From Dave Black Online:
“Got some great news. If you’ve been to our Greek Portal you’ve noted that it is pretty barebones. Well, all of that is about to change. Matthew Myers, my new assistant, is working on revamping and significantly expanding the Greek Portal to make it, we hope, one of the leading Greek sites on the web. My prayer is that it will become a major hub of information for what is going in Greek studies today and a great resource for all students of the language.

Now, there’s a way you can help us. If you know of a website that you feel just absolutely has to be included here, please let us know. It need not be the website of an accomplished scholar either. You see, one of the things I love to do is encourage younger scholars and students to contribute to the study of Greek. Our message is simple: Greek is for everybody. So if you think you have something to contribute to Greek studies today, please let me know. I am eager to hear from you at dblack@sebts.edu [e-mail obfuscated-click on it]. Thank you.

Matthew, by the way, blogs here. Check out what he has to say about More Light on the Path – an excellent tool to maintain your Greek and Hebrew.”

Luke 3:8-9
“Do those things that prove that you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. Don’t say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.

9 The ax is now ready to cut the roots of the trees. Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.”

10 The crowds asked him, “What should we do?”

11 He answered them, “Whoever has two shirts should share with the person who doesn’t have any. Whoever has food should share it too.”

12 Some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13 He told them, “Don’t collect more money than you are ordered to collect.”

14 Some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He told them, “Be satisfied with your pay, and never use threats or blackmail to get money from anyone.”

If you were to read starting from verse 10, it would just look like commands of what people need to do to please God and be one of his children, as opposed to the fact that they are descendants of Abraham being the only thing necessary.

Although James seems to make is clear in what he’s explaining regarding good works–writing that it’s the kind of faith that saves us (James 2:14), how good works show that our faith is genuine (James 2:22), James and John the Baptist using the word or metaphor of deadness (Luke 3:8-9, James 2:26 [stones, bad or dead fruit]) etc., some still seem to have a hard time with this. So we can go to other parts of the Bible like Luke, which happens to be written after James (did Luke know what James wrote?) to find more explanatory material. Luke explains that these good works are proof (as in God’s Word Translation, NET and NLT to name a few) while most say, Bear fruits in keeping with repentance as does ESV, NASB and NIV. If it wasn’t for the former, I’m not sure I would understand the latter, looking at that part of that verse by itself.

Joel B. Green, in his commentary on Luke, makes some very interesting (to me anyway) parallels on the current (in the narrative) descendants of Abraham who feel their pedigree is enough, to some of what’s written in the Old Testament. Since Luke’s narrative here is describing John the Baptist speaking to a specific nationality and religion, he can utilize their own heritage and knowledge to convict them of their prideful and incorrect view of their standing before God.

Such an understanding is repudiated by John, who insists that children of Abraham are not identified by birth into the covenant community but through response to God’s gracious initiative. The crowds are like the wilderness to which they have come to hear John — empty, unproductive, lifeless — and so they must become fruitful, producing in their lives behaviors that demonstrate their relation to God (cf. Acts 26:20).

John produces two warnings to the crowd, both of which follow hard upon his declaration that their privileged status is now insecure. First, he reminds them that they can be replaced by stones! John draws on a number of pertinent images — Abraham, the father of many nations; the ability of God to give Abraham a child (Genesis 18:14); the portrayal of “stones” as inanimate, used as a metaphor for lifeless gods and humans (cf. Acts 17:29); the election and shaping of a nation, God’s people, in the exodus and crossing of the Jordan, together with the stones to memorialize the event; the fact that God’s promises to Abraham have been coming to realization in the Lukan narrative (Luke 1:55, 73)…

As in the Scriptures, the behaviors for which John calls are not themselves the basis for membership in God’s covenant people; rather, they are manifistations of that relatioinship. To put it differently, these are the natural outgrowth of lives reoriented around the God who is himself merciful (cf. Luke 6:36).

Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke, pgs. 176; 178

Many other things could be written about like the Beatitudes, what Jesus Himself said about these things etc.

Often given lip service, but not usually understood or believed in most evangelical churches. This isn’t a “fresh” quote. Some of the megachurch growth movement rhetoric is a little old now, but the premise stands. For most it’s salvation by grace plus our nature or salvation by grace plus our will. I realize many of you won’t go this far, but I like this quote.

I think people should be forthright and knowledgeable in saying, Yes I believe this or no I don’t.

Justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. This is the article by which the church stands or falls. Today this article is often ignored, distorted or sometimes even denied by leaders, scholars and pastors who claim to be evangelical. Although fallen human nature has always recoiled from recognizing its need for Christ’s imputed righteousness, modernity greatly fuels the fires of this discontent with the biblical Gospel. We have allowed this discontent to dictate the nature of our ministry and what it is we are preaching. Many in the church growth movement believe that sociological understanding of those in the pew is as important to the success of the gospel as is the biblical truth which is proclaimed. As a result, theological convictions are frequently divorced from the work of the ministry. The marketing orientation in many churches takes this even further, erasing the distinction between the biblical Word and the world, robbing Christ’s cross of its offense, and reducing Christian faith to the principles and methods which bring success to secular corporations. While the theology of the cross may be believed, these movements are actually emptying it of its meaning. There is no gospel except that of Christ’s substitution in our place whereby God imputed to him our sin and imputed to us his righteousness. Because he bore our judgment, we now walk in his grace as those who are forever pardoned, accepted and adopted as God’s children. There is no basis for our acceptance before God except in Christ’s saving work, not in our patriotism, churchly devotion or moral decency. The gospel declares what God has done for us in Christ. It is not about what we can do to reach him.

–John Hendryx, quoted in Reformed Theology and Christian Counseling Today (PDF File)

Edit: Also note that God accepts us, not the other way around, as is so popular (“accepting Jesus as your personal [butler] savior”). I know most don’t mean any ill by saying this. It’s become so poular that it’s automatic, like many other things–inviting Jesus into your heart (what?), let go and let God (huh?), God is our co-pilot (I thought God is the pilot) etc. There is a whole Bible we can quote instead of made up stuff.

Ten best books for studying New Testament Greek, excluding his own – Saturday, December 24 6:52 AM at Dave Black Online (scroll down to find it or look in the archives at the bottom of the page in December 2011)

TGC Staff Recommend 2011 Books

2012 Christianity Today Book Awards

My Top Books of 2011 – Tim Challies

Top Ten Books of 2011 by Kevin DeYoung

Top Ten Books of 2011 by Stan McCullars

Sam Storms: Top Ten (!) Books in 2011

Books & Culture‘s Book of the Year

My 5 Favorite Books of 2011 by Marc Cortez

Top 2011 List — No Order, and No Number by Daniel Thompson

Any others to add?

Also see:
A Twisted Crown of Thorns: Top 10 Posts of The Year

My Top 10 Top 10s of ’11 by Tim Challies

Two very simple quotes I like from a book that got more interesting to me near the end.

The term itself speaks of the aligning of human life on earth with the will of the divine government of God.
…
To enter the Kingdom of God means to submit oneself to the rule of God and that means a fundamental reorientation of one’s ethical commitments and values into line with the priorities and character of the God revealed in the scriptures.

–Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament, pg. 247-248

We measure Scripture’s story by ours. The attitude the psalm [Psalm 1] commends involves delighting in Yhwh’s teaching—especially (we might add) when its story seems irrelevant or it takes a different stance from us. That is the moment when studying Scripture becomes interesting, significant, and important. We then delight in it. The way that delight expresses itself is by *talking about it day and night–in other words, ceaselessly.

