Saturday, February 19, 2011

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

In an era when most people in the West live in well lit cities, many of us do not appreciate the grandeur that is the night's sky. The moon and constellations have been used since the beginning of creation for a multitude of things, especially the planting and harvesting of crops as well as navigation.

Though technology has advanced in many areas, we still use the heavens. Even today, a number of our satellites maintain orientation because of pre-programmed stellar charts. The one's that I worked with focused more on the sun, moon, earth relationship in particular.

Let us therefore praise the Lord for what He has displayed in the heavens! Go and behold what God had as created! Amen!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Wycliffe Bible Translation

A few days ago, I contacted Wycliffe to see how I could assist with Bible Translation in the future. As I have become more versed in Biblical linguistics via a voluminous amount of work in Hebrew and Greek, God has given me a greater desire to do translation work at some point in the future. With today's technology, much can be done offsite, so there may be a possibility of doing some translation work via correspondence. I have spoken with a representative and will most likely meet with him in the next couple weeks to discuss things further. I appreciate your prayers in this.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

The Cure for Anxiety: Resting in God's Sovereignty

Many people are controlled by anxiety, and there are vast numbers who are unable to function because of it. Anxiety is brought about by our fear of what may or not happen given the current circumstances. For example, when funds are low and bills are high, anxiety escalates. For this reason, man will turn to something or someone to deal with anxiety, including medication.

Pills are popular because they are a quick fix, and, for that reason, this has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The great danger is that anxiety medication can be quite strong, so, when a person wants to get off of it, one has to be extremely cautious because death or serious injury could result.

How then should we deal with anxiety Biblically?

First of all, the spiritual answer to anxiety is to trust in the Sovereignty of God. Does not God provide for the flowers in the field and the birds of the sky? Will He not provide for that which was created in His image all the moreso? Repentance and submission to Christ is the only true answer to curing anxiety, and that takes the work of a Sovereign God because of our hardness of heart. When God is working upon the heart and convicting your heart, repent and cling to Christ. Do not be as the fool and chase after the vain idols that cannot see, hear, taste, touch, or speak.

Second of all, if one is on axiety medication, anti-depressants, etc., then coming off of those pills should be under the supervision of a physician. However, one must be careful because the facilities that are availble to 'detox' someone will also give unBiblical advice about how to deal with the anxiety to begin with. If a facility is used, it must be stressed that one is there to seek treatment for the physical withdrawal issues and not to gain unBiblical advice.

As you can see, the world's answer makes the problem far worse than it originally was. Therefore, seek Christ and rest in Him, lest you find yourself entrapped by the deceitfulness of the world's short-term bandaid idols.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Unsurprised When Trials Come

As a Christian, we should not be suprised when trials come. Though they can be difficult to persevere through, we should not become anxious. Christ foretold of persecution and tribulation for His Church, yet we often become despondent during such times as these when jobs are scarce and funds are tight. Nevertheless, we are to press on towards the goal that we have in Christ becuase the good work that He started in His saints will be completed. Therefore, be of good cheer and know that He is Lord.