INSIDE HIS MIND

Psalm 110
This is a psalm about the messiah, about Jesus.   Verse 1: “sit at my right hand”; verse 5: “the lord is at your right hand”.   From verse one we see the Father talking to the Son.   From verse five we see the Son talking to the Father.  This psalm is about ruling, power and judgment.   It talks of ruling in the present: "in the midst of your enemies";  and later, at the judgment and destruction of the enemies (vs 5-7).   It shows that the Father chooses to rule through the Son  and the Son rules to bring about the Father's purposes:  “I and my Father are one” because he speaks of himself as ”the lord at thy right hand”

This psalm clearly shows the Father-Son aspect of the Trinity.   Perhaps it does not show the Holy Spirit part because God doesn't want us direct our praise to the Holy Spirit.   The Holy Spirit’s function (at least one function) is to guide us to all truth, to guide us to the Father and Son.

This psalm shows us the inside personal thinking that God does within himself.   What a privilege that he shows it to us.

ARE YOU QUALIFIED

Learning my wife had written a book someone asked, "what are her qualifications?”  I wondered why she would ask that?  What were her reasons for asking this question?  Did she really want to know?  Did she want to be assured she could safely consider what my wife wrote?  Was she jealous?  Did she wonder why my wife should have any valid point?  Did she want to block out my wife’s ideas?  Was my wife in opposition to her own views?

What has to happen to establish a qualification?  Does it take a higher authority to bless you and therefore qualify you?  Must the entity that qualifies also to have been qualified?  Who has qualified the qualifier and who has qualified him?  How far back must the chain of qualification go?

There are some legitimate qualifiers.  The state establishes laws and agencies to test if you can safely drive a car.  If you prove you can via some testing the state will therefore issue you a driver's license.  Your license is a certificate thereby signifying your qualification to operate an automobile on the public roadways.

A seminary can offer training to certify that you have learned certain skills like church administration and ancient languages. 

What if you do not meet the expectations of the one who asks for qualifications?  If you read an English version of the Bible can you understand it for yourself, or must you be qualified to understand it by a seminary professor or by a pastor or elder?  Did not the Translators to English have the qualifications to properly render a good meaning in English?  Who is judging the qualification of the translators?

Does not God have the power to place in your mind the meaning and intent he has for you in the way you understand the English?  Does he expect you to know Hebrew and Greek?  Does not God say he places his spirit in you as he said he would do?  If he did that than he can speak to you personally, individually, directly.  God does not ask you to produce a license or diploma or certificate before you can read or teach the Bible.  I believe God is happy for you to share with others what you believe he has told you.

ALL SINS ARE EQUAL

In Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus remarks about the miracles were done in Chorazin and Bethsaida and, yet they did not believe.  Had the same miracles been done in cities which are known for their sinfulness, Tire, Sidon and Sodom, they would have repented.  Jesus comments that Bethsaida and Co. will not receive reward because they ignored the miracles performed in them.  As he walks, he says he reveals the father to the “children” whom he chooses.

A main point of the scripture is to show mercies were extended to a few amongst a people, though outwardly righteous, refused to repent and accept the Lord.  This account is to stress that some sinners will repent whereas the self-righteous will not.  Jesus chooses who he will be saved, and they are the ones that choose to walk with him.

The use of the city Sodom as in illustration (Gen 19) shows that God does not exclude the sodomite, the homosexual, from mercy and Salvation.  Had the city repented it would not have been destroyed.  That sodomy is a sin hateful to God is clearly defined by scripture - - the destruction of the city of Sodom being a good example.  But we must remember sodomy is a sin among an array of sins.  All unrepentant sinners: sodomites, adulterous, thieves, murderers, liars and thieves alike will be burn in hell's fire. 

And God wants ALL sinners to repent and come as children - - to take his yoke upon them.  The adulterer and sodomite and gossiper must control their tendency toward sin.  For the not-yet-saved it is especially important to come “as they are”.  In fact, they must be as children, at the most basic entry level.  Jesus wants them that way.  They should not be put off by the existence of “religious” people.  Everyone has a starting point and a way to travel yet.

