Baptized for the Dead

In a famous picture painted by Michelangelo on the Sistine Chapel in Rome there is a depiction of God reaching out His finger to touch the reclining form of Adam. The first man also holds his hand outstretched towards God. It is a famous picture and for many it is a powerful representation of God's creative and connecting power with humanity. The picture is quite dramatic, but does God always touch us in this fashion. In describing the power of God's touch Jesus says "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 This is a more subtle representation of God's touch. But it is no less powerful. In fact the creative power demonstrated by God's restorative power in reclaiming the life of the soul is just as much a testimony to his omnipotence. But it is perhaps this method of interaction that speaks more to God's desire to love each member...

We stand on the shoulders of giants, but we forget to kneel in the shadow of humble servants. How many of us have forgotten the lowly and humble of heart in our lives? There have always been people that walk the earth with modesty. Do we know these people? Do we strive to emulate the simple stories that are woven through our lives and the history of God's people. Growing up I was often attracted to characters in the bible like Moses, Samson and David. Their gallant leadership or their amazing abilities spoke to my childlike wonder. But I am afraid that I did not see their true greatness. Moses was called the meekest man on earth. Samson, while proud in the prime of his life surrendered himself ultimately in humility. David was a conqueror of giants and tens of thousands of Philistine enemies, yet God calls him a man after his own heart. In retrospection perhaps David was given this title because of his compassion and humility as he sought not to elevate his own interests, but wait ...

For those of us who actually attempt to let go of worldly interests there is often an attempt to stand alone amongst life's difficulties. However we do not have the power alone to resist the devil. Our constant source of strength must be the Lord. In the same way that Christ did not rely on his own strength but surrendered to the Father so too we must make a complete surrender to Christ. It is his choices to do right that will enable us to overcome. Literally the old self must die and the new creation born of God must be allowed to live without the fetters of the habits that we have nourished. God gives us a new nature when we surrender to him, but the habits formed in our old life are still there. God does not take away the tendency to sin, because in this life he cannot. Yet we can resist sin through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. By allowing the Holy Spirit to keep alive the new nature that was given to us when we first believed we can put to death the habits that are left o...

David's words are so filled with spiritual meaning that they seem to spill into the open mind. Yet how often do we misinterpret the meaning of those often perused words? In the 23 Psalm David reminds us of the dependency we all have on God. He says "the Lord is my shepherd. This is fitting metaphor enough but David continues to expand upon this theme stating that God leads him by quiet waters, green pastures and stays with him through the valley of the shadow of death. When we get to the words "my cup runneth over" we should be able to see the constant theme of provision that comes from the Lord. This is not a material provision. It is true that God wants us to taste and see that he is good and enjoy the creative fruits of his labor on this earth. In this case however David is speaking to a more basic need. He is pronouncing the blessing of God's presence in our lives. Aptly he uses the metaphor of having your cup filled up beyond it's capacity to the point t...

In contemplating the Garden of Gethsemane I am struck by the inherent contradictions that set the setting of our savior's greatest struggle. As Jesus made his way onto the Mount of Olives he must have walked past the Olive trees that give the mountain it's name. I can only think that as Jesus walked he saw flowering plants as he made his way with heavy steps to his resting place. This solemn place was removed if only a short distance from the walls of Jerusalem with all of the man-made problems that persisted there and yet God had provided a solution to those problems in this Garden of Gethsemane. Here nature, while marred by the decay of sin, still testified to God's creative power. There was life in that hill that night: there was possibility. But the night had enveloped more than just the countryside. Jesus' own heart was shadowed and beyond the reach of that light that had been his constant companion. Perhaps he felt the darkness amplified his disconnection from his...

Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Jesus states "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." John 17:3 Obviously we need to know things. More importantly we need to know the Lord. However this knowledge of God is a tricky thing because it cannot be given to us in just any way. In fact without a relationship their is no transmission of truth. At the very least we need a relationship with God. Perhaps this is why Solomon said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."Proverbs 1:7 In relationship with God we can receive divine truths that could not be given to humans in any other way. Therefore it is wise for us to realize that not only can we not receive truth without a relationship with God we cannot impart truths to others without a relationship with God. As we seek to give what is been given to us we need to also remember that we cannot transmit tr...

God says quiet succinctly in His word, "Come now, let us reason together."Isaiah 1:18 These words have always appealed to me. However I am starting to believe that I misunderstood their intent. We often try to use the word of God as a tool to prove our belief system to others. In doing so we pull texts from here and there or if we have a little more academic acumen we might stay within the biblical pericope or passage to drive home our point. While arguments should certainly be constructed to defend our beliefs: the bible say "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 1 Timothy 2:15 We need to be careful not to miss the import of these words in Isaiah to reason. God wants us to do well with whatever we find to do with our hands and heart but we should focus the priority of our reasoning powers on understanding the truths of salvation as they work out in our own lives. God wants us ...

I am reading the book "His Robe or Mine" by Frank Phillips. The book explains how salvation works out in the life of the Christian. While the ideas are not new their presentation is powerful. The author shares a quote from the book "Thoughts on the Mount of Blessing" that I would like to share here. Let me set up the quote. The author of the passage, Ellen White is describing Jesus' trial with all the physical and emotional abuse that he endured. She says: "'The Father's presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by our Lord's permission, ...

So much of what goes on in our culture involves darkness. People seem to associate darker movies, shows, books and ideas as essentially more real than their lighter counterparts. Whatever happened to the days when people wanted to live in the light. The bible says "the people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them"(Isaiah 9:2). Ancient Israel lived in the shadow of their decisions, but when Jesus came into the world he was the light of the world. He is and always was the light of the world. Many of us think that light comes from the sun or from some other celestial body. However these lights can only illuminate the outside world. The world within remains in darkness apart from Christ. Jesus says "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." With Halloween approaching many people will celebrate the darkness in this world when they celeb...

Waiting on the Lord is not a passive process. In Isaiah 40:31 it says that if we wait on the Lord He will give us wings like eagles. For many people this means that they must stop and sit down on the stoop of their life as a child does that is waiting for his father to come home after work. However this is not the implication of the biblical writer. The word in Isaiah in Hebrew is "qavah." This word carries the connotation of expectant and eager anticipation of an event. Little children and adults I might add look forward to the holidays. The holidays in the United States start with Thanksgiving and end with New Years. Anyone who actually looks forward to these holidays will make some preparation for the these anticipated events. A family might make travel arrangements, save up money, or prepare festive decorations as the time approaches. In any case there are visible signs of their anticipation. This is even more true of the Christian that surrenders their life and plans to ...