A christian blog with a decidedly biblical perspective on the world and events around us. Look around, read, enjoy and feel free to comment. Interesting story, send us the info via our contact page. Subscribe by clicking here.
Subscribe to RSS
The documentary of the full message of Christmas is still impacting people around the world.
Scholars debate whether the Star of Bethlehem is a legend created by the early church or a miracle that marked the advent of Christ. Is it possible that the star was a real, astronomical event?
While researching the birth of Christ in preparation of teaching a church class, attorney Rick Larson became intrigued by the mystery of whether the star mention in the gospel of Matthew was an actual event. This mystery sent Larson on an intensive search for the truth. The results of his research are presented in a critically acclaimed DVD documentary, The Star of Bethlehem, from Producer Stephen McEveety of MPower Pictures (The Passion of the Christ) as well as in live presentations.
The Star of Bethlehem is a breath-taking presentation, exploring the exciting truth of Scripture and revealing the evidence for God’s existence as seen in the stars above. Rick Larson walks audiences through Biblical and historical clues revealing the incredible significance of this celestial event as well as the vastness of God’s creativity.
Since his first presentation, Larson has spoken to tens of thousands of people around the country and across the globe, including several large universities in China. There are no signs of the popularity of Larson’s presentation diminishing. “It’s remarkable that sales of the DVD are increasing,” Larson recently remarked, “and not tapering off. Interest remains high globally.”
Larson also noted that there appears to be interest in taking the presentation to another level. A film team from Pretoria, South Africa recently visited Larson’s home. “They are interested in the Star, but also in the personal journey of discovery, making a film and then working to tell the story worldwide.”
Along with the DVD, live presentations and possible film documentary, The Star is prominently mentioned or featured in two books. Larson collaborated with Jenny L. Cote, author of the children’s Epic Order of the Seven series and Billy Tucci’s children’s picture book, “A Child is Born.”
With all the glitz and hoopla of the season’s commercialism, as well as the challenges faced by everyday life, many people face the Christmas holidays with a touch of cynicism. I know I was one of them. Watching The Star of Bethlehem helped restore the wonder at the beauty of this holy day and is now a perpetual part of our Christmas traditions.
The Star of Bethlehem DVD is available from Prophecy News Watch by clicking here
Here we have God’s sanction of wealth and riches for the righteous man. How foolish to condemn riches and class rich men as wicked just because of their prosperity. Wealth is a blessing if used as God intended. It was God’s original plan that all men be prosperous and use all things in creation for their own good and God’s glory.
It is still God’s purpose and when the Messiah reigns every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree, which indicates there will be universal peace and prosperity [Is. 2:2-4; Is. 65:20-25; Mic. 4:1-8]- Dake A.R.B.- vs3, note h
This is proof that a man may be rich and have righteousness at the same time. Poverty is no mark of holiness and Christianity. – Dake A.R.B.- vs 3 note i
The upright man will walk in the light of truth and his path will always be light- more and more unto the perfect day[Pr.4:18; 1 Jn. 1:7] – Dake A.R.B. – vs 4 note j
A good man will always be helpful to his neighbours, not jealous of their prosperity. Dake A.R.B. – vs 5 note l
This seems to teach that a good man will be a good business man. He should be, for he has the right principles and should have enough faith in himself and in God to prosper [Rom. 12:9-21]- Dake A.R.B. – vs 5 note m
Here we have a characteristic of the righteous that is more or less condemned by many. That Christians should be passive, non-resistant to own rights, and never desire vengeance on enemies is a constant teaching of some. But under certain circumstances, when God’s cause is at stake, for instance, it is perfectly righteous to desire their end and punishment. To pray for it, and wait for it from God is perfectly Biblical [2 Th. 1:7-10; 2 Th. 2:8-12; Heb. 10:30-36; Rev. 6:9-11; Rev. 19:1-10]. Dake A.R.B. – vs 8 note o.
Psalm 112
1PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.
2His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and just [who are in right standing with God].
5It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.
6He will not be moved forever; the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord.
8His heart is established and steady, he will not be afraid while he waits to see his desire established upon his adversaries.
9He has distributed freely [he has given to the poor and needy]; his righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) endures forever; his horn shall be exalted in honor.
10The wicked man will see it and be grieved and angered, he will gnash his teeth and disappear [in despair]; the desire of the wicked shall perish and come to nothing.—Amplified Bible
1BE THAT as it may, Job, I beg of you to hear what I have to say and give heed to all my words.
