Anger? Temper With Mercy

 

And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. (Mark 3:5 KJV)

Most often, when people want to show when Christ became angry they choose the scripture where he drives the money-changers out of the temple. Seldom do we read Matthew’s account of the healing of a man on the Sabbath:

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. (Mark 3:1-4 KJV)

Why, since God commanded we keep the sabbath holy, shouldn’t we? And if there were rules, why shouldn’t a man claiming to be God keep them? Those who had set themselves up as judges of what God wanted determined that this man, claiming to be God, was doing what God said not to do.

They accused Him, and Matthew’s account gives His explanation:

And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
(Matthew 12:11-12 KJV)

In Mark’s relating the event of disciples eating grain, we read:

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: (Mark 2:27 KJV)

People who see God as a judge of our actions, they are right. That occurs both now and before His throne. However, being perfect, His justice is, too. Tempered with mercy and knowledge, justice accurately sets people on a path leading to Him. It is easier to see that path when we understand another verse does not maintain a good path:

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. (Deuteronomy 12:8 KJV)

While Judges tells us when this was done, Proverbs tells us what happens when it is done:

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:2-3 KJV)

In our world today, we do not seek God’s justice. It appears more often than not that we seek revenge. We see the oldest of laws, an eye for an eye. Yes, that is mentioned three times – in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy – but Jesus offers a different take on this in His Sermon on the Mount:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. (Matthew 5:38-42 KJV)

Please note that the facts above are that an original harm was done. The man suing at law is doing so because he was wronged by the man being sued. Resist not the original evil by returning evil, but understand the justness of repaying the person who originally lost by our action.  We know what God wants us to do:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

We have two questions to ask – Are we harming God? Are we harming another of His children – to understand whether we are doing right or not. Jesus was not harming God by helping the man with a withered hand on the sabbath. Justice was softened by mercy, just as God’s justice regarding our sinfulness is softened by the mercy extended by Jesus:

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:23-25 KJV)

Remember the two questions when considering what you need to do. Temper justice with mercy, too, and expect mercy from God.

Mirror Images

 

Isn’t that a beautiful shot of Mount Hood and Mirror Lake in Oregon? Not mine, of course, I found it on Wikimedia Commons to show how beautiful a mirrored image is – but how dangerous.

Starting at the edge of the lake, hikers headed for Mount Hood can walk for hours in the forest. Starting at the same edge of the lake but taking the image, a person could drown if unprepared for water, and they will never reach Mount Hood. Satan, who we know as a roaring lion:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV)

Satan is an expert at tempting with mirror images, and his temptations of Jesus are perfect examples:

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:2-4 KJV)

Satan did not offer to do anything for Jesus, He just wanted Jesus to do what they both knew Jesus could do – give His body nourishment. How could that be wrong? It would help his body continue. Jesus didn’t come to teach how to live here on earth, but to live eternally. Bread alone wouldn’t do that, but what came from God does.

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matthew 4:5-7 KJV)

Another “Show me a miracle to prove who you are!” This wasn’t in God’s plan. Jesus’ actions were to glorify God, not to show how important Jesus was or how many angels were waiting to serve Him. I love a piece from “He Left It All”:

Not one comfort did He bring
Not His robe
Not His crown
Not ten thousand bowing down
Not one piece of jasper wall
He left it all

Ten years ago I wrote that He’s Done It All, too. When He said “It is finished,” He was finished providing eternal life for us. The rest is up to us, to accept that. In the mirror image, Satan offered Jesus the world to worship him:

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:8-10 KJV)

For whatever reason He has, God has allowed Satan to operate in this world. It will be eternity before we know why, but we can immediately see the fallacy in what Satan offered – all he offered were the physical things of this world. What Jesus came to salvage were souls. Jesus came for the people in the world, not kingdoms nor their glory.

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)

That thought is firm in the 59 English versions I checked today. There is no doubt it confirms:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Satan has no part in our eternal existence with God. But he’ll spend your lifetime trying to convince you otherwise with mirror images to make this world seem the most important thing in your life. It isn’t. God is.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36 KJV)

Then again, how important is it for us to say we love God, and we won’t spend time with Him, others who love Him, or those who need Him:

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:17-19 KJV)

Don’t settle for what’s in the mirror – go for the real.  Do you believe God? Work for Him? Tremble?

Oral Tradition

 

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7 KJV)

What’s the best time to teach someone about God? Sitting, walking, at home, away from home, evening, and morning. Any time, any where, to any one – but here it is so important to teach our children. Why?

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. (Psalms 103:17-18 KJV)

We all have an impact on our children, their children, and even to their children, too. Part of what we impart will be oral tradition. It need not stop with our own family. What we impart to friends – and to strangers – has an impact, too, even when the time we spend is short.

What made me think about this was an In Touch article, “At Home With Refugees”, which was introduced in an email:

Scripture endures in oral traditions too

I’ve used the Berean example in several previous posts – where those who heard Paul’s story of God sending His Son to offer eternal life with Him to everyone. That was as hard to believe then as it is today. The Bereans turned to scripture, where they had learned there is truth:

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:11-12 KJV)

Our children receive with all readiness of mind. We can give them a head start, just as Paul did, to know what to look for in scriptures as well as in their formal schoolwork. They learn to discern what is truth – and what is a mirror image that is wrong. This is doubly important in a world that accepts evil for good.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21 KJV)

How many of the following descriptions do we find in our own country right now:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV)

No one except God knows the timing, but every one reading this knows these are perilous times. There have been many perilous times in the past, and when those times came people recognized them and many did turn away from such and sought God. He is there, just as I wrote and posted yesterday. Where are we?

