HOME

HOME

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Ephesians GW 2:1-22 [Please read entire passage in your favorite translation. Underling mine] You were once dead because of your failures and sins. You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God. All of us once lived among these people, and followed the desires of our corrupt nature. We did what our corrupt desires and thoughts wanted us to do. So, because of our nature, we deserved God's anger just like everyone else. But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us. We were dead because of our failures, but he made us alive together with Christ. (It is God's kindness that saved you.) God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him. He did this through Christ Jesus out of his generosity to us in order to show his extremely rich kindness in the world to come. God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It's not the result of anything you've done, so no one can brag about it. God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do. … you are no longer foreigners and outsiders but citizens together with God's people and members of God's family. You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone. In him all the parts of the building fit together and grow into a holy temple in the Lord. Through him you, also, are being built in the Spirit together with others into a place where God lives.

Philippians 3:18-21 [GW] I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things. We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior. Through his power to bring everything under his authority, he will change our humble bodies and make them like his glorified body.

Hebrews [GW] 13:14 We don't have a permanent city here on earth, but we are looking for the city that we will have in the future.

 

  Having moved several times with birth family and a few times after nuptials, like many folks it’s a choice as to answering “Where’s home?”

  Geographically answered, first “3214 Evergreen Ave., Hamilton, Baltimore, Maryland. Then, Dundalk (1), then Harford County (4), then Nebraska (2).

  Emotionally the question is more difficult to answer exactly as every place we lived has good memories.

  Eternally is the easiest to answer for sure, for after John 3:3 new birth redemption at age 27 of October 1963, all previous places must be categorized “temporary”. For the past 52+ years my permanent home is, with Jesus, heaven! (Eph.2:6) But not without responsibility of citizenship, for every citizen is a serving ambassador. (Heb.13:14; 2Cor.5:14-21)

  Let us together live accordingly, a product of our home place, citizens reflecting the Good News about Christ. (Rom.12:1-3; Phil.1:27)

EBB4

QUAKING

QUAKING

Monday, March 30, 2015

  My almost 2 greatgranddaughter thinks the man on Quaker Oats container is me . . . and declares so!

  I laugh with joy.

  Some would not.

  Some would react with consternation.

  A few would get angry.

  Yep, I listen to Christians that are upset because “A stranger looked at me in a certain way the other day while I was in the supermarket getting milk and bread.” Or “Friends at church didn’t speak to me or even just smile after worship service last week!”

  I tell them a Quaker Oats experience tale and they laugh. Should I be upset? Or should I hear and heed ….

John 13:34, 35;15:12, 17  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. … This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. … These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Romans 12:10; 13:8  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; … Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Galatians 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Ephesians 4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

1Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: … But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Hebrews 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

1Peter 1:22; 3:8  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: … Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11-12  For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. … And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. … Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. … Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

2John 1:5  And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

EBB4

  

FOREMOST MUST BE FIRST

FOREMOST MUST BE FIRST

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Mark 2:27-28  … The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

John 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Matthew 26:38-39  “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

  In the past weeks DT topics had to do with the foremost reason why Jesus came to earth (Son/Father) and foremost reason for marriage (sons/Father). The overarching answer to both questions is to do the will of the Father; therefore honoring and glorifying Him. All else in within and under the will of the Father; job description line-items of how-to of why-for followship in action. Please know this foremost reason has never changed; and that foremost reverence of His Sovereignty is in natural opposition to my will.  And reverence of His sovereignty may instead of making life fun and happy result in Gethsemane stress and misery.

  To illustrate why we are to live by foremost reason instead of foremost according to line-items:

  Sins are spelled out clearly by God’s Word. We are not to sin. Right living is spelled out clearly by God’s Word. We are to live accordingly.

  But is not-sinning and right-living our foremost Christian instruction?

  We can invest much thought, time and effort in understanding and implementing not-sinning and right-living, but possibly do so without or even completely apart from or serious consideration of foremost reason of submissiveness to the Sovereign Lord.

  There can be critical distinction between keeping commandments because God said to and doing so because “I AM THAT I AM“ (Ex.3:14)

  Do I not steal because I know God said so, or do I not steal because of reverence of “I AM THAT I AM”; God is Sovereign in above pharaohs and all others including blue collar me.

EBB4

PS: An extreme case of Christian living at level apart from foremost reason is shown in Matthew 7:21-23. Take note that Jesus never said they didn’t do the things they laid claim to. 