BRINGING THEM OUTDOORS

Jesus speaking to his disciples in Mat 10:27 says:  "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light".   Maybe today when God speaks to you “in the dark” he refers to the Spirit speaking to you.  Or, you think, is it only you getting an impression in your mind?  You wonder, “is this God speaking to me, or is it just my own mind that is coming up with this?”  Is it God “whispering in your ear” via a recollection of an idea you got out of private study of God's word? 

In any case, it can help to make these things public.  Sometimes others can help us know whether something is from God.  Maybe someone can help us get a better understanding of what we heard.  Maybe someone has a caution about what we heard and can back it up with a Scripture reference.  Anything truly beneficial God tells us should be told to others 

In any case, we know it must conform to God's word.  We cannot change the meaning of God's commandments for our own convenience as did the Pharisees when they said, “It is corban [a gift to God] by whatsoever you may be profited by me.”  Instead of giving a gift for the intent of making another’s life easier, they were using this act as a bribe to God to make themselves appear somehow pious. 

What was happening with the disciples in private would indeed be made public.  For example:  the Last Supper, the Mount of transfiguration, the fishing scene of John 21, Peter's betrayal, the widow’s two mites.  “There is nothing hidden that will not be made known” demonstrates that God is open and upfront. 

DIFFICULTY WILL COME

In Matthew 10 Jesus is sending the disciples out and they are to do great works and preach “the Kingdom of God is near”.  They are not too prepare themselves; either with things, or places to stay, or with weapons of self-defense.  Their mission is noble and great, yet they will encounter persecution and rejection. 

In the midst of this rejection they are to remember and hold on to what God has taught them.  Certainly, if they are to hold on during prosecutions, jailing, beatings; then we can hold on during our short bouts of doubt or the oppression or uncertainty.  God has told us there will be dark times and we are to hold on.  We must remember:  our hairs are numbered; we are worth more than many sparrows. 

They were to go out, yet they would experience these hard things.  God intended that the they should experience the hard things.  It should not be a surprise to us when difficulty comes our way.  We can only trust God will not allow us to be buried so deep in them that we despair there will never be any relief. 

In times of trouble we can ask for advice and comfort from other Christians.  The body of Christ is good place to seek counsel.  But even with Christians we must be discerning of which people we seek, for some are so opinionated they cannot provide a balanced solution.  Such people can sometimes be a part of the problem.  You may feel so oppressed by their opinions that you cannot talk freely.  You must seek a competent believer who listens and can add a good perspective to yours - - as long as both perspectives are formed on the word of God.  You can know who has good advice if you read your Bible.

IN PLAIN SIGHT

Matthew 8:29
Two demon possessed men knew who Jesus was, but the others around Jesus did not.  Jesus did things and explained things that plainly showed who he was.  When he healed the paralytic, he did it for the purpose of showing them he had the authority to forgive sins.  The Pharisees’ statement, “who but God can forgive sins” is true, so we can know Jesus is God.  Jesus uses the term "Son of Man" which refers to the second person of the Trinity, the one who became flesh and dwelt among us – the one who can forgive sins.

They found it difficult to believe what was right in front of them, and we also find it difficult.  Maybe knowing this – that it is difficult - will help us to get along during our own times.  Others, after all, have had difficulties grasping the truth that was plain before them.  Knowing this, we can work a little harder, try harder, be a little more patient, dig a little deeper, look more closely, balancing the concept of eternity with the present time.  We can also know, and not be distressed, at the existence of others who do not, cannot, will not, believe what is set before them.  That others will insist on their own version of who God is in the face of what God shows them should not keep us from being locked onto the truth.

BEHIND THE LEADER

In the book of Matthew Jesus said, “follow me”.  Jesus was the leader.  Any time we see a leader we should also realize there is much involvement by those he leads to establish him as the leader.  For example, as "the leader" he dined at Matthew’s house.  While at Matthew’s house there must have been involvement of Matthew, his wife, his food, his servants, his table, his plates, etc.  There would not have been a meal at Matthew’s house without a Matthew and the work and provision of the others.

