What does Ebenezer Mean?

If you love Christmas stories, then you are likely familiar with Charles Dickens' squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous old sinner, Ebenezer Scrooge. This mean old meiser is the main character of the masterpiece known as A Christmas Carol (1843). It's a fictitious novella that on its own reads as a well written ghost story with a happy ending, but in combination with the spirit of Christmas and greater understanding of the book's symbolism and characters,  A Christmas Carol is a story about salvation, new life beyond the grave, good will  and the hope that one life can change for the better. That's a lot of great messages to gather from the story, but there's even more that can be gained from simply examining the main character's name. Though the last name "Scrooge" has little meaning beyond sounding cold and twisted, the first name "Ebenezer" has meaning and roots found in the Bible.

"Ebenezer" was not a name Dickens would have heard on the streets of 19th century London, but it is a title he might have heard in church. The word "Ebenezer" appears in 1 Samuel. In the days before David and even Saul ruled, the Israelites "had no king, and everyone did as they saw fit," (Judges 21:25). During this age, when Israel's own priests had blasphemed the Lord (1 Samuel 3:13), the Isrealites were enemies with the Philistines. One time "the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer," and the Philistines "deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines," (1 Samuel 4:1-2). The Israelites believed they lost that battle at Ebenezer, because God was not with them, so they went out to face the Philistines again at the same place (1 Samuel 4:3). This time they brought the Ark of the Covenant with them. The Ark was a beautiful hand carved golden box placed in the most holy place in the Tabernacle, and once a year the high priest would put the blood of a sacrifice on the lid of the Ark and ask God for forgiveness for all of Israel's sins (Exodus 25:22). The Israelites believed that if they took the Ark of the Covenant, God's physical dwelling place on earth, into battle then the Philistines would be crushed, but instead the Philistines defeated the Israelites, killed thousands of them and stole the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4:10-11).

The Ark of the Covenant's lid was known as the Mercy Seat,
and this was where sacrifices to God for the forgiveness of
all of Israel's sins would be made (Exodus 25:17-22).

The Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant from Ebenezer to their home in Ashdod, but God's power overwhelmed them, and after seven months the Philistines sent the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel. After this, "all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord," and they assembled at Mizpah to fast before God and confess their sins (1 Samuel 7:2,5-6). The Ark of the Covenant was not with the Israelites at Mizpah. The Philistines, though, discovered the Israelites there, and they mounted up an army to attack them. The Israelites were scared, but instead of mounting up their own army, they went to their high priest Samuel and said to him "Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that He may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines," (1 Samuel 7:8). The Isrealites prayed that God would be their salvation; that He would help protect them from their enemies. Then Samuel made a sacrifice to God for all of Israel and God answered Samuel's prayers (1 Samuel 7:9). The astonishing history of what happened next is revealed in the following text of 1 Samuel chapter 7 from verse 10 to 11:

While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

On that day the Isrealites were reminded of a truth David would one day
write down; that God is their salvation; their help in time of need (Psalm 27:1).

The Israelites were amazed at the supernatural victory the Lord had given them, and they did not lose a single man in battle. It was then that the high priest Samuel "took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us,'" (1 Samuel 7:12). The title "Ebenezer" literally translates to "stone of help." During this time period when a stone was placed somewhere specific, it was meant to serve as a reminder of something important. When the Isrealites saw Ebenezer they would be reminded of how God had helped them when they called on Him. Of course, the name "Ebenzer" would also remind them about their earlier battle against the Philistines, back when they had turned away from God, lost many lives and even their closest connection to the one true God. The stone of help would remind them how much they needed God's help.

The story of "Ebenezer" in 1 Samuel reminds readers of two moments in Israel's history, a time when Israel turned away from God and a time when they sought God above all things. One word, "Ebenezer", illustrates the wickedness of Israel and their salvation as well. This is the same with Charles Dickens' character Ebenezer Scrooge, whose name first evokes thoughts of a cold hearted man and then turns to thoughts of one described as the most kind hearted man to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. So, how does a whole nation of wicked misguided souls become a people crying out to God alone, and how does a greedy wretch become a merry old man? Neither can do it on their own. They need help.

Ebenezer Scrooge commits his life to honoring Christmas all year with all his heart,
and we can commit our lives to honor Christ's life, by crying out to God,
believing in Him and receiving His help; His salvation (John 1:12).

We all are like the nation of Israel or Scrooge, that we were once self obsessed sinners wandering in the dark to our certain demise. Yet, we have hope and a chance of leaving this darkness, for "the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned," (Isaiah 9:2). Even though we cannot help ourselves, God has come to help all those in need (Romans 5:8). We were in need of help and rescue from our evil hearts, and for those who believe, God has heard their cries and has given them new hearts so that they may be free from their darkness (Ezekiel 36:26). God freely gives salvation for all those who believe in Him, so that may have a new life beyond the grave (John 3:16). For a world of sinners, Christ came to shed His blood as a sacrifice for forgiveness, and this sacrifice has ended the need for any more (Hebrews 10:15-18). God came down to earth to help those in need; to bring peace on earth and good will to all who seek Him (Luke 2:14). This is something we should always remember, and we do remember through the celebration of Christmas.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Hither by thy help I’ve come;

And I hope, by thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He to rescue me from danger,

Interposed his precious blood.

