2 Corinthians 4 speaks of the light that shins in us because of our inward truth which is the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Because this light is in us, we manifest the truth - the news of Jesus. This light cannot be seen by those who are lost – who do not know Jesus; the light is hidden form them. They cannot see it, nor will they be able to see it until they realize that they are sinners, that Jesus died for their sins, that he rose again, and will come again for those who have the inward light. Once they believe this, they too will share our light. How will they know if we do not tell them?
The light that shines is the Word of God – Jesus – in whom we trust as our sufficient sacrifice for sin. Some do not accept this and reject it; they have no light. We have the light in earthen vessels, that is to say: presently earth-bound bodies, so that the power of God can shine through us.
But this does not mean we do not have problems. For we are . . .
- - Troubled yet not distressed.
- - Perplexed yet not in despair (because we have hope of eternity).
- - Persecuted yet not forsaken (because we know God is for us).
- - Cast down yet not destroyed (because they cannot destroy what god will preserve).
- - Delivered to death yet the life of Jesus is manifest in our faith (God is working in us to show others and to bring them to the truth).
Let us share our indestructability with those who will perish.
Monday, August 24, 2020
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
ARE THEY AMOUNG US
Jude 11
“Woe onto them for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the way of Balaam for reward, and perished after the gainsaying of Core.”
Cane - - The sacrifices of works rather than the sacrifice of blood.
Balaam - - Seeking to become rich in the doing of God's work.
Core - - Putting forward themselves to take the place of God's appointed leaders.
The book of Jude says to rebuke the wrongdoers in the church. Are such among us today? Do we see people expecting rewards for works? Do we see some seeking (and becoming) rich? Do we see some push aside others for their own eminence?
“Woe onto them for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the way of Balaam for reward, and perished after the gainsaying of Core.”
Cane - - The sacrifices of works rather than the sacrifice of blood.
Balaam - - Seeking to become rich in the doing of God's work.
Core - - Putting forward themselves to take the place of God's appointed leaders.
The book of Jude says to rebuke the wrongdoers in the church. Are such among us today? Do we see people expecting rewards for works? Do we see some seeking (and becoming) rich? Do we see some push aside others for their own eminence?
Monday, August 10, 2020
TURNING GOOD INTO BAD
2 Corinthians 2
Paul writes, in verse 11 that, “no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his devices”. Is seems he is speaking of a situation about a person who is being over-punished. Paul might have set this punishment in motion via another earlier letter. The Corinthians went about to chastise this fellow. But Paul says in verse 6, “Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority.” It seems they were continuing to do so. Paul is saying ,”enough”. Overdoing it might cause the man to be overwhelmed; now the time has come to forgive and comfort (verse 7).
The Corinthians were doing a good thing in correcting wrong but once the correction was sufficient Satan took over by pushing them to continue the correction. Satan was encouraging something that was good initially to be run past its useful time so that it becomes bad.
We must be careful we do not overextend our righteous activity so that what was good in us (and against Satan) then becomes bad in us (and against God). We should act properly for God's cause. We must be careful that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Paul writes, in verse 11 that, “no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his devices”. Is seems he is speaking of a situation about a person who is being over-punished. Paul might have set this punishment in motion via another earlier letter. The Corinthians went about to chastise this fellow. But Paul says in verse 6, “Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority.” It seems they were continuing to do so. Paul is saying ,”enough”. Overdoing it might cause the man to be overwhelmed; now the time has come to forgive and comfort (verse 7).
The Corinthians were doing a good thing in correcting wrong but once the correction was sufficient Satan took over by pushing them to continue the correction. Satan was encouraging something that was good initially to be run past its useful time so that it becomes bad.
We must be careful we do not overextend our righteous activity so that what was good in us (and against Satan) then becomes bad in us (and against God). We should act properly for God's cause. We must be careful that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
NOT SITUATIONAL ETHICS
2 Corinthians 1:17
When we purpose things within ourselves it is "yes" or "no". But the purposes or promises of God are "yes"
We make up our minds according to the occasion and decide "yes" or "no" about something. It may be "yes" today but tomorrow the situation may change and it might be "no".
The promises of God are not made up to fit the situation but are decided beforehand. The situation agrees with what God has decreed, or it does not. For us as humans what is today "yes" may well be "no" tomorrow. We waffle and change our minds about the situation. We should make up our minds using God's everlasting principles as our base, and not with facts that change from day to day, or minute to minute.
For example, “Thou shalt not kill” never changes nor does the punishment for it, namely, the death of the killer. This applies to premeditated murder.
A man kills another man with a brick. Today we say he should be hanged: "yes". Tomorrow we look at his background: the brick thrower’s disadvantaged upbringing, he was beaten and abused all his life, he was half crazed with drugs; we reconsider and say he should not be hanged: "no". God's law does not change, period. If a man purposely sheds another man's blood, by the hand of other men must the killer’s blood be shed.
God allows leniency for situations such as accidents, self-defense and wartime battles. But he is not lenient about when the situation includes malice or forethought.
When we purpose things within ourselves it is "yes" or "no". But the purposes or promises of God are "yes"
We make up our minds according to the occasion and decide "yes" or "no" about something. It may be "yes" today but tomorrow the situation may change and it might be "no".
The promises of God are not made up to fit the situation but are decided beforehand. The situation agrees with what God has decreed, or it does not. For us as humans what is today "yes" may well be "no" tomorrow. We waffle and change our minds about the situation. We should make up our minds using God's everlasting principles as our base, and not with facts that change from day to day, or minute to minute.
For example, “Thou shalt not kill” never changes nor does the punishment for it, namely, the death of the killer. This applies to premeditated murder.
A man kills another man with a brick. Today we say he should be hanged: "yes". Tomorrow we look at his background: the brick thrower’s disadvantaged upbringing, he was beaten and abused all his life, he was half crazed with drugs; we reconsider and say he should not be hanged: "no". God's law does not change, period. If a man purposely sheds another man's blood, by the hand of other men must the killer’s blood be shed.
God allows leniency for situations such as accidents, self-defense and wartime battles. But he is not lenient about when the situation includes malice or forethought.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
LAW MAKES SIN
One Corinthians 15 verse 56
"the sting of death is sin; The strength of sin is the law".
Why is the strength of sin the law? Because if there were no law, every action would be the same; there would effectively be no sin. The law identifies what sin is. Theoretically if you do not know what sin is, you cannot do sin. Take the example of a woman who dresses immodestly for the purpose of raising lust in men: if it were not a sin to incite sin in others and modest dress were not required, then low necklines, split shirts, high skirts, in tight clothes would not be sin. But if there is a dress code, then women who do not follow it are sinning (and the authorities are sinning if they allow it). The Bible says that, “. . . women adorn themselves in modest apparel . . .” (1Tim 2:9) Men are to: "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." (1Col 6:18)
Don't want to be told what to wear or not wear? Do away with the dress code. We might also say do away with "thou shalt not commit adultery" and "he that fornicates is joined unto a harlot sins against their own body"
We can ignore God's laws and his wishes, but we cannot appeal them nor strike them from the law.
"the sting of death is sin; The strength of sin is the law".
Why is the strength of sin the law? Because if there were no law, every action would be the same; there would effectively be no sin. The law identifies what sin is. Theoretically if you do not know what sin is, you cannot do sin. Take the example of a woman who dresses immodestly for the purpose of raising lust in men: if it were not a sin to incite sin in others and modest dress were not required, then low necklines, split shirts, high skirts, in tight clothes would not be sin. But if there is a dress code, then women who do not follow it are sinning (and the authorities are sinning if they allow it). The Bible says that, “. . . women adorn themselves in modest apparel . . .” (1Tim 2:9) Men are to: "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." (1Col 6:18)
Don't want to be told what to wear or not wear? Do away with the dress code. We might also say do away with "thou shalt not commit adultery" and "he that fornicates is joined unto a harlot sins against their own body"
We can ignore God's laws and his wishes, but we cannot appeal them nor strike them from the law.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
GREAT ENLIGHTENMENT
I pray that most of the population of the United States will at least know they have a choice to make about Jesus Christ. I want them to know that God sent Jesus to earth to die in their place for their sins, that he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, and that if they believe that they have an eternal place with him in heaven, and if they do not they will be eternally separated from God (otherwise known as “Hell”). A person becomes what we call “saved” by acknowledging what Jesus did for them, and asking Jesus to forgive and accept them
But I am not praying for “renewal” or “revival” (though these are certainly worthy to pray for). What I want I would term “Transformation” or “Enlightenment”. For me someone who is “renewed” or “revived” is already saved but has fallen short lately in the way he is behaving or thinking. He needs to have his thinking and acting “renewed” to his saved state. He needs to have his salvation revived as if being resuscitated in an operating room.
So I pray for a Great Transformation, a Great Enlightenment for the people of the United States.
But I am not praying for “renewal” or “revival” (though these are certainly worthy to pray for). What I want I would term “Transformation” or “Enlightenment”. For me someone who is “renewed” or “revived” is already saved but has fallen short lately in the way he is behaving or thinking. He needs to have his thinking and acting “renewed” to his saved state. He needs to have his salvation revived as if being resuscitated in an operating room.
So I pray for a Great Transformation, a Great Enlightenment for the people of the United States.
Monday, July 13, 2020
TOUNGUES OR NOT
One Corinthians 14
For all that people argue about speaking in tongues, this chapter minimizes tongues in favor of prophecy and understanding. It does not prohibit them. The greater need is for understanding.
Although I have never spoken in tongues, I suppose they could be for blessing and giving of thanks as suggested in verses 16 and 17. But any hearers of the speaking would not understand, there is no edification. Perhaps even the speaker does not himself understand, as is said in verse 14. For all that desire to speak in tongues we are supposed to desire more earnestly to edify the church.
Here is how clear speech comes (see verse 6):
- - Revelation - what is revealed by God.
- - Knowledge - what we know from reading the Bible and our experience
- - Prophesying - expounding God's will as he has told it to do you.
- - Doctrine - explaining our own understanding of God's will from Scriptures and life.
Thursday, July 9, 2020
DOORS
I recently made paintings of the front and back doors of the Bedford, Massachusetts house I grew up in.
When I was done, I made an analysis of how these doors were used and who used them. The front door was only for formal occasions and was rarely used. The side door was for general family use and for the reception of visitors and businesspeople. There was a cellar door too but only used for family activities.
I thought of other doors of houses in which I have lived and their uses. Our house in Gotha, Florida had three doors and we used all of them. The front for Family but also for receiving people. The side was for in-and-out access to the car and for play. The back door was for in-and-out and play but also to dispose of trash. Our current house in Windermere, Florida has two doors. The front is for reception and general in-and-out. The back is for family arrival and departure and access to garage.
You can think of our souls having doors too. There is a front door, which might be only for formal users. There might be a back door which may be hidden from most people. It might be only for family, or it might be closed but for a very few special people. It might be heavily guarded and never used by anyone but yourself. Or there might be many doors for other specialized users.
There is another door that is always present, the one God uses. You might not think of it as a door because what and who we are always open to God. God has this right to his door because he is the owner of the house. Most of the time he allows us to live thinking no one sees us, no one knows. But God always sees, and always knows.
God will never break your doors down; He gives you a choice of how you will live. There will be a time, however, when God repossesses your house and you will meet him face-to-face. We do not have the capacity to be fully ready for that day, there will always be some embarrassing mess we should have cleaned up. That is why we need to accept Jesus as our redeemer and trust He will keep his word: that if we believe he died in our place for our sins and rose again and He will receive us into everlasting live with Him. That is a door we can jointly own with God and will never be shut to us.
When I was done, I made an analysis of how these doors were used and who used them. The front door was only for formal occasions and was rarely used. The side door was for general family use and for the reception of visitors and businesspeople. There was a cellar door too but only used for family activities.
I thought of other doors of houses in which I have lived and their uses. Our house in Gotha, Florida had three doors and we used all of them. The front for Family but also for receiving people. The side was for in-and-out access to the car and for play. The back door was for in-and-out and play but also to dispose of trash. Our current house in Windermere, Florida has two doors. The front is for reception and general in-and-out. The back is for family arrival and departure and access to garage.
You can think of our souls having doors too. There is a front door, which might be only for formal users. There might be a back door which may be hidden from most people. It might be only for family, or it might be closed but for a very few special people. It might be heavily guarded and never used by anyone but yourself. Or there might be many doors for other specialized users.
There is another door that is always present, the one God uses. You might not think of it as a door because what and who we are always open to God. God has this right to his door because he is the owner of the house. Most of the time he allows us to live thinking no one sees us, no one knows. But God always sees, and always knows.
God will never break your doors down; He gives you a choice of how you will live. There will be a time, however, when God repossesses your house and you will meet him face-to-face. We do not have the capacity to be fully ready for that day, there will always be some embarrassing mess we should have cleaned up. That is why we need to accept Jesus as our redeemer and trust He will keep his word: that if we believe he died in our place for our sins and rose again and He will receive us into everlasting live with Him. That is a door we can jointly own with God and will never be shut to us.
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
MANAGEMENT GIFTS
1 Corinthians 12, a lesson in management
This speaks of diversity of gifts but same spirit, differences of administrations but same Lord, diversity of operations but the same God. We can say that the Father represents operation, the Son represents administration and the Holy Ghost represents gifts.
Manifestation of the spirit can be in every (Christian) man or woman:
1. word of wisdom
2. word of knowledge
3. faith
4. healing
5. working of miracles
6. prophecy
7. discerning of spirits
8. tongues
9. interpretation of tongues
This is how a whole company or organization could be organized:
Operations - what we should do, where we should go
Administration - how we shall accomplish what the operator directs
Gifts - providing the things and services needed for getting the job done.
God is the manager and the supplier of all we need, and the equipment with which to do it. But he does it in a more meaningful and life-giving way than merely producing automobiles or frozen dinners. He supplies the reasons for being and the abilities to “do life”, to turn our existence into value.
This speaks of diversity of gifts but same spirit, differences of administrations but same Lord, diversity of operations but the same God. We can say that the Father represents operation, the Son represents administration and the Holy Ghost represents gifts.
Manifestation of the spirit can be in every (Christian) man or woman:
1. word of wisdom
2. word of knowledge
3. faith
4. healing
5. working of miracles
6. prophecy
7. discerning of spirits
8. tongues
9. interpretation of tongues
This is how a whole company or organization could be organized:
Operations - what we should do, where we should go
Administration - how we shall accomplish what the operator directs
Gifts - providing the things and services needed for getting the job done.
God is the manager and the supplier of all we need, and the equipment with which to do it. But he does it in a more meaningful and life-giving way than merely producing automobiles or frozen dinners. He supplies the reasons for being and the abilities to “do life”, to turn our existence into value.
