Andy Bonikowsky's Blog, page 24
January 18, 2014
Bethlehem's Kings
What an interesting parallel between a shepherd and his town. David was chosen from humble obscurity to be the king of Israel. Centuries later the tiny city named after him was selected to be the birthplace of the King of Kings. God loves to surprise!
November 5, 2013
Naturalism's inevitable decline
It is no surprise to find that apostles Paul & John agree with each other, but this particular subject I find quite interesting. In 1 Tim 4:1 and Rev 9:20 they both concur on the increased level of demonic spirituality surfacing at the end of the age. To some of us this may sound unlikely, since in our society it seems like the atheist and skeptic are getting the upper hand. And yet, in the grand scheme of things, the vast majority of humanity refuses to accept such illogic and still believes in a divine being, or beings, of once kind or another. No matter how loudly the philosophers broadcast that randomness and blind, mechanical processes are behind reality, the human mind cannot ultimately digest this naturalistic worldview. Each new generation will need fresh brainwashing in order to believe it. It should not surprises us then, that the Bible reveals a broad interest in the occult as we move towards the Day of Christ. Sadly, though mankind overwhelmingly accepts the fact that there is a spiritual world, the law of sin naturally bends us towards the evil side of the war.
We must make the most of preaching in this wonderful age of Grace, when the Spirit of God is still busy changing men's hearts and shining in them the light of the Gospel!
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, givingheed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; . . . and the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: (1 Tim 4:1 and Rev 9:20)
We must make the most of preaching in this wonderful age of Grace, when the Spirit of God is still busy changing men's hearts and shining in them the light of the Gospel!
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, givingheed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; . . . and the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: (1 Tim 4:1 and Rev 9:20)
October 4, 2013
JAM#147, The Rock
He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He. (Deuteronomy 32:4)
When is the last time you recognized God as the Rock of your life?
Maybe it's been a while.
For many of us the analogy may be a little strange. In our western world at least, few live in conditions where rocks are that visible or talked about. We may see the occasional rock garden, river bed, or decorative wall. But even in those cases, rocks are more a matter of beauty or style. The fact that rocks are present in the concrete that surrounds us or the foundations that give stability to our buildings is out of sight, and mostly, out of mind.
Because of this we may walk oblivious to the strong comfort enclosed in this image.
However, one thing is clear: The men and women of Bible days considered it of utmost importance and encouraged each other with it often.
Moses opens his eloquent song about Jehovah's uniqueness with the powerful statement that He is the Rock. He continues to hammer away at the theme by mentioning it six other times in the chapter. But he was not the first. Jacob introduced us to the title when he blessed Joseph in Gen. 49. Centuries later Hannah picked up the baton as she thanked the Lord for giving her baby Samuel, saying, "neither is there any rock like our God." David wasn't going to be left out either, and ascribed this same imagery to his heavenly King at least two dozen times in the Psalms.
As we flip over into the New Testament we run into the metafor right away, in Matthew's record of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus closes it with a parable in which He compares obedience to His teaching with wisely building a house on a rock. Finally, Paul adds a fresh perspective to the theme when he identifies the reason behind Israel's miraculous survival in the desert as the Rock that followed them, whose name was Christ.
So the children of God were people of the Rock.
In its shade they found refuge from danger and adversity. When being attacked by enemies or surrounded by conflict, they came to find shelter in the secret place of the Most High.
On the Rock they were protected from shifting sands of circumstances. The flash floods of national catastrophes or personal accidents would come, but they could anchor their attitudes on the solid doctrines of His character.
Out of it came spiritual water and food for their souls. The written Word of the prophets or their audible preaching was the expression of the divine will and brought strength to their hearts.
They were safe. They were secure. They were satisfied.
No wonder they sang about their Rock!
How about me? Am I standing on the Rock?
My attitudes in daily life will answer that question.
Dear Father, I want to echo the words of Your servants in past ages, honestly and intelligently. My tendency to think and act in either self sufficiency or exasperation is an insult to You and a clear expression of my pride. I praise You for being the Rock on which my forgiveness and eternal hope stand firm. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Andy
When is the last time you recognized God as the Rock of your life?
Maybe it's been a while.
