Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
There was once a man who was proud, haughty, arrogant, even cruel--a king whose name was Nebuchadnezzar; and Iraq was his kingdom. Like most kings of his day, he could have lived and died in hopeless proud self-deception except that a man of God prayed for him personally--Daniel the prophet. Daniel discerned in the king a streak of honesty and reality in his makeup. He did what the apostle John said we should do: "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He [God] will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death." The king's dream of Daniel 4 was God's answer to the prophet's prayer. The Lord permitted Daniel to be an "evangelist" to teach Nebuchadnezzar gospel truths.
The Lord loved the king so much that He gave him a special blessing--He humbled the man in the dust, gave him a form of insanity in which he thought he was an animal or a cow (called lycanthropy or boanthropy), and in seven years of gross humiliation the proud king learned a proper heart attitude of reverence for the King of kings and Lord of lords. You could hardly say that the king humbled himself; God humbled him, even humiliated him.
We all too have problems with pride and arrogance. God has given us each wonderful gifts that we can easily become proud over. But let's not you and I be so stubborn that we wait for the Lord to humble us, like the king. To be humiliated is a very severe ministry of the Lord! It's too late in the day now for the Lord to resort to those extreme measures to "heal" us, for we are living in the great cosmic Day of Atonement; now we want to humble ourselves. Self-starters were a wonderful invention for balky Model T's. Let's find a self-starter for humbling self, and not wait for the Lord to have to do it for us, as with Nebuchadnezzar!
"When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride." That is better--that's self-humbling.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Daily Bread - Readings about life and the Word of God.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: A Date That Will Never Die
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
October 22, 1844, is a date that will never die in the world's memory. Scores of thousands of Christians in Europe and the United States had been studying the book of Daniel, thanking God that at last the book which had been sealed up for many centuries (12:4) had now at the end of the Dark Ages of papal persecution and oppression been "opened up" for understanding. It was now "a little book open" in the hands of a "mighty angel" (Rev. 10:1, 2) who was a "messenger," attracting worldwide attention.
Its message had riveted on Daniel 8:14; serious readers of the Bible were drawn to Daniel's prophecies. The year-day principle was established so clearly that they saw the 2300 years of that prophecy reaching fulfillment on that date in 1844. "Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed," said the Word. They borrowed from the commentaries the idea that "the sanctuary" was this earth, and the "cleansing" therefore would be the fire of the last day at the coming of Jesus. But the commentators were wrong; there is a sanctuary in heaven--the real one, and that's where the world's great High Priest, Jesus, ministers. The "cleansing" is His great Day of Atonement, His final work of preparing a people to be ready when Jesus comes the second time. They were woefully uninformed about what that preparation entailed! It was to be nothing short of "self" being "crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20), and "the world crucified" being to them (6:14). A tremendous work!
The fascinating story of the "Great Disappointment" and its aftermath is told in Revelation chapter 10. Verse 11 describes the worldwide work that must (that will!) be done before Jesus can be happy to come again--every person must have a chance to hear the good news and respond in heart. The angel said. "Thou must prophesy again before" the world! And that's the work that is going on now all over the world. Listen!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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October 22, 1844, is a date that will never die in the world's memory. Scores of thousands of Christians in Europe and the United States had been studying the book of Daniel, thanking God that at last the book which had been sealed up for many centuries (12:4) had now at the end of the Dark Ages of papal persecution and oppression been "opened up" for understanding. It was now "a little book open" in the hands of a "mighty angel" (Rev. 10:1, 2) who was a "messenger," attracting worldwide attention.
Its message had riveted on Daniel 8:14; serious readers of the Bible were drawn to Daniel's prophecies. The year-day principle was established so clearly that they saw the 2300 years of that prophecy reaching fulfillment on that date in 1844. "Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed," said the Word. They borrowed from the commentaries the idea that "the sanctuary" was this earth, and the "cleansing" therefore would be the fire of the last day at the coming of Jesus. But the commentators were wrong; there is a sanctuary in heaven--the real one, and that's where the world's great High Priest, Jesus, ministers. The "cleansing" is His great Day of Atonement, His final work of preparing a people to be ready when Jesus comes the second time. They were woefully uninformed about what that preparation entailed! It was to be nothing short of "self" being "crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20), and "the world crucified" being to them (6:14). A tremendous work!
The fascinating story of the "Great Disappointment" and its aftermath is told in Revelation chapter 10. Verse 11 describes the worldwide work that must (that will!) be done before Jesus can be happy to come again--every person must have a chance to hear the good news and respond in heart. The angel said. "Thou must prophesy again before" the world! And that's the work that is going on now all over the world. Listen!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Friday, October 23, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: Two Great Systems of Thought
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Two great systems of thought contend in almost all Protestant churches. One is Calvinism--which maintains that if God purposes something, it's going to happen whether or no. In other words, if God elects someone to be saved, that person is going to be saved, whether or no. But this system is forced to recognize that many will be lost at last; therefore it requires the belief that God has not elected "all men" to be saved, but has chosen some to be lost--whether or no. It means Christ died only for "the elect," and, actually, loves only "the elect." Pretty discouraging, if you're not sure God has elected you, and you're not sure Christ died for you!
The other great system of thought is Arminianism, a reaction against Calvinism. It maintains Christ died for everyone, that His sacrifice is sufficient to save everyone, but it is only provisional. It's a maybe, perhaps, possible salvation which is true only if the sinner succeeds in doing his part properly, that is, believes and keeps His law. Otherwise, the sacrifice of Christ does you no good; it's as if He had never died for you. This system appears to be much better Good News, but it leaves also a nagging fear: how can one be sure he is doing everything just right, has believed enough, or repented enough?
There is an author who has an idea that transcends both Calvinism and Arminianism, in her book The Desire of Ages, p. 660. She maintains that when the Son of God said "except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you" (John 6:53), He was speaking to every human being in the world. "Never one, saint or sinner, eats his daily food, but he is nourished by the body and blood of Christ." This is true, she says, both of our physical and our spiritual nature. And she comes full circle: "The sinner may resist this love, he may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus" (Steps to Christ, p. 27). Thus when Christ died on His cross, He "elected" "every man" to be saved; He purchased the gift and has given it to him; but the lost deliberately reject that which Christ has given them in the gift of Himself (John 3:16-19). Let's stop resisting Him!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Two great systems of thought contend in almost all Protestant churches. One is Calvinism--which maintains that if God purposes something, it's going to happen whether or no. In other words, if God elects someone to be saved, that person is going to be saved, whether or no. But this system is forced to recognize that many will be lost at last; therefore it requires the belief that God has not elected "all men" to be saved, but has chosen some to be lost--whether or no. It means Christ died only for "the elect," and, actually, loves only "the elect." Pretty discouraging, if you're not sure God has elected you, and you're not sure Christ died for you!
The other great system of thought is Arminianism, a reaction against Calvinism. It maintains Christ died for everyone, that His sacrifice is sufficient to save everyone, but it is only provisional. It's a maybe, perhaps, possible salvation which is true only if the sinner succeeds in doing his part properly, that is, believes and keeps His law. Otherwise, the sacrifice of Christ does you no good; it's as if He had never died for you. This system appears to be much better Good News, but it leaves also a nagging fear: how can one be sure he is doing everything just right, has believed enough, or repented enough?
There is an author who has an idea that transcends both Calvinism and Arminianism, in her book The Desire of Ages, p. 660. She maintains that when the Son of God said "except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you" (John 6:53), He was speaking to every human being in the world. "Never one, saint or sinner, eats his daily food, but he is nourished by the body and blood of Christ." This is true, she says, both of our physical and our spiritual nature. And she comes full circle: "The sinner may resist this love, he may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus" (Steps to Christ, p. 27). Thus when Christ died on His cross, He "elected" "every man" to be saved; He purchased the gift and has given it to him; but the lost deliberately reject that which Christ has given them in the gift of Himself (John 3:16-19). Let's stop resisting Him!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Dial Daily Bread: The Covenants--Liberty or Slavery?