Monday, June 29, 2020
SMALL FROM ALTITUDE
When I was working, I flew to many places in the country. As I looked down upon the earth from 35,000 feet the things of men were so small that only the largest buildings were obvious. It would have been difficult to pick out a semi-truck when looking at superhighways. Indeed, I never saw one. If a person were to stand in the middle of an intersection, and you were told where to look, you could not possibly see him. From the sky as the eye wanders over the rest of the earth you realize how insignificant the person would seem. The smallness of that person, that place, becomes astounding. Yet through such a means God saved the world. Think of God, Jesus, being in one human body.
The vantage point of the plane demonstrates a small part of the expanse of Gods comprehension. He comprehends what the human eye in the plane sees, and much more. Think of this single man Jesus who, while in the flesh, has the vantage point of the plane. ". . . and the Word became flesh and dwelt among men."
The vantage point of the plane demonstrates a small part of the expanse of Gods comprehension. He comprehends what the human eye in the plane sees, and much more. Think of this single man Jesus who, while in the flesh, has the vantage point of the plane. ". . . and the Word became flesh and dwelt among men."
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
TREE ON CLIFF
Here is a painting I did titled “Tree on Cliff”. The idea came from a photograph of an actual tree I saw in a business trip to Washington state. It looks precarious does it not? It looks to be hanging onto the cliff. What are roots holding onto? Are they deep enough? Can they hold on?
This reminds me of the parable of the seed sower. As you remember, the sower spreads the seed into four types of places: the wayside where birds ate them up immediately; the stony soil where the seeds could not last long; the soil among weeds where the competition and distractions were too great; and the good soil where the plants became well established and fruitful.
The good soil represents Jesus. He provides source of nourishment and a place to firmly anchor roots. The good soil results in much fruit.
The actual tree was smaller than the one the one shown in this painting. Other trees in the photograph had actually started to fall.
What does the picture make you think of? Will this tree eventually fall into the Water? If on rocky soil it will fall over into the water. If it is on good soil the tree will remain anchored and fruitful no matter how steep the cliff is. Jesus is good soil and allows us to hold in any sort of difficulty.
Are you planted in good soil?
Monday, June 22, 2020
WAITING TO EAT
1 Corinthians 11:21
I wonder if this verse is saying the Corinthians have church communion suppers at which people eat when they arrive without waiting to eat all together? Therefore there are times when one is full (drunken) and others (who have not yet eaten) are hungry. This shows a selfishness of one Christian not caring enough for another to eat together. "I’ll do what I do for me and let the others catch up". This type of thinking is only of yourself and what you can get or do for yourself. But we should be discerning of the body of the Lord Jesus when eating together as a Christian group. Everything should be done in a decent order as the Bible says. God, through Paul, sets up many ways of prayer proper Christian action,
- - Manners
- - The Lord supper
- - Tongues
- - Who to fellowship with
In verse 33 he instructs to "tarry one for another".
Some who are rich can well afford to wait, but do not. Some who are poor, who really need the food and arrive at the supper late, may not get fed because all is gone. Many others are not even thinking of the Lord at all.
I wonder if this verse is saying the Corinthians have church communion suppers at which people eat when they arrive without waiting to eat all together? Therefore there are times when one is full (drunken) and others (who have not yet eaten) are hungry. This shows a selfishness of one Christian not caring enough for another to eat together. "I’ll do what I do for me and let the others catch up". This type of thinking is only of yourself and what you can get or do for yourself. But we should be discerning of the body of the Lord Jesus when eating together as a Christian group. Everything should be done in a decent order as the Bible says. God, through Paul, sets up many ways of prayer proper Christian action,
- - Manners
- - The Lord supper
- - Tongues
- - Who to fellowship with
In verse 33 he instructs to "tarry one for another".
Some who are rich can well afford to wait, but do not. Some who are poor, who really need the food and arrive at the supper late, may not get fed because all is gone. Many others are not even thinking of the Lord at all.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
HOW TO TELL THE TRUTH
Romans 16;17
There are those who cause divisions and offenses (stumbling blocks) because they proclaim something else other than the doctrine we have learned. We might use the example of Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, or Catholics (who go too far into Mary).
What we have left us is doctrine, a tradition of how scripture should be interpreted. We see how it has been interpreted by men. But is this tradition right? Men sometimes change things as it has been passed from one to another. Has it changed over the years?
Much of what we know about God is how he has been passed to us through other men. God works in man: they write about it. Scripture is not just a collection of men's writings about, it is a reporting of what God did in their presence. How close were these men to actual events? Were they eyewitnesses? Had they lived within 200 years after Christ lived? There have been many such writings. Out of all available writings who decided which were good and which were not?
In the development history of a Bible translation I am reading I look for:
- - Is it a translation or a paraphrase?
- - Was it done by a group of people, or was it done by just one person?
- - Was the group qualified to know the meaning and intent of the original languages?
- - Has the translation lasted for a long enough time for it to become known as trustworthy?
Here is why I think these points are important:
- - A translation is an attempt to recreate in the target language what was said in the original languages. A paraphrase is an author’s opinion about what a translation is trying to say. He is not working with original languages.
- - A translation by a group of people must me more reliable than a translation by a single person for one team member can test the others for accuracy and intent of the original language.
- - Each member of the translation team must have expertise in the language being translated.
- - A translation that has been in existence for a length of time has given opportunity for mistakes to surface and be corrected.
I will trust a translation for these reasons listed above. For years I have read the King James Version and lately I have been reading the New American Standard Version. When I was first saved I acquired and read a New English Version.
Except for being careful about the origins of a particular version, the version does not matter nearly as much as actually reading it. It is important to read the Bible - - and not just once in your lifetime. If it is God’s Word to us it should be important enough to read many times.
I read from the Bible every day.
There are those who cause divisions and offenses (stumbling blocks) because they proclaim something else other than the doctrine we have learned. We might use the example of Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, or Catholics (who go too far into Mary).
What we have left us is doctrine, a tradition of how scripture should be interpreted. We see how it has been interpreted by men. But is this tradition right? Men sometimes change things as it has been passed from one to another. Has it changed over the years?
Much of what we know about God is how he has been passed to us through other men. God works in man: they write about it. Scripture is not just a collection of men's writings about, it is a reporting of what God did in their presence. How close were these men to actual events? Were they eyewitnesses? Had they lived within 200 years after Christ lived? There have been many such writings. Out of all available writings who decided which were good and which were not?
In the development history of a Bible translation I am reading I look for:
- - Is it a translation or a paraphrase?
- - Was it done by a group of people, or was it done by just one person?
- - Was the group qualified to know the meaning and intent of the original languages?
- - Has the translation lasted for a long enough time for it to become known as trustworthy?
Here is why I think these points are important:
- - A translation is an attempt to recreate in the target language what was said in the original languages. A paraphrase is an author’s opinion about what a translation is trying to say. He is not working with original languages.
- - A translation by a group of people must me more reliable than a translation by a single person for one team member can test the others for accuracy and intent of the original language.
- - Each member of the translation team must have expertise in the language being translated.
- - A translation that has been in existence for a length of time has given opportunity for mistakes to surface and be corrected.
I will trust a translation for these reasons listed above. For years I have read the King James Version and lately I have been reading the New American Standard Version. When I was first saved I acquired and read a New English Version.
Except for being careful about the origins of a particular version, the version does not matter nearly as much as actually reading it. It is important to read the Bible - - and not just once in your lifetime. If it is God’s Word to us it should be important enough to read many times.
I read from the Bible every day.
Sunday, June 7, 2020
THE CHURCH DISTRACTING
Today (Sunday 7 June) I listened to two church services: one given via YouTube from the church I go to, and the other via YouTube from a large church in Orlando. There are reasons I go to one church and not to the other. I will talk of the large church first.
I will not attend the large church because of the music. It is too LOUD. Loudness does not make music more worshipful; it just makes it uncomfortable. To enhance the uncomfortable music, they use lighting. They use spots, moving beams, and streaming visual effects. To make these effects more visible they use smoke. This is all staged as a rock concert. For example, they use different stage levels for the musicians. All the vocalists stand in front in a line.
All this seems to me to be showmanship. They look excited, they jump, they yell the lyrics. Are they truly excited or is it just a stage act? What is the difference between this and a rock concert? This extends too to the announcements which seems to be hyped with faked excitement.
They also transition between the different segments with videos. Is all this technology necessary for an effective worship? Must this be done to reach today’s people? Will people not listen unless they are entertained?
Yet the actual preaching was well done. It had good content and was well delivered. All the stuff that went before (music, etc.) was a barrier to the content. Yet at the end of the preaching, while transitioning out to what followed, there was a keyboard droning behind the words muddling the speech. Why is that necessary?
The church where we attend is small, so it is possible to know everyone. The music is done by various people, not the same group every Sunday. The preaching is not always by the pastor but is sometimes done by others. The preaching today, for example, was well done by another, and very helpful. This type of freedom presents ministry opportunities to every member of the congregation.
At the big church ONLY the pro singers and musicians and ONLY the pastoral staff present the worship.
I will not attend the large church because of the music. It is too LOUD. Loudness does not make music more worshipful; it just makes it uncomfortable. To enhance the uncomfortable music, they use lighting. They use spots, moving beams, and streaming visual effects. To make these effects more visible they use smoke. This is all staged as a rock concert. For example, they use different stage levels for the musicians. All the vocalists stand in front in a line.
All this seems to me to be showmanship. They look excited, they jump, they yell the lyrics. Are they truly excited or is it just a stage act? What is the difference between this and a rock concert? This extends too to the announcements which seems to be hyped with faked excitement.
They also transition between the different segments with videos. Is all this technology necessary for an effective worship? Must this be done to reach today’s people? Will people not listen unless they are entertained?
Yet the actual preaching was well done. It had good content and was well delivered. All the stuff that went before (music, etc.) was a barrier to the content. Yet at the end of the preaching, while transitioning out to what followed, there was a keyboard droning behind the words muddling the speech. Why is that necessary?
The church where we attend is small, so it is possible to know everyone. The music is done by various people, not the same group every Sunday. The preaching is not always by the pastor but is sometimes done by others. The preaching today, for example, was well done by another, and very helpful. This type of freedom presents ministry opportunities to every member of the congregation.
At the big church ONLY the pro singers and musicians and ONLY the pastoral staff present the worship.
Thursday, May 7, 2020
WHEN COMFORT IS DANGEROUS
John 21
The disciples had been fishing all night and had nothing to show. While standing on the shore Jesus tells them to cast the net on the right side. They had already been fishing all night with no success. Now this stranger yells out to them to “Cast the net on the other side.” (As yet they had not recognized Jesus.) This was more work after a whole night’s work, what could this guy know, but they did it anyway. Now they caught so many the net broke. Sometimes it is not good to give in to comfort when a little more work needs to be done.
Jesus warned Peter that he would be persecuted when he was old; that he would, “be carried whither he would not.” This is after Peter had been told three times to feed the flock. Did he have to be told because it would be hard to keep himself focused on his work for God during persecution? When the persecutors would be seeking after him too “carry him” he would have the remembrance of “feed my lambs, feed my flock” to keep him applied to godly work, rather than saving his own skin - - or worse: giving up some godliness for the sake of comfort and peace.
The disciples had been fishing all night and had nothing to show. While standing on the shore Jesus tells them to cast the net on the right side. They had already been fishing all night with no success. Now this stranger yells out to them to “Cast the net on the other side.” (As yet they had not recognized Jesus.) This was more work after a whole night’s work, what could this guy know, but they did it anyway. Now they caught so many the net broke. Sometimes it is not good to give in to comfort when a little more work needs to be done.
Jesus warned Peter that he would be persecuted when he was old; that he would, “be carried whither he would not.” This is after Peter had been told three times to feed the flock. Did he have to be told because it would be hard to keep himself focused on his work for God during persecution? When the persecutors would be seeking after him too “carry him” he would have the remembrance of “feed my lambs, feed my flock” to keep him applied to godly work, rather than saving his own skin - - or worse: giving up some godliness for the sake of comfort and peace.
Monday, April 27, 2020
STILL WORKING ON DEVOTIONS
John 20
At 76 years old I’m still not one for a strong personal devotional time period, i.e. reading by myself. Yet all these married years, and a little before, 47 years in all, I have had family devotions, a daily Bible reading. This small thing has been great in my life . As God said, it has been the mustard seed that, though a tiny seed, grew to “a great tree with branches that the fouls of the air may nest in.”
Jesus, by the sacrifice, asks how important is your [job, animals, wealth, self-esteem, power, etc.] to you? More important than me? He answers the question of how important are we to him: we are important enough for him to give his only begotten son, important enough for him to die himself for us, important enough for him to give his spirit to dwell in us.
One thing I have confidence about: I KNOW what God thinks about a lot of things. Some would take me aside as being a “Christian Bigot”. They would say, “How can you be so arrogant as to say you KNOW what God thinks?” I would say to them, “What principles are a guide for your life? Any? Some favorite author or politician? Some particular group you belong to?” From reading the Bible I know right from wrong, good from bad, profitable from unprofitable. Each time I read the Bible I get yet more from it. I have been a better man to the world because of it – even to those who would say it's “just another book”.
At 76 years old I’m still not one for a strong personal devotional time period, i.e. reading by myself. Yet all these married years, and a little before, 47 years in all, I have had family devotions, a daily Bible reading. This small thing has been great in my life . As God said, it has been the mustard seed that, though a tiny seed, grew to “a great tree with branches that the fouls of the air may nest in.”
Jesus, by the sacrifice, asks how important is your [job, animals, wealth, self-esteem, power, etc.] to you? More important than me? He answers the question of how important are we to him: we are important enough for him to give his only begotten son, important enough for him to die himself for us, important enough for him to give his spirit to dwell in us.
One thing I have confidence about: I KNOW what God thinks about a lot of things. Some would take me aside as being a “Christian Bigot”. They would say, “How can you be so arrogant as to say you KNOW what God thinks?” I would say to them, “What principles are a guide for your life? Any? Some favorite author or politician? Some particular group you belong to?” From reading the Bible I know right from wrong, good from bad, profitable from unprofitable. Each time I read the Bible I get yet more from it. I have been a better man to the world because of it – even to those who would say it's “just another book”.
Monday, April 20, 2020
PUT THE BALL IN SOMEONE ELSE’S COURT
[[ To continue some thinking from a previous blog of 4 April 2020 . . . ]]
John 19
Pilate cared nothing for Jesus life; that mattered not at all to him. If Pilot could quickly get Jesus to admit he was King he could get a quick, easy judgment. He brought him out before the people in “Kings clothing” saying, "behold your King". But he had no evidence, only the troublesome fact that Jesus had said he was the son of God. Now pilot was sucked into Jewish religious matters. He tried to release him until the Jews said that Jesus made himself King in the place of Caesar. That was enough to let pilot off the hook and get Jesus crucified. In all this, the fact that an innocent man might die had no effect on Pilot’s thinking. He didn't want to do anything that would embroil him in legal wrangling for months to come. He wanted out of the Jewish religious arguments. Let it not be said that Pilot upheld a Jewish religious discrimination suit in a Roman court. That was a career-stopper.
