August 10, 2010
Just had a thought as I was reading Ezra this morning. It follows from the discussion at small group last evening. I have been saved by God out of His grace and mercy. All I have and all that I am is a gift from God. When someone asks me what I did to receive any of these things or to become what I have be come, I must answer nothing. It is all a gift from a loving, wise and powerful God. I am what I am and who I am because of God's gracious will. We are to believe. It is by faith we are saved. Knowing is good, but it is not the knowing that changes us. Pharaoh knew, Satan knows. But, they will not believe. Faith, believing and trusting are the way. Trying and doing on our own will not achieve what we need.
So, what do we do, what should we do? Is it wrong to try to be good? Not at all. Grow in knowledge and wisdom. Who better to know right from wrong, good from evil. Be humble, submit to the Holy Spirit. Believe always. Trust in the Lord. Those who believe should know that they are not righteous. Only God is righteous. We cannot save ourselves. God has mercy on those He chooses. His is the only vote. If He has chosen you be grateful. Love the Lord your God with all your hear, with all your mind and with all your strength.
So, what do you tell a non-believer to do? There is nothing they can do to become righteous. God alone can save them for eternal glory. God alone can prepare them for a glorious life of service for Him. They can ask God for this life and He can grant it. If He does it will all be according to His terms. The new life will not be according to our expectations. It will be different and it will be joyful. But, it will probably not be what we desired or expected.
Who do you think is better equipped to try to lead a righteous life, the believer or the non-believer? Of course, the one who knows and trusts his maker is better equipped to speak and act well. There can be impostors. And, they can be convincing. These are the deceivers. Satan knows about God. He does try to deceive us. He appears where God's work is going forward. He does not need to deceive those who are already in his army. So, when you are turned back by the world do not assume it is God speaking. It may well be Satan or one of his workers. Trust God and obey Him.
So, talk with God everyday. He listens and acts on our requests. He will answer our prays for our best. We are His children and He loves His children. Ask Him to keep you in His will. Ask Him to guide your thoughts and actions. And, then believe He will do it. Pray and read His word daily and He will glorify your life. We cannot change ourselves. But, we can believe In the One who can. Do not believe that we can become like God. Trust God and have a nice day.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sack Lunches
The Sack Lunches
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.
'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and
then we're being deployed to Afghanistan
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack
lunches were available for five dollars.. It would be several hours before
we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the
time...
As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if
he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a
sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to
base.'
His friend agreed.
I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I
walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty
dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and
squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a
soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers
were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best -
beef or chicken?'
'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went
to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from
first class.
'This is your thanks..'
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading
for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming
down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was
not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my
side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his
hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt, I stood and took the Captain's hand.. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot..
Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never
forgot..' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the
passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs.
A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.
Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put
something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their
trip to the base.
I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will
take you some time to reach the base.. It will be about time for a
sandwich .
God Bless You.'
Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their
fellow travelers.
As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe
return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only
give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank
check made payable to 'The United States of
America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who
no longer understand it.'
May God give you the strength and courage to pass this along to
everyone on your email buddy list....
I JUST DID
Let us pray...
Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it!
Please send this on after a short prayer.. Prayer for our soldiers
Don't break it!
Prayer:
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they
protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform
for us in our time of need. Amen.'
Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and
say a prayer for our troops around the world.
There is nothing attached. Just send this to people in your address
book. Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine,
Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very
best one...
GOD BLESS YOU FOR PASSING IT ON!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
WHO SHOULD WE BE?
ALL ABOUT COUNTRY
How does or should the US work? Democracy and Capitalism is not for every country or for all people. To make this country work a large majority of the citizens need a strong character with good moral and ethical principles. Otherwise, the country will move toward anarchy. Most of the people must live responsibly of their own cognizance. Government needs to control the rest. One of governments responsibilities is maintain chaos below the level of uncontrollable demonstration. I believe our founding fathers knew that the nation needed to be God fearing and have a strong Judeo-Christian foundation. If these principles don't exist then another form of government is required. From the Old Testament we learn that a nation whose leaders and citizens turn away from God, will decay and eventually be destroyed by famine, violence or captivity.
Our nation may be struggling with this problem right now? So, what should we do? What are the major symptoms of our problems today? Unemployment, drugs, porn, violence , crime, debt (public and private) and some others that can be added to one of these categories. Do enough people believe we have a big problem to be willing to try some drastic measures?
How about letting God be bigger than government? We don't have to mix them. We can still maintain the desired separation. But, why not give God a try! If people just found enough of God to take on a position of moral and ethical self control, it would be a start. Then maybe we would have enough courage to try a few new ideas. Greatly reducing or removing taxes from our business sector would cause jobs to come roaring back into the US and greatly reduce unemployment. Taking government restriction off the private sector because we can trust the new moral and ethical conduct would greatly reduce operating costs. Ethical responsibility in business would cause businesses to pass the savings on to their customers. Would we still have crime and require laws and enforcement to protect the ones acting in good faith? Of course! But, find ways control and punish the guilty without placing shackles on the innocent. Have a few good laws and enforce them. A novel idea.
Let's cut the cost of government starting at the top. Business can do the same. Cut the number of congressmen. Have them work half a year. Pay them less. Cut congressional administrative staffs by half or more. Get rid of unnecessary departments (like the department of Energy). We are going to need these folks to fill the jobs created in the business sector. Require people to become citizens and speak English. Otherwise, deport them and their families. Even if some of their dependent family are citizens. A law is a law. Only God effectively provides mercy. Get rid of government sponsored welfare. Turn it all over to the responsible private sector. If people are financially responsible and charitable, we won't need those programs. If anyone disagrees, the he is likely to be unprincipled. Where do we train people to be principled? How about in our homes. Start with the youth. They are the future. Do we have time? Does it matter? Start now! Start some where!
How does or should the US work? Democracy and Capitalism is not for every country or for all people. To make this country work a large majority of the citizens need a strong character with good moral and ethical principles. Otherwise, the country will move toward anarchy. Most of the people must live responsibly of their own cognizance. Government needs to control the rest. One of governments responsibilities is maintain chaos below the level of uncontrollable demonstration. I believe our founding fathers knew that the nation needed to be God fearing and have a strong Judeo-Christian foundation. If these principles don't exist then another form of government is required. From the Old Testament we learn that a nation whose leaders and citizens turn away from God, will decay and eventually be destroyed by famine, violence or captivity.
Our nation may be struggling with this problem right now? So, what should we do? What are the major symptoms of our problems today? Unemployment, drugs, porn, violence , crime, debt (public and private) and some others that can be added to one of these categories. Do enough people believe we have a big problem to be willing to try some drastic measures?
How about letting God be bigger than government? We don't have to mix them. We can still maintain the desired separation. But, why not give God a try! If people just found enough of God to take on a position of moral and ethical self control, it would be a start. Then maybe we would have enough courage to try a few new ideas. Greatly reducing or removing taxes from our business sector would cause jobs to come roaring back into the US and greatly reduce unemployment. Taking government restriction off the private sector because we can trust the new moral and ethical conduct would greatly reduce operating costs. Ethical responsibility in business would cause businesses to pass the savings on to their customers. Would we still have crime and require laws and enforcement to protect the ones acting in good faith? Of course! But, find ways control and punish the guilty without placing shackles on the innocent. Have a few good laws and enforce them. A novel idea.
