GROANING IS PRODUCTIVE

GROANING IS PRODUCTIVE

Monday, November 30, 2015

Romans 8:16-23 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. And if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; so that if we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was not willingly subjected to vanity, but because of Him who subjected it on hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. And we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruit of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, awaiting adoption, the redemption of our body.

  The Apostle Paul invited inspection of himself and his company. Paul sets the example and encourages us to scrutinize our Christian exercise and public impression. (2Cor.13)  One of the ways we can examine ourselves is by candidly answering question “What do I long for most of all?”

  You know what a paraphrase is, and probably possess and read one or more. But have you ever written out Scripture personalizing it? Chaplain Bob Potter taught me the worth of such exercise. I do so occasionally, and do benefit. This day I do so with 2Corinthians 5.

  I know that when the life I live here is taken down like a tent I have permanence in and by God. In my temporal existence, which I do confess to enjoying by and large, I find myself preferentially longing for the life to come; that which God has prepared and guaranteed.

  Until that time I am confident of His grace in serving Him.

Edwin Bennett Bullock 4^th

  Please join today in hand and scribe your heart’s desire.

EBB4

AMAZING GRACE

AMAZING GRACE

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Romans KJV 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

  Romans 5:8 was and still is a key verse in my life. “was” meaning that October of my 27^th year its truth was central to my submitting to God’s love. “still” meaning I am continually quickened by His provision of unearnable undeserved redemption. (Rom.5:6; Eph.2:8-9)

  It wasn’t until some months later that for the first time I heard then sang the grand old hymn Amazing Grace. It was and still is an emotionally grateful event. This though I have heard or sung it thousands of times since that first year of new life, I still thrill at its message of God’s love for us.

  Hear it once again, http://www.vimeo.com/12348372 , be blessed as you again consider God’s astonishing love for man. 

  “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)  EBB4

I AM THAT I AM

I AM THAT I AM

Friday, November 27, 2015

Does it matter whether Christians understand and accept that Jehovah God is the absolute ultimate authority?

If the answer is yes, why?

If the answer is no, why not?

EBB4

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? THE PERILS OF NOT JUDGING

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? THE PERILS OF NOT JUDGING

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Leviticus [NLT] 10:1-7 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said, ‘I will display my holiness through those who come near me. I will display my glory before all the people.’” And Aaron was silent. Then Moses called for Mishael and Elzaphan, Aaron’s cousins, the sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel. He said to them, “Come forward and carry away the bodies of your relatives from in front of the sanctuary to a place outside the camp.” So they came forward and picked them up by their garments and carried them out of the camp, just as Moses had commanded. Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not show grief by leaving your hair uncombed or by tearing your clothes. If you do, you will die, and the Lord’s anger will strike the whole community of Israel. However, the rest of the Israelites, your relatives, may mourn because of the Lord’s fiery destruction of Nadab and Abihu. But you must not leave the entrance of the Tabernacle[b] or you will die, for you have been anointed with the Lord’s anointing oil.” So they did as Moses commanded.

1 Corinthians [NLT] 11:28-31 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.

  Construction without consideration of original quality and later maintenance issues makes for disastrous results. Beginning with problem(s), a building deteriorates seriously through stresses, corrosion, and erosion.

  This is just as true spiritually for Christian individually and the congregant church.

  At hand, we have the perfect construction and maintenance plan, God’s schematic, His Word living (Jn.1:1) and written (Jn.17:17; 1Thes.2:13). To neglect, not reference, or trivialize sacred direction of self, brethren, or worldview is perilous.

  Without congregant judgment a church may lose its place as a spiritual powerhouse and become no more than a benevolent social ministry (Rev.2:18-23), or worse (Rev.2:5).

  Without personal examination of self we suffer not just loss of God’s support, but He resists us (Jam.4:4-10), or worse (Heb.10:31).

  Think not construction or maintenance faults are always readily recognized. Even undisciplined children can be happy . . . for awhile.

  I confess that in my flesh I cringe at examination of self or the local church. But I know I must, howbeit reluctantly, judge, for it too is part and parcel of discipleship.  EBB4

WE SHALL JUDGE ANGELS

WE SHALL JUDGE ANGELS

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

1Corinthians [NLT] 6:1-8 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life [KJV “judgments of things pertaining to this life”]. If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers! Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.

  So much of this series has required many hours of reading Scripture in context, search, reading essays and commentaries, and to ponder that I had originally decided to leave out today’s passing fact about angels. Paul’s exhortation isn’t even about angels. He just uses the truth about our eventually judging angels to reinforce his main point having to do with a fellowship issue among believers in Corinth. An unspiritual practice that not only is poor testimony in the local church and community at large observing . . . but also that a saint’s affection for winning does effect their present and future standing with the Lord.

  Please note several interesting points revealed in the passage.

·         Paul acknowledges brethren do have disputes that necessitate decisive corporate judgment.

·         Paul judges his brethren.

·         Paul judges his brethren as wrong-hearted and wrong-headed.