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
How can you learn to understand and believe the New Covenant? Your happiness for now and forever depends on it. Yes! Didn't Jesus say, "God so loved that He gave, ... that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish ..."? To believe in Him means to believe that He Himself is Good News--the essence of the New Covenant.
Confusion about the Two Covenants is cleared up as sunshine clears away fog by noting one question: WHO MAKES THE PROMISE?
(1) If you or I make the promise to God, immediately it's Old Covenant. It's Peter promising that he will never deny Christ, and then doing it before the rooster crowed next morning. It's "all the people" promising at Mt. Sinai, "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do!" and then bowing down to a golden calf in a few days. The problem is simple: we humans don't keep our promises; in fact, we can't, because we have no righteousness of our own.
Someone may say, "What's wrong with making good promises to God even if you do break them?" Several things: God Himself has never asked you to do so; and further, Paul says that making and breaking promises to God brings you into spiritual "bondage" (Gal. 4:24). It was the beginning of centuries of sad Israelite history that finally led them into the "bondage" of foreign captivity and then at the end, to crucify their Messiah. Those who think that the Old and New Covenants are the same thing are confusing liberty with slavery!
(2) When God makes the promise, there you have the New Covenant. And believing the promise is liberty, not slavery. He always keeps His promise. "Delight thy self in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4). You may say, "That's such Good News--I can hardly believe He will ever do that for me!" Sarah couldn't believe it either, until she repented of her unbelief (Heb. 11:11). You can repent, too. That's the Good News!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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How can you learn to understand and believe the New Covenant? Your happiness for now and forever depends on it. Yes! Didn't Jesus say, "God so loved that He gave, ... that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish ..."? To believe in Him means to believe that He Himself is Good News--the essence of the New Covenant.
Confusion about the Two Covenants is cleared up as sunshine clears away fog by noting one question: WHO MAKES THE PROMISE?
(1) If you or I make the promise to God, immediately it's Old Covenant. It's Peter promising that he will never deny Christ, and then doing it before the rooster crowed next morning. It's "all the people" promising at Mt. Sinai, "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do!" and then bowing down to a golden calf in a few days. The problem is simple: we humans don't keep our promises; in fact, we can't, because we have no righteousness of our own.
Someone may say, "What's wrong with making good promises to God even if you do break them?" Several things: God Himself has never asked you to do so; and further, Paul says that making and breaking promises to God brings you into spiritual "bondage" (Gal. 4:24). It was the beginning of centuries of sad Israelite history that finally led them into the "bondage" of foreign captivity and then at the end, to crucify their Messiah. Those who think that the Old and New Covenants are the same thing are confusing liberty with slavery!
(2) When God makes the promise, there you have the New Covenant. And believing the promise is liberty, not slavery. He always keeps His promise. "Delight thy self in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4). You may say, "That's such Good News--I can hardly believe He will ever do that for me!" Sarah couldn't believe it either, until she repented of her unbelief (Heb. 11:11). You can repent, too. That's the Good News!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: Some Big IF's About Jesus' Return
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
IF it is true that the dead are asleep until the resurrection (the Bible teaches it crystal clear), and IF it is also true that the resurrection cannot take place until Jesus Christ returns (He alone is the Resurrection and the Life! John 11:25), then the commonest common sense can see that the judgment must take place BEFORE He returns.
Otherwise, how could any meaningful decision be made as to WHO should be resurrected glorified when He comes? Jesus seems to say it clearly: "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every person according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).
At the same time He says in Luke 21:34, 35 that "THAT day" (of judgment) may come upon us "unawares, for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." The "all them" will be the last generation on earth, all 6 or 7 billion, who "will be alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord," who will not die until they see Him coming in the clouds of heaven--happy or sad (1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Thess. 1:7, 8). A child can figure it out like making 2 + 2 to = 4.
The next big IF is whether Jesus is coming soon: He gave us "signs" to let us know when "it is near, even at the doors" (Mark 13:29). Pick up any newspaper, any news magazine, look around you. Rip Van Winkle, wake up: it's clear: the end is near.
The only conclusion possible: "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping" (vss. 35, 36). THAT coming is when He "comes" on our individual final judgment, and on a church's final judgment, too. Rather solemn. Sounds scary. But hang on to some Good News: that "Master" is more concerned that we be saved than even we are! He loves us.
What to do? Stop resisting His grace. "Whatsoever He saith unto you, DO IT" (John 2:5). He will prove His love to you by telling you what to do. On your knees!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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IF it is true that the dead are asleep until the resurrection (the Bible teaches it crystal clear), and IF it is also true that the resurrection cannot take place until Jesus Christ returns (He alone is the Resurrection and the Life! John 11:25), then the commonest common sense can see that the judgment must take place BEFORE He returns.
Otherwise, how could any meaningful decision be made as to WHO should be resurrected glorified when He comes? Jesus seems to say it clearly: "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every person according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).
At the same time He says in Luke 21:34, 35 that "THAT day" (of judgment) may come upon us "unawares, for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." The "all them" will be the last generation on earth, all 6 or 7 billion, who "will be alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord," who will not die until they see Him coming in the clouds of heaven--happy or sad (1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Thess. 1:7, 8). A child can figure it out like making 2 + 2 to = 4.
The next big IF is whether Jesus is coming soon: He gave us "signs" to let us know when "it is near, even at the doors" (Mark 13:29). Pick up any newspaper, any news magazine, look around you. Rip Van Winkle, wake up: it's clear: the end is near.
The only conclusion possible: "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping" (vss. 35, 36). THAT coming is when He "comes" on our individual final judgment, and on a church's final judgment, too. Rather solemn. Sounds scary. But hang on to some Good News: that "Master" is more concerned that we be saved than even we are! He loves us.
What to do? Stop resisting His grace. "Whatsoever He saith unto you, DO IT" (John 2:5). He will prove His love to you by telling you what to do. On your knees!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Dial Daily Bread: Is Paul's Devotion Possible for Us?
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Have you ever marveled at the devotion and self-sacrifice we see in the life of the apostle Paul? He said, "For me to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21). But he was not a fanatic and he was not a masochist; he loved life as much as anybody, but still he rejoiced that he was permitted to suffer for the sake of Christ who had suffered so much for him. On and on he went through life, scorning retirement, motivated by the love [agape] of Christ in his ministry to people, finally laying his head down on the block while the Roman soldier severed it.
Has Paul earned a first class ticket to heaven while the rest of us must be content with third class passage (if we get there!)? Will he enjoy a mansion in the earth made new while we will be content with a shack if we can squeeze through the pearly gates, or maybe just sleep on the grass? Is the all-out devotion such as Paul's possible for us whose lot is cast in the First World's economy of comfort and for many, luxury? It's not our fault we are heirs to the life-style we enjoy! In the final Judgment, will we step shamefully aside while Paul gets his very special reward? Or is his devotion possible for us?
In these last days it will be repeated in that mystic number of "144,000" of Revelation 14:1-5, who "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." It wasn't some special trait of character in Paul; he was a selfish sinner like we are, by nature. He simply saw something we have not as yet clearly seen: Jesus poured out His life (precious to Him as it can be to us!), "poured out His soul unto death" (Isa. 53:12)--the second death. Paul was able to "comprehend" what we haven't yet clearly seen--"the breadth, and length, and depth, and height" of this "love [agape] of Christ which passeth knowledge" (Eph. 3:18, 19).
God will see to it that we yet "comprehend" it; will you welcome the revelation?
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Have you ever marveled at the devotion and self-sacrifice we see in the life of the apostle Paul? He said, "For me to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21). But he was not a fanatic and he was not a masochist; he loved life as much as anybody, but still he rejoiced that he was permitted to suffer for the sake of Christ who had suffered so much for him. On and on he went through life, scorning retirement, motivated by the love [agape] of Christ in his ministry to people, finally laying his head down on the block while the Roman soldier severed it.
