Unseen Realm/Supernatural Worldview

 Dr. Heiser also discusses Jesus' descent into Hell or Sheol at great length.   He paints a clear picture of how he takes the keys from Hades and death while overcoming the "Watchers" or "sons of god." When Christ takes the keys from Hades,  he shows that he has authority over death and the unseen realm.  This parallel is shown when Peter 3 and Revelation three describing Christ taking the key over Hades and clarifying us his authority over the supernatural realm.  This overall picture of Christ overcoming death shows us a supernatural worldview of the Bible.   

Unseen Realm: Michael Heiser Part 1

 God has been showing me a couple different things from this book called Unseen Real: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible.   The book shown the clear verses and passages that detailed the Supernatural Real working against us.   Also,  the book also explained certain well known passages in the Bible such as Genesis 3 and Job 1-2.   The book explains why Israel faced giants such as goliath and his origins.   Lastly,  it gives you the passages for origins of the spiritual worldview in Psalm 82 and it helps you understand God and his Word.  

The concepts discussed in this book are never described in the church.   Heiser does a great job of developing and helping the reader understand that God did have divine beings on this divine council that rebelled against him; Psalm 82 and Job 1-2.    Also,  Heiser helps the reader understand the "Satan" is not a serpent but a divine being that was on God's divine council but rebelled.   In Job 1-2,  "Satan" is shown as arbiter or judge in the story of Job.  Heiser reveals that there are multiple rebellions that took place in the Old Testament: Genesis 3, Genesis 6,  and the tower of Babel in Genesis 11.  

These "sons of god," rebelled against God in the passages of Genesis 6 and Psalm 82.  These "sons of god" are referred to as elohim similar to God but in lower than God. Their descendants would end up becoming the Anakim and Repalim.  Their descendants were the Nephalim during the time of the flood.   Their future descendants would become the giants as Moses sent out Joshua and Caleb to spy out the land.  This is also where the offspring of Goliath and his clan of giants would come from.   Lastly,  they would end up becoming a type of demonic forces during the time of Jesus' ministry.  

Another important concept is the Deuteronomy 32:8-9 worldview,  which describes how God disinherited the "sons of god," to the other surrounding nations.    He sent them out from Israel's midst because they disobeyed God and his commands.   This worldview shows how Israel was battling these nations throughout the whole Old Testament.   It helps you understand the Old Testament more clearly.  Lastly,  this worldview helps shape how we see the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible.  

I will be posting a part two soon.  There is so much in this book to detail and discuss in length.  I will have to review and do another post this weekend.   There will be another update when I finish this book.    God is calling me to do multiple reviews of this life changing book.  

God's love for us

 In reference in Valentine's Day,   God reminded me of his love for in my time in his the Bible this morning.   I was reading Lamentations 3, which is a book of the Bible that is rarely read by many.   The verses in Lamentations gave me a picture of God's love for me.   It also showed me the depth of God's love for us.    Lastly,   it helped me reflect that God's love for us is new every morning.  

First,  this acrostic poem in Lamentations 3:21 describes God's love as never ceasing and his mercies never come to an end.   The poem says,  "The steadfast love the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end."   Think about that for a minute.    God's love for us never ever ceases and his mercies on us never ever come to and end.   Then the poem goes on in verse 22,  "they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."   God's love for us is new every morning,  meaning when we repent of our sins that God gives us grace the next day.    He loves us and pursues us with this everlasting love and compassion for us.  

This is similar to how God loved and pursued Judah despite their sin.  God's steadfast love his (covenantal action on the people's behalf) never ceases.    This type of love replaces judgement with restoration.    God desired Israel and us as believers to repent,  he shows mercy and grace toward us.  God's covenantal integrity remain intact in all situations because he was faithful to his chosen people and is faithful to us. 

Important themes in Jeremiah

 There are a few important themes in Jeremiah were that Jeremiah preached God's Word to the people despite persecution that he faced.   Also,  the Israelites and Judeans were unrepentant of their sins.    Jeremiah constantly preached about judgement of their sins and yet they still would not repent.   He was faithful to speak what only God revealed to him through spoken word.   Despite speaking the truth of God's Word,  he was persecuted consistently for depending on God and speaking the message he had been given.   

In Jeremiah 26,  God commanded Jeremiah to preach to the people in people's house of worship.  He preached a message of repentance calling the people to turn from their sins and back to God.   God said through Jeremiah he would relent of the coming judgement if the people repented of their sin.   After he had prophesied this message from God in 26:3-4,  the priests and prophets were enraged because of this message from God.   In verse eight, the priests and prophets grabbed ahold of Jeremiah saying, "You shall die."  They then inquired as to why he prophesied this future judgement pronounced on them by God.    Then shortly after this at the at the entry of the New Gate over the house of the Lord these same false prophets and priests threatened him with death,  "This man deserves death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears."

