WE ARE CONFIDENT?

WE ARE CONFIDENT?

Sunday, November 30, 2014

2Corinthians [GW] 5:1-11 We know that if the life we live here on earth is ever taken down like a tent, we still have a building from God. It is an eternal house in heaven that isn't made by human hands. In our present tent-like existence we sigh, since we long to put on the house we will have in heaven. After we have put it on, we won't be naked. While we are in this tent, we sigh. We feel distressed because we don't want to take off the tent, but we do want to put on the eternal house. Then eternal life will put an end to our mortal existence. God has prepared us for this and has given us his Spirit to guarantee it. So we are always confident. We know that as long as we are living in these bodies, we are living away from the Lord. Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight. We are confident and prefer to live away from this body and to live with the Lord. Whether we live in the body or move out of it, our goal is to be pleasing to him. All of us must appear in front of Christ's judgment seat. Then all people will receive what they deserve for the good or evil they have done while living in their bodies. As people who know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. God already knows what we are, and I hope that you also know what we are.

Ephesians [GW] 2:6-10 God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him. He did this through Christ Jesus out of his generosity to us in order to show his extremely rich kindness in the world to come. God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It's not the result of anything you've done, so no one can brag about it. God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.

  What is the opposite of security? The distracting angst of insecurity.

  How wonderful that God’s wondrous gift of eternal life is guaranteed by none other than His Spirit! (2Cor.5:5)

  To help understand God’s eternal security guarantee that Paul speaks of in his 2^nd letter to the assembly at Corinth, let’s look at “sealed” in God’s Word; in application meaning beyond any doubt substantiation by God the Father. (Reference both Strong and Thayer G4972)

  Note Jesus’ statement recorded in John 6:27 “… everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him [Jesus] hath God the Father sealed.^G4972 ”

  And then later n God’s Word the same authenticating seal by God the Father for those of us in His John 1:12 family: “… God; Who hath also sealed^G4972 us, and given the earnest^G728 [ἀῤῥαβών, arrhabōn, ar-hrab-ohn' Of Hebrew origin [H6162]; a pledge, that is, part of the purchase money or property given in advance as security for the rest: - earnest.] of the Spirit in our hearts. (2Cor.1:22  ) . . . In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your^G5216 salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed^G4972 with that holy Spirit of promise, . . .  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed^G4972 unto the day of redemption. “( Eph.1:13; 4:30)

  What is the opposite of the distracting angst of insecurity? Living by God’s sure pledge under His seal!

EBB4

PS. Again I encourage the reading and prayerful meditation of all verses in context.

EMULATING JESUS

EMULATING JESUS

Friday, November 28, 2014

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

  God’s John 1:12 family are to be Christ-like in thought and act. Surrendering to do so is not always an easy thing. One method that alleviates this broad responsibility is to narrow it down to flexible “Living right as best I can.”

  Yes, holiness in activity is something we are to do, but not narrowly confined to Ten Commandment supple striving.

  Jesus example included telling people about eternal condemnation. He did so much more frequently than speaking of heaven. (In Maryland Bible Institute an instructor explained ratio about 7 to 1.)

  “N.T. Wright has asked on various occasions, "Why are Americans so fixated on hell?" On a subject of this magnitude, he is asking the wrong question. The question he should be asking is simply, "Why did Jesus talk so much about hell?" And why did our Lord spend more time talking about that subject than most Americans ever talk about it? (see Matt. 5:22; Matt. 5:29,30; Matt. 7:13,14; Matt. 8:12; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 11:23,24; Matt. 13:49,50; Matt. 16:18; Matt. 18:8,9; Matt. 18:34,35; Matt. 22:13; Matt. 23:15,33; Matt. 25:30; Matt. 25:41; Matt. 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 10:15; Luke 12:5; Luke 16:22-24)”

[NT WRIGHT WRONG ABOUT ETERNAL TORMENT? By Pastor Dan Delzell, Wellspring Lutheran Church in Papillion, NE, December 22, 2012 http://www.christianpost.com/news/nt-wright-wrong-about-eternal-torment-85983/ ]

  Yes, we are to be Sweet Jesus. Indeed we are to copy this behavior, but we are also to as did He . . .  warn of existent “condemned already” condition of eternal separation from God. (Jn.3:18) A horrific situation that as Jesus also explains is escapable. (Jn.3:18)

  As opportunity presents itself this day, what shall we say?