Has Paul earned a first class ticket to heaven while the rest of us must be content with third class passage (if we get there!)? Will he enjoy a mansion in the earth made new while we will be content with a shack if we can squeeze through the pearly gates, or maybe just sleep on the grass? Is the all-out devotion such as Paul's possible for us whose lot is cast in the First World's economy of comfort and for many, luxury? It's not our fault we are heirs to the life-style we enjoy! In the final Judgment, will we step shamefully aside while Paul gets his very special reward? Or is his devotion possible for us?
In these last days it will be repeated in that mystic number of "144,000" of Revelation 14:1-5, who "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." It wasn't some special trait of character in Paul; he was a selfish sinner like we are, by nature. He simply saw something we have not as yet clearly seen: Jesus poured out His life (precious to Him as it can be to us!), "poured out His soul unto death" (Isa. 53:12)--the second death. Paul was able to "comprehend" what we haven't yet clearly seen--"the breadth, and length, and depth, and height" of this "love [agape] of Christ which passeth knowledge" (Eph. 3:18, 19).
God will see to it that we yet "comprehend" it; will you welcome the revelation?
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Monday, October 19, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: Thank the Holy Spirit
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Is the Holy Spirit our Friend? You say, Yes, of course; but think: Jesus says that His first work is to "reprove the world of sin" (John 16:8). Is that fun? The doctor does a scientific test and convinces you that you have a lethal disease. You "feel" okay and it hasn't worried you, but he says you must do something drastic now. Fun? Is the doctor your "friend"?
Now suppose he has many, many patients all with a lethal disease they don't want to recognize; and suppose they all reject his counsel to do something, even though he is genuinely their friend. Wouldn't he be unhappy?
Is it impossible to conceive of a patient being concerned for the reputation or happiness of his physician? Patients are usually consumed by a me-first mind-set; few make appointments to inquire how the doctor is, and give HIM treatments. Few if any are concerned that he not be forced out of business. The Good News is that the Holy Spirit is "reproving" or "convicting" "the world of sin." The Bad News is that most who need help (His "patients") reject His reproofs and convictions of sin, so that Satan hopes that in the end the Holy Spirit will be proven a failure. Satan's last hope is that "the people of God" will reject His reproof and be involved in the general ruin coming on the earth.
There's a better reason to listen to the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin, than our own little personal salvation. He is Christ's Vicar; His job is to "convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment," the latter because "the prince of this world is condemned" (vss. 9-11). In listening, in receiving His reproof, in giving up the sin He convicts you of, you honor Christ in this last battle of the millennia-long great controversy. The Holy Spirit is your Friend; now be a friend to Him also. Say thanks to Him for His work.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Is the Holy Spirit our Friend? You say, Yes, of course; but think: Jesus says that His first work is to "reprove the world of sin" (John 16:8). Is that fun? The doctor does a scientific test and convinces you that you have a lethal disease. You "feel" okay and it hasn't worried you, but he says you must do something drastic now. Fun? Is the doctor your "friend"?
Now suppose he has many, many patients all with a lethal disease they don't want to recognize; and suppose they all reject his counsel to do something, even though he is genuinely their friend. Wouldn't he be unhappy?
Is it impossible to conceive of a patient being concerned for the reputation or happiness of his physician? Patients are usually consumed by a me-first mind-set; few make appointments to inquire how the doctor is, and give HIM treatments. Few if any are concerned that he not be forced out of business. The Good News is that the Holy Spirit is "reproving" or "convicting" "the world of sin." The Bad News is that most who need help (His "patients") reject His reproofs and convictions of sin, so that Satan hopes that in the end the Holy Spirit will be proven a failure. Satan's last hope is that "the people of God" will reject His reproof and be involved in the general ruin coming on the earth.
There's a better reason to listen to the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin, than our own little personal salvation. He is Christ's Vicar; His job is to "convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment," the latter because "the prince of this world is condemned" (vss. 9-11). In listening, in receiving His reproof, in giving up the sin He convicts you of, you honor Christ in this last battle of the millennia-long great controversy. The Holy Spirit is your Friend; now be a friend to Him also. Say thanks to Him for His work.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Dial Daily Bread: Perk Up, Nicodemus--There's Hope!
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Nicodemus asked a pointed question that troubles every one of us, young or old: "How can a man be born when he is old?" (John 3:4). The word is geron in the Greek, from which we get gerontology, the science of growing old. (We get our word "grey" from that! In other words, Nicodemus asked, "How can a grey-haired person get converted!?") Roman Catholic leaders say that if they can train a child up to the age of seven, they have him/her for life. Child psychologists pretty well agree that one forms his patterns of thinking and emotional response by that age. Even a teenager has a decade of habit patterns of neurotransmitters developing a momentum hard to change, so he/she too is "old." If you haven't learned to play the violin well by 12, you'll probably never make it to Lincoln Center.
Now, how can a person be truly converted when he is "old"? The world says, "It's impossible." But Jesus took on Nicodemus, and said a decided "Yes!" to his question, "Most assuredly, ... do not marvel!" (vss. 5-7). Then He said that this miracle new birth comes about entirely by the work of the Holy Spirit (vs. 8). Nicodemus was right in one respect--you can't re-birth yourself. Jesus hands out no do-it-yourself "be-born-again" kits. Paul got His point when he said, "From first to last this has been the work of God" (2 Cor. 5:18, NEB). God plants the seed of the new birth in your soul like a wind carrying tree seeds far and wide and you "can't tell" how that gospel seed of hope got blown into your soul (see John 3:8), but it will germinate if you don't step on it and stamp it out. A seed germinating can break rocks and concrete! No human heart is too hard for what the Holy Spirit does therein.
Yes, Nicodemus! when a person is old, he/she can be born again! Jesus said, "Listen!" It happens by looking at Moses's "serpent" lifted up on a pole like the Israelites bitten by the poisonous snakes (vs. 14). The "serpent" represents Christ on His cross. You look and the poison of sin (self-love) is drawn out of your heart. You are born again by believing that love (vs. 16). "By grace you have been saved, through faith" (Eph. 2:8). Perk up, Nicodemus! There's hope.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Nicodemus asked a pointed question that troubles every one of us, young or old: "How can a man be born when he is old?" (John 3:4). The word is geron in the Greek, from which we get gerontology, the science of growing old. (We get our word "grey" from that! In other words, Nicodemus asked, "How can a grey-haired person get converted!?") Roman Catholic leaders say that if they can train a child up to the age of seven, they have him/her for life. Child psychologists pretty well agree that one forms his patterns of thinking and emotional response by that age. Even a teenager has a decade of habit patterns of neurotransmitters developing a momentum hard to change, so he/she too is "old." If you haven't learned to play the violin well by 12, you'll probably never make it to Lincoln Center.
Now, how can a person be truly converted when he is "old"? The world says, "It's impossible." But Jesus took on Nicodemus, and said a decided "Yes!" to his question, "Most assuredly, ... do not marvel!" (vss. 5-7). Then He said that this miracle new birth comes about entirely by the work of the Holy Spirit (vs. 8). Nicodemus was right in one respect--you can't re-birth yourself. Jesus hands out no do-it-yourself "be-born-again" kits. Paul got His point when he said, "From first to last this has been the work of God" (2 Cor. 5:18, NEB). God plants the seed of the new birth in your soul like a wind carrying tree seeds far and wide and you "can't tell" how that gospel seed of hope got blown into your soul (see John 3:8), but it will germinate if you don't step on it and stamp it out. A seed germinating can break rocks and concrete! No human heart is too hard for what the Holy Spirit does therein.
