THE HEALED RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE

THE HEALED RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

John [MKJV] 5:2-9 Now there is a pool at the Sheep Gate at Jerusalem, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, of blind, lame, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and troubled the water. Then whoever first stepped in after the troubling of the water was made whole of whatever disease he had. And a certain man was there, who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying, and knowing that he had spent much time, He said to him, Do you desire to be made whole? The infirm man answered Him, Sir, when the water is troubled, I have no one to put me into the pool. But while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus says to him, Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made whole and took up his bed and walked. And it was a sabbath on that day.

  It is recorded that Jesus healed, and that we are encouraged to pray for God’s healing.

  Picture this: You are ill, debilitated and largely hindered. You are taken to a facility promising help. As you lay on the examination table a practitioner walks in and asks “Do you want to be healed?” . . .  After you were restrained, calmed down, and the police left ….

  Of course you’d want to be healed, right?!

  Wait, if I’m healed physically, emotionally, from addiction, delivered from criminal activity, self-centeredness, the sick life I live . . . then I am expected to carry and walk; Learn of, accept, and work at what will then be my new load of responsibilities. Much more will be expected of me.

  Do I really want to be healed? is the question.

John 5:10-14 Therefore the Jews said to him who had been healed, It is the sabbath. It is not lawful for you to take up the bed. He answered them, He who made me whole said to me, Take up your bed and walk. Then they asked him, Who is the man who said to you, Take up your bed and walk? And he did not know Him who had cured him, for Jesus had moved away, a crowd being in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, Behold, you are made whole. Sin no more lest a worse thing come to you.

EBB4

PS: It is also noteworthy that the man did not respond with a straightforward “Yes!” Also note that one new responsibility may be dealing with being badgered by the maddening crowd.

  

HELP! FIRE!!

HELP! FIRE!!

Monday, May 30, 2016

John 15:13 [Jesus explained] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

  James Robert McGee was born 1900 and died 1981. He was born and raised in a coal region, worked in the pits, ran moonshine over ridges and down hollows. He also was an infantryman in “The Great War”, “The War to End All Wars”. He slept in muddy trenches, was gassed, shot and shrapnel wounded and awarded medals for those moments.  He saw many of his Appalachian hometown friends die by the fine aim of the “Bosche”, “Those da#@+& kraut cabbage heads.” He fought fear as often as the German soldier.

  He fought at The Rock of the Marne and other oddly named killing fields.

  Under the influence of alcohol he would tell of a beautiful Spring day in a peaceful rest area as once bathed, shaved and fed, he and a boyhood pal pleasantly walked an old railroad path enjoying the reprieve. He couldn’t remember exactly what the conversation was about, but he vividly recalled silence when his friend stopped speaking. There was no rifle crack from sniper or stray American Expeditionary Force bullet that killed the man.

  Another time when escaping his anguish, in going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he suffered the illusion that the house was on fire and began calling out thru the window. As was in those days before AC, windows were up, screens were in, and neighbors heard shouting and sirens and responded as a concerned crowd.

  Uncle Jim was “shell shocked” to the degree that he could not hold a job though he tried. Shortly after marrying my Mom, my father decided he should live with us. Within a year I came along. Two years later brother Jim arrived.

  Uncle Jim lived with us until he passed from this life’s battlefield. He loved and cared for us. I love, have utmost respect and admiration for Uncle Jim. His attention, example, and teachings greatly influence my life.

  James Robert McGee is one of my heroes. He is indeed both Uncle and friend.

EBB4

LIVING A MEMORIAL DAY LIFE

LIVING A MEMORIAL DAY LIFE  

Sunday, May 29, 2016

                John MKJV 5:30 [Jesus said] I can do nothing of My own self. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me.

1John MKJV 2:15-17 [Apostle John wrote]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.

  It is of utmost importance that we presently live with correct perspective of life past, present, and future.

  The Apostle Paul wrote of this to young Timothy. (1Tim.4:12)

  “Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share. By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves which is a good foundation for the future. In this way they take hold of what life really is.” (GW 1Tim.6:17-19)

  Where did Paul get such a counter-worldly principle to live by?

  From the Word: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (GW 10:11-18) “And they crucified Him …” (Mt.27:35)

  Ours is a constant choice whether to live sacrificially as did Jesus, or to live in the employ of all this world has to offer.

  “And He[Jesus]said to all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for My sake, he shall save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses himself, or is cast away? (MKJV Lk.9:23-25)

  Read any translation or version we like, but we must take note of the order of His direction; we don’t accompany Him as the practice of self-denial; we practice self-denial to facilitate following Him. (I speak of discipleship, not salvation; soteria: safety in His preservation.)

  Will you or I this day be dragged to some wooden cross and cruelly executed? Not likely. But we shall this day be repeatedly challenged to bear the cross of self-denial. So be it. 