We would prefer to take a back seat and let the leader do all the work.  It is as if he were driving the car and we are the passengers.  He does the driving, spending his gas and wearing out his tires.  When Jesus is leading should it not be, he is like the foreman and we are like the ditch diggers?  We should be getting sweaty, and sore.  He tells us where, what direction, and how deep to dig from the ditch.  We like to be ministered to but sometimes grudge the ministry tasks.

The centurion came to Jesus and was known for his great faith.  This shows that gentiles have their place in the Kingdom of God.  They will feast with Abraham and Jacob.  Our place with God depends on our faith and commitment, not upon our people-group or status.

Someone said I will follow you wherever you go.  Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the son of man does not have any place to lay his head."  Jesus did not have a hole or a nest to sleep in.  Lesser created beings, like birds and foxes, have “homes”, dwellings; but not the son of man.  We should not over-worry about our physical sustenance.  There is a cost and a giving up of some physical elements that must occur when we follow Jesus.

We say, “I will follow you first “but”.  You say you will, but you must disengage yourself from entanglement of the world.  Do not worry over the tangled affairs the world makes for itself.  There are some elements of the world expected of us by the world that we must disengage ourselves from when we follow Jesus.

DISCERNING PROPHETS

Speaking of the false prophets Jesus says “by their fruit you will recognize them.”  Then he goes on to say that some that appear good will be rejected by him.  Only the ones that do the will of the Father in heaven will be accepted. 

If one has an experience, and the word says something that conflicts with the experience, which do we accept?  The word of God, of course.  But we know that some false prophets will have worked the same sort of miracles that Jesus worked, as in the casting out of demons.  How is it then that we can tell them by their fruit?

If there is a person who we see casting out demons, or healing the sick, we must reserve our judgment about them until we can know more about the fruit of the rest of their life.  Does not the warning “you will know if they are my prophets if what they say comes to pass” imply a wait-and-see attitude?  When a foretold event comes to pass, then we will know the one who foretold it is a prophet.  The warning “try the profits to see whether they be from God” and “by their fruits you shall know them” implies a waiting.  We will wait, then we will judge the fruit, whether it is good or bad. 

None of this suggests we go along with what is happening assuming it is good.  If someone prophesizes we do not automatically assume it is from God.  If someone is “slain in the spirit” we do not automatically assume God occupied them.  We wait, we observe, we compare with what we already know about God.  We compare with the word.  We compare with those who we know from experience have good fruit.  We compare with our own good fruit.  We compare with the history (tradition) of men we have known to be good. 

When we hear someone speaking what is supposed to be the word of God, or healing, or casting out demons, he is either a Daniel or a Balaam, a Jeremiah or a Hananiah.  From our position and the situation at the time we will have to decide, or wait and see. 

BUILDING A HOUSE

What proverbs 24 says about building a house: 
- -  We should know how all things work together for a house:  how the house fits into God's Kingdom and how it will be used. 
- -  The site must be made fit or ready.  Before we build the house, the site must be prepared; similar to clearing trees, providing drainage, leveling the foundation area, etc.
- -  It is built by wisdom.  We should know and appreciate what is important for every basic purpose and function of the house. 
- -  It is established by understanding.  It is a place where we and others will live.
- -  Its chambers are filled with knowledge.  The rooms should ready for knowledge so the things acquired by knowledge will find their places in the rooms.

Whatever we think of a house (building) or a household (parents and family), the beginning, and most important aspects are:  spiritual, mental, understanding, common knowledge, preparation. 

How we live determines where we live. 

THE WAY WE JUDGE

The way we judge others is the way that we will be judged.  We are quick to judge others, never thinking of judging ourselves to see if fault maybe within us.  We judge others knowing the barest of obvious facts.  Sometimes our judgement is based upon nothing but suspicions originating only form our imaginations.  We have no real evidence to on which to base our judgements.  If we judge others from our own inward suspicions, how do we know the others are not judging us the same way?  They will not form opinions based upon what we do, but upon feelings arising within themselves.  We do not want them to do that, so we should not be that way. 