For many of us the analogy may be a little strange. In our western world at least, few live in conditions where rocks are that visible or talked about. We may see the occasional rock garden, river bed, or decorative wall. But even in those cases, rocks are more a matter of beauty or style. The fact that rocks are present in the concrete that surrounds us or the foundations that give stability to our buildings is out of sight, and mostly, out of mind.
Because of this we may walk oblivious to the strong comfort enclosed in this image.
However, one thing is clear: The men and women of Bible days considered it of utmost importance and encouraged each other with it often.
Moses opens his eloquent song about Jehovah's uniqueness with the powerful statement that He is the Rock. He continues to hammer away at the theme by mentioning it six other times in the chapter. But he was not the first. Jacob introduced us to the title when he blessed Joseph in Gen. 49. Centuries later Hannah picked up the baton as she thanked the Lord for giving her baby Samuel, saying, "neither is there any rock like our God." David wasn't going to be left out either, and ascribed this same imagery to his heavenly King at least two dozen times in the Psalms.
As we flip over into the New Testament we run into the metafor right away, in Matthew's record of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus closes it with a parable in which He compares obedience to His teaching with wisely building a house on a rock. Finally, Paul adds a fresh perspective to the theme when he identifies the reason behind Israel's miraculous survival in the desert as the Rock that followed them, whose name was Christ.
So the children of God were people of the Rock.
In its shade they found refuge from danger and adversity. When being attacked by enemies or surrounded by conflict, they came to find shelter in the secret place of the Most High.
On the Rock they were protected from shifting sands of circumstances. The flash floods of national catastrophes or personal accidents would come, but they could anchor their attitudes on the solid doctrines of His character.
Out of it came spiritual water and food for their souls. The written Word of the prophets or their audible preaching was the expression of the divine will and brought strength to their hearts.
They were safe. They were secure. They were satisfied.
No wonder they sang about their Rock!
How about me? Am I standing on the Rock?
My attitudes in daily life will answer that question.
Dear Father, I want to echo the words of Your servants in past ages, honestly and intelligently. My tendency to think and act in either self sufficiency or exasperation is an insult to You and a clear expression of my pride. I praise You for being the Rock on which my forgiveness and eternal hope stand firm. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Andy
September 9, 2013
JAM#146, Shine Forever!
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)
When he first heard these words Daniel was an old man, well over 70. He had served his Lord faithfully for nearly sixty years, which in itself was a rare testimony.
Add to this the humiliating details of his circumstances and some of the reasons he is a hero of the faith surface quickly. Yanked out of his home and country as a teenager, made a eunuch and forced to serve pagan kings, he still gave his life to God's service. Somehow he embraced this graciously as the will of Jehovah for him.
Perhaps as a reward for his special faith, the elderly prophet received some of the most important end time prophecies in all of the Bible. The last one, spanning more than two chapters, ends with this interesting promise:
God's wise children will shine as the stars forever.
By itself that would be a very odd statement. How in the world are faithful believers going to shine as stars?
Fortunately, the Holy Spirit gives a number of complementary passages that can shed a little light on the meaning. One of these is in the grand resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15. As the apostle is explaining the glories of resurrected bodies, he makes a interesting observation, that at first glance hardly seems to fit the context.
Celestial bodies, he says, are very different one from another. Their individual glory varies immensely, a fact that modern equipment has only helped to confirm. Apparently, no two planets, stars, or galaxies are the same! This, of course, testifies to the infinite wisdom and power of our Creator.
But it does more than that. It also illustrates something about our heavenly future.
Just as the expanse above us displays a vast army with different purposes and levels of shining glory, so will the future, eternal universe, teeming with redeemed souls. The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord will determine our eternal ability to shine according to our faith and works in this, our brief stay on earth.
We will all shine! Believers, no matter to what degree they influenced others for righteousness, will glow as stars . . . eternally!
I do not know exactly how this will happen, but God does. He will define it perfectly and make it happen.
But it is also significant that not all will shine with the same radiance. Our proper and never ending reward will be linked to our faithfulness to God right here, right now.
Most of us are familiar with "The just shall live by faith", and each of us has been given a measure of faith. But do we live by it? Or do we give in to doubts that distract us, waste away our time, and neutralize our spiritual usefulness?
How much of my daily life is really lived by faith in the God I cannot see?
