Author: Michael Somers

Today’s reading: Exodus 7; Luke 10; Job 24; 1 Corinthians 11

February 24th, 2016

When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. – Genesis 7:9

When I used to read this I would think, “Why would God associate with a serpent? Aren’t they bad, like Garden of Eden bad? Why choose this as a miracle?” When posing these types of questions about the Exodus event to a good friend and he pointed me in the right direction and encouraged me to make a study of finding answers. Here are some of the answers I found in my studies.

Why turn the rod in to a serpent? Why a serpent? Have you ever seen Pharaoh’s headdress? Recall the cobra at the crown of Pharaoh’s head. In Egyptian culture the serpent represented spiritual authority. The serpent on Pharaoh’s headdress was a statement that he held supreme spiritual authority. When Moses turns the rod into a serpent it is much more than a miracle, it is a statement that Moses through God had the spiritual authority. Pharaoh’s whole existence was based on the fact that he was god. The one and only true God sent Moses to put Pharaoh in his place. I have come to believe that this was a statement and a warning of things to come. 

Why I AM WHO I AM? When Moses asks God who to say sent him, God says tell them I AM sent you. According to ancient Egyptian culture and beliefs there was one god who was self existent, whom all the other gods came from, and who was the king of their gods, they called him Amun. I AM is from the Hebrew יְהֹוָה meaning “I am the existing one”. Or put another way, nothing besides myself contributed to my existence. So when Moses called out to Pharaoh that I AM says let My people go. Pharaoh, though through a perverted form of the undeniable truth, knew to pay attention. 

Why the 10 plagues that were chosen? One of my friends likes to refer to the 10 plagues as the 10 smack downs. Let me explain his titling. The 10 plagues start off with turning the Nile to blood. Interestingly enough the Egyptians worshiped gods such as Khunum, the god and guardian of the Nile. The plagues continue on picking off Egypt’s top gods one after another and in groupings. For example, there were several prominent Egyptian gods associated with the Nile. The more I study them alongside the plagues the more amazing the event becomes. God has all the authority and He did not leave a shred of doubt to that end. The 10 plagues end with two of the most affront attacks on Egyptian beliefs. The 9th plague is directed toward two Egyptian gods, or rather one combined god. Amun and Ra combined to Amun-Ra. Amun, mentioned above, was believed to be the creator of all other gods and the king of the gods. He was somehow combined with Ra, the god of the sun, to form a some sort of super false god, Amun-Ra. The 9th plague blotted out the sun, as if to say “I AM is here to say your mega super false god does not have any spiritual authority.” Lastly, the 10th plague targets the god who is most real and most highly worshiped to the Egyptian people, Pharaoh himself. Considered to be the son of Ra, this plague takes the next in line, cutting off the linage of the people’s greatest connection to their gods.

A bit of history. Interestingly enough, in 1400 BC, about 50 or so years after the last plague, Pharaoh Akhenaten changed Egypt into a monotheistic culture claiming there was only one true god and pointing to a “war” among the true god and the other 1,000 plus false gods, in which the false gods were destroyed. Temples and statues of the false gods were abandoned and even destroyed. A new city was built and dedicated to this one true god. No images of the god were allowed to be created. No worshiping of the other false gods was allowed, with strict enforcement in the new Egyptian capital city.

Amidst other societal and political pressures many high standing priests lost their power. After Pharaoh Akhenaten died and his second son, Pharaoh Tutankhamun, or perhaps you, as I, know him, King Tut, took power, working with his advisors they returned the Egyptian people to their polytheism roots. But the history of Egyptian culture’s brief encounter with a monotheistic belief structure remains. The more I study the history behind this event, the more I find that the truth cannot be denied. 

 

Today’s reading: Genesis 50; Luke 3; Job 16–17; 1 Corinthians 4

February 17th, 2016

One of my fundamental understandings of God comes from Hebrews 12:29

For our God is a consuming fire. -Hebrews 12:29

From today’s reading we get another glimpse of this truth from John the Baptist  

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. – Luke 3:16-17

From this we start to understand a sense of finality in two states by way of one process. Just a few verses earlier:

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God – Luke 3:6

From God’s Word it is my understanding that God will baptize. We choose; by Holy Ghost or by fire. Frightening, is it not? Do you believe?

My hope and joy is to be in God’s presence with Jesus. My fear and trembling is to be in God’s presence without Jesus. I choose the Holy Ghost. Praise God that He is a giver of good gifts to the undeserving!

