VISION ISSUES

VISION ISSUES

Friday, June 03, 2016

Job [KJV] 13:15a Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him

John [ESV] 3:1-10 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

“For many the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. But the precepts are not new. They are eternal.” (Heard in Maryland Bible Institute class many decades ago.)

  Grandmother McGee to me I’d see things right before my eyes but not see what was happening. I didn’t dare tell her but thought her goofy, making no sense at all.

  My vision did clarify as I aged, especially so when I began to see the kingdom of heaven, largely in no longer viewing life as the bugs on the windshield. At age 27 I began seeing all issues as no longer narrowly social and political, but as spiritual, having to do with the kingdom of God and our individual standing within or without the realm of the Eternal King.

  This truth is no New Testament (NT) revelation revealed in Jesus’ latter-day explanation recorded in John 3.

  There are examples recorded throughout the Old Testament (OT). I chose Job to illustrate as he was the first story that revealed to me that seeing the kingdom of heaven is not exclusively something Jesus brought about beginning with the NT.

  Job definitely saw the financial, family, marriage, health calamities that beset him. But, though not understanding fully the WHY, he also clearly saw with eternal vision beyond present dilemmas, declaring in response to the opinions of his short-sighted friends “Your wisdom and arguments are as delicate as dust. Be quiet while I speak, then say what you will. I will be responsible for what happens to me. God may kill me, but still I will trust him and offer my defense.” (GW Job13:12-15)

  I pray that my double-vision develops until the moment it finally becomes one dimensional.

  How now do you see all this?

EBB4

PS: “Kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” re used interchangeably in God’s Word.

WORD FOR WORD

WORD FOR WORD

Thursday, June 02, 2016

Matthew ESV 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

Ephesians 1:11-14 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

“ … put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, … be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. … And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians chapter 4. Please read in entirety.

  Being a new creation, born-again, is an absolute, for once we trust Lord Jesus Christ our eternal salvation is settled. It is no longer a question to be repeatedly rehashed or suffer anxiety over. (Jn.1:12, 10:28-29; Rom.8:33-34, 38-39; 2Cor.5:17; Eph.1:11-14; 4:30b)

  Living as His new creation is an entirely different story. Whereas our eternal redemption is absolutely indisputably sealed, our service as His disciple is not at all so; the reason being His work for us is complete and incontrovertible, whereas our work for Him throughout the remainder of our days this side of heaven is controvertible, depending on us. If we read the Word at length we soon discover that little space is dedicated to salvation but much of it is about that which the Apostle Paul highlighted in Philippians 2:12: Now that we are running His race, how we emulate His pacing is up to us.

  There again the answer lies in the Word. As we received John 1:1-13 family-membership in and through the Word, we discover family-life direction and application in and by the Word.

EBB4

  

MAINTAING HEALTHY STABLISHMENT

MAINTAINING HEALTHY STABLISHMENT

Wednesday, June 01, 2016

Ephesians 3:16-21 That he [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Colossians 2:6-7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

1Timothy 4:4-7 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified [set apart holy] by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

  Reading Leonard J. Pitts op-ed in this morning’s Omaha World-Herald jogged my memory, and reminded me yet again of the importance of my studying the Word.

  In commenting on current version of miniseries ROOTS he wrote that everything was different after the 1977 first airing of ROOTs. Millennials have never known a world without 500 TV networks, making it difficult for them to imagine only 3 networks and no home recorders, making single shows or series a communal event that stirred society.

  Though I’m a GI Generation fellow that experienced I had forgotten TV events then was quite different than now.

  It is good to have read (red) the Word of God. It is far better to read (reed) His Word lest I stumble as an elder striving to keep brethren “in remembrance of these things.”

  Thank you Lord for reminding me through the words of Mr. Pitts roots must be ertilized more than once in the past.

EBB4

THE HEALED RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE

THE HEALED RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

John [MKJV] 5:2-9 Now there is a pool at the Sheep Gate at Jerusalem, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, of blind, lame, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and troubled the water. Then whoever first stepped in after the troubling of the water was made whole of whatever disease he had. And a certain man was there, who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying, and knowing that he had spent much time, He said to him, Do you desire to be made whole? The infirm man answered Him, Sir, when the water is troubled, I have no one to put me into the pool. But while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus says to him, Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made whole and took up his bed and walked. And it was a sabbath on that day.

  It is recorded that Jesus healed, and that we are encouraged to pray for God’s healing.

  Picture this: You are ill, debilitated and largely hindered. You are taken to a facility promising help. As you lay on the examination table a practitioner walks in and asks “Do you want to be healed?” . . .  After you were restrained, calmed down, and the police left ….

  Of course you’d want to be healed, right?!

  Wait, if I’m healed physically, emotionally, from addiction, delivered from criminal activity, self-centeredness, the sick life I live . . . then I am expected to carry and walk; Learn of, accept, and work at what will then be my new load of responsibilities. Much more will be expected of me.

  Do I really want to be healed? is the question.

John 5:10-14 Therefore the Jews said to him who had been healed, It is the sabbath. It is not lawful for you to take up the bed. He answered them, He who made me whole said to me, Take up your bed and walk. Then they asked him, Who is the man who said to you, Take up your bed and walk? And he did not know Him who had cured him, for Jesus had moved away, a crowd being in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, Behold, you are made whole. Sin no more lest a worse thing come to you.

