CONSTANT EXERCISE

CONSTANT EXERCISE

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

 

Romans [ESV] 12:1-3 I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you.

 

  The 3 verses above are persistently on my heart.

  Chris is a young woman I’ve known since she was a child. She exercises. I don’t mean she emulates my park-at-the-far-end-of-store-lot regimen. Chris exercises!! And the benefits she enjoys are obvious. I applaud Chris.

  God’s Word addresses the topic of physical exercise: “… bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (ESV 1Tim.4:8)

  This is not condemnation of physical exercise. It is exhortation toward a life-order always keeping an eternal perspective of prioritizing utmost values; that which pleases God and benefits others in the greatest way.

  As I sometimes do, this morning I leave with a question: Which is most difficult for you . . . regularity of Romans 12:2 spiritual fitness training that trims our soul, or parking at the far end of the lot, or weeding the garden, or ___________ ?  EBB4

SPIRITUAL MATURATION

SPIRITUAL MATURATION

Monday, July 07, 2014

 

Psalm 103:1, 2, 21-22 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. … Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: … Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

1Corinthians 3:1-3 And I [Apostle Paul], brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

 

  Yesterday I shared what I recently learned about a literary structure that Jews used in the Old Testament, and shared 2 examples presented in Answers In Genesis magazine.

  Interesting education, but will knowing about and seeing chiasms in God’s Word make me a more spiritual person maturing and thereby blessing God?

  It depends on my attitude.

  If I consider education and knowledge gained being about me, a silly sense of superiority, then I’m merely learning without coming to and accepting wisdom . . . the answer is a definite no! (2Tim.3:7)

  If education, knowledge with improved insight resulting in my ceding to healthy application that blesses the Lord . . . the answer is a definitive yes. (Gal.5:16-26)

EBB4

2TIMOTHY 3:16 INCLUDES CHIASTIC ANALYSIS

2TIMOTHY 3:16 INCLUDES CHIASTIC  ANALYSIS

Sunday, July 06, 2014

 

“ … Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. … evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Excerpted from the Apostle Paul’s 2^nd letter to Timothy. [KJV]

 

  We are urged to study what Sovereign Jehovah says in His Word. Study is quite different than reading.

Study is work, labor this man is quite reluctant to always do. At times I’d rather weed the garden.

  We can read without diligent endeavor. Doing so we impede God’s designation for perfect living.

  Just this week during an obedient student session, reading “Part Two: MAKING THE MOST OF THE MESSAGE” in Answers In Genesis magazine I discovered something very old in Scripture. Chiasm is a Hebrew technique of arranging words to maximize effect. With practice producing ability to see, chiastic literary form highlights significance of subject.

  A chiasm in Daniel:

 

A - Babylon assumes supremacy over Israel. (1:1-2)

   B – The young men are subjected to pagan training. (1:3-7)

      C – Daniel seeks to remain faithful to God. (1:8-14)

      C – Daniel succeeds in being faithful to God. (1:15-11)

   B – The young men triumph in their pagan training. (1:17-20)

A – An Israelite proves supreme over Babylon. (1:21)

 

  Here’s one from Genesis chapters 6-9 beginning and ending with Noah and his sons:

 

A – Transitional introduction: Noah and his sons. (6:9-10)

    B – The Corruption of All Flesh. (6:11-12)

       C – God’s Resolution to Destroy the Earth by Flood. (6:13-22)

          D – God’s Command and Noah’s Response: The Entrance into the Ark. (7:1-10)

              E – The Beginning of the Flood: The Inundating of the Earth. (7:11-16

                 F – The Rising of the Waters. (7:17-24)

     Central theme of flood account à G – God’s Remembrance of Noah. (8:1a)

                 F – The Recession of the Waters. (8:1b-5)

              E – The End of the Flood: The Drying of the Earth. (8:6-14)

          D – God’s Command and Noah’s Response: The Exodus from the Ark. (8:15-19)

      C – God’s Resolution Never Again to Destroy the Earth by Flood. (8:20-22)

    B – The Covenant with All Flesh. (9:1-17)

A – Transitional Conclusion: Noah and His Sons. (9:18-19)

 

  Now, when reading Scripture, if I can see this literary structure I may gain its purpose; acquiring more from God’s Word. However, looking at the office window . . . I see a few more weeds that need pulling.  EBB4

FREEDOM IS OURS?

FREEDOM IS OURS?

Friday, July 4^th, 2014

 

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us ask “Am I truly free?” (Bold highlighting is my doing.) EBB4

 

Exodus [NLT] 3:7-15 Then the Lord told him [Moses], “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”14 God replied to Moses, “I AM who I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.