In the next section in verses 12-15, Jeremiah told the prophets and the priests what God called him to say to the people.   He repeated his message once again that God called the people to repent of their sins and evil ways to turn to God.   If they repent of their sins, then God will relent of judgement on the city.  Also, if they put Jeremiah to death, then they will bring innocent blood upon themselves and upon the city.   Jeremiah was also put in prison and a cistern in 37-38.

In the following section in verses 16-17,  the elders and the people cautioned them to not put Jeremiah to death.      They realized former prophet Micah prophesied in the days of Hezekiah.  The elders and people decided not to harm him because Micah feared God and depended on him.   The elder,  Ahikam the son of Shaphan protected Jeremiah.  

In Jeremiah 42,  the commanders of the forces of Judea asked for a word from Jeremiah from God for for mercy.   Jeremiah sought God's direction and what he will say to them.   At the end of ten days,  God said if they remain in the land,  then he will build them up and not pull them down.   If the people do not remain in the land and go to Egypt there will be famine and die by the sword.   They ended up going to Egypt and disobeying God.   This is another example of the people's constant disobedience against God's plans for them.    

What is God calling you to do?

 In Jeremiah 32, God tells Jeremiah to buy a field from the son of his uncle.   At the time,  it was dumbfounding as to why God would ask Jeremiah to buy a field during a time the Israelites were under siege Babylon.  This vision came to Jeremiah when he was shut up in court of the guard in the palace of the king of Judah.   He was previously detained in a cistern and Zedekiah transferred Jeremiah to the court of guard to watch over him.   Has God ever called you to do something irrational or out of the ordinary in life.  

Jeremiah's cousin, Hanamel, came to him in the court of the guard.  He said, "Buy my field that is in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of possession and redemption is yours; buy it for yourself." It was at that moment in time that Jeremiah knew this decision to buy the field was from God.    Jeremiah knew what God prophesied will come true.   When God reveals something to us,  we have to trust he will lead us.

In the preceding verse nine, Jeremiah bought the field and weighed out the money to him, which was seventeen shekels of silver.    Coins are not in general use at the time, so Jeremiah had to weigh out the coins.   As far as how silver was valued,  we do not know in Biblical terms.  This shows that Jeremiah paid full price for Hanamel's land.  In verse ten,  he received the deed, sealed it, got witnesses, and weighted money on the scales.   Then he took the sealed deed with the purchase, that contained the open copy as well as the conditions and open copy.  

Next,  Jeremiah gave the deed of purchase to Baruch, his scribe and assistant, in the presence of Hanamel, his cousin, all the who signed the deed of purchase,  and in the presence of the Judeans who were sitting in the court of the guard.    This shows that this act is a highly public event.  When the Israelites are taken into exile,  the would be able to see this deed to buy land.    The Israelites would be able to find hope in this deed of land.    It is a positive message when most of Jeremiah is negative in tone. 

Last, Jeremiah calls Baruch, to take the deeds, both the sealed deed and the open deed, and put them in an earthenware vessel for a long time.     God says this would be done to give the people hope for the future return after exile.   God speaks through Jeremiah saying,  "Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land."   Verse 15 emphasizes the true nature and purpose of God calling Jeremiah to buy the field.   It shows how the destruction of Jerusalem and exile will not the end of the story for the Israelites.   Lastly,  there will be a day for the Israelites when they will be able to reclaim their land and plant crops and vineyards again.  

As I close out this blog post, first we can see that Jeremiah sought God's voice daily.   Two,  Jeremiah heard a vision from God and he follow up with it and it came to pass.   Third,  God called Jeremiah to do something irrational and he trusted God with the symbolic action.  This symbolic action would set the stage for Israel's return out of exile.  This action was a level of confidence for the future for the people.

Jeremiah 32:15 is a passage that gives us hope with all the crazy situations that take place in our life.  It reminds us to put our hope in God in the midst of wars, famines, and broken-ness in this world.  Lastly, Jeremiah 32:15 reminds us that God is still at work in our lives.   We have to bring that hope to our world.   It is important we remind other people of that hope we have that Jeremiah 32:15 promises.   

Through these points in this story, we have to examine what ways God is calling us to take a step out of faith.   Jeremiah was in tune with where God was leading him and he trusted God.  What is God leading us to do or say to a certain person?   I used  the resource, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 – Sermon Writer.  How can we trust God greater with whatever he is calling us to do?

