10/19/12

Time, Jesus and the atomic clock


This beautiful, but relatively inexpensive used Swiss pocket watch from the late 1950's, is one of my favorites. It is very accurate but also it is a thing of beauty and I can really relate to it as I grew up on a farm and because it also has roses (my last name is Rose) on the periphery of the dial, so whats not to like? Until yesterday, it was the most accurate pocket watch I owned, but was replaced by the new Hammacher Schlemmer atomic pocket watch that I received yesterday.  The atomic pocket watch is the most accurate watch in existence, as it is a quartz watch that is set by our nation's Cesium atomic clock in Colorado. As I was thinking about this early this morning, my thoughts turned to a departed brother-in-Christ named Arthur Blackwell.  His generosity and genuine love for myself and Linda will always be remembered and with it the many spiritual conversations we had together.  All this brings me to a specific conversation we had, oh so many years ago concerning the nature of God.  To my surprise, he likened God to lightning, the essence of which is static electricity.  In other words, God is found at the very core of energy.  Please read the following and see if you agree....

Colossians, Chapter 1
 3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,  4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints,  5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News, 6 which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;  7 even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,  8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.  9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,  10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;  12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;  13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;  14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins; 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  16 For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.  17 He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.  18 He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  19 For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him;  20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.

If you look into the heart of an atom, Jesus is there; holding it together. For eons, human beings have looked to the skies for direction and understanding time. Now, we have even begun to understand time through the workings of atoms.  But, no matter where we look or how advanced we become, God is there, showing us not only time, but how our lives should be lived.  Words such as wonderful, marvelous and astounding could never do justice to a God who can do such things. Somehow, when I look at my new atomic pocket watch and realize that its accuracy is tied to Jesus, I am reminded of Colossians 1:18 and that Jesus is nearer than hands or feet and closer that breathing!!!  Time will never be the same to me again!!!!!

Oct. 19 Proverbs 30-31


Oct. 19
Proverbs 30-31

Pro 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle: the man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
Pro 30:2 "Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don't have a man's understanding.
Pro 30:3 I have not learned wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
Pro 30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know?
Pro 30:5 "Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Pro 30:6 Don't you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
Pro 30:7 "Two things I have asked of you; don't deny me before I die:
Pro 30:8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me;
Pro 30:9 lest I be full, deny you, and say, 'Who is Yahweh?' or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Pro 30:10 "Don't slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
Pro 30:11 There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn't bless their mother.
Pro 30:12 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.
Pro 30:13 There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.
Pro 30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men.
Pro 30:15 "The leach has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don't say, 'Enough:'
Pro 30:16 Sheol, the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough.'
Pro 30:17 "The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother: the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it.
Pro 30:18 "There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don't understand:
Pro 30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden.
Pro 30:20 "So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.'
Pro 30:21 "For three things the earth tremble, and under four, it can't bear up:
Pro 30:22 For a servant when he is king; a fool when he is filled with food;
Pro 30:23 for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.
Pro 30:24 "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:
Pro 30:25 the ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.
Pro 30:26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.
Pro 30:27 The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.
Pro 30:28 You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.
Pro 30:29 "There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going:
Pro 30:30 The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn't turn away for any;
Pro 30:31 the greyhound, the male goat also; and the king against whom there is no rising up.
Pro 30:32 "If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth.
Pro 30:33 For as the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife."
 

Pro 31:1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
Pro 31:2 "Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
Pro 31:3 Don't give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Pro 31:4 It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?'
Pro 31:5 lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
Pro 31:6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:
Pro 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Pro 31:8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Pro 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy."
Pro 31:10 Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
Pro 31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Pro 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
Pro 31:14 She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
Pro 31:15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
Pro 31:16 She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
Pro 31:17 She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
Pro 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
Pro 31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Pro 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Pro 31:22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Pro 31:23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
Pro 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
Pro 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Pro 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
Pro 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
Pro 31:29 "Many women do noble things, but you excel them all."
Pro 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