Let's cut the cost of government starting at the top. Business can do the same. Cut the number of congressmen. Have them work half a year. Pay them less. Cut congressional administrative staffs by half or more. Get rid of unnecessary departments (like the department of Energy). We are going to need these folks to fill the jobs created in the business sector. Require people to become citizens and speak English. Otherwise, deport them and their families. Even if some of their dependent family are citizens. A law is a law. Only God effectively provides mercy. Get rid of government sponsored welfare. Turn it all over to the responsible private sector. If people are financially responsible and charitable, we won't need those programs. If anyone disagrees, the he is likely to be unprincipled. Where do we train people to be principled? How about in our homes. Start with the youth. They are the future. Do we have time? Does it matter? Start now! Start some where!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Watch Out
To All:: Don't take this too lightly. It is very serious and true. If you have listened to Glen Beck you will understand totally this Cloward-Piven Strategy. The Obama Administration seems to have embraced it totally. What a shame... as this will put our country and government in chaos and totally down the drainl.
The Cloward-Piven Strategy (Obama)
Don't know if this is a true theory or not but it makes complete sense about the direction we are headed!
Don't be fooled by Obama's 'incompetence'
Stu Tarlowe (the author writes for the Washington Examiner and a pet magazine called PawPrints)
It is a tremendous mistake to think that the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico will help convince Americans of Barack Obama's incompetence. Obama's true agenda is so insidious that even his inability to handle a crisis serves his greater strategy.
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And that strategy has a name: it is the Cloward-Piven Strategy. Named for the two Leftist sociology professors who formulated it, its purpose is to bring about the demise of capitalism by overloading the system, largely by making more people desperate and dependent on the government.
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Thus, Cloward-Piven's goals are served by more and more aliens flooding across the border and filling jails, emergency rooms and welfare rolls. It is also served by the mortgage crisis; in fact, Professors Cloward and Piven were the creators of ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), which helped pressure banks to implement the lending policies that precipitated that crisis. But Cloward-Piven seeks a financial crisis far wider-ranging and more encompassing than a mere mortgage meltdown.
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So if the oil spill in the Gulf manages to destroy the fishing and tourist industries in that region, shut down oil drilling, raise the price of oil and of food all over the country, and bring more and more Americans to a financial breaking point and thus dependent on food stamps and other government programs, Obama and Co. will smile and nod at one another as the Cloward-Piven strategy hums merrily along.
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Anything that puts a greater strain on government services -- and the inability of those services, through incompetence and complex bureaucracy to actually improve things - advances the goals of Cloward-Piven. The more desperate and demoralized the American people become, and the more preoccupied we are with simple survival, the better our new "leaders" like it, and the closer they get to assuming total and complete control of every aspect of our lives.
Read about the Cloward-Piven Strategy in greater detail in an American Thinker article from November 23, 2009, "Cloward-Piven Government" by James Simpson.
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Simpson explains that even the patently unconstitutional laws and policies implemented by the Obama regime are a deliberate part of the strategy, because in addition to using financial crises to bring about the desired changes in our way of life, it is necessary to render our Constitution impotent and irrelevant.
If you think the Gulf oil spill spells trouble for Obama, you're just not looking at as big a picture as he's looking at, and you just don't realize how much trouble we're all in.
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(Lest you conclude this is fear mongering, you should know that Cloward and Piven were on the stage with Obama at the Inauguration.)
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Please pray for our nation, for people to seek the truth and stand up against what's false!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
SOME STUFF FROM FRANK'S HEART
Lots happening. Don’t know where to begin. God is the best place to start. He is fantastic. He create us, all of us and everything that exists. See Psalm 24.
GOD:
Not only did He create us, He loves us dearly. Sometimes we don’t think He loves us and sometimes we think He has abandoned us. But, its not so. If God seems far away and uncaring to me, it is my problem. I am the one who has turned away. He can cause me to feel good and He can cause me to feel lousy. The feelings are a result of His actions, my action and my expectations. If I am not trusting in Him, then my actions and my expectations are likely to be outside of His will. When He created us, it was for His purposes and He has a great plan for our lives now and in eternity. God refuses to make us follow in His will using His power. He made us with “Free Will” and He wants us to trust, obey and follow using the “Free Will” He gifted to us. I’m learning about that. And, I am obviously, a slow learner. Trusting is hard for me. My own self will distracts and derails my best efforts. And, when it is governed by my efforts, then I have failed to trust. Sounds like circular logic. But, I don’t think it is.
DCC:
This crazy discussion leads me to the situation at my church. Right now I am very disheartened. My heart is crying out and I don’t like the feelings. Remember what I said about feelings. Feeling bad is a result of the interactions of God will, my actions and my expectations. I know God loves me and wants the best for me. So, the problem lies with my actions and/or my expectations.
There are fellow christians in the brotherhood of DCC who are unhappy with the sermons and leadership of Brian Myers. I have heard from many of them and I have heard second hand about many of them. The feelings are extensive enough to be concerning. I am concerned.
I like Brian’s sermons and I like Brian. I don’t have and opinion about His leadership. It is okay with me. Brian’s sermons and my relationship with him have prompted me to dig deeper into my “salvation story”. It is, I believe and ongoing story. The past three years I believe I have grown in my walk and grown closer to God. I have like the DCC experience in the past the past three years.
Now I see that there is growing distaste and growing divisiveness. The situation is making me cry. What can be done to get back to the old acceptable situation? What is going on here? Is God sending us a message? Was there something wrong with the old. I am reminded of John’s vision in Revelation about the “lukewarm” church at Laodicea. Were we “lukewarm”? Did we need to change? Do we need to change? Do I need to change? This is concerning me and I don’t know what to do. I hurt. I am crying for the fellowship of DCC. We may not be just “lukewarm” now?
THE YOUTH OF SUMMIT COUNTY:
Scott Price and I are working along with many others to improve the Christian outreach in Summit county. We believe that a local version of Young Life would be a good tool to accomplish part of this objective. The effort seems to be moving along nicely with little resistance and a great deal of positive support.
We have a club number and we many verbal commitments. There are potential adult leaders who seem committed to work. There are youth who seem interested in going to camp. Scott has done a great job of communicating with interested people. It seems now to be and issue priority. We are not really established. But, there are some who want us to be.
We can send youth to camp using the facility and expertise of the Evergreen club. We have secured ten seats on their bus. We have one leader committed to go with the youth. We need one more. Most of these youth are not in a close relationship with an adult leader. This seems to make it difficult to secure a commitment from the kids that they are actually going to camp. Also, the $700 fee is a problem for many of them at this rather late date. The camp week is June 11-19. Therefore, many may need help with the fee. We might need $5000 or $6000. Any one want to help?
The next meeting of our informal group is May 17th at the Prices beginning at 6p.m.
