ACCOUNTABILITY

ACCOUNTABILITY IS IMPORTANT

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the face of his friend.

Hebrews 10:21-25 … having a High Priest [Jesus] over the house of God, 22 let us draw near

with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies having been washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised), 24 and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

  Something stirred Methodist memory to search history of John Wesley’s Holy Club (Mocking name given by fellow collegians at 1729 Oxford. http://www.ctlibrary.com/ch/1983/issue2/216.html )

  As part of their agreed upon accountability to one another, there were 22 questions they asked themselves every day over 200 years ago. Here’s the list as given to me by Pastor Donald McKnight over 40 years ago.

·         Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

·         Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

·         Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?

·         Can I be trusted?

·         Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?

·         Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

·         Did the Bible live in me today?

·         Do I give God’s Word time to speak to me every day?

·         Am I praying and enjoying it?

·         When did I last speak to someone about my faith?

·         Do I pray about the money I spend?

·         Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

·         Do I disobey God in anything?

·         Do I insist on doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

·         Am I defeated in any part of my life?

·         Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?

·         How do I invest my spare time?

·         Am I proud?

·         Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee that despised the publican?

·         Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?

·         Do I grumble or complain constantly?

·         Is Christ real to me?

  Denominational stuff aside, what answerability club do we belong to this day?  EBB4

 

HOW MUCH EDUCATION IS NECESSARY?

HOW MUCH EDUCATION IS NECESSARY?

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Good morning,

  May God bless you richly this day as you seek all that He has for us.

  In reading the other day I ran across the following interesting essay and decided to pass it on to all of you as it addresses a question I’ve heard posed from time to time.

  Please note that I’ve [inserted] a few notes that I thought would be helpful for you.

Sincerely, your fellow traveler,

EBB4

Question:
[Someone asked] Did Christ have a degree, did Peter and how did they learn the scriptures? I believe that higher religious Phd's and seminary degrees are against true Christianity of Christ's teaching.

Answer:
Yes, they did have degrees, in a sense. Every Jewish boy was taught from an early age the scriptures, that is, the writings of Moses and the prophets, but some went on to study much deeper, to become more educated. Jesus also knew the law of the scriptures better than anyone because he had the Spirit without measure, and Wisdom.

John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. [NLT Jn.3:31-36  ³¹ “He (Messiah Jesus) has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.³² He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! ³³ Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. ³⁴ For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. ³⁶ And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”  EBB4]

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

At the age of 12, Jesus was teaching the teachers in the temple.

Luke 2:46-47 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

As for the others, some had high education's. Paul, had as high an education as any man at the time and spoke and wrote in several languages.

Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Paul, it is shown, in Acts 21:37 is speaking Greek to the Soldier, and in 21:40 is speaking Hebrew to the crowd. Although it does not say specifically, it is apparent that Paul probably spoke most, if not all of the languages of the countries that he traveled through. To sit at the feet of Gamaliel was to have the very best and the highest education possible at the time. Gamaliel was a Doctor of the Law.

Matthew (Levi) was a Tax Collector (Luke 5:27 = Publican, Receipt of custom) (Mk 2:14) This shows an education (in accounting) above the normal man.

Luke was a Physician, a doctor of medicine. (Colossians 4:14) He had a very good education.

There were four Apostles who were fishermen. While you may think of this as unskilled labor, it would not be true. They were business men and not just common workers, they all ran their own fishing companies.

This makes seven of the Apostles that had a better than average education. The other five Apostles has no information given concerning anything about them.

The men who translated the scriptures into the English, John Wycliff in 1380's was a university teacher (Oxford), ; William Tyndale, in the 1500's, was noted as a great scholar who also wrote and spoke several languages, Tyndale also worked with Martin Luther around 1525; Erasmus and John Froben were known as scholars, they translated the Vulgate; There was Myles Coverdale and John Rogers. Coverdale's English bible was printed on Oct. 4, 1535, and John Rogers translated the Bible into English in 1537, as the Thomas Matthew Bible. In 1539 Coverdale was commissioned to publish the "Great Bible". We could go on with each English Bible in turn and the men associated with it as it moved forward in time. There has been very little change in these bibles over many hundreds of years. God Does protect His Word. We do note in answer to your question that each and every one of these men were very highly educated men, Many of them taught at the universities of the time and all of them both wrote and spoke multiple languages. Of the King James Translators of 1611, there was not one of them who did not write and speak at least six languages, and several of them also taught both the Hebrew and Greek languages. So we can see that even by today's standards, they still stand above those so called PHD's today.