We are in a position to share our beliefs, our traditions if you will, with anyone who will listen to us. Who do we know who needs God’s presence? Everyone. Who do we know that need God’s salvation? That’s a smaller group in our lives, but we meet so many people that we will never know for certain.

How can we reach them? With our lives, our love, and our prayers. Keep in mind that God uses people who allow Him to work in their lives. Also keep in mind that if He has a specific purpose, He is able to work within what appears to be unacceptable methods to do so. Read Joseph’s story – wealthy son, despised brother, slave, second ruler in Egypt. Or Jonah – prophet, refugee, preacher, disappointed. Or Esther – slave, queen, brave, provider of safety for her people. Or David – shepherd, young brother, giant killer, escaping a king, becoming a king, adulterer, a man after God’s own heart.

Each of those stories has a connection to God’s providing for mankind from creation, all because we are loved:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Keep oral traditions alive by sending God’s message and sharing God’s word. It’s an awesome combination throughout history.

Blessedly Forgiven

 

To be forgiven by God, we must spend time with Him. To spend time, we need to find Him. To find Him, we need to know where to look. It’s as simple as finding a needle in the haystack – if you have a strong magnet. You see, God is always available to be found to those who seek Him, He is the magnet. While there are many verses that address this, I selected this one to be first:

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:27-28 KJV)

I’d suggest that reading the chapter will place the verse  in context, and there is much around it that is good reading to suggest we are expected to seek the Lord as we are His children.

Israel – Jacob, if you will – was chosen by God to father a special nation dedicated to showing God to the rest of the world. Through Israel, all nations would be blessed:

And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? (Genesis 18:17-18 KJV)

And, they are blessed.  While this next verse can be applied specifically to a time in history where the people of Israel needed God, I believe it is applicable to those who would call upon Him:

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. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV)

All of the above are included in the Bible which also tells us several times that all men have sinned:

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12 KJV)

Way before that, God spoke to Israel in Isaiah chapter 59 (the whole chapter is excellent reading!) and let’s look at the first two verses:

Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2 KJV)

What in the world does all this talk about biblical sinfulness have to do with being blessed by forgiveness? God provides the forgiveness after we provide the request for it. For New Testament Christians, which is also for me, it’s tied up in these verses:

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11 KJV)

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:5 KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

These verses sound good alone – they make sense, and still sound good, when they are read in context. We do sin. Sin is acting against God’s will. God has two commandments that are used to base all His laws:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

Every single day of our life, we break one of those commandments, don’t we? We either ignore God, or we don’t love a neighbor. Simple failure. It is a blessing that God forgives us. King David knew this and wrote (the rest of this chapter is worth reading, too!):

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalms 32:1-2 KJV)

The sin is covered, thus we are blessed that God does not count that sin against us as we are truthful acknowledging our need for God. For the Christian, we are covered by the death of Christ through a conversion to belief described by Paul in Acts 26. Also described by Peter in Acts 10. These chapters should be read in their entirety – and if not understood, read the four gospels. I’d suggest beginning with John, then Luke, Matthew and Mark. But, that’s a personal preference. Then read the rest of the Bible to see if these are “none other things” then those which the Old Testament did say should come:

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:22-23 KJV)

Do you feel blessed?

Labor and Rest

 

The Bible has a lot to say about work and rest. The first reference is how God created:

And God said, (Genesis 1:3a,1:6a,1:9a, 1:11a, 1:14, 1:20, 1:24, 1:26 KJV)

Our work isn’t that easy, is it? Even when a general sends his army into the field of battle, his brain should have worked hard strategizing their win. But, most of us know physical labor as well. Partly because of Eve, we have to work hard than Adam’s first job:

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. (Genesis 2:15 KJV)

A perfect Garden spoken into existence by God. Then both Eve and Adam gave into temptation and their responsibilities changed:

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:17-19 KJV)

Beasts of burden were yoked to do part of the labor. It was that simile that Christ used when He was closing His answer to John the Baptist’s question:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29 KJV)

The rest Jesus provides is for our souls. Not so much for the bodies that still labor in a workforce that changes before a man can retire, but for our souls that question or existence, the very reason we labor.

Why are we still living? Some decide that it isn’t worth doing, and I grieve for the soul that was in such pain. We pray for them. Pray that they will take time to learn of Him. It takes reading, studying, praying, and proving His promises. I’m provided of the Bereans – a wonderful example for us. They did not reject the message Paul brought to them. Instead:

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:10-11 KJV)

We are able to live with God’s peace that truly does pass our understanding. His peace that takes His children through troubles century after century:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

Rest, and peace. It takes belief in Jesus Christ, son of the living God who created the heavens and the earth. And how do you believe?

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:14-15 KJV)

Look for that preacher that speaks from the Bible what God inspired writers to give to us. Read those glad tidings of good things and ask that preacher to whom they apply and why. You may actually study the book for years. You can build a close relationship with the Holy Spirit that speaks for us in heaven. Scriptures show these things are so. If you believe I’m wrong, challenge my beliefs, please.

Come, learn of Him, and accept rest.

Sowing

 Sowing peanuts at Sde Nehemia

This past Sunday I heard three different messages, multiple scriptural references, each having a connecting thread having to do with people who sow the word of God. I really can’t separate the thoughts as to which came from which mouth, but fully understand the message comes from God’s word, the scriptures written for our use.