God never does that.

God judges us, he knows even our most minor sins.  Some of these sins we are not even aware of as being sin.  Yet God is full of loving kindness and patience, he is long suffering.  But there will be a day when his patience will end.

We are willing to correct others but will not try to correct ourselves.  Before the Final Day comes let us use God’s help correcting our own errors.

FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE?

Jesus tells us to simply say “yes” and “no” rather than swear by oaths.  In effect this means all our indications of intent should be as strong as if we were to put an oath to them.  It is as if we were signing a contract.

Apparently, in the old days, something said did not take any real effect until the speaker put an oath to it.  Did that mean you did not have to stand behind anything that you said without an oath?

James 1:6 says a wavering person “. . . is like a wave of the sea driven of the wind and tossed. . .”  Waves develop because of the wind; they go where the wind goes.  But one who does what God's word says goes where God's word directs:  This direction may be against the waves.  One driven by the wind is motivated, maybe even forced, from the outside.  One driven by God is motivated from the inside.  When we say yes or no today, we should intend that no one should ever doubt it.

Matthew 6:1-15:  God not only cares about what we do “in secret” (what is done within our own person, that which cannot be seen by others) - he desires to be a part of it.  He does not want us to keep unwanted things inside like sin and unforgiveness.  Our personal activity is important to God.  Our corporate activity (giving, going to church, how we work) is really governed by how we are inside. 

FALSE JUDGES

Psalm 27:12 says, “for false witnesses have risen against me, an such as breathe out violence.”  In the real world there are real people, accused and accusers, testifying before a judge.  In these cases, real injustice is done.  But inwardly these might represent elements of ourselves:  the, the accused (us), accusers (false witnesses) and the judge (the decision renderer).  Hence (in our imagination) the witnesses are presenting their case before a judge about us.   Sometimes this whole judgmental system can be corrupt.

What if the “corrupt judge” is part of our inward selves?  The part that is deciding what to do or think?  Sometimes we sit a corrupt judge at the bench.  What if these "false witnesses" are wicked forces trying to get us to think or to do bad things?  The courtroom is our own mind and the verdict will be just or unjust according to what our inward judge decrees.   The “false witnesses” are trying to move the judgment in their favor:  “watch pornography”, “think that someone hates you (even though there is no evidence of it)”

We have set up false judicial systems that render the decisions we dictate and thus build up a violent society.  The only hope is to be honest within ourselves, hire only upright lawyers, seek honest judges and put the false judges out on their ears.

THE FRIENDLY COMMANDER

The Lord does not need our help, but he does want our effort, company, attention, our requests, our dependence and presence.  All these and more we do through reading, prayer, listening and being with people.  I think of God as Jesus – the man with us, present with us.  He is the one who said, “. . . you are my friends. . .”, “. . . a friend that sticks closer than a brother . . .”  He wants to know what we need, what we want, what is troubling us.

Of course, he is also the one who created all, the one that sits on the throne, the one we bow down to.  He is the severe but fair judge.  We stand up at attention when he comes into the room.  When he commands something, we do it.  While we may question the purpose and timing, we do it.

He always appreciates thankfulness.

GAINING GODLINESS

1 Timothy
Two verses from 1 Timothy have a similar meeting - 1:6: “. . .godliness is great gain" and 4:8:  ". . . godliness is profitable onto all things".  Godliness produces something worth having in life.  It is well worth working for.  How do we get it?  It is easy to work for the things we can see (healthy body, more money) but it is elusive to work for things we cannot see (righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness)  (1 Timothy 6:11)

We can attain godliness.  Minimally we can read the Bible and pray.  God wants us to do both.   Although Timothy may have been somewhat reserved about expressing his faith (v8), I’m reasonably certain he did both.  Timothy was also known for his unfeigned faith (1 Timothy 1:5) that came into the family through women (Lois and Eunice).  Timothy had a gift from God via the hands of Paul (v6).   Timothy may not have been aware, but he was equipped.  You may not be aware, but you are equipped,

We are not handy tools God found alongside the road that he could use.  God called us out, not to take advantage of our self-developed natural talents, but for a purpose that he had in mind before the world was created (v9).  This purpose is now made possible by the work of Jesus Christ (v10).  Paul is an example of these sorts of God-gifts, for God was using him as a preacher, Apostle and a teacher of the gentiles (v11).