GOD:
Not only did He create us, He loves us dearly. Sometimes we don’t think He loves us and sometimes we think He has abandoned us. But, its not so. If God seems far away and uncaring to me, it is my problem. I am the one who has turned away. He can cause me to feel good and He can cause me to feel lousy. The feelings are a result of His actions, my action and my expectations. If I am not trusting in Him, then my actions and my expectations are likely to be outside of His will. When He created us, it was for His purposes and He has a great plan for our lives now and in eternity. God refuses to make us follow in His will using His power. He made us with “Free Will” and He wants us to trust, obey and follow using the “Free Will” He gifted to us. I’m learning about that. And, I am obviously, a slow learner. Trusting is hard for me. My own self will distracts and derails my best efforts. And, when it is governed by my efforts, then I have failed to trust. Sounds like circular logic. But, I don’t think it is.
DCC:
This crazy discussion leads me to the situation at my church. Right now I am very disheartened. My heart is crying out and I don’t like the feelings. Remember what I said about feelings. Feeling bad is a result of the interactions of God will, my actions and my expectations. I know God loves me and wants the best for me. So, the problem lies with my actions and/or my expectations.
There are fellow christians in the brotherhood of DCC who are unhappy with the sermons and leadership of Brian Myers. I have heard from many of them and I have heard second hand about many of them. The feelings are extensive enough to be concerning. I am concerned.
I like Brian’s sermons and I like Brian. I don’t have and opinion about His leadership. It is okay with me. Brian’s sermons and my relationship with him have prompted me to dig deeper into my “salvation story”. It is, I believe and ongoing story. The past three years I believe I have grown in my walk and grown closer to God. I have like the DCC experience in the past the past three years.
Now I see that there is growing distaste and growing divisiveness. The situation is making me cry. What can be done to get back to the old acceptable situation? What is going on here? Is God sending us a message? Was there something wrong with the old. I am reminded of John’s vision in Revelation about the “lukewarm” church at Laodicea. Were we “lukewarm”? Did we need to change? Do we need to change? Do I need to change? This is concerning me and I don’t know what to do. I hurt. I am crying for the fellowship of DCC. We may not be just “lukewarm” now?
THE YOUTH OF SUMMIT COUNTY:
Scott Price and I are working along with many others to improve the Christian outreach in Summit county. We believe that a local version of Young Life would be a good tool to accomplish part of this objective. The effort seems to be moving along nicely with little resistance and a great deal of positive support.
We have a club number and we many verbal commitments. There are potential adult leaders who seem committed to work. There are youth who seem interested in going to camp. Scott has done a great job of communicating with interested people. It seems now to be and issue priority. We are not really established. But, there are some who want us to be.
We can send youth to camp using the facility and expertise of the Evergreen club. We have secured ten seats on their bus. We have one leader committed to go with the youth. We need one more. Most of these youth are not in a close relationship with an adult leader. This seems to make it difficult to secure a commitment from the kids that they are actually going to camp. Also, the $700 fee is a problem for many of them at this rather late date. The camp week is June 11-19. Therefore, many may need help with the fee. We might need $5000 or $6000. Any one want to help?
The next meeting of our informal group is May 17th at the Prices beginning at 6p.m.
April 24th storm.
http://tinyurl.com/2baoham check out this link. This is the third day of continuing snow. It is the biggest storm of the season.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
1 CORINTHIANS 6
UPDATE FOR THE JEREMIAH/CORINTHIAN STUDY.
I have been on a trip to Arizona the past week and did not attend the weekly study last Thursday (4/01/2010). Also, I did not do the Blog for the previous week. Here are the schedules for the next several weeks.
Jeremiah 13-14 4/1/2010
1 Corinthians 7 4/8/2010 (This week)
Jeremiah 15 4/15/2010
1 Corinthians 8 4/22/2010
Two weeks ago, Paul talked about lawsuits within the body and was explaining how the Body belongs to the Lord. Yes, why would two believers ever consider or desire to have a dispute settled by a non-believer? As believers, do we really have a good relationship with the rest of the body in the community where we live? Furthermore, do we have a good relationship with our God? What is Paul saying about the focus of “our lives”? First, are “our lives” really our lives? It is because of a powerful creator that we exist. He, God gives us life. Then He has come to us in many revelations and has made a covenant (an agreement) with us. Do you know what He wants? He says it many times in His word. He wants us to understand that He is our God and we are His people. Actually, He is our God. He made us and we did not make ourselves. He wants us to act like He is our God. But, through out history and even today, we continue to act like we want a different god. We do not act like we are His people. In Jeremiah and 1 Corinthians we hear how sad God is that we try to create false gods. We continue to act like we do not want Him to be our God. We do things like letting unbelievers settle disputes between us and one of our brothers or sisters.
Paul give quite a dissertation about what things are lawful. He is questioning the wisdom of wanting to be lawful and not recognizing The One who created us. Our bodies belong to Christ. We are all members of the Body of Christ. Our bodies, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We and our bodies have been bought with a price. We have been brought from death to life by Christ. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and to put to death our sinful nature so that our lives can be based on the Holy Spirit.
Last week in Jeremiah 13-14, we read about many examples of why it is not good to be separated from our God. If we drift away from Him, we will perish. The created world is setup to operate by God’s rules. Not following the teachings of our God will lead to destruction. When we do not stay in close relationship we will automatically head for the sword, famine, pestilence or captivity. One of those dreadful fates will get us. It is written in the creation. Turn away from God and you die by one of these terrible methods. One could easily conclude that the citizens of the United States are currently in a state of captivity. We are letting ourselves be held captive by evil forces because we have turned away from our creator. Our God laments over our current state. He longs for our return. Our hope lies not in a new government. Our hope is defined by God. Turn to Him, hunger and thirst after God and he will take you home according to His will. God did not create the universe without purpose. And, He did not create you without reason. We can be assured, He has great and glorious purposes for each of us. Hope in the Lord and follow Him. Let me know what you think of the writings in Jeremiah and Corinthians.
I have been on a trip to Arizona the past week and did not attend the weekly study last Thursday (4/01/2010). Also, I did not do the Blog for the previous week. Here are the schedules for the next several weeks.
Jeremiah 13-14 4/1/2010
1 Corinthians 7 4/8/2010 (This week)
Jeremiah 15 4/15/2010
1 Corinthians 8 4/22/2010
Two weeks ago, Paul talked about lawsuits within the body and was explaining how the Body belongs to the Lord. Yes, why would two believers ever consider or desire to have a dispute settled by a non-believer? As believers, do we really have a good relationship with the rest of the body in the community where we live? Furthermore, do we have a good relationship with our God? What is Paul saying about the focus of “our lives”? First, are “our lives” really our lives? It is because of a powerful creator that we exist. He, God gives us life. Then He has come to us in many revelations and has made a covenant (an agreement) with us. Do you know what He wants? He says it many times in His word. He wants us to understand that He is our God and we are His people. Actually, He is our God. He made us and we did not make ourselves. He wants us to act like He is our God. But, through out history and even today, we continue to act like we want a different god. We do not act like we are His people. In Jeremiah and 1 Corinthians we hear how sad God is that we try to create false gods. We continue to act like we do not want Him to be our God. We do things like letting unbelievers settle disputes between us and one of our brothers or sisters.
