Brick walls, gnats and camels

Wiley E. Coyote; now there is a name that sticks with you!  He does things that the ordinary "person" would never do, has abilities I have never seen anyone have and above all he is enthusiastic!!! Never mind that he has hair brained ideas and continually gets hurt, he just has to get the road runner, no matter what.  Even though he does the seemingly impossible, yet he never succeeds!  You would think he would give up, but, OH, no, not HIM!!!  He is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!!!  Which reminds me of this passage in the book of Matthew...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 23
[23] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. [24] You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!

These "religious" people remind me of the Coyote.  Their focus is all wrong!  They are overly concerned about minutiae; about pleasing God in the smallest detail, yet the more important matters of justice, mercy and faith are ignored.  Jesus shows them for what they really are and that is ridiculous.  Imagine straining out a small creature like a gnat, but allowing something large like a camel to get through???  Stupid and worse.  Yet, as silly as this sounds people do the same thing today.  Rules and regulations take the place of true religion and the same ineffective relationship with God is the result.  Be realistic, you can't do the impossible, no matter how hard you try you are not a perfect creature.  Concentrate on "the big three" that Jesus referred to and give up trying to look around corners; you are sticking your neck out for nothing!!  Did you hear something?  I thought it was a beep, beep, but I am not sure.  I give up, maybe I will just become a vegetarian after all!!!

Not all babies are small

Babies are unpredictable!  In a moment they can change from happy to sad, to angry and back again.  You just never know what they will do next.  I really do not understand it; I just accept it.  Some people are like that to, full of surprises and some even act like infants.  When reason takes a back seat to pride, sometimes even those who should know better act like the above picture.  Here is a good example.

World English Bible: Daniel Chapter 3
[1] Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits, and its breadth six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. [2] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [3] Then the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. [4] Then the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, peoples, nations, and languages, [5] that whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up; [6] and whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [7] Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. [8] Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews. [9] They answered Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, live for ever. [10] You, O king, have made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; [11] and whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. [12] There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not respected you. They don’t serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. [14] Nebuchadnezzar answered them, Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don’t serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? [15] Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you don’t worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands? [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. [19] Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his appearance was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. [20] He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. [21] Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [22] Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. [23] These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [24] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste: he spoke and said to his counselors, Didn’t we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered the king, True, O king. [25] He answered, Look, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are unharmed; and the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods. [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace: he spoke and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come forth, and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth out of the midst of the fire. [27] The satraps, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their pants changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them. [28] Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. [29] Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill; because there is no other god who is able to deliver after this sort. [30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar was a great king, with a huge kingdom and power almost beyond imagining.  He had conquered Judah and its people were his captives, but although he controlled their physical bodies, he their minds.  So it was, that a time came for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (their Bablyonian names) to make a choice.  They chose to serve God rather than the decree of a man.  And they paid for what they did.  They were condemned to death by being burned alive.  Not a pleasant way to go.  But God had a different plan for them.  When they were saved from destruction, they showed the power of God compared to the whim of man.  Their promotion and subsequent exaltation of God is legendary.  Today, there are forces in this world that are eroding our religious freedoms by legislation or simple dictatorial fiat throughout this world.  There may soon come a time when we will have to make a choice like the three of old.  If you find yourself in that position in times to come, remember the picture at the top and realize that God is the one who is really in control.  Man is just allowed power for a moment; things will change.  Whether God delivers you from the "fire" or not... be faithful. The outcome will ultimately glorify God!

The tip...

I can just picture the restaurant server looking at this receipt and wondering: "Who is this person"?  Perhaps its one of the cast members of "The Big Bang" or maybe a math teacher or one of the millions of very unusal people out there.  Who knows?  There is nothing wrong with being "intelligent", as long as you don't put others down.  Some people who are blessed with an above average mind can be sensible and very reasonable human beings.  Here is an example of this...

WEB: Acts Chapter 13
[4] So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. [5] When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They had also John as their attendant. [6] When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar Jesus, [7] who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. [9] But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, [10] and said, “Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? [11] Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!”

Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. [12] Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

A procounsul was a "somebody"!  He had real power and authority in the Roman world.  He both heard the teaching and saw the miracle and believed.  He used his intelligence wisely.  Christianity is for the learned as well as the uneducated.  If there is any doubt in your mind, read the book of Romans; its like reading a book about logic.  The tip in the picture is a numerical symbol for 3.14 (rounded), but personally, I prefer to think about a real pie myself (and not a pie-in-the-face, either).  Life should not be over analyzed, just accepted. Humm, isn't that exactly what Sergius Paulus did? 

The Great Divide...

After church I came home and had a nice cup of coffee and as usual turned on the TV to Fox News Sunday.  Much of their content I had heard before until it came to Herman Cain.  If I understood them correctly, the 9-9-9 tax plan has now been changed to 9-0-9.  Which, of course is good news for the middle class (zero percent is better than nine).  So, when I sat down to do today's blog, this picture stood out from the rest because it shows what is really happening in America.  Even when I was young, the old adage: "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer" was true, but NOW, ITS REALLY TRUE!!!  There is an ever shrinking middle class, with more and more and more and more of the population being either very, very poor or excessively rich.  As this progresses, there will be demonstrations and more demonstrations, that will continually become more violent.  Bad NEWS!!  Dangerous NEWS!!  Scary NEWS!!!  However, it does raise a question in my mind: Are the rich in America BETTER than the poor?  Is the divide becoming bigger because the rich are BETTER PEOPLE??  Then I thought of this passage from the New Testament...

WEB: Acts Chapter 10

[34] Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; [35] but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. [36] The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— [37] you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; [38] even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. [40] God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, [41] not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”

The answer to the question if the rich are really better is a resounding NO!!!!  In Christ, all are equal, outside Christ, all are in a very, very, great danger! Oh, there will be a great divide, but it will be in the afterlife, but take heart, we all have a choice of where we will be when we die.  Make the right one, be with God beginning today.  Choose the right side of the great divide and live.

Gary

PS. I will be posting Mark Copeland's executable outlines studies from now on and would appreciate any comments you may wish to make.  The first series will be on "Life and Death".  Hope you enjoy it.

NT Bible Readin 10/30

Oct. 30

2 Thessalonians 2

2Th 2:1 Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you

2Th 2:2 not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come.

2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,

2Th 2:4 he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.

2Th 2:5 Don't you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?

2Th 2:6 Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.

2Th 2:8 Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming;

2Th 2:9 even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2Th 2:10 and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2Th 2:11 Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie;

2Th 2:12 that they all might be judged who didn't believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2Th 2:13 But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;

2Th 2:14 to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Th 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter.

2Th 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

2Th 2:17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

Life after Death: Mark Copeland

Mark has consented to my posting his studies from executableoutlines.com.  I hope you enjoy them!!  Please feel free to make any constructive comments you desire.