2Behold, here I am with open mouth; here is my tongue talking.
3My words shall express the uprightness of my heart, and my lips shall speak what they know with utter sincerity.
4[It is] the Spirit of God that made me [which has stirred me up], and the breath of the Almighty that gives me life [which inspires me].
5Answer me now, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.
6Behold, I am toward God and before Him even as you are; I also am formed out of the clay [though I speak with abnormal wisdom because of a divine illumination].
7See my terror [for I am only a fellow mortal, not God]; I shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon you.
8Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
10But behold, God finds occasions against me and causes of alienation and indifference; He counts me as His enemy.
11He puts my feet in the stocks; He [untrustingly] watches all my paths [you say].
12I reply to you, Behold, in this you are not just; God is superior to man.
13Why do you contend against Him? For He does not give account of any of His actions. [Sufficient for us it should be to know that it is He Who does them.]
14For God [does reveal His will; He] speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it [including you, Job].
15[One may hear God's voice] in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men while slumbering upon the bed,
16Then He opens the ears of men and seals their instruction [terrifying them with warnings],
17That He may withdraw man from his purpose and cut off pride from him [disgusting him with his own disappointing self-sufficiency].
18He holds him back from the pit [of destruction], and his life from perishing by the sword [of God's destructive judgments].
19[God's voice may be heard by man when] he is chastened with pain upon his bed and with continual strife in his bones or while all his bones are firmly set,
20So that his desire makes him loathe food, and even dainty dishes [nauseate him].
21His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22Yes, his soul draws near to corruption, and his life to the inflicters of death (the destroyers).
23[God's voice may be heard] if there is for the hearer a messenger or an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him [how to be upright and in right standing with God],
24Then [God] is gracious to him and says, Deliver him from going down into the pit [of destruction]; I have found a ransom (a price of redemption, an atonement)!
25[Then the man's] flesh shall be restored; it becomes fresher and more tender than a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.
26He prays to God, and He is favorable to him, so that he sees His face with joy; for [God] restores to him his righteousness (his uprightness and right standing with God–with its joys).
27He looks upon other men or sings out to them, I have sinned and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me, or He did not requite me [according to my iniquity]!
28[God] has redeemed my life from going down to the pit [of destruction], and my life shall see the light!
29[Elihu comments] Behold, God does all these things twice, yes, three times, with a man,
30To bring back his life from the pit [of destruction], that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
31Give heed, O Job, listen to me; hold your peace, and I will speak.
32If you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.
33If [you do] not [have anything to say], listen to me; hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.
The Kingdom, Power & Glory Who Will Inherit and What are the Requirements?
by Nancy Missler Continuing our series on The Kingdom, Power and Glory, we learned last month that as a result of the Judgment Seat of Christ, there will be two kinds of inheritance. One is an inheritance that belongs to us simply because we are “sons” (it’s called a sonship inheritance). This is a free gift that all true Christians enjoy and one that will allow us to freely enter the kingdom.
The second type of inheritance refers to a meritorious reward that only overcoming Christians will receive for their obedience, faithfulness and endurance. This reward will allow us to inherit the kingdom (i.e., have an inheritance “from the Lord”). These are the ones who not only will be subjects in the coming kingdom, they will also be sovereigns (and co-rulers with Christ).
Revelation 21:7 says, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”
So, from now on, when we refer to Christians who will “inherit, possess or rule over the kingdom,” we will be referring to those believers who are not only positionally sanctified, but who are also in practice partakers of Christ’s Life and, thus, overcomers bearing fruit.
When we refer to those who only “enter the kingdom,” we will be referring to those who have not been obedient or faithful in their walk with the Lord in this lifetime. They are justified, but not experientially sanctified. They are nominal Christians, lukewarm Christians, back-sliding Christians (believers who once had “fruit” in their lives but who have decided not to make the choices needed to stay in God’s will). Because they have quenched God’s Spirit in their hearts, they are not overcomers, but in fact, have been “overtaken” by the world, the flesh and the devil.
This is what that might look like…
“Quenching the Spirit”
This believer still has a new spirit and a new heart filled with God’s eternal Life, (the gold dot) but because he has made “emotional choices” to follow his “own” desires rather than God’s, God’s Life in his heart has been quenched and blocked, and thus, “self life” (his own thoughts, emotions and desires) is showing. (1 Thess 5:19)
So, rather than a beam of light coming forth (God’s Life), notice the black shadow (of self) that blocks that light.