Oct. 19 Philippians 4


Oct. 19
Philippians 4

Php 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Php 4:2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.
Php 4:3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!
Php 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
Php 4:9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Php 4:10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.
Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
Php 4:12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Php 4:14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
Php 4:15 You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.
Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.
Php 4:17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
Php 4:18 But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
Php 4:19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
Php 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
Php 4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar's household.
Php 4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

1 Peter, Chapter 3, Mark Copeland 


                      "THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

                             Chapter Three

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To examine the duties of wives and husbands to each other

2) To consider the duties that we have to one another as brethren in
   Christ

3) To see how one should prepare for persecution, motivated by the
   example of Christ

4) To note how and in what way baptism now saves us

SUMMARY

Peter continues to describe the duties of Christians living as
sojourners and pilgrims in this world.  He  counsels wives to be
submissive to their husbands and to focus their adornment on the
development of a meek and quiet spirit, like the holy women in the past
who trusted in God (such as Sarah).  For those whose husbands are not
believers, their chaste and respectful conduct may influence them to
respond to the gospel.  Husbands are then instructed to live with their
wives in an understanding way, honoring them as the weaker vessel and as
fellow heirs of the grace of life.  Such treatment would ensure that
their prayers were not hindered (1-7).

Duties toward brethren are then summarized, stressing unity, compassion,
love, kindness, and simple courtesy.  When mistreated by brethren, the
proper response is to extend a blessing, for to such conduct we were
called, that we might inherit a blessing.  As motivation for such
conduct, Peter quotes Psalms 34:12-16 which offers advice to loving life
and seeing good days. The key is to turn from evil and do good, to seek
peace and pursue it.  Those who do so have the assurance that the Lord
watches over them and hears their prayers (8-12).

Peter then turns to the theme of suffering for righteousness' sake.  In
most circumstances, no one will harm you for doing good.  If one suffers
for doing good, they are blessed (cf. 2:19-20; 4:14).  To prepare for
persecution, one should sanctify the Lord God in their heart and be
ready to meekly provide the reason for their hope.  With clear
conscience and good conduct, those who defame and revile them will
likely be ashamed.  If it is God's will that they suffer, let it be for
doing good and not evil (13-17).

To appreciate how suffering for righteousness' sake can be for good,
Peter relates how Jesus suffered for our sins.  Though put to death in
the flesh, Jesus was made alive by the Spirit (cf. Ro 1:4), in which He
preached to spirits in prison who were disobedient in the days of Noah,
and ultimately exalted at the right hand of God with angels, authorities
and powers made subject to Him.  Alluding to the example of Noah's
salvation, Peter says baptism now saves us as an appeal for a good
conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (18-22).


OUTLINE

I. OUR DUTIES AS WIVES AND HUSBANDS (1-7)

   A. THE DUTIES OF WIVES (1-6)
      1. Be submissive to your husbands
         a. That you might win those who are not believers
         b. As they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear
      2. Adorn yourselves properly
         a. Not merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold,
            putting on of fine apparel
         b. With the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
            precious in God's sight
         c. As holy women in the past who trusted God
            1) Adorned themselves
            2) Submitted to their husbands
         d. As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord
            1) Whose daughters you are
            2) If you do good, not afraid with any terror

   B. THE DUTIES OF HUSBANDS (7)
      1. Dwell with your wives with understanding
      2. Give honor to your wives
         a. As to the weaker vessel
         b. As being heirs together of the grace of life
         c. So your prayers may not be hindered

II. OUR DUTIES AS BRETHREN (8-12)

   A. OUR DUTIES TO EACH OTHER (8-9)
      1. Be of one mind
      2. Have compassion for one another
      3. Love one another as brethren
      4. Tenderhearted, courteous
      5. Not returning evil for evil, or reviling for reviling
         a. On the contrary, respond with a blessing
         b. Knowing that you were called to this, that you might inherit
            a blessing

   B. MOTIVATION TO FULFILL SUCH DUTIES (10-12)
      1. If you would love life and see good days
         a. Refrain your tongue from evil and lips from speaking deceit
         b. Turn from evil and do good
         c. Seek peace and pursue it
      2. If you would desire the Lord's favor
         a. For His eyes are on the righteous
         b. For His ears are open to their prayers
         c. But His face is against those who do evil