Timothy was to "hold fast the form of sound words”; to know and to be able to repeat the gospel and teachings (v13). And he was to keep his gift empowered through keeping in touch with the Holy Ghost (v14).

JUDGING IN A BIBLE STUDY

While sitting in a men’s study one night I felt some displeasure for the type of questions that seemed to originate too much in the world.  They wondered why religious people are "judgmental" against such things as homosexuality.  They didn’t seem to know the Bible specifically defines such acts as sin (along with adultery, fornication, stealing, murder, etc.).  Why is any sin less wrong than another?  All sins are wrong.  All sins will be judged at the last.  Why didn’t they know?

Maybe these men were at the beginning stages of a deeper journey with God.  Maybe they had not yet read, or carefully considered God’s prohibitions.  It is natural to love God’s mercy and forgiveness yet forget his severity.  We overlook the consequences of sin.  We perceive our own sins as somehow less serious.

It would be good to be in a fellowship where all brothers are those that we agree with an approve of.  But we are not all the same.  Some are less advanced and some are more advanced.  Some are so "advanced" they have become hardened and crusty to the extent no one knows better than they.  They have less room for forgiveness than God.

We “seasoned” Christians should never be that way.  We ought to be available for example, teaching and consultation of the “less seasoned” Christians.  Helping in their process of sanctification may be part of our own sanctification.  What use is an “advanced position” if it is only to notice and annunciate the faults of others.  Is not this “sitting in the seat of the scornful”?  Let us be sources of direction, health, godliness and instruction in righteousness.

When making judgements we should remember, all of us are holding the position of “Learner”.  We all have something to learn from another.

THE CZAR OF PHONES

I would be the “Czar of Phones”.  Many times I see parents walking with their children while they are looking at their phones.  Today I saw a young woman interacting with her phone as she met her husband and walking with her child.  The husband reached out and hugged the child but the woman continued to look at her phone.  I wanted to reach over and grab her phone and say “Naughty girl!  Pay attention to your daughter and your husband!”

As Czar of Phones I would have almost godlike power to control how people use their phones.  They would not be allowed to pay attention to the device while in the presence of a living, breathing person.  If they did, they would have their phone removed for two weeks while they meditate about how to relate to real people.  If they were not associated with the person they are near they would not be permitted to use their phone in speaker mode. 

People do not seem to realize a person you can actually touch has more immediate worth than a voice on a device.

A “TWIST” OF TRUTH

The verses of 1Timothy 6:5, 6 fit today where there are those people who seem thrive in a good argument.  They want to have the high ground as victors over unfortunates who dare disagree with them.  For example, they dispute the old ways in an attempt to prove that wealth and health show godliness.  If a person is rich and wealthy God must be showing his approval.  They use "questions and strifes about words” (v4) to pervert the meaning of scripture to prove their own point.  They say "gain is godliness" (v5); but God says "godliness with contentment is great gain"  We're supposed to withdraw ourselves from such people.

We need to be cautious.  We shouldn’t pervert the meaning of scripture attempting to prove someone else wrong.  Don't smugly think you are not one of those rich men who withholds from the poor.  Maybe we are not giving enough.  Let us remember we ARE rich.  We never go hungry.  We are air conditioned.  We can always buy gasoline.  We have an automobile.  We dispose of our clothes before they become rags.  We have jobs.  We have education.  We have. . .