John 19
Pilate cared nothing for Jesus life; that mattered not at all to him. If Pilot could quickly get Jesus to admit he was King he could get a quick, easy judgment. He brought him out before the people in “Kings clothing” saying, "behold your King". But he had no evidence, only the troublesome fact that Jesus had said he was the son of God. Now pilot was sucked into Jewish religious matters. He tried to release him until the Jews said that Jesus made himself King in the place of Caesar. That was enough to let pilot off the hook and get Jesus crucified. In all this, the fact that an innocent man might die had no effect on Pilot’s thinking. He didn't want to do anything that would embroil him in legal wrangling for months to come. He wanted out of the Jewish religious arguments. Let it not be said that Pilot upheld a Jewish religious discrimination suit in a Roman court. That was a career-stopper.
Friday, April 17, 2020
BUILDING BY LIZZIE
My wife has a blog called BUILDING BY LIZZIE. I own the domain name "Submissionisnotsilence.com" and intended to re-direct all clicks to it to the "Bulding by..." site. But I mistakenly directed it to "submissionisnotsilence.blogspot.com" Try the BUILDING BY LIZZIE site, it's more current.
Monday, April 13, 2020
STORE TROUBLE IN PRISON OR DEATH ROW
John 18
At the time of his trial no one handling Jesus cared anything about the truth - they all had other purposes for dealing with him. The Pharisees wanted him dead while Pilot just wanted this troublesome incident out of the way.
Pilot wanted Jesus off his back. Pilot couldn't get the Jews to handle him. The Jews wanted him crucified but under Roman rule they had no authority for capital punishment. They had to contrive some way to get it done by the Romans. So, they told Pilot he was claiming to be a king. This required a death sentence – no one could be king but Caesar. Taking up the Jews’ line he started by trying to get Jesus to admit he was a King. He was trying to get Him to admit some guilt, to accuse himself. “So, you’re a king then,” said Pilot. “You’re the one saying that,” said Jesus. Pilot could not get Jesus to incriminate himself. Finally he made a public statement that he found no guilt in Jesus. This apparently riled the people enough to make for a possible riot. Now a good Roman Governor can not have riots on his record so he released Jesus to the executioners.
At the time of his trial no one handling Jesus cared anything about the truth - they all had other purposes for dealing with him. The Pharisees wanted him dead while Pilot just wanted this troublesome incident out of the way.
Pilot wanted Jesus off his back. Pilot couldn't get the Jews to handle him. The Jews wanted him crucified but under Roman rule they had no authority for capital punishment. They had to contrive some way to get it done by the Romans. So, they told Pilot he was claiming to be a king. This required a death sentence – no one could be king but Caesar. Taking up the Jews’ line he started by trying to get Jesus to admit he was a King. He was trying to get Him to admit some guilt, to accuse himself. “So, you’re a king then,” said Pilot. “You’re the one saying that,” said Jesus. Pilot could not get Jesus to incriminate himself. Finally he made a public statement that he found no guilt in Jesus. This apparently riled the people enough to make for a possible riot. Now a good Roman Governor can not have riots on his record so he released Jesus to the executioners.
Friday, April 10, 2020
CORONA VIRUS, SHAMONA VIRUS!
We have lived a long time: have seen many things, experienced many things, and learned many things We have had the pleasure of seeing our grown children themselves diligently raising a family. We have had the pleasure of reading the Bible together aloud every day for all our married life, so we know what’s in there We have benefited from the fellowship of many believers and non-believers Both of us have been close to death’s door yet have been granted more engagement with life. Neither of us were afraid at those times since we knew what lay on the other side, and that that place is better than this
So, Corona Virus, Shamona Virus! God’s plans for us on this side the door or the other are excellent plans. And they are the best possible plans Jer_29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end"
Yet the young among us (meaning those less that fifty years old) may have trouble thinking this way. I understand the anxiety of being absent from their friends and family. What will happen to them? It is sometimes hard to really trust that what God may do is for the best. How can hardship be for the best? Some questions and doubts will never be answered until we are walking with Jesus in heaven.
So, Corona Virus, Shamona Virus! God’s plans for us on this side the door or the other are excellent plans. And they are the best possible plans Jer_29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end"
Yet the young among us (meaning those less that fifty years old) may have trouble thinking this way. I understand the anxiety of being absent from their friends and family. What will happen to them? It is sometimes hard to really trust that what God may do is for the best. How can hardship be for the best? Some questions and doubts will never be answered until we are walking with Jesus in heaven.
Monday, April 6, 2020
WHERE IS ZERO ON THE TIMELINE
John 17:6
This appears a very "Presbyterian" section because it speaks of some people in the world who are the Father’s, and some who are not. “. . . The men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they are . . .” And yet it does not say for sure there are only certain prescribed ones who will believe. The ones who are "the father's" may as well be the father's because they exercised their will to believe. God predestined the possibility for men to make a choice for him. The ones who did became the “predestined”.
God is the god of all time. He exists in the past, present and future. For him time is just another created thing that is controlled by him. How else can we explain the witness of the Angel in Revelation saying, “. . . there will be time no more . . .”
I can somewhat comprehend the pre knowledge of God in this manner: I am 75 years old. I know that at 75 that I have been in the Navy, have married, have had children, and worked for the US government. If I was like God, and time was something I created, I would exist also at the time I was born as well as the time period we call “Now”. Time is like a dot moving along a line. Creatures subject to time must stay on the dot, but God stands back a distance from the line and can see the dot, the beginning and the end of the line, and eternity before and after. So if I were like God, I could stand back from the line, while the dot was at 75 years, and see clearly the spot on the line at zero years and know that I would be in the future: be in the Navy, get married, have children, and work for the US government. If I were like God, I could proclaim all this to the zero year spot on the line. It would sound to the 0-year-old created me like predestination. It actually would be a recitation from an all-knowing source, who lives outside our boundaries of time, of the things I had done as a result of the choices I made.
This appears a very "Presbyterian" section because it speaks of some people in the world who are the Father’s, and some who are not. “. . . The men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they are . . .” And yet it does not say for sure there are only certain prescribed ones who will believe. The ones who are "the father's" may as well be the father's because they exercised their will to believe. God predestined the possibility for men to make a choice for him. The ones who did became the “predestined”.
God is the god of all time. He exists in the past, present and future. For him time is just another created thing that is controlled by him. How else can we explain the witness of the Angel in Revelation saying, “. . . there will be time no more . . .”
I can somewhat comprehend the pre knowledge of God in this manner: I am 75 years old. I know that at 75 that I have been in the Navy, have married, have had children, and worked for the US government. If I was like God, and time was something I created, I would exist also at the time I was born as well as the time period we call “Now”. Time is like a dot moving along a line. Creatures subject to time must stay on the dot, but God stands back a distance from the line and can see the dot, the beginning and the end of the line, and eternity before and after. So if I were like God, I could stand back from the line, while the dot was at 75 years, and see clearly the spot on the line at zero years and know that I would be in the future: be in the Navy, get married, have children, and work for the US government. If I were like God, I could proclaim all this to the zero year spot on the line. It would sound to the 0-year-old created me like predestination. It actually would be a recitation from an all-knowing source, who lives outside our boundaries of time, of the things I had done as a result of the choices I made.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
SMALL OR LARGE STEPS
Psalm 18:29 says, "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall". (Second Samuel 22:30 says the same thing.) Here the writer has done impossible things having been empowered by God. Although possibly literal, I believe the actions described could be figurative. He has accomplished a seeming impossible task as if he had just “run through a troop”. These tasks are framed as if done in a very short time, perhaps instantaneous. They could also have taken an extended period. Was it be done suddenly on impulse, or was it done through many small steps over a long period of time? Will we look back one day and see we have "run through a troop" because of our consistent, diligent steps? The language of leap suggests one understanding, one instantaneous act, not a prolonged period. Yet we cannot play the piano instantly. We do not learn a new language instantly. When we can play the piano or speak a new language we can truly say, "I have come through a troop and have leaped over a wall".
Small. steps or large steps; walking or leaps; instants or long-term effort; we will need all these efforts during our lives.
Small. steps or large steps; walking or leaps; instants or long-term effort; we will need all these efforts during our lives.
Friday, March 27, 2020
ACCEPTING GOD’S SERVICE
In John 13:8 Jesus’ response to Peter when Peter did not want him to wash his feet was, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." Jesus was saying it is not on an option about accepting God’s service to us. We must accept his personally serving us. Even though we know him to be God - - greater than any person - - we must allow him to serve us, even as we would one who is much lower than us. So serving others is not an activity we should avoid. Because we are to be like him, we should do as he does.
Right after talking about serving, Jesus tells us, “The servant is not greater than his Lord”. Why does he say this? Is it that we might get thinking, after serving one another, how noble and giving we are? Perhaps more noble and giving than anyone else in the whole world ever was? Perhaps more a servant than God ever knew how to be?
Maybe it means something else. Maybe if we are God's children we do not have to do the things the ungodly have to do. They are servants to sin; they have to serve - - that's their place. But not us, we are God's children. There are many good works that on the surface appear to be "service works" and therefore we do not have to do them. But we can never serve as God has served: allowing himself to be killed by a misbehaving creation so that they could live. We must be like him. We are made to serve, not to be served.
Right after talking about serving, Jesus tells us, “The servant is not greater than his Lord”. Why does he say this? Is it that we might get thinking, after serving one another, how noble and giving we are? Perhaps more noble and giving than anyone else in the whole world ever was? Perhaps more a servant than God ever knew how to be?
Maybe it means something else. Maybe if we are God's children we do not have to do the things the ungodly have to do. They are servants to sin; they have to serve - - that's their place. But not us, we are God's children. There are many good works that on the surface appear to be "service works" and therefore we do not have to do them. But we can never serve as God has served: allowing himself to be killed by a misbehaving creation so that they could live. We must be like him. We are made to serve, not to be served.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
HE KNOWS WHO DONE IT
Psalms 9:12 says how God . . . “maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.” God does not forget those that have been cut down in cold blood. Perhaps this means more than the physically murdered; perhaps it also stands for those who have been bloodied spiritually. God will make inquisition - there will be a judgment day.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
GOD DOES’NT JUST PULL THE TIRGGER
John 12
God's shows great loving kindness in that Jesus did not just eliminate those who sought his life. Maybe some of these very ones would later come to believe - as when Paul encountered the vision on the road to Damascus. And perhaps he waits for some to come "come out of the closet", such as the timid in verses 42 and 43: "Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God."
God is very patient. When you look at the world it's obvious it's a created place. It's obvious that men are the highest creatures because they, as God said, have Dominion. And it's obvious that without God men are very mean to each other. God hasn’t pulled the trigger yet, but one day he will.
God's shows great loving kindness in that Jesus did not just eliminate those who sought his life. Maybe some of these very ones would later come to believe - as when Paul encountered the vision on the road to Damascus. And perhaps he waits for some to come "come out of the closet", such as the timid in verses 42 and 43: "Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God."
God is very patient. When you look at the world it's obvious it's a created place. It's obvious that men are the highest creatures because they, as God said, have Dominion. And it's obvious that without God men are very mean to each other. God hasn’t pulled the trigger yet, but one day he will.
Monday, February 10, 2020
BUT HE WASN’T THERE
John 11
He was not there when Lazarus died. When Jesus came to raise Lazarus from the dead much is made of "if you had been here Lazarus would not have died". By both sisters, by the people, and by Jesus himself when he said for the disciples sakes he was glad he was not here there (see verse 15). This was for the intent that they should believe. When he raised Lazarus, it was for the people to see and believe. He said, “. . . that they may believe that thou [the Father] hast sent me". This is another miracle done to demonstrate that Jesus is the son of God. Some believed and some did not. Why did they not believe? Because they did not accept that his power was coming from God. In the perceiving of him they always were biased for some other way of thinking.
Why was he not there? To allow Lazarus to die. If Jesus had been there, a sick man – not a dead man - would have been healed. Some would have said "he was sick and just got well, he would have recovered even if Jesus were not there." By rising him from the dead he demonstrated miraculous power.
Many judged Jesus’ deeds, what he did, by what they already had in their minds. They had preconceptions and biases. I suppose we always judge things by the knowledge, history and experience we have in our minds. This the Pharisees did - and did it wrong. We know this because they came out against the son of God.
We must be careful how we judge others. On one hand we don't want to use wrong concepts, like the Pharisees. On the other hand, "my sheep hear my voice , and I know them, and they follow Me"
He was not there when Lazarus died. When Jesus came to raise Lazarus from the dead much is made of "if you had been here Lazarus would not have died". By both sisters, by the people, and by Jesus himself when he said for the disciples sakes he was glad he was not here there (see verse 15). This was for the intent that they should believe. When he raised Lazarus, it was for the people to see and believe. He said, “. . . that they may believe that thou [the Father] hast sent me". This is another miracle done to demonstrate that Jesus is the son of God. Some believed and some did not. Why did they not believe? Because they did not accept that his power was coming from God. In the perceiving of him they always were biased for some other way of thinking.
Why was he not there? To allow Lazarus to die. If Jesus had been there, a sick man – not a dead man - would have been healed. Some would have said "he was sick and just got well, he would have recovered even if Jesus were not there." By rising him from the dead he demonstrated miraculous power.
Many judged Jesus’ deeds, what he did, by what they already had in their minds. They had preconceptions and biases. I suppose we always judge things by the knowledge, history and experience we have in our minds. This the Pharisees did - and did it wrong. We know this because they came out against the son of God.
We must be careful how we judge others. On one hand we don't want to use wrong concepts, like the Pharisees. On the other hand, "my sheep hear my voice , and I know them, and they follow Me"
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
SOME SEE AND HEAR, SOME DON’T
In John 8 Jesus heals a blind man and tells him to go the pool of Siloam and wash. The blind man was healed and received sight, for he was one who listened for God, did what God said, and allowed his perceptions to be controlled by what God asked, not what tradition demanded. He was healed because he listened to Jesus. Later he was brought to the Pharisees who questioned him about the miracle. The pharisees tossed the blind man out of the synagogue because he would not back away from what he had just experienced and agree Jesus was a sinner.
The Pharisees were the ones who were really blind because they judged what happened through their tradition. They saw what they wanted. They could not recognize a miracle because it occurred in a way that broke some of their arbitrary rules.
Jesus told us the sheep know his voice. He is the door - he is the way people get into the sheepfold. We know someone is a robber if they come in by any other way than Jesus. He said, "as the father knows me, even so I know the father". He lays down his life for the sheep. He, in the body of flesh, was being wrongly understood and persecuted despite the words he spoke and the miracles he performed. He suffered the horrible anticipation of his death in every sense that any ordinary man would. God gives us a world to live in, yet the pharisees of us walk on our own food, pee in our drinking water, and kill the innocent.