EBB4

THANKFULNESS

Question: "Why is giving thanks to God important?"

  The Bible is filled with commands to give thanks to God (Psalm 106:1; 107:1; 118:1; 1 Chronicles 16:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Most verses go on to list reasons why we should thank Him, such as “His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:3), “He is good” (Psalm 118:29), and “His mercy is everlasting” (Psalm 100:5). Thanksgiving and praise always go together. We cannot adequately praise and worship God without also being thankful.
  Feeling and expressing appreciation is good for us. Like any wise father, God wants us to learn to be thankful for all the gifts He has given us (James 1:17). It is in our best interest to be reminded that everything we have is a gift from Him. Without gratefulness, we become arrogant and self-centered. We begin to believe that we have achieved everything on our own. Thankfulness keeps our hearts in right relationship to the Giver of all good gifts.
  Giving thanks also reminds us of how much we do have. Human beings are prone to covetousness. We tend to focus on what we don’t have. By giving thanks continually we are reminded of how much we do have. When we focus on blessings rather than wants, we are happier. When we start thanking God for the things we usually take for granted, our perspective changes. We realize that we could not even exist without the merciful blessings of God.
  First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We are to be thankful not only for the things we like, but for the circumstances we don’t like. When we purpose to thank God for everything that He allows to come into our lives, we keep bitterness at bay. We cannot be both thankful and bitter at the same time. We do not thank Him for evil, but that He is sustaining us through it (James 1:12). We don’t thank Him for harm He did not cause, but we thank Him when He gives us the strength to endure it (2 Corinthians 12:9). We thank Him for His promise that “all things will work together for the good, to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
  We can have thankful hearts toward God even when we do not feel thankful for the circumstance. We can grieve and still be thankful. We can hurt and still be thankful. We can be angry at sin and still be thankful toward God. That is what the Bible calls a “sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). Giving thanks to God keeps our hearts in right relationship with Him and saves us from a host of harmful emotions and attitudes that will rob us of the peace God wants us to experience (Philippians 4:6–7).

Recommended Resources: Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Logos Bible Software.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/giving-thanks-to-God.html#ixzz3KGzIlZtX

THE WORK OF THANKSGIVING

THE WORK OF THANKSGIVING

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Philippians [ESV] 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness [gentle patient moderation] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1Thessalonians [ESV] 5:16-19 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.

"I do recommend and assign Thursday ... next to be devoted by the People of these States to

the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that

was, that is, or that will be." --George Washington (1789)

  A mordant acquaintance opines that some people lacking thanksgiving are so because it’s just too much work. He’s not speaking of the labor of by hand preparing a relish tray . . . which just happens to be dear old Dad’s assignment from eldest Committee member this year.

  What has happened to my 3 daughters? They were such nice people. Whatever happened to simply providing a gallon of delicious cole slaw from the supermarket?!

EBB4 

N. T. WRIGHT IS RIGHT?

N. T. WRIGHT IS RIGHT?

  The subject of N. T. Wright’s theology has come up again. Below is brief essay from Gotquestions.org on the topic. (For those concerned about copyright violations: So long as their essays are with credits there is no violation.)  EBB4