Paul give quite a dissertation about what things are lawful. He is questioning the wisdom of wanting to be lawful and not recognizing The One who created us. Our bodies belong to Christ. We are all members of the Body of Christ. Our bodies, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We and our bodies have been bought with a price. We have been brought from death to life by Christ. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and to put to death our sinful nature so that our lives can be based on the Holy Spirit.
Last week in Jeremiah 13-14, we read about many examples of why it is not good to be separated from our God. If we drift away from Him, we will perish. The created world is setup to operate by God’s rules. Not following the teachings of our God will lead to destruction. When we do not stay in close relationship we will automatically head for the sword, famine, pestilence or captivity. One of those dreadful fates will get us. It is written in the creation. Turn away from God and you die by one of these terrible methods. One could easily conclude that the citizens of the United States are currently in a state of captivity. We are letting ourselves be held captive by evil forces because we have turned away from our creator. Our God laments over our current state. He longs for our return. Our hope lies not in a new government. Our hope is defined by God. Turn to Him, hunger and thirst after God and he will take you home according to His will. God did not create the universe without purpose. And, He did not create you without reason. We can be assured, He has great and glorious purposes for each of us. Hope in the Lord and follow Him. Let me know what you think of the writings in Jeremiah and Corinthians.
Monday, March 22, 2010
JEREMIAH 11-12
Jeremiah 11,12 March 18, 2010
THE BROKEN COVENANT
Do you ever feel like being a Christian is too hard? Or, does the thought of the requirements turn you away from joining up? Reading these two chapters might lead you in this direction. One thing that might change your mind is the true alternative. After reading the chapters what are your thoughts and desires? Was or is Jeremiah a Christian? How is the description of him following God similar to our covenant to follow Christ?
In order to be a Christian, do you need to have an agreement with Christ? If you have or do accept Christ as your Lord and Savior what are the promises? Do you think Jeremiah and the people of Judah knew the covenant? How were they breaking the covenant?
Can you put yourself in Jeremiah’s shoes? How is your life like Jeremiah’s life? Do you ever find yourself wanting to tell people how to do things? Do you want them to change their behavior? Are they doing things wrong and you believe you know the right? Where do you get your information? Where does God say you should get your information? I think I often criticize folks without really having the correct information. Its easy to get caught in the trap. Did Jeremiah have the word? Was he still working on trying to get it better? Read his prayer in chapter 12:1-6.
In your life, do you like to be told when you are wrong and have someone explain how to do it better? Or, would you rather just get praise for what you may have done correctly? Do like praise better than criticism. God/Christ wants us to follow, trust, obey, be holy and spread the Word. Can you do it? Do you know how to do it? What is the covenant between you and your maker?
Why did God create Jeremiah? Why did He cause these events to happen? Why did he use these events in the writing of the Word? Why are you and I reading and studying this Word? Is God trying to tell us something about himself? Does He want us to learn something here? What might that something be? Jeremiah actually questions God about this in chapter 12. Why did God create and help the wicked to prosper? Do you think He has?
God is saying, “ I will be your God and you shall be my people”. Or, “ I am your God and you are my people”. Which do you like better? Do we just not get it? We have a choice. But, one of them turns out to be very bad.
Often we try to turn the two options into more than two. In fact, some people try to eliminate the very bad option. They tell me they don’t believe in Hell. I wonder if they are able to destroy it? Option 1 and the one God likes is for us to follow Him. Option 2 the one none of us like is to die. Option 3 is to try and create another god. One we like better. We usually pick some of the attributes and character of the real God. Then we add to the definition those things we want him to be like. There are many versions of option 3 in the world. Many of the churches of the world have people who are using option 3. Next Thursday March 25th we will be studying 1 Cor 6. Paul will give us some more ideas about how to eliminate option 3 from our church body. Come on Thursday or read the blog.
What are you gonna learn from Jeremiah 11,12?
THE BROKEN COVENANT
Do you ever feel like being a Christian is too hard? Or, does the thought of the requirements turn you away from joining up? Reading these two chapters might lead you in this direction. One thing that might change your mind is the true alternative. After reading the chapters what are your thoughts and desires? Was or is Jeremiah a Christian? How is the description of him following God similar to our covenant to follow Christ?
In order to be a Christian, do you need to have an agreement with Christ? If you have or do accept Christ as your Lord and Savior what are the promises? Do you think Jeremiah and the people of Judah knew the covenant? How were they breaking the covenant?
Can you put yourself in Jeremiah’s shoes? How is your life like Jeremiah’s life? Do you ever find yourself wanting to tell people how to do things? Do you want them to change their behavior? Are they doing things wrong and you believe you know the right? Where do you get your information? Where does God say you should get your information? I think I often criticize folks without really having the correct information. Its easy to get caught in the trap. Did Jeremiah have the word? Was he still working on trying to get it better? Read his prayer in chapter 12:1-6.
In your life, do you like to be told when you are wrong and have someone explain how to do it better? Or, would you rather just get praise for what you may have done correctly? Do like praise better than criticism. God/Christ wants us to follow, trust, obey, be holy and spread the Word. Can you do it? Do you know how to do it? What is the covenant between you and your maker?
Why did God create Jeremiah? Why did He cause these events to happen? Why did he use these events in the writing of the Word? Why are you and I reading and studying this Word? Is God trying to tell us something about himself? Does He want us to learn something here? What might that something be? Jeremiah actually questions God about this in chapter 12. Why did God create and help the wicked to prosper? Do you think He has?
God is saying, “ I will be your God and you shall be my people”. Or, “ I am your God and you are my people”. Which do you like better? Do we just not get it? We have a choice. But, one of them turns out to be very bad.
Often we try to turn the two options into more than two. In fact, some people try to eliminate the very bad option. They tell me they don’t believe in Hell. I wonder if they are able to destroy it? Option 1 and the one God likes is for us to follow Him. Option 2 the one none of us like is to die. Option 3 is to try and create another god. One we like better. We usually pick some of the attributes and character of the real God. Then we add to the definition those things we want him to be like. There are many versions of option 3 in the world. Many of the churches of the world have people who are using option 3. Next Thursday March 25th we will be studying 1 Cor 6. Paul will give us some more ideas about how to eliminate option 3 from our church body. Come on Thursday or read the blog.
What are you gonna learn from Jeremiah 11,12?
Monday, March 15, 2010
1 CORINTHIANS 5
1 CORINTHIANS 5 March 11, 2010
Are you a member of a church? Or, any “Christian” organization. Do you claim to be a believer and follower of Jesus Christ? Paul tells us there are some requirements. God has said “Be Holy as I am Holy”.
Paul is using the Corinthian church as an example of the holiness we should require of ourselves. First, as individual believers and then as members of the “Body of Christ”. We have accountability. We have responsibility.
If there is grievous sin among us, we should be filled with grief, we should confront and repent and we should remove the sinner.