It is God's nature to love and to reach out to his creation. Who can say that he does not seeing we have food in our teeth and stand by the risen cross of Christ? There is no way any man can justify himself before God. God does not stand before us as a cruel or detached or self-serving taskmaster. He stands as one with an open hand as one who wants a relationship, as one who wants involvement with our lives.
The Pharisees were the ones who were really blind because they judged what happened through their tradition. They saw what they wanted. They could not recognize a miracle because it occurred in a way that broke some of their arbitrary rules.
Jesus told us the sheep know his voice. He is the door - he is the way people get into the sheepfold. We know someone is a robber if they come in by any other way than Jesus. He said, "as the father knows me, even so I know the father". He lays down his life for the sheep. He, in the body of flesh, was being wrongly understood and persecuted despite the words he spoke and the miracles he performed. He suffered the horrible anticipation of his death in every sense that any ordinary man would. God gives us a world to live in, yet the pharisees of us walk on our own food, pee in our drinking water, and kill the innocent.
It is God's nature to love and to reach out to his creation. Who can say that he does not seeing we have food in our teeth and stand by the risen cross of Christ? There is no way any man can justify himself before God. God does not stand before us as a cruel or detached or self-serving taskmaster. He stands as one with an open hand as one who wants a relationship, as one who wants involvement with our lives.
Friday, January 31, 2020
KNOWING ALL THERE IS
John 8
What wonderful patience and self-control Jesus has. Here he is, God, and here are these termite Pharisee creatures challenging the words that he says. They said things like: “You bear record of yourself, your record is not true.” “Where is your father?” "Will he kill himself because he says he’s going to the Father?” “Are not we correct when we say you are Samaritan and have a devil?” “Who do you make yourself?”
These are unbelievers, yet he takes the time to answer them. This shows the nature of God - -suffering the unbelievers while waiting for those who will believe. Also, he had yet the work on the cross to do. He says to them “If you were blind you would not have sinned, but now you say 'we see' therefore your sin remains."
Maybe the word "seeing" used here is the way someone understands something. This is the way the Pharisees understood all about God - this is the way they "saw" it. If they said inwardly "we do not understand God", they would be "blind" but would have no sin. But they said "We know all there is to know about God - we see" In fact, they did not know all there was, so they were in sin, and blind. It was a continuing attitude of "I know what there is to know and need nothing more."
But we should always be willing and open to learn to be changed by God.
Jesus came to give true understanding of God to those who want it. But he comes to set aside the ones who claim godliness but do not have it. The purpose of this is judgment, the division of one from the other. The division was wide. How far was the blind man was separated from the Pharisees - the blind man's heart was for God, the Pharisees’ hearts were for the religious establishment, their jobs, the "church", the "right way".
What wonderful patience and self-control Jesus has. Here he is, God, and here are these termite Pharisee creatures challenging the words that he says. They said things like: “You bear record of yourself, your record is not true.” “Where is your father?” "Will he kill himself because he says he’s going to the Father?” “Are not we correct when we say you are Samaritan and have a devil?” “Who do you make yourself?”
These are unbelievers, yet he takes the time to answer them. This shows the nature of God - -suffering the unbelievers while waiting for those who will believe. Also, he had yet the work on the cross to do. He says to them “If you were blind you would not have sinned, but now you say 'we see' therefore your sin remains."
Maybe the word "seeing" used here is the way someone understands something. This is the way the Pharisees understood all about God - this is the way they "saw" it. If they said inwardly "we do not understand God", they would be "blind" but would have no sin. But they said "We know all there is to know about God - we see" In fact, they did not know all there was, so they were in sin, and blind. It was a continuing attitude of "I know what there is to know and need nothing more."
But we should always be willing and open to learn to be changed by God.
Jesus came to give true understanding of God to those who want it. But he comes to set aside the ones who claim godliness but do not have it. The purpose of this is judgment, the division of one from the other. The division was wide. How far was the blind man was separated from the Pharisees - the blind man's heart was for God, the Pharisees’ hearts were for the religious establishment, their jobs, the "church", the "right way".
Monday, January 20, 2020
AMISH INTERFERENCE
I read an article somewhere that addressed a local government’s intrusion into a dwelling in an Amish Community. I don’t recall the specific elements of the contention, but I was concerned with the possibility of harsh government interference, possibly religious persecution, as if some group within the government did not like the Amish and wanted to use the law to punish them. It’s easy to jump to this conclusion which likely is not the case at all. Nevertheless, it makes us wary of how much control a government has once you shut the doors of your house.
A good Government exists, as our constitution says, “by and for the people”. We know some rules for all citizens are necessary such as: thou shalt not kill, drive on right side of the road, stop at red lights, and pay taxes. But an intrusive local, regional, or national government can be harmful to some or all of its citizens. Two prime examples of obtrusive government systems are Nazism and Stalinist communism.
How much authority do the local and regional governments have over health issues? How far is the local government's reach into the use and conduct of personal properties under it's jurisdiction? How retroactive should the local laws and ordinances be as far as controlling existing properties? Can it force change on long-existing conditions? If there is no present harm to neighboring properties can it force changes upon the present owner? Can it force changes before the property can change ownership? How much responsibility does the new owner acquire for existing conditions once he takes ownership?
There are several issues to be considered. Without a legal inspection how would government know about any existing harmful conditions? For example: does the property harm the health of the residents of the surrounding properties? Can this harm be scientifically proven? How about an existing septic system; can the system be scientifically proven to be harmful to adjoining properties? What if the house uses a cistern; does it affect the health of household? Does the government have the codified (written) authority to enforce health issues if the cistern can be scientifically proven to be harmful in that individual case? What if the house is not electrified and must use a hand pump for a shallow well? Can the government force a change in the water supply arrangement thus forcing electrification of the residence?
A good Government exists, as our constitution says, “by and for the people”. We know some rules for all citizens are necessary such as: thou shalt not kill, drive on right side of the road, stop at red lights, and pay taxes. But an intrusive local, regional, or national government can be harmful to some or all of its citizens. Two prime examples of obtrusive government systems are Nazism and Stalinist communism.
How much authority do the local and regional governments have over health issues? How far is the local government's reach into the use and conduct of personal properties under it's jurisdiction? How retroactive should the local laws and ordinances be as far as controlling existing properties? Can it force change on long-existing conditions? If there is no present harm to neighboring properties can it force changes upon the present owner? Can it force changes before the property can change ownership? How much responsibility does the new owner acquire for existing conditions once he takes ownership?
There are several issues to be considered. Without a legal inspection how would government know about any existing harmful conditions? For example: does the property harm the health of the residents of the surrounding properties? Can this harm be scientifically proven? How about an existing septic system; can the system be scientifically proven to be harmful to adjoining properties? What if the house uses a cistern; does it affect the health of household? Does the government have the codified (written) authority to enforce health issues if the cistern can be scientifically proven to be harmful in that individual case? What if the house is not electrified and must use a hand pump for a shallow well? Can the government force a change in the water supply arrangement thus forcing electrification of the residence?
Thursday, December 26, 2019
NOT EVERYONE GOES TO SEMINARY
From John 7
Jesus is plainly, openly, among his people doing miracles. Yet there is confusion among them. Some believed and some did not. The anti-Jesus ones had these arguments: "the Messiah is supposed to come from Bethlehem, but this guy comes from Nazareth. This guy has never been to seminary." We have doubts about things because we do not know all there is to know, as some of Jesus’ contemporaries did not know that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem. Jesus had just said "if any man will do his [God’s] will, be shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I, speak of myself." The one that does God's will knows that Jesus is of God.
The Pharisees wanted the people to believe as they believed, and they used themselves as the example and rationale: they said, "Have any of us (the Pharisees) believed on him? We have all gone to seminary and are smart and understand what those who have not gone to seminary cannot understand. To know if you are correct in your thinking look at what the seminary grads are thinking . . . but this people, who do not know the law (because they have not gone to seminary), are cursed."
We think we are not so smug as the Pharisees, but before we go too far along that line of reasoning let us look inward to make sure we are not ourselves being arrogant. Do you read the Bible? so did they. They achieved some of their knowledge from listening to others, and so have you. Among the Pharisees were good men, like Nicodemus. In our inward parts may lurk a little pharisee; beware.
Jesus is plainly, openly, among his people doing miracles. Yet there is confusion among them. Some believed and some did not. The anti-Jesus ones had these arguments: "the Messiah is supposed to come from Bethlehem, but this guy comes from Nazareth. This guy has never been to seminary." We have doubts about things because we do not know all there is to know, as some of Jesus’ contemporaries did not know that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem. Jesus had just said "if any man will do his [God’s] will, be shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I, speak of myself." The one that does God's will knows that Jesus is of God.
The Pharisees wanted the people to believe as they believed, and they used themselves as the example and rationale: they said, "Have any of us (the Pharisees) believed on him? We have all gone to seminary and are smart and understand what those who have not gone to seminary cannot understand. To know if you are correct in your thinking look at what the seminary grads are thinking . . . but this people, who do not know the law (because they have not gone to seminary), are cursed."
We think we are not so smug as the Pharisees, but before we go too far along that line of reasoning let us look inward to make sure we are not ourselves being arrogant. Do you read the Bible? so did they. They achieved some of their knowledge from listening to others, and so have you. Among the Pharisees were good men, like Nicodemus. In our inward parts may lurk a little pharisee; beware.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
WHY DID HE SHOW UP WEAK?
John 7
Jesus brothers were at odds with him. They somehow didn't like Jesus hiding himself from the Jews. Did they know they wanted to kill him? If the brothers knew they did not seem to care for Jesus’ life.
Verses 2 through 13 show what a turmoil was around Jesus. Many were seeking his harm. Why would our Lord not come in power - - rather than this way: being hated by the rulers and despised by the very family he chose to come into? Why not just come in lightning and power and destroy all who oppose him and whip the rest into submission? I think it’s because, if he came that way, most would die immediately; many others would die a short while later, most would be miserable with stripes on their backs, and only a few would be somewhat content; even if walking on eggshells.
What does God want? His will was that all should not perish, but all should come to the knowledge of the truth. He came not to give stripes - - but by his stripes are we healed. This is an example of God's just love and loving kindness - - to come with meekness and an offer of eternal salvation.
This shows the range of confusion among the people; from resentment to acceptance. If he came back the same way in our age the same would happen again, except our Lord will not come back the same way again.
Jesus brothers were at odds with him. They somehow didn't like Jesus hiding himself from the Jews. Did they know they wanted to kill him? If the brothers knew they did not seem to care for Jesus’ life.
Verses 2 through 13 show what a turmoil was around Jesus. Many were seeking his harm. Why would our Lord not come in power - - rather than this way: being hated by the rulers and despised by the very family he chose to come into? Why not just come in lightning and power and destroy all who oppose him and whip the rest into submission? I think it’s because, if he came that way, most would die immediately; many others would die a short while later, most would be miserable with stripes on their backs, and only a few would be somewhat content; even if walking on eggshells.
What does God want? His will was that all should not perish, but all should come to the knowledge of the truth. He came not to give stripes - - but by his stripes are we healed. This is an example of God's just love and loving kindness - - to come with meekness and an offer of eternal salvation.
This shows the range of confusion among the people; from resentment to acceptance. If he came back the same way in our age the same would happen again, except our Lord will not come back the same way again.
Friday, November 15, 2019
WEALTH AND POVERTY
Some thoughts from Proverbs 15
The wealth of the rich enables them to build strong cities, which protect them, which enable them to keep, and get more wealth. The poverty of the poor leaves them nothing to work with, or to use to defend against destruction. This causes them to lose even more of what they might have, which makes them poorer. This must be why God speaks so much of the strong uplifting the week and the rich feeding the poor – and we don’t have to be really strong or really rich to do this.
"He that hides hatred with lying lips and he that speaks slander is a fool". The Hater hates who or what he is talking about but tells others something entirely different. The listener does not know where he really stands. The Slanderer openly despises the one he talks about, and everyone knows it. The similarity between the two is in the heart, where there is hatred. They both seek to damage. The hatred and destruction make them fools; they are not God-like.
"The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for want of wisdom". The lips of the righteous feed. This must mean what comes out of his lips - his words of wisdom. What he says goes out (feeds) the ears of many. They feed because they are hopeful, helpful, beneficial words others can use in their lives. But there are some, the fools, that will neither speak nor hear wisdom.
The wealth of the rich enables them to build strong cities, which protect them, which enable them to keep, and get more wealth. The poverty of the poor leaves them nothing to work with, or to use to defend against destruction. This causes them to lose even more of what they might have, which makes them poorer. This must be why God speaks so much of the strong uplifting the week and the rich feeding the poor – and we don’t have to be really strong or really rich to do this.
"He that hides hatred with lying lips and he that speaks slander is a fool". The Hater hates who or what he is talking about but tells others something entirely different. The listener does not know where he really stands. The Slanderer openly despises the one he talks about, and everyone knows it. The similarity between the two is in the heart, where there is hatred. They both seek to damage. The hatred and destruction make them fools; they are not God-like.
"The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for want of wisdom". The lips of the righteous feed. This must mean what comes out of his lips - his words of wisdom. What he says goes out (feeds) the ears of many. They feed because they are hopeful, helpful, beneficial words others can use in their lives. But there are some, the fools, that will neither speak nor hear wisdom.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
GOING FOR THE MIRICLES
In John 6 we read how Jesus used the miracles to show who he was, but the people viewed the miracles because of what they could get from them. In verse 26 he tells the people they sought him, ". . . not because they saw the miracles, but because they did eat of the loves and were filled." They wanted the things that miracles produced, they did not think of the one who produced the miracles. Jesus wants us to seek the one who does the miracles, not the things we get from the miracles. The people persist in this way, in verse 31 they say, "He [Moses] gave them bread from heaven to eat." They have given credit for the mana to Moses. Jesus corrects them right away saying that the Father gave them the mana. Jesus says the bread that comes from heaven and gives life to the world is what is important. They were thinking of their own physical benefits: the bread they ate and the healing they got.
We must be glad for the maker of the miracles, not only for the benefits, the "freebies", we get from the miracles. When the stormy waters are calmed (John 6:21) we must willingly receive Jesus into our boat being glad for the person who came to us, and not concerned so much with the walking on the water. We should think, "I am glad you came to my boat. I'm glad to have you here with me because I like you, you are pleasant to have around. I like to be with you. By the way, it was neat how you walked on the water".
Jesus did the miracles to convince people of truth. Some, however, saw only the benefits of the miracles to themselves, ignoring God and his part in their lives. How crass are we when we ignore what God does in our daily lives? How many times do we overlook God's involvement, not to speak of being thankless? Maybe we should keep a "God hunt" book by our bed and write in it every night.
We must be glad for the maker of the miracles, not only for the benefits, the "freebies", we get from the miracles. When the stormy waters are calmed (John 6:21) we must willingly receive Jesus into our boat being glad for the person who came to us, and not concerned so much with the walking on the water. We should think, "I am glad you came to my boat. I'm glad to have you here with me because I like you, you are pleasant to have around. I like to be with you. By the way, it was neat how you walked on the water".
