Tag Archive for 'Bible'

Cell Phone vs. Bible

by Jonas Harley | March 30, 2010

I came across this short and very challenging comparision that quickly grabbed my attention . . .

What would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the Text?
What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?

Makes you stop and think, “Where are my priorities?” 

God says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. WHY? “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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God’s Seal of Authenticity!

by Jonas Harley | March 23, 2010

Before the invention of instant communication – when all messages were sent by hand – a king would place his seal on his messages. This seal would function as a sign to the recipient that the message was authentic. In other words, that it really came from the king and not someone else. However, in order for this system to work, the seal needed to be unusual, easily recognizable by others, and exclusive only to the king.

Did you know that God used a “seal” that was unusual, easily recognizable by others, and exclusive only to Him to authenticate His messages? They are better known as miracles! A miracle is a special act of God that interrupts the normal course of events. In other words, it cannot be explained by natural laws (i.e. gravity), natural forces, or anything else in the physical universe. 

The Bible states in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”This is a great verse and certainly brings much joy and peace to my heart knowing that God does forgive sin! Allow me to take a few minutes of your time to biblically prove to you how you can know this inward reality (and others) indeed does take place.

Turn to Mark 2:1-12. In this passage Jesus heals a paralytic man (you know, the one where his buddies lower him through the roof). Notice in verse 5 where Jesus forgives this man’s sins because of his faith. Then the scribes become very intellectual (“…reasoning in their hearts.”) and skeptical which caused them to inwardly question Jesus about His power and authority to forgive sins. Doesn’t that sound familiar? People today are always questioning and doubting God and His Word.

Here is where it gets good and the thrust of this post…verse 9-11…Jesus ”pulls out” His unusual, easily recognizable, and exclusive  ”seal” to prove to the crowd (and to us today) that He indeed does have the power to forgive sin by immediately and completely healing this man from his condition (v.12). Wow! Amen!

Last summer, I received an autograph baseball by Justin Upton (Arizona Diamondbacks) in the mail and along with it came a letter of authenticity to prove to me and others that his signature is genuine! I don’t have to waste any time doubting or questioning the validity of this autograph. Furthermore, when you turn the baseball over there is an unusual, easily recognizable, and exclusive hologram sticker with a code that coordinates with the letter. What more proof do I need? Its the real deal!     

In the same manner, although I can’t physically see my sins washed away, or the Holy Spirit empowering me to do His work , or the grace of God comforting me in a time of trial I can rest assure that these inward invisible realities do happen because of this awesome miracle that took place in Mark 2. Becaues Jesus Christ had the power to heal this man I know He has the power to forgive my sins today!

Every miracle you read about in Scripture is God’s way of authenticating His Truth to us!

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The 2010 Bible!

by Jonas Harley | January 26, 2010

The 2010 Bible is the one you hold in your hand! This year may bring a lot of unknowns, what are you going to depend on in 2010? Are you going to depend on your own ability to make decisions? Are you going to depend on your skills to get through the tough times? Are you going to depend on your bank account? Are you going to depend upon circumstances? Where are you placing your dependence in 2010?

There are 5 reasons why you can depend on your Bible in 2010. Let’s briefly examine each of them using Psalm 119 as a guide.

1. Your Bible is the best defense against sin (Psalm 119:1-3, 9-11). Sadly, but sin will be at an all time high in 2010. There will be increased hatred and conflicts among nations, children disobeying their parents, teens doing drugs, immorality, and crime, married couples filing for divorce, pastors disqualifying themselves from ministry, gay marriage, and the list goes on and on. However, the good news is God’s Word will still be the best preventative against sin in 2010! This will not change! Remember, Sin will keep you from your Bible or your Bible will keep you from sin.

