Our Timeless Creator

  This message looks at the bible as though it were a puzzle and the more pieces we find the clearer the picture becomes.

 Some say that a picture is worth a thousand words but there are pictures with multiple images in one illustration.  An internet search of "two faces or a vase" or "an old woman or a young woman" reveals examples that teach that our perspective is important.  What our interests are on controls more than we realize.  The disciples only saw the storm until Jesus calmed sea because there focus was on self preservation rather than the Son of God.  

  The entire word of God works the same way, when we are about self we miss the big picture, the stories become entertainment rather than a view into God's interaction with His creation.  We miss completely how God thinks, what He wants or the final end product of His work over thousands of years.  Instead it becomes about us and getting relief from problems and blessings to make our lives happier and easier.

 Salient Points: Seeing the big picture, God’s working in our lives, Missing the unseen, Only seeing problems, Three and a half years of trouble, Calendar differences, Jewish calendar, Moses and Elijah, Water into blood, Significance of water and blood, Living water, God’s words, Putting God’s puzzle together, Looking for God’s purpose, Another night with frogs, Fire ashes sin, God does it on purpose, Why serpents, God’s design for animals, Living under a curse, Fiery serpents, Today’s medical insignias, Looking to feel good, Worms in the bible.      

Scripture: Rev. 11:3-6, Ex. 7:19, 10-12, Job 25:6, Mk. 9:44, Num. 21:4-9 

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here. 

 The first half of this lesson is a testimony of some believers, who like Moses sought after the glory of God and were changed as the scriptures say from Glory to Glory.  

  Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.  Does this describe our daily lives as children of God?  If not then something is missing or Jesus didn't mean what we think he meant. 

   Far too many of us would more likely say we come to church with the cares of life pressing down on us and leave the same way.  Oh we feel better for having been in attendance but the burdens are still there as we leave.  The next service and the next are much the same with the occasional special meetings are a nice change that offers some variety.

   The more modern services offer a lot to draw people in but can we honestly say we come before the LORD with heartfelt praise because our love for him grows stronger with each service?  Can there really be a life like Jesus said, one of light burdens and rest in Him.  Jesus said learn of me, is the “of” subject or object?

  We know all about him and have for some time but can we say our knowledge has led us to know him?  What excites him?  What delights him?  What would cause him to say; you have chosen the good part which shall not be taken from you, as he did when he complemented Mary while chastising Martha in Luke 10:38-42?  After all Martha was doing all the work and somebody had to do it, right?  It sure seems like Mary’s was the one with the easy yoke and light burden. 

Salient Points: What’s your reason for coming to church, Reasons vs Excuses, Leaving with all your problems, Choosing the good part, Learning to seek, An audience with your Creator, Multi tasking and Mono tasking, Hope deferred, Leaving impressed, Christian-Christian, When you can’t think of your problems, Communication failure, Spiritual feasts, A lack of problems, Four watches, When Moses and Elias appeared, Elias’ coming role, Days of Noah, Tears of joy, The two Olive Trees, God responds to our responses.         

Scripture: Mark 13:34-37, Mt. 17:1-13, Jas. 5:17-18, 1Ki. 17:1, 18:42-45,       Rom. 11:3-6

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here. 

  This message considers several things that should stir curiosity about why God told us about these things in the way He did and how He may benefit from our responses.

    Although the Bible is full of short stories that appear to stand alone they are definitely linked into past events and into future prophecies.  They are hints that God has left for us to discover more about the mysteries of His creation.  

  As an example; the connections between when Moses turned the water into blood that killed all the fish in Egypt and then the first public miracle as Jesus turned water into wine, then Jesus saying to Simon Peter and Andrew “I will make you fishers of men”, then when they pierced Jesus side and there came forth water and blood unmixed.

 Salient Points: Does God really change His mind, The Elijah and John the Baptist mystery, Of no private interpretation, The Bible is about God, Selfish prayers, The two witnesses, Breathing fire, The third time is a charm, Two super power witnesses, Turning water into blood, Running water, Blood sweat and tears, Three agree in one, When all the fish died, Fishers of men, Get past self, Flesh and bones without blood, What Eve probably ate in the garden, The knowledge of good and evil, Water into blood vs blood into water, The knowledge of the, Holy.

