth is blessed (v. 10). For a plowed field hardened by sunlight and lack of rain this is a reality, but the word picture conveys a sense of how the plants (grains, vegetables, or grass) are watered without ever mentioning them.

We are not an agrarian society, so that our praise may go in other directions, and yet, no one may prosper if the agricultural pursuits do not prosper. They are primary to all other life pursuits. We can all understand how God blesses us through His benevolent provision of food. Certainly, His kind providence extends to all of our needs and many of our desires. Life is good, because God is good.

Being largely concrete and tactile when it comes to our desires and feelings, I pray that God would enable us to gain a deeper conceptual understanding and trust of His attributes, yes, of His person through His works on our behalf. His great name which represents all that He is and does is to be praised.

  1. I did and you should read the statement of faith for any commentary online before you start accepting any significant counsel from online sources. It was solid.
  2. https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/65/Psalm-65-11.html
  3. https://www.hebrewpod101.com/blog/2020/08/07/hebrew-word-order/#4 Any comments that I make about translation in Hebrew or Greek do not come from study of those languages, but rather from references I seek out for understanding.
  4. 4) and 5) are accomplished through His temple, symbolizing God’s presence with His people and their worship of Him.

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Better than Best

Posted in Blessing, Change, Contentment, General, God Thoughts, Reflection, tagged , , , on June 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »

I was raised to do the very best at anything that I attempted. That is good and agrees with the Scripture that says, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (Colossians 3:23-24) In context that is speaking to slaves, but it must surely include employees, and in reality, all who belong to Christ. As it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” We cannot do less than our best.

But my upbringing extended beyond that. I was put under considerable pressure to be really good at all that I did.

My little brain and emotions interpreted that to mean that I was supposed to be the best at whatever I did. Then, because I never seemed to meet my father’s expectations, I strove to be the best at a good many things and did not accept less than excellent or even perfect in all that I attempted. It is obvious where this is headed. I was frustrated, angry, and depressed because I didn’t meet up to my own or my perceived expectations from others. I had a deep-seated fear of being found out to be a fraud because I didn’t know how to do something.

Praise be to God that I have been rescued from the guilt and shame of that thinking. But old habits and patterns die hard. I was on a walk today, enjoying the exercise and the beauty of the view from the hill I was surmounting, when a tune came to me, Minuet in G Major by Bach. I was joyously pacing my steps by it. Then a sudden flash of sadness came across me and I felt as if tears would well up within me. I took piano lessons for seven years when I was a child, deeply desiring to succeed at it. I could in fact play quite hard pieces, but I was never able, though I try real hard, to sit down and play most hymns from a hymnbook so that others might sing along. It frustrated me that I was not really good at the piano and here all these years later there was still this tinge of regret and sorrow.

But God has been rich in His grace toward me. The next thoughts that came to my mind as I neared the top of the hill were of a thankful sort. Most of what I had desired and dreamed of attempted and pursued and trained for, frustrated over, and failed at had fallen by the wayside. In its placed He has developed other talents, pursuits, compassions, joys for which He has made me and with which He is pleased. I still try my best to do my best, but I don’t need to be the best and far less than perfect is acceptable and pleasing. I am more content with who I am and what I can do than ever in my life, and that is better than best. In those moments when I regress, I have opportunity to repent and find rest in who He has made me to be. All glory be to His name. He is a loving, patient, kind, and caring teacher and guide.

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