·         Paul explains exactly who is qualified to judge.

·         Secular judgment does not take into consideration present or eternal spiritual matters.

·         Paul did not say “Judge not!”

·         Paul sanctions, yea encourages, judging one another.

·         Winning can very much be spelled “losing”.

·         Angels also have free will.

  So we see the here that the saintly case of responsibility is not entirely about those “angels watching over me”.

EBB4 

JUDGING RIGHTLY: TESTING SPIRITS; OTHERS & OURS

JUDGING RIGHTLY: TESTING SPIRITS; OTHERS & OURS

Monday, November 23, 2015

John [GW] 1:1-5 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was already with God in the beginning. Everything came into existence through him. Not one thing that exists was made without him. He was the source of life, and that life was the light for humanity. The light shines in the dark, and the dark has never extinguished it.

John [GW] 7:24 Stop judging by outward appearance! Instead, judge correctly."

2John [NLT] 1:5-11 I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. 6 Love means doing what God      

        has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. 7 I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus

       Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.

       9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone

       comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a

       partner in their evil work.

  Reviewing 2John 1:5-11 we learn several critical points in properly judging whether to trust men or not:

·         Vs. 5 & 6 emphasizes Christ’ example and teaching on loving one another; without godly love involving discipleship we can’t have true righteous discernment. Jn.14:13-15.

·         Vs. 7 tells us to beware, for there are many deceivers. Jer.14:14; Mt.7:15; 24:11, 24; Mk.13:22; Lk.6:26; 2Pt.2:1; 1Jn.4:1;Tit.1:10.

·         Vs. 7 presents the essential test to judge by; who and what do they say of Jesus? (Two of the largest Christian groups in world consider Him other than God-incarnate. Jn1:1, 14; Heb.2:17; 1Jn.4:2)

·         Vs. 8 explains that we, as audience listening or reading, are the primary responsible party to profile and identify these deceivers. 2Tim.2:15-16.

·         Vs. 9 broadens the basis to judge by; what did Lord Jesus Christ teach during while Incarnate?

·         Vs. 10 orders the taking of action following judgment: We are not to endorse or support them in any way, shape, or form that will further their ministry. (We are to speak to them of Truth.)

·         Vs. 11 is a dire warning to those that support deceivers. This includes wishing them well in their efforts. Mt.10:14; Mk.6:11; Lk.9:5.

  In summation: When we are living The Way (Jn.14:6) as followers of Christ we are capable of and responsible to judge all things. (1Cor.2:9-16) Doing so takes work. Undeniably it commonly has a contemporary social cost. But not fulfilling this responsibility is a serious infraction that involves eternal expense. Jesus explained “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household! If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” (NLT Mt.10:32-39)

EBB4

BALANCED RESPONSIBLE JUDGMENT

BALANCED RESPONSIBLE JUDGMENT

Sunday, November 22, 2015

2Corinthians [NLT] 5:11-21 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

One of the most difficult areas of following Lord Jesus Christ is fulfilling our responsibility to judge all things, beginning with self, and then others when situations call for the need for reconciliation . . . and not do so in prideful judgmentalism. To facilitate understanding of this balance problem ours, I again share an excellent summarizing essay from www.GotQuestions.org . EBB4

Question: "What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?"

Answer: This is an issue that has confused many people. On one hand, we are commanded by the Lord Jesus, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, the Bible also exhorts us to beware of evildoers and false prophets and to avoid those who practice all kinds of evil. How are we to discern who these people are if we do not make some kind of judgment about them?

Christians are often accused of "judging" whenever they speak out against a sinful activity. However, that is not the meaning of the Scripture verses that state, "Do not judge." There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise—with careful discernment (John 7:24). When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." What Jesus was condemning here was hypocritical, self-righteous judgments of others.

In Matthew 7:2-5, Jesus warns against judging someone else for his sin when you yourself are sinning even worse. That is the kind of judging Jesus commanded us not to do. If a believer sees another believer sinning, it is his Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront the person with his sin (Matthew 18:15-17). This is not judging, but rather pointing out the truth in hope—and with the ultimate goal—of bringing repentance in the other person (James 5:20) and restoration to the fellowship. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to proclaim what God's Word says about sin. 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs us, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction." We are to "judge" sin, but always with the goal of presenting the solution for sin and its consequences—the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

© Copyright 2002-2014 Got Questions Ministries. (Used with permission.)

OFFSETTING JUDGMENT: WEIGHING PRIORITIES

OFFSETTING JUDGMENT: WEIGHING PRIORITIES

Friday, November 20, 2015

2Corinthians [All ESV] 13:5-6 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.

1Peter 4:17-18 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

1John 4:1-6a Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God.

2John 1:6-11 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

  Don’t know about you, but I’m bombarded with solicitations for supporting donations and requests to sign petitions having to do with political and morality issues. I’m not saying flat out to not participate in such efforts. The problem is balance in weighing priorities.

