Who is in the Driver’s Seat?

A great many saints today have pride of race, pride of face, and pride of grace - they are even proud they have been saved by grace! My friend, your salvation ought not to make you proud, it is not even something to brag about. It is something about which to glorify God, and it is something that should humble you. Aren't you ashamed of yourself that you have to be saved by grace because you are such a miserable sinner? I wish I had something to offer God for salvation, but I have nothing. Therefore, I must be saved by grace, and I cannot even boast of that.

Pride is that which is destroying the testimony of many Christians and has made them very ineffective for God. They go in for show, but the thing they are building is a big haystack. They are not building on the foundation of Christ with gold and silver and precious stones. Pride has a great many saints down for the count of ten; it has pinned the shoulders of many to the mat today.

What is pride? Pride of heart is the attitude of a life that declares its ability to live without God. We find in the Book of Obadiah that pride of heart had lifted up the nation of Edom just like Esau who had despised his birthright. Even in the home of Isaac, where there was plenty to eat, he liked that bowl of soup, and he liked it more than he liked his birthright. He didn't care for God at all. In despising that birthright, he despised God. And now Esau had become a great nation that had declared its ability to live without God.

"Thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?" (Obadiah 1:3). They dwelt "in the clefts of the rock." They were living in great buildings which were hewn out of solid rock inside this great canyon and up and down the sides of it. They were perfectly secure - at least they thought they were. The Edomites had signed a declaration of independence. They had a false sense of security and had severed all relationship with God. They had seceded from the government of God. They had revolted and rebelled against Him.

Now what is God going to do in a case like this? "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord" (Obadiah 1:4). The eagle is used in Scripture as a symbol of deity. The Edomites were going to overthrow God as Satan had attempted to do, and they were going to become deity. They were going to handle the business that God was supposed to handle. "And though thou set thy nest among the stars" - this was the sin of Satan, for he sought to exalt his throne above the stars. God says, "Thence will I bring thee down."

How many people today are attempting to run their lives as if they were God? They feel that they don't need God, and they live without Him. The interesting thing is that when God made us He did not put a steering wheel on any of us. Why? Because He wants to guide our lives. He wants us to come to Him for salvation first, and then He wants to take charge of our lives. When you and I run our lives, we are in the place of God. We are in the driver's seat. We are the ones who are the captains of our own little ships or our own little planes, and we are going through the water or the air just to suit ourselves. That is pride, and anyone who reaches that position, if he continues in it, is committing a sin which is fatal because it means he will go into a lost eternity.

--From Edited Messages on Obadiah by J. Vernon McGee

9 Powerful Reminders from the Miracle at the Red Sea

Miracle after miracle God had performed on behalf of His people, finally leading them straight out of slavery, away from the cruel hand of the Egyptians. He set them free. Free from oppression. Free from captivity. Free from bondage. And the adventure was just getting started.

When Pharaoh let the people go, God didn’t lead them on the road that made most sense. The Bible tells us in Exodus 13, that though the path was shorter right through the Philistine country, God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” V. 17

So He led them around the desert road over towards the Red Sea. Hot, dry, barren wasteland. I can almost see the sea looming off in the distance. And hear the grumblings starting. Feel the fear rising. As the Israelites got closer that sea must have looked bigger and deeper. An obstacle that seemed too difficult to overcome. Their eyes focused on the problem. They forgot about the bigness of their God.

Questions loomed. How were they going to get across that thing? Surely someone had made a wrong turn. But just how do you go about doing a U-turn with 2 million people in tow?

9 Powerful Reminders from the Red Sea Miracle:

1.  God knows what He’s doing.  “So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea...” Ex. 13:18​  Even if the way He’s leading doesn’t seem to make much sense and His timing seems off, or the wait and journey get long, and wandering in desert places is the last thing we want to do, we can trust Him. Always. He knows our way. He sees the big picture. He has good in store. And though it may not have been what we would have chosen,  or how we would done things, we can thank Him for His Sovereignty, His care over us, and His leadership. 

