Panning For Gold

Scripture Reading:
John 8:32, "And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free."

In the 1840s, America experienced what was called "The California Gold Rush." Thousands of "prospectors" stormed over the Rocky Mountains into California. Any stream they could find they started mining near and they would dredge the streams for gold. With a sieve they would shake a large group of gravel substance. The sediment would fall through the sieve leaving the gold behind. The only problem was that many sites did not reveal gold. In fact most of the mines in the early days turned out to be flops. The hype was that there was gold everywhere, which there was not. Men spent their lives and fortunes digging constantly for something that, where they were located, never existed.

In life, people are panning for "gold." Gold in this sense is not the physical metal, but its answers to life's questions. They take a bunch of opinions and philosophies and shake and shake till whatever is left over must be the answer they are looking for. Gold to a searching person comes in the form of truth. Truth sets us free as we find in the words of Christ in our Scripture reference reading.

As believers in Christ we do not have to "pan" for Truths. Truth in the Scripture is not obscure and hidden, but is very plainly seen. The Bible was written for us to mine out Scriptural gold to live by. At first reading though you may seem to find yourself wondering about how to prospect this truth from the pages of Scripture. Here are some helps to either get you started or keep you going.

1. Most Bibles have reference sections and sections that deal with issues that we face and list references to find passages that deal with them.
2. Study guides are available that shows you the Scripture and explains the passage to help your understanding. NOTE, understand, these are men's opinions, most of them are good, but prayer and asking the Holy Spirit to help you discern the Truth is the only way to know.
3. Search out other Scriptures by cross references. These are simply a related passage of Scripture reference found in the margin or center of many Bibles.
4. Good Online Bible study software can be found, many of them for free or a nominal price. These are invaluable for looking up things and cross referencing.

Now with these in mind, there are some hindrances that some believers face when looking for Scriptural Truth. These are with their remedies:

1. The Bible is such a big book, how can I even be sure where to start? Answer: Start in John's Gospel to learn about the Saviour Christ. Start in the book of Psalms to know more about the heart of man towards God. Read the books of Ephesians and Romans to find out about Godly Christian life.

2. What if I have trouble understanding what I read? Answer: The only way to understand anything in the Scriptures is to ask God for revelation. Even the most seasoned student of the Bible must do this. God's Word is not a puzzle for the believer, so ask Him in prayer for the understanding. Like Philip in the New Testament book of Acts, God will send someone your way to help you understand.

3. There are so many versions of the Bible out there, which one do I choose? Answer: In my neck of the woods, preachers will tell you to "stick with the original King James Version." That is not bad advice, but there are other good translations. The New King James and the English Standard Version are excellent choices with up to date language usage. I personally discourage the popular "The Message." It is a paraphrase version of the Bible which takes extreme liberties with the Scripture where there can be no room for such actions. I could elaborate more but what we find is people get their feelings hurt when their version is not listed. This is a shame. But the ones I have listed are great translations of Inspired Scripture. The word of God is inspired by God, not any translation though. Again prayer is the key for guidance.

4. What if I read Scripture that I don't agree with? Answer: There is no variance here. Our validation of Scripture is not at issue. We either believe it or not, we either receive it or not. The Scripture does not change. What we need to do is ask God to humble us and submit to His Word as the authority for our lives, no matter what we agree with or not.

5. Is it okay to ask for human help in understanding Scripture? Answer: Absolutely. In fact a Bible study group really helps grow a person. You need to find a group of like minded believers. Your church has one I am sure. People vary on their opinions of things in the Bible, but, the concrete foundations must be agreed on. Sometimes the best outlet is a good friend who has had more years of study than you, who would be glad to help you in your study.

God does not want us to be ignorant of His Word. God has not given us a desire to know Him and then left us on our own to find Him. We don't have to be like those early gold miners, hoping to find Truth somewhere someday. We have access to God right now, as sure and certain for every believer no matter who they are or where they are.

Start mining the truths today. One thing for sure, no matter where you read in the Bible, you will always know God better. from it.

Lord, take Your Word and place it in our hearts, so that we may know You and serve You more abundantly and with cheer. Thank You for being open to us and graciously provide what we so much need. In Your Name, Amen.

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An Open Book

Scripture Reading: Romans !6:25-27

Have you ever had it said of you, "I can read you like an open book!"? This denotes our transparency in demeanor and character as well as our openness to others in lifestyle and habits. For some folks that is okay, for others that is not very comforting to think that we are that open.

God's Word on the other hand welcomes this openness. God's Word is an Open Book to all those who desire to know Him. In times past many religious leaders of the day desired to shut out God's Word from the general public knowledge by not allowing an English translation. They did this because they knew that if God's Word were made known freely to man, this man would in turn not allow the injustices afforded by the "church." It is sad that today God's Word is available to everyone, but now its not desired to be looked into as it was during the days of old.

Do you consider the Bible to be an open or shut book? What I mean by that is simply do you understand and receive what the Bible has to say about different areas of life? Granted that not anyone at all points knows every concept and aspect of the Bible's teachings with perfect clarity and understanding. There are hard to perceive passages no doubt. However, the life changing message in all points is freely understood by all men that even a child can understand it. So if the message of the Bible is so simple, you may wonder why you may not understand it.