FOREMOST REASON CHRIST CAME

CHRIST RAISON D’ETRE

Friday, March 27, 2015

  On Monday I asked the following questions: What is the foremost reason for Jesus incarnation? Put another way, what was the ultimate incentive for Jesus coming to mankind? Will it be the same motive for His second advent?

  The answers received:

·         To die on the cross.

·         To seek and save that which was lost.

·         To finish God’s plan.

·         To finish a part of God’s master plan.

·         To draw all men to Him.

·         The redemption of mankind and to connect us back to God.  This will be the same motive for his second advent  - but there will be less beauty in it.

·         To save man.

·         To save me and give me peace and happiness.

·         To identify completely with man’s sinful condition. To redeem mankind from that condition in order to reconcile to right relationship and satisfy His heart of love.  To gather His own unto Himself and reek vengeance on His enemies.

·         Christmas and Easter.

·         To teach us true religion.

·         He had and still has a contract with God the Father. He kept it and He is still keeping it.

  The foremost reason is the last one on the above list.

  Adam was given a contract; responsibility to do the will of the Father. He failed. Gen 2:15-17

  Jesus came to do the will of the Father. All else were line items under and within the foremost clause of His contract with His Father. Jesus first explained this when He was 12 years of age: “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.” Lk.2:49-50

  As an adult Jesus again explained: “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. … I am come in my Father's name,” Jn.5:30; 43a 

  Solomon, after much vain life and study, had come to the same conclusion about a thousand years

prior, writing: “… be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a

weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his

commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl.12:12 

  Jesus manifested, explained, and urged that we are to live by foremost reason as did/does He: “Let

your light So shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in

heaven.” Mt.5:16 

  Consider Jesus’ reason as His death, burial, and resurrection came near: “… nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” . . . and our much prayed “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.“ Mt.6:9-13

  Jesus’ contract with the Father was foremost about the Father’s will. He succeeded.

EBB4

PS: Sunday DT is WHYARE GOD’S FOREMOST REASONS ESSENTIAL?

PEIRASMOS

PEIRASMOS

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Strong’s G3986: πειρασμός; peirasmos; pi-ras-mos'. From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity: - temptation, X try.

Matthew 6:9-13 … Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into [peirasmos], but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

1Corinthians 10:13  There hath no [peirasmos] taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the [peirasmos] also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  Thanks to Adam we are surrounded by multifaceted adverse condition, and donate to therein!

  Anxiety weighed heavily in my life decades ago. I didn’t much experience the deliverance Jesus provided and Paul explained. (Jn.8:36;14:27;16:33. 2Cor.1:1-10; Phil.4:4-13)  An early long stride away from angst was to trust the truth of the Word saying I was not a person facing uncommon adversity.

  Another factor somewhere along my lifeline was observation shared by a Christian mentor: There are categories of people when it comes to adversity.

·         Some don’t handle adversity very well at all.

·         Some love adversity. They are greatly stimulated by it. They often join situations involving adversity. They have difficulty with extended periods of peaceful relaxation. (Some of these are accused of having a death-wish when really for them it is a life-wish.)

·         Some love adversity to the point of generating it.

·         Some invest considerable effort beyond Matthew 6:13a in working hard at avoiding adversity.

·         Some accept adversity for what it is; part and parcel of living.

·         Some accept adversity for what it is and as it comes, trust in God’s Will, and thereby don’t just escape, but please their King and mature therein.

  We have been, are, and will be faced with adversity until death delivers us. Until then it is matter of our choosing as to what adversity means and results in during this life and afterward.. 

  Please now consider the stress of our Lord during His last hours on earth: “Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”  (Mt. 26:35-42)

  And then answer what is this way of escape that Paul refers to? Not knowing leaves us with no exit.

EBB4

OVERCOMING TRIALS

OVERCOMING TRIALS

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

"Does God promise to not give us more than we can handle?"