- Robert Robinson

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol (1843)
• London Guidedwalks: Why Choose the Name Ebenezer Scrooge
• Bible Gateway Dictionaries: Ebenezer
• Knowing Jesus: Verses about Ark of the Covenant
• Chris Tomlin: Come Thou Fount

Matthew 2:1-2 (Magi from the East followed a Star)

Matthew 2:1-2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.”

Nativity displays primarily feature four main characters, baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. Past these characters are three others who can be in the Nativity, near it or sometimes even far away to make a journey towards it. These characters are the three wisemen, or, as they are known in the Bible, the Magi. Not much is known about these Magi, but quite a great deal has been sung about them. So, what does the Bible say about the Magi?

First off, the Magi were not present at Jesus' birth on that first Christmas night. While the shepherds were hearing the voice of angels (Luke 2:8-14), and Mary and Joseph were laying the savior of the world in a bed of hay (Luke 2:7), the Magi were more than 800 miles away living comfortably in the kingdom of Persia. They lived in the kingdom that was once Babylon, which is where Daniel and his friends had all been sent into exile. While in exile, Daniel had risen through the ranks in king Nebuchadnezzar's court and he became one of the king's trusted seers and advisors. Daniel's job in Babylon was the same job that the Magi had in Persia. They were tasked with examining and interpreting dreams, along with various signs and wonders observed in the sky. One day the Magi discovered a wonderous star that demanded interpretation. This star was not like others, as it did not appear to move, and it seemed to rest over a specific spot on earth.

There have been many scientific theories as to what the star over Bethlehem
might have been, however none of them have yet to perfectly explain the Biblical celestial
sign that remained in the sky for a long time at a perfectly fixed point, despite the earth's rotation. 

The Magi, unlike Daniel and his friends, were not Jewish, and so they did not always interpret the stars according to what the Bible says. This wonderous star's mysterious sudden origins were so perplexing, though, that the Magi consulted the Jewish Scriptures; likely copies of the holy scrolls brought into their kingdom during Israel's exile. In those Scriptures the Magi found this written in what we now call the book of Micah chapter 5 verses 2 and 4:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

    though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for Me

    one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old,

    from ancient times.

He will stand and shepherd His flock

    in the strength of the Lord,

    in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.

And they will live securely, for then His greatness

    will reach to the ends of the earth.

From this verse, the Magi interpreted that in the far off nation of Israel in the lowly town of Bethlehem a great King who was equal to the God of the Jewish people would be born (This is what is meant by the words, "out of you will come for Me"). Though the Magi found no writings in the Jewish Scriptures saying this great King's birth would be marked by a star (because there are no verses in the Bible giving such specific prophecy), the Magi knew that the star had to relate to this great King's birth. Now, the Magi were not twisting Scripture to confirm their own findings; something we should avoid doing. What they were doing was interpreting their observable reality based on the reality written in Scripture; that this great King who is to come will be announced through signs and wonders (Isaiah 7:14). Certainly, the star they saw would apply as a sign and wonder. The Magi may have also been aware of a verse in Numbers that says, "A star will come out of Jacob," (24:17). Though this verse does not say the star is a visible sign in the sky, it does give the prophecy that a king will come from Israel, and so the Magi saw the star over Judea as a sign of this coming king.  In this way the Magi were practicing a Biblical principle of interpretation known as hermeneutics. Simply put, using hermeneutics is interpreting reality based on Scripture, and then interpreting Scripture that is unclear based on other Scripture that is very clear. This practice of the Magi is one we should all adopt.

Knowing the star they saw would show them the way to the newborn King, the Magi set off on a long journey across two vast deserts, two large rivers and a series of roads that measured out to be a little bit over 1,000 miles. (For perspective, a road trip across the continental United States is about 3,000 miles long.) They likely traveled on camelback in a caravan and had to stop and rest in many towns on their way to Bethlehem. Their whole trip may have taken four to six weeks, and that's only if their caravan didn't stop at many towns, which it likely did for supplies and picking up and dropping off travelers.

The Kingdom of Persia was located in modern day Iran,
and the town of Bethlehem was and still is in Israel. 

When the Magi finally made it to Bethlehem they were overjoyed, when they saw the star they were following resting directly above one house (Matthew 2:9-10). In Mary and Joseph's house at this time was not a newborn baby, but a young toddler between one and two years old (Matthew 2:16). When the Magi saw the child with His mother, they worshiped Him immediately. There is no other greater response to finding the King of all creation, than falling down and honoring Him for all He has done (Psalm 96:4-5). The Magi presented Jesus with three gifts: Gold appropriate for the King of King's glory (Isaiah 42:8), frankincense as an offering of priestly incense (Isaiah 9:6) and myrrh which is a resin used for preparing the dead for burial (Isaiah 53:10).

