SUN SETTING RESOLUTION

SUN SETTING RESOLUTION

Monday, December 31, 2018

Romans ESV 12:1-3 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. 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.

  As with all areas of maturation, I don’t know when my reasoning for anger changed but it has. I now know that all-about-me self-regarding egoism is unrighteous anger . . . and that there is however a righteous anger; dander toward that which angers God himself.

 EBB4

ARITHMETICKING A NEW YEAR

ARITHMETICKING A NEW YEAR = Sunday, December 30, 2018

From the book of 2Timothy: … God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. … Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. … Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. … And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. … Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. … I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. … The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. (These excerpts are from the Apostle Paul’s second epistle unto Timothy, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians. It was written from Rome at the time Paul was brought before Nero the second time. Please read and consider 2Timothy in its entirety.)

Arithmeticking: the deliberate or unavoidable tick-tock of adding to or subtracting from one’s life. A made-up word by Edwin B. Bullock 4th.

  OK, so what am I going to do in 2019 besides making up a new word and pre-writing 2019 on 12 blank checks hoping it will be habit after 30 or so days?

  As since year 1963 I shall strive to make God’s Word increasingly central to life’s equation by endeavoring to add God’s Truth; wisdom that will be as a prod, words given from The One Shepherd. And by them to be admonished, knowing that in the making many books of man’s ideas there is no end and much study of them is weariness to the body. Desiring with singleness of worldview (Lk.11:33-36) to apply 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 it is evil. (Eccl.12)

   While I was sound asleep at 2:01am January 01, 2010, a Christian brother was not, sending me a note that quantifies it well: “We need to look forward to the new things the Father has for us this new year. It is time to let go of the past and embrace the new year with a stronger relationship with the Lord and our fellow men / women. We need to get out of our comfort zone and reach out to the Father and ask for the Holiness that leads to personal encounter with the Father. For this is what makes us stronger in our faith. Ted” 

   As a part of arithmeticking life I shall continue reading, studying, pondering, personally working at applying needed addition and subtraction, and writing about the sum in Daily Thoughts.

  What are you going to be doing in the way of arithmeticking in 2019? Will you join in adding sums of your spiritual education as edifying inspiration for others?

EBB4 

"I WILL DO THIS"

“I WILL DO THIS”

Friday, December 28, 2018

Luke 12:18

  I had my plans for yesterday beginning with a DT that I’d pondered off and on the day before. It was not to be so.

  Due to power interruption sometime during the night there was no electronics, normally remedied without much trouble, but not so this time. Grandson Derek, skilled at such, even enlisting outside help via phone took several hours to get all equipment operational. The culprit being the little plug-in Wifi extender in the lower level of this home. Instead of boosting the signal it was blocking everything.

  Next up was blocked sewer lines. With me as gofer/helper it took rootarooter Derek several hours to clear the crisscrossed pipes under the concrete floor. Showers, clothes washed in Persil, and fragrant candles are alleviating the stench produced.

  Yesterday was a wonderful *patient time together as we discussed the Truth, history, economics, books and other topics.

EBB4

*Our absence of past angry personas. Mine passive aggressive, Derek’s more overt.

GOD’S GIFT

GOD’S GIFT

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

From the gospel of John [ESV]. Please invest time in reading in context: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. …  to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. … [Jesus, the living Word declaring] "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." … as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

  Our nation, the USA, is an affluent society enabling the giving and receiving of many enjoyable presents this holiday season. But how many of us understand that God’s exceedingly greatest gift is offered to one and all? The current and eternal tragedy is that there are individuals that will not receive His gift and remain condemned now and forever.

  I confess to receiving God’s gift of present and eternal redemption.

  What of you?

EBB4

PS. If you have any questions about God’s gift of eternal salvation please feel free to ask of me. Our conversation will be as private as you command.

CHRISTMAS DRUTHERS

CHRISTMAS DRUTHERS

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

1Thessalonians 5:18-19 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Do not quench the Spirit.

  Being from a different country, Maryland, and cultural era, the GI Generation, folks don’t always understand my parlance. Consequently, after arriving in Nebraska I soon stopped using certain expressions lest I be thought to have webs between my toes.

  One such turn of phrase is “Now if I had my druthers …” meaning “If I had my preference …” (And it isn’t just some Southern idiom. It’s a real word. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/druthers )

  Bogged down in The Christmas Druthers Syndrome some folks will swamp 1Thessalonians gratitude.

  My Dad and Mom were hard workers. Married, starting a family and purchasing a home during the Great Depression era was no easy feat. Dad worked fulltime, and on the side drove cab, cut meat (self-taught) for local Jewish family corner grocery stores, delivered daily newspapers, ran a side business, and was on call to *pickup the deceased for a mortician. Mom worked on military plane radios at Bendix until WWII ended, waitressed banquets and painted and wallpapered (very popular then) then and after, and kept house.

