How beautiful the flowers bloomed on Eden's brow
The lion feeding with the lambs together grew
And perfect peace became the pledge for all to see
God's awesome glory and eternal majesty.
No virgin love could ever match two hearts that day
As heaven's Presence followed them at work or play
The Tree of Life whose leaves brought healing to all men
Gave Paradise one glorious hue of color blend.
But pride began to question freedom's right to choose
The Serpent's plan apart from God seemed better news
So in the course of time the fruit to make one wise
Became the sting of death that caught man by surprise.
But why this veil of night so cloaked in haunting fears
Would man exchange God's righteousness for mortal tears?
It was the price that disobedience had to pay
That formed this chasm touching every man today.
Yet from the ashes of despair the Lamb was slain
To bridge this separation from sin's crimson stain
So while He calls for you to meet Him face to face
Receive this priceless Gift of God's redeeming grace.
--B. Pent
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
THE GOSPEL OF ISAIAH
The Book of Isaiah is a miniature Bible. It has 66 chapters and the Bible has 66 Books. Isaiah is divided into two parts, so different that scholars have concluded there must have been two Isaiahs. The Bible is also divided into two parts.
There are 39 chapters in the first part of Isaiah, corresponding to the 39 books of the Old Testament; 27 chapter in the latter part of Isaiah, corresponding to the 27 books of the New Testament.
The first 39 chapter of Isaiah speak of sin, condemnation, judgment and restoration and the OT speaks of sin, condemnation, judgment and restoration. The latter part of Isaiah speaks of redemption, the redeemed and the Redeemer. The NT also speaks of redemption, the redeemed and the Redeemer.
Now, if there are 27 chapter in the latter part of Isaiah, that means there is a central chapter (an odd number always indicated a central number) and that is the 53rd. Christ and His work occupy the central place in the latter part of Isaiah and Christ and Him crucified occupies the central place in the New Testament. The latter part of Isaiah starts with a voice crying in the wilderness (chpt.40); and the NT starts with a voice crying in the wilderness (John the Baptist).
In the latter part of Isaiah there are two chapters starting with the word "who:" the 53rd and 63rd. The 53rd is all about Christ's first coming and what He came to do; the 63rd is all about His second coming and what He is coming to do: to judge. The New Testament likewise tells of Messiah's first coming as Redeemer and later He explains His coming to judge the earth.
There are two chapter starting with the letter "C," the 40th and the 58th. The 40th chapter and verse 1 starts, "Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God." The 58th chapter and verse 1 states, "Shout it loud, do not hold back, raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins." Thus, Scripture is both a comfort and encouragement to those who diligently seek Him and a warning of wrath to come for those who neglect so great a salvation.
There are 39 chapters in the first part of Isaiah, corresponding to the 39 books of the Old Testament; 27 chapter in the latter part of Isaiah, corresponding to the 27 books of the New Testament.
The first 39 chapter of Isaiah speak of sin, condemnation, judgment and restoration and the OT speaks of sin, condemnation, judgment and restoration. The latter part of Isaiah speaks of redemption, the redeemed and the Redeemer. The NT also speaks of redemption, the redeemed and the Redeemer.
Now, if there are 27 chapter in the latter part of Isaiah, that means there is a central chapter (an odd number always indicated a central number) and that is the 53rd. Christ and His work occupy the central place in the latter part of Isaiah and Christ and Him crucified occupies the central place in the New Testament. The latter part of Isaiah starts with a voice crying in the wilderness (chpt.40); and the NT starts with a voice crying in the wilderness (John the Baptist).
In the latter part of Isaiah there are two chapters starting with the word "who:" the 53rd and 63rd. The 53rd is all about Christ's first coming and what He came to do; the 63rd is all about His second coming and what He is coming to do: to judge. The New Testament likewise tells of Messiah's first coming as Redeemer and later He explains His coming to judge the earth.
There are two chapter starting with the letter "C," the 40th and the 58th. The 40th chapter and verse 1 starts, "Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God." The 58th chapter and verse 1 states, "Shout it loud, do not hold back, raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins." Thus, Scripture is both a comfort and encouragement to those who diligently seek Him and a warning of wrath to come for those who neglect so great a salvation.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
THE SILENT SCREAM
I woke up in hell a few moments ago
Silent screams pouring from my terror-filled soul
The doctor's assured me that all had gone well
So why all this torment of demons from hell?
I noticed my family in stark unbelief
As news reached their ears of my sudden decease.
No plans for the future had ever been made
Now only wild flowers grow over my grave.
I lived for the good things in life to be had
And really didn't think I was doing too bad
Repentance from sin was an old fashion trick
The church had in mind to disturb me when sick.
But now only memories are left to reflect
The voices of warning are haunting me yet
Across from this chasm the knock still is heard
As Jesus still pleads to respond to His Word.
I have an appointment before The White Throne
There's no second chance for my sin to atone
The debt of my guilt Christ had offered to pay
Are the tormenting chains I must carry for aye.
