Six kids lined up in the hallway, oldest to youngest. 18 to 1.
The oldest “ssshhh-ing” everyone so we wouldn’t “wake up Mom and Dad”. The second already making plans in her mind about the rest of the day. Third was giddy about what might be under the tree, but wishing she had just a few more minutes of sleep. The fourth so excited about what “Santa” might have brought – wondering if her hints during the last month were enough!
Number five so wrapped up in himself and what he wants that he doesn’t notice how loud he has gotten and gets another “ssshhh!” from the oldest, and a glare and a wink from number two! He also hasn’t noticed that number six is no longer holding his hand, but crawling through the kitchen on his way to the other door!
Suddenly there was with the multitude a bleary-eyed mother, at first a little exasperated that she hasn’t had two hours sleep after making many gifts for her precious children, and wrapping the rest, along with baking for the dinner to come; but in an instant so proud and full of joy to watch her children strain with excitement at what might be under the tree – that tree that is loaded with icicles and barely standing straight, propped and tied here and there to keep it vertical for just a few more days.
It’s almost time – almost time but there is one missing – he has worked all night – worked all night because on Christmas Eve night he can earn half a week’s pay. He gets double-time-and-a-half for those eight hours – maybe, just maybe enough to pay for what lies under that beautiful, children-decorated tree. We are waiting breathlessly and then we lights outside – headlights of someone’s pick-up truck or car. We can’t tell but we know it’s one of the carpool guys. On Knoop, Mauser, Fowler or Ashley, or could it be Dad drove and dropped the others off already. However he got here, HE’S HERE!
We wait, the door knob turns, (we hear keys, we can’t see, still lined down the hall!), as he opens the front door, flips the wall switch and that beautiful, tilting tree lights up as if it’s at Rockefeller Center!
The signal is given, sort of, and we run into the living room, look expectantly at Dad, who nods through glazed work-weary eyes and we all pile onto the floor looking for THAT present we so much wanted. Some presents aren’t even wrapped, left hurriedly by Santa on his way to somewhere across the nation. We can’t believe we see what we see – presents we didn’t even dare ask for, spread across the floor in front of that tree – presents that only Santa could have brought – Mom and Dad couldn’t have known or afforded things so grand.
Now Dad puts down his lunch box, sits down in his chair, picks up his Bible and waits. Mom clears her throat, lifts her voice and calls for everyone to be quiet.
Dad’s already opened his Bible to that favorite passage for this day, Luke 2. He waits for wiggles and giggles and punches and frowns and smiles and glares to stop, then begins to read – “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus…” and he continues through the passage so familiar to each of us, except number six who heard it once, but only as an infant himself.
“…And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord…But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
When he had finished, he made sure we understood that THIS was the true meaning of Christmas, and we should never forget it.
Now, at last, we could open our presents. But now the presents looked different. They had a different meaning. They weren’t just the most amazing thing on the market that year. They weren’t just the newest style – or at least a good copy of it from a McCall’s pattern. They weren’t just the one thing we had hoped for but not dared ask for all year. They were more. They were an expression – a symbol – of LOVE. His love for us and our parents’ love for us.
None of us will ever forget those days. They are long gone and we each have families. But this morning, in an hour or so, some of those six and some of their children, and that bleary-eyed mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother will gather in that same living room, waiting expectantly, and read that same passage. Memories will flood their minds, as they do mine, and they will recall, not only the true meaning of Christmas, but the wealth of love that overflows that little living room, from the hearts of parents who cared and still care, for their little lambs.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
A Morning to Remember
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Atheists Don't Have No Songs
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
The Fear of The Lord
Our Pastor is speaking on stewardship and our role as a steward of God’s gifts to us. We will be using topics from Proverbs to point us to a clearer understanding and application of stewardship in our daily life, as we seek to honor the Lord with our substance and use our talents for His glory.
Throughout this study we will be using a topical rather than textual approach. The main reason for this is because we are studying the book of Proverbs and it is written primarily in a topical form. If in your Bible studies, you like to outline the books as you go through them, you have no doubt seen how difficult it is to study Proverbs from a textual approach.
We will be taking note of recurring themes dispersed throughout the proverbs.
