The story in the Old Testament book of Ruth is a story of love and redemption. Those that dig into the theological aspects of the well known Bible stories will tell us that this story is a picture of Jesus as our "kinsmen redeemer". In short an kinsmen redeemer is just that, a family member who gets you out of trouble. In the book of Deuteronomy the Jew was instructed to marry his brothers wife should his brother die without having any children. Though this seems a bit odd in our culture, for the Jew it meant the ability to carry on the family name. One thing that becomes apparent to us in the stories of the Bible is that the deeper truths of God are understood in the context of these life stories. To be encouraged by the Bible we need to see it fleshed out in our lives. Some may see this as nonspiritual, but I would disagree and point out that God gave us the story of Ruth for that very reason. Why else would we need to know about Ruth? We need to move away from knowing the Bible just for the sake of knowing the Bible. We need to know the Bible to understand life! Look at the stories of life around you and see our Redeemer at work. It is true beauty!
Pastor Paul
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Cursed No More - Rev. 22:1-5
At times I need a reminder that this world is temporary. This seems to motivate me to be diligent in loving people and dealing with what often makes life difficult. The fact is, the Bible speaks of Heaven as being that place where those things that make life hard are gone. All the effects of sin have been washed away and we can live in the worship of our God without the stuff that so often distracts and pulls us away from the fellowship of His Spirit.
But I also need to realize that there are many things here and now that make life beautiful. They seem to be hints of heaven. Little things that bread anticipation for our eternal home. Many of those little things are seen in the lives of those that we love. Look for them, God will reveal them to you and you will be motivated to love and live with endurance.
I hope that you enjoy the video below and are blessed with hints of Heaven!
Pastor Paul
But I also need to realize that there are many things here and now that make life beautiful. They seem to be hints of heaven. Little things that bread anticipation for our eternal home. Many of those little things are seen in the lives of those that we love. Look for them, God will reveal them to you and you will be motivated to love and live with endurance.
I hope that you enjoy the video below and are blessed with hints of Heaven!
Pastor Paul
Friday, July 16, 2010
Filled With Glory
Welcome to the CONNECT blog,
This week at CONNECT we are continuing in our series "The Destiny of the Believer". The third message in this series is entitled "Filled With Glory" and will cover Revelation 21:9-27. This passage is the Apostle John's attempt to show us what Heaven will look like as revealed to him by an angel. What sticks out to me most about this passage is the use of the word "glory". Literally this word means "to think". In the New Testament it is used in regard to ascribing honor and praise as well as describing an event, place or person as dazzling.
This being the case, Heaven is described in dazzling beauty. We are also told in this passage that "kings of the earth will bring their glory into it" and that "they will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations." This brings all sorts of questions regarding Heaven, but to boil it down this is where the "to think" definition of glory comes into play. What John is describing here is that finally those who received glory in life will ascribe it to God. The word translated "nations" is the same word translated "Gentiles" in other texts of the New Testament. In other words heaven is a place of indescribable beauty where everyone is thinking right about God.
Peter ends his second epistle with the words, "To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." This presents the challenge for us to not wait until we get to heaven to think correctly about God. It is my opinion that thinking correctly about God is the key to living right. Learn to ask yourself the question during times of decision, "what truth about God effects my choice?" The main issue then becomes to live in the glory of God means to live your life in accordance with right thoughts about God while enjoying His beauty.
Now that you have read this, view the video "Aaron Shust: "To God Alone" then add your two cents to the conversation.
Learning to think correctly,
Pastor Paul
This week at CONNECT we are continuing in our series "The Destiny of the Believer". The third message in this series is entitled "Filled With Glory" and will cover Revelation 21:9-27. This passage is the Apostle John's attempt to show us what Heaven will look like as revealed to him by an angel. What sticks out to me most about this passage is the use of the word "glory". Literally this word means "to think". In the New Testament it is used in regard to ascribing honor and praise as well as describing an event, place or person as dazzling.
This being the case, Heaven is described in dazzling beauty. We are also told in this passage that "kings of the earth will bring their glory into it" and that "they will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations." This brings all sorts of questions regarding Heaven, but to boil it down this is where the "to think" definition of glory comes into play. What John is describing here is that finally those who received glory in life will ascribe it to God. The word translated "nations" is the same word translated "Gentiles" in other texts of the New Testament. In other words heaven is a place of indescribable beauty where everyone is thinking right about God.
Peter ends his second epistle with the words, "To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." This presents the challenge for us to not wait until we get to heaven to think correctly about God. It is my opinion that thinking correctly about God is the key to living right. Learn to ask yourself the question during times of decision, "what truth about God effects my choice?" The main issue then becomes to live in the glory of God means to live your life in accordance with right thoughts about God while enjoying His beauty.
Now that you have read this, view the video "Aaron Shust: "To God Alone" then add your two cents to the conversation.
Learning to think correctly,
Pastor Paul
Thursday, July 8, 2010
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