THY SPEECH BETRAYS THEE

THY SPEECH BETRAYS THEE

Monday, September 30, 2013   

Matthew 26:69-75 And Peter sat outside in the court. And a girl came to him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied all before them, saying, I do not know what you say. 71 And when he had gone out into the porch, another saw him and said to those there, This one was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you. 74 Then he began to curse and to swear, I do not know the man. And immediately the cock crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, Who said to him, Before the cock crows, you shall deny Me three times. And he went out and wept bitterly.

  Of late, a recurring thought mine: I say “I am a Christian.” . . . but how does my everyday speech identify me in the ears of others?  EBB4

EXCEPTIONALISM

EXCEPTIONALISM

Sunday, September 29, 2013     

EXCEPTIONALISM — ex·cep·tion·al·ist  adjective:  the condition of being different from the norm; also :  a theory expounding the exceptionalism especially of a nation or region. First known use was in 1929.  Merriam-Webster online dictionary.

Matthew 5:1-16 … seeing the multitudes, [Jesus] went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

  Did you know that a major historical distinction between the USA and many other nations and cultures is the meaning of the word “volunteer”, elsewhere often meaning “forced labor”. There are other manners that I see as making USA an exceptional nation. Though they’re obvious indicators, they are not the reason for USA exceptionalism.

  The reason is the early and continuing seasoning by and luminosity of followers of Christ (Christians) willing to be challenged, ridiculed, even persecuted for standing for the Word Living and written.

EBB4

DISHONESTY IN ANGER

DISHONESTY IN ANGER

Friday, September 27, 2013

Psalm 126 [NLT] When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Matthew [MKJV] 11:25-30 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank You, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the sophisticated and cunning, and revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things are delivered to Me by My Father. And no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son will reveal Him. 28 Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

  An incongruous event occurred as result of rewriting series on anger. A DT subscriber became angry at what I’ve written about anger and SHOUTED for me to remove her name from mailing list.

  I immediately did so per her instruction. I was saddened. I rejoiced.

  I rejoice because in past I would have, silly though it may seem to you, suffered feelings of rejection and accompanying passive-aggressive anger . . . but there was not so much as a shadow of the dark combine. How great is His life-changing Word! Truly His yoke is lighter! How wonderful is His rest! (Mt.11:29-30)

  I’m saddened because having been there and knowing that such angry reaction indicates immaturity and woundedness; demonstrating need for spiritual examination and remedy of giving burdensome emotional yoke in exchange for Jesus’ lighter one.

  And now there is something else you may already know: Yoked as His 2Corinthians 5:17 ambassador should never be misconstrued as a happy Christian hobby that all people will appreciate, applaud, and love us for.  EBB4

IS ANGER ALWAYS BAD?

IS ANGER ALWAYS BAD?

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Ephesians [NLT] 4:1-31 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

  7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift [We each are equipped.] through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”[Ps.68:18]

  9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

  11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

  14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

  17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

  20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

  25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[Ps.4:4] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

  28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

  30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own [Jn.1:12], guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption [2Cor.1:22; Eph.1:13; 4:30].

  31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

  We know anger can be bad or good; all anger is not sinful.

  Exercising sinful self-righteous anger we walk other than His Way, and suffer God’s resistance. Exercising godly-righteous anger we walk His Way, and realize God’s empowerment. (Jam.4:1-10)

  Anger inherent to one’s grieving loss is prime example of this distinction. Apart from reliance upon The Way (Jn.14:6), we grieve God’s Holy Spirit and suffer loss spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. In The Way, we maintain, even gain, healthy maturation spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

  Dear fellow sojourners, be angry, but sin not. Rest well. (Eph.4:26)  EBB4

WELL AGED ANGER

WELL AGED ANGER

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Psalm [NLT] 90:11-12 [Lord,] Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. 12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Hebrews [NLT] 12:11-15 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Dear fellow travelers,

  When I speak of my maturation, please understand I’m not bragging, I just want you to learn from my knowledge and experience gained as I aged in God’s grace. This 2Timothy 2:1-2 vocation was drilled into us years ago in Maryland Bible Institute. One exercise was memorizing and personalizing: “… my dear son Ed, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” (NLT)

  Some have the idea I don’t get angry. I do. I experienced anger this morning.

