12/13/12

"Mr Sensitivity"



 
Click on the above link to view the video

Don Rickles: Now there is a name that evokes emotion!!!  This man has the sharpest (biting, harsh) humor I have ever heard!!!  He was big in show business when I was quite young and the attached video shows him "roasting" Jerry Lewis.  No one is real life could get away with talking like Don and although most of the video is vitriolic in nature, yet at the very end, he goes beyond the "comedy" and says what he really feels.  I am reminded of this passage from the book of proverbs...

Proverbs 27
  21 The crucible is for silver,
and the furnace for gold;
but man is refined by his praise.
  22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.

 Jerry Lewis is a great man; his telethons have helped untold millions of suffering children.  Does he deserve this "praise"?  For that matter, does Don Rickles deserve to be on the same stage as him?  Good question!  All I know is that a person should say what they mean or nothing at all.  Perhaps the last few seconds of the video are the only thing worth watching... you be the judge!

Bible Reading, Dec.13


Dec. 13
Hosea 5-8

Hos 5:1 "Listen to this, you priests! Listen, house of Israel, and give ear, house of the king! For the judgment is against you; for you have been a snare at Mizpah, and a net spread on Tabor.
Hos 5:2 The rebels are deep in slaughter; but I discipline all of them.
Hos 5:3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, Ephraim, you have played the prostitute. Israel is defiled.
Hos 5:4 Their deeds won't allow them to turn to their God; for the spirit of prostitution is within them, and they don't know Yahweh.
Hos 5:5 The pride of Israel testifies to his face. Therefore Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah also will stumble with them.
Hos 5:6 They will go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Yahweh; but they won't find him. He has withdrawn himself from them.
Hos 5:7 They are unfaithful to Yahweh; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the new moon will devour them with their fields.
Hos 5:8 "Blow the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah! Sound a battle cry at Beth Aven, behind you, Benjamin!
Hos 5:9 Ephraim will become a desolation in the day of rebuke. Among the tribes of Israel, I have made known that which will surely be.
Hos 5:10 The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark. I will pour out my wrath on them like water.
Hos 5:11 Ephraim is oppressed, he is crushed in judgment; Because he is intent in his pursuit of idols.
Hos 5:12 Therefore I am to Ephraim like a moth, and to the house of Judah like rottenness.
Hos 5:13 "When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to king Jareb: but he is not able to heal you, neither will he cure you of your wound.
Hos 5:14 For I will be to Ephraim like a lion, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear in pieces and go away. I will carry off, and there will be no one to deliver.
Hos 5:15 I will go and return to my place, until they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face. In their affliction they will seek me earnestly."
 

Hos 6:1 "Come, and let us return to Yahweh; for he has torn us to pieces, and he will heal us; he has injured us, and he will bind up our wounds.
Hos 6:2 After two days he will revive us. On the third day he will raise us up, and we will live before him.
Hos 6:3 Let us acknowledge Yahweh. Let us press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth."
Hos 6:4 "Ephraim, what shall I do to you? Judah, what shall I do to you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew that disappears early.
Hos 6:5 Therefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgments are like a flash of lightning.
Hos 6:6 For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Hos 6:7 But they, like Adam, have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me, there.
Hos 6:8 Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity; it is stained with blood.
Hos 6:9 As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem, committing shameful crimes.
Hos 6:10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing. There is prostitution in Ephraim. Israel is defiled.
Hos 6:11 "Also, Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, when I restore the fortunes of my people.
 

Hos 7:1 When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, also the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the gang of robbers ravages outside.
Hos 7:2 They don't consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own deeds have engulfed them. They are before my face.
Hos 7:3 They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
Hos 7:4 They are all adulterers. They are burning like an oven that the baker stops stirring, from the kneading of the dough, until it is leavened.
Hos 7:5 On the day of our king, the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine. He joined his hand with mockers.
Hos 7:6 For they have made ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait. Their baker sleeps all the night. In the morning it burns as a flaming fire.
Hos 7:7 They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges. All their kings have fallen. There is no one among them who calls to me.
Hos 7:8 Ephraim, he mixes himself among the nations. Ephraim is a pancake not turned over.
Hos 7:9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he doesn't realize it. Indeed, gray hairs are here and there on him, and he doesn't realize it.
Hos 7:10 The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they haven't returned to Yahweh their God, nor sought him, for all this.
Hos 7:11 "Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria.
Hos 7:12 When they go, I will spread my net on them. I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will chastise them, as their congregation has heard.
Hos 7:13 Woe to them! For they have wandered from me. Destruction to them! For they have trespassed against me. Though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
Hos 7:14 They haven't cried to me with their heart, but they howl on their beds. They assemble themselves for grain and new wine. They turn away from me.
Hos 7:15 Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet they plot evil against me.
Hos 7:16 They return, but not to the Most High. They are like a faulty bow. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.
 

Hos 8:1 "Put the trumpet to your lips! Something like an eagle is over Yahweh's house, because they have broken my covenant, and rebelled against my law.
Hos 8:2 They cry to me, 'My God, we Israel acknowledge you!'
Hos 8:3 Israel has cast off that which is good. The enemy will pursue him.
Hos 8:4 They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I didn't approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, that they may be cut off.
Hos 8:5 Let Samaria throw out his calf idol! My anger burns against them! How long will it be until they are capable of purity?
Hos 8:6 For this is even from Israel! The workman made it, and it is no God; indeed, the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.
Hos 8:7 For they sow the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind. He has no standing grain. The stalk will yield no head. If it does yield, strangers will swallow it up.
Hos 8:8 Israel is swallowed up. Now they are among the nations like a worthless thing.
Hos 8:9 For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired lovers for himself.
Hos 8:10 But although they sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them; and they begin to waste away because of the oppression of the king of mighty ones.
Hos 8:11 Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they became for him altars for sinning.
Hos 8:12 I wrote for him the many things of my law; but they were regarded as a strange thing.
Hos 8:13 As for the sacrifices of my offerings, they sacrifice flesh and eat it; But Yahweh doesn't accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish their sins. They will return to Egypt.
Hos 8:14 For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces; and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; but I will send a fire on his cities, and it will devour its fortresses."