If this believer continues not to recognize that he has quenched God’s Spirit and he never chooses to turn around (and repent), he will ultimately end up fruitless and this will deem him unfit, unprepared and unqualified to inherit the kingdom.
“Filled with the Spirit”
On the other hand, take a look at Chart 8 and see what happens when a believer makes “faith choices” to continually turn around and follow God. These are the ones who have denied themselves (the flesh) and have chosen to let Christ’s Life come forth (that beam of light). These are the partakers of Christ’s Life and the overcomers who produce fruit.
Again, these overcomers are not “perfect.” The beam of light does not always flow. It comes and goes, depending upon their choices. But, these “overcomers” have learned how to recognize when they quench the Spirit and how to let Christ, who is the perfect One, live His Life out through them
These, then, are the ones who will inherit, possess and rule in the coming kingdom with the King of Glory.
What are the Requirements for Inheriting?
One of the most common questions asked is “what do we have to do in order to be worthy of inheriting from the Lord?” Specifically, what does Matthew 10:38 really mean when it says: “He who taketh not his Cross and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.”
What does the word “worthy” really mean?
Again, there are two Greek words for the word “worthy” (and they are very important for us to understand):
1) The first one is the Greek word kataxioo (Strong’s #2661) which means to be counted worthy; to be deemed entirely deserving. We are “counted worthy” only because of what Christ has already done for us on the Cross: He has re-deemed us; He has imputed His righteousness and He has given us His holiness. In other words, He is the One who is really “worthy.” We are only “counted worthy” because of what He has already done. Luke 21:36 validates this: “Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy (kataxioo) to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”1
So, according to this, all true believers in Jesus Christ (faithful or not) are accounted worthy to escape the things to come and to stand before the Lord! In other words, to be a part of the coming kingdom.
2) The second definition of the word “worthy,” however (and the one we are really interested in), is the Greek word axios (Strong’s #514) which means to be “worthy of” on the grounds of being fit, meet or prepared. In Revelation 3:4 where Christ is talking about the church of Sardis, He says: “I have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white; for they are worthy.”
This is the kind of “worthy” that we are talking about in relation to inheriting the kingdom. It means being fit, prepared and qualified to rule and reign with Christ and hold levels of responsibility.2
Requirements for Inheriting
What are some of the qualifications that will make us “worthy of” inheriting the kingdom? Here’s a list of some of the spe-cific things the Bible says we need to attend to in order to be “worthy of” (fit, prepared and qualified) to inherit the kingdom.3
1) We need to learn how to be experientially sanctified or con-formed into Christ’s image. (Romans 8:29) How to give Christ the complete rights to our lives on a daily basis. How to submit to His absolute Lordship. How to be set apart for Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) How to be clean and open vessels. (Ephesians 5:1-5)
2) And when we do sin or when “self” does raise its ugly head, we must learn how to go to the Cross, repent and deal with those things. Unless the Cross is a constant part of our life, we will not experience Christ’s overcoming Life. John 12:24-25 tells us that “Life only comes from death” (death of our “self-life”).
3) Next, we must learn how to be a partaker, a participant and a sharer of Christ’s Life. (Hebrews 3:14; 12:10) Not just a receiver of His Life, but actually living and experiencing His Life. How to love others with His Love. (2 Peter 1:3-4) How to produce the “fruit of the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
4) And finally, we need to learn how to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil by being obedient and faithful and persevering to the end. (Revelation 21:7)4
In Conclusion
Now as you look at this list, if you are thinking to yourself: ‘‘There’s no way in the entire world that I can do all those things. It’s totally impossible!”
I want you to remember the prisoner friend I spoke of in this series’ first article. If he, being locked up for life, can learn to be sanctified, a partaker of Christ’s Life and an overcomer producing “fruit,” then any of us can.
The first place to start is simply to recognize your choices. Recognize when you blow it and quench God’s Spirit. Then, learn how to make faith choices to turn around (repent) and go God’s way. Christ then will do the rest. He’s the One who will sanctify us; He’s the One who will make us partakers of His Life; and He’s the One who will help us persevere unto the end. In other words, He’s the Overcomer, not us. All He wants from us is our “willingness” to let Him do these things through us. That’s His will; but it’s going to be our constant choice whether or not we let Him perform that will through us.
