Author: Ken

The Case for God

Ken

Why does an Almighty God trouble Himself with a sinful, frivolous humanity? Obviously, God did not make a mistake, when He created us, so why His angst in dealing with us? He fully demonstrates the scope of Perfect Love displayed with the majesty of His Awesome Sovereignty. For us to even glimpse the wisdom of His actions is almost beyond our understanding. So, we read with reverence the prophecies of His upcoming dealings with us. 

Isaiah 63:1-19

“1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in His [Messiah’s] apparel, travelling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art Thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in Mine anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in Mine heart, and the year of My redeemed is come [Revelation 18:20]. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore Mine own arm brought salvation unto Me; and My fury, it upheld Me. 6 And I will tread down the people in Mine anger, and make them drunk in My fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. 7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses. 8 For He said, Surely they are My people, children that will not lie: so He was their Saviour [Luke 2:11]. 9 In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled, and vexed His holy Spirit: therefore He was turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them. 11 Then He remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is He that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of His flock? where is He that put His holy Spirit within him [Ezekiel 36:27]? 12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with His glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make Himself an everlasting name? 13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble? 14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst Thou lead Thy people, to make Thyself a glorious name. 15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of Thy holiness and of Thy glory: where is Thy zeal and Thy strength, the sounding of Thy bowels and of Thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? 16 Doubtless Thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: Thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; Thy name is from everlasting. 17 O LORD, why hast Thou made us to err from Thy ways, and hardened our heart from Thy fear? Return for Thy servants’ sake, the tribes of Thine inheritance. 18 The people of Thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down Thy sanctuary. 19 We are Thine: Thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by Thy name” (Isaiah 63:1-19 KJV).

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Ken

Having never seen anything but a trailer for the movie (2022), it appeals to the multi-verse themes found in the Marvel movies and television shows. The entertainment media opens viewers to ideas, which otherwise would only be a conversation for scientists possibly discussing Big Bang cosmology or quantum mechanics. David contemplates the concept of God’s ever presence everything, everywhere, all at once. “7 Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art There. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139:7-10 ). Such a God’s omnipresent in all possible universes, when coupled to the concept of being an Eternal Being, “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually” (Hebrews 7:3), has been a staple of Scripture from the beginning. One can only conclude, the Devil desires the same worship from the world, appearing as God Almighty in a Jerusalem Temple, in the upcoming Seventieth Week of Daniel (9:26). 

The moviegoing audience is the world, whose mind is being prepared for the thought of the Almighty’s omnipresence and eternity. First, the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit will be removed through the imminent Rapture of the Faithful Church. “For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one [Holy Spirit Indwelling the Church] who holds him [Antichrist] back will do so until he [Holy Soirit] is taken out of the way [at the Rapture]” (2Thessalonians 2:7 NET). Second, Antichrist will be revealed, but not as Antichrist, instead as, God Almighty in the Temple. “8 And then shall that Wicked [Antichrist] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming [Second Coming of Je go]: 9 Even him [Antichrist], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2Thessalonians 2:8-12). 

Father, may we be among the Faithful, who cannot be deceived. Help our saltiness to leave an impression upon those who are left behind, ultimately leading to their salvation. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Kept Thy Testimonies (Psalm 119:22)

Ken

“Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies” (Psalm 119:22 KJV). “Reproach and contempt” (119:22) are a legacy of the Righteous. Jeremiah understood that. “For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily” (Jeremiah 20:8). We do not need to seek out reproach or contempt for seeking and keeping God’s Word, for it will come. Vanity Fair seeks to avoid reproach at the cost of the Truth. “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:” (1Peter 4:3-4). Since “a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1), we would pray with the Psalmist, “Remove from me reproach and contempt” (Psalm 119:22). Better to take our case before the Courts of Heaven than to argue our merits before man. C.H. Spurgeon’s Treasury of David cites for Psalm 119:22: “God will keep those who keep his testimonies. A good conscience is the best security for a good name; reproach will not abide with those who abide with Christ, neither will contempt remain upon those who remain faithful to the ways of the Lord.” 

Father, may we be willing to bear reproach for Your Name’s sake, but we ask You to clear our name, if we stand “blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation” (Philippians 2:15). In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Why Are People So Easily Fooled?