EBB4 (Originally penned Tuesday, May 29, 2012)

USA MEMORIAL DAY HISTORY

John 15:9-13 [Jesus explained]  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

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Sermon - Memorial Day

John Sayers - 1905

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A Brief History of Memorial Day:

  On May 5, 1868, Major General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of

the Republic (an organization made up of Union Veterans) set aside May 30th as Decoration Day to commemorate fallen soldiers by adorning their graves with flowers. General Logan’s order declared: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance....Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

  That year, 5,000 gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to attend commemoration ceremonies presided over by General and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant. This was the nation’s first major tribute to those who fell in the Civil War, and at that time small American flags were placed on each grave (a tradition that continues today).

  However, the decoration of graves actually began before General Logan’s official order, and some two dozen locations claim to be the site of the first Memorial Day observance. The majority of these sites are in the South, where most of the casualties of the Civil War are buried.

  For example, both Macon and Columbus, Georgia, as well as Richmond, Virginia, each claim to have begun Memorial Day in 1866; and Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, claims that it held the first observance in 1864. However, one of the first documented sites to hold a tribute to the Civil War dead took place in Columbus, Mississippi on April 25, 1866. A group of women who were placing flowers on the graves of Confederate soldiers (casualties of the battle at Shiloh) noticed the destitute graves of the Union soldiers and also decorated their graves with flowers. The first community-wide observance occurred in Waterloo, New York, on May 5, 1866, with a ceremony to honor local Civil War veterans. (A century later in 1966, President Lyndon Baines Johnson and Congress declared Waterloo to be the “birthplace” of Memorial Day because of that earlier observance.)

  By the end of the 19th century, the observance of May 30th as a day to honor the Civil War dead had become a widespread practice across the nation, but after World War I, the tribute was expanded to include all American military men and women who had died in any war. Memorial Day has been acknowledged as a national holiday since 1971, when an Act of Congress established its observance on the last Monday in May.

  In 2000, Congress passed the “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” asking all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence in remembrance of all those who have died in military service to America.

(From Wallbuilders.com)

LOST IN ALBION

LOST IN ALBION

Thursday, May 26, 2016

  Grandson Ian was sent here to look out for me after my last stroke and resultant hospital stay September 2, 2015. He is still here. His old room is now a nursery for his baby nephew, my greatgrandson. We get along hunky-dory, and of course there are rituals that have developed.

  Ian serves hearing impaired Nebraskans by installing and servicing CaptionCall phones provided free under the American Disabilities Act. In doing so he is behind the wheel near, far, and in between. One day Ian made a 600 mile round trip!

  I have yet to hear an audible sigh or “Ugh.” in response to my ritual “Where are you going today?” or “Where did you go today?” Today’s answer is “Albion, do you know where it is?”

  I do, but this fact didn’t brake my traveling mind……

  Using smart phone visual and audible Google Earth app will take Ian precisely curbside to his destination, these days a commonly used method of travel to locations hither or yon. But once there, unfold a road map of the State, USA, or world and ask “Where are you in relation to home?” (I confess to impishly doing this with those not of my atlas generation and thoroughly enjoying the puzzled looks.)

  More seriously, I’m pondering 2 individuals that had critical lack of understanding of exactly where they were framed by the larger eternal picture: Nicodemus and Saul, both believing they were well-located, when actually they were far from being so.

  Recorded in John 3 we read of the Master’s redirecting words to Nicodemus, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet do not know these things?”

  And in Acts 9 to Saul of Tarsus zealously persecuting the disciples of Christ, redirecting words leading up to his being the Apostle Paul, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?“

  In what areas do I need redirected this day? Am I, are we using His application or are we using modern devices for spiritual direction? (1Cor.2:1to 3:23) Though afflicted with deafness, am I, are we listening?

EBB4

CaptionCall: http://captioncallphone.com/?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=CC2016&utm_term=%2Bcaptioncall&utm_content=Branded%20Terms%20-%20Broad

MISBEGOTTEN PHOBIA

MISBEGOTTEN PHOBIA

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Hebrews [ESV] chapter 9 … Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

  There are countless ways to die. Some are unnecessarily disproportionately feared more than others.    From Ask.com: In 2000, the World Health Organization reported that in the USA population of 281,000,000 people (Census data), there were only 54 deaths attributable to bee stings, 15,517 murders (FBI crime figures) - there is a greater chance you'll be murdered by a fellow human, than die from being stung by a bee! More than 20,000 people in the USA die from flu every year (U.S. Centers for Disease Control) Even lightening kills more people than bee stings! On average, 90 people are killed every year in the U.S. by lightning. [NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS SR-193] Then there are all those sharks waiting to dine on you and me if we dare enter saltwater above our ankles. (Average about 6-10 worldwide reported annually.)

  One of my favorite cartoons is of 2 women standing by a new tombstone, the one stating “I don’t understand it. He was gluten-free all his life!”