Question: "Is the New Perspective on Paul biblical?" Answer: Anytime a “new perspective” on some biblical doctrine arises, red flags should go off warning Christians of possible danger. In many cases such “new” ideas, teachings, or perspectives are not new at all. Rather, they are the same old lie from the Garden of Eden when Satan first cast doubt on God’s Word: “Did God really say…” (Genesis 3:1). In that sense, the “New Perspective of Paul” is ancient in that it tries to deny what the Scriptures clearly teach and what has been accepted by Christians for centuries. The “New Perspective on Paul” is not biblical and appears to be an attempt to redefine and even deny key biblical doctrines that are the foundation of the Christian faith.   Sadly however, the teachings propagated by the few who champion the “New Perspective on Paul” are gaining ground, even among evangelical churches, despite the fact that some of its leading proponents are liberal New Testament scholars from secular universities. Most well-known among the “New Perspective of Paul” proponents is N.T. Wright, a noted Bible scholar and Bishop in the Anglican Church, whose books seem to be influencing the spread of this troublesome teaching in evangelical churches.   The heart of this teaching is that for hundreds, if not thousands, of years Christians have seriously “misunderstood” the Apostle Paul and his teachings…thus the need for a new perspective on Paul. The idea that these latter day scholars are so wise that they can figure out the correct perspective on Paul, when biblical scholars from the time of Christ on could not, is founded upon audacity and even borderline arrogance. The “New Perspective on Paul” is not unlike the Jesus Seminar group who several years ago decided they could determine what Jesus actually said and did not say by voting on which words of Christ in the Bible should be attributed to Him and which should not. The implied arrogance of these types of “wiser than everyone else” attitudes should be clear when they claim that Christians for almost 2000 years have been wrong about Paul.   There are four basic tenets of “New Perspective of Paul.” First is the belief that Christians misunderstand Judaism of the first century. They say that Paul was not battling against Jews who were promoting a religion of self-righteousness and works-based salvation and that the Pharisees were not legalists. Yet the Bible describes the Pharisees as those who “neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness,” “straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel” and ones who “cleaned up the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:23-25). The view that first century Pharisees were not legalists and their religion was not one of self-righteous and works-based salvation directly contradicts Jesus’ own words in this and numerous other passages.   The second tenet of this false teaching is that Paul really did not have a problem with the doctrine of salvation taught by the Jewish leaders of his day. His disagreement with them was simply over how they treated the Gentiles and not a fundamental difference over how one is saved or justified before a holy God. However, in his letters to the Galatians and the Romans, Paul clearly and solidly condemned the works-based system of righteousness promoted by the Judaizers who were trying to lure the Galatians away from the true Gospel message. In fact, he said that anyone who preached a gospel other than the one he preached should be “eternally condemned” (Galatians 1:8-9).Once again Scripture shows that the “New Perspective on Paul” is not based on the testimony of Scripture but instead is contrary to it, making it an unbiblical teaching with serious consequences to those that follow it and are led astray by it.   The third unbiblical tenet of the “New Perspective on Paul” teaching is that the gospel is about the Lordship of Christ and not a message of personal salvation and individual redemption from the condemnation of sin. Certainly the Lordship of Christ is an important part of the gospel truth, but if that was all it was how is that good news? No one can make Christ Lord of their life without first being cleansed of sin and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Only the Spirit of God can empower us to yield to the lordship of Christ. Clearly the hope of Christians is that Christ is first and foremost a Savior whose atoning sacrifice has personally and completely made atonement for their sins. It is for this reason that the gospel is the good news because “it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).   This leaves us with the fourth and the most serious unbiblical tenet of the “New Perspective on Paul” teaching—the view on the doctrine of justification by faith, a central and non-negotiable Christian doctrine. According to proponents of this unbiblical teaching, when Paul wrote about justification he was not speaking of personal and individual justification whereby a guilty sinner is declared righteous on the basis of his faith in Christ and Christ’s righteousness is imputed to the sinner. Instead they claim that when Paul wrote about justification he was speaking of how one could tell if a person was “a member of the covenant family.”   According to N.T. Wright, “Justification in the first century was not about how someone might establish a relationship with God. It was about God’s eschatological definition [“any system of doctrines concerning last, or final, matters, as death, the Judgment, the future state, etc.” Dictionary.com], both future and present, of who was in fact, a member of his people.” The problem with this tenet of the “New Perspective on Paul” is that it distorts the biblical teaching on justification by faith and instead teaches that Paul’s doctrine of justification was only concerned with the Gentiles' standing in the covenant community and not at all about a guilty sinner being declared just before a holy and righteous God. Simply put, we cannot disregard or redefine justification and still be considered Christian or biblical. In his writings, N.T. Wright often argues against the imputed righteousness of Christ which is the heart and soul of the true gospel (2 Corinthians 5:21).   Just as Satan called into question the Word of God to Eve, the “New Perspective on Paul” calls into question the basic doctrines of the Christian faith as revealed by the Bible and, as such, it should be rejected. Recommended Resource: Pauline Christology: An Exegetical-Theological Study by Gordon D. Fee. Related Topics:What are the Pauline epistles? What is the Hebrew Roots movement? Who were the authors of the books of the Bible? What is Pauline Christianity?What is the Messianic secret? Return to: Questions about False Doctrine Return to: GotQuestions.org Home Is the New Perspective on Paul biblical? © Copyright 2002-2012 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered - Site Map

