WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR

Ahab had four hundred prophets who all prophesied the things that Ahab wanted to hear. They all told Ahab to go into battle and be victorious. But Jehosophat was not convinced by the numbers and unity of Ahab's prophets, so he asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?" (1Kin 22:7) Eventually a lone prophet of the LORD, Micaiah, was called. His message was very different and foretold the death of Ahab and the scattering of Israel. It was the message Ahab was afraid to hear, yet it was the message of the LORD. Having heard it, Ahab instead decided to follow the predictions of the four hundred other prophets while taking precautions to try and foil the fulfilment of Micaiah's prophecy. It didn't work, and Ahab died in the battle.

We often need advice. We probably don't have multitudes of prophets to ask - or even one prophet. But even in asking advice from friends, family or work colleagues, we need to be careful. As Ahab discovered, the advice we want to hear is not always right nor is it always the majority who are right. But advice from the LORD will always be right. Let's make sure we do what is right and listen to the advice of the LORD above all else. Let's not base our decisions on the philosophy, opinions or wisdom of mere man.

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]

CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER

When the prophets of Baal called to Baal, they used every way they could to get Baal's attention. They called on him, then they called louder, then they cut themselves to make him take notice. They frantically called to Baal all day, from morning to night, and still they had no response. But when Elijah prayed to the LORD it only took one short, relatively quiet prayer, for God to hear and respond to Elijah.

Elijah did not need to shout or draw attention to himself. He did not need to cry to God all day or choose the right time in case God was busy else where. He did not need to offer frantic prayers or have lots of speaking. Elijah knew that his God could hear and answer prayer from anywhere, at any time, even though the prayer might be said in just a whisper for only a second. Elijah had the confidence that the LORD his God was alive and cared enough to listen to his people and to respond to their prayers.

Elijah's God has not changed, and neither has Baal. Baal still will not hear, but the LORD our God can hear us no matter how short or quiet our prayers are, wherever they are said, and whenever we say them. Let's be as confident in the LORD our God as Elijah was.

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]

Omnipotence of God

I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them.

George Washington

Thomas Was Not Speaking Of Christ's Deity

When Thomas referred to Jesus as “My God” he was not speaking of his deity.

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Thomas, a Jew, used a mode of expression common to the Old Testament. Angels are called God in Gen. 16:7 cf. vs 13. Often accredited representatives of God are referred to as “God”. Elohim translated “God” in many passages, refers to the judges of Israel in Psa. 82:1,6. Elohim is also translated Judges in Ex. 22:28.

Notice earlier in this chapter, Jesus told Mary, “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God.” (vs. 17) Since Jesus was ascending to his God, then clearly he could not himself “Very God”. This passage clearly does not speak of the deity of Christ.

Acts 2:34-36 Does Not Speak of Deity

In Acts 2:34-36, Peter quotes Ps 110:1 to establish Jesus’ status as lord. Many take this to mean that Peter is attempting to establish Jesus' deity and they point to Ps 110:1 as proof.

Psalms 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

In this passage Yahweh (3068) said to Adoni (113) "Sit thou at my right hand..."

This passage is obviously messianic and Adown, the second "Lord," speaks of Jesus. Those who say that Peter is establishing Jesus' deity, say that because the Hebrew word Adown (113) is used, it means deity. What these folks fail to take into account is that Adown (113) is a common word for lord and had David (The author of Ps 110.) expected the Messiah to be God, he would have used the closely related word Adonay (136) which speaks almost exclusively of deity. A word study of Adown (113) and Adonay (136) will support this.

Considering the above, one cannot use these passages to establish the deity of Jesus.

Two Witnesses

Deuteronomy 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

It takes two witnesses to put a man to death!

Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

But at the mouth of two or three witnesses shall the matter be established.

Below are eight witnesses saying there is but one God or alludes to it and of those eight witnesses, two of them say that the one God is the Father. How then can Christ be deity?

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Mark 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

My Father....is greater than all.

John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

If the Father is "greater than all," is not the Father then greater than the Son? How then can the Son be co-equal as in the doctrine of the Trinity?