POWER OF GOD

“He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing" (Job 26:7 NKJV).

Though battered by troubles and deserted by his friends, Job never lost faith in God's power to help him. This faith is expressed well in our verse. It speaks of the power of God in creation and the power of God in circumstances.

Power of God in creation – “He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing.” The power of God in creation is evidenced by the existence of the universe. God did the impossible by creating the universe. Job’s comment about the empty space in the north is not unscientific. In fact, years ago, observers at the Washington Observatory said there was an empty space in the north without a solitary star. Yet, Scripture reported this truth over three thousand years ago. All attempts to explain the creation apart from God are futile; they are only attempts to rob God of His honor. Attempts, because God is greatly honored by the creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1); evolutionists do not.

Power of God in circumstances – “He hangs the earth on nothing.” Circumstances do not limit God, because God is bigger than circumstances. God hang the earth on nothing, and it is still hanging! He has power to overcome all circumstances, yet we often think that our difficulties are greater than God’s power. If He can hang the earth on nothing, He can handle whatever problems or needs we may have. It is not necessary to have favorable circumstances for God to help. Nor do we need to “pull strings” to help God out. The Lord can make a way out when there seem to be no way. We just need to trust Him.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“God performs what He promises and completes what He commands!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Teaching (discipline)

In Titus 2:12 we read, “Teaching (discipline) us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (NKJV).

Teaching (discipline) is the Greek word paideuō (παιδεύω = pahee-dyoo'-o). The word means train, teach, correct, chastise. It is much more than instruction. The word describes the whole process of educating a child - instruction, encouragement, and discipline. In Classical Greek paideuō is commonly used to mean the upbringing and teaching of children. Such upbringing consisted of teaching general knowledge and various kinds of training aimed at developing discipline and character. In the Septuagint as well as the New Testament, paideuō is used of upbringing a child, however, it was particularly used of religious upbringing.

Further, teaching (discipline) is present tense indicating that “the grace of God” is continually assisting the believer in the development of their ability to make appropriate choices against ungodliness and for godliness. So, what Paul is saying is that the grace of God not only saves us, but operates in our lives, exerting its dynamic effect in every aspect of the ‘child rearing’ process - training, teaching, encouraging, correcting and disciplining us for our good and God’s glory.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be called Shiloh or One Sent (Gen. 49:10)

New Testament Fulfillment – John 17:3

Bible Facts

Human conscience understood (Rom. 2:14-15). The Bible reveals that God has impressed His moral law onto every human heart. “Con” means with and “science” means knowledge. We know it is wrong to murder, lie, steal, etc. Only the Bible explains that each human has a God-given knowledge of right and wrong.

Bible Quiz

What is another name used in the Bible for Jerusalem?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: The phrase “three days and three nights” refers to the Lord Jesus and what other Old Testament prophet? Jonah (Matt.12:40).

That’s in the Bible

"Peace that passeth understanding”

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7 KJV).

“Peace that passeth understanding” - The expression “peace that passeth understanding” carries the idea of having peace of mind. This “peace of God” is not to be confused with salvation which brings “peace with God” (Rom. 5:1). When we take our needs to the Lord in prayer, God will give us a peace that is beyond our comprehension, and this peace will take care of our hearts and minds and remove the worry and anxiety that has afflicted them. Further, the Greek word for “shall keep” is a military term, and means that the mind would be guarded as a camp or castle is. Like soldiers assigned to watch over a certain area, God’s peace garrisons the hearts. This does not mean the absence of trials on the outside, but it does mean a quiet confidence within, regardless of circumstances, people, or things.

Did You Know - Christian History

Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky was born May 6, 1831 in Tauroggen, Russian Lithuania. He was the Anglican Bishop of Shanghai, China, from 1877 to 1884.

Orphaned as a young boy, Samuel was raised by a half-brother who was a timber merchant. A promising student, he was given the best education available since it was his family’s intention that he become a rabbi. It was at the rabbinical school in Zhitomir that he was given a copy of the New Testament in Hebrew. The study of that gradually convinced him that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah.

Immigrating to the US in 1854, Samuel connected with some Christian Jews in New York City and was baptized in 1855. In May 1859 he was appointed missionary to China and arrived in Shanghai in December 1859. By 1861, Samuel had translated the Psalms into Mandarin Chinese. He later translated the Book of Common Prayer into Mandarin with English missionary John Shaw Burdon. Samuel also served on the Peking Translation Committee.

Because of health reason, Samuel returned to the United States in 1875 with the understanding that he could return to China as translator as his health permitted. In 1877 he was elected Bishop of Shanghai, where he founded St. John’s University, and began his translation of the Bible into Wenli (the classical Chinese style of writing). He later developed Parkinson’s disease and was largely paralyzed. Samuel then resigned his position as Bishop of Shanghai, and spent the rest of his life completing his Wenli Bible, the last 2000 pages of which he typed with the one finger that he could still move.

Samuel continued his translation work, with the assistance of an amanuensis (assistant) in Chinese and later Japanese, when he moved to Tokyo, Japan during his final decade. A contemporary called him “Probably the greatest Bible translator China ever had.” Samuel Schereschewsky died on 15 October 1906 and is buried in Tokyo, Japan.

A Little Humor

A small church in the hills of Tennessee struck oil on its parking lot. It was a gusher and money was coming in so fast the finance committee didn’t know what to do. The committee called a special meeting of the 40 members of the church and asked what to do with all the money. Deacon Brown said, “I move that we divide all the money among our 40 members; and I further move that we don’t take in any new members.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Reformation is turning over a new leaf; regeneration is receiving a new life!”