Scripture: Mt. 17:10-13, Rev. 11:3-6, 1Ki. 1:7-14, 17:1, 18-42-45, Ex. 7:19, Lev. 17:11, 1Jn. 5:8, Ex. 7:17-18, Mt. 4:19, Rom. 6:11, Jn. 4:14. 

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here. 

   This message considers how Jesus taught so that everyone would be able to understand.

  From the cradle to the grave we never stop learning.   No matter how much we are taught we can always learn more about how to do what we do.  The problem is in knowing that what we learn is the right.  The three most reliable sources to learn from, moving from worst to best are as follows.  First is from the mistakes of others.  Second and longer remembered are our own mistakes.  Last of all and the very best is from an infallible source that has never failed.  The obvious and only source for this is God who has never failed.  The problem here is interpreting the information, which is left in many cases to the student to learn from the Spirit of God, but that takes faith which is harder so most choose the easy way out and follow others advice, which is more about who they like or trust.  Learning from the scripture has a learning curve but God is patient and a great teacher.  For those who start seeking for the truth God will respond but he doesn’t compete for our attention.

  The bible is not a text book to read front to back and pass a test.  Sadly there many, many true believers that have never read it through even once because it’s easier to pay a preacher to study it and then tell them what they should do.  The trouble is there won’t be a Joint Trial for groups it will be one at a time; “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12

  To add to the urgency, the results of the judgment will have eternal consequences or rewards. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment,” Matthew 12:36.  These verses are not meant to scare us; they are to inform us of the importance of our actions. 

  God has provided us with the Bible, Pastors, Teachers, Brothers, Sisters and his Comforter not only to teach us but provide leadership to follow.  He also is the official interpreter of the Bible.  The Spirit is also the most reliable resource he gave us. He not only teaches and guides but also keeps us from being deceived.  Our part is learning to listen to his instructions.

  Some of the easiest scripture to understand is where Jesus uses as or like in the text.  Because it builds on our previous knowledge so we don’t miss what he is saying to us.  

 Salient Points: The Mighty God, Martha-Martha, God’s three trips to Earth, The Second Coming in the Old Testament, Coincidence or God, Standing a watch, Four watches of the Church age, Stay awake, Receiving Jesus, Stay curious, Sharing God’s creation, Repetition-Similarities-Contrasts, When we are blessed, As or Like, Eternal life, Pearl of great price, Why a suffering creation, Breathing God’s air, God’s amazing variety, Built with no straight lines, Why a Church age.     

Scripture: Mt. 24:42-43, Mark 13:32-37, 2Ptr. 2:22

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here. 

   This message addresses two subjects briefly. The first considers why we worry so much. The second is an explanation of lunar dust (don’t miss the description at the bottom of this column).   

We have been admonished not to worry but instead to trust God more; “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” Philippians 4:6 .

  This doesn't come easy during frightening situations. So how can we replace fear with faith?  When King David's life was threatened by his own men in !st Samuel 30 he “encouraged himself in the LORD his God” and then asked God for guidance.  No doubt he remembered the past times that God had delivered him from a lion, bear and King Saul as well as many others, but in this case his own men were threatening to kill him.  All it took for David to regain courage was remember how helpless he was and how his God had proved himself in times past.  Jesus reminded the Disciples after he calmed the sea, of miracles he had done before, to calm their fear.

  For us, all we need to remember is that God is so acutely aware of us that he is keeping up with every hair that we lose, in real time. 

    The secret of Lunar Dust is one of the best kept secrets of our lifetime!  The lunar landing was an incredible accomplishment but when they landed, what they learned was not what they wanted to believe so they hushed it up.  More than likely for the same reason the natural man doesn’t want to believe in God, (see Romans chapter one.)  Belief in God brings a future accountability for their actions.  Why do people slow down instinctively when they see a police vehicle?   They carry a sense of guilt that makes them respond to authority.

  From here down this explains how God has things worked things out to misdirect scientific conclusions.  This Earth is the same one spoken of in 2 Peter 3 which sank and perished.  So when we read Genesis 1:1 there is only one heaven, Gods home and one earth and it was deep in water and in darkness in the Great Deeps, (Job 38:30).  In Gen. 1:3 God allowed light.  Then he created the vacuum of space by separating the water from the water.  At that point the Earth was still covered with the water he left behind; he gathered that together to let the dry land appear.  