BLESSED ASSURANCE HERE AND NOW

BLESSED ASSURANCE HERE AND NOW

Monday, November 24, 2014

“I consider our present sufferings insignificant compared to the glory that will soon be revealed to us.” The Apostle Paul in writing to Roman Christians suffering for their faith in Lord Jesus Christ. Romans [GW] 8:18 

1.            Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

                O what a foretaste of glory divine!

                Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

                born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Refrain:

                This is my story, this is my song,

                praising my Savior all the day long;

                this is my story, this is my song,

                praising my Savior all the day long.

2.            Perfect submission, perfect delight,

                visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

                angels descending bring from above

                echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

                (Refrain)

3.            Perfect submission, all is at rest;

                I in my Savior am happy and blest,

                watching and waiting, looking above,

                filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

                (Refrain)

Then many years later two believing women express their trust in Him.

BLESSED ASSURANCE; The United Methodist Hymnal Number 369

Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915; Music: Phoebe P. Knapp, 1839-1908

And us?  EBB4

BEGGARS IN YOUR MAILBOX

BEGGARS IN YOUR MAILBOX

Sunday, November 23, 2014

1Corinthians [ESV] 4:1-2 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

  Today’s title is not original with me. I heard it from a cynical man years ago. Another scornful acquaintance refers to the postal packets as “Beggar mail”.

  Dad believed Boy’s Town founder Father Flanagan was the first brilliant fundraising strategist to use mass mailings soliciting financial support. And that Flanagan was the first to understand the affect of poignant phrase and photo to loosen purse strings, including my non-church going father’s. (In adulthood I’ve wondered if maybe it was actually Flanagan’s un-famous sister that was the brains. ??)

  By any measure, since Flanagan our mailboxes are full of appeals for money, increasingly so the last 6 or 8 weeks of the year. Some packets include the extra incentive of guilt-gift(s) to you and/or matching fund pledges from some anonymous donor.

  How do we respond to these cash seeking epistles?

·         Trash or shred a portion or one and all.

·         Give what for us is a nominal amount to each one.

·         Allow heartstring vibrations makes the choices.

·         Check for bona fides.

·         Investigate percentages going to salaries, overhead costs, and the actual to-neediness.

·         Prayerfully choose and send money to.

  There is yet another way to support charities that are asking for your money when you do not nor have any intention of giving them one cent.

  First understand that it cost organizations $3 to over $20 every year per address mailings, this whether you give or not. For those we don’t respond to with a donation we can save them from wasting this cost; something I consider a form of charity in itself.

·         Write or type “PLEASE REMOVE MY NAME FROM ALL MAILING LISTS.” On blank 8.5x11 sheet of paper. (It need not be in red.)

·         Tape their response label or form to the paper leaving your cancellation request showing.

·         Fold and place in standard #10 envelope.

·         Seal, then address to organization. (I cut out & tape their address to envelope.)

·         Affix first class stamp and mail.

  Again, doing the above is wise stewardship, will save charities wasted funds . . . and for less than a dollar invested it will save us from having so much beggar mail in our mailboxes.

EBB4  

FRUITFUL THINKING

FRUITFUL THINKING

Friday, November 21, 2014

 

Romans 12:1-2 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.