  First Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” This Scripture teaches us a powerful principle. If we belong to Him, God will not allow any difficulty to come into our lives that we are not capable of bearing.
  So, anything that comes our way, anything that tempts us, any tragedy that befalls us—we are capable of overcoming it and achieving spiritual victory. That does not mean life will always be easy. On the contrary—the fact that we may need a “way of escape” indicates that God sometimes allows difficult trials to come into our lives. We may not believe that we can overcome them, we may doubt our own strength to prevail, and we may even fail in the test. That does not mean, though, that we are not capable of overcoming that particular temptation. Whatever the temptation is, God promises that we will be able to overcome it.
  But what does it mean to “overcome” trials? It means the trials do not overcome our faith or our position as children of God, and we come through the trials intact. Our eternal destiny is not in danger because we are kept by the Holy Spirit, who was given to us as a down payment on our salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14). No trial can overcome our salvation, because our salvation is of God. Therefore, the child of God will stand firm through the trials, kept by God’s hand. This is proof that our salvation is real and our reward in heaven awaits us. James 1:12 assures us, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

© Copyright 2002-2015 Got Questions Ministries

APPLING THAT DOES NOT COMPUTE

APPLING THAT DOES NOT COMPUTE

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Zechariah 2:1-13

Matthew [GW] 5:45a He [God] makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil. He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust.

  Should USA be afraid, very afraid?

  For all that externally and internally threatens our nation’s well being on a regular basis, and current perils that come and go, if we trust and obey God as our protector . . . we survive, we flourish.

  If we do not trust and obey Him, we dwell in prideful self-reliance, and God resists us. (Jam.4:1-10)

  However, even when we Christians lovingly follow Him, we may suffer storms resulting from national leaders’ actions. This has always been so. The apostles and disciples experienced thusly under pagan Roman leadership. Christians as well as Jews suffered under Hitler and evil company brand of nationalism.

  I sit peacefully at this keyboard, searching, reading, and pondering God’s Word while much needed showers patter against this study’s windows. Considering God’s absolute Zionist position recorded in Zechariah 2, and our country’s present leader and cohorts’ opposition to Israel, I wonder if the USA is beginning to or will soon suffer a storm yet unseen in this land?

  Standing on the wrong side of the apple of God’s eye is a perilous position for one and all, whether just or unjust.

EBB4

CHRIST RAISON D'ETRE

CHRIST RAISON D’ETRE

Monday, March 23, 2015

  What is the foremost reason for Jesus incarnation?

  Or put another way, what was the ultimate incentive for Jesus coming to mankind?

  Will it be the same motive for His second advent?

EBB4

STUMBLING OVER A LEXUS

STUMBLING OVER A LEXUS

Sunday, March 22, 2015

  Last evening at an 8 year olds birthday party I became acquainted with 21 year old Alfredo. A very insightful Automotive Technician that recognizes that cars often have more to do with self-esteem than transportation. He told me an interesting tale on the topic.

  Recently a man brought his Lexus to him for needed repair. The problem was readily obvious so Alfredo ordered the parts and they were soon delivered while the customer waited. 

  As Alfredo was opening the shipping container the customer called out that he couldn’t put those parts on his Lexus. The problem? The packaging was clearly marked “GENUINE TOYOTA PARTS”.

  Alfredo explained that his Lexus was basically a Toyota model upgraded with higher grade upholstery, increased sound noise insulation, better audio system, and a few other items. Undeterred, the customer was insistent that he order genuine Lexus parts. “I am not going to drive a Lexus with Toyota parts on it!”

  Considering the man has for years been driving a Toyota/Lexus crossbreed is hilarious.

  Later, settling abed for the night I thought of Proverbs 16:18 and then came “What have I been stumbling over lately? What kind of car drives me?”

EBB4

THE FOREMOST REASON FOR MARRIAGE

THE FOREMOST REASON FOR MARRIAGE

Friday, March 20, 2015

  What is the foremost reason for marriage?

  In answering this or other questions involving humankind, we must first understand and accept that all that is not for or all about us: “… all things were created in Him [Jesus], the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” (MKJV Col.1)

  What is the foremost reason for marriage according to people? The answer(s) depend on who you ask, Christians or not: “As with Adam, loneliness.” (God doesn’t say Adam was lonely.) “Adam needed a dishwasher.”  “Procreation.” (One of numerous line items in serving God.) “To help God name plants and animals.” (Another line-item.) “God needs people to take care of His stuff.” (God needs people?) “Intimacy.” “She knew how to cook, clean house, and wrap gifts properly.” “A type of Christ and the church on earth (Yes! More on this next week.), companionship, and the family the building block of society.” “What would God do without us?”

