-------------------------<BrethrenVoice>------------------------- [which seeks to be guided solely by the NT Biblical pattern, facilitates free flow of Christian info. To God be the glory!] [eMail Moderator: brethrenvoice-owner@...] [<GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> archives/read online: http://associate.com/groups/brethrenvoice/ezmlm.cgi] <GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> <20 December 2002> Contents: ------------ 1) <Devotional> "Sic Et Non-without which, not"- Ravi Zacharias 2) <Exhortation> "Void of understanding" - Connie Giordano 3) <Science> "Bible and Science" - (Pt-4/4) - Varghese John 1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY> "SIC ET NON-WITHUT WHICH, NOT" Ravi Zacharias Paul Tillich, the noted existentialist theologian, traveled to Asia to hold conferences with various Buddhist thinkers. He was studying the significance of religious leaders to the movements they had engendered. Tillich asked a simple question. "What if by some fluke, the Buddha had never lived and turned out to be some sort of fabrication? What would be the implications for Buddhism?" Mind you, Tillich was concerned with the indispensability of the Buddha-not his authenticity. The scholars did not hesitate to answer. If the Buddha was a myth, they said, it did not matter at all. Why? Because Buddhism should be judged as an abstract philosophy - as a system of living. Whether its concepts originated with the Buddha is irrelevant. (As an aside, I think that the Buddha himself would have concurred. Knowing that his death was imminent, he beseeched his followers not to focus on him but to remember his teachings. Not his life but his way of life was to be attended to and propagated.) So, what of other world religions? Hinduism, as a conglomeration of thinkers and philosophies and gods, can certainly do without many of its deities. Some other major religions face the same predicament. Is Christianity similar? Could God the Father have sent another instead of Jesus? May I say to you, and please hear me, that the answer is most categorically No. Jesus did not merely claim to be a prophet in a continuum of prophets. He is the unique Son of God, part of the very godhead that we call the Trinity. The apostle Paul says it this way: "[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the originator of all creation. . . God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him." Jesus Himself prayed, "[Father], You have granted [me] authority over all people that [I] might give eternal life to all those you have given [me]. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (Footnote 1: John 17:2-3) As many have observed, Christianity is Christ. Indeed Englishman John R.W. Stott writes, "If Jesus was not God in human flesh, Christianity is exploded. We are left with just another religion with some beautiful ideas and noble ethics; its unique distinction would then be gone." Jesus is the word and the incarnation. ---- Copyright (p)(c) 2001 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. A Slice of Infinity is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. _______________________________________________________________________ 2) <EXHORTATION> "VOID OF UNDERSTANDING" Connie Giordano In Christianity today, there is an overemphasis on Prosperity. So many are claiming the Promises of God so that they will never be found in want. Yet the Scriptures mention something that is far more important in our lives than wealth. It is understanding. Lacking finances, in most instances, will not lead a soul to Hell. However, lacking understanding will. Resultantly, may we never, ever be found "void of understanding." The Bible gives us clear-cut descriptions of seven types of people and one animal who were found to be "void of understanding." Behind each illustration is a lesson for us today. May we heed the warning that the Holy Ghost is sounding loud and clear to us this day. 1. The Leader Proverbs 28:16 - The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days." Here we see a person who is placed in a position of leadership, but he lacks understanding. Instead of displaying mercy and justice to the people under his authority, the Scripture implies that he oppresses them. He is called "a great oppressor." In other words, he is a tyrant. People mean nothing to him. Only his selfish ambition matters. He loves covetousness or gain for himself. He caters to those who flatter and exalt him. Are you in a place of authority or leadership? Do you lack understanding? How do you handle those under you? Are you oppressive with them or gentle, meek, mild, and patient? Do you use people for your own selfish gain? Do you show favoritism towards those who minister to your greed, pleasure, or ego? Or are you understanding of others, demonstrating mercy and kindness to all? 2. The Slothful Proverbs 24:30 - "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding." The sluggish man is "void of understanding." He is given a job to do with certain requirements, but he lacks the courage, initiative, and the motivation to step out and accomplish the task at hand. Resultantly, his lack of reasoning, wisdom, and skill causes him to be overtaken by poverty, want, and desolation. The "field" and the "vineyard" of the slothful man can typify our own God-given responsibilities. As the head of your home, through your lack of "understanding," have you allowed "thorns" and "nettles" to grow in your family? These can be any evil habits that are allowed to persist or hurtful offenses that are never resolved but simply swept under the rug, so to speak, to be dealt with at a more opportune time. What about God's wall of protection around your home? Has it been broken down through compromise, worldliness, disobedience, rebellion, loose-living, indifference, and Sin? Each one of us is responsible for the care and upkeep of the "vineyard" of our own hearts. Through our lack of "understanding" of the management of our spiritual affairs, have we allowed "thorns" and "nettles" to grow? Have we neglected to root up any inordinate affections, lusts, passions, greed, pride, malice, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, unbelief, doubt, or fears? 