1Corinthians chapters 1 & 2

Galatians 5 … the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance …

 

  Writing to the assembly at Corinth Paul explains clearly that the spiritual person has the mind of Christ; evaluating all things having to do with life and death accordingly. He explained just as clearly that the natural person evaluates everything according to philosophy and values contrary to the mind of Christ.

  One respondent to yesterday’s DT, THE SPIRITUAL MAN IS UNNATURAL MAN, believes the “fruit of the Spirit” is the better way to evaluate whether spiritual or not. I agree that the spiritual person will manifest the fruit of the Spirit; the mind of Christ. However, this is not the prime evidence of being a spiritual person.

  I have known, do know, non-Christians, atheists, agnostics -- those that reject the mind of Christ – that believe in and exhibit love, joy, serenity, forgiveness, gentleness, goodness, devotion, humbleness, and self-control . . . and do so manifestly more than Christians I have and/or do know. Is this not so in your relationships and observation?

EBB4

THE SPIRITUAL MAN IS UNNATURAL MAN

THE SPIRITUAL MAN IS UNNATURAL MAN

Thursday, November 20, 2014

 

Proverbs [GW] 3:5-7 Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Do not consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

1Corinthians, chapters 1 & 2

 

  We call it the New Testament, but how much of what it says is new information? Much of the NT, including Jesus’ words recorded therein, refers to and explains the OT in new terms and/or illustration (parables et al). The initial chapters of Paul’s first letter to the assembly at Corinth is an example of this. Paul, using “natural man” and comparative “spiritual man” speaks of the same truth of Proverbs 3:5; truth he originally realized on the road to Damascus. (Act.9:1-6)

  Reading 1Corinthians chapters 1 & 2 we see that the natural man is a person blinded by measuring what God says by this world’s yardstick; familial, community cultural, prior philosophy and education. This natural man is the blind individual that Jesus refers to in John 3:3, Nicodemus being another exemplary before and after model.

  Both Nicodemus and Paul were highly educated and contemplative men, howbeit blind to true edification. One does not however have to be elite. We can be illiterate or somewhere in between on literate knowledge scale, and still not have blessed vision of the spiritual man. (Ps.1)

  If I read and contemplate God’s Word, living (Jn.1:1, 14; 2Pet.3:5-7) and written (Ps.119; Jn.17:17; 2Tim.3:16-17) . . . and compare, measure by what I previously know . . . I am not a spiritual person, I am a natural unregenerate in contemplation . . . and consequently in  deed.

  Nicodemus and Paul especially exemplify the problem of religious education prior to confrontation by the Word. The same text they had head knowledge of, but as natural men obviously did not understand until trusting the word and gaining John 3:3 spiritual vision.

  Who, what, is a spiritual man?

EBB4

OUR SPIRITUAL MEASURE

OUR SPIRITUAL MEASURE

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

 

  Using e-Sword software I discover that “spiritual” is 28 times in 23 KJV verses. One verse in OT, and 22 in NT.

  The Apostle Paul, when writing to the church at Corinth, makes a distinction between “spiritual” and “natural” individuals.

  In Psalm 26 King David asks Lord God Jehovah to examine him as to where he is spiritually.

  In his first letter to the Corinthian assembly Paul encourages the spiritual examination of self. (1Cor.13:5)

  For our shared edification, as you understand them, please describe the points of spiritual measure by God and self-examination.

EBB4

CALVARY

CALVARY

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

 

Proverbs 1:7, 29; 2:5; 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom         and instruction. … For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: … Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. … The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him [Jesus Christ], the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

 

That day one thief went to paradise, the other did not. Luke 23:36-46

 

  With family and friend at the $3.00 theater Sunday we viewed the movie of the title name.

  It is one of those dark Irish tales filled with individuals and community suffering from critical lack of knowledge gained from fearing God -- all set in land and seascapes of God’s glorious creation with a splendid fitting soundtrack.

  The film begins with title and very brief quote highlighting everything goes back to Calvary.

  The Apostle Paul wrote of this essential: “Christ didn't send me to baptize. Instead, he sent me to spread the Good News. I didn't use intellectual arguments. That would have made the cross of Christ lose its meaning. The message about the cross is nonsense to those who are being destroyed, but it is God's power to us who are being saved.