  Studying the Genesis record we see Adam created by God from His creation to serve God within God’s wondrous endowment of grace; undeserved, unearned favor and spiritual blessing; free will. Woman, Eve, was created by God from Adam to help Adam in free will in serving God.

  They were to serve God in ultimate “one flesh” unity. They did not do so.

  The first Adam, in exercising God-given free will, trusted Satan’s promise of God-ness knowledge and position and thereby failed his foremost reason for being. Adam did not however cancel His foremost reason for being. Years later after much study Solomon arrived at the same conclusion.

  What is our foremost reason for marriage? If not continually enlightened according to God’s foremost reason, then what is our marital experience?

  Please understand that dilemma in marriage is basically to the degree that husbands and wives have the problem of not being motivated in harmony by God’ foremost reason for marriage.

EBB4

PS. I’m not soliciting your answers to the final 2 questions. They are thought/action questions. Also, please don’t think I’m pushing marriage as requirement to ultimately fulfill serving God effectively. 1Cor.7:6-9; 1Tim.4:1-3; 5:14.

  

MISSING WORDS

MISSING WORDS

Thursday, March 19, 2015

James [ESV] 1:26-27 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

  I was fortunate to have family, public school, church, Maryland Bible Institute and other teachers and mentors that emphasized “Words matter.” One aspect of their lesson being “Not just what and how said, but take notice of missing words.”

  The first half of the guidance was and still is easiest to practice. The second half takes more work. Hearing words is more natural. Noting omissions is not.

  Larry Marino, WWII Pacific combat Marine, was our BSA scoutmaster. He loved us and was both gentle and rigorous. Beyond the BSA standard regimen he added his own physical and mental exercise. One exercise was tray or table with numerous various items large and small. By either group or individually we would be briefly stopwatched in observing and then sent away. When brought back we had to determine what had been added to or taken away from the display. Scores were always higher on “added” than “missing”. (For the boys that got good at the exercise items were both added and missing. For the aces the items would be rearranged. Get good enough at it and it was played in multiples.)

  Have you noticed that “sad” is pretty much missing, and people are now more commonly “depressed”? Whatever happened to the everyday moody person, they’re now “I’m bipolar.”? And then there’s the disappearance of sin with people making mistakes and missteps; a practice that is vain with serious loss of present and eternal profit.

EBB4

A FEMALE PRESIDENT?

A FEMALE PRESIDENT?

From: www.GotQuestions.org

  The question of whether a woman should lead a nation as president, prime minister, or any high governmental office is one that is not easily answered biblically. For one thing, the Bible has much to say about the roles of Christian men and women in the home and in the church—where the man is the divinely ordained authority—but not much on the role of women in the leadership of nations. If we apply the biblical principles of leadership in the home and the church to governments, we may be taking liberties with Scripture that God did not intend.
  In addition, we cannot strictly apply Old Testament commandments for the nation of Israel to any modern nations, because God chose only one nation to be His special people. Neither the United States nor Britain nor any other nation is the spiritual equivalent of Israel, and God’s dealings with Israel are not necessarily cross-cultural. Having said that, though, we can still apply certain scriptural principles to help us determine whether to vote for a woman for president or any other high governmental office.
  Women in the Bible occasionally held strong positions: some good, some bad. Esther was put in a place where her influence could help Israel, but she was not in authority. Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab, but she had an evil influence. Many women followed Jesus, and godly women helped the Apostles. Paul wrote to Timothy about the importance of the spiritual influence of Timothy's mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5).
  Bible women often held influential roles yet not necessarily leadership positions. While Deborah led Israel (Judges 4:1-5:31), she appears to have had more of an influencing role. In fact, women rulers were seen as a sign of judgment. The prophet Isaiah lamented, “O My people! Their oppressors are children, and women rule over them” (Isaiah 3:12). Isaiah is saying that women were considered ill-suited for leadership of the nation of Israel, but the question remains whether we can extrapolate from this verse that all women are equally ill-suited for leadership of any nation at any time. Modern times have seen several outstanding female national leaders, including Israel’s Golda Meir, who successfully ruled Israel from 1969 to 1974. Since we know that God ordains all leadership—“For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Romans 13:1)—we can assume that He placed Mrs. Meir in the leadership of Israel and sovereignly ordained her term of office.
  Generally speaking, God designed men for positions of leadership. But apart from leadership in the church and family, which is given to men alone, the Bible doesn’t expressly forbid women from positions of government. As a “gray” issue, the question of women leading in government has been passionately debated. Even those who are most vehemently against a woman president would be hard pressed to justify voting for an ungodly man who has a favorable position toward abortion, for example, over a godly Christian woman with a strong pro-life stance.
  I (the writer of this article) am a woman who has found joy in my femininity. It is not an inferior role but a high calling. I bear, nurture, support, influence, and unite life. My personal belief is that the best is for men to lead in government. However, as a citizen of this nation, I willingly submit myself to the civil authority that God places over me—whether men or women (Romans 13:1-7). God’s command to obey government rulers has no caveat as to whether or not we think they are good authorities. Therefore, if a woman were to be elected president, I would obey her direction.