Yes, Nicodemus! when a person is old, he/she can be born again! Jesus said, "Listen!" It happens by looking at Moses's "serpent" lifted up on a pole like the Israelites bitten by the poisonous snakes (vs. 14). The "serpent" represents Christ on His cross. You look and the poison of sin (self-love) is drawn out of your heart. You are born again by believing that love (vs. 16). "By grace you have been saved, through faith" (Eph. 2:8). Perk up, Nicodemus! There's hope.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: "Welcome" Signs are Up, "Keep Out" Signs are Gone
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Why is the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament? Does it say anything to us in the year 2009 A.D. that it didn't say to its readers in the first century A.D.? Immediately we are struck with one outstanding fact: nowhere else in the New Testament is Jesus described as being a "high priest" or even a "priest." Only here in Hebrews does Jesus take on this added dimension. It must mean much to us because an entire book is devoted to explaining it. But what does this new identity mean to us?
Jesus is the true Original of which the ancient high priest in Israel was merely a shadow. Hebrews makes clear that the sanctuary in old Israel was only a shadow or kindergarten "sand-box" kind of toy that represented the great original in heaven where Jesus ministers. Closed doors or drawn veils characterized the old earthly sanctuary; there were no "welcome" signs, only those that said sternly, "Keep out!" No one but the high priest himself was ever permitted to step foot inside the Most Holy Apartment that represented the throne of God. Fear and exclusion permeated the atmosphere the closer you came to the sanctuary.
And the same idea dominates the thinking of multitudes today; they are afraid of God, afraid to pray; they think they see the "Keep Out" signs everywhere. They are afraid even to step inside a church; the place smells like an exclusive club. To all, the Book of Hebrews says loudly, the "Welcome" signs are up, the "Keep Out" signs are gone. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). Walk right in past all the holy angels; they will step back deferentially to make way for you. You are now the elite; they are only "ministering servants" assigned to serve you!
Why do you now have this new prestige that every angel in heaven recognizes? Because you are good? No; the fact is you are a sinner. The reason is that you are now royalty; royal blood flows in your veins because the Son of God "took part of the same" "flesh and blood" that you have so that "in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto [you] His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (2:14, 17).
The angels all worship the great High Priest; they don't worship us, but for sure they respect us! What's our job? "Come boldly." Realize who we are! Let this thought lift your mind from preoccupation with the trifles on this earth.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Why is the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament? Does it say anything to us in the year 2009 A.D. that it didn't say to its readers in the first century A.D.? Immediately we are struck with one outstanding fact: nowhere else in the New Testament is Jesus described as being a "high priest" or even a "priest." Only here in Hebrews does Jesus take on this added dimension. It must mean much to us because an entire book is devoted to explaining it. But what does this new identity mean to us?
Jesus is the true Original of which the ancient high priest in Israel was merely a shadow. Hebrews makes clear that the sanctuary in old Israel was only a shadow or kindergarten "sand-box" kind of toy that represented the great original in heaven where Jesus ministers. Closed doors or drawn veils characterized the old earthly sanctuary; there were no "welcome" signs, only those that said sternly, "Keep out!" No one but the high priest himself was ever permitted to step foot inside the Most Holy Apartment that represented the throne of God. Fear and exclusion permeated the atmosphere the closer you came to the sanctuary.
And the same idea dominates the thinking of multitudes today; they are afraid of God, afraid to pray; they think they see the "Keep Out" signs everywhere. They are afraid even to step inside a church; the place smells like an exclusive club. To all, the Book of Hebrews says loudly, the "Welcome" signs are up, the "Keep Out" signs are gone. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). Walk right in past all the holy angels; they will step back deferentially to make way for you. You are now the elite; they are only "ministering servants" assigned to serve you!
Why do you now have this new prestige that every angel in heaven recognizes? Because you are good? No; the fact is you are a sinner. The reason is that you are now royalty; royal blood flows in your veins because the Son of God "took part of the same" "flesh and blood" that you have so that "in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto [you] His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (2:14, 17).
The angels all worship the great High Priest; they don't worship us, but for sure they respect us! What's our job? "Come boldly." Realize who we are! Let this thought lift your mind from preoccupation with the trifles on this earth.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Dial Daily Bread: Does God Ever Smile at Us?
There is a simple, common word that we use all the time that amazingly is not found in the common English translations of the Bible: "smile" (the KJV concordance goes from "smell" to "smite"). Smiles brighten our lives; does God ever smile at us? If your only beloved one gives you a smile with eyes shining, your heart is lifted. But if only God would give you such a smile, how your inmost heart would sing for joy! Actually, all our yearnings for human love are in reality a longing for God's smile, to see His eyes shining upon us.
The idea of God smiling upon us (or frowning!) is in the Psalms of David: "There are many who say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart" (4:6, 7). God's people "perish at the rebuke of Your countenance" (that is, His frown, 80:16). "How long will You hide Your face from me, ... having sorrow in my heart daily?" (13:1, 2). When David built himself a new house, he dedicated it to the Lord. He wrote: "His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life. ... You hid Your face, and I was troubled" (30:5, 7). "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous [obviously shining and smiling] ... The face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (34:15, 16). If you can't see His smiling face, you are depressed: even for the "innumerable teeming things" of creation ... [if] You hide Your face, they are troubled" (104:25, 29).
Can you earn a smile from God by good works and obedience? "Many" think so, for in the judgment day they will "say," "Have we not ... done many wonderful works?" (Matt. 7:22). What they thought was a "smile" for their good works only fed their complacent ego. We are on safer ground when we appreciate that when the Father "smiled" on Jesus at His baptism ("This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased") He was smiling on us also (Eph. 1:6).
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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The idea of God smiling upon us (or frowning!) is in the Psalms of David: "There are many who say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart" (4:6, 7). God's people "perish at the rebuke of Your countenance" (that is, His frown, 80:16). "How long will You hide Your face from me, ... having sorrow in my heart daily?" (13:1, 2). When David built himself a new house, he dedicated it to the Lord. He wrote: "His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life. ... You hid Your face, and I was troubled" (30:5, 7). "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous [obviously shining and smiling] ... The face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (34:15, 16). If you can't see His smiling face, you are depressed: even for the "innumerable teeming things" of creation ... [if] You hide Your face, they are troubled" (104:25, 29).
Can you earn a smile from God by good works and obedience? "Many" think so, for in the judgment day they will "say," "Have we not ... done many wonderful works?" (Matt. 7:22). What they thought was a "smile" for their good works only fed their complacent ego. We are on safer ground when we appreciate that when the Father "smiled" on Jesus at His baptism ("This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased") He was smiling on us also (Eph. 1:6).
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: Is Temptation Sin?
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Let us pose a profound question that troubles millions: IS TEMPTATION SIN? Jesus said: "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt. 5:28). The usual understanding is that if you're tempted to break the seventh commandment, you've already done it. You'll have to ask God for forgiveness. And if you ask forgiveness for ONE sin, you might just as well ask Him for forgiveness for TWO sins and go ahead and do it, since you're already guilty. Maybe you can get a bargain rate on quantity sins. And there's another inevitable step to take almost immediately: it doesn't take you long to realize that no amount of divine grace will make you un-temptable, or beyond the capability of being tempted. It's ingrained within your very nature to be tempted.
Now, back again to our question: Is temptation sin? How many temptations does it take to equal one sin?
If the answer to our first question is YES, then it follows that the entire plan of salvation must go down the drain because human beings will be tempted to sin as long as they live until either death or translation at the coming of Christ finally delivers them from the capability or possibility of being tempted. There is no such thing as "holy flesh" in this mortal life. If temptation is already sin, then there is no hope of overcoming sin (which is salvation from sin).
But if the answer to our question is NO, if temptation is not of itself sin, if you can be tempted and yet say NO! as Jesus did, then there is hope. Of course, you're helpless to say NO! unless the Savior gives you the grace to say it; but the Good News is that He "took" or "assumed" our sinful nature in order to be "in all points tempted like as we are," and yet not sin (Heb. 2:14-18; 4:15, 16).