  If the graphic above does not show, please envision an old fashioned scale that looks like a seesaw. Put the guiding exhortations of 2Cor.13:5-6; 1Pet.4:17-18; 1Jn4:1-6; 2 Jn.1:6-11 having to do with the body of Christ on one side. Now put all the outside-the-church political and social issues on the opposite side.

  Which way does the scale tip?  EBB4

JUDGE IN CONTEXT

JUDGE IN CONTEXT

Thursday, November 19, 2015

2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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  "Who divided the Bible into chapters and verses? Why and when was it done?"
  When the books of the Bible were originally written, they did not contain chapter or verse references. The Bible was divided into chapters and verses to help us find Scriptures more quickly and easily. It is much easier to find "John chapter 3, verse 16" than it is to find "for God so loved the world..." In a few places, chapter breaks are poorly placed and as a result divide content that should flow together. Overall, though, the chapter and verse divisions are very helpful.
  The chapter divisions commonly used today were developed by Stephen Langton, an Archbishop of Canterbury. Langton put the modern chapter divisions into place in around A.D. 1227. The Wycliffe English Bible of 1382 was the first Bible to use this chapter pattern. Since the Wycliffe Bible, nearly all Bible translations have followed Langton's chapter divisions.
  The Hebrew Old Testament was divided into verses by a Jewish rabbi by the name of Nathan in A.D. 1448. Robert Estienne, who was also known as Stephanus, was the first to divide the New Testament into standard numbered verses, in 1555. Stephanus essentially used Nathan's verse divisions for the Old Testament. Since that time, beginning with the Geneva Bible, the chapter and verse divisions employed by Stephanus have been accepted into nearly all the Bible versions.

© Copyright 2002-2015 Got Questions Ministries  [Used with permission.]

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  Chapter and verse was added for convenience in locating Bible texts. I appreciate them as a dandy help to find and to refer. When reading and studying we should not however incise God’s Word according to these handy place markers.

  Now, ignoring chapter and verse divisions read and thoughtfully consider “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” in the context of all Jesus taught in His sermon on the mount, especially considering His opening qualifying statement.

  Now what do you see? Now how do you divide? Please do tell us all what you discover.

EBB4

JUDGING RIGHTLY

JUDGING RIGHTLY

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Psalm 25:4-5; 51-13 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. … Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Luke [GW] 7:36-49  One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went to the Pharisee's house and was eating at the table. A woman who lived a sinful life in that city found out that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house. So she took a bottle of perfume and knelt at his feet. She was crying and washed his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them over and over again, and poured the perfume on them. The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this and thought, "If this man really were a prophet, he would know what sort of woman is touching him. She's a sinner." Jesus spoke up, "Simon, I have something to say to you." Simon replied, "Teacher, you're free to speak." So Jesus said, "Two men owed a moneylender some money. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty. When they couldn't pay it back, he was kind enough to cancel their debts. Now, who do you think will love him the most?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one who had the largest debt canceled." Jesus said to him, "You're right. Then, turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "You see this woman, don't you? I came into your house. You didn't wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn't give me a kiss. But ever since I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You didn't put any olive oil on my head. But she has poured perfume on my feet. That's why I'm telling you that her many sins have been forgiven. Her great love proves that. But whoever receives little forgiveness loves very little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven." The other guests thought, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"

  We are responsible to consider life’s issues.

  Many are hoodwinked by wolves in sheep’s clothing, wicked lambs promising spiritual, physical, financial, political prosperity and security. And then there’s fooling oneself with the blindness that sometimes comes with affection; not wanting to believe and accept the truth about self or those we love and admire.

  Exercising Biblical judgment is not for the faint-hearted or emotionally discombobulated, and especially not for those proudly grounded in self; eyes filled with ego-centric woodwork. Please understand that judgmentalism is not a Holy Spirit ministry gift. It is however a holy spirit mannerism; this latter easily identified by gleeful feelings, joyfulness in criticizing others.

  So what is required when it is necessary to judge?

·         Clear vision! Mt.7:5; 1Cor.2:14; & chapter 13

·         Knowing The Truth so as to discern untruth; equipping to recognize good or bad trees, fruit, and sheep. 1Cor.2:14; 2Tim.2:15-16; 3:16-17; Heb.4:12.

·         Understanding and graciously functioning within our ambassadorial position. Eccl.12:9-14; Prov.1:1-7; 2Cor. chapter 5.

·         A compassionate attitude. Jonah chapters 3 & 4; Rom.12:9; Jam.3:17.

·         Understanding the end hope is always redemption, reconciliation, and edification. 2Cor.5:18-19; Eph.5:14-21.

  In light of rereading the above points and reviewing references from God’s Word, I recognize I have much more to learn and appropriate in order to maintain facility of proper balanced judgment. Ego, prejudice, and embedded culture and party lines lurk nearby at all times . . . and readily creep in during incautious moments. Consequently, as a matter of personal need, I’ve decided to embrace the words of a psalmist as my prayer. I invite you to join me … “Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.” (NLT Ps.119:124-125)  EBB4

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE?