© Copyright 2002-2008 Got Questions Ministries.

WHY MARRIAGE?

WHY MARRIAGE?            

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

  What is the foremost reason for marriage?

EBB4

CULTURAL CHRISTIANITY

CULTURAL CHRISTIANITY

Monday, March 16, 2015

No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. (1Cor.12:3b)

  President Barack Obama was recently asked “Why are you a Christian?”

  He responded “I’m a Christian by choice.” “My family didn’t – frankly, they weren’t folks that went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn’t raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead – being my brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, treating others as they would treat me.” “And I think also understanding that Jesus Christ dying for my sins spoke to the humility we all have as human beings, that we’re sinful and we’re flawed, and we make mistakes, and that we achieve salvation through the grace of God,” “But what can we do, as flawed as we are, is still see God in other people and do our best to help them find their own grace.” “That’s what I strive to do. That’s what I pray to do every day,” “I think my public service is part of that effort to express my Christian faith.” (OW-H Wed. 9/29/10)

  By this time some of you are thinking I’m talking politics. I am not. If this was his complete answer, I’m talking about our highest elected leader as example of USA cultural Christianity as opposed to biblical Christianity; our ‘Christian Nation’. (Encourage reading: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-nation.html  )

  How would you, or have you, answer “Why are you a Christian?” Or “What makes you a Christian?” which is the question the president actually answered.

  What does God’s Word, the Bible, say the answer is?

  What did Paul and other apostles tell people the answer is?

  What does Lord Jesus Christ say the answer is?

EBB4  (Originally written Sunday, October 3, 2010)

BEING WRONG

BEING WRONG

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Job [MKJV] 26:12  He quiets the sea with His power, and by His understanding He shatters the proud.

Proverbs 18:12 Before shattering, the heart of man is proud, and before honor is humility.

2Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Perfect yourselves; encourage yourselves; mind the   

       same thing; be at peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

James 4:6-7  But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1Peter 5:5-7 Likewise, younger ones, be subject to older ones, and all being subject to one another. Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He cares for you.

1John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.

Dear fellow travelers,

  Being wrong can be an exemplary classroom, if, in humility, as students of Almighty God we agree to His shattering way.

  Pride is contrary to love. Pride is self-centered and consequently unkind, impatient, and fear filled.

  Fear-filled? Indeed it is. We know this not just because of experienced anxiety; but because God’s Word shows us that angst is an element of pride; whereas mature love is free of dread.

  Which brings me back to one of my life’s oft repeated challenges: For what reason do I choose to mature, primarily because of troubling emotions that I finally wish to be rid of . . . or uttermost because of God’s purpose for and pleasure in me as His beloved redeemed child? 

  Live in ego-centric pride, live in constant apprehension.

  Practice the sin of pride and we live as the slave of pride and its companion fear.

  Live in godly love, and we are peacefully free indeed. (Jn.8:34-36) 

  Will I be wrong this day? I’m certain I shall. Will I then hide fearfully behind a foolish wall of pride? Every day being a classroom for God’s child, it remains as yet to be seen. 

  Sincerely yours, a fellow student.  EBB4

PS. Originally written Thursday, December 10, 2009. Thoughtfully reviewed this morning, especially considering the Bible verses as examining past 5+ years: By His example of agape life, where have I matured, where do I yet need to mature?

OPTIMIZATION OF MARRIAGE

OPTIMIZATION OF MARRIAGE

Friday, March 13, 2015

Genesis [GW] 1:25-27 God made every type of wild animal, every type of domestic animal, and every type of creature that crawls on the ground. God saw that they were good. Then God said, "Let us make humans in our image, in our likeness. Let them rule the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the domestic animals all over the earth, and all the animals that crawl on the earth." So God created humans in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.

