Bible Arc : Graphical Exegesis

"An evangelical believes that God humbled himself not only in the incarnation of the Son, but also in the inspiration of the Scriptures. The manger and the cross were not sensational. Neither are grammar and syntax. But that is how God chose to reveal himself. A poor Jewish peasant and a prepositional phrase have this in common; they are both human and both ordinary. That the poor peasant was God and prepositional phrase is the Word of God does not change this fact. Therefore, if God humbled himself to take on human flesh and to speak human language, woe to us if we arrogantly presume to ignore the humanity of Christ and the grammar of Scripture."

From,
http://www.biblearc.com/web/ 

Why Christ died upon the Cross

What is the true meaning behind the death of Christ upon the Cross?


First we must understand the truth of the human condition before we can understand the need for the death of Christ. Why would God sacrifice his innocent Son for the sins of the human race?


We can all look at the world around us today, at the past history of mankind, and see that something is terribly wrong. Also, on an individual basis we see sin in our daily life. Sins of compromising, sins of neglect, sins of betrayal, and on and on. We find ourselves excusing these in ourselves, but rarely in others! In this way we do not acknowledge our part in the evils of the world. Our sins are minimized and considered 'human' and we do not see our own complicity in the world's evil.


Christ's death on the Cross forces us to confront the ugly reality of our individual sins. If my sins are so small and insignificant, why did the very Son of God have need to die upon the cross to provide forgiveness for ME??? This is the real 'Inconvenient Truth' of this world.


For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23

By comprehending the Cross, we are faced with the knowledge that we are judged by a higher standard than ourselves or even of others. The Scripture tells us we are measured by our Creator. God, being just, can not excuse our sin. Sin requires a payment and that payment was paid on the Cross by the Son of God. He is our atonement. The death of Christ on the Cross shows us the severity and seriousness of our personal sin.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

If we refuse to see our sins for what they are, that God requires this atonement of us, we are saying that we can personally make things right in our own way. We need to remember the need of redemption. Today many people have forgotten that redemption is about sin and guilt. It is not about feeling good about ourselves.


The death of Christ on the Cross shows us that we are not in any way able to provide our own redemption. Christ as the Lamb of God was the only one capable of paying this sin debt as he was the only one sinless. He had to take our place. THE INNOCENT DIED FOR THE GUILTY. He alone could redeem humankind from our sin debt.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (Jesus) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Act 4:12) And he (Jesus) is the propitiation (payment) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1John 2:2)

Thus, the Cross is God's reminder to us of our sin condition. We are offended by it in today's culture, but it was just as offensive when it happened! 2000 years ago, they knew that crucifixion was a terrible way to die, made even more so by the death of an innocent man.


The truth... our sin was judged, we could not make it right ourselves, God provided the substitute for our atonement, His only begotten Son! Because he loved us.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

And that is the inconvenient truth of the matter! But for the love of God, we would all be condemned. Because of his great love for us, we all have a way of escape from the eternal consequences of our sins.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Eph 2:8)

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Act 16:31)

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Iguazu Falls

More from our trip to the Tri Border Area.

Psalm 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

(Taken from Brazil by my friend, Kathy)

Making Known His Glory

From:
"Apostolic passion", Floyd McCling,
"Perspectives on the world Christian movement",
1999, William Carey Library


"Apostolic Passion." Therefore is a deliberate, intentional choice to live for the worship of Jesus in the nations. It has to do with being committed to the point of death to spreading His glory. It's the quality of those who are on fire for Jesus,who dream of the whole earth being covered with the Glory of the Lord. I know when apostolic passion has died in my heart. It happens when I don't spend my quiet time dreaming of the time when Jesus will be worshiped in languages that are not yet heard in heaven. I know it's missing from my life when I sing about heaven, but live as if earth is my home. Apostolic passion is dead in my heart when I dream more about sports, toys, places to go, and people to see, than I do about the nations worshiping Jesus. I have lost it, when I make decisions based on the danger involved, not the glory God will get. Those who have apostolic passion are those that are planning to go, but willing to stay."




THOUGHTS:

AM I,

-Living a life of worship?
-Committed to the point of death?
-Spending quiet time with God's Word?
-Living with an eternal mind frame, or am I living for the here and now?
-Working for materialistic things ?
-Basing my life decisions on how to bring Glory to God, or on how to stay safe and comfortable?
-Planning to go tell others and willing to stay if needed? Or am I planning to stay.

Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

An Inconvenient Truth for us All

What is the true meaning behind the death of Christ upon the Cross?