You will never find in the Bible, anywhere, where God, or Jesus Christ taught that Christianity was only for the uneducated. Instead, we are to study and to know the Scriptures. [2Tim.2:15-16; 3:12-17.  EBB4]

I must ask and answer the Question: Do you have to have a high education to understand or to preach God's Word? The answer is no! For God Himself will anoint for service and understanding, those who believe..

Rev. Jack Barr (http://www.barr-family.com/ )

 

PROVERBS 18:24

PROVERBS 18:24

Monday, January 6, 2014

Proverbs [NLT] 27:5-6, 17 An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. … As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

  In His Word God tells us that a true friend can be more valuable than a biological brother or sister. I’m eldest of 3 brothers without natal sisters, and I testify to this fact of maturing influence.

  Darlene Neuvirth was just such a valuable spiritual sister. As a matriarch she, beginning at a young age, served our Lord as a sharpener, studying and refining honing knowledge and skills by which many benefited and shall continue to do so.   

  Typically being in regular communication, I wondered why no stropping for a few days. Then the news came that Darlene was taken to the hospital with pneumonia. Her condition soon worsened. Extremely uncomfortable, Darlene removed breathing apparatus and ordered cessation of heroic efforts. Word went out from family that medics said she likely wouldn’t last long.

  I sent word to let her know we still needed her. Darlene sent word to rest assured she is on her way to be with the Lord. I thought this message of Darlene’s blessed assurance would be her final whetting.

  Sunday morning I decided I was too emotional to attend Sunday School.

  After I finished toast with marmalade and cup of coffee I always place plate with cup and spoon far across table so I won’t repeat accident of years ago.

  As I was reading the newspaper I was startled by spoon rattling on the plate. I looked at clock and took note of the time. I later was informed the phenomena coincided with the time of Darlene’s departure.

  I thank God for His permitting a final resurrection message to us from our beloved teacher.  EBB4

HOW WE SEE

HOW WE SEE

Sunday, December 5, 2014

John [MKJV] 3:1-3 And there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles which you do unless God is with him. 3 Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1John [MKJV] 1:1-10 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of Life, 2 (for the Life was revealed, and we have seen it and bear witness, and show to you the everlasting Life, who was with the Father and was revealed to us), 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare unto you, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we write these things to you so that your joy may be full. 5 And this is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

  When we trust Jesus, placing our life and death in Him, we are born again (Jn.3:3) and become God’s children (Jn.1:12). Prior to our agreeing with God (Eph.2:8-10) we are limited to being His creation and live in condemnation (Jn.3:18). Jesus, John and other apostles explained this quite clearly.

  God’s children see people, the world, life, death in a different light. This very much includes how we see ourselves; no longer seeing ourselves as a basically good person that sometimes does sin; but as sinful in nature (Isa.64:1-6; Rom.3:20-23) and needing God’s imputed righteousness (Rom.4 & Jam.2:23).

  If we say, "We aren't sinful" we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (GW 1Jn.1:8)

EBB4

STUFFED

STUFFED

Friday, January 3, 2014

Romans [MKJV] 7:18-25 [The Apostle Paul] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing. For to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I do not find. 19 For I do not do the good that I desire; but the evil which I do not will, that I do. 20 But if I do what I do not desire, it is no more I working it out, but sin dwelling in me. 21 I find then a law: when I will to do the right, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man; 23 but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin being in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

  Pastor Donald McKnight said mendacity is a skin of a reason stuffed with a lie. He liked to additionally point out the problem isn’t lying, it’s us.

  How early do we begin this practice of serving our flesh? How soon does it spring forth from our inherent sinful nature?

  Yesterday my 5 year old grandson was invited to a sleepover. He responded “I can’t do that until I’m 9 years old because my Mommy and Daddy will miss me now.”

  Was Michael being truthful? Yes and no.