In this chapter Paul points out a problem with sexual immorality. A son is apparently living with, married to his step mother. This is not permitted. But, he also lists some other sins. The greedy, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards and swindlers are all listed in this chapter of the letter. Paul says, “Do not associate with such a person, do not even eat with them and expel these wicked men from among you”.
Watered down morality is a problem! It is the God of heaven that created all of this and us.
Read this Psalm.
Psalm 24
Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.
This is a praise to the Lord. It is more than that, it is a statement of our responsibility. We are to keep ourselves Holy. The how and what of this all comes from the Lord. We are not the judge. We are His. We are to live by His rules. Living by just some of His rules does not count. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Are you a member of a church? Or, any “Christian” organization. Do you claim to be a believer and follower of Jesus Christ? Paul tells us there are some requirements. God has said “Be Holy as I am Holy”.
Paul is using the Corinthian church as an example of the holiness we should require of ourselves. First, as individual believers and then as members of the “Body of Christ”. We have accountability. We have responsibility.
If there is grievous sin among us, we should be filled with grief, we should confront and repent and we should remove the sinner.
In this chapter Paul points out a problem with sexual immorality. A son is apparently living with, married to his step mother. This is not permitted. But, he also lists some other sins. The greedy, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards and swindlers are all listed in this chapter of the letter. Paul says, “Do not associate with such a person, do not even eat with them and expel these wicked men from among you”.
Watered down morality is a problem! It is the God of heaven that created all of this and us.
Read this Psalm.
Psalm 24
Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.
This is a praise to the Lord. It is more than that, it is a statement of our responsibility. We are to keep ourselves Holy. The how and what of this all comes from the Lord. We are not the judge. We are His. We are to live by His rules. Living by just some of His rules does not count. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
JEREMIAH 9,10
Jeremiah 9-10 for discussion on Thursday March 4, 2010
God is speaking through Jeremiah and He is delivering a very important message to His chosen people. Who are the chosen? Whoever God chooses! He is God. We are not. Pretty simple stuff.
So, in Jeremiah’s day the chosen people were the people of Israel. In our day, because of Christ we are all chosen. Is being chosen the end of the story? Apparently not! Here is where the mystery appears. We have to do something. But, we cannot use our will. Mostly, the Israelites didn’t get. Neither do I. I just know, I am Frank and I am a sinner. Because of this I must live under the blessings of Grace and Mercy.
Jeremiah says in speaking for God, “Weep day and night”. We are to lament. God does. Do we? Are we truly sad for the state of the nations and ourselves? Does it make you sad that the people of the nations are so lost? Do you cry for them day and night?
Jeremiah goes on, “Oh, that there might be somewhere to hide”. This is so bad, why not just run from it and divorce ourselves from humanity and the world. We could just live as hermits in a cave, by ourselves. That might solve the problem. But no, there is no place to hid. We have been given these lives to live. Just get on with it. Do it wrong, you will get punished vs. 10:9. Faithfully trust and obey and God will be with you through thick and thin.
We can only trust God. We cannot trust our neighbors. But, we cannot run either. So, we need each other. We are in this together building the Body of Christ. We are continuing to build the Temple. We are faithful, trusting servants of God. We are His workers in the building of His Kingdom. We are creatures of God. Created by God. We are made in His image. But, we are less than God. He is God. We are not.
It is a mystery. We can have the power of God. But, we cannot have the Word of God. The power is available to us to do the Will of God as He pleases. So, the passages in JER 9:23+ and in 1COR 4:6, are very much alike. Warnings. Be careful not to think we are wise or strong or powerful. Then in Chapter 10 Jeremiah goes on with more warnings. How could we be so stupid to make false idols? Should we not know better? God makes men. Men cannot make God.
It seems to me, we have one alternative. Get passionate about God’s work. Turn our lives over to Him. Submit to His will. It can be a joyous adventure.
Next week we will tackle 1COR 5. See you on Thursday or I’ll hear from you.
God is speaking through Jeremiah and He is delivering a very important message to His chosen people. Who are the chosen? Whoever God chooses! He is God. We are not. Pretty simple stuff.
So, in Jeremiah’s day the chosen people were the people of Israel. In our day, because of Christ we are all chosen. Is being chosen the end of the story? Apparently not! Here is where the mystery appears. We have to do something. But, we cannot use our will. Mostly, the Israelites didn’t get. Neither do I. I just know, I am Frank and I am a sinner. Because of this I must live under the blessings of Grace and Mercy.
Jeremiah says in speaking for God, “Weep day and night”. We are to lament. God does. Do we? Are we truly sad for the state of the nations and ourselves? Does it make you sad that the people of the nations are so lost? Do you cry for them day and night?
Jeremiah goes on, “Oh, that there might be somewhere to hide”. This is so bad, why not just run from it and divorce ourselves from humanity and the world. We could just live as hermits in a cave, by ourselves. That might solve the problem. But no, there is no place to hid. We have been given these lives to live. Just get on with it. Do it wrong, you will get punished vs. 10:9. Faithfully trust and obey and God will be with you through thick and thin.
We can only trust God. We cannot trust our neighbors. But, we cannot run either. So, we need each other. We are in this together building the Body of Christ. We are continuing to build the Temple. We are faithful, trusting servants of God. We are His workers in the building of His Kingdom. We are creatures of God. Created by God. We are made in His image. But, we are less than God. He is God. We are not.
It is a mystery. We can have the power of God. But, we cannot have the Word of God. The power is available to us to do the Will of God as He pleases. So, the passages in JER 9:23+ and in 1COR 4:6, are very much alike. Warnings. Be careful not to think we are wise or strong or powerful. Then in Chapter 10 Jeremiah goes on with more warnings. How could we be so stupid to make false idols? Should we not know better? God makes men. Men cannot make God.
It seems to me, we have one alternative. Get passionate about God’s work. Turn our lives over to Him. Submit to His will. It can be a joyous adventure.
Next week we will tackle 1COR 5. See you on Thursday or I’ll hear from you.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
HUMBLE?
1 Corinthians 4 Lesson for Thursday February 25, 2010
For those of you following our study. First, we do two chapters of Jeremiah and then one chapter of Corinthians. I missed a couple of weeks due to recovery pains from having my left knee replaced. The first three weeks were not especially easy for me. But, now I am doing much better and well into the training for my tandem bike ride with son Bill. It is scheduled to begin some time the week of March 27, 2010. We will be departing from LeClaire, Ia. And, heading toward St. Louis along the MRT (Mississippi River Trails). All you who read this can pray that I get in good enough shape to make the trip. And, also pray that the late March early April weather is cooperative.
