A PROBLEM WITH DEGREES

 A PROBLEM WITH DEGREES

2Timothy 3:7 [for]Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

Jesus declared that God’s Word is truth! (Jn.17:17)

  I’m all for continuing education.

  In my decades in ministering to inmates I’ve learned things. One being forgers and “paper hangers” complaining that my signature is never quite the same. More significant is scammers, con men, informing me that the most fertile field for duping are those with degrees as they are more prone to thinking they are smarter in a general sense.

  Since Adam’s distrust of God all men have the knowledge of good and evil, and struggle and stumble therein. To astutely recognize the distinction and make proper sensible decisions require studies of (or based in) God’s Truth. (Ps.28:7; chapter 119; Isa,8:19; 2Tim.3:15-17; Jam.1:5; 4)

EBB4

 PAUCITY WITHIN KNOWLEDGE 

James [ESV] 1:2-8 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  

  As a youth I was taught that if the world population was more educated it would be more civilized. Some teachers even saying it would eliminate hunger and war. I grew to see this as stupidity, observing that many allowing and/or contributing to poverty, hunger, division and wars were/are educated knowledgeable individuals or groups.

  Without godly wisdom knowledge is hollow This includes Biblical knowledge sans His wisdom.

  Wisdom is more than knowledge! It is the ability to make the right decisions in circumstances, especially the confusing ones. God will provide His children wisdom if we ask.

Additional study: Ps.73:24; Pr.1:5, 7; 2:6-12; Jer.9:23-24; Hos.14:9; Mt.7:24:27.

EBB4

FOOLISHNESS

 FOOLISHNESS

Luke 11:28  [Jesus] said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. 

  Have you ever been involved in foolishness? I have, and age doesn’t necessarily bring cessation.

  Recently when I was feeling “unusual” I was obstinate about going to the hospital, thinking it would pass. Loving neighbors were insistent, so I agreed but said I’d drive myself. They, knowing I’d get immediate attention if transported by squad, arbitrarily called OFD and the lads in blue quickly arrived and hauled me to the closest ER. There I did receive immediate attention.

  Other than being appreciative I didn’t think much more of it . . . until I received the monthly health expense accounting.

The squads and ER charges were listed under “Life threatening condition”.

  This led me to a Biblical review on the main topic and its applicability personally:

·         Fools despise wisdom. Proverbs 1:7

·         Being foolish is lacking discernment. Job 5:2

·         Fools invite their own destruction.  Proverbs 10:14

·         Fools show their annoyance (at interferences). Proverbs 12:16

·         I add that a foolish person refuses to admit his foolishness.

  I thank God for His provisions.

EBB4

FAMILY NAMES

 FAMILY NAMES

Psalm 23:1-6 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

  There are many others in the same situation as my sisters and I. Because our father never had a son, his family name died out with him, but I still need to live in such a way as to honor his name although I no longer bear that name.

  We Christians bear the name of Christ our Savior and we should live in such a way that brings honor and glory to His precious name.

Leslie Nivens (12/12/1928 – 3/1/2020)

IT'S GOD'S WORD!

  IT’S GOD’S WORD!

  Genesis [ESV] 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

  Ephesians chapter 2 

  My mid-night musings were about Satan’s influential craftiness: When did God’s Word become “the Bible”? Not just a vocabulary change, but a cunning step away from what it ultimately supremely is, a subtle downgrading of “Did God actually say?” Then came “The good book.”, progressing to “The Bible contains god’s word.” These alterations while it is eternally God’s Word.  

  For those of us that have been quickened, the Bible is God’s Word, nothing less, but what of the many lost souls that consider it otherwise? And what of the charlatans that present it as else?

  For the record: I’m not suggesting that God’s saints never say “Bible”. I’m teaching that the common usage is fine so long as contextually we explain and emphasize that it is God’s Word.

EBB4

A VISION PROBLEM

 

A VISION PROBLEM

 

Mark [NLT] 12:28-34 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.          