The key to unlocking the "mystery" of the Scripture is calling on the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Savior. When one does that in sincere faith of the heart, the Holy Spirit comes in and develops a relationship between man and God that cannot be had any other way. Then the Holy Spirit (at the same moment) unlocks the Truths of Scripture to your understanding, Truths that once seemed like foolish religious nonsense. This is the first step in growing with God's Word.

Even though the Bible is comprised of 66 books and so many thousands of pages, it is inexhaustible in it's teachings and depth. One can read the entire Bible cover to cover, and then read it again and glean new revealed Truths every time. The passages of Scripture reveals hope, correction, prophecy, life wisdom and a host of other things. None of them stand hidden or locked away from the student who desires to know them.

Why is the Bible so open? Simply because it is a reflection of its Supreme Author. God desires above all that mankind should know Him personally. Its one thing to know about something, but quite another to be knowledgeable of something in its ways, patterns, thoughts, intents, character, and nature. God has no intention of keeping us in the dark about Who He is. Only the deceptive do such to hold an advantage over the weak minded. Of course there are things about God He has not revealed, but we know that those things, because of His holiness, is guarded for our good and not for our detriment.

Secondly the Bible is so open because God desires us to know exactly how we are related to Him and stand with Him. At this point, the Bible doesn't seem to be so appealing to some. The Light of the Good News and the way God worked and works in the Old Testament teachings spotlights our sinful condition. It can make man feel uncomfortable and wretched. This is the best news man can hear, but few accept it, because they will not read farther to seek the remedy for their soulst. However, if the Bible only told us what we want hear, still the inevitable judgement was coming and we would all wash out never knowing what was really important. God would be so cruel if He had not told us ALL the story. Every story, every verse, every application is geared towards one thing...how you and I measure up with God and His plans for us. Of course no one can measure to the holiness of God, but we can desire to know where we stand with Him as we see Him relating to us and we to Him.

Thirdly, God desires the Bible to be open so that we may have constant access to His help and assurance. Along with words of correction and judgement comes the beautiful mountains of hope and help. The Psalms are particularly used to help the hurting and the hopeless. Unlike a man's counselling office, God does never close nor does He weary of hearing the broken lives of His people. God does not say that we should come back at a more convenient time. With God, we can petition Him for our help and as we read His Word we notice similar situations and how God's unchanging Character shown through. Mankind is used to limitations and posted hours. God has never considered giving man only half of His "ear" but will come to all them that sincerely desire to follow Him. Imagine being put out of your home and no one to turn to. Imagine life with no where to turn. This is the same horrors God desires for us to avoid as He stands ready to help.

Fourthly, the Bible is open because no man can shut it up. The more man tries, the more the Bible is proclaimed. The Bible has multiplied and grown that it is global in its circulation. Even after thousands of years of fighting and disputing, no one party has prospered by trying to take the Bible out of schools and homes. The more men try to squelch its Truth, the more loudly it shouts. God's Word is the living representative of God in the physical sense. We can see it with our eyes and hear it with our ears. The Word is Living. Who God is, is testified in His writings. This is why man cannot silence the Bible, for he has no power to silence the Living God. The church of God grows best under persecution. We don't like that idea of persecution, but after while in Glory, we shall see the wondrous results.

Finally, the Bible is an Open Book so that no reason man will ever have to claim ignorance of his condemnation. No one will ever say in the Day of Judgement, "I didn't know." With the Internet, Radio, TV, printed material now for centuries, man is without excuse. Should God have only decided to let His Book be seen by a privileged few, then He would be unjust. However, in the last days, all men everywhere will hear what God says. God leaves man with the greatest hope freely before all men. It is up to man to decide whether to trust in it or not. Either way, God is just because He is an Open God with an Open Word.

The Bible is widely available all over the world and is saturated in its distribution in America. Is the Bible welcome in your heart? Do you find its Truths to be something you desire? Never has man had something so wonderful be so available and not hindered by prejudice or any condition. Thank God for His Wonderful Gift that gives man Hope, Strength and Warning as it is needed, freely.

Let the Bible be open to your heart today.

Lord Jesus, thank You for such an awesome book with a special love for me in your Heart. Help us to desire to read Your Word more often and every time we do, grow us in the knowledge of You and encourage us beyond measure. Thank You for your love for us. May we reciprocate that same love as we focus on Your Word. Amen.

Drafts Of Doubt

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:13-15

One of the most advertised home improvements is windows. There are many varieties and styles to choose from, but all in all they do one thing...keep the heat in your house by keeping the cold air out. We find that as we move once again into the winter season that cold temperatures and gusts of cold air can penetrate our living spaces and make for uncomfortable quarters. Mainly when we think of drafty winds that blow, we think of old houses. You may imagine an old house that has seen better days having so many cracks and crevices in it that the cold air seems to be felt everywhere. These faulty places where the cold air leaks in are usually the result of either a poor fit in the window or door joints at the time of construction, or, an erosion of wood and materials that time has taken its toll. Either way the result is the same.

