WITH GRATITDE

 WITH GRATITUDE

Philippians [ESV] 4:12-13 [While incarcerated awaiting execution, Paul declared]  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

1Thessalonians [GW] 5:16-20 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Don't put out the Spirit's fire. Don't despise what God has revealed. 

  Gratitude should be desired. If realized, it should be held dear, for without it we suffer unhappiness that drags down us and everything we touch. God being love, grace, and just does not automatically produce happiness with inner peace that counters destructiveness. We must trust in Him as love, grace, and just – as did Job and others told of in God’s Word, plus seeing it in Christians we know personally, or having experienced such trusting godliness in our own life; godliness with contentment being great gain. (1Tim.6:6)

  Gratitude is easy when “all circumstances” are happening as pleases us, but depending on outward events is not the inner state of gratitude that the Word living, Jesus, and written, the Bible, epitomizes.

  Surely it is obvious that life is best lived with godly gratitude!

EBB4

PS. I am fortunate in being blessed in dating, marriage, and memory of fellowship with dear Ann, she consistently content in God until her last rasping breath.

 BE STILL

Psalm [MKJV] 46:1-11; 57:7-11 To the Chief Musician. For the sons of Korah. A Song "For the Virgins". God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear when the earth changes, and when mountains are slipping into the heart of the seas. Let its waters roar and foam; let the mountains shake with the swelling of it. Selah. There is a river, its channels gladden the city of God glad, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her at the turning of the morning. The nations raged, the kingdoms were shaken; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. Jehovah of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 

Come, behold the works of Jehovah, who makes ruins on the earth; who makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be praised among the nations, I will be praised in the earth. 

Jehovah of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. … My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise. Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. I will praise You, O Jehovah, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy is great to the heavens, and Your truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be above all the earth. [Also note 1Kin.19:12]

  Sometimes it’s hard to be still and hear God’s Word speak to our heart.  That’s why I prefer to arise early in the morning for Bible reading and devotional time. When something happens to prevent this, it is often impossible to settle down to it later in the day. I read a book once that told of a man, a Quaker, who always had what he called his “centering down time”. I’ve always thought that was a good description of what we need to do while we are being still and waiting on God.

Leslie Nivens (12/12/1928-3/1/2020)

 

CONSCIENCE STRICKEN

 CONSCIENCE STRICKEN

  1Timothy 4:1-2  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the

faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

  James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

  Today’s title, another yesteryear phrase, was my awakening thought. I’m thankful it this morning is ponderance and not onus; conscience stricken being a horrible state of mind, especially if it is too late for avenue of reparation.

  Not being a prophet, I can’t say for sure that we’re in the latter times the Apostle Paul wrote of, but I do believe there is less conscience resulting in more prevarication in the USA than once was. Lying has always been practiced within our borders, but I contend it is now more commonly practiced in this nation.

  To illustrate let’s look at insurance fraud and its toll: According to insurance industry estimates USA fraud is about 80 million ($80,000,000!). So what?!? Right? I’ve never done it. And it’s no skin off my nose!

  Really? How does $950 per family cost strike us as individuals in this nation? (Think what your insurance bill would be without the cost of fraud.)

  And then there’s those holding citizenship in the kingdom of Heaven. The godliness thing within our blessed insurance paid once and forever. (Heb.2:3)

  Though I know I am as capable of insurance fraud as any other sin, I have not. But I have done far worse and been conscience stricken for it.

  Frankie was a foundry coworker for some years. A fine young fellow, polite, teachable, caring, trustworthy, and hardworking. I knew without shadow of doubt that I was to witness to him. I wanted to. I did not do so.

  After supper Frankie enjoyed his easy chair and evening newspaper with his dear wife bringing him dessert after she cleared and washed dishes. One morning we were informed of his wife found him sitting, paper in hand, dead.

  Upon being informed, I was conscience stricken as I recalled “The word of the LORD came to me:"Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. "So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.” (ESV Ez,33:1-9)

EBB4

 

 

WHO WAS THE INITIATOR?