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE?

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Matthew 7:1-5 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Luke [MKJV] 6:39-46  And He spoke a parable to them: Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master, but everyone who is perfect shall be like his master. And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not see the beam that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me pull out the splinter in your eye, when you yourself do not see the beam that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First cast out the beam out of your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to pull out the splinter that is in your brother's eye. For a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit, neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth the good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth the evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. And why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?

2Timothy 3:16-17 Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God's approval.

They equip God's servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things.

  “Is it right to judge?” is question puzzled and argued over by many sincere caring Christians. However, many of the discussions, lessons, sermons I’ve listened to have been devoid of all-inclusive Scripture. The voices selectively emphasizing certain verses from Jesus words recorded in Matthew 7:1-5, their doing so without careful study. To teach not to ever judge comes from the mouth of misguided Christians and produces misguided weak congregations. To judge according to Jesus’ and apostles teaching is our responsibility. But what is taught? In reading Scripture:

·         Jesus commanded “Judge righteous judgment.” Jn.7:24

·         Jesus told a man “you have correctly judged” Lk.7:43

·         To others, Jesus said “Why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?” Lk.12:57; also note 2Thes.3:6 & 1Cor.5:12

·         Never forget we are all under the same standard; God’s Word.

·         Judgment begins with self-examination. Mt.7:5; Lk.6:42; 2Cor.13:5

·         The end goal of judgment should always be good fruit, edification. Lk.6:43-45

·         Judgment is to be done Christ’s way; with love, grace, and forgiveness. Lk.6:46

·         Judgment requires Christ-like example. Lk.6:40, 46; 1Cor.2:13-16

·         To correct, for health, to avoid corruption, judgment is required. 1Cor.5:1-6; 2Tim.3:16-17

·         The blind cannot lead the blind with godly characteristic. Lk.6:39

·         Hypocrites shouldn’t judge, evaluate, profile others. Mt.7:1-5; Lk.6:39-46  Strong’s informs from the Greek, a hypocrite is [G5271] “an actor under an assumed character (stage player), that is, (figuratively) a dissembler”  Dictionary.com defines a dissembler as “to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of: to dissemble one's incompetence in business.”

·         We are to judge as Jesus exemplified; sans condemnation.

·         The Apostle Paul invited judgment. 1Cor.10:15

  So, is it right to judge? When Biblically qualified in character, yes.  EBB4

PS. Having now read the above and looked up Bible references presented . . . are you now judging the author and the content of what he wrote? I hope so, for it is your Christian responsibility.

  

THE WILL OF JUDGMENT

THE WILL OF JUDGMENT

Monday, November 16, 2015

Luke [MKJV] 7:36-43  And one of the Pharisees asked Him [Jesus] to eat with him. And going into the Pharisee's house, He reclined. And behold, a woman, a sinner in the city, knowing that He reclined in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster vial of ointment. And she stood behind Him, weeping at His feet, and she began to wash His feet with tears and wipe them with the hair of her head. And she ardently kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment. But seeing this, the Pharisee who had invited Him, spoke within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, for she is a sinner. And answering, Jesus said to him, Simon, I have something to say to you. And he said, Teacher, speak. There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And they having nothing to pay, he freely forgave both. Then which of them do you say will love him most? And answering, Simon said, I suppose that one to whom he forgave most. And He said to him, You have *judged rightly.

*Strongs: G2919; κρίνω; krinō; kree'-no

Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: -

avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call

in question, sentence to, think.

  The question of to judge or not to judge is a my/our will <-> His Will issue.

  Who hasn’t heard “Judge not!” taught and preached? And possibly missed the irony of the body voicing and/or penning “Thou shalt not judge!” is judging?

  But what does Logos, God’s Word, across-the-board say on the topic?

  In the next few days we together will delve into Scripture in order to discern the whole truth on the matter.

  For our first exercise on the subject, let’s reread Luke 7:36-43 and discern what it teaches on judgment.

EBB4

 

APPROVAL

APPROVAL

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Matthew 6:9-13 [Jesus instructed]  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

  Hmmm…. There is a vast difference in the position of deciding then seeking God’s approval versus aligning with His approved measure and then deciding on ways and means to implement.  EBB4

DIS OR EN?

DIS OR EN?

Friday, November 13, 2015

Exodus [GW today] 6:6-9 "Tell the Israelites, 'I am the LORD. I will bring you out from under the oppression of the Egyptians, and I will free you from slavery. I will rescue you with my powerful arm and with mighty acts of judgment. Then I will make you my people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the forced labor of the Egyptians. I will bring you to the land I solemnly swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your own possession. I am the LORD.'" Moses reported this to the Israelites. But they would not listen to him because they were so discouraged by their back-breaking work.

Psalm 42:5-6a Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God. My soul is discouraged. That is why I will remember you [Jehovah God] …

  The GW translation of Scripture shows “discouragement” in *26 verses, 21 in OT, 5 in NT.

