10/29/13

From Ben Fronczek... New Year Prophecy

New Year Prophecy

For thousands of years, there have been a number of individuals and groups that claim the ability to see visions and make predictions as to what the future will hold. Some claim that they literally have seen events unfold before they have happened; sometimes hundreds of years before they happen.

When we talk about prophecy in the church we think of the prophets of old such as Isaiah, Daniel, and others whose writings we have in the Bible. They were individuals chosen by God to communicate a message to the people. They were sometimes even blessed with special abilities to perform miracles. But all too often people ridiculed them because of their messages even though they were of vital importance. (consider Noah and his message and how the people ignored it)

There were predictions of the coming Messiah, the Christ child, but usually the messages were simple and clear, ‘Repent or reap the consequences. Change your sinful ways or experience the fury of God Almighty. Repent or meet your doom.’

In the Bible such messages have rung out from the time of Noah who spoke of a coming deluge, to the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament who warned the Jewish nation of their destruction by conquering nations. Even in the New Testament Peter, Paul, and even Jesus Himself spoke of a coming judgment day; a day that would end our world as we know it.

But have others seen this Judgment Day? Is it possibly there are those who are not part of Jewish history and never made it into the Bible who have seen such things?

I have wondered about this for years now. Maybe some of you have see programs on television or heard about such ancient or even modern prophecies?

The reason I am speaking on this subject today is because over the next year you are going to hear a lot about one such prophecy. The prophecy written in stone in South America is centered around what will happen at the end of the Mayan long count calendar. The Mayans set this calendar to begin in the year 3114 B.C. (according to our modern Gregorian calendar). If the Long Count began in 3114 B.C. and it’s calculated to continue for 5126 years, the “end date” will be — you guessed it — 2012 A.D. Further refinement sets the date to Dec. 21, the day of the winter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere. We are talking about a year from this coming Wednesday!

As to what will happen on that day there are debates. There are those who simply predict that it’s just going to be another day like any other day. But there are also those who seem to think that the Mayans predicted some significant changes to happen on our planet Earth. Some say that the Mayans “predicted” the end of the world as we know it. On this date, doomsayers assert that Earth will be ravaged by a smorgasbord of cataclysmic astronomical events — everything from a Planet flyby to a “killer” solar flare and a geomagnetic reversal, ensuring we have a very, very bad day. I want you to know that in the up and coming months PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT DOOMSDAY IN December 2012 will continue escalate and blossom into a major news event on the Internet, TV and Hollywood. They’ve already made a movie called 2012. According to these doomsday prophets, we only have a year left. Makes you think doesn’t it! Will the worst case scenario happen? Will the world end as we know it a year from now? I don’t know, but reputable scientists who have studied this event seem convinced that no such cataclysmic events are going to occur. They claim it’s bad science and it’s all a hoax. But still it makes you think! There are other so called prophets and prophecies, some ancient, and some not so ancient. There is Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce and St. Malachi who lived during the middle ages who predicted 112 Popes names from his time forward until dooms day. All the predictions have supposedly come true thus far, and that why the Catholic church labeled him a saint for his outstanding ability and accuracy. He not only predicted the 112, he also predicted only 1 more pope after the present one. The last one he calls Peter the Roman, he writes that in his time “The city of 7 hills will be utterly destroyed, and the awful Judge will Judge the people.” And then there prophecies of the Native American tribe of Arizona, the Hopi Indians, and others which are very similar to those of the Mayans whose carvings predict a end to life as we know it in the year 2012.

Now as a preacher you may be waiting for me to stand up and condemn all these so called pagan prophets and their prophecies, and prove them wrong. I can’t. Most scientists cannot. Where did these individuals receive this ability? Are they a hoax? Should we ignore their warning?

Is it all going to end in December of 2012 or somewhere in between? And in all honesty, I can tell you this, I don’t know!

But as a preacher I can say this, we can be sure of what the Bibles says. And what does it say concerning this day… The last day?

To begin with, in Acts 1:11 two men dressed in white told His disciples,

“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven”

You can be assured of this, some day Jesus will return.

There is another good verse in 2 Peter 3, read verses 1-10a

“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. ²I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

³ Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. ⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” ⁵ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. ⁶ By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. ⁷By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.”

