Dec 06

The Promises of the OT, to the Hebrews, Do Apply to Us Believers

I was looking at Isaiah 43:1–2. These are wonderful words of loving promise. However, they are addressed to Jacob (and, by implication, the nation of Israel). My question was, does this apply to me as a 21st Century believer?

Quick note: The phrase “Thus saith the Lord” appears in the King James OT over 400 times (most frequently in the prophets). This is present tense, meaning God is speaking to us and continues to do so.

The answer to my questions is yes, with a a noteworthy distinction*.

Theologians’ View

Looking at how theologians have address this, they agree on these points:

1. Original meaning

Isaiah 43:1–2 was spoken to Israel in the 6th century BC.

2. Covenant continuity

The people of God in the Old Testament (Israel) and the people of God in the New Testament (the Church) share the same redeeming God and covenant promises.

3. Christ-centered fulfillment

Because believers are in Christ, they inherit the promises given to God’s people.

4. Legitimate application (*including the distinction)

Therefore, Isaiah 43:1–2 does apply to 21st-century believers—but *not as a national or political promise; rather, as a spiritual, covenantal promise of God’s love and protection.

To Summarize

Isaiah 43:1–2 legitimately applies to Christians today because:

  • God’s covenant love is unchanged.
  • Believers are redeemed in Christ just as Israel was redeemed from Egypt.
  • God promises His presence in trials to all His people.
  • The New Testament identifies the Church as the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). The NT teaches that believers are grafted into the promises given to Abraham (Romans 11:17-24).

I’m Thankful

I’m thankful that God has made a covenant with me. I’m grateful for all the aspects and blessings of the covenant that benefit me.

My prayer is that I would be a faithful member of the blessed covenant and walk in His Way.

Nov 24

Theocracy, Theology, Theonomy, and all that

Various terms using “theo,” including the etymology.

Prefix “Theo-” = God (from Greek theos)

1. Theocracy

Meaning: Rule or government under God’s authority.
Other Part: -cracy = rule, power (kratos).

2. Theodicy

Meaning: Defense of God’s goodness amidst the existence of evil and suffering.
Other Part: -dicy from dikē = justice → “the justice of God.”

3. Theology

Meaning: The study of God—His nature, works, will, and revelation.
Other Part: -logy = word, reason, study (logos).

4. Theophany

Meaning: A visible or tangible appearance of God to humans.
Other Part: -phany from phainein = to appear, to show.

5. Theonomy (theonomous)

Meaning: God’s law as the supreme standard for ethics and society.
Other Part: -nomy from nomos = law.

6. Theophilus

Meaning: “Loved by God” or “lover of God.”
Other Part: -philus from philos = love, friend.

7. Theosis

Meaning: Growing into the likeness of God; participation in God’s life (similar to sanctification).
Other Part: -osis = process or condition of becoming.

8. Theocrat

Meaning: A ruler who claims divine authority or advocates God-rule.
Other Part: -crat = ruler (kratos).

9. Theurgy

Meaning: Ritual actions intended to invoke divine presence or activity (historical term).
Other Part: -urgy from ergon = work → “divine work.”

10. Theosophy

Meaning: Mystical/occult philosophy claiming insight into divine realities (not Christian orthodoxy).
Other Part: -sophy from sophia = wisdom.

11. Theocentric

Meaning: God-centered in outlook, ethics, and life.
Other Part: -centric from kentron = center.

Nov 14

Art (paintings) by Leonid Afremov

Leonid Afremov developed a wonderful painting style using a palette knife and oil paint. Demonstrating an excellent use of (often bright) colors, he has a huge range of themes from rainy city streets to serene landscapes to actual locations and recognizable cathedrals. He passed away in 2019.

On Twitter it was posted: “Artist Leonid Afremov passed away on August 19, 2019. Now the Afremov family is liquidating the remaining oil painting collection. Prices start at $129. Free fast shipping.”

Website is: https://afremov.com/

Oct 20

Topping Off the Sermonic Meal

Here are some notes and take-aways from the article, here, by the same title.

Just like a good meal needs a quality, and not skimpy, dessert, a sermon needs a sweet conclusion.

“The goal of preaching is not ultimately to provide people with memorable information but transformational inspiration. If we preachers have done our job during the sermon, people will know more information about the Bible, to be sure. But when it comes to the dessert, the sermon’s conclusion, end with the sweetness of inspiration not merely the spinach of information.”

  1. Avoid summarizing. Avoid, ‘tell em what you told them.’
  2. Don’t manipulate. alter call or the bait and switch alter call.
  3. Land the Plane. The conclusion will determine how the listener perceives the entire sermon. Think through the finish. Make it concise and compelling. Land the plane quickly when the strip is in sight, rather than hovering.

