I was accused one time of talking to hear myself talk.  Of course I took it with a grain of salt because the man who said it didn’t like what I was saying.  Now that is not to say I think I am always correct in my thinking.  But when I am talking about Scripture you had better use God’s Word to correct me or I probably will consider your opinion irrelevant.  I try to approach the Word of God carefully and reverently.  I consider it to be the last word on any subject, for it is the truth revealed to us.

If people only knew me, then they would know that I would rather not talk or write, because it is a difficult chore for me.  I write because I think people need to understand the truths in God’s Word or they will be subject to the lies of Satan.  Satan is not opposed to using the Word of God as long as he is in control of the direction of thought.  Cut and paste is his method and he is a master at twisting words to distort their original intention.  I am sure it is apparent to him just how hard it is to dislodge an idea that has taken root, regardless of its accuracy.  That is why we need to guard the accuracy of the Word of God as if our life depended on it, because it may.

If it seems that I am just rambling it is because I am frustrated.  I have just come from a discussion about the 7th and 8th chapters of Romans.  I have been confronted with what seems to me to be a most irrational defense of that persons understanding of these scriptures.  A denial of the actual meanings of the words of Scripture seemed to be a real barrier for our coming to unity of what this text was saying.  How do you even maintain a coherent conversation if the meanings of words change at our own whim?  If we can interpose any interpreted meaning to a group of scriptures, then for two people to gain a unified concept of what the scriptures mean is impossible.

In our discussion walking in the flesh became an option or a choice for Christians, even though it results in death, because Christians do it.  “Death isn’t that bad, it just means separation”.  ( My wife passed away 4 years ago.  I don’t tell people that we are separated, I tell them she died.)  Death is separation but the word death is used to denote the permanence of that separation.

I have always believed that God’s Word was written in a way that we as Christians could clearly understand what God required of us.  Because of my belief I just can’t dismiss the clear reading of a text, especially one that is instructing me.  Judging from the discussion that I have just had, and from others like it; Should I have confidence in the simple belief I just stated?  Or is everything up in the air and subject to interpretation?  If the Apostle Paul says he is talking about the law in the 7th chapter, can we interpose that he is also talking about the wisdom of our daily decisions too?  Can we after reading the first 6 chapters of Romans accept that Paul himself is  “sold into bondage to sin”, evil dwells within him, and he does what he doesn’t want to do and doesn’t do what he wants to do?  Unless we hold to fundamental rules of language the Scripture becomes irrational and we the students of the unexplainable.

But if we will submit to the clear reading of Scripture, humbling ourselves under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, then truth becomes evident, rational, logical, and good.  God and His Word remain unmovable it is we who must change.

For a more in-depth study of the seventh chapter of Romans look in, “Books and Papers”, and read “Freedom From Sin”.

Bob Gunderson

“The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.” (Jer 33:11 AV)

On the 13th of July 2013 my son Robert was joined in holy matrimony to his bride Heather.  Before God and a host of witnesses they exchanged their vows to love and nurture each other as long as they both live.

It was a time of great celebration, a time of joy.  The voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride were heard as they joyfully expressed their love for each other.  I thank the Lord that even in these perilous times we live that God still blesses and upholds those who seek to do His will.  God’s mercy indeed endures for all generations unto those who will humble themselves before Him.  My prayer for Robert and Heather is that God would for a time insulate them from the world around them as He cements this relationship and that God would continue to mold them to be viewed by all as a testimony of God’s mercy and grace.

We live in a time in which that which is good and praise worthy is being despised and rejected.  Thank God for these moments of Joy and gladness, for I grieve for my Country and my people.  Even many of those who still who still profess Christianity are straying from the truth and rejecting the fundamental principles for holy living that are essential for our well-being.  Successful marriages have become a rarity instead of the norm, even in the Church.  Yet God is patiently pleading that people would again turn from their wicked , selfish ways, and seek truth.  For where there is no repentance, there is no reconciliation.  And without reconciliation their will be only judgment and death.

“Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.” (Jer 25:10 AV)

Seek the Lord while He may be found.

 “1 ¶  «A Psalm of David.» Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Ps 103:1-5 AV)

Bob Gunderson

“14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” (Heb 12:14-17 AV)

As I celebrated the independence of our nation from Great Britain I again contemplated that document that declared such action on the part of the United States of America.  Justification for such action was based upon a recognition of God and the self-evident truths that all men possessed.  The desire of these men that crafted this declaration was not for power,  money, or fame; but for liberty to pursue righteousness and justice.  At the time of the declaration the battle for liberty had already begun and would not be finished without tremendous cost that tested their resolve and courage.