2. Today we will concentrate on the topic of, "the fear of the Lord".
The Fear Of The Lord
INTRODUCTION
The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
Prov 1:1-9 "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion -- A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck."
Shun Evil Counsel
8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.
11 If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
13 We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil;
14 Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse”—
15 My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path;
16 For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird;
18 But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.
The Call of Wisdom
20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.
21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes,
27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “ Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.
31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”
The Beginning of Knowledge
1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
[enigma - a type of riddle generally expressed in metaphorical or allegorical language that requires ingenuity and careful thinking for its solution.]
Written primarily as a guide to young men, Proverbs' specific purpose was to lay a strong foundation by imparting wisdom to both the simple and the wise. Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" is perhaps the most important and key verse for the whole book; ethical development comes after an established relationship with God.
This key must be emphasized: fear of the Lord is what determines progress in wisdom. There is a commitment to the supernatural in all the wisdom writings of the Bible in understanding the natural order of life.
When directed towards God, the Hebrew term for "fear" may be in a healthy sense or a harmful one.
In a harmful sense, the term "fear" can describe the feeling of dread (Deut 1:29) or terror (Jonah 1:10).
In a healthy sense, the term describes awe (1 Kings 3:28) or having respect or reverence (Lev 19:3).
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" uses the term "fear" in the context of expressing "awe", "respect", and "reverence", because wisdom is the consequence of a loving relationship with God.
Now we see the anti-thetical – In chapter 1:29 – “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:“
2:1 - My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2:2 - So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
2:3 - Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
2:4 - If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
2:5 - Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
2:6 - For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
3:7 - Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
3:8 - It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
3:9 - Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
3:10 - So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
8:13 - The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14:26 - In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
14:27 - The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15:16 - Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
15:33 - The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
16:1 - The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
16:2 - All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
16:6 - By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
19:23 - The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
20:25 - It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
22:4 - By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
23:17 - Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
23:18 - For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
23:19 - Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
a. The Fear of the Lord is described in verse 7 as "the beginning of knowledge" –
Pr 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
b. And also in chapter 9 as "the beginning of wisdom" –
Pr 9:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
I. UNDERSTANDING THE FEAR OF THE LORD
A. THE MEANING OF THE WORD "FEAR"...
1. In Hebrew, the word is yara'
2. In the Old Testament, it has a three-fold range of meaning:
a. Dread, terror –
Deut 1:29 - “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them.
Jonah 1:10 - Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
b. To stand in awe (in reference to a king) –
1Ki 3:28 - And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.
c. To revere, to respect (in regards to parents) –
Leviticus 19:3 - Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.
3. Notice when God descended upon Sinai amid geophysical convulsions - cf.
Exodus 20:18-20 - Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”
a. Moses encouraged the Israelites to not be afraid of God arbitrarily striking them dead for no reason, "Do not fear!"
b. He informed them that the Lord revealed Himself in such a terrifying manner to scare them from sinning, "God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin."
Think about this.
The proper kind of fear is that which causes one to stand in awe, to revere, to respect.
Next we’ll look at,
B. ITS ROLE IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
1. We are to fear God, not man - Matthew 10:28 - And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
2. The early church walked in the fear of the Lord - Acts 9:31 - Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
3. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling – Phil 2:12, 13 - Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
4. We should be fearful of apostasy, serving God with godly fear
Hebrews 10:26-31 - For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 12:28-29 - Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may nserve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For oour God is a consuming fire.
The fear of the LORD is expressed in reverential submission to his will.
Think about this.
With a proper understanding of the fear of the Lord, we are more likely to appreciate the value of the fear of Lord as revealed in the Proverbs.
II. APPRECIATING THE FEAR OF THE LORD
A. In our lives, WITH THE FEAR OF THE LORD, there are at least six things we see will occur in Proverbs.
1. We will hate evil - Prov 8:13 - The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.
2. We will prolong life - Prov 10:27 - The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
3. We have strong confidence and a fountain of life - Prov 14:26-27 - In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
4. We will be prompted to depart from evil - Prov 16:6 - In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
5. We will have a satisfying life, spared from much evil – Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.
6. We will enjoy riches, honor, and life! - Prov 22:4 - By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.
-- Sounds like an amazing way to live, doesn't it?