This is one of the chapters in the Bible that helps us define “humble”. Note the battle of words for Paul as he writes to the Corinthians about not fooling themselves by pretending to be faithful to the God of the universe. In verses 8-13 he lays it on pretty heavy about their treacherous deception. But, go back to verse 5 where Paul writes the source of my not so famous “Duck Rule”. The “Duck Rule” says that praise and ridicule should run off me like water off a duck’s back. I have not found very many folks who think that is a good rule. They say, how can anyone grow up in this world with a healthy attitude if they have not received some praise along the way. Now, I think encouragement is great. But, praise is a form of judgment. Who is the judge? Certainly not I. Deceiving a child or youth with regard to how they are doing when it is a positive statement might seem on the surface to be harmless or even beneficial. But, when that praise becomes addictive, then we see the problem the Corinthians were having. Do you think that people actually believe they can fool God? Maybe we can fool others for a while. Abraham Lincoln said, “ You can fool some of the people all the time and all the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time”. Mostly I believe we try to fool ourselves thinking we are okay. But, Paul says no! Be humble leave it up to God. God will be our judge. If we are faithful, he will forgive our sins.
We do not need to make ourselves to be like God. And, we can’t. We need to decide to trust and obey so God’s Spirit will be able to use us for His purposes. Verse 20 is key here. It says, “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power”.
For those of you following our study. First, we do two chapters of Jeremiah and then one chapter of Corinthians. I missed a couple of weeks due to recovery pains from having my left knee replaced. The first three weeks were not especially easy for me. But, now I am doing much better and well into the training for my tandem bike ride with son Bill. It is scheduled to begin some time the week of March 27, 2010. We will be departing from LeClaire, Ia. And, heading toward St. Louis along the MRT (Mississippi River Trails). All you who read this can pray that I get in good enough shape to make the trip. And, also pray that the late March early April weather is cooperative.
This is one of the chapters in the Bible that helps us define “humble”. Note the battle of words for Paul as he writes to the Corinthians about not fooling themselves by pretending to be faithful to the God of the universe. In verses 8-13 he lays it on pretty heavy about their treacherous deception. But, go back to verse 5 where Paul writes the source of my not so famous “Duck Rule”. The “Duck Rule” says that praise and ridicule should run off me like water off a duck’s back. I have not found very many folks who think that is a good rule. They say, how can anyone grow up in this world with a healthy attitude if they have not received some praise along the way. Now, I think encouragement is great. But, praise is a form of judgment. Who is the judge? Certainly not I. Deceiving a child or youth with regard to how they are doing when it is a positive statement might seem on the surface to be harmless or even beneficial. But, when that praise becomes addictive, then we see the problem the Corinthians were having. Do you think that people actually believe they can fool God? Maybe we can fool others for a while. Abraham Lincoln said, “ You can fool some of the people all the time and all the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time”. Mostly I believe we try to fool ourselves thinking we are okay. But, Paul says no! Be humble leave it up to God. God will be our judge. If we are faithful, he will forgive our sins.
We do not need to make ourselves to be like God. And, we can’t. We need to decide to trust and obey so God’s Spirit will be able to use us for His purposes. Verse 20 is key here. It says, “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power”.
Monday, February 22, 2010
DECEPTION " A WAY OF LIFE"
Jeremiah 7,8 Deception is a way of life! February 18, 2010
Remember last week in 1 Corinthians 3 we were talking about “Lessons on How to Live”. The bottom line is to seek wisdom and the will of God. Do this by reading the Bible and praying. Remember prayer has a lot of listening time in it. And, finally to trust and obey. If you have any regrets, repenting is good also.
Now in Jeremiah 7, God is saying through the prophet Jeremiah that the people are pretending. They are practicing deception. They are going through the motions. Or, saying they are going through the motions. But, they are just pretending. I wonder who we think we are fooling? Since God is omnipotent and omnipresent we can’t be fooling Him. I guess we could be fooling our friends and neighbors. We could even be fooling our enemies. Or, possibly we are fooling ourselves.
In the OT time the chosen people were the Israelites who God brought out of Egypt using Moses and His mighty hand. In Exodus 33:19 and repeated again by Paul in Romans 9:15, God says He will determine who receives Mercy. Now since the death and resurrection of our Lord, all are subject mercy. But, we still need to trust and obey. So, what’s our problem? It has been the same old story for over 5,000 years. We look at the other guys and we are able to see how stupid they are. Yet we do exactly the same thing and believe we are wise. God tells us to get wisdom. And, we can have it all. However, the wisdom will always be God’s and not ours. We never get wise. Yet wisdom is available for us.
Take a look at your Federal, State and Local government officials. What are they claiming to do for you? You will be hard pressed to find a government official either elected or hired working on the high priority critical issues of today. We need to have government size and cost reduced in all sectors in order to save the country from self destruction. And, all the forenamed people are working to keep there jobs and make government bigger and less effective. You can read all about it in the books of Kings or any of the prophets or the current newspapers. You can hear about on TV. What’s more important to you, fiscal responsibility or the winter olympics? Do any of us have any idea where God’s will is on these issues?
This week we are going to do 1 Corinthians 4. This is good stuff. See you on Thursday. Or, write me a comment.
Remember last week in 1 Corinthians 3 we were talking about “Lessons on How to Live”. The bottom line is to seek wisdom and the will of God. Do this by reading the Bible and praying. Remember prayer has a lot of listening time in it. And, finally to trust and obey. If you have any regrets, repenting is good also.
Now in Jeremiah 7, God is saying through the prophet Jeremiah that the people are pretending. They are practicing deception. They are going through the motions. Or, saying they are going through the motions. But, they are just pretending. I wonder who we think we are fooling? Since God is omnipotent and omnipresent we can’t be fooling Him. I guess we could be fooling our friends and neighbors. We could even be fooling our enemies. Or, possibly we are fooling ourselves.
In the OT time the chosen people were the Israelites who God brought out of Egypt using Moses and His mighty hand. In Exodus 33:19 and repeated again by Paul in Romans 9:15, God says He will determine who receives Mercy. Now since the death and resurrection of our Lord, all are subject mercy. But, we still need to trust and obey. So, what’s our problem? It has been the same old story for over 5,000 years. We look at the other guys and we are able to see how stupid they are. Yet we do exactly the same thing and believe we are wise. God tells us to get wisdom. And, we can have it all. However, the wisdom will always be God’s and not ours. We never get wise. Yet wisdom is available for us.
Take a look at your Federal, State and Local government officials. What are they claiming to do for you? You will be hard pressed to find a government official either elected or hired working on the high priority critical issues of today. We need to have government size and cost reduced in all sectors in order to save the country from self destruction. And, all the forenamed people are working to keep there jobs and make government bigger and less effective. You can read all about it in the books of Kings or any of the prophets or the current newspapers. You can hear about on TV. What’s more important to you, fiscal responsibility or the winter olympics? Do any of us have any idea where God’s will is on these issues?
This week we are going to do 1 Corinthians 4. This is good stuff. See you on Thursday. Or, write me a comment.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Lessons on How to Live
1 Corinthians 3 February 11,2010
One week later and I have started serious PT for “breaking in” the new knee. If I had known about this part ahead of time, I would have asked for one all ready to go. I am now off the pain medicine and ready for regular life to commence. So, the lesson for last Thursday was very appropriate. The translators of the New American Standard Bible call it “Foundations for Living” We could call it Paul’s lessons on how to live. One could read this chapter over and over and continue to glean great wisdom from Paul’s words.
