"Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which stand by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the LORD. The LORD that made the heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion." Psalm 134Envision this ... A massive parched ground of earth rising out of the midst of the wilderness, standing as an obvious reference marker for the wandering pilgrim, or a constant mooring for the wayward seaman; both wanting a place to affix their resolve and bearings to journey onward and ever upward. As we journey closer to this monument as such, we begin to see the life filled forms of "raised hands" devotees blessing and honoring the God of all eternity ... The unique thing that encompasses this scene , though it is night, the light of their praises in this sanctuary cause the God of Earth and Heaven to bless them also. As rays of eternal light, praises radiate back and forth in the conduits of mutual devotion .I had no problem a couple of days ago (while cleaning out a cabinet containing personal health supplies) checking expiration dates on the "over-the-counter" drugs and tossing them in file 13 when I discovered "old" - "out dated" drugs. I have no trouble throwing out expired drugs because of the fear of weird side effects. When I need a medicine to help my healing, I want to make sure it is full and appropriate in its potency. Mere mortal medicine has its limitations and its complications, and we are susceptible to the side effects.I have watched an age old controversy in the intellectual realm caused by those who somehow feel that scripture or portions of it may have expiration dates and is not relevant because it has expired ... It is touted as "Out dated"; and to compound the issue, the "wiser teachers" love to modernize scripture to make it more palatable which surely accommodates the needs of those who already have trust problems with God. What is it so hard to trust God's delivery of His word?Truth is always true. If there is a contradiction somewhere ... it is in the heart of the hearer. God's word has no expiration date and is always appropriate in the fullness of its potency. His word is always a two edged sword that pierces the divisions of the soul and spirit, and exposes the alignment of the thoughts intents of the hearts as to their willingness to give the authority of living to God.Note: In context and applicable the scripture is our mooring to affix our lives especially in the dark seasons. Trust His word above all the opinions of the deconstruction counsellors.Happy 4th of July, 2017 ... Seek independence from the voices that rebel against full dependence upon Jesus Christ. Search the scriptures daily for eternal life concepts, and be lovingly amazed at how they are directly connected in devotion to Him. Read and grow in the grace and love of our LORD Jesus Christ ... although experience may have cause for contention.Truth and experience, in every generation may not match immediately and this can cause a conflict in the assembly of believers. When experience is perceived as the evidence of truth, there will be a straying from the truth of the word.Answer the following questions:Is God good because something good happens to us to make us feel better?Is God the enemy because something bad happens to us that makes us feel worse?Do I hate sin because I see what it has done to me and to others, or do I hate it because God does?Do I question whether something is right or wrong because of immediate consequences or do I just believe God, take him at His word and obey?So the scripture mentions it or mandates it ... do we question or Trust what God says?Do we Obey and Live it out, or do we argue and wrestle with things that could potentially destroy our lives? What do we lose by believing that what God says is the final authority on the way we should live?OK, now you want to discuss this more because you have a valid reason for portions of scripture that you wish to attach an expiration date to or re-assign it to a particular people group; ok ... No problem if God has said it is so.Don't sweat the so-called gray areas - there is enough black n' white to fill our lives with a firm faith until we find that God wasn't as silent on the "gray" issues as we thought.July 4, 2017 - find a true Independence day in the unflinching devotional dependence on God and what He has revealed through His Spirit and His word ... Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
