Your Slip is Showing!

Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

I just hate it when important things get neglected. Like when we spend so much time trying to help others that our own family gets neglected. Many times we are so busy on incidental ministry that new believers fail to get discipled. How about when we serve the Lord so much that we don't have time to pray! Add to that list, people in the nursing homes that drop to the bottom of our "to do" list, Bible reading that gives way to TV viewing, healthy eating and exercise giving way to frequent quick trips to the drive-thru and immobility behind a computer screen typing blogs. Oh, and then there is the business of trying to keep a home operational while the love life disappears.

Oh, the wiles of the enemy and the snares of life which keep us from the important stuff. How often do we say "yes" to the good and then have to say "later" to the best? And “later” seldom comes.

How we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, know and are assured of, the things which should never be allowed to slip. Is your slip showing?

Better than the Angels

Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Please do not misunderstand, Jesus has always existed uncreated. We read that He was “made” so much better than the angels, but note that the word made, ginomai, means that He was caused to be superior in authority, nature and excellence than the angels.
And, not a just a bit, but a bunch, because in comparison, man was made "a little lower than the angels." 2:7, and we understand how far superior Christ is to man.

However, Christ was made to be a little lower than the angels only in that He was caused to suffer death, whereas angels do not taste of death.

What does it mean then, to be better than angels? Here is what we know about them:
1. They are messengers of God whose attributes are strength and wisdom. (2Sa_14:20); (Psa_103:20); (Psa_104:4).
2. They are referred to as masculine in gender, though sex is never ascribed to them. (Mat_22:30); (Mar_12:25).
3. Their number is inconceivable. (Mat_26:53); (Heb_12:22); (Rev_5:11); (Psa_68:17).
4. They possess amazing power. (2Ki_19:35).
5. Many of them occupy the throne room of God. (Rev_5:11); (Rev_7:11).
6. They are dispatched to each believer to minister to and protect them. (1Ki_19:5); (Psa_34:7); (Psa_91:11); (Dan_6:22); (Mat_2:13); (Mat_2:19); (Mat_4:11); (Luk_22:43); (Act_5:19); (Act_12:7-10).
7. They observe us. (1Co_4:9); (Eph_3:10); (Ecc_5:6).
8. They conduct the believer home at the end of life. (Luk_16:22).
9. They will accompany Jesus at His second coming. (Mat_25:31).
10. They will participate in the judgment of the nations. (Mat_13:30); (Mat_13:39); (Mat_13:41); (Mat_13:42).

As great as the angels are, the Lord Jesus is infinitely better.

Snake in the Wood Pile

Act 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Bible detractors like to point out that there are no poisonous snakes on Malta (called Melita in Acts). What they don't realize is that, unlike today, in Paul's time, the Mediterranean islands were well wooded. Luke was the one who accompanied Paul (Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you). He authored Acts. He ws an eye witness to this incident.

It really doesn't matter if there are poisonous snakes on the island today or not. The record shows that the Maltese barbarians recognized this snake as extremely poisonous and expected Paul to suffer immediately.

The 4 snakes that do populate Malta today were inadvertently brought to the island in loads of wood from the mainland. Perhaps a venomous serpent wound up there in that fashion. Moreover, who is to say that the deadly ochia snake of nearby Greece wasn't living on Malta back then?

The fact is, God saved Paul, and that miracle, coupled with the healing of Publius and others caused the locals to see the power of God.

Oh, watch out for that other old serpent in the woodpile. Be sober and be vigilant, he is coiled and ready to strike.

I Told You So!

Act 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

You have to refer to yesterday's blog, when Paul warned Julius the Centurion not to sail, but he believed the ship's owner rather than the man of God.

It turns out that Paul was right. Sometimes, I hate being right! When I tell someone who has gone and messed their life up, "I hate to tell you that I was right, but I was right" it gives no pleasure whatsoever. You parents know what I mean.

Damage has been done and sorrow and regret has ensued. Why is it that so many people refuse to hear wisdom borne of experience and a knowledge of things holy?

But some just have to learn the hard way. Oh well, I'll do my best not to say, "I told you so."

Look Before You Leap!

Act 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

Julius had an important choice to make. He could take the word of an experienced sailor, who knew the ports and the accommodations. Or, he could go with the preacher, whose instincts told him that to sail away would be dangerous at this time.

I suppose the fact that Paul was also a prisoner lent further weight to the ship owner's opinion. the Centurion had no reason to disbelieve Paul. Obviously, he had gained respect by this time. Yet, it just made sense to go with the gut of the captain.

Let's face it, we have decisions to make many times daily, most of them of little consequence. But some of our choices have huge implications. It is easy to take the road that makes sense, but we must lean on the Lord and be sensitive to His Spirit.

It may be that an investment confronts us, a can't miss proposition. Yet, the Lord speaks through a verse or the pastor's message leading you not to buy. Or, a new job opportunity arises, the money is great, the job is well matched to your skill set and it just feels right. But the Lord is not through with you where you are and His Spirit speaks to you to wait. These are those times where we have to pay attention to open or closed doors, when we have to pray and have perfect peace about the matter, when we seek godly counsel from trusted, spiritual leadership.

Look before you leap, it could mean the difference between smooth sailing and ship wreck.

They Had the Power

Act 25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. 13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

In the Footsteps of Pontius Pilate, Felix, Drusilla, Agrippa, Bernice and Festus were 5 nobles sitting in judgment of none other than the great Apostle Paul. They had the power to set him free but washed their hands in the fashion of Pilate.

What did all these people have in common?
*They were pompous, thinking of themselves more than they ought.
*They were swayed by popular opinion rather than doing what is right.
*They sat in judgment of one infinitely greater then they.
*They were persuaded and convicted, yet still chose foolishly.
*They sealed their eternity, coming down on the wrong side of guilt and innocence.

It is no wonder James says "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." James 3:1

Tertullus, the Orator

Act 24:1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that
very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

Tertullus was a bag of hot air, a hired gun for the religious elders and Ananias, the high priest. He used flowery words and flattery to butter up Felix. Oh, he knew how to work this pontificating governor. There was nothing noble about the nobility in this account. They were dead set against the cross of Christ and the servant of the Lord, Apostle Paul.

But Tertullus had met his match in Paul. Highly educated and full of the Spirit, Paul brought a defense that caused Felix to favor Paul's plea, so much so that Paul was given liberty to move about, receive visitors and an opportunity to preach the gospel to the governor and his wife, Drusilla.

Note to all believers: No matter how honest, sincere and noble your words and actions, the devil hates you and will employ any and every evil measure to destroy you. He is not bound by the rules of fair play. He is a liar and the father of all liars, like Tertullus. Jesus warned us that, in the last days, we would be brought before the law and falsely accused, persecuted and martyred. Stay sober and vigilant, and be faithful unto the end. A crown awaits you in glory.