The sobering part of all of this is that our “eternal destiny” depends upon these daily, moment-by-moment choices. The life we are living now is just the testing ground or proving ground. The Kingdom Reign is the “prize”!5
Entering the Kingdom of God simply means being born again and having faith in Christ’s completed work; whereas merit, obedience and fruitfulness are required in order to inherit that prize. (John 3:3-70)
This kingdom perspective will not only have a profound effect on our daily lives here and now, it will also be the basis for encouragement in the difficult times that lie ahead. Remember Proverbs 13:12, “…hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but when that hope (our inheritance in Christ) is realized (apprehended, taken a hold of), it will become a “tree of Life.”
It certainly has in our own lives and we pray it will in yours also. Our eternal destiny depends upon it.
* * *
To be continued next month: “Who Are the Overcomers?” This article has been excerpted from Chuck and Nan’s new book, The Kingdom, Power and Glory.
The Kingdom, Power & Glory Who Will Inherit and What are the Requirements?
by Nancy Missler
Continuing our series on The Kingdom, Power and Glory, we learned last month that as a result of the Judgment Seat of Christ, there will be two kinds of inheritance. One is an inheritance that belongs to us simply because we are “sons” (it’s called a sonship inheritance). This is a free gift that all true Christians enjoy and one that will allow us to freely enter the kingdom.
The second type of inheritance refers to a meritorious reward that only overcoming Christians will receive for their obedience, faithfulness and endurance. This reward will allow us to inherit the kingdom (i.e., have an inheritance “from the Lord”). These are the ones who not only will be subjects in the coming kingdom, they will also be sovereigns (and co-rulers with Christ).
Revelation 21:7 says, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”
So, from now on, when we refer to Christians who will “inherit, possess or rule over the kingdom,” we will be referring to those believers who are not only positionally sanctified, but who are also in practice partakers of Christ’s Life and, thus, overcomers bearing fruit.
When we refer to those who only “enter the kingdom,” we will be referring to those who have not been obedient or faithful in their walk with the Lord in this lifetime. They are justified, but not experientially sanctified. They are nominal Christians, lukewarm Christians, back-sliding Christians (believers who once had “fruit” in their lives but who have decided not to make the choices needed to stay in God’s will). Because they have quenched God’s Spirit in their hearts, they are not overcomers, but in fact, have been “overtaken” by the world, the flesh and the devil.
This is what that might look like…
“Quenching the Spirit”
This believer still has a new spirit and a new heart filled with God’s eternal Life, (the gold dot) but because he has made “emotional choices” to follow his “own” desires rather than God’s, God’s Life in his heart has been quenched and blocked, and thus, “self life” (his own thoughts, emotions and desires) is showing. (1 Thess 5:19)
So, rather than a beam of light coming forth (God’s Life), notice the black shadow (of self) that blocks that light.
If this believer continues not to recognize that he has quenched God’s Spirit and he never chooses to turn around (and repent), he will ultimately end up fruitless and this will deem him unfit, unprepared and unqualified to inherit the kingdom.
“Filled with the Spirit”
On the other hand, take a look at Chart 8 and see what happens when a believer makes “faith choices” to continually turn around and follow God. These are the ones who have denied themselves (the flesh) and have chosen to let Christ’s Life come forth (that beam of light). These are the partakers of Christ’s Life and the overcomers who produce fruit.
Again, these overcomers are not “perfect.” The beam of light does not always flow. It comes and goes, depending upon their choices. But, these “overcomers” have learned how to recognize when they quench the Spirit and how to let Christ, who is the perfect One, live His Life out through them
These, then, are the ones who will inherit, possess and rule in the coming kingdom with the King of Glory.
What are the Requirements for Inheriting?
One of the most common questions asked is “what do we have to do in order to be worthy of inheriting from the Lord?” Specifically, what does Matthew 10:38 really mean when it says: “He who taketh not his Cross and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.”
What does the word “worthy” really mean?
Again, there are two Greek words for the word “worthy” (and they are very important for us to understand):
1) The first one is the Greek word kataxioo (Strong’s #2661) which means to be counted worthy; to be deemed entirely deserving. We are “counted worthy” only because of what Christ has already done for us on the Cross: He has re-deemed us; He has imputed His righteousness and He has given us His holiness. In other words, He is the One who is really “worthy.” We are only “counted worthy” because of what He has already done. Luke 21:36 validates this: “Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy (kataxioo) to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”1
So, according to this, all true believers in Jesus Christ (faithful or not) are accounted worthy to escape the things to come and to stand before the Lord! In other words, to be a part of the coming kingdom.
2) The second definition of the word “worthy,” however (and the one we are really interested in), is the Greek word axios (Strong’s #514) which means to be “worthy of” on the grounds of being fit, meet or prepared. In Revelation 3:4 where Christ is talking about the church of Sardis, He says: “I have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white; for they are worthy.”