Christ WAS tempted, but He never sinned. So you and I can be tempted, and yet not sin! True or false? Everything depends on the right answer.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Let us pose a profound question that troubles millions: IS TEMPTATION SIN? Jesus said: "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt. 5:28). The usual understanding is that if you're tempted to break the seventh commandment, you've already done it. You'll have to ask God for forgiveness. And if you ask forgiveness for ONE sin, you might just as well ask Him for forgiveness for TWO sins and go ahead and do it, since you're already guilty. Maybe you can get a bargain rate on quantity sins. And there's another inevitable step to take almost immediately: it doesn't take you long to realize that no amount of divine grace will make you un-temptable, or beyond the capability of being tempted. It's ingrained within your very nature to be tempted.
Now, back again to our question: Is temptation sin? How many temptations does it take to equal one sin?
If the answer to our first question is YES, then it follows that the entire plan of salvation must go down the drain because human beings will be tempted to sin as long as they live until either death or translation at the coming of Christ finally delivers them from the capability or possibility of being tempted. There is no such thing as "holy flesh" in this mortal life. If temptation is already sin, then there is no hope of overcoming sin (which is salvation from sin).
But if the answer to our question is NO, if temptation is not of itself sin, if you can be tempted and yet say NO! as Jesus did, then there is hope. Of course, you're helpless to say NO! unless the Savior gives you the grace to say it; but the Good News is that He "took" or "assumed" our sinful nature in order to be "in all points tempted like as we are," and yet not sin (Heb. 2:14-18; 4:15, 16).
Christ WAS tempted, but He never sinned. So you and I can be tempted, and yet not sin! True or false? Everything depends on the right answer.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Dial Daily Bread: Romans 8 Demonstrated Before Your Eyes
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Have you ever woke up at night from a bad dream in which you felt lonely, rootless, not knowing who you were or where? Then in a few moments as your mental faculties were re-activated, you began to remember all the good news about yourself. It was like turning your cold computer on, and in a few moments the software in the "lifeless" machine restores itself to what your computer was when you went to sleep that night. It regains its identity.
The Holy Spirit permits us to have these fleeting moments of being "orphans," a taste of what it means to "perish." Then He reminds us of John 3:16: the heavenly Father loves you so much that He gave His only Son for you. He did it; it's been done, "that whosoever [that's you] believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He has redeemed you from being an orphan; by election you are a member of His family, a child of God. As you recover from your bad dream, all this glorious Reality is conveyed to you by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8 was being demonstrated before your eyes: "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit [Himself] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. ... " (vss. 15-17).
The Holy Spirit convicts you that you can call the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ your Father! You can pray the 23rd Psalm--He is your Shepherd. Do you remember when you were a child how secure you felt if your father was with you? He never threatened to disown you with curses if you should make a mistake! You never got the idea he was planning for you to fail. You never had a sense that he had you on probation, that you were always almost on the skids with him. No, you were his beloved child. That's how Abraham "believed in the Lord" when his faith was counted for righteousness. God had no plans for him to fail! That's why He never threatened him with curses, never asked him to promise anything. It was Father-Son business, "heart-religion," not "under law."
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Have you ever woke up at night from a bad dream in which you felt lonely, rootless, not knowing who you were or where? Then in a few moments as your mental faculties were re-activated, you began to remember all the good news about yourself. It was like turning your cold computer on, and in a few moments the software in the "lifeless" machine restores itself to what your computer was when you went to sleep that night. It regains its identity.
The Holy Spirit permits us to have these fleeting moments of being "orphans," a taste of what it means to "perish." Then He reminds us of John 3:16: the heavenly Father loves you so much that He gave His only Son for you. He did it; it's been done, "that whosoever [that's you] believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He has redeemed you from being an orphan; by election you are a member of His family, a child of God. As you recover from your bad dream, all this glorious Reality is conveyed to you by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8 was being demonstrated before your eyes: "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit [Himself] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. ... " (vss. 15-17).
The Holy Spirit convicts you that you can call the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ your Father! You can pray the 23rd Psalm--He is your Shepherd. Do you remember when you were a child how secure you felt if your father was with you? He never threatened to disown you with curses if you should make a mistake! You never got the idea he was planning for you to fail. You never had a sense that he had you on probation, that you were always almost on the skids with him. No, you were his beloved child. That's how Abraham "believed in the Lord" when his faith was counted for righteousness. God had no plans for him to fail! That's why He never threatened him with curses, never asked him to promise anything. It was Father-Son business, "heart-religion," not "under law."
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: Abraham, "Friend of God"
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
People can make God very happy, or they can make Him sad. Abraham made Him so happy that He gave him the title "Friend of God" (James 2:23). He was so delighted with Abraham that He declared that all who embraced the same faith that he had must inherit the whole earth for an everlasting possession with everlasting life to go along with the gift!
Further, God was so happy with him that He promised him and all his descendants to become a great nation, the "head and not the tail," the outstanding example to all the world of what God's salvation is all about. According to the Bible, what made God so happy was that Abraham "rejoiced to see," to perceive, to understand, to grasp, to appreciate Christ as the world's Savior. He "believed in the Lord" (John 8:56; Gen. 15:6). (Remember, the gospel was preached to him as it has been to us, Gal. 3:8.)
Abraham's descendants were to be a corporate body on earth, a "nation," God's church on earth that should evangelize the world. They would corporately honor His name before all the pagan nations.
It was a glorious idea! Israel was to be a nation of special people who would survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, whose richest gain they would count but loss, and pour contempt on all their pride. The Lord would fight for them and give them possession of the promised land; they wouldn't need to bear the sword (Ex. 14:14; Deut. 1:30; 3:22, etc.). He would use some agency that the wisest commentators still don't fully understand called "the hornet" (7:20) that would drive out their enemies.
But Israel largely failed. Even their best leaders blew it. God gave King Saul great military success with his sword; but it went to his head. Even David who praised the Lord in all his Psalms committed adultery with the wife of his bravest, most loyal soldier, Uriah the Hittite, and then murdered him. Solomon's vast wealth and wisdom went to his head. Kings such as Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat for whom the Lord wrought great miracles sullied their life record with tragic mistakes of pride. The prophets all longed for a national repentance that never came until Israel crucified their Messiah.
Now God has a world church through whom He longs to glorify His name before a bewildered, confused modern world in gross darkness. There is Good News: what Jesus died to accomplish will yet be achieved in His church--when they can pour contempt on all their pride.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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People can make God very happy, or they can make Him sad. Abraham made Him so happy that He gave him the title "Friend of God" (James 2:23). He was so delighted with Abraham that He declared that all who embraced the same faith that he had must inherit the whole earth for an everlasting possession with everlasting life to go along with the gift!
Further, God was so happy with him that He promised him and all his descendants to become a great nation, the "head and not the tail," the outstanding example to all the world of what God's salvation is all about. According to the Bible, what made God so happy was that Abraham "rejoiced to see," to perceive, to understand, to grasp, to appreciate Christ as the world's Savior. He "believed in the Lord" (John 8:56; Gen. 15:6). (Remember, the gospel was preached to him as it has been to us, Gal. 3:8.)
Abraham's descendants were to be a corporate body on earth, a "nation," God's church on earth that should evangelize the world. They would corporately honor His name before all the pagan nations.
It was a glorious idea! Israel was to be a nation of special people who would survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, whose richest gain they would count but loss, and pour contempt on all their pride. The Lord would fight for them and give them possession of the promised land; they wouldn't need to bear the sword (Ex. 14:14; Deut. 1:30; 3:22, etc.). He would use some agency that the wisest commentators still don't fully understand called "the hornet" (7:20) that would drive out their enemies.
But Israel largely failed. Even their best leaders blew it. God gave King Saul great military success with his sword; but it went to his head. Even David who praised the Lord in all his Psalms committed adultery with the wife of his bravest, most loyal soldier, Uriah the Hittite, and then murdered him. Solomon's vast wealth and wisdom went to his head. Kings such as Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat for whom the Lord wrought great miracles sullied their life record with tragic mistakes of pride. The prophets all longed for a national repentance that never came until Israel crucified their Messiah.
Now God has a world church through whom He longs to glorify His name before a bewildered, confused modern world in gross darkness. There is Good News: what Jesus died to accomplish will yet be achieved in His church--when they can pour contempt on all their pride.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Dial Daily Bread: What Makes "Fun in Life?"