 

John [NLT] 8:12-58 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

13 The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”

14 Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. 15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. 16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father[a] who sent me is with me. 17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. 18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”19 “Where is your father?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” 20 Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.

21 Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.” 22 The people asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?”23 Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. 24 That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM [Ex.3:14] who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”25 “Who are you?” they demanded. Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be. 26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” 27 But they still didn’t understand that he was talking about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he [Ex.3:14]. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” 30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.

 

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.”They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! 46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”48 The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. 51 I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”52 The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ 55 but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.

EVERY PERSON LIVES BY FAITH

EVERY PERSON LIVES BY FAITH

Thursday, July 3, 2014

 

Do atheists and/or agnostics live by faith?

 

  Absolutely, I believe that the majority of atheist and agnostics live by a misplaced faith in man's knowledge. This leads to a hubris that causes them to become blind to the fact that many of them have turned science into a religion. 

  In your [EBB4] last paragraph you state, "...faith involves not necessarily knowing or understanding everything. It also shows us that though lacking complete comprehensive knowledge and understanding, we, as with our past elders, are to make use of that which works," in science we call that a postulate. Here is the definition from www.biology-online.org.

1. Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or supposition assumed without proof, or one which is considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent  may be demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence.

2. (Science: geometry) The enunciation of a self-evident problem, in distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a self-evident theorem. The distinction   between a postulate and an axiom lies in this, that the latter is admitted to be self-evident, while the former may be agreed upon between two reasoners, and admitted by both, but not as proposition which it would be impossible to deny. (eng. Cyc) 

  So to put simply a postulate is something that is assumed to be true without proof being given. It is a starting point, a place were scientist agree to begin their discussion and by saying it is true even though we can't prove it. They are happy to do this because it is such a basic starting point that the postulate comes across as simply common sense and something that is the very basis of the universe. Please compare that idea with Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."

  Atheists often ask Christians to prove the existence of God, but we have trouble doing that because the existence of God is, to use the science terminology, a basic postulate for Christians. It is one of the tenants of our faith. We look at the universe and say there has to be a God because of the vary qualities found in the universe.

  The atheist scoffs at this and say you are deluded, an idiot, uneducated, because everyone knows that the universe came about by the Big Bang and Evolution. (Their gods of creation.)

  Here is the atheists trinity, even though many are unaware of them, the three basic postulates of science as given to use by the University of Berkeley. http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/basic_assumptions

 

1. There are natural causes for things that happen in the world around us. For example, if a ball falls to the ground, science assumes that there must be a natural explanation for why the ball moves downward once released. Right now, scientists can describe gravity in great detail, but exactly what gravity is remains elusive. Still, science assumes that there is an explanation for gravity that relies on natural causes, just as there is for everything in nature.

 

2. Evidence from the natural world can be used to learn about those causes. Science assumes that we can learn about gravity and why a ball falls by studying evidence from the natural world. Scientists can perform experiments with other falling objects, observe how gravity affects the orbits of the planets, etc. Evidence from a wide range of experiments and observations helps scientists understand more about the natural causes of gravity. 

 

3. There is consistency in the causes that operate in the natural world. In other words, the same causes come into play in related situations and these causes are predictable. For example, science assumes that the gravitational forces at work on a falling ball are related to those at work on other falling objects. It is further assumed that the workings of gravity don't change from moment to moment and object to object in unpredictable ways. Hence, what we learn about gravity today by studying falling balls can also be used to understand, for example, modern satellite orbits, the formation of the moon in the distant past, and the movements of the planets and stars in the future, because the same natural cause is at work regardless of when and where things happen.

 

  I absolutely love the fact that they use gravity in their examples because it demonstrates my next point. Man has accepted certain things as fact but over time as our understanding grows, we find out that the fact isn't actually a fact, instead it is an explanation, a contrivance, made up by us to explain the world around us. Gravity is one such contrivance. Gravity actually doesn't exist. Now some of you may be jumping up and down and saying, "It most certainly does, otherwise I wouldn't fall back to the floor."  Gravity is actually an effect witnessed due to the interaction between mass, space, and time. It is something we made up to explain the observed "attraction" between two objects. 

  Let's say we have two ants on the surface of a basketball and they start at the basketball's equator and move directly towards the "north pole" of the basketball. Now they may have started 1/4 of the circumference away from each other but by the time they reach the "north pole" they have zero distance between them. To us standing outside, we understand and can see the cause being the curvature of the surface they are on. To the ant, assuming that they could think and only think in 2D, they might say, "Ah, there is some force that acted on us and pulled us together." That is essentially what we have done with gravity. Gravity is our made up force that pulls us together when in fact it is simply the objects following a path along the "surface" created by space, time, and mass.

