A bad day, a good day and a best day

Yesterday I had a really good day!!!  Surprising, because usually Tuesday's are shall we say "less than wonderful".  Linda and I went to the movies (New Twilight movie) with some friends, then to the Olive Garden in New Tampa and finally came home, watched TV and chatted.  Good movie, good food and pleasant company; who could ask for more?  Most days are not that good, (although they are much better, now that I am retired) and some are downright rotten.  Question: How do you tell a bad day from a really good one?  If you are the bird in the picture, the answer is simple, today you may die.  But what about the rest of us?  I wonder, what are some different types of days in the Bible?

"Bad day"

WEB: Matthew Chapter 27
[32] As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross. [33] They came to a place called “Golgotha,” that is to say, “The place of a skull.” [34] They gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink. [35] When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots, [36] and they sat and watched him there. [37] They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

"Good Day"

WEB: Matthew Chapter 28
[1] Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. [2] Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [4] For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men. [5] The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. [6] He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. [7] Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”

[8] They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.

"Best Day"

WEB: I Thessalonians Chapter 4
[13] But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. [15] For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, [17] then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. [18] Therefore comfort one another with these words.

First of all, rating days is a matter of perspective.  What may seem to be bad today, may, in the long run prove really wonderful.  As an example, here is something that actually happened to me.  I was sixteen and playing soccer in gym class.  Two of us kicked the ball at the same time and my left knee went out of joint.  The pain was terrible and my left leg was wrapped like a mummy for almost nine months.  Yet, something good came from it; Linda carried my books for me, we went steady and eventually married (43 years so far).  Something bad became something good.  So, in our "bad day" example, Jesus is crucified.  Awful way to die.  You just don't get worse than that!!!  But, where would we be if Jesus had not died?  Without a remedy for our sin and that would be a really bad day for US!!!  So, bad means good for a follower of Jesus!  Not bad for a bad day!!!  Next, we have a "good day".  Not just a day filled with pleasantness (like yesterday) but a life changing, EARTH SHAKING EVENT!!!  Jesus rose from the grave!!!  God showed us that we can really have hope!!!  If Jesus can have life after death, so can we.  Now, that's a GOOD DAY!!!  Last, we have the "Best day".  Jesus comes again.  If we are still on the Earth when he comes again, we will actually see the things we have believed all our lives and be changed.  Our faith will be proven right before our eyes.  Now, that is the best day I can think of.  The little bird in the picture above is having a "bad day" because its facing a certain death and there is really no way out.  But, WE HAVE ONE and his name is Jesus!  So, I ask you: Can we ever really have a bad day?  Don't bother to answer, if you are a follower of Jesus, you already know the answer to that one!!!!!!!!!!

What does the LORD require of you by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/mic6_6.htm

One of my favorite passages from the book of Micah... Gary

Sittin, Thinkin and Knowin

The Ten Commandments; two days in a row?  But, when I saw this today, I couldn't resist.  Okay, this list isn't in the identical order and doesn't have all the same concepts, but I like it anyway.  Just think about it for awhile and then read where it comes from...

WEB: Deuteronomy Chapter 5

[6] “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

[7] “You shall have no other gods before me.

[8] “You shall not make an engraved image for yourself, any likeness of what is in heaven above, or what is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [9] you shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them; for I, Yahweh, your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me; [10] and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

[11] “You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain: for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

[12] “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Yahweh your God commanded you. [13] You shall labor six days, and do all your work; [14] but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God, in which you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. [15] You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore Yahweh your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

[16] “Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.

[17] “You shall not murder.

[18] “Neither shall you commit adultery.

[19] “Neither shall you steal.

[20] “Neither shall you give false testimony against your neighbor.

[21] “Neither shall you covet your neighbor’s wife; neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Aside from missing a few things, our "hillbilly list" isn't bad at all.  Why?  Because of what it tries to do; namely, take a Biblical teaching and put it in the vernacular.  Something we can understand and apply to our daily lives.  Just as long as we understand this, we are fine.  Don't try to correct our reclining friend, appreciate his attitude and try to understand more of the Bible ourselves.  Now, on to the New Testament....

Neither shall they learn war anymore by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/mic4_1.htm

Oh, it this were a reality... Gary

The backup plan

Reindeer sick, sleigh in the shop for repairs, go to your PLAN B.  Cute picture, good idea.  If one thing won't work, try another.  This applies to so many things in life, so why not make it a spiritual application as well.  Below are listed two plans; the first involves a set of rules to live by and if you can keep it perfectly... success!!! If not, then you are in big trouble; but fortunately there IS A BACKUP PLAN.  Carefully read both and pick the one that BEST SUITS YOU...

For many people, this is PLAN A

WEB: Deuteronomy Chapter 5
[6] “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

[7] “You shall have no other gods before me.

[8] “You shall not make an engraved image for yourself, any likeness of what is in heaven above, or what is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [9] you shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them; for I, Yahweh, your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me; [10] and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

[11] “You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain: for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

[12] “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Yahweh your God commanded you. [13] You shall labor six days, and do all your work; [14] but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God, in which you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. [15] You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore Yahweh your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

[16] “Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.

[17] “You shall not murder.

[18] “Neither shall you commit adultery.

[19] “Neither shall you steal.

[20] “Neither shall you give false testimony against your neighbor.

[21] “Neither shall you covet your neighbor’s wife; neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

For those who can't perfectly keep PLAN A

GO TO PLAN B

WEB: Galatians Chapter 3
[10] For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” [11] Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.” [12] The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.” [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” [14] that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

God is faithful to what he has said; if you can keep plan A perfectly, fine for you.  If you make one deviation; terrible consequences.  The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus Christ was sent for everyone who can't do plan A.  This is one of those cases that the alternate plan is better than the primary.  Jesus supplies what you can't be... perfect.  Why not read the second chapter of the book of Acts and find out the rest of the story?  There you go, end of story, except that I just wish Santa had a rocket powered Cadillac instead of that little scooter!!!  Who says that your backup plan should not be BETTER THAN YOUR PRIMARY!!!!

A famine for the word by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/am8_11.htm

Another lesson from Mark... Gary

No way, no how, no matter what...

What defines stupidity?  Look at the picture; it will help you define it!!!  It amazes me what people do and why they do it.  What could possibly be going through the mind of the person on the tightrope?  More to the point, why do this at all???  When I think of stupidity, I think of this chapter from the book of Acts...

WEB: Acts Chapter 8

[9] But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, [10] to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.” [11] They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. [12] But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.

[14] Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, [15] who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; [16] for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. [17] Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. [18] Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, [19] saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” [20] But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! [21] You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God. [22] Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Simon was used to being a "somebody".  People flocked to him as he performed his "magic".  Then, he saw the power the Apostles of Jesus could bestow and wanted it.  Why?  Probably because he wanted Power and attention, but who really knows?  Then, he did something really stupid; he tried to buy it from the Apostles.  Bad move, bad motives, even worse results.  He earned a rebuke and deservedly so.  Consider that God has made everything and because of this, it all belongs to him.  If HE already owns it, how could anyone think HE might accept human currency (whatever form it might take) in "payment"? Absurdity at its finest!!!  When I think of it, it just makes me shake my head in amazement.  That is one tightrope you couldn't get me on for anything under the sun. No way, no how, no matter what.  But then again, I am not naturally stupid.  Perhaps artificial intelligence is....