  No argument, people do get discouraged. Some individuals and groups plod in and die discouraged. Discouragement is in my past, but became classroom history and useful tool. How so?

  What is discouragement?

  Digging into the word I understand discouragement meaning away/apart from active/solid courage/valor/daring. Encouragement is precisely the opposite; with active/solid courage/valor/daring.

  As result of personal experience, observation, and Bible study and contemplation I see discouragement or encouragement as commonly being in direct proportion to our standards; my expectations of ought-to-have and my interpretation of success.

  Digging into the Word, I see that for the follower of Christ the choice of standpoint is in inseparable proportion to faith; the measure of trust in self/others/this world as opposed to blessed assurance via reliance on God in diverse circumstances pleasing or punishing.

  This attitude and exercise is also directly connected to our authentically praying “Thy will be done on earth as in heaven.” Earth being the abode of person, home, neighborhood, workplace, nations . . . and assembled or disassembled Christian brethren.

  Let us never forget that “The following is written, "I believed; therefore, I spoke." We have that same spirit of faith. We also believe; therefore, we also speak. We know that the one who brought the Lord Jesus back to life will also bring us back to life through Jesus. He will present us to God together with you. All this is for your sake so that, as God's kindness overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God. That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. We don't look for things that can be seen but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever.” (2Cor.4:13-18)

EBB4

*As is my study habit I read and pondered all in context. I encourage you to today join me in this practice. Ex.6:9; Num.32:9; Deut.1:28; Jos.14:8; 1Sa.17:32; 2Kin.19:26; 2Chr.15:7; Ez.4:4; Job 22:29; 23:16; Ps.42:5-6, 11; 43:5; Is.37:27; 42:4; 51:7; 54:4; Lam.3:20; Ez.13:22; Dan.11:30; 2Cor.4:1; 4:16; Eph.3:13; Col.3:21; 1Thes.5:14 

DEUTERONOMY 20:8

DEUTERONOMY 20:8

Thursday, November 12, 2015

  When confronted with an issue(s), to pray more intelligently I seek answer(s) in God’s Word, study what I find, and ponder its meaning and application. This exercise includes reading commentaries and recalling elder tales. I encourage others to develop this practice. (2Tim.2:2)

  Yesterday I told you of a new word (dizygotic) I learned, and how it set me to thinking about the church is made up of dissimilar individuals serving Immutable God Almighty. Today I awoke with old but now seldom used word on mind, morale, a word common to my formative years. Following habit, I sought and found Deuteronomy 20:8 and pondered it in translations held in my desktop computer:

  (ASV)  And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart melt as his heart.

  (CEV)  Finally, if any of you are afraid, you may go home. We don't want you to discourage the other soldiers.

  (ESV)  And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, 'Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.'

  (GW)  The officers should also tell the troops, "If you are afraid or have lost your courage, you may go home. Then you won't ruin the morale of the other Israelites."

  (ISV)  "Let the officials also speak to the army, 'Is there a man here who is afraid and faint-hearted? Let him go back home. Otherwise, he may demoralize his fellow soldier.'

  (KJV)  And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.

  (LITV)  And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, Who is the man who is afraid, and faint of heart? Let him go and return to his house; then the heart of his brothers will not melt like his heart.

  (MKJV)  And the officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, Who is the man that is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest his brothers' heart faint as well as his heart.

  (Webster)  And the officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted? let him go and return to his house, lest his brethren's heart should faint as well as his heart.

  (YLT)  `And the authorities have added to speak unto the people, and said, Who is the man that is afraid and tender of heart? --let him go and turn back to his house, and the heart of his brethren doth not melt like his heart;

  I then remembered something an old experienced southern preacher told me many decades ago: His church was suffering an olio of problems, including financial and loss of members. Morale was very low. After services families were slipping out the building’s rear door so as to avoid shaking his hand, with a number of them eventually departing permanently. He and others praying for solution were deeply saddened and discouraged by this. Much personal soul-searching was done. Years later they enjoyed a renewed local assembly and the pastor and other elders saw the exodus quite differently and thereafter referred to it as “Our back door revival.”

  People leaving, especially after enjoying most of their life in one local assembly, is a gloomy affair, but it is not necessarily the handwriting on the wall.

EBB4

ODD TO ODD

ODD TO ODD

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1Corinthians chapters 12 & 13

Hebrews [MKJV] 6:17-20; 13:7-8  [Abraham] In this way desiring to declare more fully to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, God interposed by an oath, so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us, which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil, where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. … Remember those leading you, who have spoken to you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct: Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.

  Don’t exactly know when I adopted the habit, but I read that which I don’t understand at the time. I began doing so following the example of another blue-collar that explained that dots often later connect providing knowledge. Reading 1Corinthians chapter 12 & 13 has been like this.

  In the past week I read a 25 page white paper written by a young friend working toward her Master’s degree. The topic is ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder. The personally interesting part was paragraph 3. It describing the three ODD groups; angry/irritable, argumentive/defiant, and vindictive. As I reread several times I was struck with realization that it described 3 in 1 my period of passive aggressive youth.