3. The Backslider Proverbs 21:16 - "The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead." Christianity is the "way of understanding." Therefore, the man who wanders "out of the way of understanding" is the one who once was enlightened but now turns from Light unto Darkness; from Holiness to Sin; from Purity to Sensuality; from Freedom to Bondage; from walking in the Spirit to following after the ways of the Flesh. His final outcome? "The congregation of the dead." In other words, without repentance, he is condemned forever to eternal death in Hell. How about you? Are you walking in the "way of understanding" today? Or have you wandered? Have you compromised the Holy Standards of the Word of God and played with Sin and its enticements too long, only to find yourself now in the ways of darkness and under the dominion of Satan? No one has to go to Hell. You can turn around and get back on the "way of understanding." Simply cry out to Jesus in godly sorrow and sincerely turn from your wicked ways. He will once again enlighten your understanding with His Gospel Light. 4. The Deceived Proverbs 17:18 - "A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend." The Scripture tells us that the one who pledges for another man's debt is "void of understanding." In fact, Proverbs 6:2 says that he is "snared" and "taken" with the words of his mouth and should readily seek to be delivered. Are you indebted to another? Have you, through your lack of understanding of the ramifications involved, made a faulty or ungodly contract that has brought you into terrible bondage? Are you presently carrying someone else's debt? Seek to be freed. Call out to Jesus for His Mighty Intervention. And ask Him to endue you with understanding so that you will not make the same mistake again. 5. The Distracted Proverbs 12:11 - "He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding." This man should be busy minding his own business or maintaining an honest calling. Instead, he is pursuing worthless things and associating with idle and evil company. He is "void of understanding." Unlike the man who works hard and then is "satisfied with bread," he meets with hunger and lack on all sides. Are you distracted today? Has God planted you in a specific place for such a time as this? Are you about your Father's business? Or have you fallen in with the wrong crowd whose main ambition is to get wealth and to pursue after worldly riches instead of the riches of the Kingdom of God? Because of your lack of understanding, and your neglect of the business assigned you, do you find yourself in a place of spiritual destitution and want? Colossians 3:2-3 - Your answer? "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." 6. The Adulterer Proverbs 6:32 - "But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul." Anyone who commits adultery shows a total lack of understanding. They are blinded to the ruin and devastation that this sin brings into one's life. Its shame, dishonor, and reproach is indelible. It wounds the conscience, extinguishes any flame of spiritual life, and opens the door for the just wrath of God. Who is guilty of such a horrible sin? Many would cry out - "Not me, O Lord." But how many are there who have not actually gone so far as to commit the very act of adultery yet have committed it in their hearts and minds? Instead of wholeheartedly loving their spouse, they have shared their affections with another. They have fantasized of having someone else or looked upon another with the desire to have them for their own. They respect and honor another's spouse but reject, ridicule, dishonor, and despise their own. What about all those who have committed spiritual adultery? How many in the Body of Christ can be said to lack understanding because they love this world and its pleasures more than God? They profess to know God, but their hearts are clinging to the amusements of this world. They want just enough of Jesus to escape Hell, and enough of this world to escape persecution and ridicule. 7. The Tempted Proverbs 7:7 - "And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding." Proverbs 9:16 - "Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him." Here we have a "young man void of understanding." He is "among the simple ones." He is "simple." What that means is that he is a ready target for the seducer or temptress. He is inexperienced, idle, loitering, unprincipled, undisciplined, and empty-headed. He has no strength to resist the flatteries or seductive impressions that come his way. His mind is set on the things of the flesh rather than the things of the Spirit. He has no discernment to detect the danger at hand. How about you? Are you empty-headed as opposed to those who have their minds filled with the Word of God? Are you undisciplined in your prayer life? Are you unprincipled in that you don't really have any holy standards according to the Word of God by which to live? You are "void of understanding" and are a prime target for the tempter. At this very moment, Satan is planning your demise and defeat. Allow God's Word to fill you with an "understanding" of the dangers involved here. Get busy in maintaining your spiritual life. Don't expect others to do the work for you. It's your soul that is at stake. 