In Considering The Characteristics of God

would your list include that of FIRE? Probably not! However, it could be argued that FIRE is central to God’s manifested nature. In the Scriptures the Lord is often mentioned in tandem with FIRE.

God initially introduced himself to Moses by appearing "to him in a blazing FIRE from the middle of a bush" (Ex. 3:2). Later when the Egyptians were pursuing Israel the Lord "looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of FIRE and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion" (Ex 14:24).

Throughout Israel's years of wandering in the wilderness God revealed himself through FIRE. At Mount Sinai the Lord descended upon the mountain in FIRE along with smoke and an earthquake (see Ex 19:18). Moses describes God's glory as appearing "like a consuming FIRE" (Ex 24:17) and his jealousy as "a devouring FIRE" (Deu 4:24). We are reminded to worship the Lord in holy fear and awe because "our God is a devouring FIRE" (Heb 12:29).

Let’s consider the Bible’s physical description of the Lord. Ezekiel depicts his appearance as follows "From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a FIRE" (Ezk 1:27). John describes Jesus as having eyes that"are like flames of FIRE" (Rev 2:18).

The Lord's court is one of FIRE. Ezekiel describes God's holy mountain as being "stones of FIRE" (Ezk 28:14). In a vision Daniel saw the Ancient One sitting on "a FIERY throne with wheels of blazing FIRE" from which came "a river of FIRE"(Daniel 7:9-10). In the vision John received from the Lord he saw "what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with FIRE" (Rev 15:2). Finally, the living beings who attend the Almighty are described as " bright coals of FIRE" (Ezk 1:13). In fact, all the angels of God are described as being "servants like flames of FIRE” (Heb 1:7). Their face’s are like the sun, and feet like pillars of FIRE" (Rev. 10:1). God has a standing army of horses and chariots of FIRE” (2 Kings 6:17). It must have been one of these chariots that took Elijah up to heaven (2 Kings 2:11).

The Holy Spirit is also described in terms of FIRE. At Pentecost God sent the Spirit to fill and give spiritual gifts to those believers who were gathered in an upper room. In this anointing the Spirit appeared "like flames or tongues of FIRE” (Acts 2:3).

In the future FIRE will be prominent. At the "Judgment Seat of Christ" he will use a purging FIRE to "reveal what kind of work” (1 Cor 3:13) believers have done during their earthly pilgrimage. At the "Great White Throne" judgment unbelievers will experience the blazing FIRE of Christ's anger when He condemns them to the lake of FIRE (Rev 20:15) a place where "the FIRE never goes out" (Mark 9:48).

Not only is humanity going to experience God's "FIRE" but the heavens and earth will also be destroyed by FIRE right down to their most basic elements after which the Lord will put in place a new heavens and earth (see 2 Peter 3:12,13).

FIRE and God are inseparable. FIRE has the power to destroy or it has the power to refine and make pure. The pertinent question we must all consider becomes: how will the FIRE of God touch us?

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition

Copyright. Bruce December 2008

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.

Aquainted With The Night

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain --and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

Robert Frost --- Aquainted With The Night

Who Is Jesus

is a question that has been asked by many? This query is now over 2,000 years old and for many the answer is as elusive as ever.

When Jesus was about two years old magi (oriental king makers) arrived in Jerusalem asking where the "king of the Jews" (Mat 2:2) was to be born. The priests and teachers of the Jewish law told them he was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea (Mat. 2:5-6). The religious leaders never attempted to locate him for themselves.

However, Herod the king saw this baby as a threat. Therefore based on the report of the magi (Mat 2:16) he unsuccessfully attempted to kill Jesus by massacring all the boys in Bethlehem under two years of age.

Years latter Jesus and his disciples were in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi. While walking the dusty roads Jesus asked them a very provocative question. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" (Mat 16:13). The response he received showed a wide diversity of opinion.

Some felt Jesus was a reincarnation of John the Baptist. Herod Antipas, who had ordered the execution of John the Baptist, held this view (Mat. 14:6-9). He told his advisors that Jesus must be John the Baptist because of the incredible miracles he was performing (Mat 14:2). The religious leaders held to a different view claiming Jesus was "possessed by Satan, the prince of demons" (Mark 3:22).

The name Elijah was also popular among the people because the Jews were expecting Elijah to come before the Messiah (Mark 9:12-13). This was based on the prophecy of Malachi (Mal 4:5). Others had suggestions which included Jeremiah or one of the other prophets (Mat 16:14).

After the disciples had answered this question Jesus posed a more important question: Who do you believe I am? (Mat 16:15). At that moment the Spirit of God illuminated the mind of Peter and he uttered his great confession “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mat 16:16).

Peter's words confirmed the conviction of the magi who had come to worship the Christ (see Mat 2). It confirmed the view of the demons who knew his identity (Mark 1:34). It was also a confirmation of God the Father’s words after the Baptism of Jesus “This is my dearly loved Son” (Mat 3:17).

Today the question is still debated. Some maintain that Jesus was a good man and skillful teacher — maybe even a prophet. Others will admit that he has had a tremendous impact on this world as his influence is still being felt 2,000 years later. Still others contend that he actually had political designs but made some major blunders and got himself crucified (Albert Schweitzer). However, a great many people like the religious leaders at the time of Jesus' birth, display the attitude that who he is does not matter at all.