  As often happens I also was confronted with a new word requiring dictionary search: dizygotic meaning “non-identical / dissimilar”. So far I haven’t been able to dazzle or aggravate anyone with conversation containing the anomalous word.

  What the word has done is sent me to meditating on chapters 12 & 13 in 1Corinthians and notating personal progression of knowledge derived from.

·         Original reading focused on gifts and wanting to know mine.

·         Later readings concluding we are to get along together.

·         Finally, I, we, cannot please our Master without responsibly submissively loving one another.

  Fact is we are a dizygotic bunch of fellows with an extremely non-dizygotic Word to live by.

  Let us continue to move from this world’s ODD behavior to our citizenship in His comparatively odd kingdom.

EBB4

BIBLICAL CONTEMPLATION IS DIVERGENT

BIBLICAL CONTEMPLATION IS DIVERGENT

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to [Nicodemus], ‘Are you the teacher of Israel and do not know these things?”

Luke 6:39  And [Jesus] spoke a parable unto them, “Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall  

       into the ditch?”

Hebrews 4:9-13 So then there remains a rest to the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief. For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight, but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Dear fellow travelers,

  I laid awake much of the night exercising that which my earthly father and heavenly Father with the furthering help of judicious men, women, and children, encouraged and taught me to do; thinking divergently. Divergent ponderance being thinking beyond myopic limiting vision.

  Divergent contemplation is godly. Jesus pointed out this neediness to one of the most educated men in Israel. (Jn.3:1-10) The Apostle Paul later restated the need for the followers of Christ regardless of level of education. (Rom.12:2)

  Biblical divergent consideration requires humility with the end goal of aligning with God’s perfect will. (Rom.12:3) This habit does not come naturally to this man or any other. It is present and eternal profitable work requiring personal submissive discipline. (Jn.8:31; 2Tim.2:15; 3:15-16)

  My waking pondering last night had to do with our home assembly, Benson Baptist Church, suffering individuals and families leaving, diminishing attendance, falling income, and other problems. Pastors Paul and Scott are absolutely correct in urging us to seriously pray for healing. It is this mandate that kept my heart and mind active last night . . .

  To pray for healing means there is sickness; in this case illness of and effecting the entire family. It is easiest to work at diagnosing what members have affected or are effected by, but what of me – am I infectiously ill?

  If so, I first of all need to pray for individual revelation and healing or as an experienced elder I cannot wisely be of assistance to anyone! (Mt.7:1-5; Lk.6:39-46)

  Will you to join me in this very delicate personal surgery?

Sincerely,

EBB4

DIVERGENCE

DIVERGENCE

Monday, November 09, 2015

Ecclesiastes [MKJV] 12:11-14  The words of the wise are like goads; yes, their collected words are like nails driven home; they are given from one Shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be warned: The making of many books has no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether evil.

  Our local assembly finally took note of indicators that we are seriously in trouble. Members leaving with most tight-lipped as to why, dropping attendance and income being the most obvious to one and all, but as with diseased leaves on a tree, there are root problems that require remedy.

  After winning the War of Independence colonial delegates met to establish a Constitution. They immediately fell into disagreement and bickering that threatened to destroy the fledgling American nation. Benjamin Franklin, founding father 81 years of age, rose to his feet and reminded the delegates of their frequent constant praying for God’s intercession during the revolution against Great Britain. The delegates then prayed – and went on to agree on the concise 16 pages of our USA Constitution that is admired and desired ever since. (A few days ago I was in Philadelphia and reminded of this.)

  Fellow travelers in our local assembly, Pastors Paul and Scott, have been encouraging us to pray daily for Benson Baptist Church.

  “Pray for our church.” sounds very much non-specific. I do not believe it is their intent.

  I believe our pastors are assigning us as mature followers of Christ to indeed call upon Jehovah God Almighty on behalf of BBC, but also to discern our individual personal responsibility in contributing unto healing and revitalization.

  I have asked our Lord to intercede as only He can and I believe He is willing if we are corporately submissive to that which He reveals to us.

  I have struggled with the personal responsibility question. (Especially so in consideration of my current limitations.) Awaking yesterday morning the answer was as plain as the white frost on my neighbor’s black roof. Viewing as I ate breakfast the frost faded gradually . . . as did my assurance.

  One thing that was then clear was to skip BBC Sunday attendance and pray. Prayerfully reviewing the morning event I realized full assurance as to direction.

  I’ll soon be nearly as aged as old Ben. I’ve been at BBC for about 20 years.  My church and para-church participation has been constant since trusting Christ as Savior at age 27. Added up it comes to being an elder with knowledge, experience, and credibility.   

  Hence I lay claim to daily hereafter on some points very boldly writing to you because of the grace given me by God. (Rom.15:15; 2Tim.2:2)

Sincerely,

Edwin B. Bullock 4^th (EBB4)

WHICH FORM?