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, has priceless counsel for us: "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the bad times come and the years draw near when you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them ...'" (Eccl. 12:1, REB).
What he means is, "Before you say, 'There's no fun in life any more ...'" Actually, you make your fun in life, as you go along. And the number of your years does not set a limit on the fun you get out of your life.
What is it that makes the "fun in life?" It's first-hand, friendly fellowship with the Lord Jesus, your Creator and Redeemer.
It may sound strange to say it, but there is no joy in life to match the joy of first-hand communion with your Maker--when you know He is your Friend and Savior.
You have no friend like Him; imagine all the pain of guilt taken away in something called the "atonement." Your Creator and Savior has humbled Himself to be on the level with you. Imagine it--He longs for fellowship with you! Because of Jesus' sacrifice the heavenly Family now includes you!
But one thought now engrosses you: the joy of personal fellowship with your Maker and your Savior. To realize the truth moves your heart beyond any imaginable wonder--Jesus died your second death.
That's infinitely beyond going to sleep for a weekend--our concept of His death on the cross. He could not look down the sweep of centuries yet to come. Jesus surrendered His soul to die for us a death that in itself would be endless; to say "good bye" forever to His Father and all the holy angels; to enter into that dark prison that we call death with no resurrection in sight!
He could not see through the portals of the tomb to see His resurrection coming up; the memory of a resurrection was swept away from Jesus as He hung on His cross. All He could see was darkness ahead. Forever.
That's the kind of Friend He is: He thought He was entering the dark tomb forever. That was the dimension of His sacrificial love for us.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, has priceless counsel for us: "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the bad times come and the years draw near when you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them ...'" (Eccl. 12:1, REB).
What he means is, "Before you say, 'There's no fun in life any more ...'" Actually, you make your fun in life, as you go along. And the number of your years does not set a limit on the fun you get out of your life.
What is it that makes the "fun in life?" It's first-hand, friendly fellowship with the Lord Jesus, your Creator and Redeemer.
It may sound strange to say it, but there is no joy in life to match the joy of first-hand communion with your Maker--when you know He is your Friend and Savior.
You have no friend like Him; imagine all the pain of guilt taken away in something called the "atonement." Your Creator and Savior has humbled Himself to be on the level with you. Imagine it--He longs for fellowship with you! Because of Jesus' sacrifice the heavenly Family now includes you!
But one thought now engrosses you: the joy of personal fellowship with your Maker and your Savior. To realize the truth moves your heart beyond any imaginable wonder--Jesus died your second death.
That's infinitely beyond going to sleep for a weekend--our concept of His death on the cross. He could not look down the sweep of centuries yet to come. Jesus surrendered His soul to die for us a death that in itself would be endless; to say "good bye" forever to His Father and all the holy angels; to enter into that dark prison that we call death with no resurrection in sight!
He could not see through the portals of the tomb to see His resurrection coming up; the memory of a resurrection was swept away from Jesus as He hung on His cross. All He could see was darkness ahead. Forever.
That's the kind of Friend He is: He thought He was entering the dark tomb forever. That was the dimension of His sacrificial love for us.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Sunday, October 11, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: The "Curse" of Marital Infidelity
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
It's not pretty, but there it is--the last word of the OLD Testament is "a curse" (Mal. 4:6), not so much a threat as it is the inevitable Bad News of disaster as the unavoidable consequence of sin. It's the "curse" that came in the flood of Noah when the earth was destroyed, only this one is to be "fire" (vs. 1). It's something God Himself cannot avoid, for "the wages of [our] sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). The human race brought it upon themselves "in the days of Noah," and will do so again, unless somehow help can come.
The "help" that God promises is a totally impossible miracle for humans: God will "send ... Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" (Mal. 4:5, 6). That domestic "turning-of-heart" is the only thing that can avert a global "curse." It concerns marital fidelity and families.
Malachi's context is the "curse" of marital infidelity, for God says "I hate divorce" (2:11-16, NEB). The only remedy for heart alienation is a "turning-of-heart." Marital infidelity was a prime factor in the wickedness before the flood ("they took them wives of all they chose," Gen. 6:2). No one can "turn" his/her own "heart." Jesus predicted that "the love [yes, marital] of many shall wax cold" and "iniquity shall abound" (Matt. 24:12). When love turns cold and the fire in the coals has gone out and hearts are estranged, only "Elijah's message" can reconcile the desolated hearts and cleanse the pollution.
But it can! God has promised to "send him" BEFORE the "seven last plagues" shall be poured out. The story of sinful humanity in the last book of the New Testament tells how the curse will come (Rev. 15, 16). But the Elijah message must come FIRST, perhaps has come to you already. It's more than old covenant resolutions and works; it's a heart-turning "faith-which-works" proclamation of the cross of Jesus, of grace which abounds more than sin.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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It's not pretty, but there it is--the last word of the OLD Testament is "a curse" (Mal. 4:6), not so much a threat as it is the inevitable Bad News of disaster as the unavoidable consequence of sin. It's the "curse" that came in the flood of Noah when the earth was destroyed, only this one is to be "fire" (vs. 1). It's something God Himself cannot avoid, for "the wages of [our] sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). The human race brought it upon themselves "in the days of Noah," and will do so again, unless somehow help can come.
The "help" that God promises is a totally impossible miracle for humans: God will "send ... Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" (Mal. 4:5, 6). That domestic "turning-of-heart" is the only thing that can avert a global "curse." It concerns marital fidelity and families.
Malachi's context is the "curse" of marital infidelity, for God says "I hate divorce" (2:11-16, NEB). The only remedy for heart alienation is a "turning-of-heart." Marital infidelity was a prime factor in the wickedness before the flood ("they took them wives of all they chose," Gen. 6:2). No one can "turn" his/her own "heart." Jesus predicted that "the love [yes, marital] of many shall wax cold" and "iniquity shall abound" (Matt. 24:12). When love turns cold and the fire in the coals has gone out and hearts are estranged, only "Elijah's message" can reconcile the desolated hearts and cleanse the pollution.
But it can! God has promised to "send him" BEFORE the "seven last plagues" shall be poured out. The story of sinful humanity in the last book of the New Testament tells how the curse will come (Rev. 15, 16). But the Elijah message must come FIRST, perhaps has come to you already. It's more than old covenant resolutions and works; it's a heart-turning "faith-which-works" proclamation of the cross of Jesus, of grace which abounds more than sin.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Dial Daily Bread: A Teaching So Simple and Clear
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Some teachings of the Bible are so simple and clear that they are beyond theologians' "interpretation." They are rock-bottom truths that even an innocent child can see, for example: God is love.
* He so loves that He has given and He gives His only Son to save us from an eternal hell; He teaches us to love others with the same love wherewith He loves us; a clear and powerful proclamation of that love is what Jesus means by "this gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 24:14);
* It will be proclaimed so clearly that it is yet to "lighten the earth with glory" (Rev. 18:1-4);
* God has true people who as yet don't understand the message, "other sheep not of this fold," for whom He is also their "Good Shepherd" as He is ours (John 10:11-16);
* These people are in "Babylon," that is, scattered in the confusion of conflicting religions around the world (Rev. 14:8; 18:3);
* They will hear His voice in the proclamation of that final Good News message (John 10:4);
* The love of Christ will bind them all in "one body" of believers (Eph. 4:4-7) who will have come "out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:1-4, 14);
* God so loves these people that He wants to "abide" with them forever, hence the resurrection and translation at the second coming of Jesus.
Muslims as yet don't understand this, but there are some among them who will perk up when they hear it and will "come out of Babylon" when the message is proclaimed clearly. They will leave the legalism of Islam and will embrace "the truth of the gospel," "as the truth is in Jesus" (Gal. 2:5, 14; Eph. 4:21; a child can see that we must understand "this gospel" first!).
Take care of your health; live until Jesus comes; there is great history before us!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Some teachings of the Bible are so simple and clear that they are beyond theologians' "interpretation." They are rock-bottom truths that even an innocent child can see, for example: God is love.