  However, two things are distinctively different between now and my old life BC The Word living and written: Anger was almost always connected to ego, my pride. I was subjective to emotion of anger; it distracting me from objectivity. My life passive-aggressively was contrary to Ephesians 4:26. I festered.

  Let there be no doubt, as God’s John 1:12 children we are but sojourners with mission defined in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. We shouldn’t deny our emotion, but we are not to be sidetracked by prizing and embracing emotion as does this world. Let us not lose John 3:3 sight of our present place of serving Him while counting our days this side of heaven.  EBB4

SHADES OF ANGER

SHADES OF ANGER

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: … Jesus, perfect example of liberty, exercised righteous anger at the unrighteous anger of others reacting to His compassion; they angry to the point of plotting His murder. (MKJV Mk.3:1-6)

  No one can make us angry. As with eros, storge, philia, agape, or any other emotion, it’s a matter of choice, granting oneself permission. Some go beyond permitting, embracing anger for a variety of beliefs: it’s enjoyable; they feel most alive when in ire, it gives them power they otherwise don’t have, to intimidate and manipulate, it’s the only way to really accomplish goals and manage people – including family, friends, employees, status and personal esteem, and for other or olio of beliefs. Admittedly, familial and/or cultural belief may be involved. Some grow up in blessed peace but decide for anger as their style or lazy knee-jerk reaction or in unforgiveness of traumatic life events.

  When in  wrath we then have before us further options.

·         Relief through forgiveness.

·         Harness unto constructiveness.

·         Seize opportunity therein to examine self and situation.

·         Hold our breath until we die.

·         Don’t ever again let others slide on our cellar door!

·         Go out to the garden and eat worms.

·         Passive-aggressive JFK “Don’t get mad, get even.”

·         Pouting silent treatment. Glare. Isolation from person/people.

·         Sleep in guest bedroom.

·         Eat elsewhere other than with “Them!”

·         Wear an armored girdle to bed for months, even years, or “Til’ death do us part.”

·         Rant and rave.

·         Entertain thoughts of destructive schemes against person(s) or property.

·         Strategically work gossip, malice, setups.

·         Destroy property. Yours. Theirs. Public. Private. (Some resentful Baltimore Works non-transferring employees un-synched machinery gear sets so that when started in Omaha equipment destructed. Some resentful Omaha Works employees punctured tires and broke windshields of transferee’s vehicles on company parking lot.)

·         Harm your body. (Cutters, burners, et al.)

·         Vent in operating vehicle or equipment.

·         Entertain schemes of bodily harm to “offender” “perpetrator”.

·         Actually put together plan, equipment, and/or recruit like-minded team to harm physically.

·         Leave off imagining, act out destruction, commit mayhem and murder against individual or population. If there’s collateral damage, so be it!

·         Other options I haven’t remembered this morning.

  Which of the above have we opted for? Or still choose?

  Which of the above are we capable of? James letter to Christians answers this question thoroughly, especially when we contemplate chapter 4. Please do so as it may do much to aid us in decision making today and the weeks ahead.  EBB4

THE OPTION OF ANGER

THE OPTION OF ANGER

Monday, September 23, 2013 

Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin [miss the mark of godliness and not share the prize] not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.       

  Dear Christian,

  As with all emotions, anger is optional. No one can make us angry without our permission. We’re constantly in the midst of triggers of various magnitude and weightiness, but only we have the authority and power to trip them.  This is easily proven by observing groups of people in same situation.

  Though anger can be sinful, it is not fundamentally so in every instance.

  When is anger sinful?

  When it’s prideful egocentric all about me and gives place for the Destroyer; thereby destructive to self and others. (This brings to mind the old saying “Unforgiveness with hope for or action toward revenge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”)

  When is anger not sinful?

  When it is not pride centered defensive with revenge is mind. We can know for certain that our wrath is righteous when it is in concord with what angers God Himself; God in place in our life, not the Destroyer.

