Catechism Friday

Heidelberg Catechism (1576 A.D.)

93. Q. How are these commandments divided?

A. Into two parts. The first teaches us how to live in relation to God; the second, what duties we owe our neighbour.[1]

[1] Matt. 22:37-40.

94. Q. What does the LORD require in the first commandment?

A. That for the sake of my very salvation I avoid and flee all idolatry,[1] witchcraft, superstition,[2] and prayer to saints or to other creatures.[3] Further, that I rightly come to know the only true God.[4] trust in Him alone,[5] submit to Him with all humility[6] and patience,[7] expect all good from Him only,[8] and love,[9] fear,[10] and honour Him[11] with all my heart.   In short, that I forsake all creatures rather than do the least thing against His will.[12]

[1] I Cor. 6:9, 10; 10:5-14; I John 5:21. [2] Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:9-12. [3] Matt. 4:10; Rev. 19:10; 22:8, 9. [4] John 17:3. [5] Jer. 17:5, 7. [6] I Pet. 5:5, 6. [7] Rom. 5:3, 4; I Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:14; Col. 1:11; Heb. 10:36. [8] Ps. 104:27, 28; Is. 45:7; James 1:17. [9] Deut. 6:5; (Matt. 22:37). [10] Deut. 6:2; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Matt. 10:28; I Pet. 1:17. [11] Deut. 6:13; (Matt. 4:10); Deut. 10:20. [12] Matt. 5:29, 30; 10:37-39; Acts 5:29.

95. Q. What is idolatry?

A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which to put our trust instead of, or in addition to, the only true God who has revealed Himself in His Word.[1]

[1] I Chron. 16:26; Gal. 4:8, 9; Eph. 5:5; Phil. 3:19.

96. Q. What does God require in the second commandment?

A. We are not to make an image of God in any way,[1] nor to worship Him in any other manner than He has commanded in His Word.[2]

[1] Deut. 4:15-19; Is. 40:18-25; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:23. [2] Lev. 10:1-7; Deut. 12:30; I Sam. 15:22, 23; Matt. 15:9;John 4:23, 24.

97. Q. May we then not make any image at all?

A. God cannot and may not be visibly portrayed in any way.  Creatures may be portrayed, but God forbids us to make or have any images of them in order to worship them or to serve God through them.[1]

[1] Ex. 34:13, 14, 17; Num. 33:52; II Kings 18:4, 5; Is. 40:25.

98. Q. But may images not be tolerated in the churches as "books for the laity"?

A. No, for we should not be wiser than God.  He wants His people to be taught not by means of dumb images[1] but by the living preaching of His Word.[2]

[1] Jer. 10:8; Hab. 2:18-20. [2] Rom. 10:14, 15, 17; II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Pet. 1:19.

99. Q. What is required in the third commandment?

A. We are not to blaspheme or to abuse the Name of God by cursing,[1] perjury,[2] or unnecessary oaths,[3] nor to share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders.[4] In short, we must use the holy Name of God only with fear and reverence,[5] so that we may rightly confess Him,[6] call upon Him,[7] and praise Him in all our words and works.[8]

[1] Lev. 24:10-17. [2] Lev. 19:12 [3] Matt. 5:37; James 5:12. [4] Lev. 5:1; Prov. 29:24. [5] Ps. 99:1-5; Is. 45:23;Jer. 4:2. [6] Matt. 10:32, 33; Rom. 10:9, 10. [7] Ps. 50:14, 15; I Tim. 2:8. [8] Rom. 2:24; Col. 3:17; I Tim. 6:1.

One of Those Songs

Sometimes a song really sticks in your head and for me , when I'm reflecting (which seems to be a lot lately over life , shoot me I'm Irish) there are about 4 artist that have songs that have really impacted me and pop into my head . Bob Seger is one such artist. I bet my wife knows the other artist.

No Short Cuts

Any one who wants to learn to play a music instrument must put the time into learning the instrument. There really are no short cuts , no magic button to push to make one better. One must get to know the instrument intimately. Secondly one must put time into practicing. It can't be when one only feels like it but a dedicated time daily to set aside time and play,play,play. Not only will you get better but over time , handling the instrument will be second nature. You will be able to pick up the instrument with confidence and play . I know the more I set aside to practice my guitar , this is how it is.

This analogy may sound strange to apply to knowing your children but I think its true. As a parent there are no short cuts or instant mix to be a good parent. But one thing is absolutely needed , time spent with your children. When children first enter into ones life it can be a daunting task , a scary challenge. It totally upsets the relationship dynamic with your spouse at first because this tiny little baby needs your time,love and attention. But usually that levels out . Men if you want your wife to get back to herself , get your hands dirty. Help out , not just set on the sidelines.But I digress.

Here is the fact , quality time does not cut it . One will not really know their kids by run and gun parenting. Many people also lament TV,Computers etc... but at the same time what about having your kids into a thousand different things. I hold that a parent in these situations can easily become a spectator and glorified taxi driver. If you want  to know your kids spend time with them from the beginning. As they grow older pay attention to what they like , involve yourself without being over bearing . Talk openly and honestly as well. Laugh with them and be with them.Hug them,love them and correct them. Plus be willing to show forgiveness and ask for it if you screw up and guess what , you will.

One thing that I have heard from grown men and women who had all the bells and whistles growing up that they would have traded all those things for their Dad to be there , physically for them . More and more that could be said of a Mom as well, with more and more women working in jobs that demand time away from home.

