ULTIMATE GOVERNMENT

ULTIMATE GOVERNMENT

Friday, August 26, 2016

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Dear fellow traveler, 

  Yesterday I solicited your opinion on the best form of government. This morning I personally respond and share others responses to the question.

  As followers of Christ (i.e. Christians), we are given explanation, wisdom, and direction through His Word living and written. First let us go to Old Testament prophecy, all of which is not yet fulfilled. The verse is often quoted at our Christmastime, but in this elder’s opinion, by the many citers not then thoroughly examined beyond perceived quaint manger scenes.

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his

       shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The

       everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [Highlighting mine. EBB4]

  Going forward to New Testament Revelation prophecy, also as yet unfulfilled.

Revelation 2:27; 12:15; 19:11-16  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. … And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. … And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

  Now, as always, I urge you to read, study, and ponder in context the passages cited above. In doing so we see the “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” is that the ultimate form of government is a benevolent dictatorship. While waiting for the possible in my lifetime I opt for dwelling under the Romans 13:1-7 republic of the United States of America.

  Following below is the to-date responses from fellow travelers.

EBB4

·         I want a representative form of government that allows freedom of worship and freedom of religion, protects all citizens including unborn and aged, permits citizens to protect themselves and their families, that abides by the constitution and enforces law and order.  Sharon [NE]

·         I root for DEMOCRACY, but not the kind we have in our country today. When the founding fathers put our country together, they brilliantly developed a system of balance so that ALL citizens would have equal liberty and freedoms that were run and controlled by the majority of its people. They could not fathom or imagine that it would be manipulated by a "concentration of wealth" (political campaigns, the stock market, etc.). They had a great idea, and then money and greed got in the way of "the Great Experiment".  Mike DeMuth [NE]

·         The best form of government was the one our forefathers set up. Farmers, lawyers, businessmen, doctors coming together a couple of times a year and then going back home to live like everyone else. It was never meant to be a subject you can major in in college to become your lifelong career. I am constantly amazed at the number of politicians who go in to Washington with a net worth of $50000, serve for 30 years and retire as multi-millionaires. They serve for so long that they are more about their own power than serving the people who elected them. As you may tell, I'm for term limits and terminating their privileges when they leave.  Cheri [NV]

·         The only form of government I desire is the Torah to be observed by the whole nation of Israel ( all tribes gathered to the Land,  the two sticks becoming one,  the house of Judah and the House of Israel Ezekiel 37:15-28) . All of Israel walking in the Torah(Eze37:28 and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them. Torah dwelling in our hearts "jer31:33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my Torah in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people"All nations coming to the Temple to worship the Most High and observing the feast of Sukkot.  Zechariah 14:16-19 . No more War Isaiah 2:3-5. This is my hearts desire for world government.  This and this alone. The Almighty has spoken,  and it will be .
HalleluYah!  Aaron [HI]

·         Looking to the Word for the answer: 1) The best form of government is for the whole world to submit to God alone (Ex 20:3, 1 Sa 8:1-9).     2) The next best form of national government is a kingship - with the vital prerequisite that the king is a man of godly character (Deut 17:14-17).  This should be done with caution though to ensure electing a king is not done just to try to get out of submitting to God (1 Sa 8:6-9).  Under the king should be a relatively small number of leaders who have the authority to make decisions for the community as a whole - again with the vital prerequisite being that the people chosen to lead are people of character and integrity who meet the Biblical requirements for leadership.  In the church this is called eldership, but that same model can be applicable for city, county, state, ... (Acts 14:23, 1 Ti 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Pet 5: 1-4). The word "king" can be replaced with "president", "prime minister", .... as long as the functions are Biblically correct.  In the Bible, "elder", "overseer", and "shepherd" are used interchangeably to indicate the same person/office.   David [NE]

·         The best form of government is a dictator if you have the right dictator!  Al Heger [KS]

·         When Jesus returns as King.  Then, and only then, am I all in for a dictatorship.  Penny [NE]

·         A very good and timely question. I suggest the best form of government is a dictatorship with a perfect dictator in charge. We will only see this when Jesus Christ returns and sets up his 1000 year reign on earth. A perfect government with the Saints assigned responsibilities. Won`t that be fun. And, no more political calls and ads. Until then, I guess the Republic the founding fathers gave us is still the best. Best wishes and thank you for your continuing faithfulness to our Lord.
Jim G. [NE]

GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Dear fellow travelers,

  My guess is you are quite a mix politically: republicans, democrats, libertarians, independents, parliamentarians, monarchists, socialist, conservative, non-voter and a few more. I also suspect that many of you hold strong opinions when it comes to local, county, state, national, and world government.

  I am asking your opinion on the best form of government?

EBB4

NO SUCH SAT AND MOVED ON

NO SUCH SAT AND MOVED ON

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

2Corinthians [ESV] 13:5 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!

  Examining self in light of God’s Word is not like taking the SAT test and moving on. Moving within an attitude of examination by the Word is essential to continuing spiritual maturation.  Spiritual maturity is revealed in everyday relationship with God and our fellow man within and without the John 1:12 family.

  I think about this often.

  For some, growth is quite obvious. I cannot however evidence quitting tobacco, abstaining from alcohol, ceasing to run with wild women et al, for due to combination of love and fear I never did so.

  For the rest of us, more passive and polite in person, spiritual maturation is not so readily observed.

