Piglet's wisdom by Gary Rose

I remember my mother telling me as kid: “You keep talking like that and

and I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap” - and she did. I got the message very quickly; be careful what you say around Mom!

Many years later, I learned from the Bible that I should be careful what I say ALL THE TIME. This was a lot harder, because God is always watching and I didn’t want to offend HIM. When I think about this sort of thing, immediately, I think of what the apostle James has to say…

James 1 ( World English Bible )

[19] So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;

James 3 ( WEB )

[1] Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. [2] For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. [3] Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. [4] Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.

[5] So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! [6] And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.* or, Hell [7] For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. [8] But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. [9] With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. [10] Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. [11] Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? [12] Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.

I am not exactly sure who is talking in the picture, but my best guess is piglet; and he is right! Keeping your mouth shut is an accomplishment. It is an accomplishment when people provoke you, call you names, belittle you before others and show their hate of you in everything they do. Normal people Christians just don’t around using profanity or other hateful speech on consistent basis. We are to think before we speak; consider our actions when provoked. Jesus said:

Matthew 5 ( WEB )

[38] “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ [39] But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. [41] Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. [42] Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.

Let the goodness in you speak for you, endeavor to be perfect in everything and if you have a problem with what you say, pray that God will work on your heart and then you will be more able to work on your mouth.

Are you listening, Gary?

THE BOOK OF PROVERBS" Wisdom Regarding Marriage (1) by Mark Copeland

"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"

Wisdom Regarding Marriage (1)

INTRODUCTION

1. The value of Proverbs is that it provides wisdom from God to guide us
   in every realm of life

2. Whether it be family, business, social or spiritual relationships, we
   find inspired advice that enables us to walk in wisdom, "redeeming
   the time, because the days are evil" - cf. Ep 5:15-17

[Let's examine what wisdom the Proverbs has to reveal regarding
marriage, beginning with...]

I. THE SELECTION OF A WIFE

   A. THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE...
      1. Much happiness in life depends upon make the right choice - Pro 12:4
         a. A good choice greatly enhances the life of the husband
         b. But the wrong choice can destroy a man from the inside out!
      2. It is folly to think that a mistake in this area can be easily corrected
         a. Many think divorce can be an easy solution
         b. But God hates divorce and remarriage may not be a viable
            option for the disciple of Christ - cf. Mal 2:16; Mt 19:8-9
         c. Even when it is, if there are children the selection you
            made will always be the mother of your children (for better or worse!)
      -- A man needs wisdom from God in choosing whom to marry!

   B. GUIDELINES FOR FINDING A GOOD WIFE...
      1. Seek help from God - Pr 19:14
         a. Success in this venture may depend more upon God than we think!
         b. In view of the seriousness of this matter, dare we go about it alone?
      2. Do not place priority on good looks alone - Pr 31:30
         a. Beauty is skin-deep, temporary, to which we can easily grow 

             accustomed
         b. It is therefore a poor foundation upon which to build a
            life-long relationship
         c. Sadly, most marriages are built on little more than physical attraction
      3. Instead, look for these characteristics in a woman:
         a. The fear of the Lord - Pr 31:30
            1) Such a woman possesses the beginning of wisdom - Pr 1:7
            2) Having a wife who is a devout Christian should be the
               primary concern
         b. Discretion - Pr 11:22
            1) This is the ability to do the right thing at the right time
            2) Without this, beauty is worthless, and can even be the
               object of ridicule (e.g., dumb blonde jokes)
         c. Wisdom - Pr 14:1
            1) With this virtue in a woman, a good home can be built
            2) Without it, efforts by the husband will be undermined by
               the wife!
      4. Avoid a woman who is contentious (argumentative)!
         a. Picturesque descriptions of such a woman are found in 

            Pro 19:13; 27:15-16
         b. My grandmother (a faithful Christian who as a widow raised
            six children through the Great Depression, and remained a
            widow for over fifty years), pointed out these two verses to
            me when I was a teen-ager:  Pr 21:9,19
      -- It is better to be single and alone, than to be married to the
         wrong person!

[To be married to a godly woman, however, is a wonderful blessing from
the Lord (Pr 18:22). With the aid of Proverbs, we are more likely to
find a good spouse.  The same is true for women in...]