One king held the frankincense

One king held the myrrh

One king held the purest gold

And one king held the hope of the world

- Point of Grace

The Magi were the first Gentiles (non-Jewish people) to worship Jesus as their King, Lord and Savior. Jesus would say when He was older that He was sent in His life only to those in Israel (Matthew 15:24), and Paul would later write that the life of Christ "brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile," (Romans 1:16). We see this truth demonstrated clearly among the characters in the Nativity story. Mary, Joseph and the shepherds were Jewish and all of them were verbally told that Mary's child was their long awaited Savior and King. The Gentile Magi, though, were not told directly, but had to interpret the Scriptures and signs in their observable reality. While this may seem like God is being favortistic to the Jews over the Gentiles, it should be noted that God is not favortistic (Romans 2:11). There is a reason behind Jesus' choice to make Himself known to some people over others. Even if Jesus' actions were favortistic, then they could only be considered favoritism towards the Gentiles, especially the ones He never met. Jesus Himself says those who believe in Him and have never met Him in the flesh are considered far more blessed than those who did (John 20:29).

Only in God's Kingdom could people of differing upbringings,
homelands and understanding of God's Word be considered
all equals in the eyes of their King (Galatians 3:28).

We are like the Magi. We were not there when Jesus was born. We were not told of His birth in a vision or by angels. Instead, God has made Himself known to us through many signs of Christ's power and saving work. Because of this, we have all been tasked with choosing to believe and follow where these signs lead or to reject them and stay where we feel comfortable (Romans 1:20). Christ promises to make Himself known to anyone who seeks Him, for He says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart," (Jeremiah 29:13). Have you found the King of Kings, are you traveling the long road towards Him, or have you yet to look up and see the clear stars shining in the sky proclaiming His glory (Psalm 19:1)?

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Got Questions: Three Wisemen
• Got Questions: Hermeneutics
• Bible Ask: Magi
• Point of Grace: One King
• Desiring God: To the Jew First

Why do Commercials Market Self-Centeredness?

I'm a unique individual, and one of the ways God made me unique is that I like watching commercials. I've noticed a bit of a trend lately in commercials and how they appear to be marketing self-centeredness. I recently saw an ad for google shopping where a woman buys a nice sweater for her friend, but then keeps it for herself and instead buys last minute scented candles for her friend. I saw another google ad for a camera that can erase people from photos, which was shown by removing a couple's marriage proposal from a photo for the sake of making someone's trick on a skateboard look better (I'm certain, though, that an engagement is more important than a kick-flip). I've also seen Dell put out a whole advertising campaign for the year and the tagline is, "Expand your Youniverse," (as in a whole reality made up entirely of you). I'd like to say I'm surprised by all this self-centeredness I'm seeing, but I can't say that. I know the culture in which I live is obsessed with self-centeredness in much the same way I too am obsessed with myself.

Self-centeredness makes us block out seeing anyone else, but God's word
says Christians should honor one another above ourselves (Romans 12:10).

Self-centeredness is most likely the one sin everyone commits everyday on a regular basis. There are no definitive Bible verses to prove this, but there has been much scholarly study that confirms this. Saint Thomas Aquinas, the 13th century theologian who identified the seven deadly vices (anti-virtues), is most attributed to saying, "Pride (self-centeredness) is the root of all other sins." When we want to put ourselves first, we will do anything it takes to keep ourselves above others; we'll lie, steal, dishonor our parents and even break all of the other ten commandments (Exodus 20). Adam and Eve were self-centered, when they committed the first sin by disobeying God's command just for what they believed was personal gain (Genesis 3). This destructive self-centeredness didn't fizzle out after Adam and Eve. It spread throughout history all the way to the New Testament and beyond into our present. James wrote "where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice," (James 3:16). Well, here in the world we have loads of self-centered people, and if we look hard enough in our history we could certainly find instances of every possible evil practice.

Sometimes we, as human beings, can be so self-centered we don't even notice it. Consider this: I started every sentence in the first paragraph with "I". It's possible you didn't even notice, but it's also possible that you did notice but it didn't seem like a big deal. Some of you might have even thought, "What's so bad about someone talking about themselves over and over again? I do it all the time." If that's the case, then we've got to look at how bad self-centeredness is and what God thinks of it.

In present day America many groups embrace "pride", but
Christians should see that any movement with pride as its main
motivator is going to lead to only destruction (Galatians 6:14). 

Jesus says that the greatest commandment is that we should love Him with all of our being (Mark 12:30), but we can't do that, if we are being self-centered. When we, as human beings, act self-centered we cause fights and quarrels among ourselves, and we covet and even kill for our own selfish gain (James 4:1-2). It is written, "Pride goes before destruction," (Proverbs 16:18), so every instance of man-made destruction of which we can think was caused by someone's self-centeredness. Being self-centered is so dangerous that Paul writes in no vague terms, "Do nothing [absolutely nothing] out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," (Philippians 2:3). We need to run away from our natural self-centeredness and fully embrace humility, for God opposes the self-centered, "but shows favor to the humble," (Proverbs 3:34). If we truly want what is best for ourselves, then we will lay down our pride to follow God above our own desires, for it is written, "Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life," (Proverbs 22:4).