Dec. 13
1 John 3

1Jn 3:1 Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.
1Jn 3:3 Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
1Jn 3:4 Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness.
1Jn 3:5 You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin.
1Jn 3:6 Whoever remains in him doesn't sin. Whoever sins hasn't seen him, neither knows him.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jn 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jn 3:9 Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God.
1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn't love his brother.
1Jn 3:11 For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;
1Jn 3:12 unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
1Jn 3:13 Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn't love his brother remains in death.
1Jn 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
1Jn 3:16 By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1Jn 3:17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
1Jn 3:19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him,
1Jn 3:20 because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
1Jn 3:21 Beloved, if our hearts don't condemn us, we have boldness toward God;
1Jn 3:22 and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
1Jn 3:23 This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded.
1Jn 3:24 He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

Proverbs, Wisdom's plea to be heard 8:1-36, Mark Copeland


                         "THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"

                   Wisdom's Plea To Be Heard (8:1-36)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous study, we found warnings against the immoral woman...
   a. Who seduces with her beauty and flattery - Pr 6:24-25
   b. Who in the open square lurks at every corner - Pr 7:12

2. In the eighth chapter, we once again find wisdom personified as a
   woman...
   a. Similar to what we read earlier in these discourses - Pr 1:20-23
   b. Who cries out to be heard by the sons of men - Pr 8:3-4

[What does she have to say?  Why should we listen to her?  Let's study
the eighth chapter of Proverbs to found out, beginning with...]

I. THE PLEA OF WISDOM (8:1-11)

   A. SHE DESIRES TO BE HEARD...
      1. By crying out, lifting up her voice - Pr 8:1
      2. Not lurking in the corner (cf. Pr 7:12), but openly:
         a. On the top of the hill, beside the way, where paths meet
            - Pr 8:2
         b. By the gates, at the entry of the city - Pr 8:3

   B. SHE DESIRES TO BE HEARD BY ALL...
      1. By the sons of men - Pr 8:4
      2. By the simple ones and fools - Pr 8:5

   C. SHE DESIRES TO IMPART GREAT THINGS...
      1. Excellent things, right things - Pr 8:6
      2. Words of truth and righteousness - Pr 8:7-8
      3. Things that are plain and right - Pr 8:9
      4. That which is better than silver, gold, rubies, and all that
         can be desired - Pr 8:10-11

[So wisdom is crying out to be heard by everyone, to share things of
great value.  Will we listen to her?  To encourage us to do so, read
further what she says about...]

II. THE VALUE OF WISDOM (8:12-21)

   A. SEEN IN WHAT SHE POSSESSES...
      1. Prudence, knowledge and discretion - Pr 8:12
      2. The fear of the Lord, prompting her to hate pride, evil, and
         the perverse mouth - Pr 8:13
      3. Counsel and sound wisdom, understanding and strength - Pr 8:14

   B. SEEN IN WHAT SHE GIVES...
      1. To kings, princes, nobles, and justices, the ability to rule
         with justice - Pr 8:15-16
      2. To all who love her, riches, honor, righteousness, justice, and
         wealth - Pr 8:17-21

[Doesn't the value of wisdom make us want to hear her?  To help us
appreciate the value of wisdom even more, we next read of...]

III. THE POSSESSION OF WISDOM (8:22-31)

   A. BY THE LORD BEFORE THE CREATION...
      1. At the beginning of His way, before His works - Pr 8:22
      2. From everlasting, before there was an earth - Pr 8:23
      3. Before there were depths of water, or mountains and hills - Pro
         8:24-25
      4. Before the earth was created, before the primal dust of the
         world - Pr 8:26

   B. BY THE LORD IN HIS ACTS OF CREATION...
      1. When He prepared the heavens - Pr 8:27a
      2. When He created the world - Pr 8:27b-29
      3. She was beside Him as a master craftsman, rejoicing in His
         creation - Pr 8:30-31

[The wisdom utilized by God in the creation of the heavens and earth is
the voice crying out for us to hear!  If we have ears to hear, shall we
not hear?   Finally, we hear wisdom speak of...]

IV. THE BLESSEDNESS OF WISDOM (8:32-36)

   A. FOR THOSE WILLING TO KEEP HER WAYS...
      1. They are blessed - Pr 8:32
      2. So hear her instruction and be wise, do not disdain it - Pro
         8:33

   B. FOR THOSE WILLING TO LISTEN INTENTLY...
      1. They are blessed - Pr 8:34a
      2. As they watch daily and wait - Pr 8:34b
      3. They find life and obtain favor from the Lord - Pr 8:35
      4. Unlike one who sins against her (he wrongs his own soul - Pro
         8:36a
      5. Unlike those who hate her (they love death) - Pr 8:36b

CONCLUSION

1. So wisdom cries out to be heard...
   a. To share understanding and knowledge, truth and righteousness
   b. To bless our lives with riches and honor, especially that offered
      by the Lord

2. To whom shall we hearken...?
   a. To the woman lurking in the corners, whose house is the way to
      hell? - Pr 7:27
   b. Or the woman standing on the top of the high hill, and by the open
      gates? - Pr 8:1-3

The answer should be obvious...

   "Blessed is the man who listens to me (wisdom), Watching daily
   at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds
   me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD;"
                                                - Pr 8:34-35