From Jim McGuiggan... Luke 23.43 and misplaced commas

Luke 23.43 and misplaced commas

Spot the difference between these two phrases:

1. "Verily I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
 

2. "Verily I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise."

Exactly, the moving of the comma changes both the structure and the meaning of the sentence.

Scholars and interested non-scholars have noticed that Jesus uses, "Verily I say to you" as a prefix phrase when he is about to say something that should be listened to with care.

Matthew 5:18, "Verily I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away…"
 

Matthew 6:2, "Verily I say to you, they have received their reward.
 

Matthew 6:5, "Verily I say to you, they have received their reward.
 

Luke 4:24, "Verily I say to you, a prophet is not without honour…"
 

Luke 11:51, "Verily I say to you, it shall be required of this generation."
 

Luke 13:35, "Verily I say to you, you will not see me until the time comes…"
 

Luke 18:17, "Verily I say to you, whoever shall not receive the kingdom…"

These illustrate what I mean. There are seventy-five of them all rendering the same Greek phrase (allowing for singular and plural "you").

No one in the NT uses this phrase but Jesus.

Scholars tell us that there is not a single illustration of it to be adduced in rabbinic literature of the time.

On rare occasions someone in earlier writings would conclude his own prayer with "amen"; it was a rare thing and it wasn't an affirmation so much as an appeal. It was common, of course, in ancient times for the Hebrew/Aramaic "Amen" to express agreement with the truth of what someone else said (we do it all the time, don't we).

None of that is what Jesus did.

He used the phrase in view over and over to affirm that what he was about to say was true and that it should be given special attention. We're too used to hearing the phrase to appreciate the astonishing authority expressed in it and the often solemn nature of it.

For obvious reasons the versions all add a comma (punctuation break) after the phrase in question and before the affirmation.

[Metzger and his colleagues (in their Greek text produced in association with the Institute for NT Textual Research and put out by the United Bible Societies—2^nd edition) tell us they've given a warning when they judged punctuation could materially affect the interpretation of a text. They made some 600 entries but none on Luke 23:43. You understand, this doesn't mean these Greek authorities must always be correct in their judgment but they are advanced scholars whose work with the Greek text involves more than counting words and manuscripts. They are at home in the language of the NT and know the structure and rhythm and resonances of how the language flows. They're well aware that the Greek had no commas but they are the people who can tell what would be an awkward or strange or unknown structure in the speech of this one or that. I repeat, they don't profess always to know how the punctuation should be rendered but when they doubt it, they say so and said it 600 times—but not at Luke 23:43 or in any of the other seventy-five occurrences of the phrase.]

The seventy-sixth occurrence is Luke 23:43.

Here it is. "Verily I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise."

It's true Jesus could have said, "Verily I say to you today,…" But there is no record of him in his entire public life having done so.

Those who want the comma moved realize that if Jesus used the phrase as he did in all the seventy-five previous occasions their theology is in jeopardy.

Those like the Jehovah's Witnesses cannot have Jesus going to Paradise the day he died or a huge part of their theology collapses, so they move the comma and put in Jesus' mouth a prefix phrase he has never before used. In order to do this they have to rework the phrase he did use seventy-five times. And the only version I know that goes along with their decision is the one they brought out themselves.

Still, if my theology hung on it I believe I'd offer it as an option though I'd be more than a bit uneasy.

Did Jesus go to Heaven/Paradise the day he died? See what you think of this.

©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, theabidingword.com.