  Following the flood God told Noah “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,” (Gen9:1).  Which is exactly what he told Adam and Eve, (Gen 1:28).  {REPLEN'ISH, verb intransitive. To recover former fullness: N. Webster 1828}.

  There was life on Earth before it sank.  No one knows the age of that one .  What has the scientists confused is that the age of the Earth has been estimated at around 144 million years and the Lunar Dust thickness should have been around 63 feet thick, according to their calculations.  The actual amount Lunar Dust found is in agreement with the Bible, which should measure 3/32s of an inch, just under 1/8".  That is just slightly under what they report to the whole world; it’s about 1/8" thick.  

 Scripture: Mt. 9:20-22, Lk. 21:25, I Cor. 8:1-3, Ps. 90: 1-4, 13, 2 Ptr. 3:3-10 

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here. 

  This message considers many of the things that cause us to make our decisions, and defines who we can trust with complete confidence. 

 This life altering question is arguably the most important question that anyone can ask.  Choosing a career, residence, doctor or a spouse is usually more a matter of availability or the influence of others.  We follow the leadership of those we trust more than we trust ourselves.  Unfortunately too many times the results come out less than hoped for.  I trusted a doctor who treated a progressively debilitating illness for over fifteen years and was on deaths door before finding a doctor who knew the cure.  The difficulty was not the fault of the doctor; it was in making my choice of a doctor and then ignoring the continued lack of improvement and not looking for other solutions.

  We put up with disappointments in life not because we have no other choice but because it is much easier than attempting change.  We cling to hope that things will change and continue going down the same road as we complain about all the potholes.

  Insanity is described as; "Doing the same things over and over and expecting different results."

  Most things in life are too complicated for a single answer but not with God, he has provided us with an infallible solution; the Spirit of truth.  Unfortunately this is not often taught because it can conflict with church leadership.   So the question is who can we really trust when looking for help in making our decisions?

Salient Points: Lacking spiritual discernment, Questioning everything, Finding truth, Misleading scriptures, Do you know what you know, Seeking to find, Approaching the scriptures, Who do you trust, Seek God’s benefit, Impressed by God’s talent, Unintentional liars, Can’t trust yourself, Walking worthy, Look out for deceivers, Watch your motives, Does God like it, Connecting to God’s affections, The subject of the Bible is God not us, Not about doctrine, How much of Church is about us or God, Appreciating God’s gifts, People we trust, Our propensity to trust men rather than God.            

Scripture: Phil. 3:3,  Jn. 21:20-23,  Eph. 4:1-3, 12-14

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here. 

  This message goes beyond what we sing or how we sing.  It considers how God feels about our singing and the difference it makes to Him.

  Singing is a major part of church services, in part because of Psalm 100:2; “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”  Unfortunately it has become all too familiar to us.  We can sing many of the songs from memory but how much of our singing still excite our emotions of love, appreciation, gratitude or wonder.  I have looked around and seen faces that have lost connection with the words of the songs and even worse, some don’t sing at all.  I have heard comments like, if your happy tell your face about it, or do you really believe that there is power in the blood then sing like it.  I even fear that we may find that some of our singing may qualify under “taking the name of the Lord in vain”, which is to no purpose, because our hearts are not in it and we feel little or nothing as we sing.

   Music that makes us feel good can soon become a favorite but if it doesn’t draw our attention to the message of the song then it falls short of God’s intended purpose for singing.  Spiritual songs should reach our heart and develop stronger feelings of love and appreciation, especially when you have a direct connection to the subject of the words.  This is what God is interested in; singing that comes from our hearts.

   I believe that the phrase “Familiarity breeds contempt” may be applied here.  Just like a visitor that once knocked before entering can become accustom to entering without knocking because the routine causes a loss of appreciation for the privacy of their host.  We can also grow accustomed to the routine of church life and loose the heartfelt appreciation for the miracle of our so undeserved salvation. 

Salient Points: Count your blessings, What’s in it for God, When God gets in it, Why don’t people sing, Has God dealt bountiful with you, Forgetting about God’s generosity, Distracted by self, Untalented, God thinks different about singing, A song of Moses, Seeing God’s purpose, Too spoiled to sing, How important is singing to God, From a sense of gratitude, Is it the gift or the giver, Learning to appreciate God, King David rejoiced in God, God has little interest in the self serving, Singing in vain, God’s creation sings to Him, Made to share His creation, Emotions are enhanced by singing.    