  Certainly we are to exercise reasonable caution toward maintenance of physical well-being, and in doing so based in God’s peace not phobia.

  “fear not” is in 62 KJV verses. As I’ve read them I’ve especially noted the ones with the underlying message of It’s not all about you. There’s something much bigger going on. (Mt.10:28; Lk.1:30; 12:7-32; Acts 27:24; rev.1:17-18)

  Ours is not to fear death or life, but to occupy! (Lk.19:11-27)

EBB4

THE DISCOMFORT OF REASONABLE SERVICE

THE DISCOMFORT OF REASONABLE SERVICE

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

John [ESV] 3:11-21 [Jesus explained] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."

Romans 12:1-3 [Paul exhorted] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

2Corinthians [GW] 5:14-21 [Paul explained] Clearly, Christ's love guides us. We are convinced of the fact that one man has died for all people. Therefore, all people have died. He died for all people so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the man who died and was brought back to life for them. So from now on we don't think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don't anymore. 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. [Ez.33:8] 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. God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God's approval through him.

  Fact is, socially speaking worship via reasonable service is often not a gala party. Self protection is just as natural for God’s John 1:12 family as for non-relatives. To be most specific this day, though definitely led to there’s a topic I’ve been putting off writing about for 2 weeks now, especially so with recent emphasis on Blues Lives Matter.

  In writing the brief HEROES series I knew there is something importantly compelling to remind others of: Individuals may heroically lay down their life in saving another, but if their trust is not in Lord Jesus Christ as personal Redeemer, they depart this life to eternal condemnation.

  As God’s ambassadors we must serve Him actively as agents of reconciliation!

EBB4

THY KINGDOM COME

THY KINGDOM COME

Monday, May 23, 2016

Mt.6:10 [Lk.11:2] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

  We love to pray those 3 words, a triplet that flows in sound encouragement. But which kingdom is it some ask? Please read the below brief essay from GotQuestions.org and be edified.

EBB4

Question: "What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven?"

Answer: While some believe that the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are referring to different things, it is clear that both phrases are referring to the same thing. The phrase “kingdom of God” occurs 68 times in 10 different New Testament books, while “kingdom of heaven” occurs only 32 times, and only in the Gospel of Matthew. Based on Matthew’s exclusive use of the phrase and the Jewish nature of his Gospel, some interpreters have concluded that Matthew was writing concerning the millennial kingdom while the other New Testament authors were referring to the universal kingdom. However, a closer study of the use of the phrase reveals that this interpretation is in error.
  For example, speaking to the rich young ruler, Christ uses “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” interchangeably. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 19:23). In the very next verse, Christ proclaims, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (verse 24). Jesus makes no distinction between the two terms but seems to consider them synonymous.
  Mark and Luke used “kingdom of God” where Matthew used “kingdom of heaven” frequently in parallel accounts of the same parable Compare Matthew 11:11-12 with Luke 7:28; Matthew 13:11with Mark 4:11 and Luke 8:10; Matthew 13:24 with Mark 4:26; Matthew 13:31 with Mark 4:30 and Luke 13:18; Matthew 13:33 with Luke 13:20; Matthew 18:3 with Mark 10:14 and Luke 18:16; and Matthew 22:2 with Luke 13:29. In each instance, Matthew used the phrase “kingdom of heaven” while Mark and/or Luke used “kingdom of God.” Clearly, the two phrases refer to the same thing.

Recommended Resources: The Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns and Logos Bible Software.

Related Topics from GotQuestions.org:
What is the Kingdom of God?
What is kingdom theology?
What is the gospel of the kingdom?
What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God?
What did Jesus mean when He said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21, KJV)?

FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY

FAITH HOPE CHARITY

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Philippians ESV 2:1-13 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

  Faith Hope Charity are inseparable, a package.

  Pastor Paul, emphasizing the above 3, expounded briefly on the 7 virtues as laid out in Ephesians chapter 2. (For chart on 7 virtues, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues )

  Moving to 1Corinthians 13 he explained that charity/love is the motivation for being virtuous:

·          Charity being loving as God loves us; putting aside prideful ambition and putting others first.

·          Hope is mind set toward heaven; following Jesus example, realizing we can’t out-imagine God!

·         Faith as admitting total failure necessitating trusting God; walking and working, acting accordingly as God is in you.

  Pastor Paul closed saying this is the right way to live even though life is contrary.

EBB4 from Sunday, 10.7.2008 sermon notes.

PLANTED

PLANTED

Friday, May 20, 2016

  Yesterday while tilling the garden and related tasks I thought about my heroes past and present, and that how most are forgotten after a number of generations. Though admittedly, hero or not, people would like to be remembered beyond the next 2 or 3 generations, but then what does it really matter beyond the present “To serve Him all our days.”? 

  This morning upon arising I look out the window at the garden with hope of planting this afternoon.

