A CRUCIAL MISCONCEPTION

A CRUCIAL MISCONCEPTION

Tuesday, May 09, 2017

Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Romans 12:1-3 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.

Trevin Wax, LifeWay Christian Resources publisher has personally authored THIS IS OUR TIME: EVERYDAY MYTHS in LIGHT of the Gospel. (Released March this year.) WORLD magazine, May 13, featured edited excerpts from his interview in front of Patrick Henry College students. I read such items as I don’t want to be trapped in a geriatric gulf.

  One question and answer definitely stirred the old synapses as Wax did not narrowly confine his answer to any one generation. (For the record: I am without doubt of the GI Generation.)

  “What’s one crucial assumption that millennials make?”

  “Eighty percent of Americans, including millennials, believe enjoying yourself is the highest goal in life. Not one goal, not a goal, but the highest goal of life. The number of practicing Christians that go to church at least once a month is in the high 60 percent. So the idea that the goal of life is enjoyment is the dominant framework of thought for people all across our country, including in our churches. In church we sing the same songs and listen to the same sermons, but one person may have the idea from the Westminster Catechism that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forevermore, with worship foundational, and others see enjoying life as the highest goal, with the church as a help for them to fulfill their own dreams.”

  Regardless of your generational identity, what think ye?

EBB4

THE PROBLEM WITH MARY JANE

A PROBLEM WITH MARY JANE

Monday, May 08, 2017

Romans [GW] 5:1-6 Now that we have God's approval by faith, we have peace with God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. Through Christ we can approach God and stand in his favor. So we brag because of our confidence that we will receive glory from God. But that's not all. We also brag when we are suffering. We know that suffering creates endurance, endurance creates character, and character creates confidence. We're not ashamed to have this confidence, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Look at it this way: At the right time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for ungodly people.

  Jesus never said “Let not your heart be troubled.” period!

  On the question of heaven’s hotels mine is not. Having been, and continuing to be, a lifelong observer of those utilizing marijuana et al, my heart is troubled at times. Recently so, again requiring the exercise of 1Peter 5:7 and the writing of this DT with the hope of Romans 12:1-3 users repentance pleasing God.

  There are a number of problems with marijuana et al use: physical health, individual or family finances, getting fined and/or arrested resulting in a record, job prohibition, job loss, etc. The one that troubles me most of all is the reason for using and its results.

  To sum up all reasons I’ve been given by inmate or the not-caught: For the calming peaceful effect relieving stress. Escape.

  It’s not that I want people to suffer stress. It’s that I want people to benefit in and from stressors unique maturation; maturation that is missed in the artificial fabrication of peace via mind-altering fog.

  If and when a person of their own volition ceases usage of long term escapism using marijuana or other means, including non-chemical, theirs is a problem that troubles them far more than me. Mine at times    singularly emotional, theirs observably multi-faceted. How so?

  A typical example I’ve observed: Over 40 years a user increasing reliance upon and potency, a man trusted Jesus as redeemer. Reading of His peace the man firmly decided to quit relying on marijuana and alcohol for relief. Thinking the decision was an end in itself he soon was confronted with multiple issues, was confused as to why, and was tempted to retreat to the familiar.

  Fortunately a wise Christian mentor responsibly came alongside of the man. The mentor taught him:

·         The truth about arrested development resulting in immaturity spiritually, thoughtfully, emotionally, socially et al. (Picture the tragedy of a silver haired mid-teen.) And there are ways of catching up, Jesus being the number one Way. Jn.1:1; 14:6

·         Jesus’ peace is real, but it must be increased and maintained by exercise as spelled out clearly in His Word. Jn.16:7-11; Rom.5:1-6; Phil.4:4-9; 1Thes.5:1-24; 1Pet.5:6-10

·         And that he needed to judiciously utilize stressors as a training ground. Rom.5:3c; 2Cor.12:9-10

  Is the above learned wisdom only for those that use marijuana, alcohol, or otherwise to escape life? No, teatotalers such as I and others have and continue to benefit greatly in Jesus’ working peace. If you haven’t already done so, please accept our invitation to His party.