Daniel obviously did a pretty good job with his, and he is an inspiration to me.
Dear Father, You have given me so much. You have blessed me in every direction I look. Please help me shine for Your glory here, so I can also be a bright testimony to Your grace for all eternity. Amen.
Andy
When he first heard these words Daniel was an old man, well over 70. He had served his Lord faithfully for nearly sixty years, which in itself was a rare testimony.
Add to this the humiliating details of his circumstances and some of the reasons he is a hero of the faith surface quickly. Yanked out of his home and country as a teenager, made a eunuch and forced to serve pagan kings, he still gave his life to God's service. Somehow he embraced this graciously as the will of Jehovah for him.
Perhaps as a reward for his special faith, the elderly prophet received some of the most important end time prophecies in all of the Bible. The last one, spanning more than two chapters, ends with this interesting promise:
God's wise children will shine as the stars forever.
By itself that would be a very odd statement. How in the world are faithful believers going to shine as stars?
Fortunately, the Holy Spirit gives a number of complementary passages that can shed a little light on the meaning. One of these is in the grand resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15. As the apostle is explaining the glories of resurrected bodies, he makes a interesting observation, that at first glance hardly seems to fit the context.
Celestial bodies, he says, are very different one from another. Their individual glory varies immensely, a fact that modern equipment has only helped to confirm. Apparently, no two planets, stars, or galaxies are the same! This, of course, testifies to the infinite wisdom and power of our Creator.
But it does more than that. It also illustrates something about our heavenly future.
Just as the expanse above us displays a vast army with different purposes and levels of shining glory, so will the future, eternal universe, teeming with redeemed souls. The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord will determine our eternal ability to shine according to our faith and works in this, our brief stay on earth.
We will all shine! Believers, no matter to what degree they influenced others for righteousness, will glow as stars . . . eternally!
I do not know exactly how this will happen, but God does. He will define it perfectly and make it happen.
But it is also significant that not all will shine with the same radiance. Our proper and never ending reward will be linked to our faithfulness to God right here, right now.
Most of us are familiar with "The just shall live by faith", and each of us has been given a measure of faith. But do we live by it? Or do we give in to doubts that distract us, waste away our time, and neutralize our spiritual usefulness?
How much of my daily life is really lived by faith in the God I cannot see?
Daniel obviously did a pretty good job with his, and he is an inspiration to me.
Dear Father, You have given me so much. You have blessed me in every direction I look. Please help me shine for Your glory here, so I can also be a bright testimony to Your grace for all eternity. Amen.
Andy
July 24, 2013
Sure or Cocky?
It is a good thing to be firm in Christ, absolutely sure of His grace, presence, and power. However, we should always be alert to keep the flesh from sowing its seed in our confidence. Pride will sprout, cockiness will flower ...
and we are then ripe for the fall.
(Mk. 14:31, But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.)
and we are then ripe for the fall.
(Mk. 14:31, But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.)
July 12, 2013
JAM#145, From Night to Light
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night . . . and there came also Nicodemus, which at first came to Jesus by night. (John 3:1-, 19:39)
Three windows are all the Holy Spirit gives us to understand His work in the heart of Nicodemus, that intriguing man who visited the Savior by night. Curiously enough, the trio of accounts are in the same Gospel, the one written by fisherman John.
We find the first in chapter three, so famous for its sixteenth verse. Here the influential teacher of Israel is introduced to us as he made his initial, secretive, nighttime visit. No specific reason is given for why he chose to approach Jesus after dark, but quite clearly he did not want to be seen. Whether that was out of pure fear, professional discretion, or simple practicality will remain a mystery until we get to heaven.
The scene closes after a lengthy answer by the Lord, in which He draws special attention to the striking Old Testament story of the bronze serpent. We have no recorded response of Nicodemus, but this prophetic illustration must have made a huge impression on him.
In chapter seven a second window opens, this time into a larger setting. A furious group of Pharisees and priests are scolding some of their officers who failed to haul in Jesus as ordered. As they ridiculed the men for being swayed by the Lord's words, the whole bunch is stunned by a voice that spoke up in Christ's defense.
It was Nicodemus.
Again the passage closes with no comment by the teacher.