  Then my thoughts turned to Jesus’ parable recorded in Mark chapter 4, so I reread it . . . and had a personal revelation after reading it many times these past 70+ years: Jesus was not singularly talking about light and salt limited to present living service before Him; If we now serve Him all our days our death, all things being eternal, will perennially produce in-kind thereafter!

  How now are we rooted?

EBB4

AS PROMISED, MORE HEROES

AS PROMISED, MORE HEROES

Friday, May 19, 2016

Notice: The reason for no DT yesterday is that at first light Windows 10 began installing (assaulting?) my PC sans my permission. It held my PC hostage all day until the installation failed in late afternoon. The PC then repaired itself to quite satisfactory Windows 7, completely the task after 9pm as I tried to solve yet another Midsomer Murder.  EBB4

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Here are heroes presented by some of our DT fellows:

“Dear Wise One: A true hero accepts, embraces and perseveres through the adversity given them, knowing the end result will glorify God.  I have learned that what glorifies God can cause man pain and suffering.  We must always keep our eye on the prize, which is our internal salvation, painfully given by our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Cheryl of Nebraska (One of my heroes.)

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“-Samson.  Numerous character flaws but had the courage to face an enemy who vastly outnumbered him.  Judges 15:15

-James (brother of Jesus).  Growing up having God as an older brother must have created one heck of a sibling rivalry for Jesus' brothers, but James had the humility later in life to submit himself to Jesus' will.  James also authored one of my favorite books in the Bible.  Mark 6:3, John 7:5, Acts 12:17, book of James

-Gideon.  After initially lacking the courage to go where God was calling him he trusted God instead of numbers.  Judges 6 and 7

-Joshua.  After enduring years in slavery and then serving as Moses' second in command for almost forty years, he trusted God once he received command of the Israelite army to win victories that sometimes seemed unusual to others.  Books of Exodus, Joshua

-Caleb.  One of two spies who had the courage to face the Amalekites even though they were gigantic in size.  Was still a great warrior at 80 years old.  Numbers 13:27-33, Numbers 14:6

-David's mighty men.  Numerous incredible feats of courage and loyalty.  2 Samuel 23:8-39

-Barnabas.  One theory I like is that Barnabas was the rich man who Jesus told to sell everything he had and give it to the poor.  If this is true, then even though he "walked away sad" initially he eventually surrendered to God's will and was one of the first missionaries.  Matthew 19:16-22, Acts 4:36, 37

-Zaccheus.  Despite a selfish personality and short stature he did what he had to do to see Jesus.  Luke 19:1-10”

David of Nebraska (One of my heroes)

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“I don't know if one could call him a hero, but I've admired Josiah because he Loved the Lord with all his Heart and all his Soul and all his Might.  This is the first Great Commandment he followed before he knew it to be a commandment.”  Penny (One of my heroes.)

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“Jonathan,King  Sauls son, 1Sam 23:16-18.  Jonathan knew David would be the next King even though he was next in line for the throne.  He was Davids friend and confidant. In 1Sam 14 He is a courageous soldier.  He convinced his armor bearer [who had no weapon] to follow him to pick a fight with a squad of Philistine soldiers.  His armor bearer followed him into battle without a weapon.  He had to be a leader that inspired confidence.” Jim Abraham of Nebraska (One of my heroes.)

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“My heroes are the jail & prison ministry volunteers - they're SERIOUS about their faith, and give their lives to extend GRACE to the inmates, in obedience to Jesus.  My other group of heroes are the pro-life activists.” Chaplain Tom Beatty of Illinois (One of my heroes.)

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DURABILITY

DURABILITY

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

  Over coffee and cornflakes this morning I read of researchers discovering that loneliness in the elderly adversely effects health and thereby quality of life and longevity. You, I, and most people I know would gladly have told this to the experts for free.

  Sitting quietly alone sipping the last of the cup’s Columbian, I thought to utilize GotQuestions.org to read a bit on the topic and check out Bible references given before I cranked up for another active day. (Cleaned and neatened south half of garage yesterday without tossing 50% to the north side.)

Question: "Is there anything I can do to guarantee myself a long life?"