--B. Pent
Silent screams pouring from my terror-filled soul
The doctor's assured me that all had gone well
So why all this torment of demons from hell?
I noticed my family in stark unbelief
As news reached their ears of my sudden decease.
No plans for the future had ever been made
Now only wild flowers grow over my grave.
I lived for the good things in life to be had
And really didn't think I was doing too bad
Repentance from sin was an old fashion trick
The church had in mind to disturb me when sick.
But now only memories are left to reflect
The voices of warning are haunting me yet
Across from this chasm the knock still is heard
As Jesus still pleads to respond to His Word.
I have an appointment before The White Throne
There's no second chance for my sin to atone
The debt of my guilt Christ had offered to pay
Are the tormenting chains I must carry for aye.
--B. Pent
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
ARE YOU RUNNING ON EMPTY?
It was 9:30pm Sunday night, July 3rd! We left Colorado with all our kids, gear and a tank full of gas. I wanted to reach Lincoln, NE. early enough to have breakfast before continuing our trip to St. Paul, MN. where we would spend the night before heading to our vacation home in the UP.
Since Ogallala to Lincoln is a long, boring drive, surrounded by fields on either side, traveling at night while the kids are asleep, seemed the most logical. There is something nostalgic and almost surreal, listening to classical music while driving during the wee hours of the morning.
My full enjoyment of the trip was quickly interrupted sometime after 4am when the amber light on the dash reminded me that I was low on fuel. I didn't panic at first because gas stations have plenty and one couldn't be that far away! Or so I thought! But this was July 4th and between 4 and 5am most places were closed. What could I do if I ran out of gas? The longer I waited and the longer I drove without a gas station in sight, the more tense I became.
I prayed! Confession, panic, fear and pleading became my mantra! I needed a miracle! When the amber light showed that I was below empty, I got off the highway and followed a gravel road running parallel to it. By this time everyone in the car was awake; even the fumes from the tank couldn't carry us any further! I was flat out of gas! The car came to a complete stop near a crossroad.
A half mile away, I could see a farmhouse with a light on! I prayed I could get just a gallon of gas. From the lighted second floor window the farmer poked his head out asking what I wanted. I explained my predicament and with deep humility pled for a gallon or two of gas. When he came down to meet me, he said "follow me." He walked me to his garage, opened a large sliding door, and in wonderment I gazed at a Standard Oil Truck. He said, "I service all the surrounding gas stations." He backed up the truck, told me to hop in, and drove to where my car sat. Instead of a gallon or two of gas, he filled it up to the brim and before long we were happily on our way praising God for what He had done.
I've often reflected on that experience! At times I feel empty spiritually looking for just a gallon or two of God's blessing, when suddenly He calls out and says, "follow Me!" Then He opens the windows of heaven and in obedience to the command to "be filled with the Spirit" (Eph.5:18), He says: "whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him" (John 7:38) He wants to give us more than a gallon or two of blessing! He longs to fill us to the brim! Let this be our constant prayer: "This the secret of the holy, not our holiness but Him. Jesus! empty us and fill us, with Thy fullness to the brim."
Since Ogallala to Lincoln is a long, boring drive, surrounded by fields on either side, traveling at night while the kids are asleep, seemed the most logical. There is something nostalgic and almost surreal, listening to classical music while driving during the wee hours of the morning.
My full enjoyment of the trip was quickly interrupted sometime after 4am when the amber light on the dash reminded me that I was low on fuel. I didn't panic at first because gas stations have plenty and one couldn't be that far away! Or so I thought! But this was July 4th and between 4 and 5am most places were closed. What could I do if I ran out of gas? The longer I waited and the longer I drove without a gas station in sight, the more tense I became.
I prayed! Confession, panic, fear and pleading became my mantra! I needed a miracle! When the amber light showed that I was below empty, I got off the highway and followed a gravel road running parallel to it. By this time everyone in the car was awake; even the fumes from the tank couldn't carry us any further! I was flat out of gas! The car came to a complete stop near a crossroad.
A half mile away, I could see a farmhouse with a light on! I prayed I could get just a gallon of gas. From the lighted second floor window the farmer poked his head out asking what I wanted. I explained my predicament and with deep humility pled for a gallon or two of gas. When he came down to meet me, he said "follow me." He walked me to his garage, opened a large sliding door, and in wonderment I gazed at a Standard Oil Truck. He said, "I service all the surrounding gas stations." He backed up the truck, told me to hop in, and drove to where my car sat. Instead of a gallon or two of gas, he filled it up to the brim and before long we were happily on our way praising God for what He had done.
I've often reflected on that experience! At times I feel empty spiritually looking for just a gallon or two of God's blessing, when suddenly He calls out and says, "follow Me!" Then He opens the windows of heaven and in obedience to the command to "be filled with the Spirit" (Eph.5:18), He says: "whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him" (John 7:38) He wants to give us more than a gallon or two of blessing! He longs to fill us to the brim! Let this be our constant prayer: "This the secret of the holy, not our holiness but Him. Jesus! empty us and fill us, with Thy fullness to the brim."
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