John Goldingay, Psalms 1-41, pg 84, referring to Psalm 1

I will say this without trying to sound prideful of myself but I can boast about what God has done (Jeremiah 9:24). Often, parts of the Old Testament can be difficult to get through. Most people don’t read most of it. Last year when I read through the Old Testament I had an attitude of marvel at the fact that I was reading the inspired words of the living, all powerful, holy God who created the heavens and the earth, and me. All of the words are from Him! I didn’t care if it was a list of genealogy (which commentators can help us see the value of), or repetition, or whatever. I was fascinated with it all and of course the God who had it written down for us and is always speaking through it.

I’ve always liked/loved reading the Bible. But this is a new level that God has brought me to. And to me it’s obvious that this is only something God could have brought about, compared to how I used to view the Old Testament. Not that I loathed parts of it or anything, I just wasn’t thrilled with all of it. I would hope that everyone who doesn’t yet delight in God’s words, teachings, commands, and even conviction of sin (which is God speaking directly to us as an individual–a bonus, just as a revelation or light going off when thinking on or reading Scripture), will pray that they would. This is God’s will. It may be there from the start (oh blessed ones), or take weeks, months, years or decades. But if you pray for it, want it and read the whole Bible regularly, it will happen. Now may be a good time to think about reading the whole Bible if you haven’t.

Goldingay’s translation of Psalm 1:2:

Rather, his pleasure lies in Yhwh’s teaching:
he talks about his teaching day and night.

I’ve been realizing that when the Psalmists write about meditating on God’s laws, especially in Psalm 119, they aren’t always referring to formal, ‘sit down and concentrate with your notebook’ meditation. That’s great of course, but I think their main intention is thinking about God’s words all day. Goldingay says that this means something we talk to ourselves about, sometimes out loud, thus his translation above, which is usually rendered in other translations “on his law he meditates day and night”. God’s Word Translation (GW), interestingly renders it “reflects on his teachings day and night”. I don’t think it needs to be as formal as many of us have been taught.

Psalm 119:97 GW
Oh, how I love your teachings! They are in my thoughts all day long.

It would be impossible to sit down and meditate on God’s teachings all day long everyday, which is what my literal mindedness used to believe. But just like praying ceaselessly (1 Thessalonians 5:17), it’s something we can do every chance we get, as opposed to 100% of the time. This only comes about when it’s something we love and care about and when we spend time reading or listening to something that gives us something we want to think and pray about.

Psalm 86:11 GW
Teach me your way, O LORD, so that I may live in your truth. Focus my heart on fearing you.

Thank you to the vegetable growing pastor down under for this commentary.

I may write some posts on how not to deal with those who are suffering. This could be the first of a few or just by itself. I must warn you that this is a rant.

When praying for those who are suffering, or anyone for that matter, there are often things they ask for prayer for, but there are also other things we may pray for that are the ‘hidden things’ that we pray but don’t necessarily mention. These things are ideally things that God has given you insight into or that you’ve just noticed about them. You pray for them but don’t necessarily tell them that you are, especially if they are weaknesses they may have, or you just want to let the Holy Spirit work and see what happens.

Then there are things where someone says, “I’m praying for you for your difficulty and also that you will…” This is no longer prayer. It’s a suggestion. You’re telling the person what you think they should be doing, or what would make you feel good so you’re “suggesting” that they do it also because of course it would make them feel better too. These usually aren’t spiritual things, so they may or may not be God’s will. And now you won’t know if the person does these things because you suggested them or because God is strengthening them to be able to do them, if they even want to.

As an example, you may say, “I’m praying that you’ll get out and get more sun (because vitamin D will heal you), that you’ll see your friend more and that you’ll play that sport you used to play.” Well, maybe they’re taking medication that makes them extremely sensitive to the sun (which is actually the case with me), maybe that friend isn’t a friend anymore or isn’t good for them to be in contact with. You may think they should be more social, but sometimes God wants a period of time where He just wants us for Himself. Who knows. They may not have the energy to play that sport anymore or they may not be able to play it well enough for it to be enjoyable any longer.