Early Sunday I heard a statement from Dr. Charles Stanley:

“You reap what you sow, more than you sow, later than you sow.”

I would add an admonition – please be careful what you sow, for scripture certainly matches Dr. Stanley’s words:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10 KJV)

It takes a mature Christian to be understand what is to be sown – God’s message to mankind of love and promises to be with Him eternally. It takes reading scriptures and prayer to God to understand the relationship we have with Him as His children. Not simply His creation, but children of adoption:

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Romans 8:23-25 KJV)

How do we mature? That was our Sunday School lesson from 1 Corinthians 3:1-9. You’ll have to open your Bible or click the link to read those verses, but they speak of milk and meat. New Christians receive “milk,” verses that have value with little conflicts, before “meat,” verses that appear to have conflict until we are able to digest their truth.

As example – many verses are well known by many besides Christians. The best known would be John 3:16. No conflict there, and it has been abused by some to indicate everyone is saved. But it’s not the whole story, and when it was written, there were no verse numbers. Now there are, and John 3:18 is just as valid for Christians – but carries the truth that some will not believe and will not have the same eternal life that Christians are promised.

God’s word continued in the worship service Sunday –  to become a Christian as well as remain in God’s will:

Set – we feel we know where we are, where we are going; but . .

Upset – something upsets our lives and we feel nothing is right; then. .

Reset – we focus on what we know is right – God, and reset our goal to do His will.

Which takes us back to the Bible where, as new Christians, we learned to take in His word, pray to Him about what we’ve learned, then listen for the answer to our questions.

Now, what does that have to do with sowing? That is the job of every Christian – to give the message of Christ at every opportunity. Go back to 1 Corinthians 3 to see how that was done (set), the problems it caused (upset), and the reset Paul outlined.

Sowing God’s word does take patience, doesn’t it?

Potential - Apples and Bibles

I can’t remember the date I made 30 of these little stand up frames. They were for a 2010 ladies retreat our church had planned, and my talk was on potential. I wrote a blog about the potential of one apple seed. Every one of us has potential. Right now there are hugely divided concepts on how to consider our personal potential, but my thoughts had to do with our potential in spreading the gospel. Maybe it bears repeating after ten years:

Jesus spoke with His disciples about mustard seeds a couple of times. I used to have one in a glass globe on a bracelet as a reminder of the potential in the smallest of faith.

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. (Luke 17:6 KJV)

I’ve been thinking about potential.

I was looking at apple seeds -- odd looking, elongated and varied in size. Their fruit is good to eat and nutritious, though eaten in large quantity, apple seeds themselves are poisonous. Yet singly, each seed has the potential to repopulate the species across our planet. That's what caught my attention -- potential.

Of course, that's true of any seed, but the apple reminds me more of humans than most others. Their fruit can be pleasantly sweet, or pungently sour; suitable for snacking or better for baking. Whole apples can be stored for months, dried sections keep for a year. Apples are nutritious; they can be eaten raw or cooked; baked whole or made into apple butter; juiced to drink or made into jellies or vinegar.

We enjoy the trees for the beauty of their flowering, their fruit and for shade. We would miss them if they all suddenly vanished. If there was one remaining seed, it would have the potential to provide new trees, new fruit, then new seeds to plant even more. John Chapman took this to heart and became the American legend Johnny Appleseed.

But, most tree seeds do not produce a plant resembling the parent. Grafting is necessary. When you purchase an apple tree from a nursery, you'll find a grafting scar, Just as Romans 11 speaks of branches “graffed” onto the tree, necessary to provide the right fruit.

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. (Romans 11:22-23 KJV)

These examples show us potential – the potential of providing a strong plant with good fruit and spreading it around the world.

We must look at our own potential. Are we capable of producing good fruit? Could we repopulate the gospel over the entire earth?

How prepared are we to fulfill this potential? If we had to, how much of the Bible could we reproduce? Can we name each of the books? How many verses are memorized? Do we know the Roman Road?

How many references do we know to support our doctrinal beliefs? Do we speak of these outside our church? Do we study to learn more? To share more?

Take a serious look at potential – of service to our Lord, of supporting salvation for others. Grow that potential, with the strength and support of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5 KJV)

Shipwrecked

By Dariusz Jemielniak ("Pundit") - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

I chose this modern photo to remind me that shipwrecks aren’t ancient. In the book of Acts, Luke describes a shipwreck he experienced with Paul. I wonder if Paul thought of that when he wrote to Timothy:

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1 Timothy 1:19 KJV)

When we see this in action - a person who had stated a faith in Christ as savior and Lord, yet turned their back to all Christianity stands for - it is saddening to see the pictures they share, defining the shipwreck  of their life.

