WHO IS HE THAT STRENGTHENS?

WHO IS HE THAT STRENGTHENS?

 ‘“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”’ (Mt.16:13)

  We may declare “I can do all things through Jesus that strengtheneth me!” (Phil.4:13) but can we truly claim such position without qualifying as did the penman Apostle Paul? (Read all of Philippians to see qualification.) Paul accepted God’s sovereignty and thereby lived confidently regardless of the situation he was in. (Also note 1Tim.4:8)

  Paul definitively knew the Who? and What? of Lord Jesus Christ. His strength in good and bad times was not simply based in emotional trust but with factual knowledge; blessed assurance. (The opposite of such knowledge is often “The god of my understanding.”)

  Let us review understanding as detailed by the Word:

My identity is in and by Jesus. In Him I see myself, others, life differently. Jn.3:3; 2Cor.5:17-21

Jesus gives me present and eternal purpose in living. Eccl.12:23-14; Jn.10:10; 2Cor.14-15

Jesus is my Lord! John 20:28; Gal.2:20

Jesus is before all things, and by Him all things consist. Col.1:17

Jesus is the only true Redeemer. Rom.12:1-2

Jesus is the sin-bearer, taking away my burden of guilt. 1Pet.2:24

Jesus is the King of Kings deserving all honor and worship. Rom.12:1-3; Rev.1:5-7

Jesus is the true Shepherd, my shepherd. Jn.10:11; Heb.13:5, 20

Jesus is my peace. Phil.4:6-7; 2Tim.1:7

In Jesus alone I find true freedom. Jn.8:34-36; Gal.5:1

Jesus has made me acceptable to God. Rom.4:16-25; Eph.1:6

In Jesus I can rejoice in all events whether happy or sad. Jn.15:9-11

Jesus is my mediator. Rom.8:32-35; 1Tim.2:5; Heb.7:25

Jesus is my defender. Rom.12:19

Jesus is my hope. Col.1:27; 1Thes.1:3; 1Pet.1:3

Jesus alone makes me pure. Phil.3:8-9

Jesus is that provides for my abundant life (as opposed to loneliness and despair). Jn.10:10

Jesus is my main motivator. 2Cor.5:14-15; Col.2:13

Jesus is my perfect example. Jn.13:12-17

Jesus is my source of strength. Phil.4:13

Jesus is my dearest most important friend. Jn.15:15; Rev.3:20

Jesus is my comforter. Mt.11:28-30

Jesus provides true satisfaction as opposed to dryness without Him. Jn.4:13-14

Jesus provides light in this dark world. Jn.8:12

Jesus provides clear focus. Heb.3:1

Jesus provides confidence in all circumstance. Rom.8:13-17; 2Tim.1:6-9; Heb.4:16

Jesus will never leave nor forsake His brethren. Heb.13:5

Jesus is The One! 1Cor.1:25-31

  Strength is not gained or maintained without exercise in and by the Word. As an exercise toward godly strength I suggest printing out the above list or similar one and exercise once a day by looking up Bible verses for each of the 28 points. And then keep completed list near at hand for preparatory exercise.

  We do want Philippians 4:13 to be personally authentic . . . don’t we? Or would we rather fail stress tests?

 EBB4

KNOW THYSELF?

KNOW THYSELF?

Thursday, April 28, 2016

James 2:9

  I’m all for women being required to sign up for military draft . . . as long as it’s not my granddaughters or greatgranddaughters.

EBB4

DELIBERATELY NEGLECTING

DELIBERATELY NEGLECTING

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Philippians [MKJV] 3:12-15  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect [mature in mental and moral character], be of this mind. And if in anything you are otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you.

Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:1016  Therefore in all things it behoved him [Christ Jesus] to be made like His brothers, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of His people. For in that He Himself has suffered, having been tempted, He is able to rescue those who are being tempted. … So then there remains a rest to the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief. For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight, but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

    Mindset, how we see life, others, and self may be influenced adult narrow application of words when we are growing up. “Neglect” was just such a word for me, the implication always having to do with shoddy careless activity. Why am I thinking of this now so many decades distant from childhood? Because in exercising MOTI (More Out Than In) I can’t help but remember things long past that involved couplet neglect-guilt-shame.

  The remedy for the return of this counterproductive triumvirate lies in resting in the forgiveness of our High Priest, Lord Jesus Christ; fleeing to the pursuit of our brimming invitation presented by Him.

  As Saul, the Apostle Paul had a horrific history of Gestapo-like religious activity. (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2)

  Philippians 3:13-14 are 2 of my favorite verses because they taught me the other, good, side of neglect.   

  How easy is it to actually forget our history? Are we capable of blotting out memories bad or good? No! The Greek “forgetting” does not mean some sort of miraculous permanent erasure of memories that hinder our spiritual, mental, emotional, physical well-being. The original Greek means by implication that we are to neglect dwelling on harmfully pondering the past.

  Let us indeed learn from the past lest we repeat its childishness, but when detrimentally invasive incursions decide for deliberately neglecting.

EBB4

PS: One of the working areas of 8 decades is my memories are congressional easily and often stimulated throughout my days.