Often when people are suffering, people feel they have the right to tell them what they think they should be doing. All the while this person is probably doing other activities they enjoy that require less energy or that they’re better able to handle and they may be actually growing a lot more spiritually because of their suffering than the person giving them the “advice”. I don’t know if there is a name for this phenomenon, but it happens all the time. Ask anyone who suffers chronically.

If I may make a suggestion: pray for things they’ve asked for prayer for. If you receive insight from God or from your own senses, use it privately and carefully, not to judge but to lovingly intercede for them. (There is a great quote by Oswald Chambers on this that I can’t find.) Pray for things that are definitely God’s will. You will find them in the Bible. And realize that they aren’t you and you aren’t them and conventional “wisdom” isn’t always the way to go. They don’t enjoy suffering and are doing more than you think to get out of it or to cope. And at some point when your turn comes up, you may actually be asking them for advice on how to grow spiritually or cope with suffering.

The two things people need the most are listening and prayer.

I hope that wasn’t too curmudgeony and I hope it helps someone see things from a different perspective. And those who are suffering need to “make allowance for each others’ faults and forgive anyone who offends them. Remember, the Lord forgave you so you must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:13) We need to use this as an opportunity to grow all the more.

When I first became a Christian, after or while reading through the book of John, I used the little pamphlet put out by The Navigators (NavPress) called 7 Minutes With God. This got me started on having a “quiet time” or what I now call devotional time or spiritual disciplines (what a scary word) which has stayed with me for over 25 years now.

While looking for this online, I found some adaptations and decided to write my own. If you like it, I would be thrilled if you use it for yourself or to give to others.
Nine Minutes With God (PDF File)

If you have any suggestions for ways to improve it, please let me know. This is meant to be printed and I purposely used a rather large typeface for the older folks.

Our blogging friend Mark Stevens asks us to post pictures of our office, which most of us find interesting. In the past I showed mine:
“Office” of an Invalid; Meme
but a few things have changed so I have an updated picture from a year ago that is now again in season. I won’t go through details of things that have changed from the last post that can’t be seen. The computer stand is a big help.

I will have a pain pump installed (by a doctor) for partial relief, God willing, of low back pain but still have the problem of chronic fatigue and other things, so I don’t know if I’ll stay here or move part-time to a recliner.

Click the picture for a larger one. (This is HDR, for photography enthusiasts, although it’s not a whole lot different than a single exposure.)

Library Thing – my library is small enough that they all fit in a free account

This may sound awfully strange, but I’m so thankful to have a nice place to be miserable, or a place that helps me to be a bit less miserable. I can’t imagine the conditions most of the people in the world live in. I don’t see how I could stand it. I’m so blessed to have this, and more importantly a loving and supportive wife.

If you would like to show us your office, please do.

Calvin: Six Purposes of Prayer

One of my favorite topics and I’ve never seen it written better.

HT: NWBingham on Twitter

Sometimes I wonder why I read modern books, since everything has been written about, and very well. No disrespect to current authors. Sometimes there are more current culture, events, politics (yuck) or just new and modern ways of writing things that are beneficial. There are also advances in archeology, linguistics and the church universal learning together.

I also think that since so many modern Christians lack theological training and knowledge, more and more basic books need to be written. But as far as basic theology, I don’t think there’s much new to be written.

I think some people could buy the least expensive e-reader, download a few hundred or thousand out of copyright Puritan (if that’s your thing) ePubs, a few Bible translations and be set for life if they like reading just regular books. Commentaries and other reference works are a different story.

I was reading James 4 and was re-convicted. I’ve been convicted a lot lately about how negatively I say some things about people or say things I don’t need to say or say or thing things where pride has been creeping in (more than usual I guess). I was amazed at James 4. Can you imagine if every Christian who interacted with people quite a bit each day either in real life or online would read this every morning? I know it would make a difference. Kumbaya my friends.