  Read of the Jesus, our example of liberty, His righteous anger, and the unrighteous anger of others in reaction to His compassion: “… He again entered into the synagogue. And a man was there who had a withered hand. And they watched Him to see if He would heal him on the sabbath day, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, Arise! Come into the middle. And He said to them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill? But they were silent. And looking around on them with anger, being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, Stretch out your hand! And he stretched it out. And his hand was restored whole, like the other. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” (MKJV Mk.3:1-6)

  Now, if not already in practice, may His peace that passes all natural understanding dominate our life. EBB4

Suggestion: As a Philippians 2:12 exercise in spiritual and thereby emotional maturation, for 7 days when occurring jot down each time and reason for anger. At end of week separate self from all distraction, review list and consider prayerfully.

 

OLD HAT

OLD HAT

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Ecclesiastes [GW] 1:5-10 The sun rises, and the sun sets, and then it rushes back to the place where it will rise again. 6 The wind blows toward the south and shifts toward the north. Round and round it blows. It blows in a full circle. 7 All streams flow into the sea, but the sea is never full. The water goes back to the place where the streams began in order to start flowing again. 8 All of these sayings are worn-out phrases. They are more than anyone can express, comprehend, or understand. 9 Whatever has happened before will happen again. Whatever has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun. 10 Can you say that anything is new? It has already been here long before us.

  This morning in reading yet another “We’re doing a new thing!” declaration from public education leaders, I remembered old times, recalled God’s wisdom, and laughed.

  After decades of pushing en masse elementary, middle, and High School students toward life-success via 4 year college degree they are pushing a new idea. The only thing new is terminology: Career Training is the same old vocational education that lost funding in favor of academics. (Shortage of USA welders alone: http://www.aws.org/pr/shortagefactsheet.pdf )

  Recalling Ecclesiastes 1:9, God’s prior eternal wisdom recorded for our education, once again I laughed at life.  EBB4

Of note: In KJV ”under the sun” is exclusively used in Ecclesiastes in 27 verses.

GOD'S LOVE - OURS?

GOD’S LOVE

Friday, September 20, 2013

John 21 [MKJV] … 15 Then when they broke fast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love [agapao] Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love [phileo] You. He said to him, Feed My lambs.  16 He said to him the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love [agapao] Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love [phileo] You. He said to him, Feed My sheep. 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love [phileo] Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him a third time, Do you love [phileo] Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things, You know that I love [phileo] You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. …

  As a beginning personalizing picturing exercise this morning I imagine the situation in John 21:

  Adrift without Jesus’ leadership the men were at loss as to what to do with themselves. Peter, still a very much think-last-feel-first kind of action guy, declared he wasn’t going to sit around moping, he was going fishing!

  Though working hard at the nets they caught no fish.

  In the early morning light a stranger shouted from the shore suggested they fish differently. Why did they listen to him? Was it that in despair and despondency we grasp at straws even from those we don’t know?

  They caught a lot of fish.

  Peter then recognized the man was no stranger, He was Lord Jesus. In his normal loud voice he declared so. Peter didn’t wait for overloaded slow boat to take him ashore. He leaped into the sea and moved the 300 feet or so to shore. (It doesn’t say the mode. Did he walk as once before?)

  Jesus invited them to breakfast as He had prepared enough food for all of them. Remembering the young men’s appetites after 3+ years with them, He told them to bring more fish from those they just caught.

  Peter and the others noticed an odd thing as they were retrieving some fish from the net. Though it would typically tear under such stress, it had not done so.

  At this point they wanted to hear Him say He was Jesus, but suffering a huge emotional shift from despair to delight, they did not do so.

  Then while the others listened Jesus asked Peter if he selflessly loved Him more than his pals and the comradeship, brotherhood, of fishing together? Exactly how much do you love me Peter?

  Peter responded saying he loved Jesus with great affection in regard to their close friendship.

  Jesus again asked Peter if he loved Him without reservation as to what would result from selfless love?

  Peter again responded as before; expressing his phileo for Jesus.

  Why was Peter so grieved? Because Jesus quizzed him 3 times about his love for Him? Or was it because Peter could not honestly say “I agapao You Lord!”