Jesus did the miracles to convince people of truth. Some, however, saw only the benefits of the miracles to themselves, ignoring God and his part in their lives. How crass are we when we ignore what God does in our daily lives? How many times do we overlook God's involvement, not to speak of being thankless? Maybe we should keep a "God hunt" book by our bed and write in it every night.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
I PLAYED PIANO ONCE
Apparently, I was once able to play the piano. After three years of practicing, using lead sheets with chord symbols, I became a passable accompanist. I could fake it in almost any key for uncomplicated songs. I had begun to pick out the melody with chords. Many times I wondered if this is was a thing I could ever do. Would it ever be worth the effort? Often I did it only because I thought it might be something God wanted. I knew I never would advance if I did not take the little steps. I did not actually know that God wanted me to do music, but I didn’t think he wanted to keep me from doing it. The little practice times over the three years added up to a useful capability.
This showed me I need to press through the failure. I need to turn my mind from a failure onto the goal, whatever it may be. I need to overcome, overcome, overcome. Overcoming is not pretty and glamorous, it does not even feel virtuous or victorious at the time. However, holding onto memories of failures or incomplete successes will drain the strength out of your overcoming effort. What might not seem to be significant, or full of a lot of value, is further diminished by the discouragement of remembered failure. It’s a deception to focus on the allusion of the unimportance of an overcoming task. We want our buckets filled with a sweeping, dramatic, Hollywood style push. We want it filled now, not tomorrow, not next week, but now. But most of the time our buckets are filled one drop at a time. No drops, no filling.
In the years since I have not continued to fill the bucket. I have not laid hands on a keyboard. I don’t remember the key signatures anymore. I think it would take considerable effort to get back to the minimal skill I once had. Now what am I doing? I am remembering my failure of keeping to the little steps, and it has drained my overcoming effort. Will I ever play the piano again?
This showed me I need to press through the failure. I need to turn my mind from a failure onto the goal, whatever it may be. I need to overcome, overcome, overcome. Overcoming is not pretty and glamorous, it does not even feel virtuous or victorious at the time. However, holding onto memories of failures or incomplete successes will drain the strength out of your overcoming effort. What might not seem to be significant, or full of a lot of value, is further diminished by the discouragement of remembered failure. It’s a deception to focus on the allusion of the unimportance of an overcoming task. We want our buckets filled with a sweeping, dramatic, Hollywood style push. We want it filled now, not tomorrow, not next week, but now. But most of the time our buckets are filled one drop at a time. No drops, no filling.
In the years since I have not continued to fill the bucket. I have not laid hands on a keyboard. I don’t remember the key signatures anymore. I think it would take considerable effort to get back to the minimal skill I once had. Now what am I doing? I am remembering my failure of keeping to the little steps, and it has drained my overcoming effort. Will I ever play the piano again?
Friday, October 25, 2019
FLY TRAP
There are some things that people write on advertisements that appear as you are perusing the web. They are meant to grab you away from what you are doing to the marvelous idea of what they are offering. I treat such attempts with scorn, do you? You know them by the phrases they use such as:
- - (blank) don’t want you to know. . .
- - (blank) is hiding this (blank) . . .
- - Guys are obsessed with (blank)
- - must see (blank)
- - (blank) can’t do without (blank) . . .
- - what (blank) won’t tell you . . .
If you fall into this trap you find yourself in a very, very long description of the process or object that will promise to disclose what it is further on in the article. You must read further to get to the point. When you get there you find that, although this item is "free", it costs money; or it might require you to disclose personal information. You have fallen into a Venus fly trap. You should have known better.
- - (blank) don’t want you to know. . .
- - (blank) is hiding this (blank) . . .
- - Guys are obsessed with (blank)
- - must see (blank)
- - (blank) can’t do without (blank) . . .
- - what (blank) won’t tell you . . .
If you fall into this trap you find yourself in a very, very long description of the process or object that will promise to disclose what it is further on in the article. You must read further to get to the point. When you get there you find that, although this item is "free", it costs money; or it might require you to disclose personal information. You have fallen into a Venus fly trap. You should have known better.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
RATTING OUT JESUS
Why did the man at the pool of Bethesda rat (tattle, blab, spill the beans) on Jesus (see John 5:15)? Was he afraid of the Pharisees that they would punish him for carrying his bed roll? Did the think, "Boy the Pharisees nearly burned me because I was carrying the bed; I'd better tell them where he is; if they find out I knew and didn't tell they'll make it tough for me."
Was he loyal to the Pharisees? Did he want to identify the man who encouraged breaking the Sabbath? Did he think, "These guys and I are brothers. I'll tell them because they want to know. I’ll get myself approval points if I tell them."
Did he tell them because Jesus spoke of him as a sinner? (Jesus told him, "go and sin no more lest a worst thing come onto thee.") The man might have thought, "How dare he assume I am a sinner? This guy is saying, 'This thing happened to you because you sinned, sin no more because a worse thing will happen to you.’ I’ll fix him, I’ll go tell the Pharisees where he is. I know they are looking for him; they’ll make his life miserable once they find him."
Knowing that Jesus is God and knows all things, why did he pick this man out for healing? Are we ever like him?
Was he loyal to the Pharisees? Did he want to identify the man who encouraged breaking the Sabbath? Did he think, "These guys and I are brothers. I'll tell them because they want to know. I’ll get myself approval points if I tell them."
Did he tell them because Jesus spoke of him as a sinner? (Jesus told him, "go and sin no more lest a worst thing come onto thee.") The man might have thought, "How dare he assume I am a sinner? This guy is saying, 'This thing happened to you because you sinned, sin no more because a worse thing will happen to you.’ I’ll fix him, I’ll go tell the Pharisees where he is. I know they are looking for him; they’ll make his life miserable once they find him."
Knowing that Jesus is God and knows all things, why did he pick this man out for healing? Are we ever like him?
Monday, October 14, 2019
WOMAN AT THE WELL
Jesus was sitting at a well in Samaria and asked for a drink from woman who came there. She was surprised that a Jewish man would even speak to her. She questioned back in an attitude that appeared to be cynical. Why would not she be cynical? Apparently, no man treated her well, and here was a man, and an enemy of Samaritans at that, that was asking a favor of her.
I wonder if we ourselves question Jesus in cynicism?
He said to the woman, "If you knew who it was that asked you for water, you would ask of him living water".
Sometimes we wonder, as the Samaritan might have wondered, “what on earth is he talking about?”
She said, "The well is deep - how is it possible for you to get water out, I do not see a bucket? Beside this, I do not understand the principles of this ‘living water’ ".
Do we fully understand the immense life Jesus has given to us? How can we get something with what appears to be no effort?
She says, "Our father Jacob dug this well; we have our own established means of religion."
Jesus says, "He that drinks this well water will thirst again, the water I give is living water will be a well springing up in him and he shall never thirst again, Your religion will leave you thirsty, the living water I give will be in you at all times, it does not depend on religion."
If we were there like the woman we would probably say, "yeah, right, prove it, give me the quote living water unquote."
Jesus says "bring your husband"
At this point her whole attitude changes when she admits she has no husband (in fact she has churned through five husbands). She is no longer cynical; she wants to get answers from Jesus. She earnestly asks, "Our tradition says worship this way, you say another; What about that?"
He says, "The time is coming when there will be no politically correct place to worship. We will worship in spirit and in truth. The true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth; Those are the kind of worshippers the father seeks. The way to worship God is in spirit and in truth.
She said, "We know the end times are coming when all things will be put right, Christ will have returned and he will answer all our questions."
Jesus said, "I am here now, and I am speaking to you now."
Isn’t that what we want too? Just skip to the end of it all, let’s do this heaven thing now. Do we really realize that Jesus is with us at this very moment? He is with us even when things are falling in the toilet all around us? He is with us, though disappointed, when we are acting badly? How far, really, are we from the Samaritan woman?
I wonder if we ourselves question Jesus in cynicism?
He said to the woman, "If you knew who it was that asked you for water, you would ask of him living water".
Sometimes we wonder, as the Samaritan might have wondered, “what on earth is he talking about?”
She said, "The well is deep - how is it possible for you to get water out, I do not see a bucket? Beside this, I do not understand the principles of this ‘living water’ ".
Do we fully understand the immense life Jesus has given to us? How can we get something with what appears to be no effort?
She says, "Our father Jacob dug this well; we have our own established means of religion."
Jesus says, "He that drinks this well water will thirst again, the water I give is living water will be a well springing up in him and he shall never thirst again, Your religion will leave you thirsty, the living water I give will be in you at all times, it does not depend on religion."
If we were there like the woman we would probably say, "yeah, right, prove it, give me the quote living water unquote."
Jesus says "bring your husband"
At this point her whole attitude changes when she admits she has no husband (in fact she has churned through five husbands). She is no longer cynical; she wants to get answers from Jesus. She earnestly asks, "Our tradition says worship this way, you say another; What about that?"
He says, "The time is coming when there will be no politically correct place to worship. We will worship in spirit and in truth. The true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth; Those are the kind of worshippers the father seeks. The way to worship God is in spirit and in truth.
She said, "We know the end times are coming when all things will be put right, Christ will have returned and he will answer all our questions."
Jesus said, "I am here now, and I am speaking to you now."
Isn’t that what we want too? Just skip to the end of it all, let’s do this heaven thing now. Do we really realize that Jesus is with us at this very moment? He is with us even when things are falling in the toilet all around us? He is with us, though disappointed, when we are acting badly? How far, really, are we from the Samaritan woman?
Thursday, October 10, 2019
HAVING THE RIGHT CLOTHES
I had a dream that I went onto Navy ship for the purpose of serving on one more cruise. Even though I was a Radioman I went to the Radar Shack to ask them if they had a particular kind of food. They were eating and offered what they had, but I refused. I was aware that my not eating what they offered might offend them. I left the ship to get some things from shore, but the ship was getting underway and I was caught. I realized I didn’t have adequate uniforms. The ones I had were old and too small.
If I were to spiritualize this dream, I might say I did not have the uniforms because I was not like them; they were Radarmen and I was a Radioman; I was a Christian while many others were not. I was of the Lord and they were not. I feared because my uniforms were not adequate to their purposes. Many worldly people reject the “dress” of Christians; it gets in the way of how they conduct their life. And we as Christians are aware our life is not like theirs and we are not liked because of it. Sometimes we wish to blend in – to wear the “proper” uniform, one like theirs. Let’s face it, sometimes we have not kept our uniforms well.
I pray, “Lord please make my clothing to be just what you want it to be. I want the uniform of the Lord’s Navy. I want a garment for the Wedding Supper of The Lamb. You want me to take care of my earthy uniform, please show me how.”
A cruse on a Navy ship is temporary, it lasts for a definite period or time. Time in the Navy lasts from enlistment to discharge. Whatever earthly job you have lasts for a short time. Life in the flesh is also a definite period of time. The flesh-life starts at conception and ends when the body dies. Yet life goes on eternally after the flesh dies.
I want to be clothed with godliness. I want to show up in Heaven with the proper uniform. I don't want earthly food I want the Bread of Life.
If I were to spiritualize this dream, I might say I did not have the uniforms because I was not like them; they were Radarmen and I was a Radioman; I was a Christian while many others were not. I was of the Lord and they were not. I feared because my uniforms were not adequate to their purposes. Many worldly people reject the “dress” of Christians; it gets in the way of how they conduct their life. And we as Christians are aware our life is not like theirs and we are not liked because of it. Sometimes we wish to blend in – to wear the “proper” uniform, one like theirs. Let’s face it, sometimes we have not kept our uniforms well.
I pray, “Lord please make my clothing to be just what you want it to be. I want the uniform of the Lord’s Navy. I want a garment for the Wedding Supper of The Lamb. You want me to take care of my earthy uniform, please show me how.”
A cruse on a Navy ship is temporary, it lasts for a definite period or time. Time in the Navy lasts from enlistment to discharge. Whatever earthly job you have lasts for a short time. Life in the flesh is also a definite period of time. The flesh-life starts at conception and ends when the body dies. Yet life goes on eternally after the flesh dies.
I want to be clothed with godliness. I want to show up in Heaven with the proper uniform. I don't want earthly food I want the Bread of Life.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
GETTING IMMERSED
Jesus says that if a man is not born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. This compares with first John that speaks of the blood, water, and spirit. We are born naturally - the blood. We must also have the water and spirit.
I wonder if the water is the baptism - some sort of public confession of Christ. Some say it must be religious ceremony, an actual baptism rite, as when one is baptized in a church, or at least at a gathering of Christians for the purpose of baptism. Perhaps it might be the immersion into the Christian life after one is saved.
The Holy Spirit lighted on Jesus when he was baptized. Some say the baptism event is when we get the Holy Spirit. Yet Ephesians 1:13 says, "after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. . . " In other words "believe" and "receive" happen at the same time. It seems we believe the gospel, get saved and are indwelt with the Holy Spirit simultaneously.
We want grand things, but the truth is we must receive simple things. When most of us are told the gospel and believe it is through a simple voice communication, not through some fantastic, electrically-crackling incident. Only the shepherds got to see the chorus of Angels when they were given the good news. We get to hear it when someone comes up and buttonholes us on the street. Many times the messenger is not attractive. We have to accept what we are given. If we do not believe when men speak to us of earthly things, how shall we believe if they were to speak of heavenly things?
So here we have the blood, water and spirit. We all have the blood part down; do you have the water and spirit part down too?
I wonder if the water is the baptism - some sort of public confession of Christ. Some say it must be religious ceremony, an actual baptism rite, as when one is baptized in a church, or at least at a gathering of Christians for the purpose of baptism. Perhaps it might be the immersion into the Christian life after one is saved.
The Holy Spirit lighted on Jesus when he was baptized. Some say the baptism event is when we get the Holy Spirit. Yet Ephesians 1:13 says, "after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. . . " In other words "believe" and "receive" happen at the same time. It seems we believe the gospel, get saved and are indwelt with the Holy Spirit simultaneously.
We want grand things, but the truth is we must receive simple things. When most of us are told the gospel and believe it is through a simple voice communication, not through some fantastic, electrically-crackling incident. Only the shepherds got to see the chorus of Angels when they were given the good news. We get to hear it when someone comes up and buttonholes us on the street. Many times the messenger is not attractive. We have to accept what we are given. If we do not believe when men speak to us of earthly things, how shall we believe if they were to speak of heavenly things?
So here we have the blood, water and spirit. We all have the blood part down; do you have the water and spirit part down too?
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
WISDOM OR SCOFFING
People must make an effort to get knowledge and wisdom, and, they have to make an effort not to. Here are some key works related to the acquisition of wisdom: hearing, perception, reception, attaining, understanding. This seems to be a progression to me. You first hear an idea, you perceive what it means, you receive it (or refuse it), then you accrue the benefits of it; all the steps of which lead to wisdom.