You cannot be a good parent without time and more time with your children . If God has blessed you with children through either biological or adopted , be prepared to give of yourself , that is the most important thing period.

From the Mouths of Babes

It seems that Brad Pitt is rethinking his no marriage stand till gay marriage is legal because the children he has with Angeline Jolie want them to marry. Which is funny considering all one hears today marriage is a dying institution . People say we don't need a piece of paper or get married to show our love. But the children from one of the most famous couples want them to marry.
 
The fact of the matter marriage , being a God ordained relationship is the bedrock foundation of a stable family, community and country. For children it shows a commitment far beyond just living together or shacking up. Kids even know that by pledging a vow and entering into a marriage , the bond and seriousness of that relationship goes well beyond just being together. It communicates a bond and security that children need. Study after study has shown children thrive in a real committed marriage relationship.It gives a safe place to thrive and grow .

Yes many will say what about the marriages that end? Yes that is tragic and society pays a steep price for the failure of those relationships but that does not negate the truth that marriage between a man and woman is the design God intended for the safe and stable nurturing of children. Marriage is still an institution that is true not because of itself , but because God is the one who established it.

So when children know and sense it is right for their parents to marry , it should tell us something,should it not.

Verse Of The Day  : [4] Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

(Hebrews 13:4 ESV)

Quote Sunday

"If people believe in God at all today, the overwhelming majority hold that this God – however he, she, or it may be understood – is a loving being. But that is what makes the task of the Christian witness so daunting. For this widely disseminated belief in the love of God is set with increasing frequency in some matrix other than biblical theology. The result is that when informed Christians talk about the love of God, they mean something very different from what is meant in the surrounding culture.   D.A Carson

Filled With Thankfulness

As this hymn reminds us , we are to be thankful in Christ. For it is only in Christ we have assurance of one who will not leave us , nor forsake us. Life can be so uncertain full of the unknown but to be hidden in Christ is a blessing beyond measure .

Verse Of The Day  :   [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
(Philippians 4:6 ESV)

Catechism Friday

86. Q. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace alone through Christ, without any merit of our own, why must we yet do good works?

A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit to be His image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for His benefits,[1] and He may be praised by us.[2] Further, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits,[3] and that by our godly walk of life we may win our neighbours for Christ.[4]

[1] Rom. 6:13; 12:1, 2; I Pet. 2:5-10. [2] Matt. 5:16; I Cor. 6:19, 20. [3] Matt. 7:17, 18; Gal. 5:22-24; II Pet. 1:10,11. [4] Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; I Pet. 2:12; 3:1, 2.

87. Q. Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrateful and impenitent walk of life?

A. By no means. Scripture says that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, greedy person, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like shall inherit the kingdom of God.[1]

[1] I Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5, 6; I John 3:14.

88 Q. What is the true repentance or conversion of man?

A. It is the dying of the old nature and the coming to life of the new.[1]

[1] Rom. 6:1-11; I Cor. 5:7; II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10.

89. Q. What is the dying of the old nature?

A. It is to grieve with heartfelt sorrow that we have offended God by our sin, and more and more to hate it and flee from it.[1]

[1] Ps. 51:3, 4, 17; Joel 2:12, 13; Rom. 8:12, 13; II Cor. 7:10.

90. Q. What is the coming to life of the new nature?

A. It is a heartfelt joy in God through Christ,[1] and a love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.[2]

[1] Ps. 51:8, 12; Is. 57:15; Rom. 5:1; 14:17. [2] Rom. 6:10, 11; Gal. 2:20.

91. Q. But what are good works?

A. Only those which are done out of true faith,[1] in accordance with the law of God,[2] and to His glory,[3] and not those based on our own opinion or on precepts of men.[4]

[1] Joh. 15:5; Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:6. [2] Lev. 18:4; I Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:10. [3] I Cor. 10:31. [4] Deut. 12:32; Is. 29:13; Ezek. 20:18, 19; Matt. 15:7-9.

92. Q. What is the law of the LORD?

A. God spoke all these words, saying: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  1. You shall have no other gods before Me.  2. You shall not make for yourself a graven image,  2. or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above,  2. or that is in the earth beneath,  2. or that is in the water under the earth;  2. you shall not bow down to them or serve them;  2. for I the LORD your God am a jealous God,  2. visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children  2. to the third and fourth generation  2. of those who hate Me,  2. but showing steadfast love to thousands of those  2. who love Me and keep My commandments.  3. You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God  3. in vain;  3. for the LORD will not hold him guiltless  3. who takes His Name in vain.  4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.  4. Six days you shall labour, and do all your work;  4. but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your  4. God;  4. in it you shall not do any work,  4. you, or your son, or your daughter,  4. your manservant, or your maidservant,  4. or your cattle,  4. or the sojourner who is within your gates;  4. for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth,  4. the sea, and all that is in them,  4. and rested the seventh day;  4. therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day  4. and hallowed it.  5. Honour your father and your mother,  5. that your days may be long  5. in the land which the LORD your God gives you.  6. You shall not kill.  7. You shall not commit adultery.  8. You shall not steal.  9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.  10. you shall not covet your neighbour's house;  10. you shall not covet your neighbour's wife,  10. or his manservant, or his maidservant,  10. or his ox, or his ass,  10. or anything that is your neighbour's.[1]

[1] Ex. 20:1-17; Deut. 5:6-21.