Ken

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24 KJV). How could Lucifer — the highest of Yahweh’s created beings — choose himself over the Most High God? No sin had ever been committed, so he couldn’t blame anything or anybody but himself for doing it. Yahweh gave Lucifer the capacity to choose, just as He has given us the same ability. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:27). Pride is glorifying self instead of God, “who is worthy to be praised” (1Samuel 22:4; Psalm 18:3 KJV). Five times, Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12) was recorded by Yahweh as not having said out loud, but only voicing in his heart, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (14:13-14). He wanted what only the Almighty was worthy to have — the praise, honor, and glory for being the first, the highest, the most powerful, the wisest, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Righteous Judge. He refused to give Yahweh the credit for being Yahweh. “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” (Romans 13:7). Whenever anyone willingly does not acknowledge self-evident truth about the Most High God, they commit the sin of pride, and take that glory for themselves. Again, pride is essentially glorifying self instead of God. 

Okay, so why are people so easily fooled? And, why will they be ensnared by the Antichrist to worship him as God Almighty? Because they have been willing to give someone other than Jesus Christ the glory for being the True Seed of the Woman (Genesis 3:15). But, you say, How can we know that Jesus Christ is the prophesied seed? Because He fulfills all the prophecies concerning the Messiah, e.g., Psalm 2:7, 12; Proverbs 30:4; Daniel 9:26; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Isaiah 53; Malachi 3:1; et al. Which means whoever will be sitting in the Jerusalem Temple at the middle of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:26) proclaiming himself as God (Matthew 24:15), is an impostor — the Antichrist. Paul tells us, “10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2Thessalonians 2:10-12).

They had “pleasure in unrighteousness” (2Thessalonians 2:12), since they did not “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24), because, like Lucifer, they sought their own glory, for they were speaking on their own authority. “If anyone wants to do God’s will, he will know about My teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak from My own authority” (John 7:17 NET). Notice the relationship of the one who does not speak on his own authority and the one who sent him. The righteous relationship stems from seeking to honor God and not himself. “The person who speaks on his own authority desires to receive honor for himself; the one who desires the honor of the one who sent him is a man of integrity, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (John 7:18 NET). Both the Antichrist and those deceived by him speak on their own authority, as Lucifer did with the First Sin. 

Father, teach us to beware of speaking on our own authority that we would not be deceived by the claims of Antichrist and the Antichristian system of the world. Give us strong understanding of You and the strength to withstand the wiles of the Devil. Lord Jesus, return quickly to deliver Your faithful followers. In Jesus’ powerful name, we pray. Amen. 

Ye Are the Salt of the Earth

Ken

The chemical compound NaCl is necessary for life to survive. Beyond its ability to season and preserve food, what we call common table salt was useful for the transport and distribution of food over long distances enabling the spread of civilization. Roman soldiers were paid in salt, from which the word salary is derived. Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour [Greek, mōrainō, to make dull, to lose the purpose for existence], wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13 KJV). Salt makes food flavorful and it causes us to thirst. Do you cause others to thirst for the Living Water of Christ (Jeremiah 2:13; John 7:37-38)? Whenever you cause others to seek out the Word of God to know how to act, you are being used by the Holy Spirit as Spiritual Salt. But, woe to those who cease to savor, flavor, or cause others to seek Christ, for they are “good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13). Lucifer was once salt, but no more. May the God of Peace keep us as the Salt of the Earth, so that ours is not an inward focus of whether we can maintain our saltiness to the end, but whether others will thirst for Christ because of us. May God place us in Eternity wherever He sees fit, so long as Christ is exalted. Amen. 

Blessed is the Nation

Ken

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12 KJV). Israel was that nation chosen by God, but any nation can be so chosen. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2Chronicles 7:14). God did not purpose to call out and save Israel only, but “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). The prayer of God’s people in any nation is peace for that nation, land, or city. Remember, the LORD held off judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, as long as He did, because of the prayer of Abraham and the presence of Lot (Genesis 18-19). Are you the reason our nation is not yet destroyed? 

