I heard that someone said after the recent presidential debate, “I will not vote for either of them.” Why would you not want to place your influence behind the better of what seems to you two bad options? Why do you not want to influence the future in a way that, if not positive, at least is not so damaging? Not voting means you are allowing others, who like the one you most dislike, to have your vote.
You don’t like either candidate. You think one is directing your ship into the rocks while the other is directing your ship onto a sandy beach. But you will not do anything to avoid the rocks. In effect you are ignoring the destruction of your ship.
People died so you could vote the way you wanted. People died to protect you from those who would prevent you from voting. By not voting you shun thousands of people who have lived and died for you to have a safe place, a safe country, to live.
If you protest by not voting, who’s going to know about your protest? There is nothing to show for it. You could vote for an Independent candidate if there’s one running. I suppose your vote could be seen then. But realize an Independent candidate will not win and you will have lost your influence.
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
UNDERSTANDING TONGUES
One of the purposes of 1 Cor 14 is to describe a responsible use of unknown tongues.
An "unknown tongue" or “speaking in tongues” is speaking via the Spirit in a language unknown to the hearers. This is not merely a foreign language; it is a language unknown to humans. Someone during a church meeting is impressed by to Spirit to "speak in tongues" and most, if not all, do not know what is being said. "Speaking in tongues" is often a point of confusion and contention among Christians.
Verse 14:6 prefers the use of these types of speech to unknown tongues: Revelation, the definition or explanation of a truth from God; Knowledge, the expansion in understanding of the revelation; and Prophecy.
1 Cor 14:3 defines Prophecy as: Edification, the result of revelation and knowledge, Exhortation, the urging to use the revelation and knowledge; and Consolation, the direction and comfort we should obtain from using revelation and knowledge.
Notice this is different from how many usually define Prophecy: a speech that predicts the future.
1 Corinthians 14 (NASB)
3. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church . . . 6. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching . . . 9. So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
An "unknown tongue" or “speaking in tongues” is speaking via the Spirit in a language unknown to the hearers. This is not merely a foreign language; it is a language unknown to humans. Someone during a church meeting is impressed by to Spirit to "speak in tongues" and most, if not all, do not know what is being said. "Speaking in tongues" is often a point of confusion and contention among Christians.
Verse 14:6 prefers the use of these types of speech to unknown tongues: Revelation, the definition or explanation of a truth from God; Knowledge, the expansion in understanding of the revelation; and Prophecy.
1 Cor 14:3 defines Prophecy as: Edification, the result of revelation and knowledge, Exhortation, the urging to use the revelation and knowledge; and Consolation, the direction and comfort we should obtain from using revelation and knowledge.
Notice this is different from how many usually define Prophecy: a speech that predicts the future.
1 Corinthians 14 (NASB)
3. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church . . . 6. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching . . . 9. So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
Monday, September 28, 2020
ANT WORK
Proverbs 6:8
The Ant provides her food in summer and gathers her food in the harvest.
As you think of it, farmers are like ants and almost all people on the planet need farmers. To make this provision means they have taken forethought to assure food is always present for use. It is there for use in the summer when no other crops are available because the winter’s supply is almost totally gone, and the new supply is presently growing. There will be no food available until the harvest, when the crops ripen and are ready. This means there must be plans to store part of the harvest to eat over the winter and through the sowing and growing season until the next harvest. This has to be done for all future harvests. Additionally, he must gather and protect the seed for planting, and the crops as they grow. He must keep his harvest tools prepared. There is a controlled rate of consumption and a cyclic rate of harvest he must match together. He must be acutely aware, have plans, and follow the plans.
Most all of us need farmers. They grow not only enough for them, but for us too. We don’t even have to think about seed and soil and machinery and tools; we just buy our food whenever we want it, any season we want it. Those unfortunate of us who are homeless still need farmers. Convicted criminals in jail need farmers.
Most of us are not farmers. Very few of us are hunters and gatherers. Let’s face it, if we had to farm, or hunt, or gather, we would starve.
The Ant provides her food in summer and gathers her food in the harvest.
As you think of it, farmers are like ants and almost all people on the planet need farmers. To make this provision means they have taken forethought to assure food is always present for use. It is there for use in the summer when no other crops are available because the winter’s supply is almost totally gone, and the new supply is presently growing. There will be no food available until the harvest, when the crops ripen and are ready. This means there must be plans to store part of the harvest to eat over the winter and through the sowing and growing season until the next harvest. This has to be done for all future harvests. Additionally, he must gather and protect the seed for planting, and the crops as they grow. He must keep his harvest tools prepared. There is a controlled rate of consumption and a cyclic rate of harvest he must match together. He must be acutely aware, have plans, and follow the plans.
Most all of us need farmers. They grow not only enough for them, but for us too. We don’t even have to think about seed and soil and machinery and tools; we just buy our food whenever we want it, any season we want it. Those unfortunate of us who are homeless still need farmers. Convicted criminals in jail need farmers.
Most of us are not farmers. Very few of us are hunters and gatherers. Let’s face it, if we had to farm, or hunt, or gather, we would starve.
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