CONFIDENT IN GOD = STRENGTH

QUIETNESS AND CONFIDENCE OUR STRENGTH      Isaiah 30:15-18

  This world has always been a troubled problematic place, at times critically so. Any history buff will tell you that even in the calmest political times there has been and continues to somewhere be crisis one on top of another: A fragile or even false political peace in the best of times.

  And there there’s our personal individual scene. Yesterday a perfect example with its early events to rejoice in and then decades long friend in a horrific collision, outcome yet unknown to me this morning.

  As individuals we have little control or influence of this ongoing turmoil. 

  We do however have available Lord God’s provision of strength with its accompanying courage by and through His provision; evidenced in anxiety displaced by quietness and confidence.

  This provision His is not however automatic, nor is it realized by mantra. It requires our resting in knowledge and acceptance (trust!) of His Sovereignty; Omnipotent; Omniscient; Omnipresent.

  In the Old Testament record, Job, suffering terrible loss and at the time quite ill, is example of this rest as he declared that though God slay him . . . he would trust Him and be unwavering in maintaining his *integrity. (Job 13:15)

  In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul, in wretched circumstance while awaiting certain execution . . . rested confidently in his relationship and fellowship with his Lord, declared contentment. (Phil.4:11-13)

  Let us trust our Lord and thereby be strong.

EBB4

M.O.T.I.

M.O.T.I.

Monday, April 25, 2016

The LORD was not in the fire, but in the sound of a low whisper. (1Kings 19:12)

  About 18 months after dear Ann departed from this life I finally began seriously digging into five and a half decades of accumulating that I suspect mildly bordered on qualifying for that TV show. Shying away from complicated involved weight reduction and as ever desiring to have a bit of family and friend fun, I named my personal program MOTI: More Out Than In. Said program at times jokingly referred to by THE COMMITTEE as MITO. (Those of biological connection receive “First come, first served!” cellphone photo of items.)

  Thus far the exercise has been productive in riddance and repurposing, not only in material, but also surprisingly spiritual.

  This house is not yet lightened to floating, nor temple wings, the latter prohibited by humbling effort involved in riddance and repurposing.

  I thank God for His diversity in individual communication.

EBB4

   

DYNAMICS OF STRENGTH

THE DYNAMICS OF STRENGTH    Ephesians 3:14-21

  May God grant you according to the riches of His glory to be mightily strengthened through and by the power of the Word!

  As Paul prayed for the followers of Lord Jesus Christ in Ephesus those many years ago, I pray for you. We should pray in kind for one another . . . for life without inner courage (as opposed to outward facade) is a terrible business.

  Consider 3 dynamics of the strength God offers:

·         We trust Christ to the point of His abiding in our innermost being; mind, emotion, will . . . never forgetting His is a permanent residency. (2Cor.1:22; Eph.1:13, 30)

·         Understand and accept - allowing facilitation of the flawless purpose of His indwelling power: That we be unshakably rooted and grounded in and by His love. (Jn.17:26)

·         Rejoice in and be amazed by His empowering: The fact that we may be filled with the fullness of God! (Eph.3:19; 1Jn.4:4)

  There is however one that can seriously hinder His blessed provision of strength: self-reliance when lacking “mustard seed” faith. Let us pray for one another in this.  EBB4

STRENGTH FROM UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTING OUR POSITION

STRENGTH FROM UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTING OUR POSITION       2Corinthians 10:1-7; Galatians 5

  God is Creator, not I. God is Sustainer, not I. And the most difficult truth to understand and accept, God is Supreme Sovereign, not I.

  This is not to say that man through decision and active determination has no strength, for he does. But without understanding and accepting our position as His creation, our strength is ego-centric. As such we sooner or later discover how fragile our ego-centric self-reliance is.

  And as a friend often said in discussion of problem solving, “There be indicators.” (Rom.1:16-23)

  Independent of God, reliant on our own strength we’re slaves to bolstering our ego through various means; defensive denial, seeking and gaining recognition, possessions, status, aggressiveness, rivalry, selfish ambitions, control, arrogant rudeness et al. and thereby we suffer at the hand of God (Rom.8:8; Jam.4:6), self and our fellows (Lk.17:33; 1Cor.13:4-7; Jam.3:16).

  Reliant on Sovereign God we have strength that includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgives. (Gal.5:22-23; Eph.4:32)

  King David, writer of many psalms, acknowledged and explained this truth well:

 O LORD, you have examined me, and you know me.

You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away.

You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways.

Even before there is a single word on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD.

You are all around me-in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me.

Such knowledge is beyond my grasp. It is so high I cannot reach it.

Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run to get away from you?

If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there.

If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun or land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets, even there your hand would guide me and your right hand would hold on to me.

If I say, "Let the darkness hide me and let the light around me turn into night," even the darkness is not too dark for you. Night is as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. (GW 139:1-13)

EBB4

NEW DEFAULT INSTEAD OF OLD DE-FAULT

NEW DEFAULT INSTEAD OF OLD DE-FAULT

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Romans [GW] 12:1-3 Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect. Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers.