Lying Wonders by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=947

Lying Wonders

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

One direct source of unbelief is the false promotion of Christianity (cf. Job 13:7). It is surely a great tragedy that many people have rejected the Christian religion as the true portrait of reality on the basis of the misconduct that so many who claim to be Christians have displayed. In fact, some who purport to be faithful Christians are nothing more than crackpots and religious wackos.
It is especially intriguing to take note of the so-called “miracle workers,” “tongue-speakers,” and “faith healers” moving about the religious world today. Where fifty to one hundred years ago, to witness their theatrical presentations, one would have to go to the “revival tent” set up outside of town, now one can see these pseudo-wonder workers on several television channels. Willing participants, whose emotional state has been carefully manipulated, swoon at the mere touch of the “healer’s” hand on their forehead or cheek. Prominent religious leaders—who have built financial empires on the funds they have methodically extracted from misguided followers through threats, pleadings, and cajoling—continue to have a heyday, supposing “godliness is a means of financial gain” (1 Timothy 6:5).
But notice that the “miracles” performed involve highly questionable diseases and illnesses—nebulous aches and pains—that defy medical substantiation. Even the professed “tongue-speaking” is highly subjective, and in no way parallels the New Testament practice of speaking known human languages without prior learning (see Miller, 2003).
Scripture presents a very different picture. Jesus went about “healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35, emp. added). He gave the apostles these same powers “to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matthew 10:1, emp. added). Included right along with these powers was the ability to “raise the dead” (Matthew 10:8; 11:5), restore shriveled or missing body parts (Luke 6:6-10; 22:49-51), and even give sight to a person born blind (John 9:1-7)! When was the last time one of these “faith healers” raised a dead person? Does God now place a limit on certain powers? Why will the tongue-speaker not come out in the open and convince unbelievers that their action conforms to the genuine New Testament gift—especially in light of the fact that tongue-speaking was for the purpose of convincing unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22)?
But then, if John knew what he was talking about, no need for miracles exists today (John 20:30-31). The Bible declares itself to be all sufficient and capable of providing man with every spiritual need (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The divine purpose for which miracles existed (i.e., to authenticate the divine origin of the spoken Word—Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:4) has long since been served. All of which leads to this conclusion: the “wonders” being offered today are nothing more than “lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, emp. added), i.e., counterfeit, false, and deceptive (pseudous—Arndt and Gingrich, 1957, p. 900).

REFERENCES

Arndt, William and F.W. Gingrich (1957), A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press).
Miller, Dave (2003), “Modern-Day Miracles, Tongue-speaking, and Holy Spirit Baptism: A Refutation (Extended Version),” [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2569.

From Mark Copeland... What Then Shall I Do With Jesus? (Matthew 27:22)

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                What Then Shall I Do With Jesus? (27:22)

INTRODUCTION

1. In Mt 27:11-22, we read of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman
   governor...
   a. While Jesus admitted to being the King of the Jews, He refused to
      answer the accusations of the chief priests and elders - Mt 27:
      11-12
   b. His silence caused Pilate to marvel greatly - Mt 27:13-14
   c. Pilate sought to release Jesus, but the multitude asked for
      Barabbas instead - Mt 27:15-21
   d. Which prompted Pilate to ask the question:  "When then shall I do
      with Jesus who is called Christ?" - Mt 27:22

2. Pilate's question, "What then shall I do with Jesus?", is one that
   every person must ask...
   a. Many would prefer to ignore it
   b. Many try to let others make the choice (as did Pilate)

3. But it is a question from which we cannot run away...
   a. We shall all one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ
      - 2Co 5:10
   b. His words will be the standard by which we will be judged 
      - Jn 12:48

[And so each one of us should be asking ourselves, "What Then Shall I
Do With Jesus?"  To help answer this question, consider another
question...]

I. WHAT HAS JESUS OFFERED YOU?

   A. JESUS HAS PROVIDED THE CHANCE...
      1. For an abundant life, filled with true peace - Jn 10:10; 16:33
      2. To find salvation - Lk 19:10
      3. To enjoy cleansing from sin through His blood - 1Jn 1:7

   B. JESUS HAS PROCLAIMED THE CONDITIONS...
      1. We must believe in Him  - Jn 8:24
      2. We must repent of our sins - Lk 13:3
      3. We must confess our faith before men - Mt 10:32-33; Ro 10:9-10
      4. We must be baptized for the remission of our sins - Mt 28:19;
         Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38
      5. We must remain faithful even to death - Re 2:10

   C. JESUS HAS PREDETERMINED THE ALTERNATIVES...
      1. Reject Him, and we will die in our sins to face the terrible
         consequences - Jn 8:24; 2Th 1:7-9; Re 21:8
      2. Believe in Him, and we receive everlasting life - Jn 5:24; 
         Mt 19:29

[Having consider what Jesus has offered us, we return to our original
question...]

II. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?

   A. WHAT SOME HAVE TRIED TO DO...
      1. Pilate tried to pass the choice on to others - Mt 27:24
         a. Are we guilty of doing something similar today?
         b. Trying to let others decide for us what we will do or
            believe about Jesus?
      2. Some in Athens simply mocked - Ac 17:32
         a. Many take this route in what they do with Jesus
         b. Rather than make the effort to decide what they should do,
            they simply laugh
      3. Felix tried to wait for a more convenient time - Ac 24:25
         a. This is another common reaction
         b. Hoping that through delay, they will not have to make the
            choice
      -- But we cannot escape the fact that we will one day be judged
         by Him - Ac 17:30-31

   B. WHAT WE SHOULD DO...
      1. Accept His gracious offer of salvation by obeying Him - He 5:9
      2. Become His disciples, committed to doing what He commanded 
         - Mt 28:19-20
      3. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ - 2Pe 3:18
      4. Walk in Him, well-established in the faith - Col 2:6-7
      5. Develop the mind of Christ, the attitude of sacrifice and
         service - Php 2:1-8

CONCLUSION

1. We have seen the feeble attempt by Pilate and others to answer the
   question "What Then Shall I Do With Jesus?"

2. Let us not think we can answer the question by...
   a. Simply ignoring Him
   b. Simply not doing anything actively against Him
   -- For as Jesus said on another occasion:  "He who is not with Me is
      against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad."
      - Mt 12:30

Jesus has given us every reason to accept and obey Him as our Savior
and Lord.  If you have not yet done so, will you not today respond to
His gracious invitation to receive eternal life?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... They Led Him Away (Matthew 27:1-2)

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                       They Led Him Away (27:1-2)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the night and morning prior to His crucifixion, the Son of God
   suffered many ignobilities...
   a. Illegal trials held during the night
   b. Shuffled back and forth before different authorities
   c. Falsely accused, mocked, and physically abused

2. There is a phrase used several times that may be used to summarize
   this ill treatment...
   a. That phrase is "they led Him away"
   b. It (or a variation) is found eight times - Mt 26:57; 27:2,31; Mk 15:1,16; Lk 23:26; Jn 18:13; 19:16

3. Being led around like this was in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy:

          "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter..." - Isa 53:7

[To remind us of the things Jesus suffered in our stead and for our
sins, let's review how Jesus was led around during that fateful night
and the morning that followed...]

I. THEY LED HIM AWAY TO FACE ANNAS

   A. ANNAS, FATHER-IN-LAW TO CAIAPHAS...
      1. John records this meeting in his gospel - Jn 18:12-14
      2. Annas had been high priest, but was deposed in 15 A.D. by
         Roman authorities
      3. He continued to exercise considerable influence, as he was
         still viewed by the Jews as a high priest - Lk 3:2
      4. After Pentecost he was involved in the questioning of Peter
         and John - Ac 4:6

   B. BEFORE ANNAS...
      1. Jesus was asked about His disciples and His doctrine - Jn 18:
         19-21
      2. Jesus was struck by one of the officers - Jn 18:22-23
      3. At this point, Annas sent Jesus bound to Caiaphas - Jn 18:24

[As we return to the gospel of Matthew, we read of how...]

II. THEY LED HIM AWAY TO FACE CAIAPHAS

   A. CAIAPHAS, THE HIGH PRIEST...
      1. It was Caiaphas who with others plotted the arrest and death
         of Jesus - Mt 26:3-5
      2. He also was involved in the later questioning of Peter and
         John - Ac 4:6

   B. BEFORE CAIAPHAS...
      1. Jesus faced an assembly of scribes and elders - Mt 26:57
         a. This was an illegal assembly of the Sanhedrin (high council
            of the Jews)
         b. It was illegal for taking place at night
      2. False witnesses were finally found - Mt 26:59-61
      3. Jesus first kept silent, then told them of His coming in
         judgment - Mt 26:62-64
      4. In anger Caiaphas tears his clothes, and accuses Jesus of
         blasphemy - Mt 26:65
      5. Jesus is pronounced worthy of death - Mt 26:66
      6. He is spat in the face, beaten, slapped, and mocked as the
         Messiah - Mt 26:67-68

[Meanwhile, Peter is denying Jesus three times in the courtyard (Mt 26: 69-75).  With the dawn of morning, the chief priests and elders decide
to put Jesus to death (Mt 27:1).  To do this...]