Proverbs tells us Wisdom cries out to both the Simple and the Scorner. If they were to turn, she would pour out her spirit and make known her words. The Simple person is unaware of basic facts, does not know choices, or have comprehension. He may not be capable of more complex mental activities. The Scorner looks upon Wisdom’s ways as inferior and is more than willing to say so. If the Simple and Scorner will turn (steer away from the evil way of doing things), Wisdom will make them capable of understanding. The spirit of Wisdom would enable them to think the way the Wisdom thinks. Wise concepts will be revealed for them . They will be able to see as they never have seen before, as when in a dark room and the light has been turned on. What a wonderful thing this is: for the Simple to become wise and capable and for this Scorner to have a humble, hopeful view of things. But it takes the effort of turning
Some people choose not to have wisdom for they hate inconvenient truth and they do not choose the fear of the Lord. They would have none of Wisdom’s counsel. They despise all the reproofs. The turning away of the Simple will slay them. Those that choose prosperity over wisdom (and obedience and godliness) are choosing destruction. It takes effort to be wise and godly and it takes effort not to be wise and godly. If we are going spend our energy, let us make the effort that profits to godliness and results in wisdom. All such things are decisions easy to make that can have profound, if not eternal, consequences. The only difficulty comes in choosing a discipline over a want, the uncomfortable truth over a comfortable lie.
Proverbs tells us Wisdom cries out to both the Simple and the Scorner. If they were to turn, she would pour out her spirit and make known her words. The Simple person is unaware of basic facts, does not know choices, or have comprehension. He may not be capable of more complex mental activities. The Scorner looks upon Wisdom’s ways as inferior and is more than willing to say so. If the Simple and Scorner will turn (steer away from the evil way of doing things), Wisdom will make them capable of understanding. The spirit of Wisdom would enable them to think the way the Wisdom thinks. Wise concepts will be revealed for them . They will be able to see as they never have seen before, as when in a dark room and the light has been turned on. What a wonderful thing this is: for the Simple to become wise and capable and for this Scorner to have a humble, hopeful view of things. But it takes the effort of turning
Some people choose not to have wisdom for they hate inconvenient truth and they do not choose the fear of the Lord. They would have none of Wisdom’s counsel. They despise all the reproofs. The turning away of the Simple will slay them. Those that choose prosperity over wisdom (and obedience and godliness) are choosing destruction. It takes effort to be wise and godly and it takes effort not to be wise and godly. If we are going spend our energy, let us make the effort that profits to godliness and results in wisdom. All such things are decisions easy to make that can have profound, if not eternal, consequences. The only difficulty comes in choosing a discipline over a want, the uncomfortable truth over a comfortable lie.
Monday, September 9, 2019
WAYS TO AVOID
From Proverbs 31:
This is the advice of a mother -- "give not your strength to women or your ways to that which destroys Kings" . Interesting that a mother’s advice to a man she cares for, one she wants to give the inside track to, is to avoid other women. I think that "unknown women" are different from "mother", "wife", "sister": he should not spend his money, time and influence for women that are not his family or ones that cannot be trusted.
The thrust of a man's life should not be women. I think it would not be even his wife. He should not view his life’s task as living for his wife. His purpose is to serve his God. In the service of his God he cares for his wife and raises an educates his children. In the exercise of serving God, a man serves others: like wife and children. God requires it.
These should be the ways of Kings:
- - Be not we drunk
- - Open the mouth for the dumb that are appointed to destruction
- - Open the mouth in order to judge righteously
- - Plead the cause of the poor and needy
The function of government is not to distribute services and wealth but to:
- - Step in as an arbitrator and an advocate for those with little wealth, low mental capability, in desperate situations.
- - Rightly apply an administer God’s and human law.
- - To decide between one and the other .
- - Have a heart for, and be an advocate for, those that cannot speak in that are scheduled to be pushed aside.
This is the advice of a mother -- "give not your strength to women or your ways to that which destroys Kings" . Interesting that a mother’s advice to a man she cares for, one she wants to give the inside track to, is to avoid other women. I think that "unknown women" are different from "mother", "wife", "sister": he should not spend his money, time and influence for women that are not his family or ones that cannot be trusted.
The thrust of a man's life should not be women. I think it would not be even his wife. He should not view his life’s task as living for his wife. His purpose is to serve his God. In the service of his God he cares for his wife and raises an educates his children. In the exercise of serving God, a man serves others: like wife and children. God requires it.
These should be the ways of Kings:
- - Be not we drunk
- - Open the mouth for the dumb that are appointed to destruction
- - Open the mouth in order to judge righteously
- - Plead the cause of the poor and needy
The function of government is not to distribute services and wealth but to:
- - Step in as an arbitrator and an advocate for those with little wealth, low mental capability, in desperate situations.
- - Rightly apply an administer God’s and human law.
- - To decide between one and the other .
- - Have a heart for, and be an advocate for, those that cannot speak in that are scheduled to be pushed aside.
Monday, September 2, 2019
WHO WRITES THE AGENDA?
Many of the People I worked with took laptop computers home with them so they could remotely communicate with the Home Office. I didn’t want to do that. To me work was work and home was home. When there were work flurries at work there did not have to be flurries at home. I did not want work to grab hold of me and manipulate my thinking, my actions, my free time and specially my family time.
But it’s different with God. Wherever I am I can always communicate with God. I know God wants me to call back to the Home Office. God is concerned with my thinking and my actions. He always wants influence over me. While worldly work would attempt overload me with things to think about and things to do, God gives me only what is the most needful and important at the time. Even the church and brother Christians would seek to impress their agendas on me.
I believe God is the best agenda writer. He knows what items to put on, what to leave off, what to emphasize, how to order them and what to revisit. Beyond all this, He knows how our "meetings" fit and interplay with everyone else’s meetings. I want the grace to know what God’s agenda is, and how best to prosecute it.
God’s "emails" and "meetings" promote and build his Kingdom, which is where I want to live. I wish to be a "repairer of the breech restorer of paths to walk in" God’s Kingdom is good for everybody.
But it’s different with God. Wherever I am I can always communicate with God. I know God wants me to call back to the Home Office. God is concerned with my thinking and my actions. He always wants influence over me. While worldly work would attempt overload me with things to think about and things to do, God gives me only what is the most needful and important at the time. Even the church and brother Christians would seek to impress their agendas on me.
I believe God is the best agenda writer. He knows what items to put on, what to leave off, what to emphasize, how to order them and what to revisit. Beyond all this, He knows how our "meetings" fit and interplay with everyone else’s meetings. I want the grace to know what God’s agenda is, and how best to prosecute it.
God’s "emails" and "meetings" promote and build his Kingdom, which is where I want to live. I wish to be a "repairer of the breech restorer of paths to walk in" God’s Kingdom is good for everybody.
Monday, August 26, 2019
WRITING IN A CORNER
In a growing family sometimes it's hard to withdraw to a place quiet enough to write anything about God, or to hear from God. Yet within all the noise, interaction, chaos and chores is my greatest blessing. In my life I have had lively talented people: my wife and children. Although sometimes we chafed each other, we were not so empty of character so as to have small personalities.
I thank God for hands that can write with some degree of expression. We must learn to appreciate action when we would rather be quiet and be inactive. I must learn to view the cacophony through some other lens. In need to observe and learn from the process of life and activity rather than being walled away from it.
I thank God for hands that can write with some degree of expression. We must learn to appreciate action when we would rather be quiet and be inactive. I must learn to view the cacophony through some other lens. In need to observe and learn from the process of life and activity rather than being walled away from it.
Friday, August 23, 2019
MAN-MADE ORGANIZATIONS
From my journal back in 1997 I apparently joined a union at work. I don’t remember this and can only say I did now because of the Journal entry. I wrote the following:
I have been noticing a lot lately that God says that he will be found by them that seek for him. But he will refuse those who forsake his ways. This has been occurring many places in Second Chronicles. There are some, like Asa, who do well at first by seeking the Lord, yet do poorly later by seeking men's help. Lord if I did wrong by joining the union I am sorry. You delivered king Asa from the Midianites, over a million men. You could have delivered Asa without the help of the Syrians. (Asa might have even complicated your plans for the use of Israel against the Syrians). But Asa sought the help of man. Lord I know you can deliver me from work, the union, or any organization of men.
I also know you can use any man or organization in my life to deliver or prosper me. I ask that you establish two things (for you are the one who establishes - no matter what any man does): I ask for the grace to always seek your will, first an above all. And I ask that the efforts and fruits of my life be to the establishing of your Kingdom in the world and the one to come.
I also ask that my answers to any man be those which can only be used for the building of your Kingdom and the destruction of all that is against it.
I have been noticing a lot lately that God says that he will be found by them that seek for him. But he will refuse those who forsake his ways. This has been occurring many places in Second Chronicles. There are some, like Asa, who do well at first by seeking the Lord, yet do poorly later by seeking men's help. Lord if I did wrong by joining the union I am sorry. You delivered king Asa from the Midianites, over a million men. You could have delivered Asa without the help of the Syrians. (Asa might have even complicated your plans for the use of Israel against the Syrians). But Asa sought the help of man. Lord I know you can deliver me from work, the union, or any organization of men.
I also know you can use any man or organization in my life to deliver or prosper me. I ask that you establish two things (for you are the one who establishes - no matter what any man does): I ask for the grace to always seek your will, first an above all. And I ask that the efforts and fruits of my life be to the establishing of your Kingdom in the world and the one to come.
I also ask that my answers to any man be those which can only be used for the building of your Kingdom and the destruction of all that is against it.
Monday, August 19, 2019
MAKING WORK PLEASANT
When I was working, I had these thoughts:
My job is a pleasant place because it gives me challenges, new things to do, and allows me freedom to invent or discover the solutions to those challenges. But I often feel distressed when something new comes up. I even delay action on these things for worrying over them. Maybe that's why I spend so much time in the software.
Perhaps it would be better to view these challenges as part of the pleasant place, as a game I have entered, something to play seriously, but not get upset about. If I succeed (win) fine, if I lose, so what, I still have my eternal Salvation. But how does this really play in? What about the scripture, "Whatsoever thou find to do, do it with all thy might"? Should I not consider it a game, should I care about it more deeply?
God looks on how we play the game in the same way we listened to our young children at a piano recital. We go and sit in the front row, smile at the performance and invariably clinch our teeth. What is important is that the child played, did the best he could. We lasted through sour notes and hoped for the pure ones later. In the same way God waits while we perform the recital of life.
The outcome of national or business affairs will have little or no effect on the Kingdom of God. If I lose at work it is no big deal, but if I win it is no big deal either. It is how I live in the Kingdom today that matters - how I play the game. God will control the outcome of the game as he always has. We just control which side it is we play on: God’s side, or the world's side.
One driven by the wind is motivated from the outside . One driven by God is driven from the inside.
My job is a pleasant place because it gives me challenges, new things to do, and allows me freedom to invent or discover the solutions to those challenges. But I often feel distressed when something new comes up. I even delay action on these things for worrying over them. Maybe that's why I spend so much time in the software.
Perhaps it would be better to view these challenges as part of the pleasant place, as a game I have entered, something to play seriously, but not get upset about. If I succeed (win) fine, if I lose, so what, I still have my eternal Salvation. But how does this really play in? What about the scripture, "Whatsoever thou find to do, do it with all thy might"? Should I not consider it a game, should I care about it more deeply?
God looks on how we play the game in the same way we listened to our young children at a piano recital. We go and sit in the front row, smile at the performance and invariably clinch our teeth. What is important is that the child played, did the best he could. We lasted through sour notes and hoped for the pure ones later. In the same way God waits while we perform the recital of life.
The outcome of national or business affairs will have little or no effect on the Kingdom of God. If I lose at work it is no big deal, but if I win it is no big deal either. It is how I live in the Kingdom today that matters - how I play the game. God will control the outcome of the game as he always has. We just control which side it is we play on: God’s side, or the world's side.
One driven by the wind is motivated from the outside . One driven by God is driven from the inside.
Friday, August 16, 2019
AVOIDING FOLLY
A mocker resents correction, he will not consult the wise, A mocker is one who ridicules, one who points out by criticism or cynicism what he perceives to be faults. There was a lot of mockery at my old workplace. I set a task for myself to keep from indulging in mockery, to keep myself from sharing in fault finding. “The discerning heart seeks knowledge but the mouth of the fool feeds on folly" In keeping myself from the mockery and complaining mentioned above, I had to look to the essential good of every task I did. I thought I should write down the "essential purpose" of every task and "silver lining" of every apparent bad situation.
“A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel". When People were getting angry, I needed to be patient. I needed to be the one to find the solution, the one who can find the solution to both sides, if I could.
“Folly delights the man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.” Sometimes I found myself in this situation when I was working a software problem. For example I might be using Access to make a report. I wanted the software to do a task, like copy in some fields from a spreadsheet rather than typing them in myself. I would spend a whole day in folly (trying to make the software do the work) rather than keeping a straight course simply typing the report I needed while giving up on the rabbit trail of the software solution. In that situation I was delighting myself in folly. Working the software was more fun than the actual task I was using it for. I could have honored God by honoring my work by sticking to the task I started with, saying the course.
In spite of the above, what a wonderful privilege God had given me. At work I received challenging tasks, new ones all the time. I was given a free hand about how to achieve them. I could even go about them in a wrong way, as when I spent too much time on the software. I was given wonderful and interesting tools to work with. I traveled to many interesting places in the country. We did real work, useful work, national defense work, not merely entertainment work.
“A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel". When People were getting angry, I needed to be patient. I needed to be the one to find the solution, the one who can find the solution to both sides, if I could.
“Folly delights the man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.” Sometimes I found myself in this situation when I was working a software problem. For example I might be using Access to make a report. I wanted the software to do a task, like copy in some fields from a spreadsheet rather than typing them in myself. I would spend a whole day in folly (trying to make the software do the work) rather than keeping a straight course simply typing the report I needed while giving up on the rabbit trail of the software solution. In that situation I was delighting myself in folly. Working the software was more fun than the actual task I was using it for. I could have honored God by honoring my work by sticking to the task I started with, saying the course.
In spite of the above, what a wonderful privilege God had given me. At work I received challenging tasks, new ones all the time. I was given a free hand about how to achieve them. I could even go about them in a wrong way, as when I spent too much time on the software. I was given wonderful and interesting tools to work with. I traveled to many interesting places in the country. We did real work, useful work, national defense work, not merely entertainment work.
Monday, August 12, 2019
WHAT TO WRITE DOWN
Instead of the exercise of - or maybe In addition to - writing down, "I will conquer my daydreaming", perhaps I should write something like, "I will control my thinking and my activity so that I spend my effort toward things productive, toward the Kingdom of Heaven". A corollary of that is, "I will not waste my time on entertainment which is harmful to the Kingdom of God, and therefore harmful to me".