Yes, commercials play to our natural self-centeredness, but Christians shouldn't find anything appealing about these advertisements. It's not good for someone to keep a gift intended for someone else for themselves, it's not attractive to think doing something to impress your friends is more important than someone loving another, and it would be the worst thing ever to truly live in a "Youniverse". The next time you see self-centeredness being applauded in an advertisement or maybe even being exhibited by you, it would be wise to think of that self-centeredness as nothing but destructive. Being proud is nothing to celebrate, and the Bible shows that anyone who is self-centered will not be honored by God (Matthew 23:12). If we truly saw how despicable our pride and selfishness really is, then I'm sure we'd have no problem obeying Jesus when He says, "Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me," (Matthew 16:24).

So long, self

Don't take this wrong 

but you are wrong for me, farewell

Oh well, goodbye, don't cry

So long, self

- MercyMe

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• OpenBibleInfo: Self-Centeredness
• OpenBibleInfo: Humility
• Britannica: Seven Deadly Vices
• MercyMe: So Long Self

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (Wisdom on Eternity)

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

It is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”-the things God has prepared for those who love Him-these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit.

What does God have planned for us; for our eternity? Have you ever wondered about this; asked yourself what lies beyond the "veil" of this life? If you ever have, you're not alone. One of the wisest people who lived once remarked that God has "set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end," (Ecclesiastes 3:11). So if you're a living human (which you must be, if you are able to read this), then it's a God given guarantee that you are or have at some point in your life wondered about your eternity. You've asked. Would you like to know?

Answering this question takes wisdom from God, and Paul spoke about this kind of wisdom, when he wrote to the church in Corinth. What he said centuries ago is still relevant to us living today. He told the church that the wisdom they desired about eternity is the wisdom that he and other believers spoke. Paul said to the Corinthians, "We do speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began," (1 Corinthians 2:6-7). How magnificent for Paul to say that He can speak wisdom beyond that of the world; even beyond time itself? He, and other believers, can speak what was once a mystery, but is not a mystery anymore. 

We won't hear this wisdom about eternity from anyone in this age; not even from the greatest godless rulers, scholars or priests among us. Paul says, "None of the rulers of this age understood [this wisdom], for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory," (1 Corinthians 2:8). Paul also sadly states that those who do not know God will not accept or even understand this wisdom, because it is foolishness to them (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Some people will look to someone like this for answers about eternity,
but believers should never consult with mediums or psychics (Isaiah 8:19)

So, how come so few people know this wisdom and why do certain people apparently have it? Paul answers this. He says, "as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'- the things God has prepared for those who love him-these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit," (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). Note that Paul is quoting part of a prophecy from the book of Isaiah, (Isaiah 64:4). So what Paul is doing is acknowledging that ancient prophets (the ones in the Old Testament) claimed that they did not possess this wisdom of which Paul is speaking. Paul is saying he has wisdom not even the prophets had. More so Paul is saying that all living believers too have this wisdom, when he says, "these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit," (1 Corinthians 2:10). How is it possible that you and I, as believers, possess wisdom that not even the prophets had? It's possible, because of the Holy Spirit.

How does the Holy Spirit make this possible? Paul says, "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them?" (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). What Paul is saying is that a person knows what they are thinking, because both their mind and their soul dwell on their own thoughts. Now, since God and the Holy Spirit, though different persons, are both God, they share the same mind and soul (or spirit, if you will). So, if someone has been born again of the Spirit (John 3:3-6) then the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Spirit is with them (John 14:20), and if the Holy Spirit, who has the mind of God, is with a believer, then that believer has the wisdom of God. Paul confirms this, as he continues to write, "No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us," (1 Corinthians 2:11-12). Paul states that the Holy Spirit has taught God's followers the wisdom they need about eternity (1 Corinthians 2:13).

Let us remember that the Holy Spirit is a person, someone with whom
we can have a relation, and in knowing this let us trust Him
as the great teacher who calls Scripture to our minds (John 14:26).

So, we as believers have wisdom about our eternity; wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit. So, what's this wisdom we got? In order to understand that we must first understand what the Holy Spirit does. Take a look at how Jesus describes what the Holy Spirit does, and what Charles Spurgeon calls "the Holy Spirit's chief office." Jesus says of the Holy Spirit, "He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me what He will make known to you," (John 16:14-15). The Holy Spirit's primary purpose is to point people to Christ and to give believers the wisdom of Christ. The wisdom we have about eternity is wisdom we were taught by the Holy Spirit that has been given through Christ.

Here is the wisdom of Christ; the wisdom we understand by the power of the Holy Spirit: Christ teaches that on the day a human dies they are taken into one of two eternal places. Those who have repented of their sins and have been born again by the Holy Spirit are taken to Heaven; the kingdom of God that is a paradise (Luke 23:42-43). Those who have rejected Christ, have not repented of crucifying Him by their sins and who live according to the spirit of the world are sent to hell; a place of eternal fiery torment where bodies are forever eaten by worms and yet never die (Mark 9:47-48). This is the wisdom of Christ. This is what the Holy Spirit teaches about eternity.

The Bible is how God has chosen to reveal His wisdom to you,
so study it well that you may be called a worker approved by God (2 Timothy 2:15).