Submit to God's Will

 God reminded me today that when I surrender to his will for my life that he will direct me.    I had planned to go straight to church from the bus.  I had planned to go straight from getting off the bus to the church but someone got my attention that was struggling.   At first I thought this guy said he needed to go to the hospital but he saw my Bible and asked me if I was going to church.  I said Yes, I was then proceeded to tell him where it was exactly.  He seemed like he was struggling and told me he told me he needed time with Jesus so I said he could come to church.  

Next,  I helped him walk to First Baptist Irving.   I tried to stay out in front of him to keep feet distance and keep my mask on most of the time since we had just met.   Also,  I tried to stay in front of him because I did not know his background.   Along the way there he told me he had become a believer a few weeks ago.  While walking to the church, I tried to get to know him and his story. 

When we had arrived to church, I told Michelle Stanfill that I invited Patrick who was struggling with a lot of things.   Patrick ended up sitting in the back row of the church.   I said hi to John Eastham to Children's Minister that I serve with.   Then Michelle went and grabbed some coffee for Patrick.   A little while later,  I talked to Patrick for a little bit before the service started.  

The next part of my story occurs when the service starts.  I ushered people to Myles who helped them find their seats.   I did this until the service started at nine a.m.   We had a great time of prayer and worship during the service.  It seems like Patrick enjoyed the service and sermon by Pastor Moises.  

After the service had ended,  I asked Patrick if he needed a ride.  At that time my friend Aaron who I had served the day before in showing him how to prayer walk and share on Saturday said to me, "Do you need a ride."  Then, Pastor Wayne, the Administration Pastor ushered us out of the sanctuary because we could not be congregating in there.   Aaron and I walked to his car and we saw Patrick walking the other direction.    Aaron waved at Patrick to come to the car toward us and he said to Patrick, "Hey man I don't know you're story but I'll give you a ride where you need to go.

During the car ride,   we shared with Patrick and encouraged him in his desire to pursue God.  Aaron told his story of how he pursued drugs and worthless things in his life.   Patrick told us of how he had recently become sober.   He stopped using some specific type of drugs but I do not remember what it was.    It seemed like God was moving in Patrick life during the car ride because he opened up to us about his struggles.  

We ended up giving Patrick a ride to his dad's house in Fort Worth area.   While in the car,  Patrick told us of his struggles over the past 24 hours.   Everyone he had met did not treat him well from people taking his stuff to beating him up.   They people that did not treat him well could be attributed to the crowds in the story of the paralytic that looked for the distance.   In the story of the paralytic man,  I was the man's friends that brought him to Jesus.    It snowed non-stop from Irving to Forth Worth to drop off Patrick.   

When we finally dropped off Patrick at his dad's house,  it had snowed a couple off inches.   We took a picture with Patrick in the snow when we arrived to his house.     It was a cool picture of us bringing someone before Jesus and then he does a work in Patrick's life.   Also,  his dad opened the door it had the feel of the the son coming home to the dad in the story of the prodigal man.  We told his dad of how we met him in Irving and gave him a ride home.    It was cool seeing the father opening up the door for the son and welcoming him back.   

The story ends with Aaron and I praying for Patrick as we traversed back to Irving in the snow.   We prayed that he would turn away from his old sin nature.   That God would sustain him with the ability to stay sober away from drugs.    We thanked God for the ability to share,  love, and serve Patrick last Sunday.   We took one last picture in the snow and enjoyed the snow in Texas.  

This story reminded me that I need to daily seek God's will for my life.   I desperately am seeking where God's calling me in life that I forget his will is more important.   Also,  at times I will put church as more important than other people.   I was reminded of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says, "your kingdom come,  your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."   I need to daily seek him for opportunities to share with what God has done in my life despite what hardship I am facing.   

New Year

 God has been revealing to me that he wants me to get back to journaling and writing in the New Year.   I have had this blog for a since 2010 but over the past few months I have not updated it as often as I would like to.   Also,  he has been showing me I need to be more consistent with journaling this year as I seek his will for my life.   Right now,  I am in the process of leaving Home Depot and seeking a ministry/para-church or non-profit position.   Lastly,  I need to journal about seeking him in terms who he is leading me to pursue in a future godly marriage.  

This blog has influenced many people since starting it in 2010.   I feel that God is calling me to get back to being more consist in writing in the blog.   I need to remind myself of how much my writing has impacted others so far in my life.   Also,  I need to look back on what God has done in my life in the past and use that for specific topics in my blog.   Once I pray, seek him for various topics, then I will be able to springboard more posts in my blog.   

Lastly,  God is calling me to journal consistently in the New year.   I need to make sure I am praying and journaling through what God is teaching me.   Also,  I need to journal about a specific direction God is leading me in.  I will be journaling more than two days weekly.  Lastly, I need to keep it up through the whole year.    God moves and reveals things to me when I am consistent.