That I May Know Him

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. ~ 1 John 5:20 (KJV)

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29

Saturday, March 04, 2006

A Home With God

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. ~Psalm 23:6

As Spring is fast approaching and March breaks are just around the corner, many people enjoy this time off to work on their homes. Fixing the bathroom, the kitchen the bedroom, spring cleaning and renovation is hard to avoid. Don't get me wrong, I believe in maintaining our homes nice and tidy. Just the thought of having a messy bedroom makes me anxious. I cannot work and relax in a messy environment.

It just never hit me the ridiculous amount of money people spend on fixing their homes. I personally avoid fixing that which is not broken. On the upside, isn't it amazing that as Christians and Believers we do not have to lift a finger for our home in Heaven!

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye maybe be also. ~John 14:2-4

A MANSION for moi? Now that is something worth the wait. The greatest gain of all is that we will dwell with Jesus Christ ou savior in a place where righteousness dwells for all eternity.

For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain...having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better. ~Phil 1:21-23

I feel like breaking into a Hymnal. Won't you join me?

*I've a Home beyond the river, I've a Mansion bright and fair, I've a Home beyond the river, I will dwell with Jesus there.*

posted by Redeemed @ 12:55 PM  

12 Comments:

  • At Saturday, March 04, 2006 5:15:00 PM, Blogger Matthew Celestine said…

    I hate a messy environment too.

    I must admit I find it irritating when hymns like that identify the river Jordan with death and the promised land with heaven.
    Typologically, the river Jordan represents that which is typified in baptism, namely the passing through judgment and the washing of regeneration. The promised land is for the Christian a type of present experience of blessing and privilege, though it be a place of conflict, as it was for the Israelites.

    So many hymns confuse these types.

    Every Blessing in Christ

    Matthew

     

  • At Saturday, March 04, 2006 5:43:00 PM, Blogger Redeemed said…

    Huh, oh, I never thought of that. Now I'm a little bit confused. This has peaked my curiosity. I shall do some questioning!

    In Christ,
    Sarah

     

  • At Saturday, March 04, 2006 6:00:00 PM, Blogger Redeemed said…

    Matthew,

    I have a question. I didn't want to bring this over to your blog, so I'll keep it here.

    It's about women covering their hair. I was reading John 3, and it me. Did not Mary wipe Jesus' feet with her hair?

    Sorry to bring this up again. I'm just very curious. Couldn't help but asking. Thanks...

     

  • At Sunday, March 05, 2006 9:38:00 AM, Blogger Matthew Celestine said…

    Yes, she wiped Jesus' feet with her hair. As a woman's hair is her glory, this is was an act of great humility. How many women would do that?

    I do not think this much affects the question of headcovering. If she had been a married Jewish women, she would have been expected to cover her hair in public. Culturally this was not required of unmarried women.

    It is possible that she uncovered her hair for this purpose, but it matters very little.

    The Scriptures are clear that a woman should cover her hair when praying and prophesying and I think this includes singing hymns.

    Every Blessing in Christ

    Matt

     

  • At Sunday, March 05, 2006 2:40:00 PM, Blogger Carey said…

    Aha! I'm single so I don't have to wear one!

     

  • At Sunday, March 05, 2006 3:00:00 PM, Blogger Matthew Celestine said…

    Well, that was the Jewish cultural context.

    There seems to be no indication that 1 Cor 11 restricts headcovering to married women.

    Or are you trying to ruffle my feathers again?

    Every Blessing in Christ

    Matthew

     

  • At Sunday, March 05, 2006 3:23:00 PM, Blogger Redeemed said…

    Good point Matthew.

    I have yet another question though. In the context of 1 Corinth 11, I keep reading it over and over.

    Verse 5 states that every woman that prayeth or prophesieth should cover her head.

    Since I do not prophecy (I usually just daydream a lot), I should therefore only cover my head during prayer. That chapter seems to be that context...righ?

    Thanks again,
    Sarah

     

  • At Sunday, March 05, 2006 3:40:00 PM, Blogger Matthew Celestine said…

    Well, reading Bible verses aloud would also be prophesy. Possibly in evanglelism. Particpating in public prayer at Church.

    Also, singing hymns, because they contain both prayer and prophecy.

    Some would say I am being too strict here. However, the headcovering is symbolic of submission which needs to come into every area of a woman's life.

    While the Scriptures do not require a woman to wear a headcovering all the time, I think that practise would helpful. You never know when God may use your ministry. Ladies in the Raven/ Taylor Exclusive Brethren (like my employers) wear small kerchiefs when in public.

    Every Blessing in Christ

    Matthew

     

  • At Sunday, March 05, 2006 4:19:00 PM, Blogger Redeemed said…

    I think by now I've established the fact that I looooveeee singing Hymns. There is something about reading Bible verses aloud.

    About you being too strict. There is no such thing when it comes to Godly matters.

    I agree that headcovering is symbolic of submission. I know I've mentioned this to you, but I do like that Middle Eastern women still practice that in churches today.

    I have a missionary uncle to Israel, and his wife practises that. I admire her a lot. Not only for that particular issue...she's a really good example of a "Godly and virtuous woman".

    Speaking of which, do you know who was a virtuous woman? RUTH!!! (chapter 3:11)

    Told you I read the book last night. *See my comment on your blog.

    In Christ,
    Sarah

     

  • At Sunday, March 05, 2006 4:23:00 PM, Blogger Matthew Celestine said…

    Indeed.

    Thanks for your interest in my perspective.

    God Bless

    Matt

     

  • At Monday, March 06, 2006 2:39:00 PM, Blogger Carey said…

    Me, ruffle your feathers? Nah...

    I would (and do) wear a headcovering depending on the cultural/social context of where I am. For instance, I have a friend who attends an Anglican church that requires their women to wear headcoverings during the church service. So when I visit, I wear one out of respect.

    If I were to visit a country where women wear headcoverings, I would also wear one.

    "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you." (1 Cor. 9:19-23)

    Personally, I believe that God is more concerned with the attitude of submission to Him (in both male and female believers) than an outward show of submission with a rebellious heart.

    BTW Leila, I can just picture this book entitled "A Mansion for Moi." Or maybe a song. That makes a great title.

     

  • At Monday, March 06, 2006 5:09:00 PM, Blogger Matthew Celestine said…

    Carey, God is indeed concerned with our attitude at heart, but we do need to display that outwardly.

    Regeneration is an inward work, but we have the ordinance of baptism as an outward sign of it.

    If a sign of submission was needed in a culture where female submission was better understood, how much do we need it in todays culture, where the notion of submission is not understood at all?

    You mention practising it out of respect for other Christians, but 1 Cor 11 shows that it is a sign to angels as well as people.

    Every Blessing in Christ

    Matthew

     

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