We usually focus on the military battles which may not be the most important challenges to the liberty that they so desperately sought.  For underlying this effort were the battles of words, ideas, and philosophies.  These battles continued to rage for years even after the military battles were over.  I believe the end result culminated with a God inspired constitution, a humble God fearing president, and a nation dedicated to God.  As an American Citizen I view this as my birthright.  This is  the  heritage I celebrate.

I also recognize this is not the nation that I live in today.  Many in this nation have rejected their heritage and forgotten where we have come from and how we got here.  Our nations leaders have rejected God and neglected his commandments.  Our elections increasingly reflect a population that is willing to trade our heritage and the tremendous blessings that it has brought to us for , in essence, a bowl of soup.  In their short-sightedness they say as Esau did, “Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” (Ge 25:32 AV)  Our  elections  have revealed a population willing to give up their liberty for promises of food, healthcare, and security.  In return our government is able to supply these things temporarily, at least until they run out of our money.  Which they already have done and now are borrowing money to continue the illusion.

I will suggest that Esau should rather have asked the question: What good is my living if I don’t have God’s blessing?  If America continues to despise their birthright it may soon be too late to rescue the liberty we once had.  And as Esau experienced, tears cannot restore that blessing.  Only God can.

16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” (Heb 12:14-17 AV)

Although I have intense concern for my nation and the direction that it is going, be advised, we as individuals are not in bondage to the choices of a nation.  We can live in a liberty that only God can give and be recipients of the blessings that come with it.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (Joh 8:36 AV

The freedom that Christ offers us is a freedom from the bondage to sin.  Not just freedom from the penalties of sin but also freedom from sin itself.  In Christ we are given a heritage and a birthright that is beyond our comprehension, eternal life.  But be advised.  Let us not despise our birthright and trade the liberty we have in Christ for false promises.  The temporary pleasures of sin bring heart aches and pain.  The promises of God are eternal and bring joy and contentment.

Bob Gunderson

“The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.” (Ps 111:10 AV)

Have we as a people lost our fear of God?  If this question is address to the USA, then the answer would be yes!  For we as a nation are conducting our affairs as if we are not answerable to God.  In many ways this nation which once acknowledged God has now renounced the laws of God.  The declarations of our highest officials have declared open rebellion against the laws and wisdom of our Creator.

But what about those in this in this Country who still call themselves Christians?  Have we retained our fear of the Lord?  Have we lost sight of the fact that the fear of the Lord is foundational?  Even a superficial study of this subject will reveal the dominance of this theme throughout Scripture.  If we were to analyze the failures of God’s people as recorded in the Bible, then I believe we would see in most if not all cases it began with a failure to fear the Lord and do his commandments.

If I were to surveying the Christians in this country and ask them if they feared God, I would suppose most would say that they did fear God.  But how do we know if we have a healthy fear of God?  One of the most obvious indications would be if we are following His commands, if we are living according to His precepts. I am afraid that many who call themselves Christians don’t even know the laws of the Lord, because they have not read His Word.  It is for this reason that God sent word through His servant Isaiah saying:

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” (Isa 29:13 AV)

If we indeed fear God we will be living in obedience to His Word, not serving Him with lip service only.  It is the honest acknowledgement of God the brings us to His Word, keeps us in His Word, humbles us, and sets us on the right path. Now is the acceptable day of salvation.  It is imperative that we bow before Him and set Christ as King in our heart.  For as Isaiah continues in the 29th chapter we see that a day of judgment is coming in which the ungodly will be judged.  Then those who feared the Lord will be vindicated and God will be glorified.

“22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. 23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. 24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.” (Isa 29:22-24 AV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.

Thank God for Mothers.  We do well to to set aside a day every year to honor mothers.  Honoring mothers is incorporated into the first commandment with promise.  “‘honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your god has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your god gives you.” (De 5:16 NAS95)

I present the following poem I wrote several years ago in honor of mothers and their love.

                A Mother’s Love

In the pain of travail a babe was born.

The dark of the night is gone at morn.

The hope dimmed by pain , by the trial she faced,

Turns to a smile of joy, by love replaced

Now there is more work in the days that lie ahead.

Nights walking the floor, when you should be in bed.

There are diapers, feeding, and dresses out of style.

But a coo of contentment make it all worth while.

From baby to toddler, a mother gives much.

But amply rewarded by a hug, kiss, or a touch.

Walking and talking, a toddler he grows.