​2.  God leads our way.  “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to given them light…” Ex. 13:21  God will not leave us to fend for ourselves, struggling to find our way. He will lead us. He promises to. We may not see him in a pillar of cloud or fire these days, but we have His Word, and the Holy Spirit to give guidance to our days. He is with us, He gives wisdom, He provides direction, so we never have to fear being left on our own to figure things out. He goes ahead of us, He walks with us, and He guards our way from behind. His Word gives truth and life and shows us the way to walk in this world.

3.  God is able to turn the hearts of kings. He holds all things in His hands. He can turn around the evil workings in this world to ultimately bring glory to His name, so that all will know that He is the One True God. “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” Ex. 14:4

4.  When we see obstacles, God sees opportunities. He will make a way where there seems to be no way out. The bigger the problem, the greater his ability to shine right through it all. “The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea...” Ex. 14:9 Things were looking bleak and dark, yet God had a plan. And it was amazing.

5.  We can focus on the problem or we can choose to trust God. The Israelites were terrified when they saw the enemy coming their way.  They doubted their leader, they questioned God, they complained, they grumbled, they panicked.  Yet God didn’t get mad at their humanity or fears. He only asked for their obedience. And their trust.  “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”  Ex. 14:14

6.  Prayer is vital, yet sometimes God says, “It’s time to get moving!” God may ask for stillness and trust and other times he might say, “Get going and keep trusting.” God said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” Ex. 14:15  It’s so important to listen for his voice, to know when to be still, and also to know when to get up and move forward. His voice will lead us, He never leads in confusion, but always with assurance and clarity. There’s times in life when we pray about a decision and even though God shows us what to do, we get stuck along the way. So, we just say we're still "praying about it." Over and over. Instead of moving forward. And doing what He’s already said to do. If we ask Him for wisdom to know the right steps to take, he will always provide direction. He will open doors on our behalf and close those that need to be shut too.

7.  God will work powerfully on our behalf, but He often asks for our obedience first. God asked Moses to do one thing. “Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” Ex. 14:16  Moses was asked to obey God's voice. And with staff raised and hand outstretched, God's Mighty Power unleashed. That sea not only divided, but the people walked right through it on “dry ground.” Not even a hint of sinking sand. As God’s children, we aren’t destined to walk in mud and mire.  He dries up the path before us so we’re heading out on firm ground. He is our sure foundation. Our obedience to His voice will always lead to blessing.

8.  God will stand between us and the enemy. We never fight alone. He will send his angels to fight for us and guard us. He Himself will fight for us and guard us. That’s how much He loves us and desires to set His protection over us. “Then the angel of God…withdrew and went behind them.  The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them…”Ex. 14:19  He will hem us in from all sides and keep us under His care. It doens't mean we won't ever face the battle, but we can know that He is surely with us in the midst of it.

9.  Our God is a God of miracles. This same God who divided the Red Sea so the Israelites crossed on dry ground, and covered up the enemy in the depths of that same sea, bringing salvation to His people—this is the same God who works on our behalf today. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. “And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” Ex. 14:31

We may be facing our own Red Sea moment this week. Maybe the enemy seems hot on our trail, lurking close, whispering lies and defeat, trying his best to trip us up. Maybe the obstacles that loom before us seem way too hard to overcome. We want to turn back. We want to give up. We find ourselves questioning God and doubting His care and love over us.

But it still doesn’t change this one Truth. He’s with us. And He fights for us today. As believers who have made the choice to put our faith and trust in Christ, we can stand on the assurance that He will never leave us or forsake us.  He will lead us. He will bring honor to Himself through even the hardest circumstances we face in this life.  He is strengthening us and guiding us continually.

His plans for our lives will never be thwarted by the enemy’s attacks. Though it may seem like he’s winning at times, he does not have full control. God’s still greater.

And sometimes when we’ve done all we know to do, he whispers these words down deep into our soul, “…you need only to be still.”

