From Gary... No way out

Dante's gate to hell is terrifying sight. I have never thought about Hell much, except that I don't want to go there. However, someone I used to work with confessed that in a drug-induced state he had visited there. What struck him most was the sense of ever-present dread at the overpowering hatred all around him... and the searing, scorching heat!!! There were beings (I assume the cast down angels) with rather large fangs and hands that ended in razor sharp nails. However, their most prominent feature was their crimson eyes that glowed with intimidating hatred. This vision scared him so much that he actually stopped his wicked lifestyle for a few days. However, even this experience wasn't enough to stop him for long and I am sorry to say his old ways returned and even became worse. The Bible refers to Hell in several places and this one is told by Jesus himself in the book of Luke.

Luk 16:19 And there was a certain rich man; and he was accustomed to don a purple robe and fine linen, making merry in luxury day by day.
Luk 16:20 And there was a certain poor one named Lazarus who had been laid at his doorway, having been ulcerated,
Luk 16:21 and longing to be filled from the crumbs that were falling from the table of the rich one. But coming, even the dogs licked his sores.
Luk 16:22 And it happened, the poor one died and was carried away by the angels into the bosom of Abraham. And the rich one also died and was buried.
Luk 16:23 And being in torments in hell, lifting up his eyes, he sees Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And calling he said, Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Child, remember that you fully received your good things in your lifetime, and Lazarus likewise the bad things. But now he is comforted, and you are suffering.
Luk 16:26 And besides all these things, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those desiring to pass from here to you are not able, nor can they pass from there to us.

LITV

No way out, none at all! Hell is a place you really don't return from. It is something to be very, very afraid of. Yet how many untold myriads of those who refuse to follow God will be there! This isn't just a one time experience like my co-worked had--- its forever! Final judgment and that's that. It doesn't have to happen though, people have the gift of free will and the opportunity to change as long as there is life. So, listen, already! Turn to God for help, before its too late, and the hope of heaven turns into the despair of the utterly condemned sufferer.

From Gary... No fairy tale

Yes, this is an actual house. No, I don't have any idea where it is located; but it is real nonetheless. It is possible to live happily ever after and fairy tales can come true. True happiness means being at one with the creator and that leads to happiness now and happiness ever after. What I love about the Christian religion is that it is historical; Israel really existed, Jesus actually lived and the Bible is HIS-tory. These truths are historically undeniable!! Read the testimony in the book of second Peter.


2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
2Pe 1:2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;
2Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.2Pe 1:5 Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
2Pe 1:11 For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:12 Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth.
2Pe 1:13 I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you;
2Pe 1:14 knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
2Pe 1:15 Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
2Pe 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
2Pe 1:18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

World English Bible


Life is not empty if God is there; it is complete! There are those who will say that I have pie-in-the sky faith, but since the life of Jesus is more documented than that of any other human being than ever lived, I can't help but marvel at disbelief! There is an old song that has a line something like this: fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you, if you're young at heart. What is that like? It begins by being honest enough to put aside all the propaganda the world will try to stuff down your throat and investigate the truth for yourself. When I did this, it changed both my attitude and my life and believe you me that is no fairy tale; it is the truth and I will gladly testify to it.

From Gary V. Womack... FATHERS and CHILDREN (two parts)

FATHERS & CHILDREN

Abraham - Example of a Godly Father

Gen. 12:1-3 God's 3-fold promise to Abram. 

                    (age 75)

Gen. 13:14-16 God repeats His promise to 

                       Abram at Canaan.

Gen. 15:1-6 Again, God assures Abram of His 

                   promise & Abram believed.

SARAI GIVES ABRAM HER MAID SERVANT TO MARRY. (ISHMAEL BORN)

Gen. 17:1-8 Again, God assures Abram of His 

                   promise This time God changes 

                   Abram's name to Abraham

                  (means "father of a multitude")

Gen. 18:9-14 3 men (angels) appear to Abraham 

                      & Sarah at Mamre (age 99) to 

                      announce the coming promise of a 

                      male child.

Gen. 21:5 "Now Abraham was one hundred years 

                  old when his son Isaac was born to 

                  him."