Isaiah [GW] 41:10  Don't be afraid, because I am with you. Don't be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.

  As with many elders, I am deeply concerned about marriage. I am weary of marital discord, divorce, broken families, and the overall adverse societal effects.

  Enhancing the function and effectiveness of marriage should take precedent over striving for the loveliest wedding and grandest reception? It should be obvious that a lifetime relationship is more important than hours of celebration, right?

  Then why commonly is the expenditure of time and money far greater for wedding and reception?

  Comparatively how much time and money is invested in preparing for living with someone of the opposite sex for a lifetime? That person being quite different from you far beyond admirable anatomy: a person who not only will go thru changes in anatomy, but worldview and how things should be done. (I am humorously assuming you initially think you know and understand the person you’re marrying.)

  Much timely thought and more wise investment should be put into marriage preparation. This effort should go far beyond taking advantage of a few hours of pre-marital counseling and a few dollars for a getting married booklet.

  Already married? Then go back to the future and take advantage now as though you’re going to marry. Then follow up with book(s), videos, and marriage encounter sessions. Do the maintenance.

  Please, please do so. Not for we concerned elders. Do so as it is foundational way to serve, honor and glorify our Creator and Sustainer. And it will consequently optimize your marriage.

EBB4 

EMOTIONALLY DEAFENED

EMOTIONALLY DEAFENED

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Book of Exodus

Mathew [MKJV] 13:1-16 In that day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the seaside. And great crowds were gathered to Him, so that He went into a boat and sat. And all the crowd stood on the shore. And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth. And they sprang up immediately, because they had no deepness of earth. And the sun rising, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns. And the thorns sprung up and choked them. And some fell on the good ground and yielded fruit, indeed one a hundredfold, and one sixty, and one thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples said to Him, Why do You speak to them in parables? He answered and said to them, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them. For whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance. But whoever does not have, from him shall be taken away even that which he has. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not; nor do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which said, "By hearing you shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive; for this people's heart has become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

  I have a physical hearing problem, tone deafness. For the most part I can hear and understand all but a few people I’m in contact with. Unfortunately daughter Dawn is not in larger group. When speaking in her normal tone I am fragmentary deaf. When she talks excitedly, I am not. (She thinks I should spend big bucks on special hearing aid just for her. I think she should be excited whenever talking to her Dad.)

  I also have a spiritual hearing problem. It is small comfort or remedy knowing that it is common to mankind.

  There are moments when I do not hear God because of my deafening emotions.

  Tragically, there are many that live constant and/or die with this dramatic deafness. (Mt.7:14)

  Consider the Israelites and all they experienced by God’s hand as He delivered them from their era of slavery in Egypt. After all that He had done, they stood by the Red Sea. Believing themselves trapped all they could hear was their emotions; regrets at leaving the only life they’d ever known, fear and anxiety in particular. (Ex.14:11-12; then Num.11:5)

  Emotions are very real and it is unwise to deny their distracting noise.

  They should be heard but never entertained to the level of deafening.

  Hear emotion, but heed God and trust Him beyond roaring sentiment.

  Let us hear and walk as did David: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”  EBB4

PS. As you know, I review old DTs from time to time. This DT was originally penned on Friday, February 25, 2011. I initially review to evaluate my life growth or regression, rethink as needed, and consider republishing. And sometimes to personally update: Fore 2 years now I’ve made use of helpful hearing aids and according to my audiologist I’ve become a very good lip reader. Results of recent checkup show my hearing has deteriorated further.

WINNING

WINNING

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Isaiah [GW] 43:18-19 Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don't you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land.

  Have you ever spent very little time with someone, and yet known a solid bonding, a comradeship that goes beyond explanation? I have. Winn Freeman is one such person.

  Years ago we met at an international rescue mission conference. As director, Winn was representing Greenville Rescue Mission. Ann and I visited Winn and Rhonda for a few days and were privileged to be the first people to stay in the brand new GRM facility. We talked a lot.

  Not long after our visit Winn informed that he was leaving GRM and founding Wisdom In Living Life ministry. Since founding in 2000 WILL has since grown from an idea to a considerably informative and effective ministry.