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body [and my thoughts], and bring it [them] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Joshua 24:15 . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Sometimes I feel I am in a dangerous, dry and thirsty land. I ask the Lord to please deliver me. Please create in me something where now there is nothing. God is the one who creates something from nothing.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body [and my thoughts], and bring it [them] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Joshua 24:15 . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Sometimes I feel I am in a dangerous, dry and thirsty land. I ask the Lord to please deliver me. Please create in me something where now there is nothing. God is the one who creates something from nothing.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
ONE OVER THE OTHER
Playing musical instruments can teach us more than the practice of music. A while ago (quite a while ago) Calvary Assembly called an asked that I come and play the timpani Sunday morning. This was Wednesday. We were attending another church at the time, Saint Paul’s Presbyterian. I had to decide if I would play at Calvary or play at Saint Paul’s. It was a struggle for me to make up my mind because Calvary was a more interesting and challenging venue. Finally, I decided that to choose one would show favor for the one I chose, and disfavor for the one I did not. This put the choice out of the arena of personal musical advancement and into the area of loyalty. As long as they needed my I would play at the church I was attending.
When I played at Saint Paul’s, Ron, the drummer, said he had missed me on the percussion the previous week when I had been in Seattle. When you're loyal you're missed.
When I played at Saint Paul’s, Ron, the drummer, said he had missed me on the percussion the previous week when I had been in Seattle. When you're loyal you're missed.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
DON'T GO TO MOON
I am not in favor of a manned expedition to the moon. There are many reasons the foremost of which is the enormous national cost. What will be the cost-to-benefit ratio for having humans on the moon? Unmanned machines can safely accomplish almost all tasks required for scientific or economic purposes as humans could do.
What advantage will there be? Do we want to identify and mine materials there? The cost to bring such material to earth would equal or exceed the cost to establish equipment on the moon’s surface. The cost to establish humans there would be even greater.
The money could be spent on near-earth orbit projects such as Space Lab, Satellites, medical experiments. Florida’s "Space Coast" will continue to thrive as it presently is without a moon program.
I believe we should fund the exploration of our own oceans. They are readily accessible; they are right on our coastlines. We already have extensive experience working in that environment. We could further develop the vehicles to enter that environment by modifying or re-designing them or inventing new types. We can expand our knowledge of the living organisms that live there, many thousands of which we may not yet know. There are no living organisms on the moon. If there were, they could not be kept alive on earth except at great expense. We can develop new concepts of ocean exploration and material retrieval. Any material that can be retrieved will be cheaper to retrieve from the ocean than from an object 238,900 miles away.
Ocean exploration will more directly and cheaply benefit all citizens in the United States. Explore space but limit manned exploration to near orbit ventures.
What advantage will there be? Do we want to identify and mine materials there? The cost to bring such material to earth would equal or exceed the cost to establish equipment on the moon’s surface. The cost to establish humans there would be even greater.
The money could be spent on near-earth orbit projects such as Space Lab, Satellites, medical experiments. Florida’s "Space Coast" will continue to thrive as it presently is without a moon program.
I believe we should fund the exploration of our own oceans. They are readily accessible; they are right on our coastlines. We already have extensive experience working in that environment. We could further develop the vehicles to enter that environment by modifying or re-designing them or inventing new types. We can expand our knowledge of the living organisms that live there, many thousands of which we may not yet know. There are no living organisms on the moon. If there were, they could not be kept alive on earth except at great expense. We can develop new concepts of ocean exploration and material retrieval. Any material that can be retrieved will be cheaper to retrieve from the ocean than from an object 238,900 miles away.
Ocean exploration will more directly and cheaply benefit all citizens in the United States. Explore space but limit manned exploration to near orbit ventures.
Friday, July 26, 2019
SOMETHING FROM NOTHING
Sometimes we are not even aware of what the long view should be. Most of the time, and most of what we think or do, we do not consider the long view or big picture. The only think about what we need or what right now.
Since the writer in Psalm 63 is writing from a "dry and worn out land" this may suggest a-frame of mind of trying to endure through hard times because better times are coming. An example is exercising when I do not want to because I know I will be better off if I do. And it's not because I can "feel Noble" that I've done the exercise; it is better because it really does have a different, and more gratifying reward. Perhaps every spiritual discipline will be the same way.
Psalm 33:9 speaks of God creating something from nothing. Having this in mind, maybe it is acceptable to ask God to do what seems impossible. We ask him during what seems to us an impossible situation, to create something from nothing, to supply resources where there are none. We ask God to give us that desire. In our asking God to establish our desires for us, we should not lose sight of the long view - what is God's will in this the matter and how will this have meaning in God's Kingdom in the future.
Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, Whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”
Since the writer in Psalm 63 is writing from a "dry and worn out land" this may suggest a-frame of mind of trying to endure through hard times because better times are coming. An example is exercising when I do not want to because I know I will be better off if I do. And it's not because I can "feel Noble" that I've done the exercise; it is better because it really does have a different, and more gratifying reward. Perhaps every spiritual discipline will be the same way.
Psalm 33:9 speaks of God creating something from nothing. Having this in mind, maybe it is acceptable to ask God to do what seems impossible. We ask him during what seems to us an impossible situation, to create something from nothing, to supply resources where there are none. We ask God to give us that desire. In our asking God to establish our desires for us, we should not lose sight of the long view - what is God's will in this the matter and how will this have meaning in God's Kingdom in the future.
Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, Whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”
Monday, July 22, 2019
SAY IT, MAKE IT
I've read how a person, call him Leroy, writes down what he wants to accomplish repeatedly many times a day. He says that he has attained things, even things over which he could not have control. My question is, is this a good technique, or is it something “New Age” that I should avoid? Does it really provide power over the uncontrollable? More important, is it a technique God would want me to use, or want me to avoid?
The act of writing, "Leroy will become a dedicated Christian", and believing that the writing of the phrase over and over will make it come to pass seems to border on faith theology. "I write, I believe, therefore it will happen." Where is God in all this? If we can write and make it happen who needs God? What if someone else writes, "Leroy will become a dedicated Satanist", will it cancel out what the Christian writes? What if there are 10 Satanists and 2 Christians writing, but the Christians are writing in fervent belief? What will happen to Leroy? It seems to me that if either thinks that the writing itself will accomplish the task they have made the step of using this technique as faith theology. They have attributed to this technique a power in, and of, itself. The man does not have the power, God does not have the power, Satin does not have the power; the technique has the power.
A positive reason for the technique is it would keep important things before the consciousness. I could use it for my planning for the day. Or is this crowding out some thinking or method of doing something that God would rather me do? I should always direct my life according to God’s view. As I make my plans I should ask, "Is this according to God's will"? If written, these things must be in harmony with the Kingdom of God. I should pray, “Lord, if there is any power in this technique please let it be your power, or at least let it be a power that you will use for your benefit in My life. Please protect me from harming either you, or my family, or myself.”
So how should a Christian use the technique? He should use it to refresh his mind about items of real worth. He could concentrate his mind on the details of the items. The technique could rise the items as matters of prayer: both to bring before the Lord and to hear from the Lord.
If one would pick up a paper upon which I had written, would he be able to say, "These are noble and godly things that are helpful and promote God’s Kingdom"?
The act of writing, "Leroy will become a dedicated Christian", and believing that the writing of the phrase over and over will make it come to pass seems to border on faith theology. "I write, I believe, therefore it will happen." Where is God in all this? If we can write and make it happen who needs God? What if someone else writes, "Leroy will become a dedicated Satanist", will it cancel out what the Christian writes? What if there are 10 Satanists and 2 Christians writing, but the Christians are writing in fervent belief? What will happen to Leroy? It seems to me that if either thinks that the writing itself will accomplish the task they have made the step of using this technique as faith theology. They have attributed to this technique a power in, and of, itself. The man does not have the power, God does not have the power, Satin does not have the power; the technique has the power.
A positive reason for the technique is it would keep important things before the consciousness. I could use it for my planning for the day. Or is this crowding out some thinking or method of doing something that God would rather me do? I should always direct my life according to God’s view. As I make my plans I should ask, "Is this according to God's will"? If written, these things must be in harmony with the Kingdom of God. I should pray, “Lord, if there is any power in this technique please let it be your power, or at least let it be a power that you will use for your benefit in My life. Please protect me from harming either you, or my family, or myself.”
So how should a Christian use the technique? He should use it to refresh his mind about items of real worth. He could concentrate his mind on the details of the items. The technique could rise the items as matters of prayer: both to bring before the Lord and to hear from the Lord.
If one would pick up a paper upon which I had written, would he be able to say, "These are noble and godly things that are helpful and promote God’s Kingdom"?
Thursday, July 18, 2019
IF JESUS IS LORD
Many people use the expression "Jesus is Lord". They understand the use of that phrase as proof their Christianity or of another person’s Christianity if he uses that phrase. It "proves" they are a Christian.
Yet what is more important is that he really treats Jesus as Lord in his life. Does that person actually control his actions and thinking according to what Jesus prescribes? If he does not, all he is showing is he is merely capable of voicing the phrase. The phrase is meaningful if he says the phrase because, in fact, Jesus tells him what to think, where to go, who to see, what to say, what to buy.
The phrase "Jesus is Lord" is not like a magic word such as "abracadabra". The voicing of the phrase does not cause unseen events and conditions to be true and does not show they are true. If one voices the phrase this does not necessarily demonstrate he is saved or that Jesus is really the lord of his life.
Yet what is more important is that he really treats Jesus as Lord in his life. Does that person actually control his actions and thinking according to what Jesus prescribes? If he does not, all he is showing is he is merely capable of voicing the phrase. The phrase is meaningful if he says the phrase because, in fact, Jesus tells him what to think, where to go, who to see, what to say, what to buy.
The phrase "Jesus is Lord" is not like a magic word such as "abracadabra". The voicing of the phrase does not cause unseen events and conditions to be true and does not show they are true. If one voices the phrase this does not necessarily demonstrate he is saved or that Jesus is really the lord of his life.
Monday, July 15, 2019
BEING SEEKERS
Proverbs 2
Man can seek God through experience: speaking in tongues, prophecies, healings. Man can seek God’s thoughts through the scriptures: reading the Bible, Bible classes, seminaries. Proverbs 2:5 says that after you seek wisdom, understanding, knowledge you will get to the fear of God and the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:6 says God gives wisdom; "out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding" . Maybe this is a combination of experiential man and the studying man: the "heart" man and the "head" man. We must seek with the head but be open to the heart. We must be sensitive to the heart but be controlled by the head. We cannot fill the head if we do not attend to the words of the mouth of God. We cannot fill the heart if we refuse to experience what God will give us in our heads.
Men are the thinkers, the rational ones, and woman are the feelers, the emotional ones. Both can miss God. Proverbs 2 shows that there are two types of sinners each characterized by a sex. Verse12 tells us of the evil man, the one who thinks his way away from God. Verse 16 tells us of the strange woman, the one who falls away from God through experience.
God gives wisdom. It's something we experience when we are in the right setting. God proclaims knowledge and understanding. We do not acquire understanding or knowledge unless we work for them. We cannot know if we do not read or hear. We cannot understand unless we think and meditate about what we know.
Man can seek God through experience: speaking in tongues, prophecies, healings. Man can seek God’s thoughts through the scriptures: reading the Bible, Bible classes, seminaries. Proverbs 2:5 says that after you seek wisdom, understanding, knowledge you will get to the fear of God and the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:6 says God gives wisdom; "out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding" . Maybe this is a combination of experiential man and the studying man: the "heart" man and the "head" man. We must seek with the head but be open to the heart. We must be sensitive to the heart but be controlled by the head. We cannot fill the head if we do not attend to the words of the mouth of God. We cannot fill the heart if we refuse to experience what God will give us in our heads.
Men are the thinkers, the rational ones, and woman are the feelers, the emotional ones. Both can miss God. Proverbs 2 shows that there are two types of sinners each characterized by a sex. Verse12 tells us of the evil man, the one who thinks his way away from God. Verse 16 tells us of the strange woman, the one who falls away from God through experience.
God gives wisdom. It's something we experience when we are in the right setting. God proclaims knowledge and understanding. We do not acquire understanding or knowledge unless we work for them. We cannot know if we do not read or hear. We cannot understand unless we think and meditate about what we know.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
WHO ARE OUR ENEMIES
Psalm 23 says God restores our souls (sets back to the original condition). He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies.
Psalm 53 says God despises our enemies
Psalm 83 says the enemies take counsel together against God’s people. The psalmist asks for their shame and destruction.
The Church is the house of faith, it is the set of believers. Some conspire to rid themselves of the Church. For those of us in the Church, the conspirators are the enemies. Yet God will preserve us an provide for us in the face of our enemies. He will restore things we may have lost, some through our own fault as well as those that are the fault of others.
Who are my enemies? Some, like Edom and Moab, are related. Perhaps these are they who are in the church but not of the church. Others would be those who do not want God's principles to govern. These days they could be those on the extreme liberal or those on the extreme conservative margins. These are the ones who want to do away with God's order. It is not enough to throw off restraint, they must also eradicate the old system and the people (God's people) who uphold it. These are the ones who God despises. In front of these God prepares us a table. These are the ones for whom we may request destruction.
TV or Facebook or the Internet can be an official voice of the enemy if we are not careful about how we listen. They do not teach, they impress. They can leave isolated thoughts and feelings. They leave the unprepared viewer with the emotion of the enemy worldview, but not the rational back up. Viewers may have vague opinions about the proposed worldview, and they may have strong emotion about it, but they may not have been provided the reasoning behind it.
The unmovable proponents of a destructive worldview are the ones who say, “there is no God” AND would thrust believers aside to powerlessness or destruction.
We who believe, have read the Bible, and who have reasoned out our view, could reason with them but we cannot know if they would listen to our views, or even want to.
Psalm 53 says God despises our enemies
Psalm 83 says the enemies take counsel together against God’s people. The psalmist asks for their shame and destruction.
The Church is the house of faith, it is the set of believers. Some conspire to rid themselves of the Church. For those of us in the Church, the conspirators are the enemies. Yet God will preserve us an provide for us in the face of our enemies. He will restore things we may have lost, some through our own fault as well as those that are the fault of others.
Who are my enemies? Some, like Edom and Moab, are related. Perhaps these are they who are in the church but not of the church. Others would be those who do not want God's principles to govern. These days they could be those on the extreme liberal or those on the extreme conservative margins. These are the ones who want to do away with God's order. It is not enough to throw off restraint, they must also eradicate the old system and the people (God's people) who uphold it. These are the ones who God despises. In front of these God prepares us a table. These are the ones for whom we may request destruction.
TV or Facebook or the Internet can be an official voice of the enemy if we are not careful about how we listen. They do not teach, they impress. They can leave isolated thoughts and feelings. They leave the unprepared viewer with the emotion of the enemy worldview, but not the rational back up. Viewers may have vague opinions about the proposed worldview, and they may have strong emotion about it, but they may not have been provided the reasoning behind it.
The unmovable proponents of a destructive worldview are the ones who say, “there is no God” AND would thrust believers aside to powerlessness or destruction.