It is difficult to comprehend since it can happen after passing years of training in college, questioning by pastor’s, serving as a church’s Pastor, then tossing it aside for a life that confirms scripture:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:15-20 KJV)

I remember what scriptures tell us happened to a real tree that bore no fruit:

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
(Matthew 21:18-19 KJV)

I would venture to say that particular fig tree was hewn down and case into a fire, wouldn’t you? It was useless as a fruit tree. We are given the fruit of the Spirit – the characteristics a Christian should be showing - in Galatians and again in Ephesians:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) (Ephesians 5:9 KJV)

If we live with goodness, righteousness, and truth, surely we have the love, joy, peace – all the spiritual gifts gained by loving God and our neighbors. We are also told what things are not part of God’s Spirit, nor should they be part of a Christian’s life:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV)

We are also told what we should do with those who choose the fruit of the flesh:

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:11-13 KJV)

And, we are told what we should do ourselves:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (Titus 2:11-12 KJV)

There are so many more verses to help us, but none of them tell us to take on the burdens of those who have chosen the fruit of the flesh. Jesus is ready to exchange their heavy burden for one that is light – He promised, and He is faithful:

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (Hebrews 10:23 KJV)

Statements of Fact

There are several statements of fact in the Bible, as Micah wrote above. I like Joshua’s statement:

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 KJV)

Jesus also made statements, among them are several I depend upon:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 KJV)

It’s the “will” that makes a difference to me. The definition given this verb is "expressing the future tense; and expressing inevitable events; and expressing facts about ability or capacity. There are several other definitions of this simple four-letter word, at least six as a verb, and more as a noun. What does it mean to you?

As I read in Micah, Joshua, and Matthew, it is a statement that the described action will take place. That’s a tiny bit different from John’s use when Jesus was talking to Nicodemus:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Here we don’t see “will”, but there is “should not”, which Strong’s definition of G3361 is:

μή
Transliteration:  mē
Pronunciation:  may
A primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial);

Why would this verse use “should not” instead of “will”? I wonder if the explanation can be found in:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19 KJV)

Believing should also mean responding – and sometimes believing doesn’t responding to God, just as the devils in the verse above. James addresses that, too, to help us see the difference between those who profess a belief, and those who have faith in God:

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:17-18 KJV)

We believers are examples to others – the emphasis in the following verse is mine, bold to tie the two together – Paul and his companions’ behavior being an example to follow:

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 KJV)

Which is why we hold our religious leaders to a biblical standard, and are very disappointed when that standard is ignored. There are some biblical standards that are statements of fact. Jesus made such statements.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  (John 3:5 KJV)

Those statements of fact tell me who He is – this one tells me who we are:

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. (Matthew 22:31-32 KJV)

That’s an awesome statement!

Believing can be difficult. There are many who do not, and are eager to tell Christians how wrong they are. Those persist in their belief that God never did exist and absolutely does not exist today. But if you can accept one verse as a possibility, and read the Bible with prayers for understanding, it will make such a difference that you can believe that:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV)

Finished

Remember what Jesus said while on the cross?

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30 KJV)

He had not removed the yoke Rome had laid on Israel. Similar yokes had been added over the previous centuries, and each one had been exchanged for another – and more would come. The Messiah had not released Israel from bondage. Yet His message would be carried on until it literally spanned the world. What was that message? The same one that went out at Eden, was repeated in Egypt, and reiterated by Jesus:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

Yes, indeed. You will see this in a lot of my blogs. Obviously it’s worth repeating because the concept is written across the Bible. If it’s that important for God to remind us, it is equally important for us to remember it.

I believe I am responsible for what I do and where I do it. I also believe I am accountable to God. Remember what King David said:

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:4 KJV)

David certainly knew guilt, confessing it not only to God but to those around him. Contrition and repentance. Sorrow for the error, and determination not to make that same error again.

Basically, that’s what Jesus suggested we do before our God on a regular basis:

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:7-13 KJV)

The world remains much as it was when our Lord taught His disciples as they walked together. The only schedules then had to do with holy days through the year, and one special day where our Lord’s work was perfectly – finished.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30 KJV)

The Greek for “finished” (G5055) was used 26 times in KJV. But “finisher” (G5051) was only used once, in the lead verse.

The KJV translates Strong's G5051 in the following manner: finisher
1. a perfector
2. one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith

Appropriate, isn’t it? The perfect finish to the perfect plan of salvation. Follow what’s laid out and we can join Paul in saying:

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV)

What Offends You?

How many times do we hear, “Oh, I hate that!” Does that really mean an intensely passionate dislike – or do we feel upset, annoyed, or resentful. With all of the recent articles regarding people protesting [insert anything you’ve read about recently]. It made me think more of their being offended rather than the intense, passionate dislike which defines hate.

It also reminds me of how the Bible addresses being offended as well as offending. James leads into an example with:

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2 KJV)

The following verses address how we work to bridle our tongue to keep from being offensive, and how easy it is to fail:

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (James 3:5-6 KJV)

John 16:22-59, where Jesus speaks of being the Bread of Life, caused murmurings among His followers. His response to them was a question:

When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? (John 6:61 KJV)

It became very obvious that some were offended. From our perspective, I wonder what they found offense in His words, and in His response for them to:

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? (John 6:66-67 KJV)

Eleven of the twelve did not leave. We know what the one did. Was it all for money? If so, that wasn’t much, even for that time. Certainly isn’t sufficient to betray a friend. But apparently Judas was offended that Jesus was NOT what he expected. Obviously, the religious leaders were offended because Jesus told them they were not what God expected. Yet chapter 16 begins with Jesus’ goal:

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. (John 16:1 KJV)

During Jesus’ preparation for betrayal, the disciples were told that they would be offended because of Him. Peter’s answer was included twice in the gospels:

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. (Matthew 26:33 KJV)

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.  (Mark 14:29 KJV)

Peter’s failure is also included. And ours is somewhere, too, isn’t it? Hopefully not in the hearts of people we have offended. Which means we need to bridle our tongues – though we’ve just read how hard that is! Is it true impossible? As James wrote, must we be perfect?