III. THEY LED HIM AWAY TO FACE PILATE

   A. PONTIUS PILATE, THE ROMAN GOVERNOR...
      1. To whom Jesus was bound and delivered - Mt 27:2
      2. He governed Judea from 26-36 A.D.
      3. He did much to anger the Jews - cf. Lk 13:1
      4. But without his approval, the Jews could not execute Jesus

   B. BEFORE PILATE...
      1. Jesus was asked if He was the king of the Jews - Mt 27:11
         a. Because Jesus was accused of forbidding to pay taxes and
            claiming to be a king - cf. Lk 23:1-2
         b. Jesus did not reply to the accusations of the Jews - Mt 27:
            12-14
         c. But He did converse with Pilate about the nature of His
            kingdom - Jn 18:33-38
      2. Pilate found no fault in Him - cf. Lk 23:4
      3. But Jesus was accused further of stirring up people throughout
         all Judea, beginning from Galilee - cf. Lk 23:5

[With the mention of Galilee, Pilate thought he had a way to pawn Jesus
off on to someone else (Lk 23:6-7).  And from Luke's account we learn
that...]

IV. THEY LED HIM AWAY TO FACE HEROD

   A. HEROD, KING OF THE JEWS...
      1. This was Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great
         a. His father was the Herod who massacred the infants - Mt 2:
            16-18
         b. Antipas was the one who beheaded John the Baptist - Mt 14:
            1-12
         c. He was tetrarch over Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C.-39 A.D.
            - Lk 3:1
      2. Herod was glad to see Jesus - Lk 23:8
         a. He had heard many things about Jesus - cf. Lk 9:7-9
         b. He hoped to see some miracle done by Jesus

   B. BEFORE HEROD...
      1. Jesus was questioned, but answered Herod nothing - Lk 23:9
      2. Jesus was vehemently accused by the chief priests and scribes
         - Lk 23:10
      3. Jesus was treated with contempt and mocked by Herod and his
         soldiers - Lk 23:11

[Arrayed in a gorgeous robe mocking His claim to be King, Jesus was
then sent back to Pilate (Lk 23:11-12).  And so...]

V. THEY LED HIM AWAY TO FACE PILATE (AGAIN)

   A. PILATE SOUGHT TO RELEASE HIM...
      1. Using the custom of releasing one prisoner during the feast
         - Mt 27:15; Jn 18:38-39
         a. Offering a choice between Jesus and Barabbas - Mt 27:16-18
         b. The latter a notorious prisoner, who was a robber, rebel
            and murderer - Mk 15:7
      2. Encouraged by his wife to have nothing to do with Jesus - Mt 27:19

   B. BEFORE PILATE (AGAIN)...
      1. The chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude to ask
         for Barabbas and to have Jesus crucified - Mt 27:20-23
      2. Bowing to the multitude, Pilate succumbed to their wishes - Mt 27:24-25
      3. Jesus was then scourged - Mt 27:26

[At this point Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified (Mt 27:26).  But
before Jesus was taken to the place called Golgotha...]

VI. THEY LED HIM AWAY TO FACE THE SOLDIERS

   A. THE SOLDIERS OF THE GOVERNOR...
      1. Roman soldiers, who likely had little love for any Jew
      2. Who took Jesus into the Praetorium (the barracks in the
         governor's house) - Mt 27:27
      3. Surrounding Jesus with the whole garrison of soldiers - Mt 27:
         27

   B. BEFORE THE SOLDIERS...
      1. Jesus was stripped and clothed with a scarlet robe - Mt 27:28
      2. A twisted crown of thorns was placed on His head, and a reed
         in His right hand - Mt 27:29a
      3. The soldiers bowed the knee and mocked Him as King of the Jews
         - Mt 27:29b
      4. They spat on Him, and struck Him on the head with the reed 
         - Mt 27:30
      5. When they were finished mocking Him...
         a. The soldiers took off the robe and put His own clothes on
            Him - Mt 27:31a
         b. The soldiers led Him away to be crucified - Mt 27:31b