James 4:2-4 GW
You’re determined to have things, but you can’t get what you want. You quarrel and fight. You don’t have the things you want, because you don’t pray for them. 3 When you pray for things, you don’t get them because you want them for the wrong reason-for your own pleasure. 4 You unfaithful people! Don’t you know that love for this evil world is hatred toward God? Whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God.

We want to be wise but how many people pray for it (Prov 2:1-6)? We want to understand the Bible but how many people pray for it and set out to achieve it? We want to be widely influential and get a new (but not used) car and clothes that make us look higher class but is this what God wants? How confusing it must be to be a new Christian in this (Western, where this blogger’s perspective is) society, pray for things and not get them and not know what they really need and some stay stuck there. I wonder how materialistic I am and have no idea. Not that I’m wringing my hands over it (but I mourn regarding the things written above, James 4:9; Matt 5:4), but I pray that I’ll love what God loves and hate what God hates.

What a great chapter.

If you haven’t read through the Old Testament and for any reason find it difficult, consider this plan which will take you through it in two years. It’s vitally important to read the whole letter that God has written for us.

Old Testament

I prefer to read it in a relatively short amount of time as far as reading through it for familiarity. Knowing how few Christians read the Bible daily, I can only imagine how few have read through the Old Testament. I hope this may help some people out.

I’m more amazed and get more out of it every time I read it.

• Speaking The Truth In Love
• Philemon :6
• Jeremiah 29:11 – the comments are better than the post
• Psalm 23 …your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

I was going to do a post on ‘speaking the truth in love’ and saw that I already did one a few years ago. Good thing I noticed. So I rounded up some other ones that deal with interpretation of single verses. I still sometimes have to remind myself to look at the context, which can/should be quite broad sometimes.

The NIV says, “Be still and know that I am God” which has led some to believe this verse is about quiet, contemplative prayer.

It’s more likely in this verse that God is telling us to be quiet and quit fretting about all that’s going on in the world (easier said than done) and know that God is the ruler and will be glorified and exalted in all that is happening. So important in difficult times.

Spurgeon says in his Treasury of David:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Hold off your hands, ye enemies! Sit down and wait in patience, ye believers! Acknowledge that Jehovah is God, ye who feel the terrors of his wrath! Adore him, and him only, ye who partake in the protections of his grace. Since none can worthily proclaim his nature, let “expressive silence muse his praise.” The boasts of the ungodly and the timorous forebodings of the saints should certainly be hushed by a sight of what the Lord has done in past ages.

I love the term timorous forebodings, which is what we hear and read about a lot these days (and apparently in Spurgeon’s day too!) when there are so many books, sermons by spurious pastors and articles on ‘headline prophecy’ (trying to match current events with Bible prophecy), the impending doom that is always being predicted, etc. Not that impending doom isn’t upon us, we just can’t predict it, or anything else that may or may not happen.

I bring this up mainly because I read this in my two favorite translations and like how they put it:

Psalm 46:10 GW
Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God.
I rule the nations. I rule the earth.

Psalm 46:10 REB
‘Let be then; learn that I am God,
exalted in the nations, exalted in the earth.’

Read the whole Psalm to see the context. The idea of the beginning of this single verse needs to be balanced with others and not misunderstood to the other extreme of course.

If any Hebrew geeks or anyone else want to chime in, feel free.

Luke 12:29-34 GW
“Don’t concern yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about these things. 30 Everyone in the world is concerned about these things, but your Father knows you need them. 31 Rather, be concerned about his kingdom. Then these things will be provided for you.

32 Don’t be afraid, little flock. Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 “Sell your material possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don’t wear out! Make a treasure for yourselves in heaven that never loses its value! In heaven thieves and moths can’t get close enough to destroy your treasure.

34 Your heart will be where your treasure is.

Psalm 1:1-3 NIV
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

I’ve often wondered about “whatever he does prospers”. I always thought it to be a general truth like a Proverb and not a hard and fast rule or promise that comes about 100% of the time.