There are a few things that I want you to consider from this text today.

#1. Some day Jesus will return, not to save, but to judge (cf. Mt. 25:31 ff) (Click on verse to go to the link)

#2. As to WHEN He will return, the text says that he will come like a thief in the night. The time is unknown. It could be December 21, 2012, or it could be tomorrow, or it could be in the year 2525.

But one thing I think is interesting, as you examine all the Old Testament prophecies of coming Judgement, and then their fulfillment; there were always signs to indicate that the time was near. (Noah – ark; Moses – Plagues; Jewish Nation –warnings, wars, plagues, and droughts) In Luke chapter 21 Jesus warns his disciples then of the great disaster that was to fall upon Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans. In verse 25 He tells them that there will be obvious signs of impending doom. Around verse 30 He tells them that when you see plants sprouting you know summer is near, likewise there would be signs of the up and coming judgment on Jerusalem.

So 1^stJesus will someday return.

2^ndThe actual date is not given to us in the Bible. He said he will come like a thief in the night.

in 2 Peter 3:10b (read).

” But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.^“

Then Read 2 Thessalonians. 1:6-9 “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you ⁷ and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. ⁸ He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might ¹⁰ on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”

If God said that He is going to do this why hasn’t it happen already? Verse 9 states that He is not wanting anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance. Then God should keep letting the world go on for ever, right?

The Old Testament doesn’t seem to indicate that God chooses to work that way. He knows the hearts of men.

- He knew what was in their heart in Noah’s time

- He knew what was in the hearts of those in Sodom and Gomorrah

- He knew what was in the heart of those people in the promised land when commanded Joshua to kill every man woman and child in certain cities.

- He knows when people are hopelessly steeped in sin. And He knows when mankind will no longer choose to repent.

Whether the predictions of the Mayan’s or the Hopi Indians, or St. Malachi of the world ending soon is true or not, I don’t know. But one thing for sure the Bible surely predicts an end, and also preaches a warning

Read 2 Peter 3:11-18

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.^[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

¹⁴ So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. ¹⁵ Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ¹⁶He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

¹⁷ Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. ¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

#1. Verse 11 burns in my heart and mind. Since this is going to happen, what kind of person should I be? How should I live? How should I act? What things should I do? What things should I avoid? What should I tell others? And if Jesus does return shortly, ‘Am I ready? Have I obeyed His commands?’ And if He doesn’t return in my lifetime, ‘Shouldn’t I be living this way anyway?’ What about you?

This is Christmas week, the time the world is reminded of and celebrates the greatest gift that God ever gave us, His own Son, born in a manger almost 2000 years ago. Born to die for our sin, for our mistakes and disobedience. He is the greatest gift that could ever be given to us, EVER! And He is a gift given to us out of Love. The Father’s love.

And all we need to do is receive God’s gift, His son in faith; we need to accept and believe in Him. And we need to convince others to do the same.

#2. Verse 13 goes on to say

“in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”

So if doomsday comes next December or not, do not be afraid. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for you. That is if you have accepted Him as your lord and Savior. And if we are still alive when He does return, Paul writes to the Corinthians that we will be immediately instantaneously, “transformed ..” as fast as a twinkle in an eye.

In 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul writes,

“I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

#3 So in Verse 17 it says to be on your guard, don’t let anyone rob you of your faith

#4 Verse 18 says to continue to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Closing: Again I ask you the question that Peter wrote in his letter. Since this is going to happen, “What kind of people ought you to be?” Accept His gift and share it with others!

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... All Israel will be saved (4)

All Israel will be saved (4)

Here's what I think leads up to "And so all Israel will be saved" in 11:26. Jewish critics of Paul's gospel about Jesus the Messiah said that his message would mean God was faithless. God had promised salvation to Israel through the coming Messiah, the Messiah arrived and a vast number of the Jews were excluded even though the Messiah was theirs (9:5). It didn't help Paul much to say that they had rejected the Messiah because Paul was insisting that that was precisely how salvation would come to the world. So here it is. The Jewish Messiah comes to save Israel, salvation is to come through his being rejected, the Jews do the will of God in rejecting him and they are excluded! And to make matters worse, while the heirs are excluded Gentiles receive the salvation inheritance. And what was Paul's response when he has done explaining? All Israel will be saved!