EBB4

 

SHADES OF LOVE

SHADES OF LOVE

Thursday, September 19, 2013

  We cannot understand anger, especially murderous wrath, without first understanding love.

  Our colloquial English use of “love” is beyond ridiculous: “I love my mother.” (girlfriend, wife, children etc.) and from same lips declaring “I love my dog.” (car, boat, job etc.).

  If we switched to usage of Greek in expressing love it would be better in relationships, or maybe not . . . for as with Peter we don’t always love candid expression. 

  Using e-Sword as source, here are definitions:

Agápe (ἀγάπη agápē[1]) means love in a "spiritual" sense. This love is selfless; it gives and expects nothing in return. Agape is used in the biblical passage known as the "love chapter," 1 Corinthians 13, and is described there and throughout the New Testament as sacrificial and spiritual love. Whether the love given is returned or not, the person continues to love (even without any self-benefit). Agape is also used in ancient texts to denote feelings for one's children and the feelings for a spouse, and it was also used to refer to a love feast. It can also be described as the feeling of being content or holding one in high regard. Agape was used by Christians to express the [John 3:16] unconditional love of God. …

Éros (ἔρως érōs[2]) is "physical" passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. Romantic, pure emotion without the balance of logic. "Love at first sight". The Modern Greek word "erotas" means "intimate love;" however, eros does not have to be sexual in nature. Eros can be interpreted as a love for someone whom you love more than the philia, love of friendship. It can also apply to dating relationships as well as marriage. …

Philia (φιλία philía[3]) is "mental" love. It means affectionate regard or friendship in both ancient and modern Greek. This type of love has give and take. It is a dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. In ancient texts, philos denoted a general type of love, used for love between family, between friends, a desire or enjoyment of an activity, as well as between lovers.

Storge (στοργή storgē[4]) means "affection" in ancient and modern Greek. It is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring. Rarely used in ancient works, and then almost exclusively as a descriptor of relationships within the family. It is also known to express mere acceptance or putting up with situations, as in "loving" the tyrant.

  As you can see from the above definitions, expressing love using Greek would be quite different; definitely more distinct. For example: “Dear lady, I want you to know that my love for you began with feelings of eros. After consummating our marriage in this way I came to discover I had storge for you. I don’t know when the change happened, possibly with our first pregnancy, but one day I realized I do feel  storge and philia for you, our children, and our extended family. Though you obviously enjoy eros in our relationship, and have always evidenced philia and storge, you, with the agape you brought to and continue in our and other relationships, are much more of a godly person than I. Oh, and just so you understand, though you’ve heard me say it, I don’t love my car as I love you.”

  OK, you may not be so eloquent, nor am I easily so. (It took me almost 30 minutes to put the above quote together.) But, like anger, love really comes down to decisive actions, doesn’t it?  EBB4

FOR US LOVE IS BY CHOICE

FOR US LOVE IS BY CHOICE

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

1John [MKJV] 4:1-11 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the antichrist you heard is coming, and even now is already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us. The one who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. 8 The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love. 9 In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation concerning our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

  Some people are more loving than others. Some people are more angry than others. Which position is natural to our intrinsic Romans 3:23 sinful nature? (Also note Isa.64:6)

  We love, we are angry. Both categories are by choice, as is selecting how we act out from our personal list of options under each heading.

  Knowing I cannot be casual about love, I must work at it. If I don’t do so my loving defaults to emotional whimsy or worse. 1Corinthians 13 is favorite mine that I use in Romans 12:1-3 continuing love reeducation. Today I choose to read in NLT:

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture!  But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

  As an exercise I personalize the second paragraph: I am the only one that can decide whether to act out love through being patient, kindness, choosing not getting irritated, refusing to accumulate pride-based list of perceived or real offenses, by not ego-centrically rejoicing in failures of others . . . and by the employment of godly love regardless of whether I feel loving emotionally or not.

  Now that you and I have reviewed this matter yet again, we know our love will be especially tested this day. Let us be prepared for reality.  EBB4

PREPARED?

PREPARED

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Matthew 25:1-46

  When in Boy Scouts I was trained to Be Prepared.

