Author: bartimaeus

The Kingdom: Peace and Justice.

Isaiah talks about a king who will come in the future. One that we know as the person of Jesus Christ. He will arrive as a child who is born in the usual way. A gift of joy and pleasure to his parents. He will be a son who is to carry the weight and burden of governmental authority.

The Lords Day: Stop and Rest.

This is a very straightforward command that we are to follow. One that can be a real inconvenience in our busy society. The words in verse 8 says it all. Concerning the Sabbath, we are to do two things. Remember the day itself, and keep it holy, or honor it.

Baptism: Completing Righteousness.

One of the few sacraments of the Christian church is Baptism. What is a sacrament? It is an action that has deep religious meaning attached to it. The act should be considered an act of worship, and an expression that demonstrates our faith.

Baptism completes our faith. The word complete can also be said as finish, or perfection, or fulfillment. It puts the final touch to our coming to terms with who Jesus is, and the acceptance of his payment for us, and our salvation into his kingdom. It marks the moment of the time when we begin our life, dedicated to his service. It is a personal statement, and is why Baptists don’t believe in baptizing babies. How can you put a seal of completion on a work that hasn’t been done yet? Babies can and should be dedicated, but that is a commitment that is more for the parents to dedicate themselves to raise their child according to the teachings of the Bible.

The Church: Keys to the Kingdom.

Now, in this passage Peter steps up as the spokesmen for the disciples. I’m sure they were silently deciding the matter and arriving at their own, similar conclusions. In simple terms, Peter claimed that he believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Christ. Also that Jesus was the son of God. Doesn’t that seem like such a no brainer? But is it? Think about all those times when the disciples had to pull Jesus aside to explain a parable. Even as late as the day Jesus ascended to heaven, ten days before Pentecost they were unsure of what would happen next.

Grace: Source of Blessing and Curses.

God is good. He has a plan. Maybe Abram didn’t fully know what it was to be, but he knew that God was about to use him, and bless him in a big way. I like the way it appears in the original Hebrew grammar. Using double words to show the emphasis on the actions that Abram is to do, and the actions that God will do.

Just because a power is within our ability, doesn’t mean we have to act that way. Show grace and choose to not curse others. God’s preference is to be a blessing to all the wworld, keep his preference and keep extending grace and blessing to others.

THE SOURCE OF POWER IN PRAYER.

Andrew Murray XII. Romans 8: 26-27.–Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh… Continue reading THE SOURCE OF POWER IN PRAYER.

TRIUMPH OF FAITH.

Andrew Murray XI. John 4: 50.–And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him. Let me quote from the Gospel according to St. John, the 4th chapter, beginning at the 46th verse: “So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman… Continue reading TRIUMPH OF FAITH.