This is the kind of “worthy” that we are talking about in relation to inheriting the kingdom. It means being fit, prepared and qualified to rule and reign with Christ and hold levels of responsibility.2
Requirements for Inheriting
What are some of the qualifications that will make us “worthy of” inheriting the kingdom? Here’s a list of some of the spe-cific things the Bible says we need to attend to in order to be “worthy of” (fit, prepared and qualified) to inherit the kingdom.3
1) We need to learn how to be experientially sanctified or con-formed into Christ’s image. (Romans 8:29) How to give Christ the complete rights to our lives on a daily basis. How to submit to His absolute Lordship. How to be set apart for Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) How to be clean and open vessels. (Ephesians 5:1-5)
2) And when we do sin or when “self” does raise its ugly head, we must learn how to go to the Cross, repent and deal with those things. Unless the Cross is a constant part of our life, we will not experience Christ’s overcoming Life. John 12:24-25 tells us that “Life only comes from death” (death of our “self-life”).
3) Next, we must learn how to be a partaker, a participant and a sharer of Christ’s Life. (Hebrews 3:14; 12:10) Not just a receiver of His Life, but actually living and experiencing His Life. How to love others with His Love. (2 Peter 1:3-4) How to produce the “fruit of the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
4) And finally, we need to learn how to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil by being obedient and faithful and persevering to the end. (Revelation 21:7)4
In Conclusion
Now as you look at this list, if you are thinking to yourself: ‘‘There’s no way in the entire world that I can do all those things. It’s totally impossible!”
I want you to remember the prisoner friend I spoke of in this series’ first article. If he, being locked up for life, can learn to be sanctified, a partaker of Christ’s Life and an overcomer producing “fruit,” then any of us can.
The first place to start is simply to recognize your choices. Recognize when you blow it and quench God’s Spirit. Then, learn how to make faith choices to turn around (repent) and go God’s way. Christ then will do the rest. He’s the One who will sanctify us; He’s the One who will make us partakers of His Life; and He’s the One who will help us persevere unto the end. In other words, He’s the Overcomer, not us. All He wants from us is our “willingness” to let Him do these things through us. That’s His will; but it’s going to be our constant choice whether or not we let Him perform that will through us.
The sobering part of all of this is that our “eternal destiny” depends upon these daily, moment-by-moment choices. The life we are living now is just the testing ground or proving ground. The Kingdom Reign is the “prize”!5
Entering the Kingdom of God simply means being born again and having faith in Christ’s completed work; whereas merit, obedience and fruitfulness are required in order to inherit that prize. (John 3:3-70)
This kingdom perspective will not only have a profound effect on our daily lives here and now, it will also be the basis for encouragement in the difficult times that lie ahead. Remember Proverbs 13:12, “…hope deferred makes the heart sick,” but when that hope (our inheritance in Christ) is realized (apprehended, taken a hold of), it will become a “tree of Life.”
It certainly has in our own lives and we pray it will in yours also. Our eternal destiny depends upon it.
* * *
To be continued next month: “Who Are the Overcomers?” This article has been excerpted from Chuck and Nan’s new book, The Kingdom, Power and Glory.
Visit the King’s High Way Website
This article was originally published in the
Psalm 8:3
When I consider Thy Heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou has ordained.
David omits the sun here, indicating his meditation was at night. If he had considered the heavens in the day all he could have seen would be the sun and sky, not the moon and stars. These he wished to introduce because of their immense variety and splendor. The sun he describes in Psalm 19:1-6.
Our solar system is about 6,000,000,000 miles across. Our galaxy, called the Milky way, contains roughly 400 billion stars, each with its family of planets.
The nearest star is 26,000,000,000,000 miles away.
It is estimated that there are 100 billion galaxies like the Milky way. This would make 40,000 million, million, million [40 sextillion] stars or suns in space.
If each sun is the center of a solar system there are 40 sextillion solar systems or 1,480,000 million, million, million planets and satellites in space.
Of the 360,000 million, million, million major plants 10% are believed habitable.
The earth is believed to be 5 ½ billion years old and middle-aged by celestial standards.
Further, it is believed that if man ever reaches other planets he may find himself just a primitive and comparatively new in existence considering other beings on other planets.
Planets are invisible to terrestrial telescopes because they are cold masses emitting no light of their own.