2Corinthians 5:17-20 Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships. In other words, God was using Christ to restore his relationship with humanity. He didn't hold people's faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others. Therefore, we are Christ's representatives, and through us God is calling you. We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God.

2Corinthians 6:1-4 Since we are God's coworkers, we urge you not to let God's kindness be wasted on you. God says, "At the right time I heard you. On the day of salvation I helped you." Listen, now is God's acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation! We don't give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve. Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God's servants.

  Reading WORLD Magazine, April 30 issue, I discover a Facebook posting by U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger: “PayPal does business in 25 countries where homosexual behavior is illegal, including 5 where the penalty is death, yet they object to the North Carolina legislature overturning a misguided [transgender bathrooms]ordinance about letting men into the women’s bathroom?”

  Once upon a time reading such information my focus would have been acutely centered upon the issue cited. This new day it is not, for as one of God’s agents of reconciliation I strive to center on being His effectively fielded ambassador.

  The obvious double-mindedness of PayPal reminds me first of all that I must examine and consider eternal priorities. The initial question being: Am I too unstable, delighting in spotlighting inconsistencies in others at the expense of the integrity of my proper foremost vocation as Christ’s representative? (Mt.7:1-5; Lk.6:39-46)

  Will you join me this day in quietly inviting God’s Holy Spirit to highlight our unrecognized conflictions at the dire cost to being able to always determine what God really provides for and expects of us. (Eph.2:10)

   So, since we belong to the day, we must be sober in sense and sensibility. We must above and in the midst of all issues be clad in faith and love as our breastplate and the anticipation of salvation as our helmet, and dare not suppress God’s Holy Spirit within us. (1Thes.5:8-22)

EBB4

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT    1Thessalonians 5:16-22; James 1:22-25

  The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; 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. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather we are to reprove them. (Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 5:9-11. I encourage you to read all in context.)

  That which is not according to God’s Word is contrary to all goodness.

  Not living in the provision that God has revealed to us in Holy Scripture suppresses the fruit of His Comforter, brings weakness and loneliness with its companion fear.

  Without the Word-centered devotional life of reading, study, prayerful thought time, and seeking application in all facets of life, with implementation of His love regardless of our feelings, is to dwell apart from our John 1:12 kinfolk. Devoid of holy exercise (1Tim.4:7-9) we will not, nor will others by extension, enjoy familial fruit of the Spirit. (1Cor.7:14; Heb.4:12)

  Let us not hinder the Spirit of God is by seeking fulfillment in joining associations, societies, guilds, fraternities, clans, tribes, ethnic group, teams, troupes, troop, faction, gangs, support groups, corporations, charitable organizations, ministries, religions, churches, marriage, having children . . .  in the hope to fill a basic need to belong; all of which can never fully sate our hunger to actually belong for there is only one family that can do so.

  “I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me” is an absolute purchase specification for believers. (Rom.5:8-11) Fruitful familial fellowship is not so, for the strength of it depends on devotion in manner; godly practice in instance and event. Let us beware looking to God for heaven but to the world for fraternity; for in doing so we compromise our John 1:12 childhood.

  Join, yes, but as service extension of our identity in God’s family, “[Living] decent lives among unbelievers. Then, although they ridicule you as if you were doing wrong while they are watching you do good things, they will praise God on the day he comes to help you.” (GW 1Pet.2:12)  EBB4

THE WORD ON STRENGTH

THE WORD ON STRENGTH

Question: "What does the Bible say about strength?"

Answer: The word strength and its derivatives are mentioned over 360 times in the Bible, applying to both natural and supernatural strength. The Greek word katei means “power, strength, might.” Paul tells us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). Paul is telling us that the unlimited power and strength of Christ are the source of strength for those who belong to Him.
  As Christians, we are to be strong in the mighty power of God. This means that our strength is not our own; it is not human or fleshly. Our strength is not of the world, but our strength is found in Christ—in our having a vibrant, dynamic relationship with Him. As Paul tells us in Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). In other words, there is no other source that gives man the strength to overcome the world with its trials, its temptations, and death. It is through submission to God’s strength that we overcome the power of Satan: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). It is by first aligning ourselves with the strength of God through our total submission to Him that we are able to withstand the wiles of the evil one: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
  Bound up in the idea of finite man relying on the strength of God to overcome, to press on and to persevere, is the reality that man can in no way save himself. Only God does that. Paul makes this abundantly clear in his letter to the Ephesians: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). These two verses are the most forceful summary of the dynamics of salvation found anywhere in the Bible. They help us to understand the contrast of man’s total helplessness with that of God’s insuperable strength.
  It is a gross fallacy to believe that in our own strength we can save ourselves. The Bible makes it clear that we’re not saved by our works, by our own volition, or by the number of good things we do. But the chief reason that our salvation is not by our strength, but from God, is the utter sinfulness of man as compared with the transcending standard of the righteousness and excellence of God. It is essentially a contrast which we cannot comprehend. God’s righteousness is beyond us. His is radical.
  God has taken upon Himself the responsibility for our salvation because only He has the strength to do so. He has promised to reveal to the world His power and His might. This is what happens whenever the Spirit of God comes into the heart of a sinner. When we finally come to acknowledge Him as our Savior and admit our total helplessness and dependency upon Him, then will we come to know of His strength, His power, and His might.