B. In our lives, WITHOUT THE FEAR OF THE LORD, there are at least six things we see will occur in Proverbs.
1. We deprive ourselves of the treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge
2. We will flirt with evil and be corrupted by it
3. Our lives are likely to be shortened by our refusal to heed God's word, (e.g., suffering diseases if we do not heed His Word concerning physical relationships, or more likely to be caught in some criminal or immoral activity that will put us in physical danger, or even capital punishment – whether by gov’t or God or both)
4. We will not come to know the love of God that gives assurance and confidence of salvation
5. When we fall into sin, we will not be motivated to repent and turn to God!
6. We will not be motivated to truly, "work out our own salvation"
-- Sounds pretty dismal, doesn't it?
Think about this.
The fear of the Lord should be a highly regarded and sought after trait, one that we desire to develop in our lives. With that in mind, here are some suggestions.
III. DEVELOPING THE FEAR OF THE LORD
A. THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD...
1. Just as faith comes by hearing the word of God - cf. Rom 10:17
2. The same can be said for the fear of the Lord - cf. Deut 31:10-13 - And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”
a. Israel was to gather every seven years to read and hear the Word
b. The purpose? "...that they may learn to fear the Lord"
3. As you read the Word of God, you should gain a healthy degree of the fear of the Lord
a. For example, consider the words of Paul - Romans 2:4-11 – “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.
b. Or how about the words of Peter? - 2Peter 3:7-14 - But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Think about this.
Do we allow the Word to develop in our lives a proper reverence for the Lord?
B. [through the Word of God] …PROPERLY USED TO MAINTAIN BALANCE.
1. To avoid extremes we must read all of God's Word
a. Some read only about God's love, and have no fear of the Lord
b. Others read only about God's judgment, and know nothing of His loving kindness
c. The one develops an attitude of permissiveness that belittles God's holiness and justice
d. The other develops a psychosis of terror that forgets His grace and compassion
2. Even in the passages noted above, the context of each speaks much of God's grace and forgiveness for those who will repent
- cf. Ro 2:4-11; 2Pe 3:7-14
-- We must be careful how we use the Word of God, but we must use it!
CONCLUSION
If we desire to be truly wise, then we must begin with the fear of the Lord –
understanding it,
appreciating it,
and developing it in our lives as children of God!
Acts 9:31 says - "Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied."
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
THE OLD MAN!
As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.. I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too and took a few steps towards him.
I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying,
'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine.
He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and I approached the old man.. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.'
He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me.. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back... I drove to the station
and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old
gentleman.
When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'
He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal ..
He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I
would just put the bill on my AAA card.
He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket... We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife.
I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me
One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then,that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.
For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name.........
'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'
I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt
good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America ..
Thanks to those who served....& those who supported them.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall. If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand in front of them!
Remember, Freedom isn't Free, thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.
LET'S DO THIS JUST 19 WORDS
GOD OUR FATHER, WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES; AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL MY FAMILY AND PLEASE PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS AND WATCH OVER OUR TROOPS WHO ARE DEFENDING THOSE FREEDOMS.
AMEN
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Rest With Our Champion
Who shall lay anything to the charge against God's elect? Romans 8:33
Most blessed challenge! How unanswerable it is! Every sin of the elect was laid upon the great Champion of our salvation, and by the atonement carried away.
There is no sin in God's book against His people: He sees no sin in Jacob, neither iniquity in Israel; they are justified in Christ forever. When the guilt of sin was taken away, the punishment of sin was removed. For the Christian there is no stroke from God's angry hand—no, not so much as a single frown of punitive justice. The believer may be chastised by his Father, but God the Judge has nothing to say to the Christian except "I have absolved you: you are acquitted."
For the Christian there is no penal death in this world, much less any second death. He is completely freed from all the punishment as well as the guilt of sin, and the power of sin is removed too. It may stand in our way and agitate us with perpetual warfare; but sin is a conquered foe to every soul in union with Jesus. There is no sin that a Christian cannot overcome if he will only rely upon his God to do it. They who wear the white robe in heaven overcame through the blood of the Lamb, and we may do the same. No lust is too mighty, no besetting sin too strongly entrenched; we can overcome through the power of Christ.