  That brings me to my next point. Man has expanded his use of postulates in science from the basic three listed above to the point that virtually every science has something they assume to be true without proof. Just to give a couple of examples: Einstein's postulates in Physics, Koch's postulates in Biology, the assumption that the daughter isotope starts at zero in geologic dating, evolutionary theory... These additional postulates have become tenants of their religion. A person that hangs their hat on science for the reason they came about becomes very defensive when these basic "truths" come under attack because they are assumed to be true without any way of proving them.(That is why it is evolutionary theory and not the law of evolution.) All they have left to defend their religion and themselves is to call someone uneducated or stupid or narrow minded. (Might I add, just as a believer sometimes get frustrated when our basic faith is attacked.) 

  I firmly believe that science is the search for truth and I believe, just as confidently, that God is truth, therefore ultimately when science finds the truth it will find God. Einstein once said, "I want to know God's thoughts, the rest are details." The problem as I see it is that an atheist can't get past the details.

 

"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” Romans 1:22-23

 

Sincerely,

Jon Mayo

Science Department Chair

Brownell-Talbot School

 

To contact Jon: 402.556.3772 or jomayo@brownell.edu

 

A BODY OUGHTA KNOW

A BODY OUGHTA KNOW

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

 

Colossians 2:2-4 … that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of the understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And I say this that not anyone should beguile you with enticing words.

 

  Though I can’t remember the last time I heard it, “A body ought to know …” was one of the cultural sayings I grew up with. For those of you never exposed to Far Eastern dialogue, it speaks of knowledge necessary to get along in life.

  Another was “There oughta be a law!” but I’ll say no more on it because in the ensuing decades our legislators listened and enacted trainloads of laws, rules, and regulations.

  There are many things we do need to know to live well.

  During the early months of WWII 12,000 military were killed. During that same time period over 6,400 USA civilians lost their lives working in armament and munitions factories. This is knowledge that may or may not make a difference in our life.

  There is however information that is essential to everyone in order to live beyond temporal plodding.

  King Solomon pointed this indispensable life-truth out: “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to recognize the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and uprightness; to give sense to the simple, knowledge and judgment to the young man; the wise hears and increases learning; and understanding ones get wisdom; to understand a proverb and its meaning; the words of the wise, and their acute sayings. The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother; for they shall be an ornament of grace to your head and chains around your neck.” (Pr.1:1-9)

  For the Christian disciple of Christ, how is this implemented?

  First, by regular reading and studying what Jehovah God says in His Word, the Bible: “Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But shun profane, vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. … All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. (1Tim.2:15-16; 3:16-17)

  Secondly, living with a God’s Word life-view; meaning in every question, problem, pleasure, $$ management, choosing friends, selecting a spouse, work, challenge, desire, temptation, et al . . . we ask “What does God’s say on the matter?” and if we don’t know the answer we find out!

  Thirdly, knowing what God says on the matter, we wisely implement the knowledge.

  Hear James as he reminds: “Who is wise and knowing among you? Let him show his works by his good conduct with meekness of wisdom.” (Jam.3:13)

  Dear fellow sojourners, these are things a body definitely oughta know.  EBB4

PERFECT BELIEVERS: Part Two

PERFECT BELIEVERS: Part Two

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

 

Matthew [MKJV] 5:44-48 [Jesus said] . . . Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

 

  On Friday, June 27, I aired a DT with ISBE study in response to challenge to identify some perfect believers.

  To understand what Jesus said we must do several things:

1. Be Berean diligent! Use ISBE, Strong’s, or some other study help to define “perfect” in original language.
2. Understand that “Therefore” necessitates reading and comprehending Jesus’ words recorded prior to His concluding as recorded in 5:48. Read the entire passage. What does Jesus say?
     Now I present you with two Bible characters, though with dissimilar lifestyle, pleased God.

• Job:  “Job 1:8  And Jehovah said to Satan, Have you set your heart against My servant Job, because there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil?” [MKJV Job 1:8]
• David: “… [God] raised up David to them to be their king; to whom He also witnessed and said, I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after My own heart, who shall fulfill all My will.” [MKJV Acts 13:22]
    But however many Bible or other characters I highlight, other than they being examples of diversity loved and forgiven by the Father in Heaven . . . it really is personal so far as the perfect question is concerned.  EBB4