Here are some comments and questions that might help you dig deeper into the text.
Follow God or you can call Him Jesus. They are pretty much the same. We are allowed to view them differently. But, the mystery of the Trinity makes Father, Son and Holy Spirit one and the same. So remember Jesus was and is fully man and fully God. How do we follow? First by learning who God is and doing what He wants us to do. Read your Bible. Know God’s Word.
Pray without ceasing. Prayer is some talk or transmission from you to God, I would say this talk is mostly about how you feel and what you think you need to know. The other side and equally important part of prayer is listening. Spend an inordinate amount of time listening. Listen while you do your work. Listen while you talk to others. Listen in every busy moment. Listen in every quiet time. God has promised to be with us, to guide our footsteps and to carry us through every situation we encounter. This leads us to the third part. Trust Him. Always trust Him. He is good and true.
All through history God has been busy building His temple. Read about the building and the re-building in the OT. Now in new testament times we are the temple of God. He is still busy building His temple. Now He is doing it through you. This is a true mystery. We are flesh and blood. He is God. He is using “mere men” to do His work. How can that be and are we up to the task? vs 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. And, then vs 3:11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. This just says again, we must know Christ and build on Him because he is the foundation of everything we do. All our work will be tested by fire and only the good work will survive. And, for that good work you will receive a reward. I have not discovered what that reward is but I am confident, it will be good.
Then Paul goes on to tell us that if we think we understand all this we are foolish. Look at v 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
We have dominion over the things of God’s creation. He told us to subdue the earth to rule over it. I believe He meant that. Look at v 3:22b-23 ...all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
One week later and I have started serious PT for “breaking in” the new knee. If I had known about this part ahead of time, I would have asked for one all ready to go. I am now off the pain medicine and ready for regular life to commence. So, the lesson for last Thursday was very appropriate. The translators of the New American Standard Bible call it “Foundations for Living” We could call it Paul’s lessons on how to live. One could read this chapter over and over and continue to glean great wisdom from Paul’s words.
Here are some comments and questions that might help you dig deeper into the text.
Follow God or you can call Him Jesus. They are pretty much the same. We are allowed to view them differently. But, the mystery of the Trinity makes Father, Son and Holy Spirit one and the same. So remember Jesus was and is fully man and fully God. How do we follow? First by learning who God is and doing what He wants us to do. Read your Bible. Know God’s Word.
Pray without ceasing. Prayer is some talk or transmission from you to God, I would say this talk is mostly about how you feel and what you think you need to know. The other side and equally important part of prayer is listening. Spend an inordinate amount of time listening. Listen while you do your work. Listen while you talk to others. Listen in every busy moment. Listen in every quiet time. God has promised to be with us, to guide our footsteps and to carry us through every situation we encounter. This leads us to the third part. Trust Him. Always trust Him. He is good and true.
All through history God has been busy building His temple. Read about the building and the re-building in the OT. Now in new testament times we are the temple of God. He is still busy building His temple. Now He is doing it through you. This is a true mystery. We are flesh and blood. He is God. He is using “mere men” to do His work. How can that be and are we up to the task? vs 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. And, then vs 3:11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. This just says again, we must know Christ and build on Him because he is the foundation of everything we do. All our work will be tested by fire and only the good work will survive. And, for that good work you will receive a reward. I have not discovered what that reward is but I am confident, it will be good.
Then Paul goes on to tell us that if we think we understand all this we are foolish. Look at v 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
We have dominion over the things of God’s creation. He told us to subdue the earth to rule over it. I believe He meant that. Look at v 3:22b-23 ...all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
JEREMIAH 5,6
Jeremiah 5-6 February 4, 2010
I have missed two weeks. My left knee has be surgically replaced with an artificial device. Recovery and rehabilitation is progressing with some discomfort and complications. I could have done without the first two weeks. They were painful and not much fun. Monday (2/15/2010) I begin out patient therapy to achieve full use of the new knee. Right now it is still somewhat painful, stiff with limited range of motion and weak. Perhaps I will not complete the write ups for the missing weeks. Sorry about that missing information. I hope you all continue to read along and study the material anyway. The intermingling of Jeremiah and Corinthians should prove to be very revealing. It especially reveals the constant and unchanging nature of out God and Creator.
In Jeremiah 5-6 we hear again about how the Israelites turn away from God when then begin to fall back on their own understanding. They erroneously believe they can control their own lives and pick and choose their own gods. The fleshly life is appealing to them. They forget who created them and took care of them as individuals and as a nations for these many years. We can be very critical of their actions. But, we should be reminded how very much like them we are. God has a reason for our existence and is very jealous. While he loves us (His creation) very much, He will not tolerated disobedience. His wrathful judgement is inevitable. And because He loves us and will not be turned away form His objectives, He will allow and even cause the penalties of disobedience to be meted out on His people.
We may think that His actions are unjustified and not necessary. But, He is the sovereign creator and He will not be thwarted in His will to achieve His final objectives. His actions are often about our salvation. Remember it is His will and His alone to determine and choose who will be saved and who will be rejected. It is not our choice. We can fight His will, but, we cannot overcome or overturn His will. Therefore, I believe His actions are about much more than salvation. His plan and His goals are mostly about building His Kingdom. He desperately wants us to be part of the building and part of the end result of His plan. In His efforts, He only withholds one thing. And, that is the final choosing to be on the team. He will not put us on the team using His infinite power. He is leaving that choice to us.
As you read and study Jeremiah and Corinthians, see if you can see how He is calling you and I to be on the team.
I pray that my decision to have my knee replaced (an elective procedure) is in God’s will. And, as a result of the surgery I will become a more effective member of His team. How do your daily actions and decisions affect your ability to choose to be a faithful and effective member of God’s team?
I have missed two weeks. My left knee has be surgically replaced with an artificial device. Recovery and rehabilitation is progressing with some discomfort and complications. I could have done without the first two weeks. They were painful and not much fun. Monday (2/15/2010) I begin out patient therapy to achieve full use of the new knee. Right now it is still somewhat painful, stiff with limited range of motion and weak. Perhaps I will not complete the write ups for the missing weeks. Sorry about that missing information. I hope you all continue to read along and study the material anyway. The intermingling of Jeremiah and Corinthians should prove to be very revealing. It especially reveals the constant and unchanging nature of out God and Creator.
In Jeremiah 5-6 we hear again about how the Israelites turn away from God when then begin to fall back on their own understanding. They erroneously believe they can control their own lives and pick and choose their own gods. The fleshly life is appealing to them. They forget who created them and took care of them as individuals and as a nations for these many years. We can be very critical of their actions. But, we should be reminded how very much like them we are. God has a reason for our existence and is very jealous. While he loves us (His creation) very much, He will not tolerated disobedience. His wrathful judgement is inevitable. And because He loves us and will not be turned away form His objectives, He will allow and even cause the penalties of disobedience to be meted out on His people.
