Longevity & Old Age

The Bible says that "Children's children are the crown of old men." Since my first grandchild is about to be born, I suppose that means I will be an old man. With that on my mind, over the last few days, I have made two notes in my Rhemas to research (1) Longevity & (2) Old Age in the Bible. Here are the results.
Longevity
1. Obedience to God's ways lengthens life. (Deuteronomy 5:33, 11:21; 1 Kings 3:14)
2. Love of God lengthens life. (Psalm 91:14-16)
3. The Fear of the Lord lengthens life. (Proverbs 9:10-11 & 10:27)
4. Obedience to and Honor of Parents lengthens life. (Proverbs 3:1-2; Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3)
5. Pure speech gives good days. (Proverbs 13:2; 1 Peter 3:10)


As for Old Age:
1. Pray for God's presence in old age for two reasons:
   (1) So that your enemies will be confounded and you can declare to them God's righteousness, salvation, strength, and works (Psalm 91:9-17).
   (2) So that you can declare God's strength and power to the younger generation (Psalm 91:18). This is one reason to deepen your life story—so that you can declare to the next generation how God has mightily worked in your life.
2. If you are in the way of righteousness, old age is glorious (Proverbs 16:31). If not, old age can be devoid of pleasure (Eccl. 12:1).
3. God's presence in the old age of the elect (Isaiah 46:4).
4. Grandchildren are the crown of old men (Proverbs 17:6).
5. Gray hair is the beauty of old age (Proverbs 20:29).
6. How should I behave in old age? “That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things” (Titus 2:2–3)

Hyper-Inflation & the Fear of God

Our nation seems to be on the edge of a financial meltdown. Words and phrases such as ‘hyper-inflation’, ‘the devaluing of the dollar’, ‘market crash’ and many others are tossed out along with the warning to prepare. Buy gold, buy silver, store a year’s supply of food, buy ammunition, learn how to be self-sufficient or you will suffer the consequences.

As I was reading about the events that may lead to a financial collapse, I was compelled to lay all of my concerns before God and seek His guidance as to what to invest in. I didn’t know if I should buy gold or silver? Perhaps I needed to invest in foreign markets. I also needed guidance in what would be the wisest course of action: to put money toward additional food storage or to invest in commodities. To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t sure. But I knew Someone who was, so I prayed for guidance and for wisdom. I prayed for several days, waiting for an answer.

The answer came in the form of a rebuke. I had taken my eyes off God. I wanted His direction, but not Him. His Word gave me the answer.

First, this morning was Proverbs 1:30-31 “They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own fancies.” I was pursuing everything except God. I didn’t even consider going to God until after I decided the things I needed to do. Then I went to Him to see which things I should do first so I would appear wise.

Tonight, I read Psalm 33:18-19 “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” Wow, those that fear the Lord will have His constant protection. The only thing I need to invest in is the Fear of the Lord. If everything crashes, riots start, and food is in short supply, the Lord will deliver my soul from death and keep me alive in famine, if I fear Him. The Bible is the best investment and survival manual. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life.” Proverbs 22:4

The Difference Between Christianity and Buddhism

(This was originally posted on the Desiring God Blog. The distinction pointed out may seem small when you first read it, but if you consider it, you will see that it is at the very heart of Christianity.)

(Author: Tyler Kenney)

In his latest post, Albert Mohler reviews Tiger Woods’ recent public address, calling it “a remarkable statement of confession.” Nonetheless, he is careful to also point out “the radical distinction” between the standard that Woods’ newly reclaimed Buddhism calls him to and the salvation Jesus provides.

Indeed, Buddhism teaches the aim of emptying the self of all desire. As [Stephen] Prothero observes, “Buddhists observe that suffering arises from a 12-fold chain of interlocking causes and effects. Among these causes is craving. We crave this woman or that car because we think that getting her or it will make us happy. But this craving only ties us into an unending cycle of misery, because even if we get what we want there is always something more to crave — another woman or another man, a faster car or a bigger house.”

[...]

Christianity speaks honestly of desire and affirms that wrongful desires can and do lead to sin, destruction, and death. Nevertheless, Christianity does not teach that all desire is wrong. Indeed, the Bible affirms that God made us to desire Him. Even in our sinful state, something within us cries out for our need — and desire — for divine forgiveness and redemption.

Christianity does not teach that we should (or could) empty ourselves of all desire, but rather that we should desire the salvation that Christ alone has accomplished for us — the salvation that leads to divine forgiveness and the restoration of relationship we should surely desire. Once we know that salvation, our desire for God is only increased and pointed to eternity.

Key Phrases David Used to Express Hunger and Thirst for the Lord

1. Psalm 143:8  "I lift up my soul unto thee." The soul involves the mind, will, and emotions. David, through his spirit, presented his soul to his heavenly Father so that it could be filled.

2. Psalm 61:2 "I cry unto thee..." David described his cry as that of a h hungry bird crying out to be fed. It was usually audible and always intense.

3. Psalm 42:4  "I pour out my soul in me..." This statement signifies that David held nothing back from the Lord, his most cherished and loyal Confidant.


4. Psalm 25:15 "Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD..." Because David knew that only God could fulfill his expectations and bring the help that he desperately needed, he watched continually for God's response.

5. Psalm 42:1 "So panteth my soul after Thee..." This expression pictures David's inner desire for God in terms of the extreme thirst of a deer after a time of fleeing from danger.

6. Psalm 119:10 "With my whole heart have I sought Thee..." David knew that secret sins or hidden motives would destroy fellowship with the Lord; thus, he willingly opened his heart to God - the deepest part of his inner being.

7. Psalm 84:2 "My flesh crieth out for the living God." Not only did David seek God with his heart, his physical being also yearned for God's fellowship, without which he would languish.

8. Psalm 63:8 "My soul followeth hard after Thee..." David pictures himself pursuing God as a young animal running after its mother, the source of it sustenance and protection.

9. Psalm 27:8 "Thy face, Lord, will I seek..." David longed for the approval and blessing that attend those upon whom God looks with favor.

10. Psalm 17:15 "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness" David's one desire was to be like the Lord. Only in reaching this goal would he find fulfillment.

(Painting "King David" by Arent de Gelder 1685)

Description of the Bible

I love this description of the Bible found in the front of some Gideon Bibles.

“THE BIBLE contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

"It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
"CHRIST is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.” 

Salvation: Our Greatest & Most Precious Promise, Part 5

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:4

Precious in that they are to be highly valued

In the previous post, I noted that by giving us these promises, God placed a huge burden on Himself. Only God could fulfill His promise of salvation to us, and fulfilling that promise did not come cheap. In order to keep His promise, God had to sacrifice His own Son. There was no other way. Promises of salvation are precious because the were fulfilled by the very death of Christ.

This also shows what a value God places on His Word. These promises are to be highly valued, and we should value them even more than our own lives. Many Christian have. (See Hebrews 11)

Precious in that they give great comfort

The cross is proof that God keeps His word. As Christians, understanding that God keeps all of His promises, we will have great comfort. The storms and trials of life will not shake us, because we have “exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Salvation: Our Greatest & Most Precious Promise, Part 4

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:4

Precious in how they are given

Peter also says that these promises are precious. How are they precious? First of all, they are precious because they are gratuitously given. What does this mean? There are two perspectives.

The first perspective is from that of being the receiver of these promises. We did not and could not earn these promises. What we have earned is condemnation. However, these promises are given to us freely. (See Romans 6:23)

The second perspective is from the Giver. God was under no obligation to us  to give us any promises. The fact is that He gave them through His great mercy and grace. By giving us these promises, God placed a huge burden on Himself.