RFTH-I missed the comment that you allude to, and I'm glad that I did. But, it sounds like the assault on this site, attempting to make it a debate rather than a devotional, continues.

I have mentioned this several times lately. The triune God, Father-Son-Holy Spirit, is sacred to us. The Word of God is sacred to us. The ministry of this devotion site is important to us.

There are plenty of sites available where believers and non-believers can "blog away" their so called intellectual arguments. I come here to share FAITH. Bryant Wright does a great job of bringing the word of the Bible to current life application devotionals.

Anything you and the other well intentioned participants can do to keep mischief makers from distracting us is appreciated.

Please read and comment on the ark of His testimony in Rev 11:19 vs. the ark of the covenant.
Thank you for your ministry, it blesses me daily.
Miles Gilbert, archaeologist
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

Miles,
I have often thought along these same lines as Bryant brought out today. Yes the ark of the covenant and the ark of his testement are considered to be the same. It seems that the angels carried it to heaven much like they did Enoch and Elijah. I may be wrong but then I think I have been, one or two times before in my life. This is a very interesting topic and something to study upon. Thanks Bryant, I find a lot of thing to dig into from your site. Everyone have a blessed day.
Grant, I agree with you, I am tired of the back and forth sessions we are having lately. I wouldn't mind doing it on a different site but I don't think that is the purpose that this ministry started these devotions.

A key concept here is Covenant. God made a covenant with with Noah, and with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God's covenant is not dependent on us. He will accomplish what he has promised.

The culmination of covenants was the New Covenant of Jesus. It is at the core of all that we believe.

Understanding the meaning of Covenant is deep and rewarding journey. And it's one that I have only begun to really appreciate. But, I hold fast to "I will never leave you or forsake you...."

Grant,
That is one of my favorite scriptures, to know that Jesus himself promised that to us is out of my mind-set. Have a blessed evening.

You state, "Bryant Wright does a great job of bringing the word of the Bible to current life application devotionals." Yet he is not at liberty to change the meaning of the scriptures to do this?

And if he is talking about covenant, then make "covenant" clear.

Bryant's assumptions as to why God did or did not destroy the Ark, were of Bryant's own understanding, and I have yet to find where the same is stated anywhere in scriptures. And Jesus did not replace the Law, he came to fulfill it. The Law remained. (This is not made clear here either.)

"Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:5-6).

Why is my opinion so bad to you? All I am requesting is that Bryant stick to Biblical truth; if it's not in there, don't teach it. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..." (Proverbs 3:5).

And why are you closing your ears to wisdom like the Pharisees? You say you don't care for intellectual pursuits, and the Bible says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

How can one "know" God, if not to pursue Him intellectually?

The truth is that we as Christians are in the habit of exchanging our clever quips, colloquialisms from our church, or popular teachings from friends for God's truth; which is a long time fault of the southern church in particular, of which I am a member of. You seem to keep putting down real, educated Christians who come to this site in fellowship and happen to disagree with the doctrine that is displayed that day. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye" (Mathew 7:3)?

Also, I have academic qualifications from Harvard and Oxford, and as a Christian that was not easy. You seem to be most ill content that I am armed with the armor of God and that my feet are ready with the Gospel. I think this is interesting and very revealing of many people who call them selves believers in Christ.

Contrary to your preference, God wants us to seek after him and to pursue Him with all of hearts and our minds.

The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:3 that as we grow in our knowledge of God, through his divine power he gives us everything we need for life and godliness. Jesus relied on the Word of God alone to overcome obstacles, including the devil.

God's Word is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), useful for correcting us when we are wrong and teaching us what is right (2 Timothy 3:16).

So, it makes sense for us to carry God's Word in our hearts through memorization, to be ready to face any problem, every difficulty, and whatsoever challenge that life can send our way.

So I, personally, find some things on this devotional a bit of a challenge to my faith from time to time. I think the Word gets a bit distorted or augmented here sometimes. How does this make me a mischief maker?

While you say "Anything you and the other well intentioned participants can do to keep mischief makers from distracting us is appreciated," I say "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake" (Mathew 5:11).

Remember how I got my degree at Harvard; this really isn't the first time I've been attacked for my beliefs in scripture.

And while you call me names and continue to fashion the Gospel in a way that you are comfortable with, for your own popularity among people, and exchanging God with one of your own minds and hearts, "They that use this world, as (if) not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away"
(1 Cor 7:29-31).

What I have come to see in Bryant Wright is someone who is in wealthy and flourishing circumstances, grabs at a line of scripture each day, and tells the world about that single scripture verse as if it were a headline for a self-help column. All the while complaining of the restraints which real and whole, Christian doctrine actually imposes upon his peaceful enjoyments. (I'm sure you will delete this too, out of pride, or simply because you say that I am criminal in thought.)

Well God bless you all anyway; God commands me to love you (and you me if you can swallow that), and your words against me will not cause my light to go out.

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light" (Luke 8:16).

And I know you can you see me. :)

I too think that if God left the Ark, we would probably set up a shrine and start worshiping it. And that is probably true for a lot of other pieces of history. What if we had a table that Jesus built? Or his comb? People would build entire churches around that kind of stuff.

I love how this devotional turns from the material to the spiritual - from the Ark to the fact that God lives in the heart of every believer. That, to me, is the message of this devotion.

Well said.

John 13:35 "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

I appreciate this devotion and all the devotions that Bryant Wright has taken the time to compose for the benefit of believers and unbelievers. Although his style may not be for everyone I feel his one minute devotions open doors for people who do not have more than a minute or two to get the door opened. People are blessed by these devotions.

"Snakes, why does it always have to be snakes?"