First we must understand the truth of the human condition before we can understand the need for the death of Christ. Why would God sacrifice his innocent Son for the sins of the human race?

We can all look at the world around us today, at the past history of mankind, and see that something is terribly wrong. Also, on an individual basis we see sin in our daily life. Sins of compromising, sins of neglect, sins of betrayal, and on and on. We find ourselves excusing these in ourselves, but rarely in others! In this way we do not acknowledge our part in the evils of the world. Our sins are minimized and considered 'human' and we do not see our own complicity in the world's evil.

Christ's death on the Cross forces us to confront the ugly reality of our individual sins. If my sins are so small and insignificant, why did the very Son of God have need to die upon the cross to provide forgiveness for ME??? This is the real 'Inconvenient Truth' of this world.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23

By comprehending the Cross, we are faced with the knowledge that we are judged by a higher standard than ourselves or even of others. The Scripture tells us we are measured by our Creator. God, being just, can not excuse our sin. Sin requires a payment and that payment was paid on the Cross by the Son of God. He is our atonement. The death of Christ on the Cross shows us the severity and seriousness of our personal sin.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

If we refuse to see our sins for what they are, that God requires this atonement of us, we are saying that we can personally make things right in our own way. We need to remember the need of redemption. Today many people have forgotten that redemption is about sin and guilt. It is not about feeling good about ourselves.

The death of Christ on the Cross shows us that we are not in any way able to provide our own redemption. Christ as the Lamb of God was the only one capable of paying this sin debt as he was the only one sinless. He had to take our place. THE INNOCENT DIED FOR THE GUILTY. He alone could redeem humankind from our sin debt.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (Jesus) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Act 4:12) And he (Jesus) is the propitiation (payment) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1John 2:2)

Thus, the Cross is God's reminder to us of our sin condition. We are offended by it in today's culture, but it was just as offensive when it happened! 2000 years ago, they knew that crucifixion was a terrible way to die, made even more so by the death of an innocent man.

The truth... our sin was judged, we could not make it right ourselves, God provided the substitute for our atonement, His only begotten Son! Because he loved us.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

And that is the inconvenient truth of the matter!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Eph 2:8)

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Act 16:31)

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)

How far Should we Go?

Hiking to the next village.

Written by my husband, Yekwanaman.

Several years ago we moved to the village of Chajuraña in the jungles of Venezuela. We felt that God wanted us there and through the years saw visible proof that it was the place for us. We arrived in Oct of 1995 to begin our life among the Ye'kwana tribe.

After a few weeks in the village I was invited by Victor, the christian leader, to take a trip with them to visit family in a nearby village. I figured, 'why not!' so off we went, myself and about 20 Ye'kwana.

I, as a jungle newbie, was gloriously oblivious to the dangers of river travel. We arrived at one set of rapids, and they told me to get out and walk around while they drove the boat up through the rocks. Guys jumped from the canoe in the middle of the rapids onto large rocks and grabbed onto the rope that Victor threw to them. When they had a good grip he shut off the motor and tilted it out of the water. His life depended upon the grip of those five guys on the rocks. The boat would have been smashed in seconds if they had lost their grip or slipped into the water. I was glad that I was walking. I wondered if maybe I should have stayed home. After all, we had already come far enough to preach the gospel.
BOCA DE PIÑA

It is a small village on the Caura river where Victor's in-laws lived. When we arrived they went off to see the family and I, blissfully, walked around trying to make friends. Unfortunately, every child that I saw ran away screaming when I waved for them to join me for a cookie.

I later found out that they were doing exactly what their parents had taught them to do. They mistook me for an embodied spirit that they believe in in their tribal culture. They believe there are spirit beings that come to collect friends of those that have died so the dead ones won't be alone.

The parents always tell their children to stay away from the Wiyu. They will trick you and take you to the spirit world. The children ask how they can tell if it is a real Wiyu, since they are known to take the perfect form of a human. The parents tell the children that it is easy.... The Wiyu´s can't quite get the color right. They always look WHITE! not deeply tanned like a real person!!!! So all the kids thought I was trying to take them to the spirit world.

Later, a young girl came straight up to me and asked if I was a missionary. I said yes and then she took me to her grandmother who had asked to talk to me. She told me her story and asked me a few questions... She was from Brazil and had come to Venezuela to say goodbye to her family as she knew she was going to die in the coming weeks. When she saw me walking around the village she thought I might be a missionary and wanted to ask me about another missionary that had come to her village when she was a little girl.