For the Lord fights for you.

Peace.

Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DebbieWebbMcDaniel, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives.

Find her also at http://twitter.com/debbmcdaniel.

Ako ay isang Muslim, bakit ko pa kailangang maging kristyano?

Marahil ang pinakamahalagang kaugnayan ng Islam at Kristiyanismo ay ang sinasabi ng Koran tungkol kay Hesus. Ayon sa Koran, ipinadala ni Allah si Hesus at Kanyang tinulungan sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo (Sura 2:87), itinaas ni Allah si Hesus (Sura 2:253), si Hesus ay matuwid at walang kasalanan (Sura 3:46; 6:85; 19:19), si Hesus ay muling binuhay mula sa mga patay (Sura 19:33-34), inutusan ni Allah si Hesus na magtayo ng relihiyon (Sura 42:13), at si Hesus ay bumalik sa langit (Sura 4:157-158). Dahil dito, dapat alamin at sundin ng mga tapat na Muslim ang mga itinuturo ni Hesus (Sura 3:48-49; 5:46).

Detalyadong isinulat ng mga alagad ang mga aral ni Hesus sa unang apat na aklat ng Bagong Tipan. Ayon sa Sura 5:111, ang mga alagad ni Hesus ay tinulungan ni Allah na maniwala kay Hesus at sa kanyang mensahe. Ayon naman sa Sura 61:6, 14, si Hesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay mga katulong ni Allah. At bilang mga katulong ni Allah, siguradong tama ang pagkakasulat nila sa mga turo ni Hesus. Inuutos ng Koran sa mga Muslim na paniwalaan at sundin ang Torah at ang unang apat na aklat sa Bagong Tipan (Sura 5:44-48). Dahil walang kasalanan si Hesus, katotohanan lahat ang kanyang itinuro. At dahil ang mga alagad ni Hesus ay mga katulong ni Allah, tama ang kanilang mga isinulat na katuruan ni Hesus.

Itinuturo ng Koran na dapat pag-aralan ng mga Muslim ang mga aklat sa Bagong Tipan tungkol kay Hesus. Hindi ito iuutos ni Allah kung hindi mapagkakatiwalaan ang mga aklat na iyon. May mga bahagi ng Bibliya tungkol kay Hesus na isinulat 450 taon bago pa isulat ang Koran. Napakaraming kopya na ang nagawa mula sa apat na aklat ng Bagong Tipan. Kung ikukumpara ang lumang kopya sa mga kopya sa panahon ni Muhamad at sa mga kopyang ginawa pagkatapos ng panahon ni Muhamad ay makikita natin na halos walang pagkakaiba ang mga sinasabi nila tungkol kay Hesus at sa kanyang mga turo. Walang kahit anong ebidensya na may pinalitan o idinagdag sa mga aklat. Dahil dito, nakatitiyak tayo na totoo ang lahat ng turo ni Hesus at walang anumang mali sa pagkasulat sa unang apat na aklat ng Bagong Tipan. Patunay ito na iningatan ni Allah ang tamang pagkakasulat sa mga aklat na naglalaman ng Mabuting Balita tungkol kay Hesus.

Do faith in God and science contradict?

Science is defined as “the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.” Science is a method that mankind can use to gain a greater understanding of the natural universe. It is a search for knowledge through observation. Advances in science demonstrate the reach of human logic and imagination. However, a Christian’s belief in science should never be like our belief in God. A Christian can have faith in God and respect for science, as long as we remember which is perfect and which is not.

Our belief in God is a belief of faith. We have faith in His Son for salvation, faith in His Word for instruction, and faith in His Holy Spirit for guidance. Our faith in God should be absolute, since when we put our faith in God, we depend on a perfect, omnipotent, omniscient Creator. Our belief in science should be intellectual and nothing more. We can count on science to do many great things, but we can also count on science to make mistakes. If we put faith in science, we depend on imperfect, sinful, limited, mortal men. Science throughout history has been wrong about many things, such as the shape of the earth, powered flight, vaccines, blood transfusions, and even reproduction. God is never wrong.