II. THE SELECTION OF A HUSBAND

   A. THERE ARE WAYS TO LEARN ABOUT A MAN...
      1. How does he treat animals?  This reveals a lot about his
         character - Pr 12:10
      2. Does he listen to the advice of others?  That will tell you
         whether he is a fool, or a wise person - Pr 12:15
      3. What type of company does he keep?  You might be destroyed
         along with him - Pr 13:20
      4. Is he quick-tempered?  That reveals whether he is a person of
         understanding - Pr 14:29
      5. How does he make money?  You will suffer the consequences of
         his actions - Pr 15:27
      6. Does he feel like he always has to put in his "two-cents"
         worth?  If so, he lacks knowledge and a calm spirit - Pr 17: 27-28
      7. Does he have compassion for the poor?  If so, his prayers will
         be answered - Pr 21:13
      -- See how the Proverbs can guide a woman in deciding whom to
         marry?

   B. MEN TO DEFINITELY AVOID...
      1. A womanizer
         a. He will destroy himself and hurt all those involved - Pr 6: 27-29
         b. If he flaunts God's will before he is married, what
            assurance is there he will not flaunt God's will after he is married?
      2. A quick-tempered man
         a. You will become like him and destroy yourself as well - 

             Pro 22:24-25
         b. Men are usually on their best behavior before marriage,
            think of what an angry man will be like after marriage!
      3. A drinker
         a. Alcohol has destroyed many good men - Pr 23:29-30
         b. Most husbands become verbally and physically abusive after
            drinking
      -- Again, it is better to be single and alone, than to be married
         to the wrong person!

CONCLUSION

1. Among the most important decisions we make in life will be these two...
   a. With whom shall I spend my life?
      1) Divorce and remarriage is not an option for the faithful
         Christian - Mt 19:6
      2) With one exception - Mt 19:9
   b. Who shall be the father or mother of my children?
      1) This choice cannot be undone once the children are born
      2) Divorce is a violent action, with long-lasting effects - Mal 2:16

2. Dare we make such decisions without consulting the wisdom found in
   God's Word...?
   a. This certainly does not exhaust all that Proverbs has to say about
      selecting a spouse
   b. But I trust that we see that the Proverbs are extremely practical,
      worthy of careful study

In our next lesson, we shall consider gems of wisdom in regards to being
a good spouse...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

 

Origins and the "Created Kind" Concept by Trevor Major, M.Sc., M.A.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=1122

Origins and the "Created Kind" Concept

by	Trevor Major, M.Sc., M.A.

Q.

The Bible speaks of things reproducing “after their kind.” What does the biblical word “kind” indicate?

A.

Today, most creationists take the view that variation and speciation can occur only within created kinds. These kinds appeared for the first time in the creation week, and have since colonized the Earth. For land-dwelling animals, modern representatives would have to be the descendants of the kinds carried on the ark (Genesis 6:17; 8:17-19).

However, there is no consensus on the biological definition of kind, or the criteria for grouping animals within a kind. Some creationists equate the term with a particular taxonomic level higher than species, such as genus or family. Most, however, avoid such comparisons altogether. Byron Nelson wrote:

The “kinds” of Genesis refer not to the “systematic” species identified by men, but to those natural species of which the world is full, which have power to vary within themselves in such a way that the members of the species are not all exactly alike, but which, nevertheless, cannot go out of the bounds that the creator set (1967, p. 4).

In 1941, Frank Marsh coined the term “baramin”—a compound of the Hebrew words bara (“created”) and min (“kind”). He suggested that the nearest equivalent to the created kind would vary, depending on the greatest taxonomic level at which two organisms could interbreed (1976, p. 34). For example, while there are several species of cattle and bison, they probably belong to the same kind because they all can interbreed (Marsh, 1976, p. 31).

The differences of opinion, and the apparent flexibility in the idea, have given anticreationists cause for criticism. Joel Cracraft complained:

The “created kind” is the unit of creation event just as the species is the unit of evolutionary change. Consequently, if the concept of “created kind” cannot be defined so that it can be used to interpret and investigate nature, then it is of little or no importance for the growth of knowledge (1983, p. 169).

However, the same sort of criticisms leveled at kinds also can be turned on the species concept, which is neither well defined nor objective. First, the widely held biological species concept “holds that a species is a population of organisms that can at least potentially breed with one another but that do not breed with other populations” (Rennie, 1991). Unfortunately, two populations may not breed because they are isolated geographically. This may lead to taxonomic splitting, by which taxonomists give two different names to populations that could interbreed if given the chance. Practically speaking, very few species undergo extensive cross-breeding experiments before classification to test their reproductive isolation. Hybridization is another problem. Two seemingly distinct plant species may cross to produce fertile hybrids.