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THE PROVISION OF INNER STRENGTH

THE PROVISION OF INNER STRENGTH                John 7:33-43

  Inner strength is revealed by word and deed. Those that do so are admirable examples. They are my heroes.  Jesus being the Alpha and Omega personification, but not only that . . . He empowers within as no other can. People may inspire depending on our reaction to them. Many limit Jesus to position of inspiration; whereas His innermost power and provision are far beyond external stimulation.

  Individuals stubbornly resist partaking of God’s provision live apart from His inner strength. Lacking in personal peace, their anger toward Creator and His family and worship of creature is evidence of this dearth of inner strength. (Rom.1:18-22)

  Then there are those that with joy draw refreshing inner strength from His springs of salvation. (Isa.12:3) It is refreshing that cannot be dammed. It flows on.

  Recently, acquaintance with classmate Edna has been renewed. She, though years ago suffering horrendous loss and personal trauma emotional and physical, stood fast in and by the Word. (Jn.1:1) She is one of my human heroes. Reliance on Jesus’ inner strength healed Edna and provides her with motivation and continuing fortitude to volunteer years in service to others, many hours of which involve scrubbing and cleaning.  

  If you are not doing so already, drink at His well of eternal salvation, for those who drink the water that Jesus provides will never become thirsty again. In fact, the water He gives becomes in us a spring that gushes up to eternal living present tense.  (Jn.4:1-54)  EBB4

FAMILY STRENGTH

FAMILY STRENGTH

Sunday, April 17, 2016

John [NLT] 1:6-13 God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He [Lord Jesus Christ] came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

John [NLT] 13:31-35 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will soon give glory to the Son. Dear children [Family!], I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Romans [NLT] 8:14-25 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” [Mk.14:36; Gal.4:6] For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

Galatians [NLT] 3:23-29 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

  Basic, simple and easy to understand: When we agree with God in trusting Lord Jesus Christ we become Christians [followers of Christ] and united with all other believers past, present, and future. Race, gender, social status et al are gone. We are one in The One! As His family our lives are His and thus connected to one another.  As God’s family we are “joint-heirs with Christ”, with Christ! In Christ there are no barriers. We are one. Living and dying as His family, we are strong.  

Gene Freeman (Friday, August 16, 2013)

ACCEPTABLY PROUD?

ACCEPTABLY PROUD?

Friday, April 15, 2016

Mark (MKJV) 12:28-33 And coming up one of the scribes heard them reasoning, knowing that He had answered them well, he asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. And the second is like this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said to Him, Right, Teacher, according to truth You have spoken, that God is one, and there is no other besides Him. And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love the neighbor as himself, is more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. 

1John (MKJV) 2:15-17 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.

  Through the years I’ve learned a few things about taking tests. For one thing, getting a C on a test is not the end of life; the goal is not to Ace tests but maturation in ways pleasing to God; don’t slow down for any particular question(s) you can’t immediate answer as doing so builds anxiety and doing so you may not complete test in time allowed; and a BIGGIE: The answer may be in the next question(s) or as your mind is working on several planes, you may in subconscious review realize the answer is in the wording of the puzzling question. (Some test writers incorporate answers deliberately as an extension of learning or wanting class average to be higher. Some incorporate answers without realizing they’re doing so.)

  So it is with “Can we be proud without committing sin of vanity?”

  Going to Scripture I see several applicable points.

1.       Sinful pride has to do with the stuff of self, not God, not others. Mk.12:28-33; 1Jn.2:15-17

2.       Sinful pride is connected to fear, not peace. In Luke 12 note Jesus’ words on the anxious puffery of pride in position and possession, “Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature?”

3.       In 1Corinthians chapters 12 & 13 “, the Apostle Paul applied Jesus teaching to the stature conscious children of God “charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” True godly love is charitable. It is not All-about-me!

4.       A test of true fellowship with God and others is loving obedience to the primary commandments regardless of circumstance.

5.       We are not to be vaingloriously proud of position or possessions, but are to humbly esteem others so long as we’re not doing so vicariously. Am I proud of my child or am I proud because they’re my child? (I later understood why HS teacher Flora Wiley assigned reading MY SON RALPH.)

6.       I see this healthy pride in the Father’s example in saying “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mt.3:13-17 It could be argued this is different for He is God. But aren’t we to be godly (like Him) in our attitude, word and deed? (Mt.5:48) We can do so if and only when solidly grounded in His Word, including understanding what we are and what we are not.