  Have you been reading or viewed information about those called Preppers these days? They’ve always been around, with Mormons quietly being the # 1 largest organized group educated in and practicing being prepped for emergency whether weather or doomsday disaster. Just this past week our local newspaper again published list of supplies for short term emergency kit.

  One of these days I’m going to get around to more than carrying belt tool with blade, flashlight, etc.

  This week I received death notices on 5 people I know, one a High School classmate. This is not as unusual as you might think, but a fairly regular event in my aging.

  These obituaries set me to thinking about being personally prepared for termination of this life. I am, but how many of them were? This is not a thought in judgment, but in concern.

  If not prepared according to God’s measure; accepting His gracious redemption, death will not be step to heaven, but to hell’s eternal separation from God and those that were prepared.

  If you haven’t done so already, I beg of you to now prepare for the final event of this life.  EBB4

PS. Additional reading for those interested: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-stockpiling.html  

CAPTCHA

CAPTCHA

Monday, September 16, 2013

  In my everyday ongoing education I’ve learned what CAPTCHA means: “Completely Automated Public ‘Turing Test’ to Tell Computers and Humans Apart.” (Unless you’re pal Dave West you probably have to read this definition more than once. For “Turing Test’: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turing )

  Now, let’s see if I can explain on a lower plane. Hackers hack by using software designed to roam and discover, and once accomplished they can infiltrate. Computer technology has greatly advanced since you and I purchased our first one, now able to “read” documents if it already knows font style (Called “optical recognition”.), identify faces (“facial recognition”), and respond to verbal commands (Have DRAGON, will talk?).  Put another way, computers are expert at quickly recognizing distinctive patterns. (Such as my rewriting this info from July-Sept. AIG ANSWERS magazine article.)

  Have you ever set up account that asked you to first read a bunch of warped and wavy letters on a patterned background? And like me thought “What kind of security is this, anybody that can read letters can read these?!” Absolutely true, but computers aren’t anybody. Fact is a computer is not a body, they’re an IT that as yet cannot read CAPTCHA.

  Old Airborne tell me they quickly recognize other paratrooper retirees. Elder Marines claim the same. I have seen this insightfulness in action.

  Saturday while at CAF air show in Council Bluffs IA I saw 3 young girls observing events and people as they sat on a 1943 GI Jeep. After watching them at a distance for a few minutes, I walked up and without introduction said “You 3 girls are homeschooled.” Not the first time I’ve been correct in this.

  I’m sure many of you can relate to this sort of recognition in your place in life.

  But what of we who claim to be followers of Christ . . . are we recognizable?

  Jesus said “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another.” (MKJV Jn.13:34-35)  EBB4

 

LIVING AN INTERESTING LIFE

LIVING AN INTERESTING LIFE

Sunday, September 15, 2013

  “We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this [personal religious convictions and practices]. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.”[Ps.69:9] Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

  May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: “For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.”[Ps.18:49]

  And in another place it is written, “Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles.”[Deut.32:43]

  And yet again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth.”[Ps.117:1]

  And in another place Isaiah said, “The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him.”[Isa.11:1, 10]

  I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” NLT Romans 15:1-13

  I don’t understand boredom as it’s not notable in my catalogue of experiences. A friend that suffers ennui says with dark humor it should be called bore-doom because it’s depressing.

  Fact is much of what we do is considered mundane and routine. Among routine repeat tasks that I completed this past week was washing, drying, hanging, folding, and putting clothes away. Nothing exciting about this, right? I hear from some that it’s boring and not at all like the way TV ads picture it.

  I’m not telling you that I dance and sing with detergent in hand held high while tossing mixed colors into the sloshing vat.

  What I am saying is that knowing and holding fast to godly blessed assurance makes for joyful attitude in presence of humming washer and dryer or happily hymn singing with congregation as I plan on doing later this morning.

  Profound interest is neither a task or place. It is manner; the matter of attitude resultant from the “confident hope” spoken of in Romans 15:13: A percolating expectation and anticipation both abstract and concrete in all we do.

  This personal percolation includes our praying for and working at edification of others. If you are not doing so already, please join in His eternal interesting life.  EBB4

STONING

 

STONING

Friday, September 13, 2013

 

1Samuel [GW] 30:6a [King] David was in great distress because the people in their bitterness said he should be stoned.