Ultimately our answer to this important question is directly related to where we will spend eternity. The Bible teaches that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit all testify to the reality that Jesus of Nazareth is God incarnate. Scripture also teaches that it is God who has within his hands the power to condemn or save --- to send to hell or usher into heaven based on ones response to this question.

Copyright. Bruce October 1, 2007

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.

My Butterfly

It seems forever--

Since first I saw thee glance,
With all thy dazzling other ones,
In airy dalliance,
Precipitate in love,
Tossed, tangled, whirled and whirled above,
Like a limp rose-wreath in a fairy dance.

Robert Frost --- My Butterfly

We Are All Aware Of Charismatic People

who have the natural ability to draw large crowds to themselves. Such individuals are often politicians or spiritual leaders. Throngs hang on their every word often resulting in mass irrational emotional responses.

Can you imagine what it must have been like when Jesus arrived on the scene? All of a sudden "impossible" things were taking place by his hand. His first public demonstration of divine power was to turn water into wine (see John 2:9) at a marriage feast in Cana. That was only the beginning --- more and more incredible things were to take place. As a result, during the first year of his public exposure, many people were drawn to him.

There were a number of things about Jesus that drew people to him. First of all there was his ability as a teacher. As people listened to him they were amazed at his authoritative teaching, as opposed to that of the teachers of religious law (Mark 1:22). Jewish teachers constantly referred to Moses, the prophets or other writings. Jesus spoke as though he was the ultimate authority.

Secondly, demons responded to his commands (Mar 1:27). For example on one occasion Jesus ordered an evil spirit to come out man with the result that he regained his abilities to both speak and see (Mat 12:22).

A third reason people flocked to Jesus was because of his power to heal the sick. Doctor Luke in his gospel makes the observation that "No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one"(Luke 4:40). On at least three occasions he restored life to those who had already died (see Luke 7:11-17, 8:46-536, John 11:40-44)

Fourthly, Jesus had power over the natural world. On two occasions he fed huge crowds from minimal resources. From five loaves and two fishes he fed 5,000 men plus women and children (Mark 6:41-44). Shortly afterwards he feed 4,000 people from seven loaves and a few fish (Mark 8:1-10).

One day Jesus and his disciples were on the Sea of Galilee when a bad storm blew up. His followers were afraid that the boat would sink. Upon waking him up Jesus "rebuked the wind and the raging waves. The storm stopped and all was calm! (Luke 8:24).

As a result of his actions many began to see him as the political saviour who would help them throw off the bondage of Rome. They became convinced that he was the prophet they had been waiting for so they desired to force him to become their king (John 6:14-15). To prevent this he had to slip away from the throngs.

All of these reasons for following Jesus were earth bound in nature. Even his twelve closest disciples struggled to arrive at the appropriate reason for following Jesus. They also saw things in the context of an earthly kingdom and its accompanying power.

However, one day Simon Peter at least momentarily grasped the true reason for following Jesus when he stated "You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God" (John 6:69). Yes, the all important reason for following Christ is not related to the physical aspects of life because they will all pass away. The ultimate reason for following Jesus is the eternal life that is available to those who believe in the person of the Son of God.

Copyright. Bruce August 2007

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.

Birches

I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree~

And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

Robert Frost --- Birches

Have You Noticed That When Things Go Wrong

 --- for example at school or work --- a person often tries to pass the blame onto someone else. Often those involved in criminal activity make excuses by blaming their behaviour on parents, environment, race or economics. This attitude has been around for thousands of years.

Come with me back to the Garden of Eden. Adam has admitted to God that he and his wife are guilty of disobedience. However, Adam words his confession in such a way so as to blame God for his actions. It is the wife you gave me who caused me to sin (Gen. 3:12). A few moments later when Eve has a chance to speak she accused the serpent of deception (Gen. 3:13).

King David had an experience where he would have been tempted to blame others. Uriah the Hittite was in the army, away from home fighting the king's battles. During that time the king committed adultery with Bathsheba Uriah’s wife and she became pregnant. When David’s plans to cover up his immoral behaviour did not work out he ordered Joab to position Uriah where the battle was fiercest and then abandon him so that he would be killed (2 Sam. 11:15).

After Uriah’s death God sent Nathan to confront King David concerning his sin. The prophet framed his words of condemnation in the form of a question: "Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife" (2 Sam. 12:8-9).

Even though David confessed his sin to Nathan his actions still brought divine judgment. God decreed that from then on, his family would live by the sword and that one day his own family would rebel against him because of his sin. In fact his wives would be given to another man (2 Sam. 12:10-11). This turned out to be his own son Absalom (2 Sam. 16:22).

How did David react to his sin and God's words of judgement? In a Psalm written at the time he cries out to God that it is "Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just" (Psa. 51:4).

Although it was not easy David took personal responsibility for his actions, he confessed his sin to God. He also realized that his actions demanded certain consequences from the hand of the Lord.

The Mosaic law clearly indicates that God holds a person responsible for their own behaviour. The Law states that Parents are not be executed for the sins of their children, nor children for the sins of their parents (Deut. 24:16).

It takes courage to admit we are wrong. No one likes to take personal blame. However, when we do wrong we need the courage to admit and confess our sin. Consequences may come but God will be with us even in those times. Although God brought judgment against David it was not as severe as it might have been. According to the law he should have been put to death. At least in this case, in spite of great immorality, God extended a degree of mercy to his disobedient child by allowing him to live.


Copyright. Bruce August 2007

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.