For friends who may be interested in one thing I’ve been doing lately–As part of my concentration on the Old Testament, I’m going through all of the OT verses and passages I have memorized (too many single verses!) and reading them in context again. I also look things up in a commentary if I feel a need. Since I don’t have a lot of newer (which isn’t necessarily better of course) OT commentaries in book form, I often go to e-Sword, where there are plenty of commentary modules of dead people that are out of copyright. One of the ones I especially like is Spurgeon’s Treasury of David which is on the Psalms. (The one in e-Sword doesn’t contain additional quotes that Spurgeon compiled for each verse in addition to his own commentary.)

So after my update on what I’ve been doing, here is an interesting quote from Spurgeon on the last part of Psalm 1:3 :

“And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Blessed is the man who hath such a promise as this. But we must not always estimate the fulfilment of a promise by our own eye-sight. How often, my brethren, if we judge by feeble sense, may we come to the mournful conclusion of Jacob, “All these things are against me!” For though we know our interest in the promise, yet are we so tried and troubled, that sight sees the very reverse of what that promise foretells. But to the eye of faith this word is sure, and by it we perceive that our works are prospered, even when everything seems to go against us. It is not outward prosperity which the Christian most desires and values; it is soul prosperity which he longs for. We often, like Jehoshaphat, make ships to go to Tarshish for gold, but they are broken at Ezion-geber; but even here there is a true prospering, for it is often for the soul’s health that we should be poor, bereaved, and persecuted. Our worst things are often our best things. As there is a curse wrapped up in the wicked man’s mercies, so there is a blessing concealed in the righteous man’s crosses, losses, and sorrows. The trials of the saint are a divine husbandry, by which he grows and brings forth abundant fruit.

Even though the word prosper may have changed somewhat in meaning over time, we westerners still think dangerously temporal and materialistic. Too dangerous for our spiritual health.

I would rather be in this chair knowing him, than on my feet without him. And that’s the truth, I have no regrets, absolutely none… everything else, everything worldly pales in comparison.

–Joni Eareckson Tada, No Regrets, Joni and Friends

Philippians 3:8-11 NLT
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

I have this passage memorized, and whenever I review it, which comes along at least once a week, I think about what I used to be able to do and enjoy that I can’t anymore because of depression, chronic fatigue and back pain. But in all of this God has intensified my zeal for knowing Him and has greatly sped up sanctification (being made holy and maturing as a Christian) by leaps and bounds, still with infinite room for improvement. This has given me joy along with helping me to cope. If I were to be asked it if it’s all worth it, I suppose it would depend on what kind of day I’m having. At its worst, when I just want to die, I’m not so sure. I’d still be a Christian otherwise. Unlike Paul, I haven’t come from a different religion where I went through a lot of training and now find it worthless. But what I’ve gained is truly incredible and obviously God working, because spiritually He’s taken me the exact opposite way I’ve gone in almost every other way. This assures me of salvation and shows that God is doing His will and I need to stay with it. We need to persevere (Hebrews 10:36) but it’s God who keeps us (Psalm 55:22, 1 Corinthians 1:8).

Joshua 1:1-6
Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night. 2 But someone told the king of Jericho, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.”

3 So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: “Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.” 4 Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, “Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from. 5 They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.” 6 (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.)

I’ve often thought about Rahab’s lie and how she was commended in the New Testament (Heb 11:31; James 2:25). John Calvin has quite a bit to say about this in his commentary and is able to embrace the fact that not everything is black and white.

Jos 2:4 -
4. And the woman took the two men, etc. We may presume that before Rahab was ordered to bring them forth the rumor of their arrival had been spread, and that thus some little time had been given for concealing them. And indeed on receiving the kingﾒs command, had not measures for concealment been well taken, there would have been no room for denial; much less would she have dared to lie so coolly. But after she had thus hidden her guests, as the search would have been difficult, she comes boldly forward and escapes by a crafty answer.