John [GW] 8:1-12 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early the next morning he returned to the temple courtyard. All the people went to him, so he sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of everyone 4 and asked Jesus, "Teacher, we caught this woman in the act of adultery. 5 In his teachings, Moses ordered us to stone women like this to death. What do you say?" 6 They asked this to test him. They wanted to find a reason to bring charges against him. Jesus bent down and used his finger to write on the ground. 7 When they persisted in asking him questions, he straightened up and said, "The person who is sinless should be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Then he bent down again and continued writing on the ground. 9 One by one, beginning with the older men, the scribes and Pharisees left. Jesus was left alone with the woman. 10 Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Where did they go? Has anyone condemned you?" 11 The woman answered, "No one, sir." Jesus said, "I don't condemn you either. Go! From now on don't sin." 12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark."

 

  Being curious about many things, I asked my Sunday School teacher about stoning. After arriving home I looked the topic up in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:  

 

“Of capital punishments that are properly regarded as of Hebrew origin, we note:

(1) Stoning

Stoning, which was the ordinary mode of execution (Exo_19:13; Lev_20:27; Jos_7:25; Luk_20:6; Act_7:58; Act_14:5). The witnesses, of whom there were at least two, were required to cast the first stone (Deu_13:9 f; Joh_8:7). If these failed to cause death, the bystanders proceeded to complete the sentence, whereupon the body was to be suspended until sunset (Deu_21:23).”

 

  The following Sunday my teacher had information on stoning for the class. (Sorry, I tried wording the last phrase of this sentence different ways, but could do no better.) On page 2 of today’s DT is the chart the teacher gave us. It has to do with contemporary stonings in Iran. Note the Muslim consideration for female anatomy.  EBB4

 

ARE WE THERE YET?

ARE WE THERE YET?

Thursday, September 12, 2013

2Timothy 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

  Does anybody remember being receiver or perpetrator of “Are we there yet?!” on family vacation trip? I do in both driver and back seat. Our Dad, wise man (Or maybe “Wisenheimer”?), answered “Just 5 more minutes.” and if you ask our now adult children, they heard the same from Ann and I. (I’ve never asked them if echoed with their children. Have you?)

  Monday afternoon our friendly mailman (Neither female or “person”.) quoted 2Timothy 3:1-7 to me and asked if we, the USA, were there yet. To answer his question I reminded him that he would be in serious trouble if I reported him for talking to me as he had.

  Then Monday evening a lady that has done chaplaincy ministry for 30+ years in a hospital founded in the name of Jesus Christ told me she is ordered by senior hospital chaplain and admin to no longer speak to dying patients of Him and His redemption. Then there’s the suppression, even persecution for some, of USA military chaplains that openly volunteer the gospel to enlistees living or dying.

  Weeks ago two different groups applied for rally permits for Washington DC demonstrations for the same day, September 11^th: One group for religious/civil rights demonstration, the other group wanting to rally in remembrance of 9/11. The Muslims were granted permit. The bikers were denied a permit, but rallied anyway. http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/09/2-million-bikers-invade-d-c-remind-us-911-still-means-something-real-americans/  (Denied permit, it’s illegal, also meant no police escort or assigned protection. Watch video and note sirens and road workers urging them down the interstate.)

  There is more accounting I could tell, but would only be informing you of what you already know; one outstanding proof being your sad reaction, with a few other DT readers rejoicing in the news. Some of you I’m sure will be contributing personal reports for Saturday DT FORUM.

  Are we there yet? I don’t pretend to see His clock, but do suspect we may be within 5 minutes of arrival.  EBB4

DESTINY'S FATE

DESTINY’S FATE

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

www.GotQuestions.org

Question: "What does the Bible say about fate / destiny?"

Answer: This is a very complex issue, and we will start with what the Bible does not teach. Fate is usually thought of as a predetermined course of events beyond human control. A typical response to a belief in fate is resignation—if we can’t change destiny, then why even try? Whatever happens, happens, and we can’t do anything about it. This is called “fatalism,” and it is not biblical.