One thing is certain, the Bible teaches that the heavens are now inhabited [2 Chron. 18:18; Neh. 9:6; Job 25:3; Dan. 4:35; Mat. 22:30; Lk. 2:13-14; Eph. 1:14-15; Col. 1:16-17; Rev. 12:12; Rev. 13:6; Rev. 19:14].
The earth which is about 25,000 miles in circumference has a solid content of 264,544,857,944 cubit miles.
It is small compared to other planets.
The sun is 1,300,000 times as big as the earth: Jupiter 1,400 times: Saturn 1,100 times: and Uranus 800 times, as big.
The sun is 2,777,000 miles in circumference. Its surface is 366,252,303,118,866,128 cubic miles.
Many of the other heavenly bodies are supposed to be much larger.
Comets and many other bodies are bigger than the earth.
The comet of 1811 A.D. had a head 112,000 miles in diameter and a tail 112,000,000 miles long. It is supposed to appear again in 3,000 years.
Mercury is said to be 36,000,000 miles from the sun; Venus 67,250,000; Earth 93,000,000; Jupiter 484,000,000; Saturn 887,000,000; Uranus 1,787,000,000; Neptune 2,797,000,000; and Pluto 3,675,000,000 miles.
A modern 200 inch telescope can see things in space over 600,000,000 light years from earth, or 3,600,000,000,000,000,000,000 [3 sextillion, 600 quintillion miles from earth].
This is how far light can travel in this many years at the rate of 186,324 miles a second.
A light year is about 5,800,000,000,000 miles.
The new Supernova recently discovered is supposed to have 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 [10 septillion] times more energy than the hydrogen bomb.
The solar system stood still, earth stopped revolving for a day, the sun stood still and the moon stayed.
And there was no day like that before it or after it,
THAT THE LORD HEARKENED TO A VOICE OF A MAN,
for the Lord fought for Israel. Joshua 10:14
This is powerful praying, and the same God will hear the fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man today.
Joshua 10:13
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
1. This was a real divine miracle [v14], wherein the sun and moon either stopped their influences on the earth or stood still [v13; note f, above].
2. It is not the only miracle in connection with the sun. In history: The earth was totally dark for an indefinite period [Gen. 1:2]. There was darkness in Egypt for 3 full days [Ex.10:21-23]. The shadow of the sun went back 10 degrees on the sun dial of Ahaz [2 Ki. 20:11; Isa. 38:8]. The sun went down at noon and the earth was darkened when Israel fell by Babylon {Amos 8:9]. There was darkness for 3 hours when Christ was crucified [Lk. 23:44-45]. In prophecy: The sun will be darkened in the 6th seal [Rev. 6:12-17], the 4th trumpet [Rev. 8:12], the 5th trumpet [Rev. 9:2], the 5th vial [Rev. 16:10], and at the 2nd Advent of Christ and Armageddon [Isa. 13:10; Ezek. 32:7; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Mat. 24:29-31].
3. The going down and rising of the sun daily is man’s expression for the earth turning on its axis so that only part of it is toward the sun at certain times. The earth revolves making it appear that the sun is actually moving around this globe. In reality the sun also revolves but travels through the heavens making its own prescribed circuit as do all stars and planets. [See the Solar System, 58, 618: Dake, & on this site].
4. It is in God’s power to stop the movements of all or part of the solar system if He sees fit to do so to further His purpose [v14]. Being Sovereign and Creator of the laws of nature in the first place He may suspend them if He pleases at any time or place.
5. It is believed that the command for the sun to stand still was given about the time of its setting for several reasons:
[1] The sun was over Gibeon -v12-, at the time –v12-; and looking back from the east where Joshua and his men were pursuing, the sun could be seen setting in the sky over Gibeon.
[2] The moon was coming up over the valley of Ajalon [v12]. It could not have been seen thus with the naked eye in noonday sun.
[3] The fact that the sun hasted not to go about a whole day indicates that it was setting at the time the command was given –v13.
[4] If it had been in the middle of the day Joshua would not have known whether he and his people could avenge themselves before the day was over because he would have had 6 hours or more left in which to fight.
6. Joshua spoke to the sun and moon, not the earth, for they, the influences causing tides and seasons and day and night, are capable of causing the earth to revolve or stop revolving [Gen. 1:14]. See note f, v12.
7. It is said that a sudden stoppage of the earth could be made without any visible change noticed by the inhabitants other than the appearance of the heavens, so what is recorded in v 12-14 could have happened without being disastrous to the earth and its peoples.