We, as believers, should be encouraged to speak this wisdom, especially to those in want of it. Those who are going to teach, though, should truly understand the last words Paul writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. He says, "The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, 'Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ," (1 Corinthians 2:15-16). If you understand Christ's wisdom on eternity, then be encouraged to teach it knowing that you have the mind of Christ; you have access to the wisdom of God. Understand that those who teach the things of God will be judged more strictly by God (James 3:1), and that those who understand God's wisdom will have much more asked of them than those who do not (Luke 12:47-48). Be encouraged, though, knowing that the Lord has put His word in your mouth and He is protecting you with His hands (Isaiah 51:16).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Charles Spurgeon: The Holy Spirit's Chief Office

Are Ghosts Real?

Sure, you can sit in your bed, slowly pull the covers over your head, and tell yourself, "There's no such thing as ghosts. There's no such thing as ghosts," but just saying something over and over again doesn't make it true. Nothing ever becomes reality, simply by repeating it alone. We, as human beings, have very little control over reality. However, we, as believers, know who does control reality. God spoke the earth into existence (Genesis 1:6-8), so only He can speak something and really make it reality. So, what do God's words (God's spoken reality) say about ghosts?

There are a couple of different ways of thinking about ghosts, but the most common way is to think of ghosts as being the spectres of dead people that roam along the earth. These spectres do not have the same understanding of the world around them as the living do, and they typically have trouble communicating with those to whom they appear. So, does the Bible, God's Word, show there are disembodied spirits of the dead that can roam the earth?

Let's take a look at a story that at first glance appears to confirm there are such things as ghosts. In 1 Samuel chapter 28 king Saul asks a witch if she can "consult a spirit," so that he can speak with the dead prophet Samuel. The witch tries to bring up the spirit of Samuel. "When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice," clearly shocked at the results of her witchcraft (1 Samuel 28:12). Saul asked her what she was seeing, and the witch responded, "I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth...An old man wearing a robe is coming up," (1 Samuel 28:13-14). It's interesting that Samuel is wearing clothes, and is described as looking like an old man (Something I imagine is hard to do, if you don't have a body or flesh on your body). Upon hearing what the witch said, and seeing for himself, "Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground," (1 Samuel 28:14). At this point Samuel speaks, but he doesn't groan or growl like ghosts in fiction tend to do. Samuel clearly says to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?...Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy?" (1 Samuel 28:15-16). This old man appears to be very aware of to whom he's speaking, and aware of his and God's relation to him.

Saul may have confronted a witch, but you
should not follow his example (1 Chronicles 10:13)

What we see in this text in light of the ghost-stories many of us have heard seems to imply that the prophet Samuel appeared before king Saul and the witch as a ghost, however further examination reveals this is not true. In this passage we see a dead man appeared before the living and seemed to be like a ghost. Unlike a spectre, Samuel was fully cognizant, capable of intelligible speech and aware of with whom he was speaking. He also wore clothes, had a body and had flesh. In addition to this, take note of how the author of this text always refers to Samuel as "Samuel" and not "Samuel's ghost," or "Samuel's spirit."

Now, let's take a look at another text in Scripture where people saw what they also believed was a ghost. In the gospel of Mark in chapter 6 the disciples were at sea caught in a terrible storm. Jesus was not with His disciples at the time. He was back on shore, but He saw His disciples struggling against the storm. "Shortly before dawn He went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw Him walking on the lake, they thought He was a ghost. They cried out," (Mark 6:48-49). Upon seeing how terrified His disciples were, Jesus said, "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid," and then "He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. [The disciples] were completely amazed," (Mark 6:51).

"What kind of man is this? Even the winds
and the waves obey him!" (Matthew 8:27)

There are a lot of similarities between these two passages. The disciples and the witch cried out at the sight of someone they thought was a ghost. The person they thought was a ghost is never referred to as a ghost, by the author. Both Samuel and Jesus have bodies, are fully cognizant, capable of intelligible speech and aware of with whom they are speaking. It seems that just because a person may call something a ghost does not necessarily mean that it is one, especially not if God doesn't call it a ghost. When people who are dead appear before the living on earth in the Bible, these events are described exactly as they sound; dead people in physical and real bodies appearing before the living on earth.

Biblically speaking, there's no such thing as ghosts (the spirits of the dead roaming the earth). We can rest assured in Jesus's words that those who believe in Him and then die are carried by the angels up to God's presence (Luke 16:22). They don't make any detours. Also, nothing in all of creation will ever be able to seperate those who are in God from Him (Romans 8:38-39). Those who do not believe in Christ are buried and are sent to hell (Luke 16:23). The dead tend to stay dead, and if anything about that changes it is because of the Lord. It is God who can raise the dead, and He holds the keys to death itself, (Revelation 1:18).

So, the next time you're in your bedroom alone on a dark night, and you're afraid ghosts are going to get you, believe you don't have to be afraid. In fact, you don't have to be afraid, even if you think there are monsters under your bed, skeletons in your closet, phantoms in your attic or elephants in your room. The reason why is because there is a spirit (yes, a ghost, surprisingly) with you. After Jesus ascended into Heaven away from the earth, He sent down a spirit (the Holy spirit) to strengthen and lift up His disciples (John 15:26). God has sent His Holy Ghost to comfort you and help you. The Holy Spirit has been given to all of those who obey and earnestly seek Christ (Acts 5:32). We, as believers, have nothing to fear because "the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline," (2 Timothy 1:7). Pulling a bed sheet over your head can't give you lasting courage, but the Holy Ghost will give you the strength you need to overcome all your fears for Christ's glory.