That's one side of the coin. The other arises from the Gentile perspective. In Galatians, Judaizers wanted to exclude Gentiles ("they must become Jews if they want Messianic blessings"). In Romans arrogant Gentiles are saying that Jews are excluded. God is done with them. The proof of that are the many Jews that are lost in unbelief. "There's a new people—Gentiles." And what's Paul's response when he has done explaining? All Israel will be saved!

All that have descended from Abraham through Jacob are not "Israel" Paul says in 9:6. So when you see unbelievers cut off from among their people (see Acts 3:22-23) you must not conclude that a true Israelite has been cut off. The Israelite that rejects faith (in Jesus Christ) shows he is not Abraham's child, he is not truly an Israelite. A true Israelite, a real Jew has both the flesh and faith of Abraham (9:7-8). When Paul says that "all" Israel will be saved he is saying that the remnant that now exists is God's last word about the Jews. He has not gathered in the existing remnant and said, "No more!" The "all" Israel is that portion of Israel that already believed and every other Jew that wishes to come to God in Jesus Christ via the gospel. Imagine a man coming in response to God's gospel about Jesus Christ and wanting to be saved. God says, "What's your ethnic background?" The man replies, "I'm a Jew!" God says, "Oh, no you can't be saved I've closed the door on Jews." That could never happen! That's something like arrogant Gentiles were thinking. Paul says that God elected Israel and made covenant promises to them and he doesn't go back on those (11:29). God's offer of Messianic blessings is wide open to every presently unbelieving Jew! Paul could point to a Jew that has rejected the gospel and say, "That is an Israelite." He could point to a Jew that has rejected the gospel and say, "That is not an Israelite." He would have been correct both times. See Romans 9:6 and compare Revelation 2:9 and 3:9.

And he insists that God has rejected not a single true Israelite. A Gentile with the faith of Abraham is a child of Abraham (Galatians 3:27-28 and Romans 4:11) but a Gentile without faith is as cut off as a Jew without faith. Neither of them is a true child of Abraham. (But while Paul called Gentiles children of Abraham he didn't call them "Israelites". See Abraham's children or Israelites?) So "all Israel" are all the physical kin of Abraham who also have his heart. Not one of these has ever been or ever will be lost. No matter what arrogant Gentiles say.

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

From Mark Copeland... Christian Meditation (Philippians 4:8)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                        Christian Meditation (4:8)

INTRODUCTION

1. Our text for this lesson enjoins upon Christians that they engage in a
   form of "meditation":

   "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
   noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever
   things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is
   any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these
   things." (Php 4:8)

2. The practice of "meditation" by Christians is not something you might
   hear frequently discussed
   a. It may be that some Christians are simply not aware that they are
      commanded to "meditate"
   b. It may be that some believe "meditation" belongs solely to the
      Eastern religions like Hinduism or Buddhism

3. Yet Paul clearly teaches us to "meditate on these things", and
   "meditation" is certainly a Biblical subject:
   a. Isaac meditated in the field at eventide - Gen 24:63
   b. Joshua was charged by God to mediate "day and night" - Josh 1:8
   c. The "blessed man" in Psalms 1 is one who meditates - Ps 1:1-2
   d. David became wiser than his teachers through meditation - Ps  119:99
   e. Paul commanded Timothy to "meditate on these things" - 1Ti 4:15

4. But some questions may come to mind:
   a. WHAT does meditation mean for the Christian?
   b. WHY should we be concerned about making time to meditate?
   c. HOW should we meditate?

[This lesson will attempt to provide answers to these questions...]

I. WHAT MEDITATION IS IN THE BIBLE

   A. WHAT MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE IS NOT...
      1. The kind practiced by many Eastern religions
         a. Like Hinduism, Buddhism, or Transcendental Meditation
         b. Where the object is to experience truth, peace, or being,
            that is "inexpressible"
      2. The kind practiced by "Christian mystics"
         a. Such as Quakers, and others often found among Catholics and
            Protestants
         b. These meditate in order to "experience" God, or to receive
            some revelation from God
      3. Both Eastern and "Christian mystical" meditation usually
         attempt to empty the mind so as to find or receive truth within
         (i.e., a "subjective" form of meditation)