As usual, the Bible has the answer – and this may not be the one you remember.  There are two others:

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. (Luke 18:27 KJV)

Remember, the New Testament is based on what exists in the Old. There we find the “How to not be offended”:

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalms 119:165 KJV)

Thanks be to God that this verse does not say: " . . . they which keep thy law . . ." It is easy to love God’s laws once we study them and realize their base:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

Look over the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:2-17, or take time to read all of the laws in the Pentateuch. Did you find one not based on loving God or our fellowman? Isn’t that all that is required when we walk humbly with our Lord, as written in Micah 6:8?

Forgotten Baseball

The Cubs did not win the World Series in 1918, and attendance fluctuated, with the low of 15,238 for the sixth game – and final chance for the Cubs. But it’s the first game in Comiskey Park that has a biblical lesson for us today. In the Wikipedia article, we read:

During the seventh-inning stretch of Game 1, the band began playing "The Star Spangled Banner" because the country was involved in World War I. The song would be named the national anthem of the United States in 1931, and during World War II its playing would become a regular pre-game feature of baseball games and other sporting events.

It wasn’t the national anthem then. That didn’t happen until 1931, so our nation has had more time without this national anthem than with it. Odd, then, isn’t it, that in confrontations over racism, it is controversial? My thought is that we’ve forgotten how it was perceived in 1918, if not the battle in which it was written.

So, how is that biblical? Try this verse:

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. (Exodus 1:8 KJV)

The book of Genesis contains the story of Joseph, but Exodus opens years after Joseph helped Egypt’s Pharaoh feed nations during famine. Do you know that story? Could you find it easily in the Bible?

Moses was concerned about people forgetting the words God gave him, but God had a plan:

Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. (Deuteronomy 4:10 KJV)

With repetition:

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV)

Even a third time – which to means adds importance and meaning:

Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 11:18-19 KJV)

What have we failed to teach our children? It’s not simply that a hundred-year-old song became our National Anthem, but that that event brought our country together during a dark time of world wide war. Men from many countries were dying far away from their homes, and there appeared to be no end to it. Making peace came at a great price. Ending what an anarchist’s bullet precipitated took years and took twenty million lives, as well as leaving 21 million injured.

We’ve forgotten that a mere generation later that was repeated with eighty-five million deaths. 85,000,000.  Because men did not teach their children that the cost of war includes death.

Today in the United States, most of the peaceful protests have ended in casualties. Some in deaths. The protesters see that as inevitable, and will continue to use the same methodology. They are told by their supporters that it is necessary when frustrations grow too long unreleased. But, I believe we’ve forgotten to teach generations why the anthem was important to people from 1918 through the 1950’s, and we've forgotten to teach them about God.

And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10 KJV)

There has been more than one generation – and not only in our country – who have not taught their children about the Lord:

And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10 KJV)

Have we been telling our children and our children’s children of the Lord’s work in our lives? Is there nothing in our lives that can be attributed to the Lord’s intervention? There certainly is in my life. Now, I’m concerned – not for my children, nor for the most part for my grandchldren, but I have great-grandchildren. I am blessed to say that each one of them knows their grandparents love the Lord and have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. That is a huge blessing, but is the world's view stronger?

I’m concerned that there are fewer people in the world that believe, that share their faith. I do see a remnant, but I also see a falling away. There can be two outcomes, as I see the biblical teachings, one is a revival with more people sharing God’s love and His word – or, His return. Are you prepared for either occurrence?

How Many Books Do You Read?

That’s a photo of the Kansas City Public Library. Do you visit your city’s library? I can’t because I don’t live in a city. However, I do get to borrow books from our county seat’s library, and I can use any other city’s library simply by walking in. They are used by a good number of people, but not all their activities are centered around book reading.

It seems a goodly number of people no longer read books. Their information is taken in spurts - headlines, memes, messages, graphics, cartoons, or even from photographs with distinctive captioning. Picking up a book to read is often based on one’s favorite author, scholarly subject, or required class reading (for example, Yale's Eng321 requires reading Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte.)

Not everyone has a Bible verse read to them as a child. Fewer have memorized a verse from the Bible as a child. I don’t remember going to church until I eleven – when we moved back to my parents’ home state. Yet, there is one photo in their album where the four of us are dressed in Easter finery at least a couple of years before that. When we settled in Tulsa, it was within walking distance to Immanuel Baptist Church at Third and Xanthus. We made that walk a lot! And memorized a number of verses.

This morning a couple of notices came through YouVersion where friends had completed plans for specific verses. Some plans are for spiritual growth, others for overcoming sorrow, still others address specific personal needs. A few are plans to read the entire Bible through in a specified time period. Some of those are annual plans where the entire Bible is completed in a year. My favorite of those is the Chronological Bible. The order of the books printed in the Bible are not the order in which they were written, neither in the Old nor New Testament. So where should one begin reading?

That’s an excellent question for anyone unfamiliar with the Bible’s full message. Is the answer Genesis? At least that defines what God did:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV)

But it does little for who God is. If you ask a Christian, I hope they send you to . . .