EBB4

PS: It is also noteworthy that the man did not respond with a straightforward “Yes!” Also note that one new responsibility may be dealing with being badgered by the maddening crowd.

  

HELP! FIRE!!

HELP! FIRE!!

Monday, May 30, 2016

John 15:13 [Jesus explained] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

  James Robert McGee was born 1900 and died 1981. He was born and raised in a coal region, worked in the pits, ran moonshine over ridges and down hollows. He also was an infantryman in “The Great War”, “The War to End All Wars”. He slept in muddy trenches, was gassed, shot and shrapnel wounded and awarded medals for those moments.  He saw many of his Appalachian hometown friends die by the fine aim of the “Bosche”, “Those da#@+& kraut cabbage heads.” He fought fear as often as the German soldier.

  He fought at The Rock of the Marne and other oddly named killing fields.

  Under the influence of alcohol he would tell of a beautiful Spring day in a peaceful rest area as once bathed, shaved and fed, he and a boyhood pal pleasantly walked an old railroad path enjoying the reprieve. He couldn’t remember exactly what the conversation was about, but he vividly recalled silence when his friend stopped speaking. There was no rifle crack from sniper or stray American Expeditionary Force bullet that killed the man.

  Another time when escaping his anguish, in going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he suffered the illusion that the house was on fire and began calling out thru the window. As was in those days before AC, windows were up, screens were in, and neighbors heard shouting and sirens and responded as a concerned crowd.

  Uncle Jim was “shell shocked” to the degree that he could not hold a job though he tried. Shortly after marrying my Mom, my father decided he should live with us. Within a year I came along. Two years later brother Jim arrived.

  Uncle Jim lived with us until he passed from this life’s battlefield. He loved and cared for us. I love, have utmost respect and admiration for Uncle Jim. His attention, example, and teachings greatly influence my life.

  James Robert McGee is one of my heroes. He is indeed both Uncle and friend.

EBB4

LIVING A MEMORIAL DAY LIFE

LIVING A MEMORIAL DAY LIFE  

Sunday, May 29, 2016

                John MKJV 5:30 [Jesus said] I can do nothing of My own self. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me.

1John MKJV 2:15-17 [Apostle John wrote]Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.

  It is of utmost importance that we presently live with correct perspective of life past, present, and future.

  The Apostle Paul wrote of this to young Timothy. (1Tim.4:12)

  “Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share. By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves which is a good foundation for the future. In this way they take hold of what life really is.” (GW 1Tim.6:17-19)

  Where did Paul get such a counter-worldly principle to live by?

  From the Word: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (GW 10:11-18) “And they crucified Him …” (Mt.27:35)

  Ours is a constant choice whether to live sacrificially as did Jesus, or to live in the employ of all this world has to offer.

  “And He[Jesus]said to all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for My sake, he shall save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses himself, or is cast away? (MKJV Lk.9:23-25)

  Read any translation or version we like, but we must take note of the order of His direction; we don’t accompany Him as the practice of self-denial; we practice self-denial to facilitate following Him. (I speak of discipleship, not salvation; soteria: safety in His preservation.)

  Will you or I this day be dragged to some wooden cross and cruelly executed? Not likely. But we shall this day be repeatedly challenged to bear the cross of self-denial. So be it. 

EBB4 (Originally penned Tuesday, May 29, 2012)

USA MEMORIAL DAY HISTORY

John 15:9-13 [Jesus explained]  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

+++++++

Sermon - Memorial Day

John Sayers - 1905

________________________________________

A Brief History of Memorial Day:

  On May 5, 1868, Major General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of

the Republic (an organization made up of Union Veterans) set aside May 30th as Decoration Day to commemorate fallen soldiers by adorning their graves with flowers. General Logan’s order declared: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance....Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

  That year, 5,000 gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to attend commemoration ceremonies presided over by General and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant. This was the nation’s first major tribute to those who fell in the Civil War, and at that time small American flags were placed on each grave (a tradition that continues today).

  However, the decoration of graves actually began before General Logan’s official order, and some two dozen locations claim to be the site of the first Memorial Day observance. The majority of these sites are in the South, where most of the casualties of the Civil War are buried.

  For example, both Macon and Columbus, Georgia, as well as Richmond, Virginia, each claim to have begun Memorial Day in 1866; and Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, claims that it held the first observance in 1864. However, one of the first documented sites to hold a tribute to the Civil War dead took place in Columbus, Mississippi on April 25, 1866. A group of women who were placing flowers on the graves of Confederate soldiers (casualties of the battle at Shiloh) noticed the destitute graves of the Union soldiers and also decorated their graves with flowers. The first community-wide observance occurred in Waterloo, New York, on May 5, 1866, with a ceremony to honor local Civil War veterans. (A century later in 1966, President Lyndon Baines Johnson and Congress declared Waterloo to be the “birthplace” of Memorial Day because of that earlier observance.)

  By the end of the 19th century, the observance of May 30th as a day to honor the Civil War dead had become a widespread practice across the nation, but after World War I, the tribute was expanded to include all American military men and women who had died in any war. Memorial Day has been acknowledged as a national holiday since 1971, when an Act of Congress established its observance on the last Monday in May.

  In 2000, Congress passed the “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” asking all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence in remembrance of all those who have died in military service to America.

(From Wallbuilders.com)