  Scripture says, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will reject the intelligence of intelligent people."

Where is the wise person? Where is the scholar? Where is the persuasive speaker of our time? Hasn't God turned the wisdom of the world into nonsense?

  The world with its wisdom was unable to recognize God in terms of his own wisdom. So God decided to use the nonsense of the Good News we speak to save those who believe.

  Jews ask for miraculous signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, but our message is that Christ was crucified. This offends Jewish people and makes no sense to people who are not Jewish. But to those Jews and Greeks who are called, he is Christ, God's power and God's wisdom. God's nonsense is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.” (GW 1Cor.1:17-25)

  If Paul were writing today, or even producing a film as some followers of Christ now do, would he include the Irish, Irish-Americans, Americans? I believe he would. But what picture do we reflect . . . one of Calvary wisdom?

EBB4

 

For those interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvary_(film)

ADVISORY BOARD IS SOLID PLANKING

ADVISORY BOARD IS SOLID PLANKING

Monday, November 17, 2014

 

Proverbs [MKJV] 11:14; 15:2 Where there is no wisdom, the people fall; but in the multitude of wise men [and women, and children] there is safety. … The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

 

  I have an advisory board, always have; parents, grandparents, uncles & aunts, teachers, neighbors, friends, etc. Problem was, before redemption I too often resented their unsolicited advice, much preferring to do life my way. This changed drastically after I met and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ; the Word; the Way. (Jn.1:1; 14:6)  As maturity progressed I increasingly relied on wise counsel. As I increasingly relied on wise counsel I matured. And so forth …

  Wisdom is fully available to one and all, a matter of personal choice. God does not withhold wisdom from us: “If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn't find fault with them.” (GW James 1:5) Neither do godly people withhold wisdom.

  After the study of God’s Word for wisdom, dear succinct Ann was next on my resource roster with her insightful knowledge and application of Scripture.

  After reading Jack Hyles’ BLUE DENIM AND LACE (chapter 44, The Christian’s Cabinet) over 40 years ago I realized I should at least in mind list board members. Most don’t know or think of themselves as board members, but they are.

  The board includes family members, friends, young (One now 6 years old.), midlifers, and 2 with 90+ years of experience, male, female, all with very diverse backgrounds and positions. The major common denominator is each person is wise and continuing maturation in the ways of the Lord.

  At times I quiz select members, other times the entire board.

  If you’ve not already done so, trust the All-wise One, and recruit a Biblically-wise advisory board.  EBB4

WALKING DEAD

WALKING DEAD

Friday, November 14, 2014

 

John 3:3  [Jesus said] "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

1Peter 3:3-4

 

  I watch The Walking Dead, and like it.

  When answering “What’s your favorite TV shows?” I get many strange looks and an occasional blurted “WHAT!?”

  In response I ask “What is the series about?”

  The typical answer has to do with zombies and killing them.

  I’ve also asked movie goers what Saving Private Ryan is about. Most common answer is “Saving Private Ryan.” Some say “War.”

  The Walking Dead isn’t about zombies, nor is the theme of Saving Private Ryan about saving Private Ryan. Peter’s words are not centered on hair and jewelry. Nor are they singularly applicable to the female sex.

  I’ve never been confronted by a zombie. I’ve never been a soldier. I don’t have enough hair to adorn. And I don’t like to wear jewelry. (Consequently I for 3 months put off selecting and purchasing an alert bracelet. It should arrive in today’s mail.) But all do address the major life decision that determines our attitude and all that we do. And only the one gives the correct enlivening solution.

  Who am I; how do I identify myself?

  I am not what I have done or presently do. Nor do my looks determine who I am.

  I am either walking dead or walking alive.

  Once I was walking dead but trusting Lord Jesus Christ I am alive for He has made it so!