Scripture: Ps. 13:6, Rev. 4:11, Ex. 15:1-3,20-24, 16:1-3, Eph.5:15-20, Jud.5:13, Ps. 30:4, 33:1-6, 47:6-7, 65:9, 66:2, 67:3-5, 89:1, 96:1-2, 147:1, 100:1-5

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here. 

  This message looks at Jesus’ hidden motive for admonishing all believers to watch continually for His return.  He is looking for something.

  There are several things covered in this lesson as you will see if you read the list of Salient Points.  However the main point is about what important difference it will make if we are watching for Jesus to come back when it happens.  It has been nearly 2000 years since Jesus ascended leaving us with the promise of His return and many have lived and died with their hopes and expectations unfulfilled.  The question may easily be asked, what difference could it possibly make to them now.  And yet it actually does, Jesus is looking for a quality in His children that separates those who are watching from those who have been distracted.  A serious hint is in what God looked for in the book of Judges, Chapter 7: 4-7.

Salient Points: When God gets our attention, Quality time, Appreciation adds  love, God blesses the unjust, The miracle of rain, Forget not all His benefits, The churches narrow focus of God, The curse of the cross, Focusing on what we want and how we benefit, Christian grow up, Impressed by creation, Thinking out of the self box, Impressed by what God has done and is doing, Our very impressive Creator, When God says do it, Choose to consider God, Going to God just to get something, Broaden your awareness, Consider the unseen, Endearment or relief, Why should we keep watching, Looking for those who are staying alert.

Scripture: Mt. 5:43-45,  Psalm 103:2,  Mt. 24:42-47

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here. 

  This message gets into the change that we experience in viewing the world around us when we become acutely aware of the genius of our Creator. 

  Once I heard a song about someone who was tired of being stirred without being changed.  It was how we have our emotions stirred temporarily, like stirring water without adding anything to it, it slows down and stops and stays quite the same.  The life of a believer is much the same, stirred on Sunday only to slow down during the following week.

  God gives us a hint about a guaranteed change that He will make in us as we recognize his glory.  A little like someone admiring a stunning work of art that excites their emotions and turns to a bystander to comment, then finds out that the person is the artist.  All the excitement shifts from the artwork over to the artist.  Then they begin to see all the artists work quite differently. (see 2Cor. 3:18)

Salient Points: How are you, God’s woven tapestry, Unintentionally ignoring God, What if God treated you like you treat your children, The depth of the Bible, Difficulties in understanding scripture, Where is your attention, The future is real, Focus on God, Beholding the Artist’s talent, The light of God, Showing interest in God, Evening to morning, Shadow vs darkness, Very impressed by God, Just proof text, Unoffended, Under appreciating God, Key to a good marriage, Beauty that only God sees, Astounding variety, Not just for you, God has always been good. 

Scripture: Ps. 90:4,12-13,  2 Ptr. 3:4,8-13,  1 Thess. 4:13 

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here. 

  This message focuses on the parental side of God that enjoys His children as they look for and find His hidden secrets while He gives hints that lead them to the treasures that He has hidden especially for them.

  We know from Revelation 4:11, that all things past and present are created for God’s pleasure.  Then it is obvious that God is primarily concerned with enjoying His creation, and not just out in the future because He had John write “ARE AND WERE CREATED”.  The question then comes up, where God finds pleasure now. 

Scripture: 1Cor. 15:1-8, 13-14, 17-19,  Jn. 8:58-59, 1Cor.2:7-8,  2Cor. 4:3-4,  Rom. 3:10-11,  Mt.11:25,  Col.2:1-3,  Mt.7:7-8,  Col 1:25-27, 3:3  1Cor.2:9,  Phil.2:13,  Rom 11:33,  1Tim.6:17,  1 John 4:9,  3 John 4,  Nem.8:10,  Is.12:2,  Hab.3:10

Special Thanks,
Images courtesy of;  Hubble Telescope, Nassau, Space Science Telescope Institute and the James Webb Space Telescope that include selected scriptures from the public domain version of The King James Bible. The availability of STScI materials on this website does not imply the endorsement of STScI or by any STScI employee of any private use of such materials, including, in particular, any commercial use and any use intended to mislead. For more information please visit our Copyright Information page by clicking here.