  We lived carefully. Brother Jim and I each had a single pair of shoes at a time, sometimes worn with cereal box inner soles to cover a hole in leather sole and keep our socks from wearing out. (Worked fine except when it rained.)

  According to present day government agency standards we’d be considered living in poverty.

  We were not poor. Not because we were too dumb to know the difference or that many around lived just like us, but because we had everything that mattered, knew so, and were thankful for it!

  Did I have druthers then? Sure did. I would have liked second pair of shoes, snazzy hi-top sneakers like a very few of the other kids wore. I wished I did not to have to wear durable-wearing itchy wool trousers. But there were no druthers that overrode gratitude for extended family love and security.

  I’m thankful we were impressed in that long ago time to live gratefully instead of attitude that throws a wet blanket on one’s spirit.

  I’m thankful that such Proverbs 22:6 childhood training prepared me for later financial times.

  Didn’t know the difference at the time, but oh my what a wonderful Christmas gift!

  Which would you druther have, the latest consumer items or a thankful heart?

EBB4

*This often involved downtown tenement buildings sans elevators. They would place the deceased in a large wicker basket with handles and carry down the narrow stairways to the hearse.

CHRISTMAS AUTHENTICITY INCLUDES GODLY CONFIDENCE

CHRISTMAS AUTHENTICITY INCLUDES GODLY CONFIDENCE

Monday, December 24, 2018

   John [ESV] 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

   1John 3:16-21 By this we know love, that he [Jesus, the Word] laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

  What does today’s above Scripture selections have to do with Christmas? Considerable.

  For many folks Christmas is interpreted by lights, gifts, tinsel, and entertainment – hustle, bustle, and stress. Authentic Christmas means Christ-adoration, worship. Authentic Christmas involves a “quickened” life of Ephesians 1:1; 2:1-3 (Also note Col.2:13; 1Pet.3:18) personal resurrection with its peace and freedom; said peace and freedom heart-centered in confidence toward God and His pledge of physical resurrection. (Phil.3:10)

  Confident godly peace and freedom is inseparable from authentic Christmas. Without our heart confident in and by godliness, Christmas is mere pagan yuletide holiday, tinsel at its utmost.

  Truly, authentic Christmas includes the matter of a confident heart. 

EBB4

PS. Indeed Lord Jesus came to bring “peace on earth”. He did not however say earth at peace. Though I too very much emotionally prefer a whitewashed holiday season, check it out for it too is very much a part of the Christmas story: Luke 2:1-14; Mt.10:32-38; Lk.12:51-53

CHRISTMAS QUESTION

CHRISTMAS QUESTION

I posed the question: Is it possible to have authentic Christmas without Biblically personal resurrection?

Responses:

Several “Nope” or “No” sans any explanation as to why the responders believed so.

CK: Cant answer that until you explain to me what personal resurrection is??

DJK: I have never understood this question of “personal resurrection”. “Born again” or much better “born from above” is the word the Bible uses.

EBB4 in reply to CK & DJK: Ephesians [MKJV] 1:1; 2:1-3  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus. … And He has made you alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also had our way of life in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [Col.2:13; 1Pet.3:18]

Jim wrote: Ed, "Authentic Christmas" without personal resurrection would mean your Christmas would be secular Xmas. On the other hand, I'm not sure what you mean by "personal resurrection" unless you are referring to being dead to sin and then being spiritually resurrected.   [I do. Jn.3:3; Eph.2:1-10]

Patty wrote: Good question, I’m not sure but I think that celebrating Christmas may lead to personal resurrection. Especially if we are talking about Jesus during the Christmas season.

Al wrote: Well our Lord Himself was resurrected and one day we also will be resurrected physically.  At this present time we have been resurrected in a newness of life but not yet bodily. Without faith it is impossible to please him [Heb.11:6], so in order for one to have an authentic Christmas one must have faith that Jesus Christ personally came here in the flesh. That He came for us by name as an individual and He shed his blood for the remission of our sins, He was crucified, He was raised from the dead, He ascended into heaven and is coming back for us one day. I say one can celebrate Christmas as a holiday, but without a genuine belief that Christ resurrected from the dead there is no true Christmas.

Anon.: John 11:25  Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in Me, though he die, yet he shall live. …

Summarizing responses from several others; Without John 3:3 rebirth and the resultant “mind of Christ” (1Cor.2:1-16) we cannot spiritually clearly see the kingdom or King Jesus. Consequently those without John 3:3 personal resurrection celebrate a cultural Christmas sans trusting belief in the Word living (Jesus) and written (The Bible).  