8. We are told that Greece, Egypt, China, and Mexico have records of a long day corresponding to the time of Joshua; that by counting the equinoxes, eclipses, and transits backward from our day to that of Joshua, and counting them from the prime date of creation [re-creation] on to Joshua’s time, a whole day is missing; and that by no possible mathematics can such a conclusion be avoided.
- Dake Annotated Reference Bible: page 265.
Psalm 68:15-16
The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.
Why leap ye, ye high hills? This is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever. [Dake]
What hill of God is referred to as being His dwelling place forever [v16] is not named, but it must be the heavenly Mt. Zion [Heb. 12:22-23; Rev.14;1; Ps. 24:3], the same as the mountain city, the New Jerusalem, whose greatest peak is 1,500 miles high [Rev. 21:16-17]. There is no other place where God will dwell for ever. There is an earthly mountain where the earthly capital building or temple will be built, but God will not dwell there for ever even though it is the capital of His earthly kingdom [Isa. 2:2-4; Ezek. 43:7; Mic. 4:1-3; Zech. 8:3]. God has always set up His headquarters on a mountain.
18 Facts about Bible Mountains:
1 – Lucifer’s capital on earth, when he ruled before Adam, was located on a mountain [Ezek. 28:13-16].
2 – God chose a mountain as the place where He gave His law [Ex. 3:1; 4:27; 18:5; 19:16-25; 24:9-18; Num. 10;33; 1 Ki. 19:8].
3 – God chose a mountain as the site for the earthly temple [Gen. 22:14; 2 Chr. 3:1].
4 – God chose mountains as mountains of cursing and blessing [Dt. 11:29; 27:4-13].
5 – Moses and Aaron were commanded to die on mountains [Dt. 32:49-51].
6 – Mountains have always been the favorite places of refuge [Gen. 14:10; 19:17, 30; Matt. 24:16; Heb.11:38].
7 – A mountain was the capital of Israel [1 Ki. 8:1; 2 Chr. 5:2]
8 – The greatest temptation were overcome on a mountain [Matt. 4:8].
9 – The greatest sermons was preached on a mountain [Matt. 5:7].
10- The greatest prayers were prayed on mountains [Matt. 14:23; Mk. 6:46; 9:2]
11- The greatest prophecies were given on a mountain [Matt. 24:25]
12- The greatest revelations were given on mountains [Heb. 8:5; Rev. 21:10; Ex. 19].
13- Christ was transfigured on a mountain [[Matt. 17; 2 Pet. 1:18].
14- The crucifixion of Christ took place on a mountain [Lk. 23:33; Jn. 19:17].
15- Christ ascended from a mountain [Matt. 28:16; Acts 2:11-12].
16- Christ will make His future landing on earth on a mountain [Zech. 14: 1-5]
17- A mountain will be the site of the eternal earthly capital of Christ [Isa. 2:2-4; 11:9; 25:6-7; Ezek. 43:7; Mic .4:1-7; Joel 3:17; Zech. 8:3].
18- Many other events have taken place on mountains as is clear from the 573 times they are referred to in Scripture.
- Dake Annotated Reference Bible : Page 628
One of the things we discovered about worship is that it releases blessings in two directions. Not only are we loving God, but at the same time, He is extending His Love back towards us. In other words, it’s a two-way communication. We humble ourselves and acknowledge that He is everything to us; He, then, makes Himself known by revelation, insight and love. Thus, part of the joy of worship is the divine revelation that often results.
In one of Dave Hunt’s newsletters, he comments: “Appreciation begets worship, and the Lord responds by revealing Himself in ever greater measure in a fellowship of love that overflows in fruitful witnessing.”
The bottom line is that intimacy must precede insight.
Using Scriptures in Worship Now, not all my encounters with the Lord are dramatic. Sometimes, when I worship Him, I don’t feel a thing, but, by faith, I still know He is there, that He hears my praises and that He is pleased. Other times, my meetings with Him are electric!
Often I will repeat 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 over and over again:
“Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel, our father, forever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine. Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now, therefore, our God, we thank Thee and praise Thy glorious Name.”
Or, I will repeat certain phrases from Revelation:
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8b)
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing….Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Revelation 5:12-13)
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever…We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.” (Revelation 11:15 and 17)
“Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. …For Thou only art holy…” (Revelation 15:3-4).
“Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be…” (Revelation 16:5)
Or, I read one of my favorite worship passages. See Psalm 72:17-19; 91; 95:1-7; 96:1-9; 113; 134; 135; 136; 145; 150.