WHICH FORM?

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Dear fellow travelers,

  “ Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” describes the ongoing battle for my mind. Our recent shared question on defining manhood and womanhood was just such an encounter; yet again the clash between reliance on long embedded philosophy of family and culture versus seeking God’s measure.

  Lord forgive and help my haste!

EBB4

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www.GotQuestions.org

Question: "What is biblical manhood?"

Answer: In the postmodern world, few topics invite as much controversy as discussions of gender. Adding a religious dimension makes the concept even more prone to distortion and emotional reactions. Some of what the Bible says about men and women, how they relate, and what God’s expectations are for them, may run contrary to our preferences. Those ideas may conflict with our cultures, upbringing, or the opinions of our peers. And yet, the definition of biblical manhood (and womanhood) is exactly that: biblical, not opinion-driven.
  All the same, even within Christianity, there is significant debate over the best way to apply the Bible’s concepts of manhood and womanhood. How to live out the unique, God-given roles of men and women isn’t quite so easy in practice as it is in theory. So, rather than attempt a detailed explanation of every aspect of biblical manhood, our intent here is only to highlight the topic in broad strokes.
  Biblical manhood can be boiled down to five basic principles, which each man is expected to conform to. These are 1) humility before his God, 2) control of his appetites, 3) protecting his family, 4) providing for his family, and 5) leading his family. Men who fail to meet these expectations are not behaving as “men,” biblically speaking, but as something less noble (Psalm 49:20). Some good examples of biblical manhood in Scripture are Daniel, Caleb, Joshua, Paul, and, of course, Jesus.
  Men and women are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27), something no other creature can claim. This makes every single human being valuable and worthy of respect. And yet, males and females are not identical. We are biologically, psychologically, and emotionally distinct. This is not in any sense a bad thing; God called His original creation, which included distinct genders, “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Biblical manhood must include a godly view of women. Mistreatments of women such as forbidding education, sexual abuse, or denying civil rights are violations of the image-of-God principle. So, too, are attitudes that ignore meaningful differences between the sexes or erase gender roles.
  Critically, note those things that Scripture does not include as part of biblical manhood. Men are not called to be tyrants, ruling a home with an iron fist and a dictator’s attitude. Nor are they instructed to be cowed and weak-kneed toward their families. Nor are men are called on to enforce, in any sense, the biblical ideals of womanhood in their wives. Humility, self-control, protection, provision, and leadership are the man’s responsibilities and his tools. Men are accountable for spiritual leadership within their families, yet each person is ultimately accountable to God for his or her own life.
  The proper perspective for this leadership comes from Ephesians 5:25–32. The goal of every believer’s life is to become more and more like Christ (Romans 8:29). For men in their God-given role, this means leading and loving their wives in the same way Christ loved the church: sacrificially (Ephesians 5:2), through service (John 13:14–15), and in selfless love (Ephesians 5:28). Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equal yet serve different roles, so, too, can men and women be equal in value and in spiritual worth yet have different roles to play.
  The fundamental requirement for biblical manhood is a proper relationship with God (Micah 6:8). This informs and empowers every other responsibility a man has in his life. Humility means an acknowledgement of his imperfection (Romans 3:23), acceptance of Christ for salvation (2 Peter 3:9), and a continual sense of dependence on God (1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 13:15). A godly man will study, learn, and understand the will of God (Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:2) through the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). This gives him the tools to meet all of his other obligations; it does not automatically make his life biblically sound (1 Corinthians 3:2).
  Knowing what God wants is only the first step, as biblical manhood also requires submission to that knowledge. Men are called on to control their urges and appetites (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5), relying on God to overcome temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). Men, according to the Bible, are not to twist the Scripture in order to get their way (Mark 7:8–9) or to match their own preferences (Proverbs 14:12). Instead, they are to follow God’s commands (Proverbs 1:7) instead of their own urges (Romans 6:12; 1 Peter 1:14). This includes the other requirements of biblical manhood, which can be difficult to apply in a humble, godly way.

  Biblical manhood includes the responsibility to protect one’s family. This may mean physically, to the point of laying down his life (Ephesians 5:25). In the Bible, men are called to fight to protect their wives and children (Nehemiah 4:13–14); women are never called to do the same for their husbands. This also involves spiritual protection—consider that Eve sinned first, but Adam was blamed for failing to lead her (Genesis 3:11, 17). Men are instructed to “honor” their wives as a “weaker vessel” (1 Peter 3:7), a phrase that in context invokes something precious, expensive, and valuable. Protecting one’s spouse and family from harm, both spiritual and physical, should be a natural instinct for Christian men.