 

 

 

  A few will find the mistake immediately. Some will go over the numerical sequence again and again and still not find it. I found the mistake after one review. For many years this was not so when it came to recognizing real mitsakes.

  I trusted Jesus Christ at age 27. Growing up around alcoholism I considered drinking a sin. Studying God’s Word I then arrived at the conclusion that it is not drinking but it’s drunkeness that is the sin. Looking at the matter further I saw that drunkeness is not the issue; as with othyer  enthronements, putting alcohol before God is truly the paramount offense. Then I saw that even making paper airplanes could be in violation of God’s two main commandments.

  Clarity of vision requires constant cleansing and maintenance. Just the other day when I was looking for a rule from God to guide me I missed the “grace”. 

EBB4

FORGIVENESS, THE STUDY OF

 

From Nave’s Topical Bible: Forgiveness

Of enemies

General references

Exo_23:4-5; Pro_19:11; Pro_24:17; Pro_24:29; Pro_25:21-22; Rom_12:20; Ecc_7:21; Mat_5:7; Mat_5:39-41; Mat_5:43-48; Luk_6:27-34; Mat_6:12; Luk_11:4; Mat_6:14-15; Mat_18:21-35; Mar_11:25-26; Luk_6:35-37; Luk_17:3-4; Rom_12:14; Rom_12:17; Rom_12:19; Rom_12:21; 1Co_4:12-13; Eph_4:32; Col_3:13; Phm_1:10; Phm_1:18; 1Pe_3:9

Instances of:

Esau forgives Jacob  Gen_33:4; Gen_33:11

Joseph forgives his brethren  Gen_45:5-15; Gen_50:19-21

Moses forgives the Israelites  Num_12:1-13

David forgives Saul  1Sa_24:10-12; 1Sa_26:9; 1Sa_26:23; 2Sa_1:14-17

David forgives Shimei  2Sa_16:9-13; 2Sa_19:23; 1Ki_2:8-9

Solomon forgives Adonijah  1Ki_1:53

The prophet of Judah forgives Jeroboam  1Ki_13:3-6

Jesus forgives His enemies  Luk_23:34

Sin, Forgiveness of

General references

Exo_34:6-7; Num_14:18; Lev_4:20; Lev_4:26; Lev_4:31; Lev_4:35; Num_15:25; Lev_5:4-13; Num_14:20; 2Sa_12:13; 1 Kin 8:22-50; Job_10:14; Psa_19:12; Psa_25:7; Psa_25:11; Psa_25:18; Psa_32:1-2; Psa_32:5; Psa_51:9; Psa_65:3; Psa_79:9; Psa_85:2-3; Psa_99:8; Psa_103:12; Psa_130:4; Isa_1:18; Isa_6:6-7; Isa_43:25-26; Isa_44:21-22; Isa_55:6-7; Jer_2:22; Jer_5:1; Jer_5:7; Jer_31:34; Jer_33:8; Eze_33:14-16; Eze_18:21-22; Mat_1:21; Mat_6:12; Mat_6:14-15; Mat_18:23-27; Mat_26:28; Mar_2:5; Mar_2:7; Mat_9:2; Mat_9:6; Luk_5:21; Luk_5:24; Mar_3:28; Mar_11:26; Mat_18:35; Luk_3:3; Mat_3:6; Luk_24:47; Joh_8:11; Joh_20:23; Act_2:38; Act_10:36; Act_10:43; Act_13:38-39; Act_26:16-18; Rom_4:7-8; Eph_4:32; Col_2:13; Heb_8:12; Heb_9:22; Heb_10:2; Heb_10:17-18; Jas_5:15; Jas_5:20; 1Jn_1:7; 1Jn_1:9; 1Jn_2:1-2; 1Jn_2:12; 1Jn_5:16; Mat_12:31-32; Luk_12:10; Rev_1:5