   B. WHAT MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE IS...
      1. To dwell or contemplate on some truth or reality already
         revealed (i.e., an "objective"  form of meditation)
      2. To be more specific, the man "after God's Own heart" is one who
         meditates on such things as:
         a. The Lord Himself - Ps 63:6
         b. His wonderful Works - Ps 77:12
         c. His revealed Word - Ps 119:15,23,48,97-99,148
      3. To put it in the words of the apostle Paul, we are to meditate
         on "things"...
         a. Things that are "true, noble, just pure, lovely, of good
            report"
         b. Things that are of any "virtue", and are "praiseworthy"
      4. The PURPOSE of such meditation is...
         a. To nourish man with his understanding of God and His Revealed
            Will (not to seek for some previously unrevealed truth)
         b. To give man spiritual joy and strength through such
            nourishment - cf. Ps 1:1-3; Is 40:28-31

[So there is a very real difference between "Biblical meditation" and 
that commonly practiced by many religions!

   1) Christian meditation dwells on that already revealed in creation or
      inspired revelation
   2) Whereas other forms of meditation are seeking some new truth to be
      revealed

Understanding the difference, why is Biblical meditation so important?]

II. WHY WE SHOULD MEDITATE

   A. IT IS A SOURCE OF JOY AND STRENGTH...
      1. This we have already seen from such passages like Ps 1:1-2;
         Isa 40:28-31
      2. This alone should motivate us to meditate more often

   B. IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR "TRANSFORMATION"...
      1. The goal of the Christian is to become more like Christ - cf. 
         Ro 8:29
      2. This requires a "transformation" - Ro 12:1-2
      3. But notice that this is possible only by "renewing the mind" 
         - Ro 12:2
      4. This "renewing" is possible only when we "set our minds" on
         proper things
         a. On things above
         b. Not on things on the earth - Col 3:1-2
      5. Only then, when our minds are "set on things above", will we be
         successful in completing the "transformation" which includes
         "putting off the old man" and "putting on the new man" - cf.
         Col 3:1-2 with Col 3:5-14
 
   C. MANY CHRISTIANS FALL BECAUSE THEY MEDITATE ON THE WRONG THINGS!
      1. They "mind the things of the flesh", which leads to "death" and
         "enmity with God" - cf. Ro 8:5-8
      2. Yet even those in the world understand that you cannot be a
         spiritual person if you "dwell" on carnal things
         a. "Recent studies conducted by a Stanford University research
            team have revealed that 'what we watch' does have an effect
            on our imaginations, our learning patterns, and our
            behaviors.  First we are exposed to new behaviors and
            characters.  Next, we learn or acquire these new behaviors.
            The last and most crucial step is that we adopt these
            behaviors as our own.  One of the most critical aspects of
            human development that we need to understand is the influence
            of 'repeated viewing' and 'repeated verbalizing' in shaping
            our future.  The information goes in, 'harmlessly, almost
            unnoticed,' on a daily basis, but we don't react to it until
            later, when we aren't able to realize the basis for our
            reactions.  In other words, our value system is being formed
            without any conscious awareness on our part of what is
            happening!" (Seeds Of Greatness, Denis Waitley, p. 47-48)
         b. "You are what you watch and think." (ibid., p. 45)
         c. "If a sixty second commercial, by repeated viewing, can sell
            us a product, then isn't it possible for a sixty minute soap
            opera or 'smut-com', by repeated viewing, to sell us a
            life-style?" (ibid., p. 47)

[If Christians are going to succeed, they must set their minds (or 
meditate) on "the things of the Spirit", or on "things above, where 
Christ is"!  Only then can they with God's help "put off the old man" 
and "put on the new man".

Finally, a few thoughts on...]

III. HOW TO MEDITATE

   A. REMEMBER, YOUR MIND IS AFFECTED BY EVEN CASUAL CONTEMPLATION!
      1. Cf. the Stanford studies (quoted above)
      2. The first step to proper meditation is to be selective in what
         you watch and read
      3. Fill your mind with positive and spiritual thoughts if you
         really want to:
         a. "renew the mind"
         b. "be transformed"
      4. It doesn't have to be restricted to the Bible, as Paul said:
         "Whatever things..."
         a. There are novels, movies, television shows, etc., that fall
            into the category of possessing "virtue" and being
            "praiseworthy"
         b. Seek the advice and counsel of other Christians as to what
            is "of good report"
      5. So first let your "casual" contemplation be discriminatory!

