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It’s Okay to Just be Another Star in the Milky Way
I am writing tonight somewhere in the universe. It doesn’t really matter where.
You may listen to the podcast version of this article here.
What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 NLT
A while back I saw a book that had a picture of the sun as the center of the universe. after that the book had a series of pictures each one backing farther and farther out of the universe until finally the sun was just another one of the 250 billion stars in the Milky Way.
Often times we are insecure and tempted to think that we need to be the center of the universe. We are afraid to see ourselves as just another one of the 250 billion or more stars in the Milky Way. We are afraid if there’s nothing special about us then we won’t get that promotion or our needs will be overlooked and we will be forgotten and not cared for.
That is when the same Jesus who tells us to put everybody else first, also assures us that our Heavenly Father watches over the smallest sparrow. We needn’t feel insecure while being just one of 250 billion stars in the Milky Way. God cares for the smallest sparrow. He won’t overlook us. He will surely care for us too. We don’t have to be the center of the universe in order for God to watch over and love and care for us. Its okay if the 250 billion other stars get the promotion. Its okay if the other 250 billion stars get loved and cared for. Go ahead and put everyone else’s needs first. God will still love and take care of you. God cares for the sparrows and He cares for you. You won’t be forgotten.
Are Study Bibles Inspired?
I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.
You may listen to the podcast version of this article here.
Study Bibles for the most part can be a huge blessing. However as a young Bible Worker back in the 1990’s I found them to be very challenging. Numerous times I would begin Bible studies with someone who knew very little about the Bible. They would run out to a bookstore in the community and buy a Study Bible, which they would be very proud to show me at our next Bible study. I would hide my disappointment and act happy for them. But almost always, later when the notes in their study Bible would contradict a Bible principle I was teaching I would need to remind them that the study notes are not inspired. Of course a more seasoned Bible student would realize that more readily than a new Bible student who was looking for something to cling to. Of course when I disagreed with the study notes, both the Bible student and I obviously realized I was not inspired either. So we would have to keep comparing Scripture with Scripture to get our final conclusions.
Even as Adventists we must understand we learn truth by comparing Scripture with Scripture, and not by comparing Scripture with our favorite authors or preachers. Our Adventist pioneers came out of various protestant churches and sat down together to study out different doctrines in the Bible. Even though their group Bible studies led to the founding of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, our Adventist pioneers studied these things out for themselves. They did not study the Bible for us. It is still up to us to compare Scripture with Scripture just as they did so we too can know what is truth. The counsel given to Timothy is for all of us.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
Paul did not study for Timothy. Timothy had to study the Scriptures for himself. Likewise our Adventist pioneers did not study the Scriptures for you. You must study them for yourself.
Likewise commentaries like Study Bibles can be helpful, but keep in mind they are not inspired. In 1953 a group of dedicated people put together the 7 volume Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary. as scholarly and Spirit led as they were even they recognized their human limitations and fallibility. For example:
For such errors as may appear in these volumes we plead not only the indulgence of the reader but also his [or her] cooperation, so that future printings may come ever near to perfection. -Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 1 Page 17.
and also,
This commentary is published with no thought of presenting a creed or determining for all time the denominational interpretation of any passage of Scripture. Neither the contributors nor the editors possess either the power or the desire to do so. Let this fact be clearly understood at the outset. -Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 1 Page 18.
Let me make myself clear that I am not telling anyone to throw away their Study notes or commentaries. What I am saying is, remember study notes and commentaries are not on the same level as Scripture. Scripture is inspired and infallible. Notes in study Bibles and commentaries are not infallible.
You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.
Sunday in the Bible
Podcast-Circumcision: Making Sense of an “Awkward” Bible Topic.
I am podcasting today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.
Many Christians do not understand the exact reasoning for circumcision in the Bible, while many atheists make fun of the Bible and Christianity over this apparent “strange ritual.” So let’s take a look at Scripture to make sense of this seemingly “awkward” topic.
You may listen to the podcast here.
You may read the articlehere.
Be the Perfume
A Deeper Look at the Cross of Christ
For further study click here.
In Light of The Cross 