  Now with clear view of my identity in and by Him my behavior is to “let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, the meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God.” (MKJV)

   I leave you with words from the Apostle Paul:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV Eph.2:1-10)

EBB4

 

TACIT PERMISSIVENESS

TACIT PERMISSIVENESS

Thursday, November 13, 2014

 

Matthew [GW] 5:13-16 "You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. "You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Ephesians [GW] 2:1-10 You were once dead because of your failures and sins. You followed the ways of this present world and its spiritual ruler. This ruler continues to work in people who refuse to obey God. All of us once lived among these people, and followed the desires of our corrupt nature. We did what our corrupt desires and thoughts wanted us to do. So, because of our nature, we deserved God's anger just like everyone else. But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us. We were dead because of our failures, but he made us alive together with Christ. (It is God's kindness that saved you.) God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him. He did this through Christ Jesus out of his generosity to us in order to show his extremely rich kindness in the world to come. God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It's not the result of anything you've done, so no one can brag about it. God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.

 

  In 1915 Hitler was still in the world theater wings, but he was observing the staged dramas very carefully. One act in particular was the persecution and massacring practiced by the Ottomans.

  “The Armenian Genocide^[7] (Armenian: Հայոց Ցեղասպանություն Hayots Tseghaspanutyun),^[8] also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, traditionally by Armenians, as Medz Yeghern (Armenian: Մեծ Եղեռն, "Great Crime")^[9] was the Ottoman government's systematic extermination of its minority Armenian subjects from their historic homeland within the territory constituting the present-day Republic of Turkey. The starting date is conventionally held to be 24 April 1915, the day Ottoman authorities rounded up and arrested some 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. The genocide was carried out during and after World War I and implemented in two phases: the wholesale killing of the able-bodied male population through massacre and subjection of army conscripts to forced labour, followed by the deportation of women, children, the elderly and infirm on death marches leading to the Syrian desert. Driven forward by military escorts, the deportees were deprived of food and water and subjected to periodic robbery, rape, and massacre.^[10][11][12] The total number of people killed as a result has been estimated at between 1 and 1.5 million. Other indigenous and Christian ethnic groups such as the Assyrians, the Greeks and other minorities were similarly targeted for extermination by the Ottoman government, and their treatment is considered by many historians to be part of the same genocidal policy.^[13][14][15] The majority of Armenian diaspora communities around the world came into being as a direct result of the genocide. (Wikipedia: Armenian Genocide)

  Seeing that Christian nations that could have interceded did not -- Hitler decided then and there that he could do the same to Jew, gypsy, and all others hated and/or consider liability to the Third Reich. And later in power Hitler did just that with impunity. (As also did “Uncle Joe” Stalin on much larger scale.)

  As a history fan from earliest memory I decided a long time ago that horrific events are less the result of action, but are very much involve permissive inaction. Let us forget not who is the prince of this world and hence evil exists. Do little or nothing, irresponsibly hiding light under bushels of comfort and fun or “What’s the use?!!” despair, and those that love darkness prevail.

EBB4

 

THREE YEARS

THREE YEARS

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

 

  Today makes 3 years without dear Ann’s physical presence. She does however remain a presence in so many other ways and continues to teach us godly wisdom.

  In Ann’s memory I share with you one of her lifelong favorite passages of Scripture.

 

2Corinthians 5:1-10 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heaven. For indeed in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our dwelling-place out of Heaven; if indeed in being clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened; inasmuch as we do not wish to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that the mortal might be swallowed up by the life. And He who has worked in us for this same thing is God, who also is giving to us the earnest of the Spirit. Then being always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord; for we walk by faith, not by sight; then we are confident and we are pleased rather to go away from home out of the body, and to come home to the Lord. Therefore we are also laboring to be well-pleasing to Him, whether at home or away from home. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive the things done through the body, according to that which he has done, whether good or bad.

 

Edwin Bennett Bullock 4th

WHY WANNER?

WHY WANNER??

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

 

Psalm 119:103-105 How sweet are Your Words to my taste! More than honey to my mouth! Through Your Commandments I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

 

  To understand, relate to, and communicate, we must be familiar with words.  Some of you understand “E’s asking if you’ns wanner play stickball on the nice new flat concrete payment over on Balmer Street.”, others don’t.

