03/11/13

He made this world and all things in it for us

Palms 104:15 - And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.


Believers have one scripture on the tip of their tongue which is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begott"n Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” which they love to quote, Catholics also love to quote one scripture "Jesus turned water to wine" (they would not know which book, which chapter or which verse).

When I witness to people, there are many who have been studied in Convents (run by the Catholic Church) get surprised when I tell them I do not drink alcohol, not even wine. They question me if I am Christian, and I tell them 'Catholics drink Christians (Believers) do not' and then they get stunted. They ask me the difference and I tell them 'Catholics believe in Christ and Christians follow Christ'.

There are some scriptures in the Bible which give the impression God promotes drinking. It is when we only get deeper into it not by just reading a translation, will we understand its true meaning. Let me expound the message we received today to understand what God wants to tell us. Let us go in the reverse order (back to front) to get the right understanding.

The Hebrew word translated as bread here means food and does not refer to natural food but spiritual food since the food is for the heart (inner-man). Thus this scripture is not natural but spiritual.

In today's world people put moisturizing cream or lotions to rejuvenate the skin of their face in those days they used oil (fresh olive oil). Olive oil in the Bible symbolizes testimony and here speaks of God bringing victory over situations in the life of man to make his face to shine (have joy).

The Hebrew word used for wine is Yayin which is grape juice which is mildly fermented / brewed. This would be in alcoholic strength lesser or equal to table wine; over here it refers to moderate pleasure. God is telling is here, He does not desire His people to be a dull people like machines, or like the religion Communism (though it is against religions, it is a religion itself) where smiling is taboo or having fun is forbidden. Paul tells us to be sober, not void of pleasure. We Christian should enjoy the good things of life, but this should be much moderated, such that we do not get lost to the desires of this world.

Understand God though created this world for the main purpose to sort His people from those who are not His people, to refine them and promote them, yet God does not desire this earthly life to be boring for His people, He desires we do enjoy life, but controlled so that He does not loose us to this world. He brings great moments in our lives which bring joy into our lives and lifts us to greater levels; He also provides spiritual food for us to be strengthened in spirit.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Father, in your boundless wisdom You created this world with all things in it. We may find things good and bad but when You created it You said all things are good. Things were not what it was like when You created them. After sin came in us and sin grew in us, creation became our enemy and things that were good became bad for us. Lord help us overcome sin so the we enjoy this world the way You created it and through your creation know You more and more...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
Genesis 1:31 - And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Romans 1:18-32
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness;
19 because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse:
21 because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:
25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.
28 And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful:
32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-9
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:
5 for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;
6 so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

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