Truth is nothing to fear, so there is no reason for a Christian to fear good science. Learning more about the way God constructed our universe helps all of mankind appreciate the wonder of creation. Expanding our knowledge helps us to combat disease, ignorance, and misunderstanding. However, there is danger when scientists hold their faith in human logic above faith in our Creator. These persons are no different from anyone devoted to a religion; they have chosen faith in man and will find facts to defend that faith.

Still, the most rational scientists, even those who refuse to believe in God, admit to a lack of completeness in our understanding of the universe. They will admit that neither God nor the Bible can be proved or disproved by science, just as many of their favorite theories ultimately cannot be proved or disproved. Science is meant to be a truly neutral discipline, seeking only the truth, not furtherance of an agenda.

Much of science supports the existence and work of God. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” As modern science discovers more about the universe, we find more evidence of creation. The amazing complexity and replication of DNA, the intricate and interlocking laws of physics, and the absolute harmony of conditions and chemistry here on earth all serve to support the message of the Bible. A Christian should embrace science that seeks the truth, but reject the “priests of science” who put human knowledge above God.

https://www.gotquestions.org

Ang Tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham.

Ang Tipan ay isang kasunduan sa pagitan ng dalawang panig. May dalawang pangunahing uri ng Tipan: Ang tipan na may kundisyon at tipan na walang kundisyon. Ang tipan na may kundisyon o “bilateral” ay kasunduan na nakasalalay ang tagumpay sa parehong partido. Dapat na pumayag ang dalawang partido sa mga nakasaad sa kasunduan. Kung mabigo ang isang partido sa pagganap sa mga kundisyon ng kabilang partido, masisira ang kasunduan at hindi magaganap ang layunin ng kasunduan. Ang Tipan na walang kundisyon o “unilateral” ay isang kasunduan sa pagitan ng dalawang partido, ngunit tanging ang isa lamang sa dalawang partido ang gagawa para sa katuparan ng layunin ng kasunduan. Walang hinihinging kundisyon ang isang partido sa kabilang partido.

Ang Tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham ay isang kasunduan na walang kundisyon. Nangako ang Diyos kay Abraham, at wala siyang hininging kapalit o anumang kundisyon kay Abraham. Inilalarawan sa Genesis 15:18–21 ang isang bahagi ng Tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham, partikular ang lawak ng lupain na Kanyang ipinangakong ipagkakaloob kay Abraham at sa kanyang angkan.

Ang aktwal na Tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham ay makikita sa Genesis 12:1–3. Ipinahihiwatig ng seremonya na nakatala sa Genesis 15 ang walang kundisyong kalikasan ng Tipang ito. Ang tanging pagkakataon na dumadaan ang parehong partido sa hinating katawan ng isang hayop ay kung ang tagumpay ng Tipan ay nakasalalay sa pagtupad ng magkabilang partido sa mga kundisyon ng Tipan. Patungkol sa kaganapan sa Genesis 15, mababasa na isang hurnong umuusok, at ang isang tanglaw na nagniningas ang dumaan sa gitna ng hinating katawan ng mga hayop. Nangangahulugan ito na tanging sa Diyos lamang nakasalalay ang kaganapan ng Kanyang Tipan kay Abraham. Sa kasong ito, walang duda na tanging sa Diyos lamang nakasalalay ang tagumpay ng Kanyang pangako kay Abraham. Itinalaga ng Diyos ang Kanyang sarili sa Kanyang Tipan kay Abraham. Pinatulog ng Diyos si Abraham upang hindi ito dumaan sa pagitan ng hinating katawan ng mga hayop. Kaya nga, malinaw ang mensaheng ipinapakita sa mga talata, na tanging sa Diyos lamang nakasalalay ang katuparan ng Kanyang Tipan kay Abraham.