I have meet people who have ‘grown up in the church’ and proclaim now to be atheists. On one occasion during discussion with such a fellow, I thought to myself “He does not know God. The things he says of God are not true. Let me proclaim His name.” Seems like an obvious realization; atheist doesn’t know God, right, let me explain. It became clear to me that although he had, as he put it, “grown up in the church”, (perhaps meaning their family attended church) he had a view of God something of the sort of Santa Claus. A great being with all the stuff. When I told him of my joy and trembling of meeting God one day, he did not understand. When I told him who God was, a consuming fire with no tolerance for sin; and of our need for Jesus, he said “That’s in the bible? I’ve never heard that.”

Among many other things in Proverbs, we learn that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and that wisdom will save us from all sorts of trouble, even from death. It is a great tragedy that some are deceived into thinking they know God but do not receive the fear of the LORD. May we all get to know our God and be saved.

In the classic Christian tale, Pilgrim’s Progress, Hope and Christian, two of the main characters, are talking of the Fear of the LORD on their pilgrimage to the Celestial City:

Hope: How will you describe right fear?

Christian: True, or right fear, is discovered by three things:

1. By its rise. It is caused by saving convictions for sin.
2. It drives the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation.
3. It begets and continues in the soul a great reverence of God, His Word, and ways; keeping it tender, and making it afraid to turn from them, to the right hand or to the left; to anything that may dishonour God, break its peace, grieve the Spirit, or cause the enemy to speak reproachfully.

Today’s reading: Genesis 38; Mark 8; Job 4; Romans 8

February 5th, 2016

In the past when I have gone through, what some may refer to as difficult times, I do my best to listen to the Spirit and seek out what God is trying to teach me. Wednesday night was one of these times. A time when a situation, so gripping on the soul, that a moment’s loosening can create so much hope that it will end. During one of these flash of relief I found myself, in prayer, begging God that the relief would continue through the night. When the relief ceased, I began to beg its return. But, by the grace of God, being of sound mind, the Spirit returned my thoughts to the question at hand; “what are You trying to teach me LORD?”

An answer came, “Perseverance”. Whenever answers come clear, I can not help but be overwhelmed with thankfulness that God would consider a wretch like me. I praised God from my heart for keeping His loving eye on me and it was at that moment I believe my lesson in perseverance began. Thankfulness, contagious as it is, spilled over and took hold the situation.

Instead of begging God that relief would return I began to praise Him for the relief that had come. Thanking Him for the sweetness of it. Then realizing His goodness, I began thanking Him for the next wave of relief that I knew would come. I was at this moment I felt a strong sense of the difference between hope and faith. Praying for something in hope being different than certainty of receipt thereof and thanks therein. He is good! I began to understand how trusting in God’s goodness breeds the faith in deliverance and how perseverance is rooted deep in a holding fast on certain goodness to come. Knowing that relief was coming made turned the moments grip on my soul from bearable to gone. It was already gone. I was already in the future where it was gone. Faith had mounted me up on wings like eagles; my strength had been renewed.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry miracles are preceded by faith. From today’s reading following Jesus feeding 4,000 we have the Pharisees demanding a sign. Jesus’ response:

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. – Mark 8:12

This word generation γενεά means: same generation; people of the same kind; descendants; age. I do not believe that generation here used means what we commonly use the term for now; baby boomers, millennials, etc. Particularly so because a miracle had just been performed, which, in my estimation, could easily have been taken as a sign from heaven. But rather meaning more: people of the same kind.

God may we be a people whose trust in You gives us faith like a child. May this faith unlock the miracles You give to Your generation. May You be glorified and may we witness to all the earth the Good News the miracle of saving grace. Amen.

 

Today’s reading: Genesis 25; Matthew 24; Esther 1; Acts 24

January 24th, 2016

In Matthew 24 Jesus speaks of the end times. Upon this His disciples asked Him for help:

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. – Matthew 24:3b-4

I’m not sure how the disciples felt but I know I had the thought “that wasn’t really an answer” the first few times I read this account. But my spirit told me I should know better then to think that. To be sure, upon reflection, was it not the best answer? Could Jesus have been saying, let this be your sign, that as the end times come deception will run rampant? Not only giving an answer but also giving a command that can save us. Be not deceived.