  In a stuffed sentence he was honestly explaining that he is not yet emotionally ready for being away from his parents, but doing so with clever equivocation. Something we grow to practice with increased sophistication.

  Mendacious behavior doesn’t always entail flat out stated denial. It often is equivocal as revealed in early historical examples, declaration “You’re the one that gave me that woman!” (Gen.3:12), or evasive question “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen.4:8-9)

  “In Psalm 51:5, David says, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." David saw himself as a man whose sinful parents had brought forth a sinful child. David recognized that he possessed a nature that would sin and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). David's son Solomon would later write, "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins" (Ecclesiastes 7:20).” Read more: http://www.compellingtruth.org/sin-nature.html#ixzz2pKzXm5ub

  As I look in the same mirror as Paul, God’s Word, I see the same base personality. I don’t see someone naturally wholesome that on occasion finagles, fibs, prevaricates, outright lies.  I am another wretched man naturally sinful in nature that requires submission to God’s deliverance in following the only sinless human that ever walked outside of Eden.  EBB4

CANNOT BE BOXED

CANNOT BE BOXED

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Genesis 2:7-22  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. …  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. ….  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

John 3:1-18 … even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15  so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. 18  He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

  There are people that try to understand mankind by categorizing people in chart boxes and files.

  Some time ago someone showed me some charts in a discover-and-appreciate-yourself book written by a few Ph.D.s, exclaiming in great relief “See, that’s me . . . now I completely understand myself!”

  When I pointed out a few of their characteristics that didn’t mesh in their sector of some of the charts: For one, an item saying analytical individuals have difficulty making decisions. Whereas, though analytical, the friend gathered facts and quickly arrived at a conclusion, decided, and took action. Whereas another acquaintance never analyzed any issue and was expensively indecisive.

  My friend immediately looked troubled (Optimal fragility in response to outside stimuli; a trait in a different sector.), looked thoughtful . . . and then with realization declared “I’m unique, aren’t I?!!”

  God made Adam, then built Eve uniquely different, and has done so with men and women ever since. We may say “She/he is just like ______!!!” but this is never so.

  Examining the Hebrew in Genesis chapter 2 we find that God squeezed Adam into shape from the elements, dust, earth, at hand; whereas He took a rib from Adam and built Eve. And He has been wondrously forming us ever since.

  There is only one characteristic we have in common. A book has been compiled on the normal inherent  trait of humanity: We all are sinful, needing redemption, with Jesus being the only trustworthy Redeemer.

  Analytical or not, it is decision that definitely requires agreement with God to escape eternal condemnation.  EBB4

BLESSED ASSURANCE

BLESSED ASSURANCE

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

HIRELING: “hı̄r´ling (שׂכיר, sākhı̄r): Occurs only 6 times in the Old Testament, and uniformly means a laborer for a wage. In Job_7:1 f there is reference to the hireling's anxiety for the close of the day. In Isa_16:14 and Isa_21:16 the length of the years of a hireling is referred to, probably because of the accuracy with which they were determined by the employer and the employee. Malachi (Mal_3:5) speaks of the oppression of the hireling in his wages, probably by the smallness of the wage or by in some way defrauding him of part of it.

In the New Testament the word “hireling” (μισθωτός, misthōtós) occurs only in Joh_10:12 f, where his neglect of the sheep is contrasted unfavorably with the care and courage of the shepherd who owns the sheep, who leads them to pasture and lays down his life for their protection from danger and death.” Source: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)

  Sat around this morning watching falling snow while doing healthy exercise of reviewing blessings. I also thought about what to write on this first day of 2014. Decided it must be encouraging. Decided God’s blessed assurance is wonderfully encouraging as we leave 2013’s diversity of turmoil, rot, ruin and loss and look forward hopefully to a better year. Though not a dour doomster, the decades of my and others sinful nature have given me a realistic outlook on expectations; good and bad things will continue to be both our product and distress.

  Pondering further, the word “hireling” came to mind, and that being under the protection and in the employ of The Great Shepherd, hirelings we are not! I invite you to read with me The Record of The Word giving assurance to those of us trusting Him: “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

  Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand [KJV “hireling”] will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

  “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

  “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

  When he said these things, the people[c] were again divided in their opinions about him. Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

  It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

  Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (NLT Jn.10:1-30)  EBB4