 WHO WAS THE INITIATOR? WHO ARE THE CONTINUING PERPETRATORS?

Dear fellow travelers,

  In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God. Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else. [CEV Eph.2:1-3]

  Hegel is credited with recognizing and publishing the tactical dialectic: 1. Dissatisfaction 2. Destabilization. 3. Crisis. 4. The new normal provided by rescuers. However, he, nor any human before or after him originated this strategic persuasive management technique.

  That would be Satan in his early recorded acts and continuing influence unto this day until he is cast in the lake of fire. (Rev.2):10) In God’s Word we read of it first that many angels followed him. (Heb.12:22) Then in Eden the first humans. (Gen.3:1-13) Now and continuing as he influences the dark side of mankind. (Eph.5:8) Possibly you have been or are subjective to practitioners of the four phased dialectic?

EBB4

THE ENEMY WITHIN

 THE ENEMY WITHIN

Ephesians 6:10-19 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 

  In my reading this week was an essay by Michele R. Weslander Quaid, hers a career in intelligence. It included “The Hegelian dialectic is the frame-work [used] for guiding people’s thoughts and actions into conflicts that lead them to a predetermined solution.” This includes using the tactic of fear, turning people against people, with the turmoil of division. Sounds Satanic? Something we’ve experienced personally, in family and/or community, even church? An action touching us now?

  I for one have experienced it. Sadly, not even knowing what it is called, I confess to having done so before 1Corinthians 13:11. Possibly you too regret it in your old self. (Eph.5:8)

  So as to assure recognition, here outlined are the 4 stages of Hegelian dialectic:

1. Demoralization/dissatisfaction. The destruction of faith in God and established institutions.

2. Destabilization. Weakening and deuteriation. Ostracization.

3. Crisis/chaos. This largely brought about by propagandization of truth mingled with lies. (Gen.3:1-13)

4.Normalization. Rescue by the providers of a “new normal” for the greater good as the way it now has to be. A new baseline supported by a fearful population.

  However, in the midst of events 1 thru 4 . . . I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Rom.8:38-39)

EBB4

 

FOLLOW ME

 A CHILD’S DICTIONARY

  In school I always received high grades for writing. I did however get red marks on texts for a childhood habit that began not with pencil or pen, but soon after I began talking. Grandmother McGee swore I must have been vaccinated at birth with a phonograph needle, plus sternly warning “I know what you mean, but that’s not a word in the dictionary.” With my response being “But it’s in my dictionary!”

  I made up words; words that summarized meaning for me. I wasn’t alone in this as other playmates did the same. In spite of Grandmother’s urgings, I never broke the habit. One of my grownup favorites is “followship”, which to me is inseparable from “fellowship”, making a point as it conveys meaning plainly.

  Followship is something I think about every day because we are always following something or someone; and in our followship there are others following us. A serious thought indeed as Jesus spoke of and invites followship. Here is list of KJV verses that include His “follow me”.

Mat_4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mat_8:22  But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Mat_9:9  And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Mat_16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mat_19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Mar_2:14  And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

Mar_8:34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mar_10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Luk_5:27  And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

Luk_9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luk_9:59  And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Luk_18:22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Joh_1:43  The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Joh_10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Joh_12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Joh_13:36  Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

Joh_21:19  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Act_12:8  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 

  As with every other, this day we will hear many beckonings; an unavoidable situation. But it not at all the question, it being which “follow me” will we hear and heed? Let us chose daily, carefully, for the path does go on forever. (Jn.14:6)  EBB4

 

PS: Did or do some of you make up words? Your children? Grandchildren? If so, please share for all to enjoy as I share them later.

A HOME FULL OF LOVE

 

A HOME FULL OF LOVE

Proverbs 15:16-17 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 

  I’m at my daughter’s visiting. They are now living in a “real” house for the first time in several years. She has had little to make do with and I’m sure that with 6 little ones, it has been hard at times, but I never heard her complain – you see – she and her husband and their children live in their home full of love, which is what today’s Scripture is talking about.

Leslie Nivens (12/12/1928-3/1/2020)