Written by: Lenny Luchetti is the lead pastor of Woodland Church (Battle Creek, MI) and the author of Preaching Essentials: A Practical Guide and Preaching with Empathy: Crafting Sermons in a Callous Culture .

Sep 09

Longing for Home

The world has an inconsolable longing. It tries to satisfy the longing with scenic vacations, accomplishments of creativity, stunning cinematic productions, sexual exploits, sports extravaganzas, hallucinogenic drugs, ascetic rigors, managerial excellence, and so on. But the longing remains. What does this mean? Lewis says, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”2 And he adds, “It was when I was happiest that I longed most. . . . The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing . . . to find the place where all the beauty came from.” (from Lewis, Mere Christianity)

The tragedy of the world is that the echo is mistaken for the Original Shout.

Here is a very good devotional on the idea of longing for God, the authentic article: link

Aug 28

Past, Present, and Future in Perspective

Three questions:

  1. How do we appreciate and learn from the past without letting it control us?
  2. How do we live today with wisdom, grace, and purpose?
  3. How do we prepare for and look to the future with faith, hope, and courage?

I put together this document to answer these questions, using scripture and quotes.

Jun 29

The hyrax makes it home in the rocks

First, what is hyrax and where is it in the Bible? Second, (and more importantly) what is the significance?

I asked ChatGPT about the small mammal that lives (hides) in the rocks. The response is here:

The animal you’re referring to is the hyrax, also known as the coney or rock badger in some Bible translations.

✅ The verse in Proverbs:

Proverbs 30:26 (ESV):

“the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs;”

Other translations may say:

  • “conies” (KJV)
  • “hyraxes” (NIV, NRSV)
  • “badgers” (some paraphrases)

🔍 Additional details:

  • The hyrax is a small, rabbit-sized mammal native to the Middle East and Africa.
  • It has weak physical defenses, so it survives by hiding in rocky crags and living in tight-knit groups.
  • It’s often used in biblical wisdom literature as a picture of wisdom, not strength—a theme found in Proverbs 30.

✨ Related verse:

You’ll also find the hyrax mentioned in Psalm 104:18:

“The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the conies.” (KJV)

The Significance

God is our rock. In Him we take refuge and find shelter and safety. We are, in fact, weak, like the hyrax. To survive we need to take refuge in the Rock.

🪨 Verses where God is called a Rock:

  1. Psalm 18:2 (ESV)

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

  1. Deuteronomy 32:4

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.”

  1. Psalm 62:6

“He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”

  1. 1 Samuel 2:2

“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”

Jun 14

The Great Directives

Introduction and Background

In the life of faith, we have the two Great Commandments and the Great Commission.

Great Commandments

In the Old Testament:

  1. Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
  2. Leviticus 19:18b you shall love your neighbor as yourself

In the New Testament:

  1. Mark 12:30-31 [Jesus said] “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”
  2. Mark 12:30-31 [Jesus continued] “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The Great Commission

  • Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Great Directives

In addition to the great commands and the great commission, I lift up, what I am calling, the two great directives.

1. Be Holy

  • OT: Leviticus 11:44b Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.
  • NT: 1 Peter 1:15-16 as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

2. Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness

  • Matthew 6:33 [Jesus said] “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Rational

I lift up these directives because they are not just emphasized in the Bible, but foundational in biblical teaching and should be foundational for our lives. The Kingdom of God was a primary topic in Jesus’ teaching and preaching.

They emphasize both being and doing — our identity and our living.

I’ve chose the term “directive” (over commandment, instruction, edict, decree, etc.) based on its definition.

Mirriam-Webster gives these definitions:

  • serving or intended to guide, govern, or influence
  • serving to point direction
  • something that serves to direct, guide, and usually impel toward an action or goal.

God is guiding, influencing, and directing our lives. We have choices, like a fork in the road. God is pointing the way. It is up to us to be and do what God wills.

Also, these are not just instructions for healthy living, but bigger than that. These are directives to align ourselves with His holiness, His Kingdom, and His righteousness.

Jun 09

Always Reforming Sermon/Speech by Augustus Lopes

Here is an excellent sermon/speech titled, “Semper Reformanda,” which means always reforming. Always reforming is a principle of the Reformed church.

The address as a good description of history, geographical implications, the state of affairs of Christianity in the 21st Century and, most importantly, some suggestions for getting/keeping the church on track.

Included is Os Guinness’ Gravedigger Thesis (Gravedigger’s Paradox). More here.

May 22

In Challenges and Difficulties

God give us:

  • Courage to face it,
  • Wisdom to understand it,
  • Strength to handle it, and
  • Faith to trust Him to do the rest.