Do believe it, Christian—your sin is a condemned thing. It may kick and struggle, but it is doomed to die. God has written condemnation across its brow. Christ has crucified it, nailing it to His cross. Go now and mortify it, and may the Lord help you to live to His praise, for sin with all its guilt, shame, and fear is gone.
Here's pardon for transgressions past,
It matters not how black their cast;
And, O my soul, with wonder view,
For sins to come here's pardon too.
From www.truthforlife.org
Monday, July 19, 2010
What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains
A friend of mine recently recommended, "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains". I haven’t read it yet, but it looks good. Here is a short description of some of the author’s findings:Building on the insights of thinkers from Plato to McLuhan, Carr makes a convincing case that every information technology carries an intellectual ethic — a set of assumptions about the nature of knowledge and intelligence. He explains how the printed book served to focus our attention, promoting deep and creative thought. In stark contrast, the Internet encourages the rapid, distracted sampling of small bits of information from many sources. Its ethic is that of the industrialist, an ethic of speed and efficiency, of optimized production and consumption — and how the Net is remaking us in its own image. We are becoming ever more adept at scanning and skimming, but what we are losing is our capacity for concentration, contemplation, and reflection.
Related posts:
* Companies that Think Like This Won’t Get Very Far
* What Exactly is Thinking Outside the Box?
* The Mental Price of Multitasking
* A Culture of Discipline Plus an Ethic of Entrepreneurship
Sunday, June 20, 2010
My Father is rich and has given good gifts
Matthew 7:11
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in Heaven give good things to them that ask him?
To one he gave his practical common sense and steadfastness,
To one he gave his creativity and spontaneity,
To one he gave his diligence and kind heart,
To one he gave his strength to bear all burdens and his humor,
To one he gave his logic and emotion - [odd combination, but true].
To one he gave his faithfulness and long-suffering,
But to all of us he gave his love and laugh, his mind and heart, his strong back and working hands, his desire to honor his Heavenly Father in all things, and his caring thoughts and prayerful concern.
In all things he has been what he could be as an example of our Heavenly Father, especially in showing each of his children how they can live in heaven forever with their Father.
Thanks Dad, your the best!
The timeless theme, earth and
heaven will pass away. It's not a
dream, God will make all things
new that day. Gone is the curse
from which I stumbled and fell.
Evil is banished to eternal hell.
No more night. No more pain.
No more tears. Never crying
again. And praises to the great "I
AM." We will live in the light of
the risen Lamb.
See all around, now the nations
bow down to sing. The only
sound is the praises to Christ,
our King. Slowly the names from
the book are read. I know the
King, so there's no need to dread.
See over there, there's a mansion,
oh that's prepared just for me,
where I will live with my savior
eternally.
No more night. No more pain.
No more tears. Never crying
again. And praises to the great "I
AM." We will live in the light of
the risen Lamb.
All praises to the great "I AM."
We're gonna live in the light of
the risen Lamb.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I Have Redeemed You
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Isaiah 44:22
More from Truth for Life
Thursday, January 28, 2010
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
To him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
And brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
To him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
And gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Understanding How Greek Verbs Work
Introduction When accessing information about verbs throughout our New Testament concordance, you'll find numerous references to Greek verb tenses, their voice, and their mood. The following list identifies each verb tense and its part in speech via a comparative example in English using the the verb "to loose." To access the verb's tense, voice, and mood, press the tense button in the concordance tool.  Before discussing tense, voice, and mood, it is first necessary to have an understanding of person and number. Person: This is what determines whether the subject is the speaker (first person), is being spoken to (second person) or being spoken about (third person). Number: This is what determines whether a verb is singular or plural.
Tense plays a very crucial role in the study of New Testament exegesis. Dana and Mantey understood its significance in saying that "no element of the Greek language is of more importance to the student of the New Testament than the matter of tense". [1] Tense deals both with time and kind of action. Ancient Greek focused more on the latter of these aspects (that is, kind of action); however, time does play a role in verb tense when the mood is indicative (the four moods are explained below). The aspect of a verb correlates with the kind of action. It determines whether the verb's action is punctiliar, linear or perfected. These are described in the following table.