One punster said without personal John 3:3 rebirth with its enlightened sight it is like worshipping an orange when you’ve never really seen or tasted one.

EBB4

AN ESSENTIAL CHRISTMAS QUESTION

AN ESSENTIAL CHRISTMAS QUESTION

Friday, December 21, 2018

Is it possible to have authentic Christmas without Biblically personal resurrection?

EBB4

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

From: allaboutgod.com

Attributes of God – The Meaning

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” So says A.W. Tozer in his classic book on the attributes of God, The Knowledge of the Holy. Why would he make such an extreme pronouncement? Tozer goes on to say, “Man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshipper entertains high or low thoughts of God.”

  In our hearts we know the above is true. It is not enough to follow “god.” That word has come to mean so many different things today that it actually means very little. If we just make up our own minds concerning what He is like, then we are just creating an idol in our heads.

Attributes of God – The Basis

Jesus came to reveal the God of the Bible. And God has revealed Himself in His book. Any deviation from that insight from Him is a made-up god. Tozer in Knowledge of the Holy finds 18 characteristics of God in the Bible. They are repeated here, although not in the same order. Tozer’s definitions, when used, will appear in quotes.

  The Bible says to praise God for who He is, especially in prayer. Much of Psalms is a good example of this. Most people concentrate their praise in just a few areas, such as God’s love, and then spend the rest of their prayers asking Him for things. (So that you can remember all of the attributes of God they are presented in the order of this acronym: WISH TO FLOSS JIM EGGO.)

Attributes of God – The Characteristics

Wisdom: “Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve these ends by the most perfect means.” In other words, God makes no mistakes. He is the Father who truly knows best, as Paul explains in Romans 11:33: “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!”

Infinitude: God knows no boundaries. He is without measure. This attribute by definition impacts all of the others. Since God is infinite, everything else about Him must also be infinite.

Sovereignty: This is “the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” It is the application of His other attributes of being all-knowing and all-powerful. It makes Him absolutely free to do what He knows to be best. God is in control of everything that happens. Man still has a free will, and is responsible for his choices in life.

Holiness: This is the attribute that sets God apart from all created beings. It refers to His majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in God at all. His holiness is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe. Wherever God has appeared, such as to Moses at the burning bush, that place becomes holy just for God having been there.

Trinity: Though the actual word is not used in the Bible, the truth of God revealing Himself in three persons is included. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all called God, given worship as God, exist eternally, and are involved in doing things only God could do. Although, God reveals Himself in three persons, God is One and cannot be divided. All are involved completely whenever One of the Three is active.

Omniscience: “God possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn. God has never learned and cannot learn.” Omniscience means all-knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is impossible to hide anything from God.

Faithfulness: Everything that God has promised will come to pass. His faithfulness guarantees this fact. He does not lie. What He has said in the Bible about Himself is true. Jesus even said that He is the Truth. This is extremely important for the followers of Jesus because it is on His faithfulness that our hope of eternal life rests. He will honor His promise that our sins will be forgiven and that we will live forever with Him.

Love: Love is such an important part of God’s character that the apostle John wrote, “God is love.” This means that God holds the well-being of others as His primary concern. For a full definition of love, read 1 Corinthians 13. To see love in action, study the life of Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of others is the ultimate act of love. God’s love is not a love of emotion but of action. His love gives freely to the object of its affection, those who choose to follow His son Jesus.

Omnipotence: Literally this word means all-powerful. Since God is infinite and since He possesses power, He possesses infinite power. He does allow His creatures to have some power, but this in no way diminishes His own. “He expends no energy that must be replenished.” When the Bible says God rested on the seventh day, it was to set an example for us and our need for rest, not because He was tired.

Self-existence: When Moses asked who he was talking to in the burning bush, God said, “I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS.” God has no beginning or end. He just exists. Nothing else in all the universe is self-caused. Only God. In fact, if anything else had created Him, that thing would be God. This is a difficult concept for our minds since everything else we will ever encounter comes from something other than itself. The Bible says, “In the beginning, God.” He was already there.

Self-sufficiency: The Bible says that God has life in Himself (see John 5:26). All other life in the universe is a gift from God. He has no needs and there is no way He can improve. To God, nothing else is necessary. He does not need our help with anything, but because of His grace and love, He allows us to be a part of advancing His plan on earth and being a blessing to others. We are the ones who change, but never God. He is self-sufficient.

Justice: The Bible says that God is just, but it is His character that defines what being just really is. He does not conform to some outside criteria. Being just brings moral equity to everyone. When there are evil acts, justice demands there be a penalty. Since God is perfect and has never done evil, no penalty would ever be necessary; however, because of His love, God paid the penalty for our evil deeds by going to the cross Himself. His justice needed to be satisfied, but He took care of it for all who will believe in Jesus.