Gary

Mark A. Copeland

Life After Death
 

What Is The Value Of Such A Study?
INTRODUCTION
1. Mankind has long been fascinated with the subject of life after death
2. Such fascination has given rise to such things as:
a. Interest in the occult
b. Speculation concerning the timing and events surrounding the return of Jesus Christ
3. It has also created much confusion among those who are Christians, who have every reason to look
forward to the future with certainty and great expectation
4. Though the Bible has much to say about what will occur after death and in the future, many have not
studied the Bible carefully on this subject
a. Their knowledge may be limited to what they have heard or seen on religious TV and radio
programs
b. Or their understanding may be based upon a point of view that is taught by their religion's creed,
rather than the Bible itself
5. It is my prayer that this series of lessons on "Life After Death" may help increase our
understanding on what the Bible itself actually teaches on the subject
[In this lesson, I wish to answer the question, "What is the value of such a study?" But first, it may
help to define a couple of terms...]
I. DEFINITION OF TERMS
A. ESCHATOLOGY...
1. The systematic study of that which the Bible has revealed regarding the future is called
"eschatology"
2. The term comes from two words...
a. eschatos - meaning "last things"
b. logos - meaning "word" or "discourse"
3. Therefore, eschatology is a discourse or study about the last things
B. INDIVIDUAL ESCHATOLOGY vs. GENERAL ESCHATOLOGY...
1. The field of "eschatology" can be divided into two general areas
2. Individual eschatology...
a. Pertains to what happens to the individual between death and the final return of Christ
b. Otherwise known as the "intermediate state"
3. General eschatology...
a. Pertains to what will happen when and after Christ's final coming
Life After Death
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Mark A. Copeland
b. This relates to what we might call our "eternal destiny"
4. In this series of lessons, we will consider both fields of eschatology...
a. Beginning with "individual" eschatology
b. Because for much of mankind, their death precedes the coming of Christ
[But what is the value of such a study, besides answering our curiosity? Is such a study really practical?
Consider, then...]
II. THE VALUE OF SUCH A STUDY
A. IT ENCOURAGES US TO SO LIVE THAT THE BLESSINGS WILL BE OURS...
1. The Lord has promised wonderful blessing to those who endure - Ja 1:12
2. It is entirely proper for the believer to seek whatever blessings God has prepared for the
righteous - 1 Pe 3:8-12
B. IT FURNISHES A STIMULUS AND A THEME FOR EVANGELISM...
1. Knowing what lay ahead for sinful mankind motivated Paul to preach - 2 Co 5:10-11
2. It should also motivate sinners to obey - Ac 17:30; Mt 16:24-27
C. IT HELPS ONE TO ANSWER INQUIRERS, AND TO QUIET DECEIVERS...
1. Many are sincerely interested, and we should be able to give them the correct teaching
- 1 Pe 3:15
2. But there are many bent on teaching their false doctrine, and we should be able to refute
them - Ti 1:9-11
D. IT HELPS TO STIMULATE PRAYER...
1. The importance of prayer to the Christian can never be overemphasized - cf. Lk 18:1-8
2. Meditating upon the "end times" can stimulate serious and watchful prayer - 1 Pe 4:7
E. IT CAN STRENGTHEN LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER...
1. Read carefully 1 Pe 4:7-10
2. Increasing our understanding for what awaits the faithful can spur greater devotion and
service to one another (cf. Mt 25:31-46)
3. That service in turn strengthens our love for one another!
F. IT CAN CAUSE MORE GLORY TO BE GIVEN TO GOD...
1. Note carefully Ro 2:4, where we learn the goodness of God leads men to repent
2. The more we learn of God's goodness which He has prepared for those who love and obey
Him, the more we (and others) will repent...resulting in the glory of God - cf. 1 Pe 4:11
G. IT CAN INCREASE INCENTIVE TO BE STEADFAST IN THE FAITH...
1. Consider 1 Pe 5:8-9
2. The more we strengthen the inner conviction...
a. That hell is real
b. That it is Satan's sinister purpose to devour as many people as possible
...the more incentive we will have to remain steadfast in the faith!
Life After Death
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Mark A. Copeland
CONCLUSION
1. Far from being an impractical subject of study, the truths concerning the "last things" can be of
inestimable value to our present life
2. As John wrote, our hope in the One Who is coming, and what that means for us, can help to
"purify" ourselves - cf. 1 Jn 3:2-3
In our next study, we shall begin looking at individual eschatology by examining different attitudes
held towards death itself...
Life After Death

What a difference a day makes

Two days ago, everything was "normal", then along came yesterday.  An unexpected cold sore woke me up early and by the time the day was through I was taking Night Quill to get over my sudden "cold".  After 12 hours of sleep, I woke up feeling a bit better, but still wishing that obnoxious cold sore would fade away into nothingness.  Hey, you never know what is going to happen...  Which reminds me of the following New Testament passage...

WEB: I Thessalonians Chapter 5
[1] But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. [2] For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. [3] For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape. [4] But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. [5] You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness, [6] so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. [8] But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation. [9] For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [10] who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. [11] Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.

 I know, I did too much underlining.  But These verses stood out to me.  Things change, who knows what tomorrow may bring?  I may have a good day or a bad day; it may be filled with sunshine like the picture or covered in snow (probably not much snow in Florida, though).  BUT, what the day is like, WHATEVER happens, I need to be ready for judgment.  Today, God might just say to HIMSELF, that "I have had ENOUGH".  So, Today, I will reread this passage several times and be mentally ready for ANYTHING!!!  Then, whatever happens, it will be SNOW PROBLEM.