You're my hope, You're my peace

Ironic in a way

I'm no longer afraid

And the Ghost is to blame

- MercyMe

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Got Questions: Ghosts/Hauntings
• Never Forsaken Painting: Abraham Hunter
• MercyMe:Ghost

Ezekiel 37:1-2 (The Dry Bones)

Ezekiel 37 1-2

The hand of the Lord was on me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.

There's a lot of bizarre stuff in the Bible. There's a talking snake (Genesis 3:1), a sea monster, (Psalm 104:26) and even a dragon (Revelation 12:3). With all the fascinating stuff in Scripture, it's any wonder why some things in the Bible are more popular than others. (Think about it. More people know about David and Goliath than they do about David and Saul, even though there is more written about the second pair than the first.) One surprisingly popular story in Scripture is Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14).

So, what happens in this passage? Ezekiel the prophet is led by God to a valley filled with bones (Ezekiel 37:1-2). God then tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones and say to them, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord," (Ezekiel 37:4-6). Sure enough, that's what happens. The bones start coming together. Flesh and tendons appear on them, and skin covers them. Yet, the bones still have no breath in them. Then God says to Ezekiel, "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live," (Ezekiel 37:9). Ezekiel prophesies to the bones, as God commands, and then breath and the Spirit fill the bones. Only then do the bones come alive and stand up on their feet as a vast army (Ezekiel 37:10).

If you thought that someone in the world came up with the idea of
an "army of the living dead," rest assured that it is God who created this reality;
showing that there truly is "nothing new under the sun," (Ecclesiastes 1:9). 

What happened in this section of Scripture might not make much sense on its own, but when proper context is provided, the significance and meaning of this passage becomes much more clear (as is common with all of Scripture). Ezekiel was a prophet of God, and he was called by God to prophesy to the people of Israel that they had become wicked and unrepentant; that God's anger burned against them (Ezekiel 8:17-18). Because of this, God had the Israelites taken captive and sent into exile among the nations (Ezekiel 12:15-16). Later in Ezekiel's life, God told Ezekiel that the people of Israel would be brought back to their own nation and they would be restored (Ezekiel 36:8-10). Following this, Ezekiel is taken to the valley of dry bones. There God tells Ezekiel, "these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone,'" (Ezekiel 37:11). God then gives this promise to the people of Israel in Ezekiel chapter 37 from verses 13 to 14:

Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.

The meaning of Ezekiel's experience in the valley of the dry bones is that it was God making a promise to Israel; that He would restore their nation and they would know He is God (a promise that was also made using the visuals of a mountain in chapter 36 and two sticks in chapter 37, but those visuals aren't as popular as the bones).

Now, just because this account of the valley of the dry bones was written as a promise to the Isrealites during the time of exile does not mean that we, as believers living in our time, cannot also find applicable meaning in this text. From this passage we can see that God keeps the promises He makes (Read Matthew 27:50-53 to see where God did open graves and bring His people out of them). We can also see that people who have flesh, bones and skin are not alive, if the Spirit of the Lord is not in them, which lines up with what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1-10 (This was addressed in a previous blog). One other thing we can see in the text is that it is God who breathes life into the lifeless (Genesis 2:7). If the Spirit of the Lord was not in anyone, then all human beings would be lifeless wandering creatures (the term "zombies" might apply).

Though it sounds like a scene from a scary movie, Jesus says one day everyone
will be resurrected from their graves, and more so those who have done good
will live and those who have done evil will be condemned (John 5:28-29).

We must remember that apart from God, we have no life, but it is Jesus who gives us life. Jesus Christ says, "I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades," (Revelation 1:18). If we put our trust in God's promises, then we will never die (John 3:16). We will not become a pile of lifeless bones feeling abandoned and without hope. We will be children of the living God, and will be free from the grip of death (Romans 8:2).

No grave

Gonna hold my spirit down

Ain't no grave

Hold my spirit down

Lord knows they'll never keep me in the ground

Ain't no grave

Hold my spirit down

- Newsboys

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Got Questions: Valley of Dry Bones
• Walk Thru The Bible: Ezekiel
• Newsboys: No Grave

Is Christianity a Religion or a Relationship?

You may have been in church recently and heard either your pastor or someone else say, "Christianity is not so much a religion as it is a relationship." I've heard pastors say something akin to this quite often, and it can make one wonder if such a statement is true or if it's just some nice sounding fluff born on social media. As always, Scripture provides the best answer to this question.

So what about Christianity makes it a religion? Christians have religious practices that only we, as believers, practice; these include taking communion (1 Corinthians 11:24-26) and baptizing others in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Christians also have a religious leader we follow; Jesus Christ who we rightly call a "high priest." It is written, "we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God," (Hebrews 4:14). Our high priest has also issued us religious commands, such as, "Love one another," (John 13:34). Christians also gather together in religious buildings called churches. This is because we, as believers, know that gathering together can "spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another," (Hebrews 10:24-25). Beyond this Christians celebrate religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, with a focus on the Christian roots of these celebrated days (Christmas being Jesus' birth and Easter being His resurrection). On top of all this, Christians have a religious text, the Bible, which we describe as being "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16).