  Yesterday, something helpful occurred while I was pondering questions of “Where have I grown?” and “Where do I yet need to grow or leave plateau?”

  An inmate that I have been corresponding with for quite a while once again came up for parole consideration. He sent me an AccessMail informing that he had been denied and is “sent back for another year”. He then stated how thankful he is for the place where he is.

  OK, so you say “You’re not incarcerated or up for parole and then rejected! What does it have to do with you?”

  Quite a lot, really.

  I don’t like authority, especially the bozo kind. As a passive-aggressive youth, I was very much in bondage to my anti-authority feelings.

  In answer to “Where have I grown?” . . . upon reflection with thanksgiving, much where my anti-authority attitude is concerned.

  In answer to “Where do I need to grow or leave plateau?” . . . upon reflection with sadness, my anti-authority old man only has one foot in the grave at times.

  Still walking in Philippians 2:12.

EBB4

THE TREE TO BE

THE TREE TO BE

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

  The poetic wisdom the Lord provides via Psalms for our well-being is delightful. Psalm 1 is a favorite, and as with the 23^rd, I like it best heard in KJV language. Please enjoy and benefit by reading it aloud with me this morning.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

EBB4

PS. All men and women that participate in Good News Jail & Prison Ministry Life Learning dorms program must memorize this psalm.

THE INFLUENCE OF TREES

THE INFLUENCE OF TREES

Monday, August 22, 2016

  Awoke thinking on today’s subject. An odd one for sure as in “Where did that come from for a DT?” Then came the difficulty in wording the title. Then came the work of trying to make word sense of it for readers.

  Trees are good, right? Americans love beautiful forests!

  The Nebraska Board of Educational Lands & Funds is the largest landowner in the state. (Surprised are you?) The almost 1.26 million acres of agricultural land is leased to farmers and ranchers. The income goes to supporting Nebraska public schools. The amount is no small acorn, 573, 000, 000 dollars in the last 15 years.

  Everyone loves cedar, right? Well, not everyone, including NBELF, ranchers, this and other taxpayers.

  Red cedar trees are invading NBELF properties at a steady rate, about 2% a year. Though the land trust began control programs in the 80s and presently invests $400, 000 per year, it’s a losing costly battle. Said cost is not singular. The loss of 2% per year of leased NBELF gazing land is affecting Nebraska’s $7.4 billion cattle industry, the ancillary small town businesses, public school budgets and taxpayer you and I.

  We Norte Americanos have developed a growing delight in noshing avocados. Many of which are conveniently imported from Mexico. This means increased income for the growers, slightly less immigration, but at a cost to something else we Americans love, butterflies.

  Avocados grow best in areas adjacent to the forests that our beloved butterflies habitat in during our North America winter – to meet the increasing demand for avocados these forests are falling to the bite of chainsaw and axe.

  Now to the personal odd thought this morning as all the above was tumbling about in my cranium: Pondering Jesus’ remarks on trees, the question “What kind of tree are you?” kept rising to the crown of this 80+ year old still growing tree.

EBB4                            

IS ANGER ALWAYS BAD?

IS ANGER ALWAYS BAD?

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Ephesians [NLT] 4:1-31 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift [We each are equipped.] through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”[Ps.68:18]

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

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

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

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

  But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [Rom.12:1-3] Put on your new nature [2Cor.5:17], created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LAMPSTAND LOSS

LAMPSTAND LOSS

Friday, August 19, 2016

Revelation [NLT] 2:1-7 [This is a revelation from Jesus Christ,] “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!  Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

  Still thinking about “If you don’t repent, I [Jesus] will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.” In pondering I remembered some things.

  The first set was experiences as child playing games at night, on the farm, as a Boy Scout and later with our Christian service Brigade. The second was first learned from Uncle Jim McGee, combat veteran from trench warfare in The Great War, and later taught by Marine leaders in Boy Scouts and Brigade.

  Only those of my generation understand what it’s like to be “clotheslined” while chasing  a shorter playmate in the dark.

  On the farm there were no pole lights at first. We didn’t have electricity you see. (Couldn’t resist the pun.) Walking at night sans flashlight to the barn, hog pens, or chicken house could be hazardous, especially considering my brothers habit of dropping items where he last used them so “They’ll be there tomorrow.” Among my brother’s deposited items was sometimes the flashlight, or he had removed batteries for more important use. The rooted path thru the old apple orchard was the worst of the lot.

  Campouts with BSA and CSB were special fun when we played “night maneuvers” in the woods sans campfire or flashlights. (Any light meant forfeiture.) Two teams, preferably a guest Brigade, competing at Capture the Flag was a favorite. The next morning we compared (bragged) our purple and red badges.

  Uncle Jim, when under the influence, told tales of war. One was of “A young fool” believing that not smoking at night in the open was a stupid rule, and paid the ultimate price.  Another was how they became lost on patrol on an overcast night. Their officer had safely rigged a flashlight that briefly blinked at irregular intervals so his men could home and not wander into the German lines.

  Summing up:

·         Without a lampstand people stumble, fall, and walk in confusion.

·         Without a lampstand you are not a beacon for others.

  Does this help with understanding? It did for me.

  Then there’s the questions of is there lampstand visible in the local church or denomination we belong to . . . or is it that we do need to repent, think and act in more godly love of Jesus and one another lest our lampstand be soon removed?

EBB4