* He so loves that He has given and He gives His only Son to save us from an eternal hell; He teaches us to love others with the same love wherewith He loves us; a clear and powerful proclamation of that love is what Jesus means by "this gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 24:14);
* It will be proclaimed so clearly that it is yet to "lighten the earth with glory" (Rev. 18:1-4);
* God has true people who as yet don't understand the message, "other sheep not of this fold," for whom He is also their "Good Shepherd" as He is ours (John 10:11-16);
* These people are in "Babylon," that is, scattered in the confusion of conflicting religions around the world (Rev. 14:8; 18:3);
* They will hear His voice in the proclamation of that final Good News message (John 10:4);
* The love of Christ will bind them all in "one body" of believers (Eph. 4:4-7) who will have come "out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:1-4, 14);
* God so loves these people that He wants to "abide" with them forever, hence the resurrection and translation at the second coming of Jesus.
Muslims as yet don't understand this, but there are some among them who will perk up when they hear it and will "come out of Babylon" when the message is proclaimed clearly. They will leave the legalism of Islam and will embrace "the truth of the gospel," "as the truth is in Jesus" (Gal. 2:5, 14; Eph. 4:21; a child can see that we must understand "this gospel" first!).
Take care of your health; live until Jesus comes; there is great history before us!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: Does God Ever Get Tired?
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Does God ever get tired? Two Bible texts appear on the surface to give totally contradictory answers: "The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary" (Isa. 40:28). The answer appears to be No. But listen again: He says to His people, "You have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities" (43:24); and "You have wearied the Lord with your words" (Mal. 2:17). Now the answer is Yes.
It's two kinds of "weariness": physically, the Creator is not tired; He holds up the universe in His hands. But in heart, God is wearied with human sin, and all the misery which it has produced: "Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who reverence [fear] Him. For He knows our frame, He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:13, 14).
Speaking of those whose human hearts are sensitive to suffering, Isaiah says: "He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted ... In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them and carried them all the days of old" (63:8, 9). God is indeed a personal Heavenly Father to all whose hearts cry "Abba, Father!" (Rom. 8:15). A child who suffers does not feel the agony as keenly as the sympathizing parent.
When Isaiah says "He redeemed them," it's the entire human race whom He redeemed. As our second Adam, the new Head of the race, and suffering with us and dying our second death (Heb. 2:9), God feels the pain, the tears, the despair of millions. Can you and I share a bit of that suffering? Imagine yourself on Death Row when you know for sure in your heart that you are the innocent party (we have heard of cases of mistaken convictions). Imagine yourself guilty, you did make a tragic mistake, and now you are locked up for life (there are enormous numbers there!). God shares all that pain and agony. Add to that, all who are hopelessly ill, the captives held in the grip of terrible addictions, the broken homes and disappointed marriages, the tears of parents weeping for their children; yes, imagine yourself with your helpless little ones clinging to the branches of a tree in flooded Mozambique--well, Jesus wants to come and put an end to all the suffering in this world.
We speak of His coming as our "blessed hope." Have we ever thought about how it is His "blessed hope"? The clock of the universe has ticked away for thousands of years of sin history; it's time now for God's people to begin to view matters in the same light in which He views them. Then we will be able to pray intelligently, "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven."
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Does God ever get tired? Two Bible texts appear on the surface to give totally contradictory answers: "The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary" (Isa. 40:28). The answer appears to be No. But listen again: He says to His people, "You have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities" (43:24); and "You have wearied the Lord with your words" (Mal. 2:17). Now the answer is Yes.
It's two kinds of "weariness": physically, the Creator is not tired; He holds up the universe in His hands. But in heart, God is wearied with human sin, and all the misery which it has produced: "Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who reverence [fear] Him. For He knows our frame, He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:13, 14).
Speaking of those whose human hearts are sensitive to suffering, Isaiah says: "He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted ... In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them and carried them all the days of old" (63:8, 9). God is indeed a personal Heavenly Father to all whose hearts cry "Abba, Father!" (Rom. 8:15). A child who suffers does not feel the agony as keenly as the sympathizing parent.
When Isaiah says "He redeemed them," it's the entire human race whom He redeemed. As our second Adam, the new Head of the race, and suffering with us and dying our second death (Heb. 2:9), God feels the pain, the tears, the despair of millions. Can you and I share a bit of that suffering? Imagine yourself on Death Row when you know for sure in your heart that you are the innocent party (we have heard of cases of mistaken convictions). Imagine yourself guilty, you did make a tragic mistake, and now you are locked up for life (there are enormous numbers there!). God shares all that pain and agony. Add to that, all who are hopelessly ill, the captives held in the grip of terrible addictions, the broken homes and disappointed marriages, the tears of parents weeping for their children; yes, imagine yourself with your helpless little ones clinging to the branches of a tree in flooded Mozambique--well, Jesus wants to come and put an end to all the suffering in this world.
We speak of His coming as our "blessed hope." Have we ever thought about how it is His "blessed hope"? The clock of the universe has ticked away for thousands of years of sin history; it's time now for God's people to begin to view matters in the same light in which He views them. Then we will be able to pray intelligently, "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven."
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
Dial Daily Bread: The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
If you had been living in the time of Jesus, do you think you would have felt worthy to be called as one of His disciples? The honest truth is that those twelve men were not outstanding personalities, at least most were not. Only three or four give evidence of gifts of leadership. In fact they were not called to be "leaders." They were called to be witnesses. And it doesn't take a great personality to be a witness!
Among the three or four who were leaders is John. When we read his sweet, gentle, gracious three letters written near the end of his life, we can't imagine what he was like at first. We read that at first he was harsh, boisterous, ambitious, combative, critical, impetuous, outspoken, proud, resentful, revengeful, self-assertive, violent in spirit. (Where did I get those phrases? All in the Index!). That's the kind of man that John was when the Lord invited him to leave his fishing business and follow Him in that special 3-year "university training" course.
Some four or five times in his Gospel, John speaks of himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:20). Sounds strange. Was he boasting, telling everybody that he (John) was sort of "teacher's pet"? If so, how do you think the other disciples felt? Didn't Jesus love them too? (Of course they may all have been dead by the time John wrote his Gospel; but that wouldn't forgive his apparent arrogance.)
This had bothered me a long time. Then I remembered: the word John used when he said Jesus loved him was agape; and agape is the kind of love that loves bad people, ugly people, arrogant, harsh, rude, violent people. I think John may be saying, "Folks, the agape of Jesus singled me out simply because I was the most violent, harsh, combative, unworthy of the lot! No, he was not being proud when he said, speaking even after the resurrection, that he was the disciple whom Jesus especially loved. He meant that he was the one who needed that love the most! And look what it did to him. Receive that love yourself--that's all you can do and that's all that John did.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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If you had been living in the time of Jesus, do you think you would have felt worthy to be called as one of His disciples? The honest truth is that those twelve men were not outstanding personalities, at least most were not. Only three or four give evidence of gifts of leadership. In fact they were not called to be "leaders." They were called to be witnesses. And it doesn't take a great personality to be a witness!
Among the three or four who were leaders is John. When we read his sweet, gentle, gracious three letters written near the end of his life, we can't imagine what he was like at first. We read that at first he was harsh, boisterous, ambitious, combative, critical, impetuous, outspoken, proud, resentful, revengeful, self-assertive, violent in spirit. (Where did I get those phrases? All in the Index!). That's the kind of man that John was when the Lord invited him to leave his fishing business and follow Him in that special 3-year "university training" course.
Some four or five times in his Gospel, John speaks of himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:20). Sounds strange. Was he boasting, telling everybody that he (John) was sort of "teacher's pet"? If so, how do you think the other disciples felt? Didn't Jesus love them too? (Of course they may all have been dead by the time John wrote his Gospel; but that wouldn't forgive his apparent arrogance.)