Gen. 22:1-18 Abraham's obedient response to 

                     God's command to offer up his son 

                     - prompted the repeating of God's 

                     promise of future generations in 

                     abundance. ABRAHAM SET AN 

                     EXAMPLE OF FAITHFULNESS FOR 

                     HIS SON, ISAAC.

Num. 1:1 "Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the 

                 Wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle

                 of meeting, on the first day of the second 

                 month, in the second year after they had 

                 come out of the land of Egypt, ..."

Num. 1:45-46 "So all who were numbered of the 

                        children of Israel, by their father's

                        houses, from twenty years old and 

                        above, all who were able to go to

                        war in Israel - [46] all who were 

                        numbered were six hundred and 

                        three thousand five hundred and 

                        fifty." (603,550) (Levites not 

                        included) AFTER 430 YEARS - 

                        THEY WENT FROM 70 PEOPLE 

                        TO ABOUT 3,000,000.

Rom. 4:17-22 Abraham - a father of many nations 

                                      - FAITHFUL example to

                                        his son, Isaac.

Psm. 127:3-5 Children are a blessing from God. 

                      Therefore a responsibility for 

                      which we are accountable.

INVITATION

Mt. 25:14-30 Parable of the talents - 

                    Children (like the talents) are 

                    entrusted to us - we are accountable 

                    for pointing them to God.

FATHERS & CHILDREN

Part 2

Characteristics of a Godly Father

BEING A FATHER MEANS MORE THAN "FATHERING" CHILDREN

Many father children & abandon them. God will not leave His children.

Josh. 1:5 "No man shall be able to stand before you 

                 all the days of your life; as I was with 

                 Moses, so I will be with you. I will not 

                 leave you nor forsake you."

Josh. 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong 

                 and of good courage; do not be afraid, 

                 nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God 

                 is with you wherever you go."

A CHILD'S FIRST VIEW OF GOD IS SEEN IN THEIR PARENTS (THEIR FATHER)

HE ACCEPTS HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO TEACH HIS CHILDREN

Eph. 6:4 "And you, fathers, do not provoke your 

               children to wrath, but bring them up in

               the training and admonition of the Lord."

"do not provoke" - Not to be overly severe resulting in bitterness & Not be be overly critical resulting in discouragement never able to  lease their parents.

"TRAINING" (nurture, kjv) = Primarily teaching by example.

"ADMONITION" = Primarily teaching by word

Deut. 6:6-9 God's command to Israel to be diligent in teaching their children.

Pass on to subsequent generations those standards of virtue

Prov. 22:28 "Do not remove the ancient landmark 

                     which your fathers have set."

HE EXERCISES MEASURED DISCIPLINE - NOT ABUSE (verbal or physical)

Heb. 12:5-11 Discipline is an act of LOVE & 

                     should reflect that to the child.

Prov. 119:18 "Chasten your son while there is hope, 

                       and do not set your heart on his 

                       destruction."

Prov. 13:24 "He who spares his rod hates his son, 

                    but he who loves him disciplines him 

                    promptly."

HE SETS AN EXAMPLE OF A GODLY HUSBAND - NOT ABUSIVE

Eph. 5:23 "For the husband is the head of the wife, 

                  as also Christ is head of the church; and 

                  He is the Savior of the body."

HE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A LOVING HUSBAND - SELFLESSNESS

Eph. 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ 

                  also loved the church and gave

                  Himself for it."

Children need to see their father honoring their mother (not calling her old lady)

Exercizing chivary = opening the door for her - pulling the chair out from the table to seat her

Prov. 31:28 "Her children rise up and call her 

                     blessed; Her husband also, and he

                     praises her:"

HE IS AN EXAMPLE OF DEPENDABILITY & PATIENCE as the Lord is.

2 Pet. 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His 

                  promise, as some count slackness, but

                  is longsuffering toward us, not willing 

                  that any should perish but that all should

                  come to repentance."

INVITATION

HE IS AN EXAMPLE OF COMPASSION & TENDERNESS

Lk. 15:17-24 Compassion when they do wrong & 

                     repent. Not afraid to show affection 

                    (hugs & kisses)

HE IS STILL COMPASSIONATE - DESIRING US AS HIS OBEDIENT CHILD 

From Jim McGuiggan... Life in strange places

Life in strange places

Imagine looking down from a high place across the vast expanse of the Arabian desert where stunted vegetation, wind-smoothed rock formations, scurrying reptiles, pitiless heat and dust were at home. Imagine seeing a nation and its herds down there, living, and even prospering, despite their hardships. Life in a strange place.