I let the Spirit lead me and do whatever He tells me. Sometimes I raise my hands, sometimes I’m on my knees, and, sometimes, I’m flat on my face, silently holding the Lord in the Spirit.
Divine Revelation:
God gave us worship so that we might become partakers of His highest purposes. Yes, Christ, Himself, is the major focus of our worship, but as we worship Him, He often reveals His plans and His purposes for our lives to an even greater degree.
In worship, the Lord desires to:
1.make His presence known,
2.reveal His person to us,
3.reveal His power to us,
4.reveal His eternal purposes to us,
5.reveal His personal plans for our lives.
When I am worshiping, I find it very necessary to have my Bible and my journal close at hand. Again, God works differently in each of our lives. But, for me, He seems to make His presence known through His Word. Thus, if I don’t have my Bible handy to look up what He has just told me or my journal ready to write down what I’ve heard, by the time I’m through worshiping, I will have forgotten everything.
Bob Sorge, in his book Secrets of the Secret Place, confirms the same thing: “I am personally convinced that I cannot hold onto what God gives me apart from writing it down…Those who retain what God gives them will be given more.”
Our Response to His Love:
God’s desired response for us (when we are in His presence) is that we:
1.Have an open and contrite heart so that we might see ourselves as we truly are, and experience contrition, brokenness, sorrow, shame, grief, repentance and honesty.
2.Submit and dedicate ourselves to Him to an even greater degree – yielding, surrendering and sacrificing ourselves to His will, His Word and His authority. (Isaiah 6:8; James 1:21-25)
3.Have an urgency to lay our burdens, requests and intercessory prayers at His feet and be propelled to pray even more for the lost, the divisions, the injustices, the diseased, the pain and the difficulties others are experiencing. (Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2: 1-3; Mark 14, Matthew 26, Luke 22, John 13 and 1 Corinthians 11)
4.To love, adore, enjoy, honor, exalt, magnify and praise Christ even more than we are doing now.
5.And, finally, that we might go forth and glorify and reflect Him in all that we think, say and do.
Overcome by “the Joy of our Salvation”
The bottom line is that experiencing the manifestation of His presence – through His Word, through His Spirit and through just knowing He is present – fills us with indescribable joy, no matter what circumstances surround us!
[This article has been excerpted from Nancy Missler's book Private Worship: The Key to Joy.]
viagra and hearing loss Ed Treatment Natural Female use of viagra female version of viagra 761.
erectile dysfunction vacuums Cialis Dysfunction Erectile Levitra how to get viagra
herbal remedy for erectile dysfunction; Erectile Dysfunction Psychological Zocor erectile dysfunction zoloft erectile dysfunction 147.
robin williams viagra Viagra Spray "explore advances in male impotence treatments"
viagra perscription online Natural Remedy Erectile Dysfunction male hormone dhea impotence levels
will ferrell erectile dysfunction Viagra Perscription Online ed treatment with ginko
erectile dysfunction pills evaluated; On Viagra "non prescription viagra"
cialis viagra How To Buy Viagramale impotence age
Cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction cigarette smoking causing male impotence 395. Impotence Viagra The latest treatment for ed topical ed treatment 237.
most effective ed treatment! Viagra 50 Mg actos erectile dysfunction
l dopa for male impotence! Buy Cheap Viagra erectile dysfunction and pravastatin;
male impotence pumps vacu Holistic Ed Treatment cost of viagra
female forcing male sexual impotence; Male Impotence Brochure actos erectile dysfunction
accounting treatment for sr ed Water Ed Treatment Male impotence due to surgery male impotence enema 629.
lamictal erectile dysfunction! Accounting Treatment Sr Ed Ias "buy viagra online"
problems with viagra, Viagra Cheap erectile dysfunction link suggest
"non prescription viagra" Viagra Uk viagra times;
viagra soft tabs? Ed Treatments erectile dysfunction ed treatment
u 3312 viagra cialis Male Impotence Advice yohimbie bark and male impotence
facts male impotence psychological effects
lexapro erectile dysfunction,
erectile dysfunction paypal, Zetia And Erectile Dysfunction straighttalk net erectile dysfunction review
male impotence and solutions? Make Your Own Viagra newest transdermal treatment for ed
tricor erectile dysfunction Hebal Ed Treatmenterectile dysfunction exercise
Viagra and alternatives viagra and blood pressure 767. How To Make Viagra how to take viagra
cialis medication erectile dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction Pills accupril and erectile dysfunction
Subscribe to RSS