The potential for taxonomic splitting is especially acute in the fossil record, where it is impossible to apply the biological species concept. Instead, paleontologists tend to define species on their morphology alone. However, the soft parts of an organism rarely are preserved, and the identification must rest almost entirely on hard parts (e.g., bones, teeth, etc.). Any evolutionary relationships drawn from such studies are necessarily limited (Major, 1991).

Second, the species idea often takes on a definite evolutionary connotation. As we have already seen, Cracraft claims that the species is “the unit of evolutionary change” (1983, p. 169). He wants to replace the biological species concept with his own phylogenetic species concept, mainly because he is not satisfied with any definition that ignores alleged evolutionary relationships. Cracraft’s concept defines a species as “the smallest recognizable cluster of individuals that share a common pattern of ancestry” (Rennie, 1991).

The created kind concept can hold its own against these definitions. It proposes that a kind will consist of populations that can interbreed, while still allowing room for variation. If implemented systematically, the concept would reveal barriers or discontinuities between created kinds. “In order to make this evidence of creation available,” Kurt Wise has suggested, “there is a serious need for creation biologists to create, adopt, and employ a reproducible method of flagging identifiable phyletic discontinuities” (1990, 2:354). Creationists, like Wise, are continuing their work on kinds. In the meantime we face a taxonomic system encumbered with evolutionary presuppositions.

REFERENCES

Cracraft, Joel (1983), “Systematics, Comparative Biology, and the Case against Creationism,” Scientists Confront Creationism, ed. Laurie R. Godfrey (New York: W.W. Norton), pp. 163-191.

Major, Trevor (1991), “Problems in the Interpretation of Variation Within the Fossil Record,” Creation Research Society Quarterly, 28:52-53, September.

Marsh, Frank L. (1976), Variation and Fixity in Nature (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press).

Nelson, Byron (1967), After Its Kind (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany Fellowship).

Rennie, John (1991), “Are Species Specious?,” Scientific American, 265[5]:26, November.

Wise, Kurt P. (1990), “Baraminology: A Young-Earth Creation Biosystematic Method,” Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Creationism, July 30-August 4, 1990, ed. Robert E. Walsh (Pittsburgh, PA: Creation Science Fellowship), pp. 345-360.

Obviously Not the Bible by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=1489

Obviously Not the Bible

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

In the wake of the best-selling book, The Da Vinci Code, questions have arisen about certain “lost books” of the Bible. Many want to know why the books we find in the Bible are there, and why other books are not. The simple answer to such an inquiry is that the 66 books in the Bible can be proven to be inspired by God, while the others can be proven not to have come from God.

Numerous books allege to be part of the divine collection—books such as the Gospel of Nicodemus, the Infancy Gospels, the Protevangelion, 1 and 2 Clement, Shepherd of Hermes, and so on. Some of these apocryphal books claim to be “additions” to the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Others claim to be epistles from men like Barnabas or Paul. A brief look at a few selected passages in one of these writings quickly reveals a few of the more obvious reasons why these books did not make it into the biblical canon.

In the first Infancy Gospel, Jesus is portrayed as a young boy who does amazing things. On one occasion, while playing with some other boys, Jesus’ playfellows ran and hid from Him. Upon finding them hidden in a furnace, He turned them into goats. The women watching the scene begged Jesus to turn the goats back into boys, which Jesus promptly did (1 Infancy 17:10 in The Lost, 1979, p. 54). About two chapters later, 1 Infancy states: “Another time, when the Lord Jesus was coming home in the evening with Joseph, he met a boy, who ran so hard against him, that he threw him down; to whom the Lord Jesus said, As thou has thrown me down, so shalt thou fall, nor ever rise. And that moment the boy fell down and died” (1 Infancy 19:22-24 in The Lost, p. 57). Narratives such as these directly contradict the personality of Christ as presented in the canonical gospels, and are evidence of the lack of divine inspiration in such works.

Jesus did not turn his playmates into goats, nor kill boys who bumped into Him. Neither did God allow any pertinent books to be left out of the canon of Scripture. Truly, “all things that pertain to life and godliness” can be found in the 66 inspired books of the Bible.

REFERENCES

The Lost Books of the Bible (1979), (New York: Random House).

Noah's Ark—Not A "Rough" Draught by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=563

Noah's Ark—Not A "Rough" Draught

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

When reading through the exciting story the Flood, it often is very easy to miss the importance of certain verses. For instances, Genesis 7:19-20 states: “And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high mountains that were under the whole heaven were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.” At first glance, it might just look like these verses are telling us that water covered every high mountain. But to those who are familiar with shipbuilding, this verse means much more than that.

