I recently wrote an article for another organization about three different biblical lessons, I would like to give them to
you this month. I have went back to these each day since the Lord put them in my heart to share. I have adapted them
to fit what I believe the Lord wants to bring to each of us here at Foundations Bible Church….
you this month. I have went back to these each day since the Lord put them in my heart to share. I have adapted them
to fit what I believe the Lord wants to bring to each of us here at Foundations Bible Church….
It has been an extraordinary year full of mountain top moments and experiences down in the valley. All of which point
us onward and forward in Christ Jesus. The Bible, God’s Word, tells us three key lessons and encouragements.
us onward and forward in Christ Jesus. The Bible, God’s Word, tells us three key lessons and encouragements.
The first lesson comes from the prophet Isaiah and quoted by Jesus:
“Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and
the rough places shale become level ways – a plain.” (Isaiah 40:4, Luke 3:5)
the rough places shale become level ways – a plain.” (Isaiah 40:4, Luke 3:5)
Jesus is the stability – the Great Leveler! He brings both the mountains to climb and the valleys to trod… and with Him
in the lead He guides us through up and over them, down and through them. In fact, He knows exactly which mountains
and valleys He wants us to face. And everyone who is willing to go on the journey with Jesus, in the end, when it is all
said and done – we are all the better for each and every obstacle, step, and moments of rest in the meadows and pinnacles of life. He is the steady and narrow way (the leveling line) bringing the mountains low and raising the valleys high for us to tread upon. There will be more mountains and more valleys ahead – so, let the LORD lead, level, and steady us in everything we do and face, despite the terrain and circumstances.
in the lead He guides us through up and over them, down and through them. In fact, He knows exactly which mountains
and valleys He wants us to face. And everyone who is willing to go on the journey with Jesus, in the end, when it is all
said and done – we are all the better for each and every obstacle, step, and moments of rest in the meadows and pinnacles of life. He is the steady and narrow way (the leveling line) bringing the mountains low and raising the valleys high for us to tread upon. There will be more mountains and more valleys ahead – so, let the LORD lead, level, and steady us in everything we do and face, despite the terrain and circumstances.
The second lesson comes from a very well-known and oft quoted Proverb:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and
he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The experiences of life give us insight, wisdom, and understanding; but that does not mean our understanding perceived and applied, are what the LORD’s understanding is and His ways. One may be right most of the time in decisions,
or perceptions and opinions; however, if the LORD is not sought, even for our ponderings or plans, then one could be
wrong in the expectations of what has happened in the past as we experienced them. Also note that when we leave the
LORD “out of the equation” crooked paths are the result. It is like taking advice from someone based solely on their experience and presuppositions without ever looking to what the LORD intended or intends. I mean – He created everything, knows everything, knows the hearts of men – why would anyone not seek Him and His ways to show us the way we should go? What ends up happening is we become wise in our own eyes (the perspective of a fool, as Proverbs says) when we do not acknowledge the LORD in all our ways…. Note it does not say some, or a few, or many – it says ALL our ways.
or perceptions and opinions; however, if the LORD is not sought, even for our ponderings or plans, then one could be
wrong in the expectations of what has happened in the past as we experienced them. Also note that when we leave the
LORD “out of the equation” crooked paths are the result. It is like taking advice from someone based solely on their experience and presuppositions without ever looking to what the LORD intended or intends. I mean – He created everything, knows everything, knows the hearts of men – why would anyone not seek Him and His ways to show us the way we should go? What ends up happening is we become wise in our own eyes (the perspective of a fool, as Proverbs says) when we do not acknowledge the LORD in all our ways…. Note it does not say some, or a few, or many – it says ALL our ways.
The third lesson is Biblically simple but Spiritually deep:
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from
whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
In the Christian life and as a Bible Church congregation – the Scriptures (the Bible) are central – just like Jesus as it is
written “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God” …. Jesus is the Living Word.
You may have noticed that right in the middle of the about passage that ALL of Scripture is God breathed. Again, not
some, not most, not just the parts we like, not just the positive…. ALL of it – from Genesis to Revelation! In the book of
Hebrews, we are taught that milk is for the infant and meat or solid food is for the mature. And just like in life – children
drink only milk for a short time, and usually within a year to two years, they are eating whole, solid foods. As they move
from childhood to pre-adolescence, through adolescence into young adulthood, and finally become mature adults, milk
is not enough to give the full nutrition one needs. It is the same, spiritually speaking, when it comes to the Word of
God, of which Jesus said, “man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” It
is then obvious and necessary, that as everyone grows, one must move from just milk to milk and meat, figuratively
speaking. So more than just the elementary teachings of Christ, believers are to go on to maturity. (see Hebrews 6:1-3)
Sure, you start with the basics, but no one is intended to remain in just that basics. Sure, it is more difficult to digest,
sure it raises questions – but it grows us, it matures us, and isn’t that what Christ wants for all of us? And if one thinks
about Jesus being the Word, the Living Word – the Bible is clear, that all Scripture is God breathed… when we don’t dig
deeper, just drink the milk and not eat the meat of the Word, then part of Jesus and His Word is left out, left behind….
And we want all of Jesus. Therefore, it is imperative that all the Bible verses and all the Bible’s teachings are sought and
taught. This is the way to move from milk to meat, to move past infancy to maturity.
written “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God” …. Jesus is the Living Word.
You may have noticed that right in the middle of the about passage that ALL of Scripture is God breathed. Again, not
some, not most, not just the parts we like, not just the positive…. ALL of it – from Genesis to Revelation! In the book of
Hebrews, we are taught that milk is for the infant and meat or solid food is for the mature. And just like in life – children
drink only milk for a short time, and usually within a year to two years, they are eating whole, solid foods. As they move
from childhood to pre-adolescence, through adolescence into young adulthood, and finally become mature adults, milk
is not enough to give the full nutrition one needs. It is the same, spiritually speaking, when it comes to the Word of
God, of which Jesus said, “man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” It
is then obvious and necessary, that as everyone grows, one must move from just milk to milk and meat, figuratively
speaking. So more than just the elementary teachings of Christ, believers are to go on to maturity. (see Hebrews 6:1-3)
Sure, you start with the basics, but no one is intended to remain in just that basics. Sure, it is more difficult to digest,
sure it raises questions – but it grows us, it matures us, and isn’t that what Christ wants for all of us? And if one thinks
about Jesus being the Word, the Living Word – the Bible is clear, that all Scripture is God breathed… when we don’t dig
deeper, just drink the milk and not eat the meat of the Word, then part of Jesus and His Word is left out, left behind….
And we want all of Jesus. Therefore, it is imperative that all the Bible verses and all the Bible’s teachings are sought and
taught. This is the way to move from milk to meat, to move past infancy to maturity.
By Jesus Grace,
Pastor Daren