HANDICAPPED FOR GOD’S GLORY

“Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (John 9:3 NKJV).

In context, the Lord Jesus came upon a man who was blind from his birth. The problem puzzled the disciples; and so they asked the Lord, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (v. 9:2). In the Lord Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ perplexity, we want to note the exaltation in the explanation, the experience in the explanation, and the encouragement in the explanation.

Exaltation in the explanation – “But that the works of God should be revealed in him.” The purpose of the blindness was to exalt God. And God was indeed exalted for the Lord Jesus was honored in healing the man of his blindness. Folks today are mostly interested in their own glory which accounts for so much bragging. However, we need to remember that it is important that God be honored and glorified. All that we do is to be done to glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31).

Experience in the explanation – “But that the works of God should be revealed in him.” While we may have to experience suffering on earth in order that God may be glorified, it is no injustice to man. After all, the Lord Jesus suffered greatly on Calvary so that sinners might be saved and be glorified in heaven. If the Lord Jesus suffered so we could obtain eternal glory, should we complain if we must suffer that God may be glorified on earth?

Encouragement in the explanation – “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.” It should be noted that this statement does not mean that the blind man and his parents had never sinned. What it means is that this trial in their lives was not caused by some specific sin. Every time we experience a trial does not necessarily mean that we are suffering because of our sin. Indeed, we should search our hearts when we are suffering a trial to see if it is because of some sin, and if it is, we need to confess and forsake that sin (cf. Prov. 28:13). However, if we honestly cannot perceive that our suffering is a result of sin, then we need to trust that God has another good reason for the suffering. He is the all wise and loving God.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“We must learn that the glory of God is to be preferred before all other things!”

Ezekiel Hopkins (1634 - 1690)

English Anglican Theologian and Author

Word Study

False prophets

In Matt. 7:15 we read, ““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (NKJV).

“False prophets” is the Greek word pseudoprophḗtēs (ψευδοπροφήτης = psyoo-dop-rof-ay'-tace). It is made up of two words: “pseudes” which means lying, false, and “prophētēs” which means a prophet. The word describes a false prophet. It is one who claims to be a prophet from God but speaks falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies. Pseudoprophḗtēs is exceptionally rare in classical Greek and only becomes widely used in Christian literature. In the Septuagint as well as the New Testament, pseudoprophḗtēs is the common word for “prophet.” This term pseudoprophḗtēs also refers to a specific historical individual (who is yet to be revealed) who will be the “front man” for the Antichrist in the end times (cf. Rev. 16:13; 19:20; Rev 20:10). False prophets are not just wrong but are very dangerous (Acts 20:29 refer to them as “savage wolves”). And since our battle is not as much physical as it is mental, their message inevitably pervert and distort their listeners’ thinking and poison their souls. False prophets are more deadly than physical wolves because their message can kill not just the body but send a soul to a lost eternity.

Did You Know…

Just before the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, Moses’ main message to them was don’t forget God, obey Him and don’t worship idols (Deut. 8:19).

Bible Quiz

According to the Book of James, what does “demons believe and tremble?”

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: After speaking with his donkey God opened the eyes of Balaam, what did he see? “The Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand” (Num. 22:31).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

The Seed of Abraham will bless all nations (Gen. 12:3; cf. Acts 3:25-26; Gal. 3:8, 16)

"I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3 NJKV).

In context, God gave Abraham a threefold promise that involved personal blessings, national blessings, and universal blessings for all humankind. These blessings showed how God loved the world that had turned away from Him. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise came through the Lord Jesus Christ who became the means of blessing to the world (cf. Acts 3:25; Rom. 9:5; Gal. 3:8, 16). So, God blesses us that we might be a blessing to others, and His great concern is that the whole world might be blessed. The missionary mandate of the church does not begin with John 3:16 or Matt. 28:18-20. It begins with God’s covenant with Abraham. We are blessed that we might be a blessing.

Did You Know – Christian History

David Zeisberger was born April 11, 1721, in Moravia (present day Czech Republic). He was a Moravian clergyman and missionary among the Native American tribes.

Zeisberger spent his childhood in Herrnhut, Germany, center of the Moravian missionary movement, where his parents had emigrated in search of religious freedom. As a youth, he accompanied Moravian missionaries to Georgia in 1738. In 1745, Zeisberger began mission work among Native Americans in New York State. His goal was to establish communities that would provide protection from European settlers and non-Christian Native Americans. His work took him west through Pennsylvania.

Despite many setbacks, he successfully established several Moravian Indian villages in Eastern Ohio beginning in 1772. However, this area soon became trapped in hostilities marking the end of the American Revolution. While Zeisberger was defending his neutrality before British officials in Detroit in 1782, some ninety-six of his converts were massacred in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, by American militia. He eventually reestablished his mission in Fairfield, Ontario, and then led a few families back to Ohio in 1798. Efforts were made to establish new villages, but it was no longer possible to maintain exclusive communities, and the work eventually ceased. After 62 years in missionary service, Zeisberger died and was buried in Goshen, Ohio, the site of his last residence.

Zeisberger spoke several Native American languages fluently and produced a number of literary works that aided him in his efforts. These include Biblical translations, hymns, catechetical materials, and general educational materials. He also produced grammatical studies and dictionaries that presented Native American languages with both English and German equivalents. Portions of his dictionaries have been published, and his manuscript “The History of the North American Indians” written in 1779-1780, has been translated and published by Archer B. Hulbert and William Schwarze in Ohio Archeological and Historical Society Publications.

A Little Humor

For those who speed on the highway, here are a few hymns:

45 MPH - God Will Take Care of You

65 MPH - Nearer My God to Thee

85 MPH - This World is Not My Home

95 MPH - Lord, I’m Coming Home

100 MPH - Precious Memories 

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“We may not always agree with God, but He is still the Sovereign Creator!”