Most important is we have the Word of God.  If we read it, we  have the true riches.  And having the Word of God we have knowledge that can uplift others, not put them down.  It is not knowledge for the purpose of achieving superiority, for demonstrating mastery.  It is knowledge given us for our own security - - and to help others achieve the same security.  It is not knowledge we twist to fit our own purposes.

PROPER EXERCISE

1Timothy 4:8
"having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. . . .  “  This is speaking of godliness not bodily exercise

When I think of exercise, I think of the benefits it will have for me in this life.  Such as feeling better, more health, looking better, being more capable.  When I think of godliness, I think of the benefits to come in heaven and for things that cannot be seen or touched.  Somehow, I do not think of the useful benefit of godliness that comes by doing it in this present world.  I feel guilty that I should be looking for a reward.

Yet this verse says that godliness, like exercise, has promises, or benefits, for the life that now is.  I can do godliness, as I would do push-ups, or practice the drums, and expect benefits in this life. 

I don't think I should read the Bible , or pray, thinking "this is good for me and it will improve me right now.  When I pray, or read the Bible, or do a good work, I ought to think:  "This is a building block.  This will bring build something.  This will benefit my heavenly father, but it will also benefit me and others around me. 

SHORTCUTS CAN MEAN SHORT CIRCUITS

Proverbs 9
Wisdom and Foolishness are personified as women in Proverbs.  Both openly compete for the hearts and minds of mankind.   Both call from their house and from the high places of the city.

A house is a place where you go, where she resides.  It could be a school, a conference, a church, or any place where you can find her.  It is a high place, a prominent place, a public place, a place of government.

Wisdom through, readily available, takes time to get.  It’s obtained through persistence and discipline, in short:  work. 

By contrast the foolish woman promotes the shortcut.  She calls the simple, those who lack understanding.  They have not taken the time to increase their bank of knowledge nor are practiced in the use of it.  They have the idea that “Stolen waters are sweet" for the stolen takes no labor to obtain.   “Have it now, why should you wait?  Don't wait to spend your labor on it.  Besides, the stuff that is stolen and eaten in secret has a thrill which somehow makes it pleasant"

Why would anyone want to eat bread in secret unless you want no one to see you eat it?  It must be bead you should not have.  You want that pleasantness and will get it even if it is wrong.  It's OK if someone else works for it and you take it.  The ones who the foolish woman calls are those that want things that they have not earned, do not belong to them, should not have.  But the foolish woman foolish woman's ways are the ways of death, her quickness and the easiness and the pleasantness lead to death.

Better the cottage of the Wise Woman than the mansion of the Foolish Woman.

REWARD OF THE FOOLISH WOMAN

Proverbs 9
Wisdom and foolishness are personified as women in the Bible.  They both have prepared their houses and both openly compete for mankind.  They both call from the gates and the high places of the city.

Could a "house" mean a place where you can go, a sheltered place? where she resides? a school?  Could a "high place" or “city gates” mean a prominent place, a public place, a place of government, a place of worship?

Wisdom for most people, through readily available, takes time to acquire, it takes persistence and discipline.  In short: it comes by work. 

By contrast foolishness, or the foolish woman promotes the shortcut.  Verses 13 through 16 explain her well.  She calls the simple, those who want (lack) understanding (v16).  They have not taken the time to increase their bank of knowledge, nor are practiced in the use of it.  There has been too much TV and too little books.  The Foolish Woman says, "Stolen waters are sweet" (v17)  That which is stolen takes no labor to obtain.  She says, "Have it now, why should you wait?  You don't want to spend labor on it." 

"Bread eaten in secret is pleasant" she says.  Why would anyone want to eat bread in secret unless you want none to see you eat it?  It must be bread you should not have.  Somehow the wrongness of taking it makes it “sweet”.  She encourages you to want that pleasantness and to get it even if it is wrong.  She makes it seem it's OK if someone else works for it and you take it. 

The ones who the foolish woman calls, are those that want things that they have not earned, things that do not belong to them, things they should not have.  But the foolish woman's ways are the ways of death.  Verse 18 warns, “But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.”  The quickness and the easiness and the pleasantness lead to death.