This had bothered me a long time. Then I remembered: the word John used when he said Jesus loved him was agape; and agape is the kind of love that loves bad people, ugly people, arrogant, harsh, rude, violent people. I think John may be saying, "Folks, the agape of Jesus singled me out simply because I was the most violent, harsh, combative, unworthy of the lot! No, he was not being proud when he said, speaking even after the resurrection, that he was the disciple whom Jesus especially loved. He meant that he was the one who needed that love the most! And look what it did to him. Receive that love yourself--that's all you can do and that's all that John did.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Friday, October 02, 2009
Dial Daily Bread: The Gift of the Sabbath
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
No matter who you are or where you are, the Sabbath is a blessing that God does not merely offer you, but GIVES you. You may be sick in hospital, a prisoner on Death Row, but no one can deprive you of the holy hours of the true Lord's Day, the Sabbath.
You don't have to be converted, or be a good person, to receive this "gift" of the Sabbath. It's like the "gift" of justification that Romans 5 says five times God has GIVEN to the world "in Christ," not just offered us. You may have spent your whole life in disregarding this gift of the Sabbath; if so, you have deprived yourself of blessings you could have enjoyed immensely. The one who disregards the holy Sabbath day is like Esau, the man to whom God GAVE the inestimable blessing of the birthright but "despised" it and "sold" it for a trifle of worldly pleasure (Gen. 25:34; Heb. 12:16, 17).
When the Sabbath begins at sundown, welcome its holy hours. Kneel and thank its Giver for it. Turn off the voices of the world so you can hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Don't reduplicate Esau in yourself--don't "sell" even a few moments of this holy time for a worldly indulgence of godless amusement, whether radio, TV, CDs, novels, newspapers, or what. Demonstrate that you cherish and treasure God's GIFT of the holy Sabbath--how else can you demonstrate that you cherish and treasure the sacrifice of the Son of God which Sabbath-keeping "signifies"? (That's how the Sabbath is a "sign" of sanctification, Ezek. 20:12.)
Of course, neither you nor I are the least bit worthy of this GIFT of the Sabbath. Our hearts are by nature carnal; the holy hours of the seventh day find us contaminated with worldly thoughts and desires. Hence, a sincere, honest, thoughtful prayer that the same "Lord of the Sabbath" who created the GIFT may hallow our soiled hearts, cleanse us, and grant us in these holy hours to be a student in the "school of Christ" for this one day.
You'll be sorry to see the Sabbath "go" when again the sun goes down and you'll immediately look forward to another Sabbath to come. We live the six days for this tête-à -tête with our Savior. Which is what it means to "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
No matter who you are or where you are, the Sabbath is a blessing that God does not merely offer you, but GIVES you. You may be sick in hospital, a prisoner on Death Row, but no one can deprive you of the holy hours of the true Lord's Day, the Sabbath.
You don't have to be converted, or be a good person, to receive this "gift" of the Sabbath. It's like the "gift" of justification that Romans 5 says five times God has GIVEN to the world "in Christ," not just offered us. You may have spent your whole life in disregarding this gift of the Sabbath; if so, you have deprived yourself of blessings you could have enjoyed immensely. The one who disregards the holy Sabbath day is like Esau, the man to whom God GAVE the inestimable blessing of the birthright but "despised" it and "sold" it for a trifle of worldly pleasure (Gen. 25:34; Heb. 12:16, 17).
When the Sabbath begins at sundown, welcome its holy hours. Kneel and thank its Giver for it. Turn off the voices of the world so you can hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Don't reduplicate Esau in yourself--don't "sell" even a few moments of this holy time for a worldly indulgence of godless amusement, whether radio, TV, CDs, novels, newspapers, or what. Demonstrate that you cherish and treasure God's GIFT of the holy Sabbath--how else can you demonstrate that you cherish and treasure the sacrifice of the Son of God which Sabbath-keeping "signifies"? (That's how the Sabbath is a "sign" of sanctification, Ezek. 20:12.)
Of course, neither you nor I are the least bit worthy of this GIFT of the Sabbath. Our hearts are by nature carnal; the holy hours of the seventh day find us contaminated with worldly thoughts and desires. Hence, a sincere, honest, thoughtful prayer that the same "Lord of the Sabbath" who created the GIFT may hallow our soiled hearts, cleanse us, and grant us in these holy hours to be a student in the "school of Christ" for this one day.
You'll be sorry to see the Sabbath "go" when again the sun goes down and you'll immediately look forward to another Sabbath to come. We live the six days for this tête-à -tête with our Savior. Which is what it means to "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Dial Daily Bread: Spiritual Preparation
Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
There are two truths that are especially clear to anyone who allows the Bible to speak in its context: (1) We are living in the last days just before the second coming of Christ, and (2) there is a special spiritual work to be accomplished for those who will stand firm for Christ in the "mark of the beast" crisis and be ready to be translated at His coming.
"There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time" (Dan. 12:1). It is spoken of as the "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30:7). No such severe test has ever come to the corporate body of God's people. Although their anguish will be great, God will not forsake them. BUT it will appear to them that He has! In other words, there will be nothing to support them except their faith. This will be no test for "Christians" who are "lukewarm," of childish spiritual development! They will be the ones who will "drink" of Christ's "cup" and will be "baptized with [His] baptism" of spiritual test (see Matt. 20:20-22).
Anyone who feels competent to "drink" of that "cup" just doesn't know his/her own heart! Jeremiah says that in that day "all faces [will be] turned into paleness" (30:6). All will face darkness as black as that which enveloped Jesus on His cross when He cried out, "My God, why have You forsaken Me?" God will NOT forsake them, but everything will tell them that He has; and only their faith will pull them through. At last they will live 100 percent by faith and not even 1 percent by sight. And he who "thinketh he standeth" will be sure to "fall" (1 Cor. 10:12).
It's a cruel deception to lull sincere people to sleep with the thought that no special spiritual preparation is necessary! "Just say your prayers as usual, pay your tithe, try to be good, and you're OK. There's no difference in being ready to die and being ready for that final time of trouble." But there is a difference and it is spelled out clearly in Day of Atonement living. These are the last days when Jesus' words make great good sense: "When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. ... Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time ... that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth" (Luke 21:31-35).
The difference in spiritual preparation? Not a super-works trip, but a more developed faith--the key ingredient in experiential "justification by faith."
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
There are two truths that are especially clear to anyone who allows the Bible to speak in its context: (1) We are living in the last days just before the second coming of Christ, and (2) there is a special spiritual work to be accomplished for those who will stand firm for Christ in the "mark of the beast" crisis and be ready to be translated at His coming.
"There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time" (Dan. 12:1). It is spoken of as the "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30:7). No such severe test has ever come to the corporate body of God's people. Although their anguish will be great, God will not forsake them. BUT it will appear to them that He has! In other words, there will be nothing to support them except their faith. This will be no test for "Christians" who are "lukewarm," of childish spiritual development! They will be the ones who will "drink" of Christ's "cup" and will be "baptized with [His] baptism" of spiritual test (see Matt. 20:20-22).
Anyone who feels competent to "drink" of that "cup" just doesn't know his/her own heart! Jeremiah says that in that day "all faces [will be] turned into paleness" (30:6). All will face darkness as black as that which enveloped Jesus on His cross when He cried out, "My God, why have You forsaken Me?" God will NOT forsake them, but everything will tell them that He has; and only their faith will pull them through. At last they will live 100 percent by faith and not even 1 percent by sight. And he who "thinketh he standeth" will be sure to "fall" (1 Cor. 10:12).
It's a cruel deception to lull sincere people to sleep with the thought that no special spiritual preparation is necessary! "Just say your prayers as usual, pay your tithe, try to be good, and you're OK. There's no difference in being ready to die and being ready for that final time of trouble." But there is a difference and it is spelled out clearly in Day of Atonement living. These are the last days when Jesus' words make great good sense: "When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. ... Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time ... that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth" (Luke 21:31-35).
The difference in spiritual preparation? Not a super-works trip, but a more developed faith--the key ingredient in experiential "justification by faith."
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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