Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHICH WAY?

WHICH WAY?

Everyone enjoys their own freedom to do things in the way in which they feel most comfortable and confidant. It’s part of the benefit of living in this part of the world and of having education or training in many aspects of life. But don’t we often carry that idea of knowledge far beyond our actual education or experience, and as result believe we have much more insight or grounding in matters in which we have had little instruction?

Sometimes, it’s in relationship to instruction from those in authority over us or from those from whom we are supposed to take direction. In either case, it does give one a sense of invulnerability and we can often develop a feeling that we can go our own way rather than submitting to someone else. But it often tends to, in reality, be just the opposite.

If we, therefore, feel that we have the right to go our own way and the freedom to do whatever, then we obviously have not read Scripture for that is entirely opposite to what the Bible states.

Scripture states that:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom… 

(Psalm 111:10)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge… 

(Proverbs 1:7)

The fear of the Lord prolongs days… 

(Proverbs 10:27)

If one truly fears and respects the Lord, it is hard then to assert that one has the right to do everything totally independent of God. If we have true wisdom and knowledge, and hope to prolong days, then we must listen to instruction from God and that means, to some extent at least, accepting His advice. And accepting another’s advice and counsel means, in turn, giving up one’s freedom to do everything in his or her own way.

The Bible also states that:

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes… 

(Proverbs 21:2)

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil… 

(James 4:7)

[and do not] boast in your arrogance… 

(James 4:16)

[but] humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord… 

(James 4:10)

[for] if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 

(John 8:36)

True freedom comes from the wisdom and knowledge of God and not by doing one’s own thing just because it seems possible. So which way will you choose?

Always something to think about.

 

Pastor Matthew Trott Sept. 28, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 13

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE WIND

THE WIND

Have you ever tried walking against a strong wind? It is not only difficult but can be uncomfortable, tiring, and perhaps even dangerous. In an aircraft, flying against the wind uses more fuel and is more time consuming that when flying with the breeze. People usually try to go with the wind rather than against it whenever possible because it is so much easier.

It’s interesting to note that the Hebrew word for wind is “ruach” And this same word also means the Spirit.* Therefore, walking against the wind can also mean walking against the Spirit while walking with the wind means walking with the Spirit. For example:

The wind blows where it wishes, 

and you hear the sound of it,

but cannot tell where it comes from 

and where it goes.

So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. 

(John 3:8)

When the disciples were in the Upper Room…

…suddenly there came a sound from heaven, 

as of a rushing mighty wind, 

and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 

(Acts 2:2)

So, the Holy Spirit is described in some aspects as a wind and even a mighty wind. And as noted it is much harder to walk against the wind than to walk with it. In the same way, it is much more difficult to walk against the Spirit; it takes more effort, more energy, and more out of one than to walk with the Spirit. Walking with the Spirit there is less overall effort, more comfort, less stress, and the Spirit, like the wind, gives a boost when it’s at your back. When walking with the Spirit, there are fewer conflicts and one tends to be more relaxed.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh; 

and these are contrary to one another…

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: 

adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 

idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, 

jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, 

heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries…

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, 

joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

Against such there is no law.

(Galatians 5:17-23)

It is much easier and less stressful to walk with the Spirit and enjoy life with the wind at your back than to constantly walk and fight your way against the Spirit [the wind] with all the discomfort that accompanies such a walk.

It really is something to think about.

*The Book of Mysteries - Jonathan Cahn, p.g.4

Pastor Matthew Trott - Sunday Sept. 21, 2025

Retreat 2025 Pastor Terry Dorian Sept 20 evening

Retreat 2025 Pastor Matthew Trott Saturday afternoon

Retreat 2025 Peter MacLaren Friday afternoon

Retreat 2025 Pastor Matthew Trott Sept.19, 2025 afternoon

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 12

Dr. Barclay with Someting to Think About - BREAD AND WINE

BREAD and WINE

Most people understand the meaning of the bread and wine in the Christian religion. Paul stated it well in Corinthians:

…the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 

and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 

“Take, eat, this is My body which is broken for you; 

do this in remembrance of Me.” 

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 

"This cup is the new covenant in My blood. 

This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 

(1 Corinthians 11:23-25) 

Understanding this in the Christian context is one thing but we must also remember that Jesus was Jewish, as were His followers, and a Jewish context should also be considered.

At the time of Christ’s crucifixion, the main staples for food in the area of Palestine were some form of bread and often wine (since water was frequently in short supply). Bread, in the form of manna, was what God had given to the Hebrews during their sojourn in the desert. 

One of the first mentions of bread and wine in the Bible is in Genesis, when Abram, returning from rescuing Lot and his goods from the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, is met by Melchizedek. This king of Salem, who was also a priest, brought out bread and wine and blessed Abram:

…Blessed be Abram of God Most High,

Possessor of heaven and earth… 

(Genesis 14:19)

This gave Abram humanitarian aid as well as a covenantal meal. In so far as Melchizedek is a typology of the later Christ, this was in effect a type of communion. 

In Genesis 27:28, Issac is blessing Jacob although he believes him to be Esau. And at this time, he said:

Therefore may God give you 

Of the dew of heaven,

Of the fatness of the earth,

And plenty of grain and wine. 

(Genesis 27:28)

In this blessing, Issac is asking God to bless his son with the riches of the earth. Compare this to the warning in Leviticus when God threatens the Hebrew nation with retribution if they fail to keep His commandments.

When I have cut off your supply of bread, 

ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, 

and they shall bring back your bread by weight, 

and you shall eat and not be satisfied. 

(Leviticus 26:26)

When Ruth was meeting Boaz, she said:

…“Let me find favour in your sight, my lord…”
Boaz said to her…

“Come here, and eat of the bread, 

and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar [wine]…” 

(Ruth 2:13,14)

Finally, in Psalm 104, the reference is to the bounties that God has given to man…

…wine that makes glad the heart of man.

Oil to make his face shine,

And bread which strengthens man’s heart. 

(Psalm 104:15)

The use of bread and wine was well known to the Israelites long before the institution of communion in the New Testament. It was the main food source for many people and the bread had been recognized as the manna which sustained the Hebrews during their sojourn in the desert. The bread and wine was given in a humanitarian sense as well as in a sense of covenant to Abram on his return from rescuing Lot. It was a symbol of blessing between father and son when Issac blessed Jacob; and of relationship between Boaz and Ruth. It is symbolic of God’s bounty to man as mentioned in Psalm 104 and also, in Leviticus, a warning of God’s potential retribution toward man if they fail to heed His warnings.

And it was also a symbol of the freedom of the Hebrew people after their rescue from the evil of their enslavement in Egypt. Thus, it now becomes a symbol of our freedom from all the evils of this world through the recognition of how it represents the blood and body of Jesus. Bread and wine meant really everything to the Hebrew nation and in its present connotation so it should as well be equally meaningful to us.

Certainly something to think about. 

  

Jean Kirk - Sept. 14, 2025

Rev. Steve Webb - Sept 7, 2025

Pastor Matthew Trott Sept 7, 2025

Dr. Barclay is on Vacation

 

Dr. Barclay has taken a well-deserved rest so there will be no Something to Think About or Bible Study this week or next.

He will be back with us in two weeks.

Jasmine Trott Aug 31 2025