Paul, a prisoner (maybe in Rome but more likely in Caesarea—see the literature on the matter) writes to the Philippians (4:22) about “saints in Caesar’s household”. That’s in Nero’s household! That’s life in a strange place.

Peter speaks to his Jewish brothers and sisters and sends the greeting of “she who is in Babylon, chosen together with you” (1 Peter 5:13). Whether he has in mind the ancient but now diminished and all-but-forgotten city of Babylon on the Euphrates or under a figure he means Rome—it’s still life in a strange place.

See the old man with a body older than his years, now “as good as dead” and his long-barren wife (Abraham and Sarah) and remember that they became the parents of countless children. Life in a strange place.

I know there are people that don’t believe this and I know that some of them can’t believe it right now, for one reason or another, but God is always doing that, isn’t he? In strange places he brings life into being.

In cruel homes we find gentle Christians. In homes awash with cynicism and criticism we find generous-hearted people who continue to believe that all wrongs will be righted and that the proper response to life is hope in God. Right alongside deeply entrenched bitterness and hardness we find people that give and forgive as if it were easy (though we all know it’s very costly to them). Life in strange places.

I remember some years ago we finally felt compelled to surface our driveway. I had them spray it with weed-killer, then spread a million tons of gravel over it and follow that with thirty million tons of hot, sticky tar and gravel. Then I had them bring in a billion-ton steam-roller that rolled all that stuff flatter than a starfish. Goodbye weeds and dirt. I don’t know how long it was after that that one day I stubbed my shoed-toe on a teeny-weeny mound in the middle of that driveway. I took a close look and there, peeping up out of a tiny hole, was a little yellowy sprout of some kind. I was dumbstruck. Life in a strange place.

One day in all the graveyards of the world there’s going to be a stirring.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy  for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Of Wine And Wineskins

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                      Of Wine And Wineskins (2:22)

INTRODUCTION

1. When Jesus was questioned about fasting, He replied with three
   illustrations...
   a. Bridegroom and friends - Mk 2:19-20
   b. Patches and garments - Mk 2:21
   c. Wine and wineskins - Mk 2:22

2. The illustration most remembered is that of wine and wineskins...
   a. Jesus used it to show the incongruity of mixing His gospel with
      the Judaistic system
   b. Others have taken the illustration much farther, often to teach
      things Jesus did not

[One might make a broader use of the illustration of wine and wineskins,
but the end result should not contradict Jesus' own use of it.  Taking a
closer look, let's first note some...]

I. IMPLICATIONS OF THE ILLUSTRATION

   A. NEW WINE IMPLIES NEW BLESSINGS...
      1. Jesus implied His teaching would be like new wine, requiring
         new wineskins
      2. This "new wine" would include blessings for those who believe
         in Him
      3. For example, true forgiveness of sins through His sacrifice
         - cf. He 10:10-12
      4. Also, the blessing of the Spirit in some new way - cf. Jn 7:
         37-39
      -- New wine:  new blessings for those who would be His disciples

   B. NEW WINESKINS IMPLIES NEW STRUCTURES...
      1. Jesus intimated that His blessings would be packaged anew in
         new wineskins
      2. The "new wineskins" would be the means by which blessings
         are presented and preserved
      3. For example, through baptism instead of circumcision - cf. Co
         2:11-13
      4. Also, through a spiritual tabernacle rather than a physical one
         - cf. He 9:9-11
      5. Jesus gave His apostles the "structure" by which He wanted His
         blessings to be presented and shared (i.e., apostolic doctrine)
         - e.g., Ac 2:42; 1Co 4:17; 11:2; 14:33-37
      -- New wineskins:  new structures by which those blessings would
         be enjoyed

[Once we properly understand the implications of Jesus' use of wine and
wineskins, we are less likely to misuse it should we make broader
application.  Allow me, if I may, to offer four...]