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8 KJV)

. . .  simply because that’s the best definition of God. However, we also need to know God is just, among other attributes:

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4 KJV)

Then there is the problem of biblical terms: Garden of Eden, Covenant, Abrahamic religions, stairway to heaven, cherubim, seraphim, born again, baptism, anointed, Passover, Seder, Wise Men. There are so many terms that really sound “not of this world,” and basically – they aren’t. God is a spiritual being, as Jesus explained:

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24 KJV)

Then how did God have a Son? How did Jesus mother become pregnant. We have to go back to Genesis 1:1, where God created the heavens and earth. Jesus tell us:

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26 KJV)

Did you notice that we’ve skipped around through a number of different verses? Why? Because they are the short versions of valid truths that are found across the Bible. So, why are they truth and not simply history?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)

Not all scripture are examples to follow, but are examples of what happens when people ignore God and encounter consequences for their action. That’s why scripture must be read in context and studied to see today’s applicability to our lives.

My ending questions: How many books do you read? If you can finish those, how about reading the Bible. I would recommend the King James version in YouVersion – specifically the Chronological plan for the first full reading. You are welcome to become a Contact and share with me as you read. And I welcome questions. I can’t answer them expect by going to the Bible and seeing what is said there. Then for the really hard ones we can ask our Pastor. There is always help in understanding God’s Word.

(That’s another question: What is God’s Word, and what is God’s word? I answered that one a few blogs back. Most likely will answer again in the future.)

Living Water

That is the Cistern of Theodosius, a photo taken by Izabela Miszczak. It is a wonder of design and use, unlike any cistern we’ve seen on a farm to aid in providing water during rainless months. Cisterns have been in use for millennia, from simple natural rock formations to the above. The Bible mentions them in five verses, in 2 Kings, Proverbs, Ecclesiastics, Isaiah – and the one that caught my eye in Jeremiah:

Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:11-13 KJV)

Is it clearer in the Amplified Bible?

“Has a nation [ever] changed gods
Even though they were not gods [but merely man-made objects]?
But My people have exchanged their Glory (the true God)
For that [man-made idol] which does not benefit [them].
“Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
Be shocked and shudder with horror [at the behavior of the people],” says the Lord.
“For My people have committed two evils:
They have abandoned (rejected) Me,
The fountain of living water,
And they have carved out their own cisterns,
Broken cisterns
That cannot hold water."

I’ve checked a number of versions at BibleGateway.com, and the message remains – the people of God were guilty of exchanging His life-giving water for stagnant water in broken containers. Here God is described as a “fountain of living water,” which matches Jesus’ claim:

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:13-14 KJV)

I’ve read that God as living water can be sourced in the dryness of Israel - that the need for water is dominate in the land given to Abraham’s descendants. While our planet is largely covered in water, not all of it is drinkable. Not all of it provides sustenance. Some of it is detrimental to human life if taken as a drink. Isn’t that not also appropriate of our beliefs?

Drinkable, life-sustaining water does not depend on skin color, geographic location, even which deity is worshipped. Just as the Bible says our God is available to any that seek Him, living water will provide for everyone partaking.

Combine water and food and you’ve provided half of what mankind needs for survival. Jesus provides both, as we see when adding:

I am that bread of life. (John 6:48 KJV)

The explanation of what bread is meant takes many more verses and are found in John 6:29-42. Just click on the link and pick your version. Isn’t tech awesome when it comes to Bible study?

So, God provided living water, bread – but we also need light. When we look for the words “light of the world” in the New Testament, there is much to learn. First reference is that we are the light of the world:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14 KJV)

Not all of "we", though. Matthew five is where Jesus is speaking to His disciples about what it takes to follow Him, what God has in store for those who do, and how His followers should live. Thus, if we do follow Him, people we meet should be able to know that by seeing us. The next references to “light of the world” refers to Jesus, and what He called Himself:

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV)

It is necessary to read the entire Bible to find out what God is to man beyond being his Creator. For me, my favorite is that God is our Father. The father who accepts what we say to Him, what we ask of Him, just as Jesus taught us:

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:8-13 KJV)

A Man Interested in Salvation For Others

I do not know the gentleman on the left, closest to us, but I do know the gentleman in the bright yellow who not only believes that Jesus Christ died for you personally, but for himself, the gentleman with him, all the cars driving by, and for me. The Bible tells Him so:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18 KJV)

There’s that “saved” word almost in the middle of that scripture. It’s a very important word. In the King James Version, there are 158 verses, 167 words, of: save, saves, saved, salvation. That makes it a very important concept. Especially when the alternative is “condemned”, even “condemned already”, and it would be very good to explain to people why.

Paul explains it very well to Agrippa, who understands without a huge amount of theological study because he grew up in Judaism. You can find the story in Acts 26:1-27, and it ends with Agrippa’s thought on the story, and Paul’s response:

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. (Acts 26:28-29 KJV)

Except for the bonds that certified him as a prisoner, Paul was a follower of Jesus Christ because he had a personal experience that caused him to recognize that his beliefs were wrong. Because of that experience, Paul believed that Jesus Christ was the son of God and accepted Jesus’ teachings. Simple as that – but Agrippa didn’t say that he believed, just that he almost believed.

It is not easy to live as a Christian described in the Bible. Paul said it best, and it applies to us today:

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. . . .  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (Romans 7:15, 19 KJV)

There is much more in this chapter that explains that the law not only tells us what and what not to do, but tells us when we break the law, we have sinned. We have gone against the law – and the law spoken of here is God’s Law given to mankind. Going against it means we have sinned against God, as David understood when he confessed his greatest sin:

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:4 KJV)

From the whole story, we know he sinned against Bathesheba and Uriah, too, but even that was against the Law given by God. When we sin, there are consequences, but we also sin against God. We become separated from Him spiritually. Thus His plan of salvation that can be seen throughout the Bible.