  Penny messaged yesterday “If you are a Christian, you want to know what God says so that you can obey him and please him. Any other reason to read what God says becomes incidental.”

  In no particular order here are a few incidentals I can think of this morning.

• The Bible is His Word. 2Tim.3:16
• His Word is all-wise.
• His Word is His wisdom available to us.
• So we can understand and practice what love truly is.
• So we can make wise decisions in all areas of life and death.
• So we can recognize those and that which are counterfeit.
• So we need not be ashamed.
• So we can recognize and hear His voice.
• So we can understand our purpose in life.
• So we can live optimum healthy lives in every way.
• So we can help others spiritually, mentally/emotionally, and in physical ways.
• So we can know how to be good stewards of time, talent, gifts, money et al.
• So we can understand and practice what forgiveness truly is.
• So we can recognize temptation and sin.
• So we can see ourselves more clearly than otherwise.
• So we can recognize and separate apples and oranges.
• So we can understand what success truly is.
• So we can live victoriously free in the midst of troubled oppressive world.
    Why wanner? 
  EBB4

YOU WANNER?

YOU WANNER?

Monday, November 10, 2014

 

Dear Fellow Traveler,

  So you wanner read the Bible more, do ya?

  Very nice of you to publickly share your problem, and invite idears on how to deal with it.

  But I betcha never counted on me, the person that’s known you for almost 79 years now once again telling you exactly how it is, did ya?!

  I know for a fact that yesterday you read all but the sports section of that cornfield newspaper, watched your favorite TV show, and read 10 more pages of Ken Follett’s Book Three of the Century Trilogy, EDGE OF ETERNITY, before falling asleep.

  Ha! If anybody this side of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit knows what your problem is, it’s me!

  You don’t have a time problem, you got a wanner problem . . . you do exactly what you really want to do when you really want to do it!!!!!

Signed,

Right There With You

A CONSUMMATE READER?

A CONSUMMATE READER?

Sunday, November 09, 2014

 

Dear all,

  I like to read and do so a lot.

  14 magazines that I subscribe to, others passed on to me, and occasional doctor’s waiting room provisions.

  I read essays and sermons by writers living and dead.

  My home is filled with shelves, tubs, and piles of books, including most of the output of Michener, Follett, Griffin and a number of other authors. I have several clothes closets full of fiction by Christian authors.

  Then there are all those biographies, autobiographies, heritage, history, theology, English grammar and writing all within present morning sight.

  In my shop is a cabinet loaded with how-to books and manuals.

  At any given time, including now, there are magazines and books in process of being read lying on tables, bedstead, floor etc.

  My children claim they’ve caught me reading soup can labels when nothing else is at hand.

  I want to read the Bible, God’s Word, more.

  Any ideas on how I can do so?

Sincerely,

A fellow traveler  

MOSES MOMENT

MOSES MOMENT

Friday, November 07, 2014

 

Exodus chapter 3

 

  There he was, in the 40^th year of the second third of his life, fragrant as his father-n-law’s sheep he tended. Was he expecting that day to be any different than the past 14,599 or so? Was he thinking “Maybe today God will soon give me something really important to do?”

  Possibly, or angst that however long it had been a Egyptian SWAT would swoop out of the desert and chariot him away. Or possibly his surrogate mother would now be in control and intercede with a government pardon and restoration to royal wardrobe and all that goes with it. Possibly, but more likely he was just doing his job, responsibly moving from one normal task to another.

  As Jon Mayo communicated to me yesterday afternoon, God doesn’t intend our sitting around waiting or longing for a Moses Moment. Jon is absolutely correct and can provide verification from OT, NT, personal observation, and his own maturation.

  Our responsibility is to be faithful exactly where we presently are. Indeed God may intercede, or interfere. (Note Moses reaction.)

  I quote dear succinct Ann, “Bloom where you’re planted.”

  Yes, wherever that place is we are to be regarded as faithful servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1Cor.4:1-2) This includes being “found faithful” whether smelling of roses, lanolin, cabbage, sewage, or any other ambient fragrance.

EBB4