Answer: “‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth’” (Ephesians 6:3–4). In this passage, the apostle Paul is quoting from the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:12 specifically: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” This represents the only instance of God connecting long life as a reward for something we do. Is this promise of long life for honoring your parents true? And, if so, why is honoring your parents so highly valued to God that He rewards it with long life?
  First, yes, the promise is true, but not in a universal sense. There are people who honored their parents but died young. And there are people who did not honor their parents but lived a long life. Therefore, it is a principle that is generally true. If you honor your parents, God will, generally speaking, reward you with a long life. However, this promise does not override other decisions we make that impact how long we live. For example, if a man honors his parents, but then decides to commit suicide, the act of suicide “negates” the reward of long life. The same can be said of those who engage in reckless and dangerous activities. God’s reward of long life for honoring parents does not miraculously make you immune from serious injury or death.
  Again, the reward of long life for honoring your parents is a general principle, not a universal truth. God considers the way a child treats his/her parents so important that He usually rewards those who honor their parents with long life. Solomon urged children to respect their parents (Proverbs 1:8; 13:1; 30:17). Jeremiah declared that those who honor their parents are blessed (Jeremiah 35:18–19). Disobedience to parents is a trait of those who rebel against God (Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2). This brings us to the second point. Why is honoring your parents so highly valued to God that He rewards it with long life?
  There are at least two reasons for the value God places on honoring your parents. 1) God entrusts parents with the responsibility to raise their children in a godly manner. The task of parenting is not easy. It is painful, stressful, expensive, and often unappreciated. For a child to not recognize, and be grateful for, the sacrifices parents make on his/her behalf is an affront to the position of authority and value God has given to parents. It is similar to how we are to respond to the government (Romans 13:1–7). If God has placed us under authority, to rebel against that authority is to rebel against God Himself.
  2) God desires us to honor our parents because our relationship with our earthly parents is an illustration of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. For example, Hebrews 12:5–11 compares the discipline a child receives from parents to the discipline believers in Christ receive from God. Just as our parents are our biological progenitors, God is our Creator. We are children of God and children of our parents. To dishonor our parents is to distort the picture of what our relationship with our Heavenly Father is to be.
  Do you want to live a long life? Honor your parents. Why? Because God placed you under their authority and guidance, and because your attitude toward your parents is illustrative of your attitude toward God. While this reward is not universal—and while it does not override every other decision you make—it is still generally true. If you want to live a long life, honor those who gave you life in the first place.

Recommended Resources: Bible Answers for Almost all Your Questions by Elmer Towns and Logos Bible Software.

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Related Topics:
How does fearing God add length to a person’s life (Proverbs 10:27)?
Is there an age limit to how long we can live?
Why did the people in Genesis live such long lives?
What does it mean to honor my father and mother?Who was the oldest man in the Bible?

HERO'S SUBSTANCE

HERO’S SUBSTANCE

Monday, May 16, 2016

Matthew [MKJV] 16:20-27 Then He warned His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, God be gracious to You, Lord! This shall never be to You. But He turned and said to Peter, Go, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you do not savor the things that are of God, but those that are of men. Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it. For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He shall reward each one according to his works.

  What, if anything, does the above passage from Christ’s teaching have to do with the substance of heroes?

EBB4

HEROES TO BEGIN WITH

HEROES TO BEGIN WITH

Sunday, May 15, 2016

  In my opinion everyone should, after God the Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, have heroes to look up to and emulate. This second essential list should be made up of Bible heroes and so as to learn from understand their character. Here are several of mine:

·         Job; maintained his integrity before God though suffering numerous calamities perpetrated by Satan and allowed by God. (Job 2:9; 13:15; 27:5-7; 31:1-40)

·         Noah; “ … being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household.” (Gen.6; Heb.11:7)

·         Rahab; a scarlet woman that understood where loyalty should be placed. (Josh.2:1-15)

·         David; boy with a righteous cause that as king self-inflicted grievously but never forgot exactly who his King is. (1Sam.17:24-51; 2Sam.12:1-14; Ps.51)

·         Abram/Abraham; a man that fully understood that it’s not where he lived that mattered but how he lived. (Too many passages to list here. Look up “Abraham”.)

·         Nehemiah; a testament of submission, courage and dedication of how to serve a king and yet fully serve the King. (Neh. Chapters 1 & 2 and more.)

·         Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach, & Abednego; men credibly serving a king while serving the King, when pressured to abandon Him they chose loyalty to the King knowing he may die. (the Book of Daniel)

·         Esther; she remaining a faithful woman of God maintaining devotion and submission to her king husband. At risk of her own physical security exercised courage that saved the Jews of Persia from genocide. (The Book of Esther)

·         John the Baptist; a man of prominence in God’s plan, but with great humility in concession when his position was done. (Jn.1:26-27; 3:22-36)

·         Peter; an irascible man that strove mightily for and accomplished temperance. (Search “peter” in all 4 gospels.)

·         Saul/Paul; a man exemplifying losing the world and gaining the utmost.

·         Thomas; a man demanding proof that when received the first of the disciples to declare Christ’s extraordinary divinity, calling him “my Lord and my God!”, and for the rest of his life vigorously acted accordingly.

·         John; “beloved” and penning his book he remarkably wrote John 1:1 & 3:16 epitomizing the Word written and Living.

·         Stephen; a godly man that understood and acted out where his true citizenship is. (Acts 6:5-15; 7:54-60)

  There are many more heroes, male and female, recorded in scripture, some of which you admire.  Please share your choices with me and I will publish in the coming week.

EBB4

HEROES ARE A MIRROR

HEROES ARE A MIRROR

Friday, May 13, 2016

“All my heroes are cowboys.”

Psalm [ESV] 97:1-7 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!