I would like to share with you this week both of these scenarios as it relates to our walk and belief in and with Jesus Christ. You see, doubt is that cold penetrating wind that howls in fury hoping to discomfort the believer. Our faith, though once strong, may flicker and wane causing gap holes to where fear and doubt creep in and disrupt the soul.

The first example of the invasion of doubt is a poorly constructed knowledge of God and His Word. If we are to combat issues of spiritual doubt about salvation, the reality of God, eternity, the Trinity etc. then we have to construct a solid, secure, fortress about us. Notice that no man or woman by their own intellectual pursuit of God can withstand any onslaught. Yet if we have no weapons to fight with and defend ourselves, we are no better off. When you see a new house being built or renovations being done you can see a lot of what we are talking about here. When a worker is installing frame work that is not squared up or is slightly larger than the window or door to go in that space, the gap created is just like having a gaping hole in a wall. Without the proper sealant, all sorts of cold air and other invaders will pass through it. If you do not know the Truth about the sufficient of atonement of Christ, for example, then you will open yourself up for a multitude of attacks questioning every day whether or not you're going to Heaven. Ignorance of God's Word is the doubtful crack Satan most often desires to use. For if we do not know what God says, then what Satan says may seem to us as plausible since we have no standard to gauge it against. It is imperative for a new believer to get involved in a Bible study group or class that will help him or her to learn not only who God is, but what He says. But the unfortunate thinking of many converts to Christ is that "I am saved, I have my eternity secure, why go any deeper?" This is like building a house and saying, "well the door covers most of the opening, that's good enough." Well of course you would never buy a house where everything just sort of fit together, so why then would we want to just sort of have Spiritual knowledge in place?

Too often, Christian ministries put greater emphasis on the prosperity and feel good theology that comes with an underlying political correct awareness. There is nothing wrong with encouraging the saints, in fact we are commanded to do so in Romans 14:19. However if you do not tell a child a stove burner is hot, you do them a greater disservice by not imparting valuable knowledge that could reverse or never have allowed a tragic burn. Mankind in general does not want to hear the things of the Bible that does not make them feel OK. We have to provide all the story not just parts. And its the parts here and there that do not give all the truth which leads to an ill equipped, poorly constructed believer to wallow about in a tragedy with an ignorant understanding.

Satan finds such a one who has a poorly constructed knowledge of God and exploits every crack and vulnerable spot, introducing ideas such as: "if God really loved you, why would He let this happen." or, "If you were really a believer, you wouldn't get upset so often." or, "Did God really mean what He said was for you, or for someone else." The list is endless. How valuable it is to have a good construction of the Word in place when those attacks come.

The second way drafts of doubt creep in is a spiritual mindset that was once very strong, but now has drifted away from God and has lost fellowship caused by spiritual erosion. It is important to note that losing fellowship does not mean losing salvation. Simply it means to walk away from God and thereby not having the quality of a close relationship that once was enjoyed. So many Christians today are "used to be's." This is not too sound critical because it is a trap that any of can and perhaps will fall into for a period of time. Christians that used to be strong, used to go to church every service, used to be involved, etc. Resting on our laurels of what we have done quickly fades when new challenges approach us. Such folks get very comfortable and apathetic. Church attendance, reading God's Word, keeping up Bible devotions and study once strong has now receded for some other attraction. Sometimes we point fingers at older people who have retired or spend more time in recreation, but the truth is that most of the decline can come in the early years of life. The real danger of erosion comes noticeably in our lives, but it really shows up in the lives of the children you have. Casual Bible knowledge, casual importance on church attendance and activities, lack of family devotions and parental examples of godliness all hits home in their lives too.

Just like a house that sits empty an unattended, so to does a heart that has little to do with Christ. A house will begin to crack, settle, paint peel, weeds grow up, etc and a person never notices it because it happens so gradually. Gradual erosion of the heart starts with a decision to give place to some other interesting option. Drafts of doubt settle in and cause us to really begin to ponder whether or not that philosopher has it right. Doubt seeps in cracks that make us wonder really whether or not all that we have believed about the Bible and Christianity is really true. Doubt finds its way in places that were so strong in faith, but no more.

Draftiness is cold, uncomfortable, and chilling. Drafts robs us of heat by drawing it out and replacing it with cold philosophies, worldly ideas, hopeless pursuits, etc. All this is geared towards taking our minds and hearts off Christ for something less and thereby making tragic choices that can cost us for the rest of our lives.

Are there drafts of doubt or some other influence invading your heart for Christ? You need to check, even if you don't think you would be a victim. We can never be too sure and when we are overconfident, we are in need at least of watching cautiously.

Father, help us today not to become too comfortable with our relationship with You. Rather Lord help us to be on the look out for cracks and erosions that cause us to doubt You and Your Word. Forgive us for our failings and put within us a fresh desire to know You better and serve You with our hearts and lives. Guard our hearts and help our minds to be stayed on You. Thank you for your grace and help towards us. In Your Name, Amen.