“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7). It is the spiritual responsibility of all Christians to pray for secular governors that they would rule in keeping with the truth. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1Timothy 2:1-2). As much as the world would rather recruit us for their own exclusive partisan position, God’s people need to be identified with the truth as their distinctive. If engaging in politics comes with party identification, only use it so far as it serves the LORD (1Corinthians 13; Matthew 22:37-39). “And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away” (1Corinthians 7:31). Always remember Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 

Father, You always give us wisdom for our journey. May we walk with You until the end. May You bless the cities in which we dwell with peace that we may have peace. Give us the discretion to act responsibly for Your Kingdom’s sake. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Thou Maintainest My Lot

Ken

“The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot” (Psalm 16:5 KJV). To the OT Jew, each of the twelve tribes had been apportioned a “lot,” an area of Israel for their inheritance, except the Tribe of Levi, which was scattered throughout the cities of Israel. They were to maintain worship for Jehovah. To Levi, the LORD proclaimed, “I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel” (Numbers 18:20). Instead of land, Levi was to be supported with the tithes brought into the Tabernacle. “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation” (18:21). The certainty of the LORD’s sustenance, a guaranteed income — “Thou maintainest my lot” — when compared to Levi, is what any child of God can expect from the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23). But, that income is by faith and only from God.

A Prayer of  David:

“LORD, You give me stability and prosperity; You make my future secure” (Psalm 16:5 NET). 

“It is as if I have been given fertile fields or received a beautiful tract of land” (Psalm 16:6 NET).

“I will praise the LORD who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn” (Psalm 16:7 NET). 

“I constantly trust in the LORD; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8 NET). 

“So my heart rejoices and I am happy; My life is safe” (Psalm 16:9 NET). 

“You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow your faithful follower to see the Pit” (Psalm 16:10 NET). 

“You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in Your presence; You always give me sheer delight” (Psalm 16:11 NET). 

Discretion Shall Preserve Thee

Ken

“Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” (Proverbs 2:11 KJV). Discretion is a sense of caution or judgment. When shall discretion preserve you? “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul” (2:10). When you notice “knowledge is pleasant” (2:10) to you, then “wisdom entereth into thine heart” (2:10). In the KJV, “through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom” (18:1). Here, we are the actor, exercising strong desire, separating ourselves toward wisdom, seeking it, and interacting with it. “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (2:6). Do we wait for God to give us wisdom, or do we seek after wisdom? Both. “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). Our seeking is His working in us. The discretion that will preserve us is our exercising discretion with the attitude He must be working in us to be discrete. We talk much of walking with God, but unless we are sensitive to this dynamic of His working in us, while we exercise ourselves to the utmost to accomplish His work, then we will become  either sinfully proud of our efforts or slothfully waiting for God to do our work for us. “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15). Father, grant us discretion that we may walk discretely. Preserve us in Your way. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Pour Out My Spirit

Ken

“Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you” (Proverbs 1:23 KJV). Ever notice when you begin to take notice of something, you begin to see the same pattern where you never saw it before? The Holy Spirit is the author of our ‘teachable moments,’ since the same Spirit of Wisdom He placed upon Joshua to teach him what he needed to know to succeed Moses (Deuteronomy 34:9) under the Old Covenant, He promised to influence all His people in Proverbs 1:23. 

But, He gave special promise for that same Spirit to have a Privileged Place of Dwelling Within Us under the New Covenant. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). The NT promise of the Spirit would treat God’s children as the Temple of God, just as He appeared in the OT Holy of Holies. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1Corinthians 3:16). The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence within us is not just understanding of God’s Laws and their application to us, but inspiring or causing us to keep, obey, or do His judgments and statutes (Ezekiel 36:27). This is the grand purpose of the Holy Spirit in us, to restore that right relationship with God. 

Father, cause us to receive the outpouring of Your Spirit, just as Your Early Church repented and were baptized to “receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Cause us to walk in obedience. Cause us to walk in a right relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Perfect Love

Ken

Nobody’s perfect! has been the defense of humanity throughout the ages. Some might add, If God is so wise, why don’t we see Perfect Love in society? Still others have carefully analyzed, Even if God did require Perfect Love, He knew we would never achieve it, which would only further prove humankind’s sinfulness. Besides, we’ll never see Perfect Love until we get to Heaven, would be the apparent conclusion.

What saith the Scripture? 

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7 KJV). 

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40). 

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12). 

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1Peter 5:10). 

“But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him” (1John 2:5). 

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us” (1John 4:12). 

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous [literally, weighty]” (1John 5:3).