Deception is indeed all around us. May we not be deceived. May we be accurate in our interpretation of God’s word and not led astray from the way.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. – 2 Timothy 3:1–7

May we believe the Word as truth and may our minds be renewed through the real power of Jesus Christ. May we cling to the Word and be not deceived.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

God would You put up an hedge around us that our paths be lit always in the power of truth? God would You give us understanding so that we may keep Your law with all our hearts? Would You turn our hearts toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain? Would you turn our eyes away from worthless things and preserve our life according to Your word? God we need You. Keep us LORD, would You please? I ask this in Jesus Name. God, thank You. You are good!  Amen.

1.12.16

Today’s reading: Genesis 13; Matthew 12; Nehemiah 2; Acts 12

Often when I read God’s living word, I find myself stopping to say something of the sort “Wait, what’s that all about?” Today’s reading started off this way.

Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. -Genesis 13:4

This phrase ‘called on the name of the Lord’ confused me. I thought to myself “that is an interesting way to say Abram worshiped the Lord. What does an old testament sacrifice have to do with God’s Name?” Seeking for answers, I looked for the phrase throughout the Bible. I found it used in several places throughout the Bible, old and new testament, such as; Gen 4:26, Gen 13:4, 1 Ki 18:24, 2Ki 5:11, Joe 2:32, Ac 2:21, Ac 22:16. To me, it became more clear what this meant with each of the old testament occurrences but none more than in the prophecy of Joel and then later in Acts.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered:… -Joel 2:32

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16

I also looked into the individual words used which helped me better understand the phrase.  The root word for ‘called’, as in Abram called on the Name of the Lord is קרא, which I learned can be used in several different forms. In the form it is used here, it is also used throughout chapter one of Genesis when God is naming his creation: ‘calling the light day’ and so on. Interesting. So not necessarily called as in; Tom called on Jane, but more; Tom called Jane beautiful. Put another way, calling something what it is. 

This phrase ‘calling on the name of the Lord’, in my estimation then, is a proclamation of faith that God is who He reveals Himself to be. Put another way, announcing officially or publicly “God is who He says He is! Jesus is the Christ! I profess my dependence on Him and commit to following Him.” Perhaps not that specifically, but you get the idea.

Another interesting revelation from this study is that this proclamation of faith is a consistent term, if you will, of all the covenants that God graciously enters into with His undeserving people throughout the Bible. Throughout the covenants, we are called to be His witnesses.

In the old testament making sacrifices and observing special holidays was a way to be different from the other people of the earth and in so doing the others could see from afar that these people we’re proclaiming God’s Name. Imagine an animal being sacrificed. Such an act would not go unnoticed by the neighbors. It would be loud. The smell, far-reaching. Like unto it, many of the rhythms of holiday observances and pilgrimages, people about would take notice; ‘There go God’s people.’ As we adhere to the covenants we proclaim God’s name.

Today, Jesus tells us that love will be the signal to all the world that we are His disciples.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. -John 13:35

Trying to think on why love is the way to proclaim God’s name in the new covenant may be another study entirely. Perhaps receiving the Spirit was the only way we would be capable of sending such a signal? Acts 1:8

I feel this understanding has presented me a most precious opportunity to consider a few questions. Can the way I live, the way I love, go unnoticed by the neighbors? When I love does it point straight to God? Does it proclaim His name? God help me. 

The vision statement at Eastview names the local church dangerous witnesses who have ridiculous love.  Perhaps the kind of love that can not go unnoticed? Perhaps the kind of love that is so unselfish, so supernatural, it can only become through the power of the Spirit? God, would you accept my life as a living sacrifice? God, would you help me take up my cross daily and focus on things eternal, letting go of the temporal? God, would you turn my heart towards Your statues and not toward selfish gain? 

 

Further reading from past studies:

• Upholding God’s reputation as His witnesses from the 10 commandments
• Called to live different from the culture
• Take up my cross daily

Today’s Reading: Genesis 6; Matthew 6; Ezra 6; Acts 6

The Flood has been a great source of questions for me but none more than why. Why would God do this? From today’s reading, recent studies, and a most interesting lesson from a good friend; I think perhaps another piece as to why this happened, has fallen into place for me. Along a journey that starts in the Garden of Eden and ends in Revelation I think some clues are provided as to why.