We believe this so strongly that we want to share this with whosoever will listen. That’s the way Jesus spoke to people. Any place, any where, any circumstances.

Even along the roadside with signs telling every single driver and passenger – Jesus loves you and died that you might be saved. Just ask us, we’ll be happy to explain what we believe, why we believe, and why we feel it is best for you to hear, as Agrippa did, but we hope you will go way past almost persuaded to be a Christian.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  . . .  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:1, 6 KJV)

Who Do We Listen To?

This graphic is “Peter the Hermit Preaching the First Crusade,” a painting by James Archer,  from Cassell's History of England, Vol. I. It is told that he wanted to go to Jerusalem, but was prevented by Muslims who controlled the Middle East. There is no proof of that, but what is certain was his ability to gather a crowd and preach. Historians are said to "agree that thousand of peasants eagerly took the cross at his bidding." He wasn't alone in the objective. For close to two hundred years, men fought to make what they considered the Holy Land to be under Christian control. Their problem - from my point of view - is there is no biblical reason for doing so.

Take time to read the entire Bible, specific studies in the New Testament, and you will not find one single command where Jesus or His followers were commanded by God to do anything with Jerusalem. We are living today, a thousand years later, with people who hate Christians because of the Crusades.

There are preachers today who are very good orators, but are not preaching God’s message. Jesus defined them:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Matthew 7:15-16 KJV)

What awaits those who lead people away from the faith? I believe it is laid out clearly in:

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Luke 17:1-2 KJV)

Please take time to read the previous chapter, and the verses following these two. Then read Matthew 6 and Mark 9, the two other references to Jesus’ teaching of leading God’s children away. Then consider what would be worse than being cast into the ocean with a millstone around the neck. I cannot believe God will accept good intentions exist for offending someone in His name.

How do we tell the difference? Don’t these men claim they come from God? Aren’t they saying they are doing God’s will? And the answer is yes – but we have a guideline to use when hearing someone speak of doing God’s will. The Bible test is an awesome way to understand who is the ravening wolf.

1 – Do they preach what Jesus preached in the Bible?

Just as I ask you to do here, look at the verse to be certain it says what you are being told it says. Sometimes verses are taken out of context and while they apply to a specific situation that is mentioned one time, they do not apply elsewhere. What God told Noah to do cannot be repeated. The Bible tells us so.

2 – Is the translation is correct?

How can we tell without learning Hebrew and Greek? Well, that’s not a bad idea, but few of us have the time or interest. There are some good literal translations, I had one until I loaned it to a ravening wolf who did lead people astray. Once you meet such a man, it becomes easier to recognize others. Compare translations. I’d suggest starting with King James Version for your base comparison, then check why there would be a difference in understanding with any other version.

3 – Do they glorify God and accept Jesus as His son?

If not, this is neither a Christian nor biblical. No other question needs to be asked. The name Christian was first applied to followers of Jesus and was used first in Antioch (Acts 11:26). The only other time the word is used in the Bible is when Agrippa tells Paul he was almost persuaded to be  one (Acts 26:28), so it’s not as important as faith.

4 – Do they preach saved by faith?

Huge big deal! Read everything Jesus is quoted as saying in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – then decide if these two scriptures are correct:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31 KJV)

And I’ve run out of time and space before discussing why being “saved” makes a difference. Maybe tomorrow?

Blessed Feet And Very Beautiful

Aren’t those feet beautiful, even when there are no shoes on them?

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:13-15 KJV)

I know the man who walks upon these feet.  I’ve seen a similar photo every so often because he can replace his shoes, and the people he serves cannot. He is a missionary to the homeless.  He could be in any city near you, but he’s geographically close to us and part of his financial support comes from our church. All of his spiritual support comes from our Lord. And our Lord hears many prayers in support of His work through this man who lives a biblical admonition:

. . .  him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. (Luke 6:29b KJV)

I’ve known this missionary long enough to understand how strong is faith is. When he spoke about his mission field, we heard the love he had for the homeless. We’ve been blessed to help him reach out with sacks from our ladies support group that held snacks; our church has provided clothing; we’ve taken special offerings for specific requests.

We saw another church actually donate a building! A community where the previous congregation either moved away, or died, became “Homeless No More”, where food is provided on Sunday, plus “Biscuits and Bibles” Wednesday mornings. These combine with a Saturday outreach where clothing is made available to those in need – which sometimes include the very shoes on the missionary’s feet. It doesn’t stop there. I also have a photo of his wife’s stocking feet – she is just as involved as her husband.

They do this because they believe what the Bible says:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?

And, they believe they are called to do it. They are part of the body of Christ, different people doing different things:

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. . . .  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (1 Corinthians 12:1, 6 KJV)

Not many are called to do the preaching, but we are all called to do the teaching – to share what we’ve learned to people we love, and we are to love everyone:

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22:39 KJV)

We aren’t given a choice to pick and choose who we are to love. God requires that we love everyone and show it in action:

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18 KJV)

Frankly, that is difficult in our current world. There have been times in history that it was even more difficult, but there isn’t a verse that says “. . . love everyone except . . .” We don’t get to pick and choose who we must see as a soul, a person receiving God’s love.