8. The Negligent Parent Job 39:13-17 - "...or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her labour is in vain without fear; Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath He imparted to her understanding." The "ostrich" is a very remarkable bird. Besides its beautiful, hair-like plumage, its large size whereby it is oftentimes referred to as the "winged camel," and its bounding speed whereby it can outrun the fastest horse, it is a monster in kind. It is in stark contrast with the stork. The stork delicately cares for its young, whereas the ostrich neglects hers. Unlike the other birds who seek for a secluded, inaccessible place in the trees or rocks for their eggs, she drops hers any where upon the ground and forsakes them, expecting the sun or sand to keep them warm. Never mind the traveler in his journeys who may very well come along and crush them under his feet. At the least sound of danger, she flees from her young, never to return to them again. She has been known to find another's eggs and to sit upon them. Could there be found a greater example of one "void of understanding" among God's creation? How are we doing as parents? Would it be said of us that we are "void of understanding" or endued with it from on high? We would probably never think to abandon our children like the ostrich. But, like her, do we neglect our job as parents and leave them to be taught the principles of life by others? Are we too busy to teach them the Word of God ourselves? Are they finding out about life through their peers or the "Christian" musicians, artists, songwriters, sports figures, and movie stars? Do we neglect to show them our love and respect by taking the time to listen to their problems or to spend quality time with them? Do we cover them with our prayers as they venture out into the world each day? Or have we, like the ostrich, "hardened" ourselves against our "young ones"? "Void of understanding." May we never wear that label. Proverbs 10:13 tells us - "...a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding." The chastisement and judgment of God is for those who are "void of understanding." What an incentive to cry out to God today for understanding. Wouldn't you agree? --- Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano _______________________________________________________________________ 3) <SCIENCE> "THE BIBLE AND SCIENCE" (PART-4 OF 4) Varghese John HAS SCIENCE DISPROVED THE BIBLE? To get the right answer we have to ask the right question. Therefore the right questions to be asked about the Bible and science are: 'Is there any contradiction between the facts of the Bible and those facts of science?' Putting it differently, 'Is there any scientific inaccuracy in the Bible?' The answer to these questions is an emphatic NO. To make the answer more clear let me point out a few more facts about science. The science of any generation consists of laws (established facts) as well as theories (probable propositions). The laws of science are time tested and universal. For e.g. the law of gravity, Newton's laws of motions, laws of thermodynamic etc. The theories on the other hand are neither time tested nor universal. They work in certain situations on certain occasions. They are based on many assumptions and approximations. For e.g. theory of evolution, Big Bang theory, theory of relativity etc. Theories may change from time to time because they are not established facts of science. Since theories change continually they cannot be counted as a basis for testing the scientific statements recorded in the Bible. When we compare the scientific statements of the Bible with the laws of science it is crystal clear that there is no contradiction between them. In other words, there is perfect harmony between facts of science and the facts of the Bible. In that sense, the Bible does not contain any scientific inaccuracy. But some (not all) of the theories of science differ from the Biblical truths. What must be our attitude to those theories? Whenever there is a contradiction between the Bible and science we have to accept the Biblical statements rather than the theories of science. The reason is so obvious - the Bible is the infallible Word of God whereas science is only the fallible (capable to commit mistake) word of man. Whom should we trust: man or God? In the near future, scientific advancement may discard some of the erroneous theories of science and discover the timeless truths of the Bible. Till then it is safe to reject those theories that deviate from the Biblical truths. Remember! The facts revealed in God's Word cannot contradict with the facts hidden in God's World because God is the author of both. [Concluded] --- [Reproduced by permission] ---------------------------<BrethrenVoice>--------------------------- Subscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-subscribe@...> Unsubscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-unsubscribe@...> FAQs/Faith Statement, eMail: <brethrenvoice-faq@...> <BrethrenVoice> Home: www.brethrenvoice.com <eFellowship> Home: http://groups.msn.com/BrethrenChristiansForum/ "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith." 2 Cor 13:5 _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 3 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus&xAPID=42&PS=47575&PI=7324&DI=7474&SU= http://www.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg&HL=1216hotmailtaglines_virusprotection_3mf