2. Your Bible illumines God’s will for your life (Psalm 119:105-106). This year you will have to make decisions regarding your life, but are you going to make the right and biblical decision and how will you know? There is no better source than to allow the Word of God light your path. In the Bible times people who wanted to travel at night would carry olive oil lamps in the palm of their hand. The flame would shed just enough light for the person to see his or her next step. This is what we would call an “ancient flashlight.” With that in mind reading this passage makes sense now! God will use His Word to give you enough light to see your next step. The safest place to be in 2010 is in the center of God’s will.

3. Your Bible exposes truth and error (Psalm 119:115-119). This year will bring many “new” ideas, methods, technologies, religions, programs, inventions, etc. The USA Today printed an article (1/5/10) entitled, “In America’s next decade, change and challenges,” take a look at some of the “new” stuff they are predicting in the next 10 years…

  • Space tourism. By 2020, travelers with a few hundred thousands dollars to spare probably will be able to book a real flight to outer space.
  • Brain chip implants. You might be able to control TVs, computers and phones just by thinking of something– provided you’ve an implanted wireless chip in your brain. 
  • Alternative fuels. If customers are willing to buy electric-powered cars– the Chevrolet Volt debuts at the end of 2010.

Some, not all, of “new stuff” will be contrary to God’s Word and will seek to deceive you. However, you can confidently face 2010 and beyond without fear because God’s Word is very clear about discerning truth from error (see Hebrews 4:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

4. Your Bible reveals the characteristics of God (Various). This year the Bible will be very clear in revealing the character of God and that will not change. Think over all the blessings, mishaps, gains and losses, trials, and provisions that took place in 2009…now think about God’s character during those times. God is seeking to reveal Himself to through His Word. Are you looking forward to how God will reveal Himself to you in 2010?

5. The Bible is still standing the test of time (Psalm 119:160). God promises that His Word will never return void (empty, useless) or become irrelevant (Isaiah 55:11) regardless of the year. For example, here are some major events that took place 100 years ago in 1909 -

  • William Taft becomes the 27th President.
  • Construction begins on the Titanic.
  • The gas station, BP, is incorporated.
  • Alice Ramsey becomes the first female to drive across America (59 days; NY to SF).
  • The Pittsburgh Pirates win the Word Series.
  • US Navy establishes a base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Guess what?! The Bible was just as true, inerrant, sufficient, profitable, and timeless then as it is now, 100 years later! Although circumstances may change and people come and go God’s Word is forever (1 Peter 1:24-25).

In conclusion, you may not know what 2010 specifically holds for you, but you do know your Bible can be depended on this year! Go out and live a life that brings glory and praise to God in 2010!

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You are a Torchbearer!

by Jonas Harley | December 30, 2009

The Vancouver Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony is just around the corner (February 12, 2010)! Before you know it the “big” torch will be lit and the games will begin!

Several months before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games (summer and winter) a torch is ceremonially lit in Olympia, Greece and then is relayed throughout parts of Greece and then handed off to a representative of the hosting Country (in this case Canada). From there, the Olympic Flame will make a trans-Atlantic flight and arrive in Canada, signaling the start of the 106-day 45,000 kilometer (27,961 miles) Olympic Torch Relay leading up to the opening ceremony.

The flame will be carried by 12,000 torchbearers who each have a brief and personal time relaying the flame. All the torchbearers have one goal in mind and that is to successfully run their leg of the relay so the flame is at the intended end.       

The other night I was reading 1 Peter 1:23-25, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

After I read that I immediately thought that it’s my turn to carry the “flame” of the gospel. I’m a “gospelbearer” of the Word of God. Based on this passage the Word of God is going to endure forever but I will not. Think about all the Christians who ran their “leg” in the 1500s, 1700s, 1800s… their “leg” of carrying the gospel is over but the “flame” is still going. Now the “flame” has been passed to you.

So how are you running? Are you keeping the gospel pure? Are you defending the gospel? Are you proud to carry the gospel? Do you take delight in running for Christ?

You only have one “leg” to bear the flame of the gospel of Jesus Christ and then it will be time to pass it off to the next generation.

 Praise God for the eternal Word of God. We need more faithful “gospelbearers” who will run well! How are you running?

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