Now, the questions which here arise are, first, Was treachery to her country excusable? Secondly, Could her lie be free from fault? We know that the love of our country, which is as it were our common mother, has been implanted in us by nature. When, therefore, Rahab knew that the object intended was the overthrow of the city in which she had been born and brought up, it seems a detestable act of inhumanity to give her aid and counsel to the spies. It is a puerile evasion to say, that they were not yet avowed enemies, inasmuch as war had not been declared; since it is plain enough that they had conspired the destruction of her fellow-citizens. It was therefore only the knowledge communicated to her mind by God which exempted her from fault, as having been set free from the common rule. Her faith is commended by two Apostles, who at the same time declare, (Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25) that the service which she rendered to the spies was acceptable to God.

It is not wonderful, then, that when the Lord condescended to transfer a foreign female to his people, and to engraft her into the body of the Church, he separated her from a profane and accursed nation. Therefore, although she had been bound to her countrymen up to that very day, yet when she was adopted into the body of the Church, her new condition was a kind of manumission from the common law by which citizens are bound toward each other. In short, in order to pass by faith to a new people, she behooved to renounce her countrymen. And as in this she only acquiesced in the judgment of God, there was no criminality in abandoning them.

As to the falsehood, we must admit that though it was done for a good purpose, it was not free from fault. For those who hold what is called a dutiful lie to be altogether excusable, do not sufficiently consider how precious truth is in the sight of God. Therefore, although our purpose, be to assist our brethren, to consult for their safety and relieve them, it never can be lawful to lie, because that cannot be right which is contrary to the nature of God. And God is truth. And still the act of Rahab is not devoid of the praise of virtue, although it was not spotlessly pure. For it often happens that while the saints study to hold the right path, they deviate into circuitous courses.

Rebecca (Gen 27:1-46*) in procuring the blessing to her son Jacob, follows the prediction. In obedience of this description a pious and praiseworthy zeal is perceived. But it cannot be doubted that in substituting her son Jacob in the place of Esau, she deviated from the path of duty. The crafty proceeding, therefore, so far taints an act which was laudable in itself. And yet the particular fault does not wholly deprive the deed of the merit of holy zeal; for by the kindness of God the fault is suppressed and not taken into account. Rahab also does wrong when she falsely declares that the messengers were gone, and yet the principal action was agreeable to God, because the bad mixed up with the good was not imputed. On the whole, it was the will of God that the spies should be delivered, but he did not approve of saving their life by falsehood.

* A guy named Ed. wrote that a misprint of Genesis 28:0 should be 27:0. I assume this means the whole chapter of Genesis 27. And I know that Ed. means editor.

Always strive to have an imbalance in your heart where the desire to love outdistances the desire to be loved: “This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” (1 John 3:11, 16)

–Ed Welch, Running Scared: Fear, Worry & the God of Rest

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Athletes have been “Tebowing” since 1977 according to this article. Why do people think Tim Tebow invented it?

Why pray or praise or thank after a touchdown anyway? I can see praying for safety (as in being safe) but that doesn’t need a public gesture.

An athlete praising God after a loss, saying that there is a much higher purpose in life (which I did see on TV once), goes a longer way with me. Not that Tim Tebow wouldn’t do this.

Losing faith in the NFL

Also see this great post:
“Tebowing” -The new planking for God?

This is the most comprehensive page of information I’ve ever seen. It’s more than most people would want to read, but you can read what may be of interest to you or come up with some materials for others you may be ministering to.

Memorizing His Word

Here are a couple of highlights that I strongly agree with.

I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture…No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified.

–Dr. Chuck Swindoll, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994, p. 61) [so good they mentioned it twice]

One note of caution – Be careful when memorizing single verses that you do not “wrench” them out of their context, lest you give the passage a meaning (and an interpretation) God never intended. Always examine the context surrounding the verse you are memorizing or even better memorize larger sections of Scripture, including chapters or even entire books.

Memorizing His Word