Fatalism is a major premise of Islam, which demands total submission to the sovereignty of Allah. It is widely held in Hinduism, too; in fact, it is a fatalistic view of life that helps keep India’s caste system in place. Greek mythology told of the Moirai, or the Fates, three goddesses pictured as weavers of men’s lives. Their decisions could not be canceled or annulled, even by other gods. Again, fatalism is not a biblical concept.

Fate and Destiny - Our Free Will

The Bible teaches that Man was created with the ability to make moral choices and that he is responsible for those choices. The Fall of Man was not a predetermined event in which Adam and Eve were hapless victims of a Puppet-Master God. On the contrary, Adam and his wife had the ability to choose obedience (with its attendant blessing) or disobedience (with its consequent curse). They knew what the result of their decision would be, and they were held accountable (Genesis 3).

This theme of being held accountable for our choices continues throughout Scripture. “He who sows wickedness reaps trouble” (Proverbs 22:8a). “All hard work brings a profit, / but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23). “Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you” (Romans 13:3).

Often, when the Bible speaks of destiny, it’s in reference to a destiny people have brought upon themselves: “Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction” (Philippians 3:18-19). “This is the fate of those who trust in themselves” (Psalm 49:13). “A man who commits adultery lacks judgment; / whoever does so destroys himself” (Proverbs 6:32). “Each person was judged according to what he had done” (Revelation 20:13).

We sin because we choose to. We can’t blame “Fate,” kismet, predestination, or God. James 1:13-14 says, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.”

Interestingly, many people who choose to sin are annoyed by the negative consequences of their sin. “A man's own folly ruins his life, / yet his heart rages against the LORD” (Proverbs 19:3). This is a very insightful verse. When a man foolishly wrecks his life, he may yet insist on blaming God, or perhaps “Fate.” In this way, he persists in his folly.

Scripture also teaches that we choose to have faith. The oft-repeated command in Scripture to believe implies that we do have a choice in the matter. “Be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27; see also Acts 16:31; 19:4).

Fate and Destiny - God’s Sovereignty

Lest we get the wrong idea, we are not the sovereign masters of our fate. Only God is sovereign. His sovereign control is called “providence.” He has chosen to give us a free will, and He has created a moral universe in which the law of cause-and-effect is a reality. But God is God alone, and there are no “accidents” in the universe.

An all-wise, all-powerful God must have a plan, so it should be no surprise that the Bible speaks of a divine plan. God’s plan, since it belongs to God, is holy, wise, and benevolent. The providence of God is working to bring about His original plan for creation.

God speaks in Isaiah 48:3, “I foretold the former things long ago, / my mouth announced them and I made them known; / then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.” What God announces, He does (and He may announce it centuries ahead of time!).

Fighting against the plan of God is pointless. “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan / that can succeed against the LORD” (Proverbs 21:30). This is why the Tower of Babel was never completed (Genesis 11:1-9), why Daniel’s detractors were thrown to the lions (Daniel 6:24), why Jonah spent time inside a fish (Jonah 1:17), and why I get in trouble when I sin.

Even what we would normally call “chance” or “fate” is under God’s control. “The lot is cast into the lap, / but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). In other words, God does not take a “hands-off” approach to running the world.

Everything that happens in the world is made to work out according to God’s purpose. Evil exists, but it is not allowed to thwart God’s providence. God uses even sinful men for His purposes. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; / he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (Proverbs 21:1). God worked in the hearts of the Egyptians (Exodus 12:36) and King Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:27) to bring about His purpose. Even when Man’s intent is purely evil, God can still bring about His will, as in the case of those who crucified Jesus (Acts 2:23; 4:27-28).

God’s plan includes a reward for those who trust in Him, and He promises to glorify His children. “We speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. . . . As it is written: ‘No eye has seen, / no ear has heard, / no mind has conceived / what God has prepared for those who love him’” (1 Corinthians 2:7-9). Note the use of the word destined in this passage—and that it’s a destiny based on our love for the Lord.