  By now we’ve all listed our heroes mentally, on a screen, or listed on paper and now it’s time to exercise with added weight in the interest of strengthening.

  When the psalmist addressed the problem of idol worship he was addressing wooden, clay, stone, metal ones. It would be easy for us to think that because we have no such idol in our possession or life that the psalmist’s exhortation does not pertain to us. But the truth is the underlying precept is not at all dated. The truth is constant. Image worship is just as optional (The free-will thing again.) now . . . and tomorrow.

  So just what do our heroes reveal about us?

·         We look at them for direction, assurance, hope and meaning in life.

·         In varying degrees we want to be like them.

·         They may be our convenience whereas God’s Holy Spirit external or internal is often inconvenient, at times very unconventional and in opposition to the world’s expectations. This latter may include family, mentors, and friends.

·         As much as we deem possible we mirror the images of our heroes.

  Now, let’s again inconveniently review our list of heroes.

EBB4

HEROES

HEROES

Thursday, May 12, 2016

  Awoke thinking again about the importance of candid healthy self-examination and how without the practice their can be no true God-pleasing maturation. My past friend’s “There be indicators!” once more accompanying the thought and out of the blue I ponder “hero, heroes”.

  Curious, I use e-Sword to check mentions in Scripture translations and versions. Oddly, the following verses in particular fasten my attention:

1Samuel [CEV] 17:4-8 The Philistine army had a hero named Goliath who was from the town of Gath and was over nine feet tall. He wore a bronze helmet and had bronze armor to protect his chest and legs. The chest armor alone weighed about one hundred twenty-five pounds. He carried a bronze sword strapped on his back, and his spear was so big that the iron spearhead alone weighed more than fifteen pounds. A soldier always walked in front of Goliath to carry his shield. Goliath went out and shouted to the army of Israel: Why are you lining up for battle? I'm the best soldier in our army, and all of you are in Saul's army. Choose your best soldier to come out and fight me!

Psalm [GW] 52:1 Why do you brag about the evil you've done, you hero? The mercy of God lasts

       all day long!

   I decide to this day ponder the topic with this question: What do my heroes indicate about me, especially having to do with affect to my relationship with Jehovah God the Father, Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all others?

  Will you join me in the exercise?

EBB4 

BLAMESHIFTING DISCOUNTS STRENGTHENING

BLAMESHIFTING DISCOUNTS STRENGTHENING     James 1:20-27

  Blame shifting is employment of not taking responsibility for our individual exercise of free will. It is a “Through no fault of mine.” artificial life. This includes blaming God for problems while not examining self. (Praying for God to solve problems or fix family, organization, church et al may be an indication of lack of examining self first and most of all.)

  This is but yet another lesson emphasized by Grandmother McGee that fell on my cute little ego-centric deaf ears surrounded by blond curls. I can still hear her sternly asking “If Jim stuck his head in a furnace, would you?!” . . . which at the time I considered a stupid question from an old person that didn’t understand life as clearly as I did.

  Beginning with Grandmother’s words, through the years since ears opened and much hair gone with remainder silver around ears that, though physically deaf hear much better, I’ve added additional beneficial thoughts and questions:

·         When reading or hearing God’s Word think of personal application about my responsibilities.

·         Ask God’s Holy Spirit to fluorescently alert me when it is I that am part, most of, or all of a problem. This must include when absolutely-right smug attitude impairs hearing!

·         Especially listen for thoughts or verbalizing “See now what you’ve made me do!” (One of my favorite questions in jail was “Do you think anyone here is capable of making me angry?” while standing before the meanest most brutish looking man in class. Another question was “Is anyone, including God, capable of making me love you?”)

·         Does/did blame shifting accomplish or circumvent worthy goals?

·         When in silent or verbal blame shifting mode, am I teachable?

·         Emulating the first blame shifter (Gen.3:12), is my simplistic knee-jerk reaction to always blame God or someone else?

·         Consider what blame shifting has cost the first two shifters.

·         What has blame shifting cost me in my life?

·         What has my blame shifting cost others?

·         If I think God is at fault and I blame Him does it relieve me of my faulty contributions to this world?

·         Am I learning from wise experienced elders, or am I skating away from personal maturation?

·         If my life is typified by blaming God and/or others . . . am I edifying or otherwise?

·         Is my blame shifting better reasoned as Avoidance & Manipulation?

·         And last on my list, but absolutely the most important, Jesus was contrarian; He ultimately took all the blame that we might truly live now and forever. (1Pet.2:24) 

  Now, lest the above review make for a gloomy day, remember whose day it is (Ps.118:24); family ours (Jn.1:12); and His loving forgiveness (1John 1:9).

EBB4

PIVOTAL POINT

PIVOTAL POINT               

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Romans [MKJV] 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

1Corinthians 2:5 … your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

  As once upon a time did ancient Egypt, we now very much like to think our USA is at the center.  