Immutability: This simply means that God never changes. It is why the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Mercy: “Mercy is the attribute of God which disposes Him to be actively compassionate.” Since God’s justice is satisfied in Jesus, He is free to show mercy to all those who have chosen to follow Him. It will never end since it is a part of God’s nature. Mercy is the way He desires to relate to mankind, and He does so unless the person chooses to despise or ignore God at which time His justice becomes the prominent attribute.

Eternal: In some ways, this fact about God is similar to His self-existence. God always has been and will forever be, because God dwells in eternity. Time is His creation. It is why God can see the end from the beginning, and why He is never surprised by anything. If He were not eternal, God’s promise of eternal life for those who follow Jesus would have little value.

Goodness: “The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men.” This attribute of God is why He bestows all the blessing He does on His followers. God’s actions define what goodness is, and we can easily see it in the way Jesus related to the people around Him.

Gracious: God enjoys giving great gifts to those who love Him, even when they do not deserve it. Grace is the way we describe that inclination. Jesus Christ is the channel through which His grace moves. The Bible says, “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Omnipresence: This theological term means “always present.” Since God is infinite, His being knows no boundaries. So, clearly He is everywhere. This truth is taught throughout the Bible as the phrase “I am with you always” is repeated 22 times in both the Old and New Testaments. These were even Jesus’ words of assurance just after giving the challenge to His disciples to take His message to the entire world. This is certainly a comforting truth for all who follow Jesus.

Attributes of God – The Conclusion

This is the description of the God of the Bible. All other ideas about God are false gods. They are from the imagination of mankind. By learning the attributes of God, you may praise God for who He really is and for how each of His attributes impacts your life in a positive way.

GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE

GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Something to consider this day:

Deuteronomy [MKJV] 7:6-7 For you are a holy people to Jehovah your God. Jehovah your God has chosen you to be a special people to Himself above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

Jehovah did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people, for you were the fewest of all people.

  It is reported that Napoleon asked his chaplain if he could prove the Bible in one word. The response was “Jew.”

  Janie B. Chaney in her essay CHOSEN and HATED (WORLD magazine 12/8/18) explains “God shaped them into a people who would bear His mark forever. As such, they would make an outsized impression on the world. How could they not?” And they have and will continue to do so!

EBB4

OCCUPYING

OCCUPYING

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

2Timothy [GW] 2:4-8  Whoever serves in the military doesn't get mixed up in non-military activities. This pleases his commanding officer. Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules. A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops. Understand what I'm saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. Always think about Jesus Christ. He was brought back to life and is a descendant of David. This is the Good News that I tell others.

  Have you ever read THE POST-PETROLEUM SURVIVAL GUIDE AND COOKBOOK? No? Maybe you heard of it or other books on the topic for it and other such books sold quite well in the 1880s, 1920s, and 1990s. Then there was my public school days being taught in elementary school and thereafter that we not only would run out of oil but there wouldn’t be enough food produced to feed our growing population. It didn’t happen.

  My point being that as the Lord’s servants we are not to be distracted from our mission. We are to occupy in His glad service until His return or death takes us. (Lk.19:13 )

EBB4

BE THOU STRONG

BE THOU STRONG

[Monday, December 17, 2018]

Jos 1:5  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Jos 1:6  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Jos 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Jos 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Jos 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  I have found at least twenty-nine places in the Bible that say, “be strong”. I like them all, but especially the one in Joshua where it says, “…the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” (vs.9)

  I have felt God’s presence as I have walked through the valley of grief. I have drawn courage from Him as I faced the machine guns in foreign lands and I have known His strength as I ministered to the dying.

  Yes! I know beyond all doubt that God goes with me and in Him I am strong!

Leslie Nivens

#9 of 10 REASONS I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD

# 9 of Ten Reasons Why I Believe The Bible Is The Word Of God by R. A. Torrey

NINTH, on the ground of the fact that as we grow in knowledge and holiness we grow toward the Bible.

Every thoughtful person when he starts out to study the Bible finds many things with which he does not agree, but as he goes on studying and growing in likeness to God, the nearer he gets to God the nearer he gets to the Bible. The nearer and nearer we get to God's standpoint the less and less becomes the disagreement between us and the Bible. What is the inevitable mathematical conclusion? When we get where God is, we and the Bible will meet. In other words, the Bible was written from God's standpoint.