We may think that His actions are unjustified and not necessary. But, He is the sovereign creator and He will not be thwarted in His will to achieve His final objectives. His actions are often about our salvation. Remember it is His will and His alone to determine and choose who will be saved and who will be rejected. It is not our choice. We can fight His will, but, we cannot overcome or overturn His will. Therefore, I believe His actions are about much more than salvation. His plan and His goals are mostly about building His Kingdom. He desperately wants us to be part of the building and part of the end result of His plan. In His efforts, He only withholds one thing. And, that is the final choosing to be on the team. He will not put us on the team using His infinite power. He is leaving that choice to us.
As you read and study Jeremiah and Corinthians, see if you can see how He is calling you and I to be on the team.
I pray that my decision to have my knee replaced (an elective procedure) is in God’s will. And, as a result of the surgery I will become a more effective member of His team. How do your daily actions and decisions affect your ability to choose to be a faithful and effective member of God’s team?
Monday, January 11, 2010
1 CORINTHIANS 1
1 Corinthians 1: January 7, 2010
A letter from Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ
Called by the will of God.
A messenger of God.
A letter to the church at Corinth.
Those called to be saints.
And, sanctified by Jesus Christ.
The Message
Reminding them of God’s grace.
Recognizing their gifts.
Reminding them of God’s faithfulness.
Exhorting them to unity with now divisions.
Warning them not to turn away.
Reminding them to remain faithful to the only one worthy of trust and obedience.
The Corinthians, like us and the people of Jeremiah’s time, had difficulty keeping their eyes on God. All these believers have promised to trust and obey God. But, if we are not diligent we will turn away believing we can handle any situation because we have God on our side. And, God is always on our side. However, we are not always on God’s side. Paul’s words continue to remind, warn and exhort us to be steadfast as God is steadfast. Jeremiah warned the people of his time about the same sinful ways. We know what happened to them. Why are we the same?
What false God’s do we follow? Why do we insist on redefining God? Why don’t we earnestly and zealously seek after the true God of Heaven? We should strive to know Him better and then believe that He is God and He is right.
Wednesday I will be having surgery to replace my left knee with and artificial one. I will not be at breakfast on Thursday morning with all of you who attend. Go ahead and discuss Jeremiah 3,4. Continue to seek out the following:
What characteristics of God stand out in the message?
What are the people doing that God does not like?
Why are they doing it?
Why does God not like it?
How can we avoid this mistake?
A letter from Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ
Called by the will of God.
A messenger of God.
A letter to the church at Corinth.
Those called to be saints.
And, sanctified by Jesus Christ.
The Message
Reminding them of God’s grace.
Recognizing their gifts.
Reminding them of God’s faithfulness.
Exhorting them to unity with now divisions.
Warning them not to turn away.
Reminding them to remain faithful to the only one worthy of trust and obedience.
The Corinthians, like us and the people of Jeremiah’s time, had difficulty keeping their eyes on God. All these believers have promised to trust and obey God. But, if we are not diligent we will turn away believing we can handle any situation because we have God on our side. And, God is always on our side. However, we are not always on God’s side. Paul’s words continue to remind, warn and exhort us to be steadfast as God is steadfast. Jeremiah warned the people of his time about the same sinful ways. We know what happened to them. Why are we the same?
What false God’s do we follow? Why do we insist on redefining God? Why don’t we earnestly and zealously seek after the true God of Heaven? We should strive to know Him better and then believe that He is God and He is right.
Wednesday I will be having surgery to replace my left knee with and artificial one. I will not be at breakfast on Thursday morning with all of you who attend. Go ahead and discuss Jeremiah 3,4. Continue to seek out the following:
What characteristics of God stand out in the message?
What are the people doing that God does not like?
Why are they doing it?
Why does God not like it?
How can we avoid this mistake?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
BIBLE STUDY DECEMBER 31, 2009
My Thursday Men’s Group has started a new study and I have decided to add the weekly notes to my blog so any who like can join in the study. Let me know if you want more. ensign43@yahoo.com
Jeremiah 1,2 (Thursday morning group lesson for December 31,2009)
We are currently studying Jeremiah and Corinthians. The Bible is the written Word of God. The Bible can be used effectively as a handbook for life. But, it is first and foremost the introduction and revelation of God to Man. God knows man (each one of us) intimately. God desperately wants us to know Him. Reading and studying the Bible is the first and most important effort in that endeavor. Do this one thing if you don’t do any other. This study of Jeremiah and The Corinthians is extra curricular work. Each of us should be systematically reading through the Bible everyday of the year. We should make it all the way through at least once per year. I recommend "The One Year Bible" by Tyndale Publishing.
Here are the key points in Jeremiah 1,2:
Jeremiah was when chosen by God to prophesy to the nations, an ordinary, young jewish man. vs 1:1-8. He was a man no different than any of us.
God chose him before he was born. Each of us has a specific reason, purpose for being created.
God equipped Jeremiah to do his job just as He equips us to do our job.
God’s chosen people had sinned against God. His people had committed two evils. vs 2:13.
The people had turned away from God.
The people had chosen for themselves false gods. And, they had announced that they were not guilty and had not sinned.
Some questions to ask yourself about these two chapters.
How am I like Jeremiah?
Are you ready to do God’s work?
Why did God pick Jeremiah? Why not just tell the people himself?
How do you think Jeremiah approached this task? What would you have done?
Are you always faithful to your God? How am I like the people of Jeremiah's time?
Do you have any false gods?
What does it mean to be chosen by God?
As a chosen disciple of Jesus what is your responsibility?
On Thursday January 7, 2010 we will be reading and studying 1 Corinthians 1.
Jeremiah 1,2 (Thursday morning group lesson for December 31,2009)
We are currently studying Jeremiah and Corinthians. The Bible is the written Word of God. The Bible can be used effectively as a handbook for life. But, it is first and foremost the introduction and revelation of God to Man. God knows man (each one of us) intimately. God desperately wants us to know Him. Reading and studying the Bible is the first and most important effort in that endeavor. Do this one thing if you don’t do any other. This study of Jeremiah and The Corinthians is extra curricular work. Each of us should be systematically reading through the Bible everyday of the year. We should make it all the way through at least once per year. I recommend "The One Year Bible" by Tyndale Publishing.
Here are the key points in Jeremiah 1,2:
Jeremiah was when chosen by God to prophesy to the nations, an ordinary, young jewish man. vs 1:1-8. He was a man no different than any of us.
God chose him before he was born. Each of us has a specific reason, purpose for being created.
God equipped Jeremiah to do his job just as He equips us to do our job.
God’s chosen people had sinned against God. His people had committed two evils. vs 2:13.
The people had turned away from God.
The people had chosen for themselves false gods. And, they had announced that they were not guilty and had not sinned.
Some questions to ask yourself about these two chapters.
How am I like Jeremiah?
Are you ready to do God’s work?
Why did God pick Jeremiah? Why not just tell the people himself?
How do you think Jeremiah approached this task? What would you have done?
Are you always faithful to your God? How am I like the people of Jeremiah's time?
Do you have any false gods?
What does it mean to be chosen by God?
As a chosen disciple of Jesus what is your responsibility?
On Thursday January 7, 2010 we will be reading and studying 1 Corinthians 1.
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