EBB4

ALPHABET OF AGE SHOULD NOT MAKE FOR RAGE, BUT SAGE

ALPHABET OF AGE SHOULD NOT MAKE FOR RAGE, BUT SAGE Thursday, April 14, 2016 A was for apple, and B was for boat, once was rote, but now it will not float!  Age  before beauty is what we once said, but let's be a bit more realistic instead … A's for arthritis; B's the bad back,  C's the chest pains, perhaps car-di-ac? D is for dental decay and decline,  E is for eyesight, can't read that top line!  F is for fissures and fluid retention,  G is for gas which I'd rather not mention. H is for high blood pressure--I'd rather it low;  I is for incisions with scars you can show.  J is for joints, out of socket, won't mend,  K is for knees that crack when they bend.  L 's for libido, what happened to sex?  M is for memory, I forget what comes next.  N is for neuralgia, in nerves way down low;  O is for osteo, bones that don't grow! P is for prescriptions, I have quite a few,  just give me a pill and I'll be good as new!  Q is for queasy, is it fatal or flu? R is for reflux, one meal turns to two. S is for sleepless nights, counting my fears,  T is for Tinnitus; bells in my ears!  U is for urinary; troubles with flow;  V is for vertigo, that's 'dizzy,' you know. W is for worry, now what's going 'round?  X is for X ray, and what might be found.  Y is for another year I'm left here behind,  Z is for zest I still have-- in my mind! I've survived all the symptoms, my body's deployed,   and I'm keeping twenty-six doctors fully employed!  However …  “Now chastening for the present does not seem to be joyous, but grievous. Nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised by it. Because of this, straighten up the hands which hang down and the enfeebled knees. And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord; looking diligently lest any fail of the grace of God, or lest any root of bitterness springing up disturb you, and by it many are defiled.” (Hebrews 12:11-15) Author unknown

OPTIMIZING HEALTH

OPTIMIZING HEALTH

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

1Thessalonians [GW] 5:16-24  Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Don't put out the Spirit's fire. Don't despise [set at naught] what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil. May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being-spirit, soul, and body-blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

  I am asked “Why sickness and disease?”

  Please look up Bible references for the greater understanding for living unto optimum health in this sick world:

·         The general cause of sickness/disease is Adam’s sin. The Genesis stated result being that all was corrupted by Adam’s not trusting God. Since then nothing has been perfect. Weeds, labor for male and female, viciousness among man and beast, conflict and warring in families, neighborhoods and nations, rust and rot, mental health issues for one and all; worry, fear, anxiety, anger, bitterness et al. We are all inclined to sickness and disease ultimately ending in death. Some sooner than others, some later. Adam and Eve did not suddenly die. They and all people suffered deterioration preceding demise. (Gen. chap. 1-3.)

·         Does God ever specifically target individuals or groups with sickness/disease?  He does.  Miriam is one individual example. (Num.12) Egypt is a national example. (Ex.9:14; 11:1; Ps.78:42-51; 105:27-36) Then there’s John 9:1-3 indicating that God may use people to reveal His power and glory.

·         Do our personal sins sometimes result in sickness/disease?  Yes.

A.      Drunkenness > cirrhosis/dementia etc. Smoking > emphysema/ COPD/etc. Fornication/adultery > S.T.D. These we see historically and presently.

B.      Broken relationships, lost trust et al create stress that may contribute to heath problems anew and/or existent. This is a self-evident truth.

C.      Egocentric Me-first unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, jealousy, resentment, vengefulness and other such adverse emotions do not contribute to well-being. They are detrimental to health. (Mic.6:8; Pr.8:13; 16:18; 22:4; Isa.14:13-14; Mt.23:12; Rom.12:3; 1Pet.5:5)

D.      The lack of His provision for personal peace in our life is unhealthy in all aspects. My, your, personal experience in this? (Jn.14:27; 16:33; Jam. Chapter 4)

E.       Choosing to dwell on adverse harmful thoughts is detrimental to overall health. (Phil.4:4-9)

F.       The lack of moderation makes for stressful living. Stressful living adversely effects body, soul, and spirit . . . and Spirit. (Phil.4:5; 1Thes.5:16-19)

   In compliance we may live in optimum health, but eventually in death we will go home. John 14:1-3!

  Meanwhile we should keep in mind and heart that so long as we love God, all things, even sickness and disease, work together for good as we are called according to His purpose. (Rom.8:28)

EBB4

THE PICTURE CHANGED AND YET IS UNCHANGED

THE PICTURE HAS CHANGED AND YET IS UNCHANGED

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Matthew 4:17-19 From that time [of being led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the Devil. 4:1] Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [Mk.1:15] And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Ephesians [MKJV] 2:1-10 And He has made you alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also had our way of life in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God [Rom.5:16-18; 6:23], not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

Hebrews [GW] 11 Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. God accepted our ancestors because of their faith. …

  Reading Hebrews 11 we see that individuals have by faith always realized redemption; trusting God’s love and grace throughout the circumstances of life.

  Before the law, salvation was by faith in God’s love and grace.

  Though no one was ever redeemed by keeping the law, keeping the law was and continues to be a matter of faith in God; a matter of ordination, godly living for Him and our fellow man. (Mt.22:35-40)  Doing so however did not, cannot and still does not gain the gift of everlasting life.

  Jesus explained that repentance, thinking anew, is required. People then and now love idea of deserving; earning, gaining, winning – the concept completely contrary to simply trusting god and undeservedly, without any merit on the part of recipient, receiving His truly free gift. 

  Jesus had to explain this more than once. One of my favorites is when He illustrated with practices they understood quite clearly. (Mt.9:16-17; Mk.2:21-22; Lk.5:37-38)

  How well do we understand and accept God’s love and grace; His granting undeserved and unearned favor?