She couldn't remember much about what he talked, but she did remember that there was a story about someone that loved her so much that he died for her, and if she believed, he would show her how to get to heaven with Him. She could not remember any more. His name, why he died for her, how did he know how to get to heaven.

So then she asked me If I knew the man´s name. I said "yes....His name is Jesus." She then asked If I knew His story and I, with tears in my eyes, again said "Yes." She said, "Please tell me His story and why he died. I have waited all my life to learn the rest of the story."

45 minutes later, she was my sister in Christ, and three weeks later she met Jesus face to face.
How far is far enough.....Unto the End of the World.

Seeking God

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:3

Each and every day I hope to take the time to recognize God. Not just in a hurried morning prayer, or around the family table as we give thanks for our meal, but in a personal way, every day.

This takes effort! It should not, but it does. I need to take care to purposely recognize Him or a long day may pass and as I tiredly lie down in the evening, I may find that I have neglected Him. I should set aside daily time to contemplate, receive instructions, forgiveness and blessings from God.

The only true way to know God is to seek Him and set our eyes upon Him. One day He will return and we will know Him in all His glory, just as He is. But, even now, we can know He is present with us, just as we know the sun rises.

Chronological Bible Storytelling

Pre - Evangelism

How do you share God's plan for humanity with a culture who has no prior knowledge of Biblical truths? People who do not know the name of 'Jesus' can not call upon His name for forgiveness without an understanding of who He is or why they have a need of forgiveness.

Interestingly enough, most all cultures are aware of their spiritual need for some kind of an atonement for their wrong doings. This is often seen by developing a form of 'appeasement' worship of demons and spirits.

Man was created with an inborn need for purpose and understanding of how to achieve it. The missionary working among a tribal people must be very careful in how he presents the gospel message to these groups.

In the past, we see that many early 'Christians' made the mistake of simply requiring a people to
be baptized and change their behavior, even sometimes forcefully requiring this as is the case of the early Catholic mission work among South American Indians. What this produces is a change in culture but not a true relationship with God. These cultures often appear to adopt the outward appearance and behavior of Christianity while simultaneously continuing with their pagan practices.

The way to avoid this is to teach the Bible chronologically to the people. Just as God revealed Himself to humanity. We walk them backwards, into the future!

We begin with the creation account of Genesis, work our way through the Old Testament which teaches of the need for an atonement, on to the birth of Christ as the Messiah, to His death which provides our needed atonement sacrifice! On to the resurrection proving His Godhead.

A very interesting site where you can see the process of this chronological Bible story telling is HERE! This site provides free lesson plans for adults and also a curriculum for children including coloring pages and video links. It would be great for home schoolers and anyone teaching children. It is also available in several languages, including Spanish.

The modern day Christian worker must also realize that right here in our own country, we can not assume the average person has a clear understanding of the Bible and a Christian world view. With the immigration of so many foreigners to our land, we have the opportunity to present God to them here, but do not assume they have any background understanding of the gospel. This material would be well used in a small Bible study.

On the mission field we call this 'pre-evangelism'. We must introduce them to Christ. It is exhilarating to see a person or group of people as they see this wonderful story of God's love unfold to them for the first time! They then have a personal relationship with Christ and not just a head knowledge.

And that makes an eternal difference!


Disclaimer: I may not agree with everything presented at this site, but it has much to offer and is free.So use your own discretion and check it out for yourself!

What Christmas Means to Me

Christmas is a day we remember the birth of Christ. Was he born on December 25th? Does it really matter?

On this day we remember His birth, we include Him in that celebration. Even when many try to keep Him out of it, He is remembered! It may only be in the words of a Christmas carol sung around the tree, but many people all around the globe will be celebrating the historical fact of the birth that changed the world!

I try and overcome all the commercialism and paganism involved in the tradition of Christmas by using the opportunity to focus on Christ! Put Him first! Lift Him up! Make Him the reason for the Season! Exalt HIM!

After all, He is the Greatest Gift ever given! His birth was for a purpose. He was born to be our Saviour! He was born to save us from our sin, from the penalty of our sin, from the guilt of living a life of sin.

For God so loved the world He gave His only son! Paul calls this the Unspeakable Gift!

It is a gift, freely given to all men. Have you accepted this gift? We are all in need of this gift as we are all born into the human race with a sin debt.

Our debt;

"Because all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23.

His gift:

"The wages of sin is death; but the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our Lord." Romans 6:23.

Christmas would be a wonderful time to accept this Gift of God!