I'm not sure there's any way around it, but a simple observation of Christianity seems to clearly illustrate that Christianity is a religion.

In affirming that Christianity is a religion it may seem like it's equal with other
religions, but Christianity offers the only form of worship that God considers good
and pleasing (Romans 12:1-2), and He rejects all others, because they reject Him (John 14:6). 

So, if Christianity is truly a religion, does that mean it is not a relationship? Nope. Christianity is both a religion and a relationship.

If Christianity is a relationship, then with whom is a Christian's relationship? The answer is God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So, what kind of a relationship does a Christian have with God? That relationship takes on many forms.

God wants to have a personal relationship with us,
for He says He is with us wherever we go (Matthew 28:20).

The first type of relationship I will address that a Christian has with God is probably the hardest one to "swallow." A Christian is God's servant, and God is a Christian's master. It is written that God has bought each believer at a great price, (1 Corinthians 6:20). Since we, as believers, are people who have been purchased by God and have been given commands by God, then that makes us God's servants and He our master. Paul described himself as "a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God," (Romans 1:1). Paul wrote to believers, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness," (Romans 6:18). Even though we are lowly servants, we have nothing to fear, because God is our master. God is good (Nahum 1:7), God is loving (1 John 4:7), and the burden He gives us is easy and light (Matthew 11:30). God is a good master, and we should always strive to do what He asks, because what He asks is always "excellent and profitable for everyone," (Titus 3:8).

In addition to this, a Christian's relationship with God is that of a friendship. Yes, we, as believers, should say, "Jesus is a friend of mine," because it is Jesus who first called us His friends. He says to His followers that we are not just His servants, but that He calls us "friends, for everything that [He] learned from [His] Father [He has] made known to [us]," (John 15:15). God has chosen His believers to be His friends, and "a friend loves at all times," (Proverbs 17:17). It is written of what Jesus sacrificed for us, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, and [we] are [God's] friends if [we] do what [He] commands," (John 15:13-14). We, as believers, have all done what Jesus commands, when He says that we should repent of our sins (Mark 1:15) and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).

We, as believers, are not only God's servants and His friends, but we are also members of His family. We call God our Father, because "those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God," (Romans 8:14). It is written, "He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will," (Ephesians 1:5). The fact that you, as a believer, are in God's family gives Him great joy! God is our Father, and nothing can separate us from Him. We, as His children, "are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness," (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Remember and trust what is written in Romans chapter 8 from verses 38 to 39:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yes, Jesus loves you, and the Bible tells you so (John 3:16).

So, with what I just addressed, here's a big question: Are we Christians because of our religious practices or is it because of our relationship with Christ? The Biblical response to this question is quite sobering.

Anyone can have themselves dunked in water on a Sunday morning. Anyone can eat bread and drink grape juice in a sanctuary hall. Anyone can claim that Jesus is the most important guiding figure in their lives. Anyone can love their neighbor (at least somewhat). Anyone can go to church. Anyone can celebrate Christmas as being Jesus' birthday. Anyone can read the Bible. Anyone can do all of these things, and yet not be a Christian. It is sad but true that many people will approach God and say to Him "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?," and God will say to them, "I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:22-23). We, as believers, can do a lot of religious things, but none of that will make us Christs' servants, friends or family who will be allowed into His presence. It is written of Jesus Christ in the gospel of John in chapter 1 from verses 11 to 13:

He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

We, as believers, have a strong, permanent and loving relationship with God, because we have believed in Him; "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures," (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Our beliefs, not our religious practices, is on what our salvation rests. It is our beliefs in Christ that give us assurance that our names are written in the Book of Life, and we will one day enter into God's presence and live with Him forever.

We believe in God the Father

We believe in Jesus Christ

We believe in the Holy Spirit

And He's given us new life

We believe in the crucifixion

We believe that He conquered death

We believe in the resurrection

And He's comin' back again, we believe

- Newsboys

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• OpenBibleInfo: Jesus the High Priest
• OpenBibleInfo: Church
• OpenBibleInfo: Jesus as Friend
• OpenBibleInfo: Following Christ
• Sonseed: Jesus is a Friend of Mine
• Newsboys: We Believe

Genesis 22:13-14 (The Lord Will Provide)

Genesis 22:13-14

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided."

God has made a promise to all believers; a promise He has never broken and will never break. God promises you that He will always provide what you need. In simplest terms, The Lord will provide.

Abraham learned this on a day, when God tested his faith. God told Abraham to go to the top of a mountain and make a sacrifice to the Lord, but God did not give Abraham any animal to be carried up the mountain to be sacrificed. In the end when Abraham made it to the top of the mountain, the Lord did provide a sacrifice. You can read the whole trying account in Genesis chapter 22. It is written that "Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering...So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided,"" (Genesis 22:13-14).

God doesn't just provide on top of mountains. God also provides for believers in deep ravines. The prophet Elijah saw this, when he was starving in the desert. It is written, "The word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook," (1 Kings 17:2-6). Isn't that wild?

