11 results for tag: Steve Orr
The Divine Treasure Hunt—Part 4 – Steve Orr
The Sacred Inner Sanctum of Your Soul:
I’ve got good news and bad news...
The good news is that all your hard work has paid off. You found the treasure and you’re sailing for safer shores. You have a large cupful of gold dust; you pour some into your palms to admire its beauty. It’s spellbinding. It brings bliss, you celebrate your victory. Your treasure glimmers for a moment. Then, out of nowhere comes a rogue wave. It jars the treasure out of hands and you watch helplessly as it slowly sinks to the bottom of the sea.
The inner sanctum of your soul is your most sacred place. You must treat it with tender loving-kindness.
Be ...
The Divine Treasure Hunt—Part 3 – Steve Orr
The Holy of Holies:
In part 2, we reviewed the New Testament passages that clearly state our bodies are the tabernacle of god, that we are like a traveling tent where god dwells, and that the divine treasure is someplace in this tabernacle. So where exactly is it?
In the Old Testament, the Book of Exodus starts with God's people being in slavery and continues with their miraculous escape by the power of God through the staff of Moses. With the parting of the Red Sea, they leave the slavery of the past behind. But like criminals after a lifetime of imprisonment, the Israelites don’t quite know how to walk in true freedom, and they start to ...
The Divine Treasure Hunt—Part 2 – Steve Orr
The Tabernacle of God:
The Old Covenant Tabernacle was constantly on the move. It was a tent, the temporary dwelling that was packed up and moved with every wandering of the nation of Israel as it sought the promised land beyond the shores of Egypt.
While the journey of our lives may seem like aimless wandering, god’s dwelling place is fixed when we receive the “permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit," as Jesus taught (John 14:16-17; 16:7). This is confirmed by Paul’s rhetorical question, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Cor 6:19).
Throughout ...
The Divine Treasure Hunt—Part 1- Steve Orr
The Search for Treasure:
Everyone loves a good treasure hunt story; it's the spellbinding theme of many great books and movies.
Here is a small sampling of familiar titles:
· Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson;
· King Solomon's Mines, two movies based on the book by H. Rider Haggard. Originally released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor in 1950 and re-released by Cannon Films in 1985;
· Raiders of the Lost Ark, a film by Steven Spielberg, based on a story by George Lucas.
· The Deep, a movie based on Peter Benchley's novel;
· The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe;
· The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain;
· The Hobbit ...
The Wrath of the Lambkin—Part 3 -Steve Orr
Understanding the Lamb's Wrath with Revelation:
(To read part 1 of The Wrath of the Lambkin) (Or read Part 2 of The Wrath of the Lambkin).
In some ways, it is as if John not only received a vision but is also acting as a stenographer by writing down Jesus' words in the first person:
I am the Alpha and Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. (Revelation 22:16)
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelat...
The Wrath of the Lambkin—Part 2 -Steve Orr
Does the Wrath of the Lamb Contradict His Teaching?
(To read part 1 of The Wrath of the Lambkin)
Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is often seen as what was, or will be, the greatest battle of all time. Some see it as a battle between Jesus and Satan for the ruler-ship over all the earth for all time.
When it comes to understanding the book of Revelation, there’s a salient point that we need to understand: Sodom, Egypt, Babylon, and the Whore are all apocalyptic references to Jerusalem, which includes the entire obsolete Old Covenant religious system that came with it. These references to Jerusalem are made clear with these words ...
The Wrath of the Lambkin—Part 1- Steve Orr
The Most Wrathful Book of the Bible:
The wrath of a baby lamb? Oooh, A lambkin—scary. Sure, the Bible speaks about serious things, but the humor of God is plain to see for those who look. Let’s not be so heavenly-minded that we’re no earthly fun.
Wrath? I don't know about you, but when I picture a lamb, the last thing that comes to mind is wrath. Here in Montana, some animals fit the notion of wrath much better: grizzly bears, wolverines, mountain lions, black bears, and packs of wolves. Our ranchers and shepherds make considerable efforts to protect their herds and flocks from these wrathful predators.
So, in an attempt to find ...
Matters of the Heart-Jesus Versus Religion – Steve Orr
Matters of the Heart
Jesus Versus Religion:
What if Jesus came to church under disguise like he did on the road to Emmaus encounter in Luke 24? What would he see? Well, 2000 years ago, God did come under disguise to the religious leaders of his time. In the entire chapter of Matthew 23, Jesus told them in no uncertain terms what he saw.
Jesus rails against the religious hypocrites with seven woes. Six times He says, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!" In another woe, He says, “Woe to you, blind guides!” (The exclamation points in the NIV are most apropos.)
Jesus concludes His rant with these choice ...
Matters of the Heart-Our Road to Emmaus – Steve Orr
Matters of the Heart
Our Road to Emmaus:
Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures? (Luke 24:32 ESV)
I love how this verse captures and sums up the disciples curious encounter with the Teacher. Before this passage, Luke relates similar encounters where the Teacher appears and disappears with other disciples one at a time. But when they share their encounters with fellow disciples there is doubt “because their words seemed to them like nonsense,” (verse 11).
These encounters start with Jesus appearing at the tomb. Then, seven miles away, there is quite the ...
Matters of the Heart-Heart Attacks – Steve Orr
Matters of the Heart
Heart Attacks:
The “heart attacks” I'm talking about are when people attack your healthy heart, your good heart, and your innocence. (Please contact your physician regarding literal cardiac issues.) The worst attacks come from Bible Thumping Preachers bent on performance-based, guilt-driven religion. Their favorite weapon is the Bible and their most used ammunition are scriptures like this:
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
With this, “Thumper” takes aim at twinges of guilt which lurk in the dark corners of the victim’s mind. He agitates ...
Matters of the Heart-The Bright Morning Star – Steve Orr
Matters of the Heart
God Speaks To Us Through His Creation - The Bright Morning Star.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. (Psalm 19:1-2 NIV)
I love starting my day outside early in the morning with coffee in hand while looking at the third brightest celestial object in our skies. It’s a great way to start the day. With this, let’s consider a curious passage:
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright Morning Star. (Revelation ...
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