Suppose you are traveling through a forest under the conduct of an experienced and highly recommended guide. You come to a place where two roads diverge. The guide says the road to the left is the one to take, but your own judgment passing upon the facts before it sees clear evidence that the road to the right is the one to take. You turn and say to the guide,

"I know you have had large experience in this forest, and you have come to me highly recommended, but my own judgment tells me clearly that the road to the right is the one we should take, and I must follow my own judgment. I know my reason is not infallible, but it is the best guide I have."

But after you have followed that path for some distance you are obliged to stop, turn around and go back and take the path which the guide said was the right one.

After a while you come to another place where two roads diverge. Now the guide says the road to the right is the one to take, but your judgment clearly says the one to the left is the one to take, and again you follow your own judgment with the same result as before.

After you had this experience forty or fifty times, and found yourself wrong every time, I think you would have sense enough the next time to follow the guide.

That is just my experience with the Bible. I received it at first on the authority of others. Like almost all other young men, my confidence became shaken, and I came to the fork in the road more than forty times, and I followed, my own reason, and in the outcome found myself wrong and the Bible right every time, and I trust that from this time on I shall have sense enough to follow the teachings of the Bible whatever my own judgment may say.

Proverbs [GW] 1:1-7; 32:8-9 The proverbs of Solomon, David's son who was king of Israel, given to grasp wisdom and discipline, to understand deep thoughts, to acquire the discipline of wise behavior- righteousness and justice and fairness- to give insight to gullible people, to give knowledge and foresight to the young- a wise person will listen and continue to learn, and an understanding person will gain direction- to understand a proverb and a clever saying, the words of wise people and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline. … The LORD says, "I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you. Don't be stubborn like a horse or mule. They need a bit and bridle in their mouth to restrain them, or they will not come near you."

PROOF OF INSUFFICIENCY?

PROOF OF INSUFFICIENCY?

Friday, December 7, 2018

   Mark [ESV] 12:24 Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?

   2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

  A number of contemporary polls indicate the failure rate of Christian marriages is not much different than non-Christian. Some tout this as proving the insufficiency of God’s Word in these modern times.  Not true, for it is as ridiculous as claiming Lifebuoy brand soap no longer will cleanse people. The failure being in non-application. Then there’s the matter of how surveyees deem themselves Christian; Biblically or some such believing in the God of their convenient understanding apart from “Thy Word is Truth”? {Jn.17:17]

  Has “Thou shalt not steal.” ever stopped thievery without submissive application? No more than traffic signals control drivers.

EBB4

SUFFICIENCY?

SUFFICIENCY?

Thursday, December 6. 2018

   Isaiah 44 [MKJV]  … So says Jehovah, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb, I am Jehovah who makes all things; who stretches out the heavens alone; who spreads out the earth; who was with Me? … who brings to nothing the signs of the liars, and makes diviners mad; who turns the wise backward, and makes their knowledge foolish; who makes the word of His servant sure, and makes good the counsel of His messengers; …

   John 17 [Jesus said] And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I am glorified in them. … I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray for You to take them out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify [to purify and make holy] them through Your truth. Your Word is truth. As You have sent Me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. And I sanctify Myself for their sakes, so that they also might be sanctified in truth….

   2Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue, through which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

  I believe the doctrine most under attack in the church today is the sufficiency of God’s Word; the spreading belief that in these modern times there are wiser ways of “Doing church.” This is akin to the serpent’s better way of and by knowing more than God’s way; in practice inadvertently (or in some cases, deliberately) directing people away from God’s sanctifying Truth.

  As I reviewed today’s Scripture and other related passages I’m reminded that churches propagating and emphasizing psychology, marketing schemes, entertainment et al are being contrary to Biblical life and godliness; godliness in manhood, womanhood, confidence, relationships, marriage, parenting, church growth, church discipline,  leadership, ministry, philosophy, wisdom, honor, decency and much more pertaining to life here and thereafter.

  To say the knowledgeable ways of God’s Word is insufficient in these modern times is a yeast problem. (Gal.5:1-9)

EBB4

GAINING AND MAINTAINING A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

GAINING AND MAINTAINING A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

   Romans [MKJV] 12:1-3  I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

   2Timothy 4:1-4  Therefore I solemnly witness before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead according to His appearance and His kingdom, preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths.

   Hebrews 5:12-14  For indeed because of the time, you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again what are the first principles of the oracles of God. And you have become in need of milk, and not of solid food. For everyone partaking of milk is unskillful in the Word of Righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, even those who because of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

  Gaining and maintaining a Biblical worldview requires dedicated Romans 12:1-3 worship beyond Sunday singing, praying, hearing bulletin announcements, a sermon, and enjoyable potluck fellowships. Though daily devotional moments are beneficial, it requires more than that for when faced with philosophies other than God presents in His Word, we must be able to recognize the distinction and at least in our own heart be equipped to refute, and hopefully also do so publically.