CONCLUSION

1. Up to this point, the Son of God had been...
   a. Struck by officers of the high priest
   b. Spat in the face, beaten, slapped, and mocked as the Messiah by
      the chief priests
   c. Falsely accused by the chief priests and scribes before Pilate
      and Herod
   d. Treated with contempt and mocked by Herod and his soldiers
   e. Scourged by Pilate, mocked, spat upon and beaten by his soldiers
   -- And then they "led Him away to be crucified", to face the cross
      of Calvary

2. Why did Jesus allow Himself to be so led...?
   a. At any time He could have called for twelve legions of angels 
      - cf. Mt 26:53
   b. "They Led Him Away" only because He allowed them to do so!
   c. Jesus understood that all this was necessary to fulfill Scripture
      - cf. Mt 26:54; Lk 24:44-47

And the purpose of the Scripture was that Jesus would die for our sins
(Isa 53:5).  As expressed beautifully in the song "Ten Thousand Angels"
by Ray Overholt:
                   They bound the hands of Jesus
                      In the garden where He prayed;
                      They led Him through the streets in shame.
                   They spat upon the Savior
                      So pure and free from sin;
                      They said "Crucify Him, He's to blame."
                   Upon His precious head
                      They placed a crown of thorns;
                      They laughed and said, "Behold the King."
                   They struck Him and they cursed Him
                      And mocked His holy name.
                      All alone He suffered everything.
                   He could have called ten thousand angels
                      To destroy the world
                      And set Him free.
                   He could have called ten thousand angels
                      But He died alone
                      For you and me.

He died alone for you and me...will we not heed and obey His message of
repentance and remission of sins first proclaimed in Jerusalem? - cf.
Lk 24:46-47; Ac 2:36-38

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... Peter's Denial Of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75)

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                   Peter's Denial Of Jesus (26:69-75)

INTRODUCTION

1. Among the things Jesus suffered, was the indignity of Peter's 
   denial...
   a. Three times, with increasing intensity, Peter denied knowing
      Jesus - Mt 26:69-75
   b. Peter denied knowing Jesus, despite being with Jesus:
      1) From the beginning of His earthly ministry - Mt 4:17-19
      2) At the healing of his own mother-in-law - Mt 8:14-15
      3) On the Sea of Galilee, walking on the water - Mt 14:22-33
      4) On the mount, seeing Jesus with Moses and Elijah - Mt 17:1-13

2. How did Peter come to deny his Lord and Savior?
   a. What forces were at work, that led to his cowardly deed?
   b. Might they be forces we face today, encouraging us to do the
      same?

[From "Peter's Denial Of Jesus", there are important lessons to be
gleaned. Indeed, Peter himself can help us to avoid making the mistakes
he made when he writes as one who knows the dangers before us. For
example, we note first of all that...]

I. PETER WAS BETRAYED BY PRIDE

   A. HE BOASTED HE WOULD NEVER DENY JESUS...
      1. Proudly proclaiming that even if all left Jesus, not him! 
         - Mt 26:31-33
      2. In so doing, Peter took the first step in falling away - Pro 16:18
      3. We can also be overconfident in our service to God - cf. 1Co 10:12

   B. PETER LATER COMMANDED HUMILITY...
      1. To be clothed with humility - 1Pe 5:5
      2. To humble ourselves before God - 1Pe 5:6

[Peter learned the hard way about the danger of pride. Will we learn
from the mistake of Peter, and value the importance of humility? Next,
notice that...]