III. OUR DUTIES AS SUFFERERS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE (13-22)

   A. THINGS TO REMEMBER (13-17)
      1. Who will harm you if you do what is good?
         a. Even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are
            blessed
         b. So don't be afraid of threats, nor be troubled
      2. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts
      3. Always be ready to give a defense
         a. To everyone who asks
         b. For a reason for the hope that is in your
         c. With meekness and fear
      4. Maintain a good conscience
         a. That when others may defame you as evildoers
         b. Those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed
      5. It is better, if it is the will of God...
         a. To suffer for doing good
         b. Than to suffer for doing evil

   B. REASONS TO REMEMBER (18-22)
      1. Christ also suffered once for sins
         a. The just for the unjust
         b. That He might bring us to God
      2. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit
         a. By whom He went and preached to the spirits in prison who
            were formerly disobedient
            1) During the longsuffering of God
            2) In the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared
               a) In which eight souls were saved through water
               b) Which was a type of baptism which now saves us
                  1] Not the removal of the filth of the flesh
                  2] But the answer of a good conscience toward God
                  3] Through the resurrection of Christ
         b. Who has gone in to heaven
            1) And is at the right hand of God
            2) Where angels, authorities, and powers have been made
               subject to Him

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Our duties as wives and husbands (1-7)
   - Our duties as brethren (8-12)
   - Our duties as sufferers for righteousness' sake (13-22)

2) What are wives told to be in regards to their husbands?  Why? (1)
   - Submissive; to convert those husbands who are not yet Christians

3) What does Peter hope the unbelieving husbands will observe in their
   wives? (2)
   - Their chaste conduct accompanied by fear

4) What should not be the focus of their adornment? (3)
   - That which is outward:  arranging the hair, wearing gold, their
     apparel

5) What should be the focus of their adornment (4)
   - The hidden person of the heart:  the incorruptible beauty of a
     gentle and quiet spirit

6) What other women so adorned themselves and were submissive to their
   husbands? (5-6)
   - Holy women of God in the past who trusted in God; specifically,
     Sarah

7) How are husbands to treat their wives? (7)
   - With understanding and honor
   - As to the weaker vessel
   - As heirs together of the grace of life

8) Why should husbands treat their wives so kindly? (7)
   - That their prayers not be hindered

9) What duties do we as brethren have to one another? (8)
   - To be of one mind
   - To have compassion for one another and love as brethren
   - To be tenderhearted, courteous

10) How are we to respond when mistreated by brethren?  Why? (9)
   - With blessing; we were called to so respond, that we may inherit a
     blessing

11) What proscription is offered for those who would love life and see
    good days? (10-11)
   - Refrain the tongue from evil, the lips from speaking deceit
   - Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it

12) What is said of the righteous?  Of those who do evil? (12)
   - The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open
     to their prayers
   - The face of the Lord is against those who do evil

13) What is the general principle regarding persecution? (13)
   - If you do good, you will not be harmed

14) What is said of those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake?
    (14)
   - They are blessed

15) How should one prepare themselves for possible persecution? (15-16)
   - Sanctify the Lord God in your heart
   - Be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for
     your hope
   - Have a good conscience

16) If we maintain good conduct, what will happen to those who defame
    and revile us? (16)
   - They will be ashamed

17) If we suffer according to God's will, what is better? (17)
   - To suffer for doing good than for doing evil

18) Who also suffered for righteousness' sake?  For what reason? (18)
   - Christ, the just for the unjust
   - For sins, that He might bring us to God

19) Though put to death in the flesh, what was He able to do by the
    Spirit? (18-19)
   - Preach to the spirits in prison

20) When were such "spirits" disobedient? (20)
   - In the days of Noah, during the longsuffering of God
   - While the ark was preparing

21) Of what is the salvation of eight souls through water a "type"? (21)
   - Baptism which now saves us

22) How does baptism not save us?  How does it save us? (21)
   - Not by the removal of the filth of the flesh
   - As the answer (or plea) of a good conscience toward God, through
     the resurrection of Jesus

23) What was the final outcome of Jesus who suffered for righteousness'
    sake? (22)
   - He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God
   - Angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to Him

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)