Fate and Destiny - An Individual Plan

God’s sovereignty reaches even to a plan for our individual lives. This is illustrated in God’s calling of Jeremiah—before the prophet was even born. “The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, / before you were born I set you apart; / I appointed you as a prophet to the nations’” (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

David also recognized that the Lord had a plan for him. “Your eyes saw my unformed body. / All the days ordained for me / were written in your book / before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). Because of this knowledge, David sought the Lord’s specific guidance in many situations, such as in 1 Samuel 23:9-12.

Fate and Destiny - Putting It All Together

In Acts 9, Jesus appears to Saul of Tarsus with an interesting statement: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (verse 5). Jesus obviously had a plan for Saul, and Saul had been (painfully) resisting it. Exercising our freedom against God’s plan can be painful.

Later, Jesus tells Saul that a man named Ananias would come to visit —and then Jesus tells Ananias (verses 11-12)! Obviously, Jesus had a pre-arranged plan for Ananias as well. Now, Ananias didn’t want to visit Saul (verse 13-14). He could have been like Jonah and run the other way. If that had been his choice, God would have had a “fish” prepared to bring him back. Fortunately, Ananias obeyed (verse 17). Exercising our freedom to follow God’s plan brings a blessing.

In summary, the Bible teaches that God is in charge. At the same time, He has given us the freedom to obey or disobey Him, and there are some things that God does only in answer to prayer (James 4:2).

God blesses the obedient, and He is patient with those who disobey, even to the point of seeming laxity. He has a plan for our lives, which includes our happiness and His glory both in this world and in the world to come. Those who accept Christ as Savior have accepted God’s plan (John 14:6). From then on, it’s a step-by-step following of God’s best for us, praying for His will to be done (Matthew 6:10), and avoiding the sidetrack of sin (Psalm 32:1-11; 119:59; Hebrews 12:1-2).

© Copyright 2002-2013 Got Questions Ministries.

[reprint is not in violation so long as original source credit is given.]

CHANGING TIMES

CHANGING TIMES

Tuesday, September 10, 2013   

Psalm [MKJV] 103:11-19 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is His mercy toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, Jehovah pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our form; He remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and its place shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness is to sons of sons; 18 to those who keep His covenant, and to those who remember to do His Commandments. 19 Jehovah has prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom rules over all. 

  A saying I heard but didn’t comprehend as a boy was “Some people think there’ll always be a big market for buggy whips!”

  ”Change is consistent.” is no contradiction. It is a fact of life. Individual and cultural situation is in constant state of flux. Every century, decade, year, month, week, day, hour, is a new normal. Though mutability is commonly gradual, or at least seems to be, at times situation changes in the blink of one’s eye. To believe our life is otherwise is not realism, and it is impractical life-view.

  There are however constants:

~ Man’s sinfulness. I share from Scofield’s study notes on Romans 3:23: “The literal meanings of the Hebrew, and (Greek, "hamartanō", "sin," "sinner", etc), disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold manifestations.

Sin is transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil (Psa_51:1); (Luk_15:29); iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not; error, a departure from right; (Psa_51:9); (Rom_3:23); missing the mark, a failure to meet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority (Eph_2:1); lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy (1Ti_1:9); unbelief, or an insult to the divine veracity (Joh_16:9).

Sin originated with Satan (Isa_14:12-14); entered the world through Adam (Rom_5:12); was, and is, universal, Christ alone excepted; (Rom_3:23); (1Pe_2:22); incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death; (Gen_2:17); (Gen_3:19); (Eze_18:4); (Eze_18:20); (Rom_6:23) and has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ; (Heb_9:26); (Act_4:12) availed of by faith (Act_13:38); (Act_13:39).

Sin may be summarized as threefold:

     An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God;

     A state, absence of righteousness;

     A nature, enmity toward God.”

~ The availability of God’s unchanging grace. For the unrepentant, their eternal future is unchanged. (Jn.3:14-18) For those that repent in response to and within God’s grace their eternal future changes, and is evidenced in the present in manner subtle and obvious. The Apostle Paul explained this to believers: “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

  But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT Eph.2”1-10)

  Tomorrow, if I’m still available, I hope to share GotQuestions essay answering “What does the Bible say about fate / destiny?"  EBB4