  Or is the unrepentant question of “Am I good enough?” expensively remaining in heart and mind?

  I for one confess to not being good enough nor will I ever be!

  Trusting Him alone for redemption, He lifted me from the horrible miry pit in which I slipped and stumbled and now by His grace I walk securely on solid ground. My soul sings a new song, “Written down in glory!” (Ps.40)

EBB4  

FROM ONE THAT NEVER SHALL REPENT TO THOSE THAT MAY

FROM ONE THAT NEVER SHALL REPENT TO THOSE THAT MAY

Monday, April 11, 2016

Matthew 4:10-17 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. [Isa 9:1-2] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [Mk.1:15]

Repent [G3340 μετανοέω; metanoeō; met-an-o-eh'-o From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.]

  Satan will never ever change his mind or way, people however may.

                How did Jesus audience need to change their view of life and death and thereby change the way they lived?

                Why did they need to change?

Are we today any different in need?

EBB4

WORSHIP IN HARD TIMES

WORSHIP IN HARD TIMES

Sunday, April 10, 2016

  How can I trust God when I am facing unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy?

  The loss of employment and/or income is one of the most distressing events in life, especially for those supporting a family. Foreclosure on the family home or having to declare bankruptcy due to unemployment adds additional fear, uncertainty, and emotional turmoil. For the Christian man or woman facing unemployment, foreclosure or bankruptcy, there can be additional doubts about God’s goodness and His promises to provide for His children. How is the Christian to react to these catastrophic life events? What biblical principles can we apply to the loss of a home or a job and benefits (health/life insurance, retirement)?

  First, it’s important to understand that God has ordained work for mankind. Work is described in the Bible as beneficial in that it provides for our needs (Proverbs 14:23; Ecclesiastes 2:24, 3:13, 5:18-19) and gives us the resources to share with others in need (Ephesians 4:28). Paul reminded the believers in Thessalonica that anyone who was not willing to work should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10) and that he himself worked at tent making so as not to be a burden on anyone (Acts 18:3; 2 Corinthians 11:9). So loss of employment should not be an excuse for laziness, and all due diligence should be exercised to find other employment as quickly as possible (Proverbs 6:9-11).

  At the same time, it may not be possible to find a position equal in pay and status to the one that was lost. In these cases, Christians should not allow pride to keep them from taking jobs in other fields, even if it means lowered status or less pay, at least temporarily. We should also be willing to accept help from other believers and our churches, perhaps in exchange for work that needs to be done in homes, yards, and church facilities. Extending and accepting a ‘helping hand’ in these times is a blessing to those who give and to those who receive and exhibits the ‘law of Christ’ which is love for one another (Galatians 6:2; John 13:34).

  Similarly, loss of the family home through foreclosure or bankruptcy can even be a time of blessing for the family, a time when parents and children “close ranks” and become more keenly aware of their love for one another and the important things in life—faith, family and community—and less focused on material things that have no eternal value and can disappear in a moment. God can also use these circumstances to remind us of the truth spoken by Jesus in Matthew 6:19-20, and refocus our hearts on heavenly treasure.

  Above all, renewing our faith and trust in God’s promises is of utmost importance during times of financial stress. Revisiting passages that speak of God’s faithfulness to His children will strengthen and encourage us when the future looks bleak. First Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God is faithful and will not test us beyond our ability to bear it and will provide a way out of the trial. This ‘way out’ may mean a new and better job that comes up right away. It may also mean a lengthy period of unemployment during which God’s faithfulness in providing our daily bread is shown to us. It may mean a new home or it may mean living in reduced circumstances with relatives for a period of time. In each case, the way out is really the ‘way through’ the trial, in which we learn of God’s faithful provision as He walks by our side through the entire ordeal. When the time of testing is over, our faith will be strengthened and we will be able to strengthen others by bearing strong testimony to the faithfulness of our God. 

GotQuestions.org

Recommended Resource: When God Doesn't Make Sense by James Dobson.

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JESUS' FIRST COMMANDMENT?

JESUS’ FIRST COMMANDMENT?

Friday, April 08, 2016

  Yesterday I posed 3 questions. Confessing to a bit of tricky wording of the questions, today I answer:

What was Jesus’ first commandment?

                The most common answer to this question when I’ve posed it thru the decades is the first two of The Ten Commandments. This however is not Jesus first recorded publicly voiced commandment. It was  “Repent [G3340 μετανοέω; metanoeō; met-an-o-eh'-o From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.] : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”   (KJV Mt.4:17)

What is Jesus’ first commandment?

                It was later in Jesus’ ministry recorded by Matthew that He responded to a Pharisee, lawyer in the sect, tempting him, saying,  “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’” (KJV Mt.22:35-40)

How are the two questions connected?

                It is impossible to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbor in kind apart from initial and ongoing repentance. Without repentance there is no true godly love. (Rom.12:1-3; 1Cor.13)

EBB4

                

FIRST OF ALL

FIRST OF ALL

Thursday, April 07, 2016

Matthew [NLT] 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.  For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil^[a came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ [Deut.8:1-3]”

  Asking “What was Jesus first commandment?” without fail I’ve been told the answer to “What is Jesus first commandment?”