Our journey starts where the conflict started, in the Garden of Eden. Satan has tossed in a wrench of deception in God’s perfect creation which led to the fall of man. God is allotting the punishment for the tragic episode and it is the serpent’s turn:  

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. -Genesis 3:15

Interesting. So the seed of the woman will bruise the head of satan. 

Similar to how satan attempts to foil God’s design in the Garden of Eden we see again satan’s attempt to thwart God’s judgement three chapters latter in the prolog to the story of the Flood. If the seed of the woman were to bruise the serpent’s head, is it possible that he would attempt corrupt her offspring to cut off God’s planned judgement from the source?

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,  That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. –Genesis 6:1–3

From my research the majority of Bible Scholars seem to hold that the term here ‘sons of God’ is in reference to angels. If anyone will ever know for certain I am not quite sure. Whether it was satan and his angels who laid with the daughters of Eve, Cain’s line intermarrying with Adam’s new seed (Gen 4:25) which was Seth’s line, or something else happened here, the result is certain and clear; a corruption of the generations or otherwise put; a corruption of the offspring. 

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. -Genesis 6:5

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. -Genesis 6:11–12

But lo, there was still one who was “perfect in his generations.” A remnant from which God would replenish the earth.

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. -Genesis 6:9

By replenishing the earth through Noah is it possible that God was purifying the world from satan’s attempt to save himself from God’s judgement? Was it perhaps satan’s plan to corrupt all of mankind to save himself? 

I mentioned earlier that the story continues through Revelation. We know now that the seed of the woman is Jesus Christ our LORD and Savior. We have seen the cosmic battle between God and satan continue throughout the Bible so that God can bring this Seed forth to save us. Indeed, though the battle is won, it appears to still rage to this day. That satan would deceive. That many may not know the battle even happened. May the truth prevail. 

I think Revelation 12 depicts the cosmic battle on a sort of spiritual realm. Perhaps a realm where time happens all at once. Certainly a realm I have had difficulty understanding. I encourage you to consider reading it with this battle in mind. It has always made for an interesting Christmas eve story in our home.

God, amidst the holiday season I am reminded I am Yours by purchase. Thank You for paying the price to save me even though the cost was so great. I do not deserve to be purchased LORD. Amen.

A Testimony from our founder: 

Several years ago, I found myself wanting more from God and more for God. While I could not pinpoint what this looked like, I fearlessly committed to taking a first step toward living my life more fully for Him. In short, I determined that I needed to know him personally and intimately. For too long, I had relied on the wisdom and words of others to tell me about His greatness and I realized the need to personalize His word. Sadly, for a period of time, I resisted the urges and longings that the Holy Spirit had placed in my heart. These were nudges toward a deeper commitment that would require my devotion of time and energy toward knowing him. Occasionally, I would find myself submitting to the Holy Spirit. However, as I often do with physical exercise, my time was characterized by “fits and starts.” This random and careless approach contributed to my mediocrity and left me luke-warm, always knowing that I was missing something.

Thankfully, the Lord is persistent. Rather than give up on me, He provided me with additional tools in which to pursue his word. Most notably was a one-year Bible reading program. The premise is simple. Read a little bit everyday and, over time, you will have read the entire Bible. Of course, my commitment did not come without a fight. I resisted, utilizing the usual excuses about not having time and followed with other, more complicated justifications, ranging from intelligence to worthiness. Despite my defiance, I committed to reading everyday, for one year. I would read the entire Bible.

Needless to day, that year was filled days of extreme difficulty and days of extreme joy. This is true of any worthwhile endeavor.   I was not, however, prepared for the life changes that would unfold. While I could go into these details, I think far more important are the implications a similar commitment might have on your own life. I do know that God has big plans for your life, as he does mine. I also know that this American life prevents us from fully discovering the life worth living that he promises. If you are feeling the pull of the Holy Spirit, inviting you to discover the freedom and abundance of a Christ-following life, join me on a one-year journey. Choose today, to set aside excuses and ask Him if this is the right choice for you.

~ BJ Armstrong, Elder at Eastview Christian Church.

 

Mission

To present everyone mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28)

Vision

6,000 Christ-followers who interact with and experience God, daily, through his living and active word

Values

• God’s word is infallible
• God’s word is living, active and transformative (Romans 12:2, Heb 4:12)
• God provided us his word (2 Timothy 3:16)
• The Word reveals who God is and his character
• God’s word is worthy (Phil 4:8)
• The Heart’s joy and delight (Jer 15:16)
• Essential for salvation (1 Peter 1:23)