II. EXTENSIONS OF THE ILLUSTRATION

   A. SOME PUT JESUS' WINE IN OLD TESTAMENT WINESKINS...
      1. That is what Jesus said would be inappropriate in regards to
         fasting
      2. That is, trying to force Jesus' "wine" into the wineskins of
         the Old Testament
      3. Even so, note some examples in which people have done this:
         a. Ritualistic fasting instead of appropriate fasting - Didache
            8:1-2
         b. Separate priesthood instead of the priesthood of all
            believers - 1Pe 2:5,9
         c. Instrumental music instead of making melody with the heart
            - Ep 5:19
         d. Infant baptism, based on the OT rite of circumcision - cf.
            Col 2:11-12
      -- Early on, many have tried to enwrap Jesus' "wine" with OT
         "wineskins"

   B. SOME PUT JESUS' WINE IN THEIR OWN WINESKINS...
      1. Others try to package Jesus' "wine" in the wineskins of modern
         concepts
      2. They respect the "aged wine", but feel it needs to be
         re-packaged
      3. Thus the frequent call for change, in such areas as:
         a. Church organization (denominationalism, sponsoring churches)
         b. Church worship (modern dance, praise teams)
         c. Church work (social programs, family entertainment)
         d. Church leadership (popes, metropolitan bishops, priests,
            team leaders, women pastors)
      -- This attitude fails to appreciate the value of the original
         "wineskin"

   C. SOME PUT THEIR OWN WINE IN JESUS' WINESKINS...
      1. Then some believe the Spirit is guiding them to new revelation
      2. While they may respect the "old wineskin", they want "new wine"
      3. Thus the call to update the teaching of the church, in such
         areas as:
         a. New doctrines (social gospel, liberation theology, health
            and wealth gospel)
         b. New lifestyles (divorce and remarriage, homosexuality,
            same-sex marriages)
      -- This attitude fails to appreciate the value of the original
         "wine"

   D. SOME PUT THEIR OWN WINE IN THEIR OWN WINESKINS...
      1. Some believe the Spirit guides them to make total changes
      2. Changing both the message (wine) and the organization
         (wineskin)
      3. Examples of such extreme makeovers include:
         a. Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists
         b. Others with their parachurch organizations
      -- This attitude reflects disregard for both the original "wine"
         and "wineskin"

CONCLUSION

1. Many believe we can simply discard the "wine" and "wineskin" Jesus
   gave...
   a. That we can repackage His wine with wineskins as we see fit
   b. That we can even replace His wine with new wines of our own

2. Dare we presume to believe that we can improve on anything Jesus has
   given us...?
   a. The blessings which are all-sufficient to life and godliness?
      - cf. 2Pe 1:3
   b. The structures which have presented and preserved these blessings?
      - cf. 2Ti 3:16-17; Jude 3

3. After two millennia, Jesus' "new wine" is now "old"...
   a. But like literal wine, the old is better than the new
   b. Best served from the container in which it has been preserved

Rather than coming up with "new wine" and "new wineskins" of our own
making, we should seek that given by Jesus and His apostles.  Therefore
the words of Jeremiah seem appropriate...

   Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the
   old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will
   find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in
   it.'" - Jer 6:16

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Are you listening?

Some people just don't "get it".  It doesn't matter how old they are, where they come from, or how smart they are; they just don't "get it"!!!  This young lady is obviously not thinking about Geology, but rather music.  And her answers proclaim that loud and clear!!!

But, what if she wasn't in Geology class?  What if she was in a crowd listening to Jesus? What would she hear?  I wonder...

Luke, Chapter 8

 1 Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve,  2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;  3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them from their possessions.  4 When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.  5  “The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.   6  Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.   7  Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.   8  Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 

  9  Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” 

  10  He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’  11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.   12  Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.   13  Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.   14  That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.   15  That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produces fruit with patience. 

Admittedly, sometimes Jesus' words are a bit hard to understand and even his own apostles had to have things explained to them at first.  But, to those who want to hear, the word of God will be plain enough.  Like most things, attitude is paramount!!!  Today, we are fortunate to have what we need to know to get to heaven "all spelled out" for us.  The question is: do we have our ears on?  I can't really help you, except to say that the answer has nothing to do with Classic rock, Punk rock or Hard rock.  Are you listening?