How do we reach those we cannot see as lovable? The change much come from ourselves, and the easiest way is to pray for them. Yes – pray for blessings from God for people you can’t stand to be around. Pray for their relationship to God. Pray they will see God’s work around them, and that they see His love in their lives. Even when they have been damaging to you:

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28 KJV)

If you don’t, it’s hard to see God’s love in ourselves. The Bible tells us so:

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. (Luke 6:32-33 KJV)

Is it easy? It hasn’t been for me, for certain. There are people who seem to be impossible for even God to love since He is said to hate sinfulness. Not our call, is it? We’re told to pray for them. Join me in such prayer, and be a child of God:

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  (Luke 6:35-36 KJV)

Such A Time As This

I have several thoughts running on a parallel line this morning, and all have to do with the Bible. Most come from Sunday morning’s service where our Pastor spoke from several verses, most in II Timothy, but he started in Psalms 119:9. My eyes landed on:

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11 KJV)

An excellent reason for Bible reading – and retaining verses to use as guideposts in life. As Pastor described it, the “word” is a couple of things. First, John defines it for us:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5 KJV)

Jesus, the Christ, is God’s Word. That is exactly what John was describing. Are you also familiar with the full armor of God? Review it in Ephesians 6:13-20, while paying attention to one specific verse:

. . .  and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17 KJV)

Yes – the very word of God, which is sharper than a two-edged sword and a discerner of thoughts and intents. Yes, the Spirit knows the very intent of our thoughts, not simply what we say. The Spirit knows why I am typing this – and why you are reading it. The results should be a better understanding of what God has in mind for us during such a time as this. A perilous time we are living through that matches scripture in II Timothy 3.

Are we prepared to do God’s will during these perilous times? They certainly aren’t the first in the world. Our Youth Minister spoke of Esther this morning, reading Mordecai’s words:

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 KJV)

Our example for what to do is Jesus. We should not ask “What would Jesus do,” we need to read what Jesus did and follow His example, not doing what appears to be right in our own eyes. Yes, that should sound familiar. There are several verses with that phrase – I believe this one most appropriate:

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. (Proverbs 21:2 KJV)

What did Jesus do? I wrote of that just recently in earlier blogs, “Walk With Me For A While” and “Talk With Me For A While.” Look for what Jesus did, and emulate Him, as a young man did in Decatur, Texas, Sunday afternoon, as one witness wrote:

I witnessed a young man so bold and strong in his faith standing out by himself holding a sign that said “ALL LIVES MATTER TO JESUS CHRIST” I saw his own peers trying to get him to cross that line to go to the protesters side, but he stood fast in his stance and beliefs and love for ALL LIVES. He pointed to each one of them and told them he loved them. Sure at first they yelled back at him angry, but I stood and watched as he kept on and he broke their walls down. They started to yell back they loved him. Then THEY came to HIM and hugged HIM. AMAZING!! This young man is so full on fire for God he asked everyone to come and pray with him and he gathered around 15 people and he said one of the mightiest prayers that would probably put grown men to shame.

Decatur is a country county seat. A citizen had to drum up business for a protest march, and there were definitely differing opinions. It could have caused hard feelings – but there were some people there teaching what Jesus told us to teach to all nations.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Share what Jesus did when we walked this earth just as we do – with pain, anger, injustice, but created and filled with God’s love. What we do with our time here determines our eternity – even in such a time as this.

Do You See That Light?

This photo does not belong to me. Please do not copy or download the graphic. The copyright belongs to the picture taker. She took more than one shot of the light.  I can assure you they were on her phone, as taken, untouched by any editing software.

What are the odds of sunlight coming through a cloudy day to reach down to a single grave? How often have you seen such a photo. It struck me due to the specificity, and I asked if I might use it in a blog. The photographer kindly gave permission. She and I hold a belief that God speaks to us in many ways.

One way is as the light of the world:

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:4-5 KJV)

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5 KJV)

The more you read about Him in the Bible, the more you can understand how appropriate it is that He tells us that He is the light. As long as H was in the world.  Then, He left this world, and left people to continue the work:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14,16 KJV)

I’d like to send you to to John’s seventeenth chapter, where Jesus is praying prior to His betrayal. The Pulpit Commentary says this about the passage to show it was not conceived by a disciple:

The author of the Gospel does, however, draw rather upon his memory of that night than upon his philosophical imagination for a passage which surpasses all literature in its setting forth the identity of being and power and love in the twofold personality of the God-Man. We are brought by it to the mercy-seat, into the heaven of heavens, to the very heart of God; and we find there a presentation of the most mysterious and incomprehensible love to the human race, embodied in the Person, enshrined in the words, of the only begotten Son.

In verses 20, we know who is the subject of the prayer, and in verse 21 we are given the “Why?”:

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:20-21 KJV)

If you choose to believe in Him, you’ve been prayed for centuries ago. Even better than that:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26 KJV)

We have an intercessor that never tires, always available, and able to speak for us when we don’t have words or have no idea what to say. He planned it that way, knowing He was going to tell us to:

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV)

And we were to do that with thanksgiving:

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 5:20 KJV)

That’s hard to do. Right now it’s hard to give thanks for what is happening in our nation, and often as hard to give thanks for what is going on in our own lives. But we are told to pray without ceasing and give thanks for all things. How is that possible?

It is possible because we can see the light of the world. And every once in a while, God sends a reminder that His light still shines in this world. Not everyone will catch a glimpse of it because they do not accept its existence:

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV)

My deepest concern is for people I know – and love -  who state they do not believe. They deny the existence of any god, denying one that love us as well as one that fights Him. They have heard the message. Almost every one on the planet has. It should concern Christians, and we should pray for them if only because we also believe:

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44 KJV)