God also provides for His people way down in the depths of the ocean. When the prophet Jonah was thrown into the ocean, to save him from drowning "the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights," (Jonah 1:17). Jonah responded to the Lord's providence rejoicing and saying "In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and You listened to my cry," (Jonah 2:1).

Jesus preached on the Lord's providence in His Sermon on the Mount. He said to those gathered, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26). We are more valuable than they, because we, as believers, are God's children. We should never worry about our circumstances; no matter how great or small or significant or insignificant they seem. We must remember that we can cast all our cares on the Lord, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). 

Jesus finished His preaching on the Lord's providence with these powerful words in Matthew chapter 6 from verse 28 to 34:

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)

Should We Pray "God Bless America"?

If you live in the USA, you are likely familiar with the phrase "God bless America!" It's a line used in many songs and on many bumper stickers. From a Christian perspective the phrase "God bless America" sounds like a prayer; the vocalization of one's desires being made known to God. This raises a question: Should Christians pray that God bless the USA?

To simplify answering this question from a Biblical perspective, I am not going to address whether people who do not live in America should pray that God bless it. In Scripture there are few moments where God asks someone to bless a nation in which they do not live, will not live or where they have no relatives living. One event concerning this takes place in the book of Numbers, where the king of Moab calls for the divinator Balaam to go and curse Israel (22:11). Balaam is stopped in his tracks by his donkey when it starts talking to him (22:27-28). God then speaks to Balaam and tells him to go and bless the nation of Israel  (23:11-12). This story does not illustrate that God wants people to bless certain nations rather than others. What this story shows is that God set Israel apart as His blessed and protected nation, and He watched over them and kept them from danger according to His will (Psalm 46:5). God would not allow anyone to curse Israel, if it was against His will.

According to Scripture, the nation of Israel is the only nation with whom God has directly aligned Himself. He was nearly always among them throughout all of the Old Testament (Leviticus 26:11). God dwelt in the Temple in Israel during the Old Testament, however in the time after Christ's coming (modern-times) God dwells in His people (2 Corinthians 6:16). It is written that we, as Christ's children, are His Temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore the church, the body of Christ, is God's present holy nation on earth (1 Peter 2:9). This nation, this new Israel, is spread far and wide across the world, and it has no geographical boundaries or earthly government. It is not a nation found on a map with its own flag. It is a nation made up of people pursuing God's heart.

The USA is a nation that can be found on a map and it does have its own flag. It is an earthly nation, and it is important to remember that in God's eyes "the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales," (Isaiah 40:15). This does not mean that God does not care for the nations of the world. If that were true, then God would not oversee the raising and dethroning of rulers (Daniel 2:21). He does and He gets the final say on who rules a nation, and where that nation goes throughout its history. God also decides who will live in which nations. You currently live where you live, because God put you there (Psalm 139:16).

So, if you live in the USA, it's because God has brought you there. If God has brought you to the USA, does that mean that you should pray for God to bless America?

Take a look at what God told the people of Israel, when He exiled them from their home and sent them away to Babylon, a nation that despised and rejected the LORD. In the book of Jeremiah in chapter 29 from verses 5 to 7 God told His people of Israel to do the following, when they would arrive in the ungodly nation of Babylon:

Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

You might currently be blessing the nation in which you live,
by simply paying your taxes, taking care of your home,
raising a family or providing a God honoring service.

In a city that did not love God or know Him; God wanted His people to bless that nation and help it prosper. God wanted His people to bless that nation in which they lived, because if the land prospered, then they would prosper (Jeremiah 29:7). Blessing the land in which we live so that we, God's children, may be blessed is one of the ways that we can live an abundant and God pleasing life on earth. Considering that Babylon was one of the worst nations to ever exist, and God still wanted His people to bless it while they were there, Christians should feel assured that they should ask God to bless any nation in which they live, and that they can take part in blessing that nation.

We can bless the nation in which we live by doing as the Isrealites were told to do in their exile: plant gardens, marry and have children, and seek the peace and prosperity of the nation. There are also plenty of other God honoring things we can do, but a big one is to pray for our nation. The people of Israel in Babylon prayed for the nation and God heard their prayers and blessed Babylon. One of the ways God blessed Babylon was by taking the nation's prideful ungodly king and humbling him so profoundly that he turned to God and followed the LORD the rest of his life (Daniel 4:29-37). 

In the USA Christians have the opportunity to seek the peace and prosperity
of the nation by voting on policies and candidates, according to what
is Godly based on Scripture, their pastor's teachings, etc. 

Christians should know that God cares about His nation, the body of Christ, and He desires to bless His people in whatever earthly nation they are. The children of God should bless and never curse (Romans 12:14). By blessing the nations in which we live, we demonstrate the love of Christ and we obey God's command to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). It is by our love of Christ for one another that the world and all the nations will know that we are followers of Christ (John 13:35). Through this, the world will see that God's children are a holy nation, and that we are indeed blessed, as Jesus proclaimed in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 5 from verses 3 to 10:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

    for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

    for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Jump 5: God Bless the USA
• Got Questions: Is the USA a Christian Nation