  They are two different answers that are in a way significantly separate but in The Way definitely connected.

What was Jesus first commandment?

What is Jesus first commandment?

How are they connected?

EBB4

BEEN THINKING ABOUT REPENTANCE AGAIN

BEEN THINKING ABOUT REPENTANCE AGAIN

Wednesday, April 06, 2016

Romans [CEV] 12:1-3 Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God. Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him. I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you.

1Corinthians 13:4-13 Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails! Everyone who prophesies will stop, and unknown languages will no longer be spoken. All that we know will be forgotten. We don't know everything, and our prophecies are not complete. But what is perfect will someday appear, and what isn't perfect will then disappear. When we were children, we thought and reasoned as children do. But when we grew up, we quit our childish ways. Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don't know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.

2Corinthians 13:5-6 Test yourselves and find out if you really are true to your faith. If you pass the test, you will discover that Christ is living in you. But if Christ isn't living in you, you have failed. I hope you will discover that we have not failed.

  I’ve been thinking about repentance again. Out of necessity I do so for otherwise I can’t properly examine my exercise of fellowship with God and man.

  First of all I again remind myself that repentance doesn’t begin with abstinence. It begins with the applied exercise explained in Romans 12:1-3; reviewing as to whether my worldview is influenced by a life-is-all-about-me attitude, and scrutinizing how much of my thinking is grounded in God’s Word as opposed to in man’s contrarian word? I do so because somewhere back along my lifeline I had the personal revelation that actions and reactions flow naturally out of truly held belief and understanding.

  Several other of my historical Romans 12:1-3 life-changing items:

·         Realizing and accepting that I’m never going to completely understand everything.

·         Realizing and accepting that it is not necessary for me to understand everything.

·         Anger, bitterness, and other detrimental emotions are a choice.

·         Love is a choice.

·         Love is most often in a language non-verbal.

·         Manhood is not a result of puberty. (And that puberty often interferes with manhood)

·         When I do understand something in the light of God’s Word I am then responsible.

·         Here it is I, not He, that’s responsible for the health of my spirit, soul, and body.

·         God provides but I must apply that which He provides.

EBB4

DOE'S GOD HAVE A PLAN, OR DOES HE WORK HIS PLAN?

Does God have a plan that works, or does He work His plan?

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Responses:

God had a plan that was suppose to work before man screwed it up.  Now he works our plans back into shape so his original plan can manifest itself.  Penny

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God has a plan that works but since the fall He is depending on sinners saved by grace to seek and follow His plan. Srf

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Yes both are correct.  Kathy Readhimer

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YES AND YES, not or.  The Holy Bible is proof of both and more.  Richard Baker

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The answer is,"Yes, of course."  Chaplain Tom Beatty

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A "plan" doesn't/can't work, until it's put to work. So, the answer is , "Yes."  Maryland Jim

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   In answering your question, I have to reflect back on how I got to Omaha from Pennsylvania. I have been from Nova Scotia to the Florida Keys (Key West) but until I came to Omaha, had never been west of Pittsburgh. I look back at being drafted in the Army, meeting a friend who talked me into coming to college in West Virginia, meeting another friend there who went back to Omaha where he was from, after a semester. I remember being lost in life when I was home in Hershey over a Thanksgiving vacation, waiting several days before deciding to go back to college. I started out at 10am hitch hiking from home and ended up on route 40 in Maryland at 9pm that same day with the winter rain coming down. Feeling depressed, lost and feeling total despair, I turned to go back home. With tears streaming down my face, I looked up to the sky and said "God, please help me!" At that very moment, I heard a semi-truck screech their breaks behind me and upon turning around, and he had stopped about 60 yards away waiting for me. I ran and ended up getting back to school in West Virginia. Ended up in grad school at WVU, where I met my friend from Omaha and did my externship for my Masters in Pittsburgh. After coming in 2nd place from 3 different job interviews, became frustrated, called m friend from Omaha and told him I was coming there. I pulled up I front of his house on 39th street two houses from  the Joslyn Castle. I looked in my wallet and there was no money. Reached in my pocket and had two quarters to my name. I looked up in the star-studded sky on April 4, 1978 and said "Lord, here I am." 

  The result of this journey was I met my wife, got involved in a church, raised a Christ-filled child, and have a wonderful granddaughter and a blessed life. So, did God have a plan for me or did he work his plan for me? I feel he did both. A long-term plan to marry a Christian woman, raise a Christian child and make me a stronger Christian man, but also work his plan to turn my head around and run in the rain to get a ride from a truck driver that kept me continuing my Journey through life to where I am now.

Michael W. DeMuth

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“I AM THAT I AM is immutable. This includes His master plan as Supreme Sovereign Master. The Creator and the plan are immutable. It is we, His creation, that play at mutable capriciousness. Our inconsistent nature and activity does not alter His master plan one iota. As I He, His plan is. Ours is the option to submissively see our self, others, and the things of this world thru the lens of His Word and participate in His plan, or not.  C.L. 

ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS

ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS

Monday, April 04, 2016

  There are questions to which our responses reveal our determination of our life-view that guides our steps. Yesterday morning while enjoying Sunday School lesson presented by Ernie, helpfully stirred by his dear wife Michelle, and discussed by others sitting around the table, I thought of and jotted down just such a serious life-determining question that came to mind. Please consider your answer and realize the difference your answer makes in your relationship with God, your life and the lives of those around you. 

Does God have a plan that works, or does He work His plan?

EBB4

A VIEW FROM INSIDE OUT

A VIEW FROM INSIDE OUT – Romans 12:1-3

Sunday, April 03, 2016

Dear fellow travelers,

  As most of you know, I was a volunteer with Good News Jail & Prison Ministry for 20 years, along with many others serving our Lord in Douglas County Jail, Omaha, Nebraska. I have known and appreciated Rick Sweenie during and since retiring from that place of service. This week I received the following report from Rick and am passing it on to you so that you too will be informed and blessed.

To serve Him all our days,

Edwin Bennett Bullock 4^th

  “ROLL UP” a correctional officer yelled today… right in the middle of my class in the Life Learning Program. 

  “Roll up” is a term the correctional officer says to the offender that he or she is being released.  When the correctional staff yells this out to a certain individual, most of the time he or she is to roll up their bedding and belongings and get ready to be released back into the community. 

  I am reminding of a good question about those being released.  What kind of person will the released person be?  More criminally minded or changed?  Normally they become more criminally minded.  But in the Life Learning Program they are being taught the Word of God every day.  If that person is truly born again, they have been growing in their relationship with Christ since their conversion.  They have been in a highly intense discipleship program.  Since they have entered the Christian life through being born of the Spirit, they now are being equipped to live the Christian life.  And we all know how challenging that can be.  But the Word is true.  If true repentance and true faith takes place… a new life begins. When an inmate leaves the jail, he has many new issues and challenges to face, but God is faithful.

  2^nd Corinthians 5.17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

  Notation from Life Application Bible - Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6, 7). At conversion we do not merely turn over a new leaf; we begin a new life under a new Master.

  The man that left the jail during class today was glad to be free.  But he was really free when he put his trust in Christ several weeks before his release from jail.  As he left, he did yell back and he said, “thank you, Rick.”

  I want to thank you for praying and partnering with me in this ministry.  For His glory!

Rick Sweenie, Director of Chaplains

Good News Jail & Prison Ministry

110 Bellevue Blvd South

Bellevue, NE 68005

©402-681-2215

NO FOOLING ON GOD'S ADDITION AND SUBTRACTING

NO FOOLING ON GOD’S ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION

Friday, April 01, 2016

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 12:29-32 And now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the judgments which I teach you, in order to do them, so that you may live and go in and possess the land which Jehovah, the God of your fathers gives you. You shall not add to the Word which I command you, neither shall you take away from it, so that you may keep the commands of Jehovah your God which I command you. … When Jehovah your God shall cut off the nations before you, where you go to possess them, and you take their place and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you do not become snared by following them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not ask about their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods, that I too may do likewise? You shall not do so to Jehovah your God. For every abomination to Jehovah, which He hates, they have done to their gods; even their sons and their daughters they have burned in the fire to their gods. All the things I command you, be careful to do it. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.

Psalm [MKJV] 119:103-5 How sweet are Your Words to my taste! More than honey to my mouth! Through Your Commandments I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

Proverbs [GW] 28:25b-26 … whoever trusts the LORD prospers. Whoever trusts his own heart [feelings/intellect] is a fool. Whoever walks in wisdom will survive.

  The above Scripture puzzles some as to its application, and does frighten others at times.

  One of the best ways to comprehend Deuteronomy 4:1-2 and 12:29-32 is to read in context with question “What things?” in mind.

  In 4:3 God warns of Baal-peor, citing the history of those that added pagan beliefs and practices to Jehovah’s statutes and commandments.

  (Baal-peor בּעל פעור, ba‛al p^e‛ōr; Βεελφεγώρ, Beelphegō̇r was god of the Moabite mountains, who took his name from Mount Peor (Num_23:28), the modern Fa‛ūr, and was probably a form of Chemosh (Jerome, Comm., Isa_15:1-9). The sensual rites with which he was worshipped (Num_25:1-3) indicate his connection with the Phoenician Baal. [From ISBE] )

  In 4:4 we see that central to what God is talking about is not singularly about obedience but more importantly the reason for compliance: healthy individual and national relationship/fellowship with Him. Take particular note of the phrase (KJV) “cleave unto the Lord your God” – in following verses again specifying how to do so.

  Going to Exodus 32 we see the description of the addition that subtracted from fellowship with God . . . that very much angered Him with dire results for the people.

  James asks “Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us yearns to envy?” and promises “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. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, double-minded ones.” (MKJV 4:5-8)

  I doubt most of us will soon distance our self from God by dancing naked before a graven image. There are however many other additions that subtract from fellowship. Some we know, others we don’t recognize the sum of immediately. None however require algebra; it takes spiritual discernment added through His Word consistently read, studied, and meditated upon.  EBB4