As workmen construct a ship, designers must take into account its draught, which is the measurement of how far into the water the ship will sink when it is fully loaded. Were you to confer with shipbuilding guides, you would discover that the draught for large barge-type vessels generally is approximately one-half of their height. Since the ark was 30 cubits high, it would sink 15 cubits into the water. It therefore would need 15 cubits of water above the highest mountains in order for its bottom not to scrape against those mountaintops. Interestingly, God not only designed the perfect vessel for the trip, but also sent the correct amount of water to prevent that vessel from smashing into the top of a submerged mountain peak.

When the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible, He did not include information “just to take up space.” Each verse in the Bible is important for one reason or another. Let us all work hard to discover those reasons.

SAVED WITHOUT WATER BAPTISM?? BY STEVE FINNELL

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2017/05/saved-without-water-baptism-by-steve.html

SAVED WITHOUT WATER BAPTISM?? BY STEVE FINNELL

There are many who claim that water baptism is not essential for salvation. Are they doing the work of Satan?

Opinion Of: Irenaeus 120-205 "This class of men have been instigated by Satan to a denial of that baptism which is regeneration to God, and thus to a renunciation of the whole faith." (Against Heresies, bk. 1, chap. 21, sec. 1, Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, pg. 345.)

Denying the role of immersion in water for salvation is nothing new.

Facts of Scripture: Titus 3:4-5 But  when the kindness and the love of God  our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but through mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)

Did Satan instigate the view that the washing of regeneration was not immersion in water?

Facts of Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-27 ....Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.....

Did Satan instigate men to claim that Jesus did not sanctify and cleanse the church with water?

Opinion Of:  Tertullian 140-230 AD "Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life!...........
......The consequence is, that a viper of the Cainite heresy.....making it her first aim to destroy baptism.....(On Baptism, Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 3, pg.699.)

Are there contemporary Cainite teachings today? Are they trying to destroy the purpose of water baptism?

Fact of Scripture: John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.(NKJV)

Would it not be following the example of a viper Cainite to suggest that being born of water, was not water baptism? Being born of water and the Spirit is required.

Fact of Scripture: Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved....(NKJV)

Are the modern versions of the viper Cainite trying to destroy water baptism by denying that Jesus said "Is baptized will be saved"?

Fact of Scripture: Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)

The subtle way to destroy water baptism is to deny that it is essential for the forgiveness of sins. Contemporary viper Cainites at work.

Men were denying the Biblical purpose of immersion in water 1800 years ago. Nothing has changed.

 The Biblical facts are indisputable. Immersion in water is essential for salvation and no amount of Cainite logic can alter that fact. 

Father to the Poor by Beth Johnson

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Johnson/Edna/Elizabeth/1939/fathertothepoor.html

Father to the Poor

“I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out” (Job 29:16).

What was wrong with the religion of most Jews under the Old Testament Law? They observed their own traditions and forgot to consider the more important things like judgment, mercy, and faith. They surely ought to have followed such things as tithing, washing of pots and vessels and the offering of sacrifices, but not left the other undone (Matt. 23:23).

When the scribes and Pharisees saw Jesus' disciples eating without washing their hands, they were indignant. After all, the law said that a man was unclean after coming from the market and he should wash himself before eating (Mark 7:1-13). So what is so bad about being a strict adherent of the law? Shouldn't we obey all that we have been told to do? They claimed to do many good works such as giving large amounts to the temple, but they would not support their own parents in their old age. Even today members of the church should support family and extended family members (1 Tim. 5:4-16). Keep in mind that verse 8 says, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

But Job went beyond just what was expected of him. He sought out the cause of the fatherless and was father to the poor. When we see helpless children today who are neglected by selfish, ungodly parents, do we seek out their cause? Do we offer to be 'father' (or mother) to those needy children or to the poor? Do we see to it that they have nourishment and sufficient clothing, or do we just talk about how pitiful they are? Sometimes we are deterred from doing good to these children because we know the parents are actually taking advantage of us. But can the child be held responsible? Even if we cannot take them into our homes, we can at least find time to be with them and teach them the things about God that they need to learn. Feeding their souls as well as their bodies and searching out their needs should be our priority. Remember: it isn't just children who need a father. Many poor need someone to love and care for them and to protect them like a father would.

By inspiration, King David tells why Solomon was to be great. It was because he would judge the poor in righteousness (stand up for them). Read slowly and carefully Psa. 72:4-17. “He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor” (Psa. 72:4). Then after all the blessings are given in verses 5-11, the reason for his greatness is given again in verses 12-14. Finally verse 17 says it again, “His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.”

“He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor” (Prov. 28:8).

Beth Johnson

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The King James Version.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)