On August 31, 2014 Winn published: You can ignore it, you can pretend it has nothing to do with you, but the truth is that somehow, in some way you are affected by addiction. The question is, what are you going to do about it? "Transformed lives at Wisdom is not uncommon. It's a reality! We don't teach people how to get off drugs, we teach them how to live "2 Cor. 5:17" and when you find JESUS, who is the only way to God, "John 14:6" then you will recognize that you don't have a drug problem, you have a sin "Romans 7:15-17" problem! We're not treatment! We're Training.

"Why settle for recovery when you can experience a new life and be totally transformed? We are a Christ Centered, Bible Based, End addiction ministry!" -The Drug Guy [Winn Freeman]

“The youth of America are falling into snares of drugs right in front of their parents, youth leaders, and teachers. This ministry will help educate these adults to the signs and symptoms of drug use, and save our youth before they become addicts, criminals, or dead.”-Captain John Gardner, executive officer, Travelers Rest Police Department

On March 4 Winn wrote: One of my FB friends shared this and I think it's worth reposting.

-Did you know that the average age for starting drug use is between ages 10-12?

-By the time a parent finds out, it has been going on its 2-3 years later.

-over 85% of those incarcerated committed their crime while under the influence while under the influence of drugs/alcohol.

-95% of all drug use started in the teenage years. That's why it's so important to come together and do something. We need Wisdom in Living Life Ministry. Isn't that something we all need, Wisdom in living life?

Our next challenge is to expand our ministry to reach 17-25 yr old young men Wisdom's Ranch & Retreat is Everyone you know has someone you know who imprisoned by the sin of addiction. JESUS SAID, "WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING."

God blessed us "Us is you & me." with 45 acres,

We're debt free!!! Engineering plans done. We have architectural done and every time I need something The Lord always shows up.

Please pray with us for Wisdom's Residential Ranch and Retreat men ages 17-25.

God is still working in your life and mine!!!

  This morning I received e-mail from Rhonda informing that Winn died.

EBB4

RELIEF

RELIEF

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Ecclesiates [ESV] 1:1-14 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

  This morning I reread yesterday’s DT, STRUGGLE, having to do with Solomon’s realization of the hollow meaninglessness in life.

  I counted several times and each time found “vanity”35 times in KJV Ecclesiastes; the Hebrew meaning “emptiness” on every occasion. Emptiness the sort of feeling that if dwelled upon can give rise to sadness > depression > despondency > despair = I QUIT! But King Solomon did not do so.

  Solomon didn’t suggest “Be happy!” or discounting or attempting cancellation of vanity; being a man of wisdom, instead applying his heart to seek and search out the solution (1:13). Solomon arrived at the only conclusion that includes both vitality in purpose and relief in faithful activity.

 

Ecclesiastes [CEV] 12:6-14 The silver cord snaps, the golden bowl breaks; the water pitcher is smashed, and the pulley at the well is shattered. So our bodies return to the earth, and the life-giving breath returns to God. [Gen.2:7] Nothing makes sense. I have seen it all-- nothing makes sense. I was a wise teacher with much understanding, and I collected a number of proverbs that I had carefully studied. Then I tried to explain these things in the best and most accurate way. Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from God, our only shepherd, and they are like nails that fasten things together. My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these. There is no end to books, and too much study will wear you out. Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad.

EBB4

SURVIVAL

SURVIVAL

Monday, March 09, 2015

  Two of my favorite thought-provoking TV shows with the same theme are the horrific THE WALKING DEAD and comedic THE LAST MAN ON EARTH.

  Then there is another on the topic commentary from 3,000 years ago. I share a few relatable excerpts:

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 14  Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher [Solomon], vanity of vanities; all is vanity. … I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

2:1, 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26  I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. … Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. … Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. … Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. … And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

… For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. … For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. … For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

4:4, 7-8, 16  Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. … Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

… There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. … There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

6:2, 4, 9, 11  A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. … For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. … Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. … Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

7:6, 15  For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. … All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

8:10, 14 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. … There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

11:8, 10 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. … Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

12:8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

  Or as stated WUMO by Wulff & Morgenthaler in Sunday comics “At age 88, it occurred to Josh that he’d read all the comic books, played all the computer games and seen all the TV shows and all the movies, but was yet to actually have a life.”

  Jehovah God Almighty, He our Creator, knows of our exasperation, and provides victorious living. His Son explained “Don't be troubled. Believe in God, and believe in me. ... Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.” (GW Jn.14)

  Trust Him and live above and beyond plodding survival.  EBB4