Mom as his teacher, a new baby to show.

With more children, more work to be done.

But there’s plenty of love for each special one.

The fighting and fussing make some days so long.

But a peaceful sleeping child inspires a song.

Lying, cheating, dealing with sin again and again.

I’m sorry, forgive me, and we’re back on track again.

They’re growing, and going, and then they are gone.

Then finally it’s quiet, mom’s all alone.

Now they’re building families all of their own.

Eternal structures built with the same blessed stones.

Time and distance may separate, but it doesn’t matter where.

They’ll never outdistance their mothers prayers.

Oh blessed mother, with fulfilled goals.

Who’s investments have been in eternal souls.

Who’s children to the Lord Jesus were led.

When on her knee, God’s word she read.

No greater comfort or happiness there can be,

Than the spiritual birth of her children she would see.

For Jesus, oh mother will most understand.

For he too was part of God’s wonderful plan.

In the pain of travail a babe was born.

The dark of the night is gone at morn.

The hope dimmed by pain by the trial he faced.

Turns to a smile of joy, by love replaced.

Bob Gunderson

We are approaching the time in which we celebrate Passover and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It was in this setting of the final hours before our Lord death on the cross that He prayed these words to His Father in Heaven: “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy Word is truth.”  Jesus was praying for His disciples as he was preparing them, for His departure.  As Jesus continued He included us: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;” (Joh 17:20 AV)

Within hours of these words being spoken the disciples began experiencing the turmoil of seemingly their world being turned upside down.  All that was left was the Word of God that they had heard and seen in the life of Jesus.  Everything else had failed them, their strength, their courage, their understanding, but the Word had not failed them and it held them together during those critical hours of their uncertainty.

We are to be sanctified through truth.  God’s Word is truth.  Let us not lose sight of this pivotal point.  Though all else may seem to fail, God’s Word will not.  We live in the time of the approaching return of our Lord, false teachers and false teaching abound.  Jesus prayer was that we be sanctified by truth (God’s Word).  It is the Word in its purity that will unify us in Christ.  It is the Word in its purity that will fulfill Jesus prayer for us and establish the Word in us.  May the final words of Jesus prayer be fulfilled in us.

: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (Joh 17:26 AV)

“… ; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” (Re 2:23 AV)

Many people will not understand what is being said here because we do not usually use that old English word “reins” any more.  It is actually referring to the kidneys.  Of course this is a figure of speech just as the reference to the heart is.  Newer translations actually interpret the Greek work “nephros” as mind.  Although it in deed is speaking of the mind, much can be lost if we ignore the figurative language of the original.  When it says that God searches the reins and the heart it is not simply referring to those physical organs in our body, but figuratively speaking of those parts of our spiritual being that are most important.  Everything that we hold dear in our heart has first passed through our mind.  By using the word kidney to refer to our mind we become mindful of the function of our mind that is like unto the kidney.  Just as the kidney filters out those things that would poison the body, so a health mind will filter out those things that would poison our spiritual being.  God is letting us know that he examines both our spiritual heart and our mind.  The great physician would have our mind filtering out those thoughts and ideas that could potentially poison us, leading to a unhealthy heart.  Heart disease is even more deadly in the spiritual.

“I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jer 17:10 AV)

“So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; and let us arise and go up to bethel, and I will make an altar there to god, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.”” (Ge 35:2-3 NAS95)

There are things we need to attend to if we are to approach God, even for the purpose of worship.  We need be willing to give up those things that are not good and holy.  Then we need to put them away, to bury them and move on.

Having purified himself and his household Jacob moved on to a place of God’s choosing to build and alter and sacrifice to God in worship.  Today we live beyond the cross where Christ became the sacrifice for our sins.  That sacrifice made it possible that we might be pardoned and freed from our sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness.  The sacrifices of Jacob’s day provided a covering for sin.  Christ’s death provides a removal of sin that we might be sanctified, separated from sin and dedicated to God.  How much more it is imperative today that we clean up our exterior from those things that are unholy, seeing He has provided cleansing for the inner man.

“17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; and I will welcome you. 18 “and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me,” says the lord Almighty.” (2Co 6:17-18 NAS95)

I am in the process of developing this site.  It looks like it is going to be a slow go.

God has called us to be holy.  It is my desire that through this site I can inspire people to see their need for sanctification.  Through the Word I hope to help them realize the possibility of personal sanctification.  I hope to offer words of encouragement that they might be sanctified by the washing of the Word of God and to maintain their sanctification though the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bob Gunderson