  I consider expository teaching/learning important, but how often in daily living are we challenged in this way. Most of our challenges, especially from non-Biblical and/or anti-Biblical people will be topical; about a particular subject.

  To this end I encourage acquiring topical lists that you can access and study. A favorite tool of mine is WHERE TO FIND IT IN THE BIBLE, The Ultimate A to Z Resource to Over 3,700 Topics, by Ken Anderson. This helpful book simply, without commentary, lists Bible verses by topic. Recently an inmate requested that I mail her a personally helpful short list. The last few days I’ve been working on compilation of a few pages available for postal mailing and other use. For your exercise and input here’s what I have so far:

GOD’S YELLOW PAGES

CHRISTIAN VIRTUES & CHARACTER; MATURATION

Abstinence: 1Cor.7:1-5; 1Thes.5:6-8

Abundant life: Ps.31:19; Jn.10:10-18

Accountability: 2Sam.12:1-15; Mt.25:14-30; Lk.12:48; 19:11-27; Rom.14:12

Ambition: Ps.119:1-5; Pr.10:5; Eph.6:10-18

Brotherly love: Jn.13:34-35

Chastity: Pr.2:10-22; Col.3:5; 2Tim.2:22

Cheerfulness: Jn.14:1-3; Heb.13:5-6

Citizenship: Mt.22:17-21; Rom.13:1-7; Tit.3:1

Cleanliness: Ex.40:32; 2Cor.7:1

Concentration: Ps.119; Neh.5:16; Job13:17; Pr.4:25; Act1:14; Heb.2:1-3; 3:1; 1Pet.10-12

Confidence: Ex.14:5-14; Num.14:8-9; 1Sam.2:9; 17:32-39; Ps.11:29-40

Conscious of sin: Pr.28:13

Consecration: Eccl.12: 10-14; Rom.12:1-2

Consistency: Mt.7:16-20, 24-27

Contentment: Phil.4:11-13; 1Tim.6:6

Courage: Ps.27:14; Phil.1:27

Diligence: Mt.24:43-51; Lk.2:49; Rom.12:11

Discretion: Rom.12:1-3; Eph.5:15-17

Duty: Lk.20:21-25; Jn.9:4

Endurance: Lk.21:9-19; 2Tim.2:3

Enthusiasm: Ex.35:21; Ps.24

Faith: Mt.8:5-13; Mk.11: 22-24

Faithfulness: Mt.25:23; Mk.13; 34-37; Lk.19:13

Forgiveness: Mt.18:21-35; Mk.11:25-26; Eph.4:31-32

Fortitude: Gal.6:9

Freedom: Jn.8:31-36

Friendliness: Rom.12:15-16

Friendship: 1Sam.18:1-4; Jn.15:12-15

Fruitfulness: Jn.15:1-8

Generosity: Lk.6:38

Gentleness: Gen.33:1-11; Mt.5:5; 2Tim.2:24-26; Tit.3:1-2; Jam.3:13, 17

Godliness: Tit.2:11-14

Gratitude: Phil.4:6

Happiness: Mt.5:3-12; Jn.15:11

Holiness: Gen.6:9; 1Pet.1:13-16

Honesty: Mt.21:28-31; 2Cor.8:21

Honor: Ex.20:12; Mt.15:4; Jn.19:25-27; Eph.6:1-3; 1Pet.2:17

Hope: 1Pet.1:13; Tit.2:11-14; 1Pet.1:3

Humility: Gen.2:7; Pr.22:4; Mt.18:4; 23:12; Lk.18:9-14; Phil.2:3-11; Jam.4:6-10; 1Pet.5:5-6

Influence: Ruth4:11; Mt.5:13-16

Integrity: Jn.3:18-21; 1Cor.15:58

Intelligent spirituality: Ps.1; Proverbs; 1Cor.2:10-16; Jam.1:5-7

Joy: Lk.10:20; Jn.15:11

Judging spiritually: 1Cor.2:12-16

Justice: Rom.13:7-8

Kindness: Col.3:12-13

Labor: Jn.9:4

Liberality: 2Cor.8:9

Love/charity: Ex.20:6; Duet.5:10; Lk.10:27; Jn.14:15, 23; 15:10; 1Cor.13; 1Jn.4:7-12