EBB4

 

LORDY, LORDY

LORDY, LORDY

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Romans [GW] 10:10-11 By believing you receive God's approval, and by declaring your faith you are saved. Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be ashamed."

1Peter 3:13-17 Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good? But even if you suffer for doing what God approves, you are blessed. Don't be afraid of those who want to harm you. Don't get upset. But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence in God when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear. Then those who treat the good Christian life you live with contempt will feel ashamed that they have ridiculed you. After all, if it is God's will, it's better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong.

  When’s the last time you were personally asked “How’s your walk with the Lord going?”

  Before happening yesterday, I can’t remember the last time I was specifically asked.

  Being confronted with the old school question yesterday I wondered at first. Tomorrow I’ll tell you, but for now I’d like to know how you answer the question? For your sake, that is, not mine.

EBB4

For the record: My life verses are Psalm 32:8-9

ACTUALLY

ACTUALLY

Friday, May 05, 2017

Proverbs [ESV] 13:16  In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.

  Today I am actually, literally, honestly sharing and making a suggestion that we consciously practice ongoing personal education. Basically, like you know, it’s obviously a need because actually the fact is I and some others are as mentally lazy as we dare to be. This literally true at one level or the other:

1.       School is over, period. Never liked it, period. “No More Teachers! No More Books! ... No more books No more teacher’s Dirty looks.“

2.       How dare you of accusing me of no longer learning! My career demands ongoing education or I fall behind and would be shown the door.

3.       Ongoing education? What for? I know what I’m doing!

4.       Ha! That stuff is for geeks and nerds.

5.       I already know everything I need to know.

6.       You’re kidding me! I read about and practice the things I’m interested in all the time.

7.       I read books, magazines, essays, sermons, view documentaries et al. Some of them I don’t at all or completely understand. Some are happily provocative. Some are sad. Some just plain make me mad!

  I have heard or personal dithered all of the above 7 all my life, for I am as lazy as I dare to be.

  Yesterday I did many things I enjoy doing. Mostly having to do with lawn, garden, laundry and such . . .  all while pondering Scripture I’m currently interested in while a few spiritual songs played in the background of my mind. As a matter of discipline, very much not wanting to be a fool, I read and thought about a few of what I consider “extra curricular” matters. Would you believe that one is working on vocabulary? Most of which you’ll never see on these pages.

http://www.dictionary.com/slideshows/umwords?param=wotdemail&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WOTD%205/4/17&utm_term=wordoftheday#actually

EBB4

PS. Another important matter in my ongoing education is my personal life verses selected 50+ years ago. Psalm 23:8-9. I consider the truth often knowing that to neglect would be the death of me.

AN INCOMPLETE JESUS

AN INCOMPLETE JESUS

Thursday, May 04, 2017

Matthew 10:34 [Jesus explained] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

  How we see Jesus is very important; for as followers of Jesus Christ we are to emulate Him in word and deed. It is a serious lack on our part to only see Him as a pleasing personality, a gratifying fixer, always nice and cuddly. If we do not see and accept the complete person of God Incarnate we are sequentially incomplete in belief -> attitude -> speech -> manners.

  As noted in yesterday’s DT, Jesus pointed out some hard things in direct manner: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Mt.12:30; Lk.11:23)

  Have you ever taken a red letter edition Bible and read and pondered only His words in the 4 gospels? Doing so can be very enlightening if we don’t read with a biased Pollyanna unrealistic view. Let us beware of such skewed impracticable vision that leaves us incomplete as His new creations (2Cor.5:17) making up the populace of Jesus’ kingdom on earth.

EBB4

WHY "COMPANY"?

WHY SATAN & COMPANY?

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

  Why did I choose “SATAN & COMPANY” for the title of the enlightening series on what God’s Word tells us about Satan? In particular, why “COMPANY”?

  Jesus explained: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Mt.12:30; Lk.11:23)

EBB4

ACCOUNTABILITY IS IMPORTANT

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