  Jehovah God said “I AM THAT I AM”. (Ex.3:14)

  Anybody that knows me knows I have no real interest in the sports scene unless someone I actually personally know is participating, and they do know I like to read a variety of topics for a number of reasons: to make me think outside of myself and provincial borders, ongoing education, perspective, problem solving, and for fun. I suspect it’s genetic as once I learned to read I never stopped, plus when “Go to your room!” was a punishment, it was for brother Jim but not at all for me.

  The fun part especially includes well-written fact-filled historical novels about geographical locales and populations. Leon Marcus Uris and James Albert Michener being two of my favorite well-researched writers.

  Presently I’m reading a series by Joel C. Rosenberg. I’m now midway thru THE LAST DAYS. The opening paragraphs in chapter 36 definitely educated, made me think, and wonder when the final solution will come.

  “NO OTHER PART of the world cast the same spell.

  The more Bennett stared at the headlines on his computer, and the more he thought about the past weeks, the more it seemed the world was hypnotized by the Middle East – obsessed with its oil, intoxicated by its mysteries, seduced by its tales of the supernatural. And so was he.

  Even at the peak of the bipolar world – the East-West cold-war clash between free people and the Evil Empire – the Middle East was the main event. The central battleground. The 48’ war. The Suez Crisis of 56’. The Six Days’ War of 67’. The war of attrition. The Yom Kippur War of 73’. The Arab oil embargo. The explosion of OPEC and petrodollars. The civil war in Lebanon in 75’. The Israeli invasion of 82’. The atheists armed the Muslims. The Christians armed the Jews. Thousands died. Millions more were maimed and orphaned. There were other skirmishes, other hot zones. But again and again the world’s attention was drawn back to the Middle East, as it as being drawn now. Why?

  ……….

  Without question, the region comprised the most fought-over real estate in the history of mankind. And it wasn’t just over oil. That might partially explain recent times, but not the long arc of history. The Romans hadn’t conquered the region for oil. Nor had the Ottomans. The Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, and Persians slaughtered each other control of NAMESTAN (Author’s acronym for region.) for thousands of years before anyone knew of the black gold buried under its sands.”

  Our juvenile USA is not the center geographically, historically, or spiritually.

EBB4

STRENGTH THROUGH EXPOSURE

STRENGTH THROUGH EXPOSURE (Why does God allow problems?)

  “If the Lord is with us . . . why has all this happened to us? (Judges 6:11-16)

  Gideon’s question to the angel expresses precisely how we feel at times. If God is love as declared in 1John 4:8, 16, why does he allow so many bad things?

  Central to the answer is God’s love. He loves us so much that beginning with Adam and Eve He did not make people puppets with Him manipulating the strings. It’s called free will. Or would you rather be an android or robot remotely controlled?

  Exercising free will I make good and bad decisions and commit good and bad deeds: Decisions and deeds that complicate or even adversely affect the lives of others and my own.

  Others being no different than me in the free will scene . . . some even exercising thoughtful godly love less than I do, we live in chaotic olio.

  To help understand consider parenthood biological or as matter of heart. How protective are you, to the point of fostering a fragile person in adult body? If you truly love, the answer is “No”, you allow reasonable exposure to life in desire for their maturation.

  God is love. His love includes freedom. Isolation is not love. Indeed free will is problematic. True love always is.  EBB4

REALLY BIG

REALLY BIG

Friday, May 06, 2016

Matthew [GW] 22:32-39  [Jesus proclaimed] 'I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' He's not the God of the dead but of the living." He amazed the crowds who heard his teaching. When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. One of them, an expert in Moses' Teachings, tested Jesus by asking, "Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in Moses' Teachings?" Jesus answered him, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'

  What does the question “The next big thing?” bring to mind? Listening in on or stirring conversations I by and large hear phones, apps, software, playstations, free tuition, healthcare, environmental changes, politics, transportation changes, et al from Christian and non-believer alike.

  What of transgender? No, wait, the USA is already there and slipping quickly into post-transgender.

  Which brings us to the “What is the next big thing on the LGBT agenda?” question.

  LGBT does have an agenda for the future that may very much will involve our future!

  Once again, I am not a prophet nor do I pretend to be one. I do however read and listen, therefore I make educated guesses:

·         Polygamy definitely, and I think we’ll be surprised who is hoping for legalization. (Like vinyl siding, coming soon to your neighborhood?)

·         Same-sex marriage proponents and practitioners against polygamy.

·         Lowering the legal age for consensual sex. Likely to puberty, possibly lower.

·         Legalizing incest but with bloodline restrictions. (They wouldn’t want a bunch of imbeciles walking around.) France and several other countries already allow it. And wasn’t there something on some back pages about Rhode Island considering repealing its prohibition?

  People say “NEVER!!” when I broach the topics, but then think about it. While an uninterested multitude stared at their cellphones and monitors, what has already come to pass?