  Men are also called to be the primary providers for their families. Obviously, this can take different forms, and particular circumstances can change who contributes to family finances. Unemployment, illness, injury, and so forth are circumstances, not deliberate arrangements. Adam’s punishment at the fall was increased pain in his primary responsibility within the family, which was to be a provider (Genesis 3:17–19). Passages such as 1 Timothy 5:9 describe support for widows but not for widowers. Rather, it is men who are singled out to provide for their own families, in the clearest of terms (1 Timothy 5:8). Repeatedly, the Bible calls on men to provide and for women to care for the home.
  The role of leader, both within the church and within a marriage, is also part of biblical manhood. This requirement originates even before the fall, where Adam and Eve shared equality in differing responsibilities (Romans 12:4–5). It is also seen in Adam’s naming of Eve (Genesis 2:23), an act which symbolizes authority. As already referenced, Christ has to be the model for this type of leadership. A man called to lead through love, through service, and through sacrifice. This is not a domineering leadership or a repressive arrogance. Male leadership in the home and in the church is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church.
  Of course, these principles of biblical manhood are easier to understand than to apply. Our fallen nature leads us to resist God’s will (Hebrews 3:15), even when we don’t reject it outright (Romans 7:23–25). Biblical manhood is particularly important, however, as a fundamental part of living out God’s commands. There is nothing “manly,” worthwhile, or commendable about a male who shirks these responsibilities (Proverbs 19:1; 29:1). Nor is there anything admirable about a society that despises the characteristics of a godly man (Jude 1:10).

© Copyright 2002-2015 Got Questions Ministries

TRUSTING LOGOS INCLUDES FEARING HIM

TRUSTING LOGOS INCLUDES FEARING HIM

Friday, November 06, 2015

Psalm [MKJV] 66:16-18 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and exaltations were under my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, Jehovah will not hear;

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether evil.

Romans 8:8-9 Those who are under the control of the corrupt nature can't please God. But if God's Spirit lives in you, you are under the control of your spiritual nature, not your corrupt nature. Whoever doesn't have the Spirit of Christ doesn't belong to him.

1Thessalonians 4:1-2 Now then, brothers and sisters, because of the Lord Jesus we ask and encourage you to excel in living a God-pleasing life even more than you already do. Do this the way we taught you. You know what orders we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

  Yesterday’s DT (WHAT?) explained that how we respond to life’s any diverse questions is always an eternal matter. Joyce responded thusly “Excellent and thoughtful question!  Today I was confronted with the question of my greater fear:  being called homophobe, xenophobe, islamophobe, something- or-other o'phobe or being faithful to what His word teaches?”

  Thank you Joyce for personally giving an example of present eternal moral reverence toward Jehovah God Almighty, He the Ultimate Just Judge.

  Joyce’s incisive unguarded candid comment stimulated me to yet again personally ponder the issue of social rejection or acceptance concerning saintly responsibility: "This message is near you. It's in your mouth and in your heart." This is the message of faith that we spread. If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be saved. By believing you receive God's approval, and by declaring your faith you are saved. Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be ashamed." There is no difference between Jews and Greeks. They all have the same Lord, who gives his riches to everyone who calls on him. So then, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how can people call on him if they have not believed in him? How can they believe in him if they have not heard his message? How can they hear if no one tells the Good News? How can people tell the Good News if no one sends them? As Scripture says, "How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who announce the Good News." (GW Rom.10:8-15)

  Whom do we fear more than all others? Do we fearfully think the stipulations listed in Romans 10 matter? If yes, then do we unashamedly act accordingly in reverent awe of the Lord and proclaim the good news?

  I often am confronted with this everlasting question.

EBB4

  

WHAT?!

WHAT?!

Thursday, November 05, 2015

Dear fellow travelers,

  Life is full of questions. Not a day goes by without being confronted with questions pertaining to the diverse aspects of life – questions that are personal, questions that are corporate having to do with family, friends, company business, community near and far . . . and then there are eternal matters.

  No, wait . . . knowing that God will judge our every word and deed . . . all are eternal matters.

  Knowing there has only been one, God’s only begotten son, Jesus, who has been and continues to be perfect in pleasing God, what are we lesser beings to do?

  The answer to the above predicament is readily available in plain sight: Trust Logos (Jn.1:1) decree and deed; His instruction and example:

·         Jn.5:19, 30; 14:6; 15:5; Lk. 4:8 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. … "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. … "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” … I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. … Jesus answered him [Satan], "It is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'

·         Rom.12:1-3; 2Tim.3:16-17 [Apostle Paul later commenting on the topic] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship [KJV “your reasonable service”]. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. … All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete [KJV “perfect”], equipped for every good work.

  I leave you this morning with a question I often ponder throughout my days: What does God say about this matter before me?

  “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb.13:20-21)

EBB4

PS. All verses today are from ESV translation. Highlighting and [ ] mine.

  

ANSWERS DETERMINE OUTCOME

ANSWERS DETERMINE OUTCOME

Wednesday, November 04, 2015

“In the beginning God created …..”

  There are basic questions to which the answers determine how we walk in life; affecting everything we do. Today I pose a few such questions.

To the males: When did you become a man, and by what measure?

To the females: When did the males in your life become men, and by what measure?

To the females: When did you become a woman, and by what measure?

To the males: When did the females in your life become women, and by what measure?

EBB4