Loyalty: Rev.2:2-3

Marriage: Mk.10:2-12

Meekness: Mt.5:5

Mercy: Mt.5:7

Obedience: Mt.7:21-27; Jn.14:15-24; Acts5:29; Rom.1:13:1-7

Overcoming: Jn.16:33; Rev.2:7; 3:5

Patience: Heb.10:36-37

Peacefulness: Jn.14:27; Rom.12:18

Perseverance: Mk.13:5-13; Heb.3:14

Piety: Tit.26-8

Prayerful: Ps.4; 42; Lk.11:1-13; Jn.17; Eph.6:18; 1Jn.5:14-15

Protected: Ps.18:1-3; 34:7

Prudence: Jam.1:19-20

Pure thinking: Phil.4:8

Purity: Mt.5:27-32; 2Tim.2:22

Reading God’s Word: Ps.1; 119; Mt.24:35; Jn.5:39

Resolution: Eph.6:10-18

Reverence: Ps.89:7

Righteousness: Mt.5:6; 6:33; Jn.3:13-21; 16:7-11

Saved/sealed: Jn.3; 5:24; Rom.10:9-11; 2Cor.1:20-22

Sincerity: Mt.7:15-29; Phil.1:9-10

Steadfastness: 1Cor.15:58

Stewardship: 1Cor.4:2; 2Cor.9:6-7

Sympathy: 1Pet.3:8-9

Temperance: 1Cor.9:25-27; 1Thes.5:6-8

Thankful: Ps.100; iThes.5:18; Heb.13:5

Trust: Ps.37:3-5; Pr.3:5-6

Truth: Jn.14:6; 17:17; Eph.4:14-15

Truthfulness: Eph.4:14-15

Victory: Job13:15; Jn.16:33; 1Cor.15:57; 1Jn.5:4; Rev.19:11-21

Watchfulness: Mk.13:34-37

Worship: Lk.2:41-49; 4:16; Jn.4:23-24

Zeal: Jn.2:13-17; Rom.12:11

TEACHINGS ABOUT LIFE’S PROBLEMS

Adultery: Ex.20:14; Pr.7:6-23; Mt.5:27-32

Adversity: Lev.26:14-16; Deut.28;45-48; 32:24; Mt.10:16-39; Rom.8:28; Heb.12:5-11

Afraid: Ps.4:8; 34:4; Mt.10:28; 2Tim.1:7; Heb.13:5-6

Anger: Mt.5:22-24 (DT file available)

Anxiety: Ps.46; Mt.6:19-34; Phil.4:6; 1Pet.5:6-7

Backsliding: Ps.51; 1Jn.1:4-9

Bereaved: Mt.5:4; 2Cor.1:3-4

Bitter/critical: 1Cor.13

Conceit: Lk.18:9-14

Covetousness: Mk.7:21-23

Crime: Mt.15:11, 17:20

Death: Lk.16:19-31; Jn.11:25-26

Deceit: Mt.23:27-28

Defeated: Rom.8:31-39

Depravity: Jn.3:19-21

Depressed: Ps.34; Phil.4:4-10

Disaster threatens: Ps.91; 118:5-6; Lk.8:22-25

Discouraged: Ps.23; 42:6-11; 55:22; Mt.5:11,12; 2Cor.4:8-18; Phil.4:4-10

Divorce: Mk.10:2-12

Doubting: Mt.8:26; 14:28-31; Heb.11; 13:5

Drunkenness: Lk.21:34-36

Enemies: Mt.5:43-48

Excuses: Lk.14:15-24

Extravagance: Lk.12:16-31; 1Tim.6:7-12

Facing crisis: Ps.121; Mt.6:25-34: Heb.11

Faith failing: Ps.42:5; Heb.11

False confidence: Mt.6:22-24

Fault finding: Mt.7:1-5

Fear: Lk.12:5

Flesh: Rom.13:14

Friends fail: Deut.13:6-9; Ps.41:9-13; Lk.17:3-4; Rom.12:14-21; 2Tim.4:16-18

Godliness (lacking): 1Tim.3:5

Greed: Mt.16:24-27; Lk.12:15-31

Hatred/enemies: Mt.5:43-48

Hypocrisy: Mt.23:27-28

Influence (bad): Ex.23:2; Deut.23:4, 29-32; 18:9-13; Jer.16:10-12; Mt.13:24-30; 18:6; Mk.9:42