II. PETER WAS BESIEGED BY LAZINESS

   A. HE KEPT FALLING ASLEEP...
      1. At a time when he needed to be watchful - Mt 26:36-46
      2. His laziness therefore led to lack of preparation
      3. The same thing can happen to us!
         a. Without diligent preparation, we too can be unprepared 
            - cf. Lk 21:34-36
         b. More often than not, we gradually "drift away" because we
            are too lazy to "give the more earnest heed" - cf. He 2:1-3

   B. PETER LATER ENJOINED DILIGENCE...
      1. Commanding vigilant resistance against the devil - 1Pe 5:8-9
      2. Calling for diligence that we might:
         a. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus - 2Pe 1:5,10
         b. Be found in peace, without spot and blameless - 2Pe 3:14

[Do we allow simple laziness to keep us from careful preparation? Do we
fail to attend services, study God's Word, or even pray, because of
laziness? If so, how can we hope to stand up for Jesus when put to the
test? As we continue, we observe that...]

III. PETER WAS BESET BY COWARDICE

   A. HE FOLLOWED JESUS AT A DISTANCE...
      1. Peter still followed Jesus - Mt 26:58
      2. But now that Jesus was unpopular...
         a. He stays far enough away so not to be identified with Him
         b. He was unprepared to face the challenge of ridicule and
            persecution
      3. Might we be guilty of trying to follow Jesus, but with 
         cowardice?
         a. Ashamed to be seen carrying a Bible?
         b. Ashamed to be seen giving thanks?
         c. Ashamed to be seen with other Christians?

   B. PETER LATER EXHORTED GLORIFYING GOD...
      1. Charging us not to be ashamed, but to glorify God - 1Pe 4:16
      2. Thinking not of what things mean to us, but what they mean to
         God! - cf. Mt 5:16

[With cowardice keeping him at a distance from his Lord, Peter was a
prime candidate for succumbing to what came next...]

IV. PETER WAS BELEAGUERED BY WORLDLINESS

   A. HE WAS INFLUENCED BY THE WORLD...
      1. By sitting with the servants of the High Priest, and warming
         himself by their fire - Mt 26:58; Mk 14:54
      2. Ashamed to be seen with Christ, it was easy to mingle with
         those of the world and enjoy their comforts
      3. But one cannot be "comforted by the fire" of the world, and
         not be "burned"!
         a. E.g., close contact with things that can harm has an effect
            - cf. Pr 6:27-29
         b. So we cannot flirt with the world and walk away untouched
            - 1Co 15:33

   B. PETER LATER CALLED FOR US TO BE OTHER-WORLDLY...
      1. To live as sojourners and pilgrims, abstaining from fleshly
         lusts and with honorable conduct among the nations - 1Pe 2:
         11-12
      2. To look for that new heavens and new earth, being diligent to
         be found by Christ in peace, without spot and blameless - 2 Pe 3:13-14

CONCLUSION

1. When Peter concluded his second epistle, he did so with a warning...
   a. To beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness - 2Pe 3:17
   b. To grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ - 2Pe 3:18

2. These admonitions come from one who was well qualified to speak...
   a. For he knew how easy it was to fall through such things as:
      1) Pride
      2) Laziness
      3) Cowardice
      4) Worldliness
   b. But he also knew how to grow in grace through such things as:
      1) Humility
      2) Diligence
      3) Glorifying God
      4) Living as strangers and sojourners

Yes, we know that Peter, though he denied Jesus three times and wept
bitterly, received grace when forgiven by Jesus and permitted to
fulfill his role as an apostle (cf. Jn 21:15-17).

If we have been guilty of letting our Lord down, look to Him for the
grace to repent and grow that only He can bestow!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary.... How to fix a "flat"

 

Some times things just go wrong. The flat tire, the broken disk, the forgotten bank deposit or a thousand other things can happen to make your day upsetting.  But sometimes things just work themselves out; and it seems that this is especially true of the Christian life...

Philippians, Chapter 1

 12  Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;  13 so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; 14 and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.  15 Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.  16 The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;  17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. 

  18  What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.  19 For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,  20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.  21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Frankly, I don't know what these people will do, but they probably will "fix their flat tire".  Is it me- or does their "flat tire dog" have a smile on its face?  If so, I think a tummy rub is in order.  Happiness fixes more problems than anything else!!!  This is especially true for those who follow God.  When Christians take some time and think of the big picture, then we realize that God is going to work everything out in due time.  So smile and remember....

Romans 8:28

 28  We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

Once again--   

S  M  I  L  E   !!!!!