Receive His forgiveness! He was born, God in the flesh, for our redemption. He was sacrificed and died for our atonement, and He rose again to provide a way for all to have forgiveness if we but repent. It is a gift given to us freely, but a gift that came with a high price!

The True Cost Of Christmas

( by Chyrll's Corner)

~

It cost Mary and Joseph the comforts of home during a long period of exile in Egypt to protect the little Babe.

~

It cost mothers, in and around Bethlehem, the massacre of their babies by the cruel order of Herod.

~

It cost the shepherds the complacency of their shepherd's life, with the call of the manger and to tell the Good News.

~

It cost the wise men a long journey and expensive gifts and changed lives.

~

It cost the early Apostles and the early church persecution and sometimes death.

~

It cost missionaries of Christ untold suffering and privation to spread the Good News.

~

It cost Christian martyrs in all ages their lives for Christ's sake.

~

More than all this, it cost God the Father His own Son-He sent Him to the earth to save men.

~

It cost Jesus a life of sacrifice and service, a death cruel and unmatched in history.

Our Favorite Daddy!

Happy Father's Day!

Proverbs 1:8-9 "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck."

Ephesians 6:2 "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)"

Thanks for being a great father to our children! You are the best!
Te amo, Topocho!

What does it take to make a good man a great father? Share your thoughts!

My Preacher Boy

If you have the time to listen, this is a 20 minute sermon my son preached at his church in Tampa a few weeks ago. He is developing his preaching skills as he studies Pastoral Ministries at Florida Baptist College. He is a sophomore.

http://www.westgateministries.org/sermons/2%20-%2004-19-07%20TH%20%20J%20Vernoy%20%20.mp3

You should all be Linguists!

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.. John 3:16



Porque de tal manera amo al mundo, que ha dado su Hijo unigenito, para que todo aquel que en el cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna. Juan3:16



Wanaadi tameedä soto cumjumma'to jooje, chääjäcäinchädäiñe Tönnedö yäätonno 'jemjönö tu'ene'jödöödä. Iiñedö ecaanö’nei annamjö'da na'de, yeichö töwaatamemjönö töweiye na.
Juan 3:16

Care to Translate ?

Wanaadi tameedä soto cumjumma'to jooje, chääjäcäinchädäiñe Tönnedö yäätonno 'jemjönö tu'ene'jödöödä. Iiñedö ecaanö’nei annamjö'da na'de, yeichö töwaatamemjönö töweiye na.

This is what the Ye'kwana language looks like when written.
Any one want to venture a guess as to what this could mean?
I will give you three clues.

1) It is a verse from the Bible.

2) It is from the New Testament.

3)




Give it a try! Leave your best guess as a comment!

Upon a life I did not live,
upon a death I did not die;
anothers life, anothers death,
I stake my whole eternity.
-Horatius Bonar

Thoughts for Today from Jayde's Scripture Memory Passage

Ps 139:1 ¶ <> O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 ¶ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 ¶ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(KJV)

For God so Loved the World

Yekwanaman and Jungle Mom with the grandbaby Elena . 23 Years and Still in Love!

I will be leaving tomorrow for our Baptist camp in Nirgua. We are hosting a couples retreat for the national pastors. My husband is doing most of the teaching. Loosely based on Love and respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.


I am taking a sneak peek at some of his notes, and Hee,hee. Looks good.
Emotional Intimacy
Physical Intimacy
Communication with comprehension
Reconciliation
Faithfulness
Honor and esteem
Ladies Only: The Conquest
Chain of Command
Discernment- analyze and advise
Feminine Intuition
Friendship, companionship

My titles are:


Know your Man
The Jezebel Profile
Love Your Husband
Your Love isn't Enough!
Your Intimate relationship, changes everything FOR HIM
Meeting HIS real needs ( make it a priority)

Sin Damage

While contemplating how the sun has slowly,even silently been damaging my skin all these years,it reminded me of the effects of sin in our lives.
We slowly are absorbing all the "junk" of this world and often think."Hey,I'm ok.It's not effecting me." and then one day we wake up and find our life in a mess.Or our testimony ruined.
Then we have to submit ourselves to a thorough inspection and it often involves pain and may even leave scares.Also, just as the sun damage is accumulative and requires vigilance even after we give up the bad habits of exposure and even if we are using SPF100(YEP,thats what I use) without warning a new lesion appears seemingly over night. It is a constant battle.
Sin is the same way. Once we give in ,the effects remain and the temptations are harder to fend off.
Dont you think?