The third and final window swings open in chapter nineteen, and this time we see things happening in the broad daylight of a crucifixion scene. As the Lord is being lowered from the cross a rich member of the Sanhedrin steps forward. This man has been in the shadows for a long time, afraid to identify himself with Jesus. But now, setting aside his fears, Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for the crucified body.
As he goes to get it he is joined by another wealthy Jew.
Nicodemus!
Though it is impossible to enter his mind for the exact thoughts, the implication is that they were triggered by the "lifting up" of the Savior. For many months he had remembered, watched, hesitated . . . but when he saw Christ raised high on the cross the light of understanding pierced his soul.
This was what Jesus had told him would happen, back when they had had their private conversation. He was the one to look at! He was the one to believe in! He was the Savior who loved the world!
Nicodemus' story can remind us all of an important truth as we sow the Gospel in tough hearts. God is not necessarily in a hurry like we usually are and can be working in a soul when we have no inkling of progress.
As His Spirit softens the mind and cracks its brittle arguments, the sinner is being guided to a specific crossroads. When it dawns on him that Jesus was crucified in his place, all the previous intellectual obstacles can be vaporized in a second.
And God alone will be glorified.
Dear Father, You are always doing way more than I realize, and Your calendar is perfect. Help me be faithful in sowing and confident in Your Spirit's work.
Andy
Three windows are all the Holy Spirit gives us to understand His work in the heart of Nicodemus, that intriguing man who visited the Savior by night. Curiously enough, the trio of accounts are in the same Gospel, the one written by fisherman John.
We find the first in chapter three, so famous for its sixteenth verse. Here the influential teacher of Israel is introduced to us as he made his initial, secretive, nighttime visit. No specific reason is given for why he chose to approach Jesus after dark, but quite clearly he did not want to be seen. Whether that was out of pure fear, professional discretion, or simple practicality will remain a mystery until we get to heaven.
The scene closes after a lengthy answer by the Lord, in which He draws special attention to the striking Old Testament story of the bronze serpent. We have no recorded response of Nicodemus, but this prophetic illustration must have made a huge impression on him.
In chapter seven a second window opens, this time into a larger setting. A furious group of Pharisees and priests are scolding some of their officers who failed to haul in Jesus as ordered. As they ridiculed the men for being swayed by the Lord's words, the whole bunch is stunned by a voice that spoke up in Christ's defense.
It was Nicodemus.
Again the passage closes with no comment by the teacher.
The third and final window swings open in chapter nineteen, and this time we see things happening in the broad daylight of a crucifixion scene. As the Lord is being lowered from the cross a rich member of the Sanhedrin steps forward. This man has been in the shadows for a long time, afraid to identify himself with Jesus. But now, setting aside his fears, Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for the crucified body.
As he goes to get it he is joined by another wealthy Jew.
Nicodemus!
Though it is impossible to enter his mind for the exact thoughts, the implication is that they were triggered by the "lifting up" of the Savior. For many months he had remembered, watched, hesitated . . . but when he saw Christ raised high on the cross the light of understanding pierced his soul.
This was what Jesus had told him would happen, back when they had had their private conversation. He was the one to look at! He was the one to believe in! He was the Savior who loved the world!
Nicodemus' story can remind us all of an important truth as we sow the Gospel in tough hearts. God is not necessarily in a hurry like we usually are and can be working in a soul when we have no inkling of progress.
As His Spirit softens the mind and cracks its brittle arguments, the sinner is being guided to a specific crossroads. When it dawns on him that Jesus was crucified in his place, all the previous intellectual obstacles can be vaporized in a second.
And God alone will be glorified.
Dear Father, You are always doing way more than I realize, and Your calendar is perfect. Help me be faithful in sowing and confident in Your Spirit's work.
Andy
May 26, 2013
Saints or Animals (Dt. 9:15-16)
Every person will ultimately live out one of two life roads. Either he chooses to follow the tablets that God handcrafted on the mountain or he embraces the worldly substitute, hastily sculpted by human hands. Ultimately, the first elevates man's character to that of a saint; the second lowers his behavior to that of an animal.
(Dt. 9:15-16, So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire: and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands. And I looked , and, behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you.)
(Dt. 9:15-16, So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire: and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands. And I looked , and, behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you.)