  And I predict all and more will come to pass in these United Stated of America unless we honor God as really the biggest person in our lives.

EBB4 

STRENGTH FROM THE CHANGELESS ONE

STRENGTH FROM THE CHANGELESS ONE              Malachi 3:6a; Hebrews 6:16-20; 7:23-28

               

  One of the great experiences in life is having a person of influence look out for you. The best scenario is when they are mature in holding to interest in building you and company. Thankfully I have benefited several times working under the wise authority of such high caliber men and women.

  Jesus, as the High Priest of those trusting Him, is the epitome (i.e. Person of utmost quality.) as example, mentor, and intercessor. He is not limited to redeeming us from “condemned already” (Jn.3:18) unto eternal heaven. His redemption is presently actively enlivening . . . if we are agreeable. If we are contrary to His influence we not only don’t have His strength, we experience God’s resistance.

  James explained “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren't they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you? You want what you don't have, so you commit murder. You're determined to have things, but you can't get what you want. You quarrel and fight. You don't have the things you want, because you don't pray for them. When you pray for things, you don't get them because you want them for the wrong reason-for your own pleasure. You unfaithful people! Don't you know that love for this evil world is hatred toward God? Whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God. Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, "The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own." But God shows us even more kindness. Scripture says, "God opposes arrogant people, but he is kind to humble people." So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters. Be miserable, mourn, and cry. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into gloom. Humble yourselves in the Lord's presence. Then he will give you a high position.” (GW Jam.4:1-10)

  Jesus is not fickle, acting out various moods as we too often may. He is consistent, period. Totally unlike mere humans or mythical gods, He is predictable in manifestation of His love, and He need not beg audience with the Father, He is at the Father’s right hand making intercession for those trusting Him as Lord Jesus Christ! (Rom.8:34)

  Remember the strong spring in your step . . . the purposeful stride . . . when you knew you had a supportive trusted human mentor? (Admittedly sometimes slipping into egotistical swaggering.) Did you experience increase in emotional ease and creativity in thought? Weren’t you more courageous? Wasn’t life richer and fuller? To all questions, yes indeed!

  Jesus is not Apollyon, the Destroyer. He is the changeless abundant provider of light and life with strength for those receptive. (Jn.10:10) 

EBB4

IT'S GREEK TO ME!

6:12 IS GREEK TO ME!

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

  I still hear the old explanation of not comprehending, “It’s Greek to me!” This for me being a truth about calculus, jazz, and more. Once upon a time true about Scripture, but that changed when I believed God’s Word. Then increased when I was introduced to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries and Thayer’s Greek Definitions in hard copy volumes. Then a few years ago friend and brother in Christ Mark Welch introduced me to free wonderful e-Sword software (http://www.e-sword.net/downloads.html ), it containing Strong’s and Thayer’s to use with quick ease of cursor.

  A bit of prudent advice: If you’ve been using regular dictionaries to define words in Scripture, please stop doing so. Such definitions may be strictly English and have little or nothing in common with true meaning. Also consider that English word meanings change over time. Have some not done so in your lifetime? (For you KJV fellows, consider the “gay” of James 2:3.)

  We elders well know of this issue as we speak English to English and at times due to vocabulary changes or lacks we are not understood by those younger or culturally different.

  Why am I writing on this topic? I’ve discovered individuals misinterpreting or confused about some Scripture, the underlying reason being they used current English dictionaries to define words in verses.

  For those interested I share several words from recent study of Ephesians 6:12.

“For^G3754 we^G2254 wrestle^{G2076 G3823} not^G3756 against^G4314 flesh^G4561 and^G2532 blood,^G129 but^G235 against^G4314 principalities,^G746 against^G4314 powers,^G1849 against^G4314 the^G3588 rulers^G2888 of the^G3588 darkness^G4655 of this^G5127 world,^G165 against^G4314 spiritual^G4152 wickedness^G4189 in^G1722 high^G2032 places.”

wrestle: G2076 ἐστί; esti; es-tee'   Third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are: - are, be (-long), call, X can [-not], come, consisteth, X dure for awhile, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.

principalities: G746 ἀρχή; archē; ar-khay'  From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank): - beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule. 

powers: G1849 ἐξουσία; exousia; ex-oo-see'-ah  From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: - authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

rulers: G2888 κοσμοκράτωρ; kosmokratōr; kos-mok-rat'-ore  From G2889 and G2902; a world ruler, an epithet of Satan: - ruler.

  Okay, no great surprises on “principalities” or “powers”, but aha! on “rulers” as Greek soubriquet for Satan. Also liked seeing that to “wrestle” is constant in this life, and can be profitable instead of weakening and destructive.

  Hopefully my English today is not Greek to you. Sometimes notes in response to DTs assert I speak a different language.

EBB4

For further study on topic, go to: http://www.gotquestions.org/Greek-Hebrew-Bible.html