We who believe, have read the Bible, and who have reasoned out our view, could reason with them but we cannot know if they would listen to our views, or even want to.
Monday, July 8, 2019
THE SEEKING OF SIGNS
The Pharisees asked for a sign. Jesus says no sign will be given but that of Jonah.
The Pharisees’ generation was wicked because they asked for a sign. They wanted Jesus to prove himself to them. They would get no sign to prove who Jesus was other then his resurrection, which they would not believe anyway. Are there things about Jesus that we would not believe even though he demonstrates them to us? Are there things we are asking Jesus to prove to us by showing a sign? We might think: “you say you are this or that, Jesus; prove it by doing [fill in the blank]”. How about that thing where we have decided that he will not do it, or he is incapable, or his nature his of another sort? Are there ways we want Jesus to be and we will not accept any other way? Are we like the Pharisees, and we already have made up our minds?
Jesus gives examples showing people who did respond. The city Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. The queen of the Sheba traveled to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Neither one of these had a sign, but responded to what God was doing, and the way God was doing it. The Ninevites did not have a sign and responded to Jonah’s preaching; the Queen did not have a sign yet she traveled to seek the wisdom.
The pharisees seemed to want a sign before they did something. Do what? Jesus spoke of an evil spirit who goes out of a man and comes back bringing other, more evil spirits. The spirit leaves and while he is gone the house is cleaned up. When he comes back, he finds it clean and goes out to gather other spirits to the house. The state of the house is worse than it was the first time. How might this story of the spirit relate to the Pharisees? Leaving the house to seek rest equals "give us a sign to make us comfortable with you" . Finding no rest equals "nothing you do satisfies us" . Gathering others equals "let's commiserate with others who also do not except Jesus" . The house equals physical bodies in which they live, the organization which they run.
The wickedness of “this generation” must be in the attitude that is seeking Jesus to perform a sign. They might say “Jesus you really need to conform to the way we conceive of you, and you need to prove that you do conform. Until you do, we have no use for you.“ The wickedness is in the attitude of “we are right, Jesus has to prove himself to us.”
The Pharisees’ generation was wicked because they asked for a sign. They wanted Jesus to prove himself to them. They would get no sign to prove who Jesus was other then his resurrection, which they would not believe anyway. Are there things about Jesus that we would not believe even though he demonstrates them to us? Are there things we are asking Jesus to prove to us by showing a sign? We might think: “you say you are this or that, Jesus; prove it by doing [fill in the blank]”. How about that thing where we have decided that he will not do it, or he is incapable, or his nature his of another sort? Are there ways we want Jesus to be and we will not accept any other way? Are we like the Pharisees, and we already have made up our minds?
Jesus gives examples showing people who did respond. The city Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. The queen of the Sheba traveled to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Neither one of these had a sign, but responded to what God was doing, and the way God was doing it. The Ninevites did not have a sign and responded to Jonah’s preaching; the Queen did not have a sign yet she traveled to seek the wisdom.
The pharisees seemed to want a sign before they did something. Do what? Jesus spoke of an evil spirit who goes out of a man and comes back bringing other, more evil spirits. The spirit leaves and while he is gone the house is cleaned up. When he comes back, he finds it clean and goes out to gather other spirits to the house. The state of the house is worse than it was the first time. How might this story of the spirit relate to the Pharisees? Leaving the house to seek rest equals "give us a sign to make us comfortable with you" . Finding no rest equals "nothing you do satisfies us" . Gathering others equals "let's commiserate with others who also do not except Jesus" . The house equals physical bodies in which they live, the organization which they run.
The wickedness of “this generation” must be in the attitude that is seeking Jesus to perform a sign. They might say “Jesus you really need to conform to the way we conceive of you, and you need to prove that you do conform. Until you do, we have no use for you.“ The wickedness is in the attitude of “we are right, Jesus has to prove himself to us.”
Monday, July 1, 2019
INSIDE HIS MIND
Psalm 110
This is a psalm about the messiah, about Jesus. Verse 1: “sit at my right hand”; verse 5: “the lord is at your right hand”. From verse one we see the Father talking to the Son. From verse five we see the Son talking to the Father. This psalm is about ruling, power and judgment. It talks of ruling in the present: "in the midst of your enemies"; and later, at the judgment and destruction of the enemies (vs 5-7). It shows that the Father chooses to rule through the Son and the Son rules to bring about the Father's purposes: “I and my Father are one” because he speaks of himself as ”the lord at thy right hand”
This psalm clearly shows the Father-Son aspect of the Trinity. Perhaps it does not show the Holy Spirit part because God doesn't want us direct our praise to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s function (at least one function) is to guide us to all truth, to guide us to the Father and Son.
This psalm shows us the inside personal thinking that God does within himself. What a privilege that he shows it to us.
This is a psalm about the messiah, about Jesus. Verse 1: “sit at my right hand”; verse 5: “the lord is at your right hand”. From verse one we see the Father talking to the Son. From verse five we see the Son talking to the Father. This psalm is about ruling, power and judgment. It talks of ruling in the present: "in the midst of your enemies"; and later, at the judgment and destruction of the enemies (vs 5-7). It shows that the Father chooses to rule through the Son and the Son rules to bring about the Father's purposes: “I and my Father are one” because he speaks of himself as ”the lord at thy right hand”
This psalm clearly shows the Father-Son aspect of the Trinity. Perhaps it does not show the Holy Spirit part because God doesn't want us direct our praise to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s function (at least one function) is to guide us to all truth, to guide us to the Father and Son.
This psalm shows us the inside personal thinking that God does within himself. What a privilege that he shows it to us.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
ARE YOU QUALIFIED
Learning my wife had written a book someone asked, "what are her qualifications?” I wondered why she would ask that? What were her reasons for asking this question? Did she really want to know? Did she want to be assured she could safely consider what my wife wrote? Was she jealous? Did she wonder why my wife should have any valid point? Did she want to block out my wife’s ideas? Was my wife in opposition to her own views?
What has to happen to establish a qualification? Does it take a higher authority to bless you and therefore qualify you? Must the entity that qualifies also to have been qualified? Who has qualified the qualifier and who has qualified him? How far back must the chain of qualification go?
There are some legitimate qualifiers. The state establishes laws and agencies to test if you can safely drive a car. If you prove you can via some testing the state will therefore issue you a driver's license. Your license is a certificate thereby signifying your qualification to operate an automobile on the public roadways.
A seminary can offer training to certify that you have learned certain skills like church administration and ancient languages.
What if you do not meet the expectations of the one who asks for qualifications? If you read an English version of the Bible can you understand it for yourself, or must you be qualified to understand it by a seminary professor or by a pastor or elder? Did not the Translators to English have the qualifications to properly render a good meaning in English? Who is judging the qualification of the translators?
Does not God have the power to place in your mind the meaning and intent he has for you in the way you understand the English? Does he expect you to know Hebrew and Greek? Does not God say he places his spirit in you as he said he would do? If he did that than he can speak to you personally, individually, directly. God does not ask you to produce a license or diploma or certificate before you can read or teach the Bible. I believe God is happy for you to share with others what you believe he has told you.
What has to happen to establish a qualification? Does it take a higher authority to bless you and therefore qualify you? Must the entity that qualifies also to have been qualified? Who has qualified the qualifier and who has qualified him? How far back must the chain of qualification go?
There are some legitimate qualifiers. The state establishes laws and agencies to test if you can safely drive a car. If you prove you can via some testing the state will therefore issue you a driver's license. Your license is a certificate thereby signifying your qualification to operate an automobile on the public roadways.
A seminary can offer training to certify that you have learned certain skills like church administration and ancient languages.
What if you do not meet the expectations of the one who asks for qualifications? If you read an English version of the Bible can you understand it for yourself, or must you be qualified to understand it by a seminary professor or by a pastor or elder? Did not the Translators to English have the qualifications to properly render a good meaning in English? Who is judging the qualification of the translators?
Does not God have the power to place in your mind the meaning and intent he has for you in the way you understand the English? Does he expect you to know Hebrew and Greek? Does not God say he places his spirit in you as he said he would do? If he did that than he can speak to you personally, individually, directly. God does not ask you to produce a license or diploma or certificate before you can read or teach the Bible. I believe God is happy for you to share with others what you believe he has told you.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
ALL SINS ARE EQUAL
In Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus remarks about the miracles were done in Chorazin and Bethsaida and, yet they did not believe. Had the same miracles been done in cities which are known for their sinfulness, Tire, Sidon and Sodom, they would have repented. Jesus comments that Bethsaida and Co. will not receive reward because they ignored the miracles performed in them. As he walks, he says he reveals the father to the “children” whom he chooses.
A main point of the scripture is to show mercies were extended to a few amongst a people, though outwardly righteous, refused to repent and accept the Lord. This account is to stress that some sinners will repent whereas the self-righteous will not. Jesus chooses who he will be saved, and they are the ones that choose to walk with him.
The use of the city Sodom as in illustration (Gen 19) shows that God does not exclude the sodomite, the homosexual, from mercy and Salvation. Had the city repented it would not have been destroyed. That sodomy is a sin hateful to God is clearly defined by scripture - - the destruction of the city of Sodom being a good example. But we must remember sodomy is a sin among an array of sins. All unrepentant sinners: sodomites, adulterous, thieves, murderers, liars and thieves alike will be burn in hell's fire.
And God wants ALL sinners to repent and come as children - - to take his yoke upon them. The adulterer and sodomite and gossiper must control their tendency toward sin. For the not-yet-saved it is especially important to come “as they are”. In fact, they must be as children, at the most basic entry level. Jesus wants them that way. They should not be put off by the existence of “religious” people. Everyone has a starting point and a way to travel yet.
A main point of the scripture is to show mercies were extended to a few amongst a people, though outwardly righteous, refused to repent and accept the Lord. This account is to stress that some sinners will repent whereas the self-righteous will not. Jesus chooses who he will be saved, and they are the ones that choose to walk with him.
The use of the city Sodom as in illustration (Gen 19) shows that God does not exclude the sodomite, the homosexual, from mercy and Salvation. Had the city repented it would not have been destroyed. That sodomy is a sin hateful to God is clearly defined by scripture - - the destruction of the city of Sodom being a good example. But we must remember sodomy is a sin among an array of sins. All unrepentant sinners: sodomites, adulterous, thieves, murderers, liars and thieves alike will be burn in hell's fire.
And God wants ALL sinners to repent and come as children - - to take his yoke upon them. The adulterer and sodomite and gossiper must control their tendency toward sin. For the not-yet-saved it is especially important to come “as they are”. In fact, they must be as children, at the most basic entry level. Jesus wants them that way. They should not be put off by the existence of “religious” people. Everyone has a starting point and a way to travel yet.
Monday, June 17, 2019
BRINGING THEM OUTDOORS
Jesus speaking to his disciples in Mat 10:27 says: "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light". Maybe today when God speaks to you “in the dark” he refers to the Spirit speaking to you. Or, you think, is it only you getting an impression in your mind? You wonder, “is this God speaking to me, or is it just my own mind that is coming up with this?” Is it God “whispering in your ear” via a recollection of an idea you got out of private study of God's word?
In any case, it can help to make these things public. Sometimes others can help us know whether something is from God. Maybe someone can help us get a better understanding of what we heard. Maybe someone has a caution about what we heard and can back it up with a Scripture reference. Anything truly beneficial God tells us should be told to others
In any case, we know it must conform to God's word. We cannot change the meaning of God's commandments for our own convenience as did the Pharisees when they said, “It is corban [a gift to God] by whatsoever you may be profited by me.” Instead of giving a gift for the intent of making another’s life easier, they were using this act as a bribe to God to make themselves appear somehow pious.
What was happening with the disciples in private would indeed be made public. For example: the Last Supper, the Mount of transfiguration, the fishing scene of John 21, Peter's betrayal, the widow’s two mites. “There is nothing hidden that will not be made known” demonstrates that God is open and upfront.
In any case, it can help to make these things public. Sometimes others can help us know whether something is from God. Maybe someone can help us get a better understanding of what we heard. Maybe someone has a caution about what we heard and can back it up with a Scripture reference. Anything truly beneficial God tells us should be told to others
In any case, we know it must conform to God's word. We cannot change the meaning of God's commandments for our own convenience as did the Pharisees when they said, “It is corban [a gift to God] by whatsoever you may be profited by me.” Instead of giving a gift for the intent of making another’s life easier, they were using this act as a bribe to God to make themselves appear somehow pious.
What was happening with the disciples in private would indeed be made public. For example: the Last Supper, the Mount of transfiguration, the fishing scene of John 21, Peter's betrayal, the widow’s two mites. “There is nothing hidden that will not be made known” demonstrates that God is open and upfront.
Friday, June 14, 2019
DIFFICULTY WILL COME
In Matthew 10 Jesus is sending the disciples out and they are to do great works and preach “the Kingdom of God is near”. They are not too prepare themselves; either with things, or places to stay, or with weapons of self-defense. Their mission is noble and great, yet they will encounter persecution and rejection.
In the midst of this rejection they are to remember and hold on to what God has taught them. Certainly, if they are to hold on during prosecutions, jailing, beatings; then we can hold on during our short bouts of doubt or the oppression or uncertainty. God has told us there will be dark times and we are to hold on. We must remember: our hairs are numbered; we are worth more than many sparrows.
They were to go out, yet they would experience these hard things. God intended that the they should experience the hard things. It should not be a surprise to us when difficulty comes our way. We can only trust God will not allow us to be buried so deep in them that we despair there will never be any relief.
In times of trouble we can ask for advice and comfort from other Christians. The body of Christ is good place to seek counsel. But even with Christians we must be discerning of which people we seek, for some are so opinionated they cannot provide a balanced solution. Such people can sometimes be a part of the problem. You may feel so oppressed by their opinions that you cannot talk freely. You must seek a competent believer who listens and can add a good perspective to yours - - as long as both perspectives are formed on the word of God. You can know who has good advice if you read your Bible.
In the midst of this rejection they are to remember and hold on to what God has taught them. Certainly, if they are to hold on during prosecutions, jailing, beatings; then we can hold on during our short bouts of doubt or the oppression or uncertainty. God has told us there will be dark times and we are to hold on. We must remember: our hairs are numbered; we are worth more than many sparrows.
They were to go out, yet they would experience these hard things. God intended that the they should experience the hard things. It should not be a surprise to us when difficulty comes our way. We can only trust God will not allow us to be buried so deep in them that we despair there will never be any relief.
In times of trouble we can ask for advice and comfort from other Christians. The body of Christ is good place to seek counsel. But even with Christians we must be discerning of which people we seek, for some are so opinionated they cannot provide a balanced solution. Such people can sometimes be a part of the problem. You may feel so oppressed by their opinions that you cannot talk freely. You must seek a competent believer who listens and can add a good perspective to yours - - as long as both perspectives are formed on the word of God. You can know who has good advice if you read your Bible.
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