Intemperance: Lk.21:34-36

Judged by the law of liberty: Jam.2:12

Judging egocentrically: Mt.7:1-5

Leaving home: Ps.121; Mt.10:16-20

Licentious: Gen.39;6-18; Pr.6:27-29; Eph.4:19

Lip service: Mt.7:21

Lonely: Ps.23; Heb.13:5-6

Lust: Mk.4:18-19

Lying: Mt.26:69-75

Needing God’s protection: Ps.27:1-3; 91; Phil.4:19

Needing guidance: Ps.32:8-9; Pr.3:5-6

Needing peace: 14:1-4; 16:33; Rom.5:1-5; Phil.4:6-7

Needing rules for life: 10 Commandment; Beatitudes; Rom.12

Overcome: Ps.6; Rom.8:31-39; 1Jn.1:4-9

Revenge: Mt.5:43-48

Salvation: Jn.3; 5:24; Rom.10:9-11

Self-exaltation: Lk.14:11

Self-righteousness: Lk.18:11-12

Sick/in pain: Ps.38; Mt.26:39; Rom.5:3-5; 2Cor.12:9-10; 1Pt.4:12-19

Sin: Jn.8:24, 34-36

Sorrowful: Ps.51: Mt.5:4; Jn.14; 2Cor.1:3-4; 1Thes..4:13-18

Submission: 1Pet.2:13-17

Swearing: Mt.5:33-37; Col.3:8

Tempted: Ps.1; 139:23-24; Mt.26:41; 1Cor.10:12-14; Phil.4:8; Jam.4:7; 2Pet.2:9-17

Traveling: Ps.121

Tribulation: Jn.16:33

Trouble (in): Ps.16 & 31; Jn.14:1-4; Heb.7:25

Truth (wondering): Jn.14:6

Weary: Ps.90; Mt.11:28030; 1Cor.15:58; Gal.6:9-10

Worldliness: 1Jn.2:15-17

Worried: Mt.6:19-34; 1Pet.5:6-7

Reminder: Please don’t treat this list as complete. It is far from being complete topically in addressing the topics listed herein, plus there are many many more Bible topics to be referenced. If interested in further study of a topic(s) whether listed here or not, write me and ask and I’ll provide list of Bible verses.

EBB4

THE SOURCE

THE SOURCE

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

1Corinthians 2:12-16 [GW] Now, we didn't receive the spirit that belongs to the world. Instead, we received the Spirit who comes from God so that we could know the things which God has freely given us. We don't speak about these things using teachings that are based on intellectual arguments like people do. Instead, we use the Spirit's teachings. We explain spiritual things to those who have the Spirit. A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the teachings of God's Spirit. He thinks they're nonsense. He can't understand them because a person must be spiritual to evaluate them. Spiritual people evaluate everything but are subject to no one's evaluation. "Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can teach him?" However, we have the mind of Christ.

  Has anyone ever blessed you with some variation of “The Source be with you!” or the old way of wishing others “Good luck!”? There’s a Source teacher airing on PBS that is drawing crowds in person and as viewers. As I watched the TV cameras scan the auditorium I saw spellbound expressions, but not one skeptical countenance.

  Everyone has a source they rely on for how they see and act in life and react to life’s joys and trials, including death. For professing Christians this should be centered in the Word of God, living (Jn.1:1, 14), and written (Mt.4:4; 2Tim.3:16-17). The Bible should never ever be one of several in a Christian’s kit!

EBB4

WISDOM AND PEACE

WISDOM AND PEACE

1Kings 5:12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

  Isn’t strange that we human beings can acquire knowledge, we can study and earn degrees and diplomas and still not gain wisdom.

  In 2Timothy [2:15-16], Paul tells us “Study . . . and rightly divide” the words of truth. This world may never know peace until Jesus comes, but the wisdom we gain by following Paul’s advice will give us an inward peace that separates us from the world.

Leslie Nivens

#8 of 10 REASONS I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD

# 8 of Ten Reasons Why I Believe The Bible Is The Word Of God by R. A. Torrey

EIGHTH, on the ground of the inexhaustible depth of the book.

Nothing has been added to it in eighteen hundred years, yet a man like Bunsen, or Neander, cannot exhaust it by the study of a lifetime. George Müller read it through more than one hundred times, and said it was fresher every time he read it. Could that be true of any other book?

But more wonderful than this-not only individual men but generations of men for eighteen hundred years have dug into it and given to the world thousands of volumes devoted to its exposition, and they have not reached the bottom of the quarry yet. A book that man produces man can exhaust, but all men together have not been able to get to the bottom of this book. How are you going to account for it? Only in this way-that in this book are hidden the infinite and inexhaustible treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God.

A brilliant Unitarian writer, in trying to disprove the inspiration of the Bible, says: "How irreligious to charge an infinite God with having written His whole Word in so small a book." He does not see how his argument can be turned against himself. What a testimony it is to the divinity of this book that such infinite wisdom is stored away in so small a compass.

Isaiah [MKJV] 40:1-8 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak lovingly to the heart of Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is done, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received of Jehovah's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him who cries in the wilderness, Prepare the way of Jehovah, make straight a highway in the desert for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked places shall be made level, and the rough places smooth; and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken. The voice said, Cry! And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the beauty of it is as the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the Spirit of Jehovah blows on it; surely the people is grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the Word of our God shall stand forever.

1Peter [MKJV] 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of men as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls out, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the Word preached as gospel to you.