The Present Tense The present tense can either be continuous/ongoing or undefined. The continuous present is usually translated as "I am loosing" while the undefined is best translated as "I loosen." When the present is used with the indicative mood it denotes present time. The Imperfect Tense
The action of the imperfect tense is very similar to that of the present tense. It represents continuous or reoccuring action in the past time (when used with the indicative). This is best translated as "I was loosing." The Aorist Tense
This tense is hardly a tense at all. It describes indefinite or undefined action. The word aoristos derives from an alpha privative (ie. negation) and the verb horizô (meaning "to bound") thus meaning "without boundaries". [2] With the indicative mood it is often best translated as a simple past: "I loosed." The Future Tense
This tense generally denotes action that will occur in the future. This is best translated as "I will loose." The Perfect Tense
Action that has been completed in the past yet has results occurring in the present are expressed by the perfect tense. The perfect is often translated as "I have loosened." The Pluperfect Tense
The pluperfect has the same aspect as the perfect, yet it's time is farther removed into the past than that of the perfect. Both the completed action and the results of that action occur in the past. It also represents action that is complete and viewed from a point in the past time. [3] The usual translation for the pluperfect is "I had loosened."
Biblical Greek has three voices, active, middle, and passive: The Active Voice: This occurs when the action of the verb is being performed by the subject. The Middle Voice: When the subject of the verb does action unto itself, or for its own benefit, the middle voice is used. The Passive Voice: The passive represents the action of the verb being done unto the subject but not by the subject. There are four moods in Greek. They demonstrate the relationship between the action of the verb and reality. They denote whether the action is factual, potential, wishful, or a command. The Indicative Mood: This is the mood of assertion or presentation of certainty. [4] The indicative mood is the only one to give designation concerning time (past, present, and future). The majority of all verbs used in the New Testament occur in the indicative mood. The Subjunctive Mood: This is the mood of probability or desirability. It, however, has many usages and this is only a general definition. The Optative Mood: The optative has relatively few appearences in the New Testament because—by the time the New Testament was written—the subjunctive has taken over some of the classical usages of it. Some of its usages include, a wish/prayer or a potential statement. Mounce states that the optative is two steps away from reality whereas the subjunctive is only one step away. [5] The Imperative Mood: This mood is reserved for the indication of commands. An infinitive is a verbal noun. Neither person nor number are found in the infinitive and it does not have mood designation. It is best translated, "to loose." For additional information regarding Greek verbs and other grammatical issues the following books should be of great value: Beginning Students
[1] H. E. Dana and Julius R. Mantey. A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1927. p. 176 [2] Stephen W. Paine. Beginning Greek: A Functional Approach. New York: Oxford UP, 1961. p. 41 [3] H. E. Dana and Julius R. Mantey. A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1927. p. 178 [4] See Daniel B. Wallace. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996. p. 448 [5] William D. Mounce. Basics of Biblical Greek. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1993. p. 325 The Blue Letter Bible now has over 4,000,000 links onsite to over 165,000 pages of concordances, lexicons, dictionaries, commentaries, images, and Bible versions! Our prayer is that you will enjoy the site, in Jesus' name! http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.cfm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Friday, January 15, 2010
Ultimately it is impossible for another person to offend you.
When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, ultimately it is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.
As children of our Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with the gift of moral agency, the capacity for independent action and choice. Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation.
In many instances, choosing to be offended is a symptom of a much deeper and more serious spiritual malady. One allows himself to be acted upon, and the eventual results are apostasy and misery. Another is an agent who exercises his agency and acts in accordance with correct principles, and he becomes a mighty instrument in the hands of the Lord.
The Savior is the greatest example of how we should respond to potentially offensive events or situations. . . .
Interestingly, the admonition, “be ye therefore perfect”, is immediately preceded by counsel about how we should act in response to wrongdoing and offense. Clearly, the rigorous requirements that lead to the perfecting of the Saints include assignments that test and challenge us. If a person says or does something that we consider offensive, our first obligation is to refuse to take offense and then communicate privately, honestly, and directly with that individual. Such an approach invites inspiration from the Holy Ghost and permits misperceptions to be clarified and true intent to be understood.
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"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."