   B. TO REACH THE HEIGHTS OF SPIRITUAL MEDITATION, HEED THE COUNSEL OF
      THE PSALMS...
      1. Make the Bible your primary focus for meditation - Ps 1:2
      2. Read it contemplatively every day - Ps 1:2; 119:15
      3. Read it with a prayer in your heart - cf. Ps 119:18 
      4. As you read, occasionally read it aloud to yourself
         a. The Hebrew word in Ps 1:2 means "to mutter"
         b. Reading slowly and audibly helps to focus one's mind on the
            words
      5. As you read, you might ask yourself the following questions:
         a. Is there some truth I should know from this verse?
         b. How does this passage affect a previously held conviction?
         c. Is there something I should stop doing in light of this
            verse?
         d. Is there a practice I should change?
         e. Is there a habit I ought to begin?  
      6. To put it another way:  "Hold the Word of God in your heart
         until it has affected every phase of your life...this is
         meditation."

CONCLUSION

1. In Ps 19:14, we find David praying:

   "Let the words of mouth and the meditation of my heart
      Be acceptable in Your sight,
   "O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

2. What Paul commands us to do in our text ("meditate on these things")
   is the means by which we can assure that our meditations will be
   acceptable in the sight of our Lord!

3. If you are not a Christian, or an erring one, then there are some
   things in particular upon which you ought to meditate:
   a. What is your standing in God's sight?
   b. What would happen if you were to die today?
   c. What do you need to do to be found in the grace of God?
   d. Why delay any longer?

From Gary... More equals less (coffee, fat)

Last night, I went to weight watchers. I weighed in at 273.4, which means I have lost 99.6 pounds so far. I hope my doctor will approve my request for a target of 200 pounds (which is what I weighed in 1973, by the way) so that I can have a lifetime status at weight watchers that I can actually make. Now, I eat a lot on the program, but recently I changed my coffee intake- I doubled it. Since I only measure the creamer, I have learned to make my morning wake-me-up in one of those large Dunkin Donuts cups. This adds volume and not points so, bring on the bigger cups- I still have a lot of weight to lose!!!! Now, to me, having more coffee is being more careful and as I thought about it, Christians need to be careful as well. Consider these verses from the book of Hebrews...

Hebrews, Chapter 12

14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, 15 looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it;

Sin; what a terrible concept;to practice it is familial rebellion. Remember, God is our FATHER!!! If we do not practice being set apart for holy purposes (which is what sanctification means) we will NOT SEE THE LORD!!! On the way out of my weight watchers meeting last night, someone stopped me and congratulated me on such a large weight loss. I replied by saying something like: "No big deal, I was huge and now I am just very fat". Most of what Weight Watchers has taught me is that if you make little changes and keep making them, you will eventually succeed. In other words... be careful!!! This is the same thing that the Hebrew writer is telling Christians. Food for thought!!! Anyway, I encourage everyone to commit themselves to being careful; careful about what you do in your daily life (along with what you put in your mouth). More than that, I pray that you would carefully search the Scriptures to find the truth on everything (like the Bereans did) and when you do, the pick-me-up you will receive is worth more that five gigantic cups of coffee. Pray about this, I think you will find I am giving you good advice. Oh, yes, I forgot to tell you... if you double your coffee intake, try decaf-- you will sleep better!!!

10/28/13

From Ben Fronczek... The carrot, the egg, and the cup of coffee

The carrot, the egg, and the cup of coffee

Intro. This past week I had something that stunned me bit for a while. Even though we all experience things that may shock us, and even disappoint us, sometimes it has more of an effect on us. Sometimes it’s wake up call or even a hurtful blow.

When I received a tidbit of information this past week, I have to admit it was a blow. I was not proud of my reactions. I didn’t get angry or anything like that, I just remember thinking that it felt like someone punched me in the stomach. (Probably because I got the news after eating a big breakfast.) With all my faith in God, and knowing that I truly trust in Him and His providence I still allowed myself to get a bit discouraged and a bit down. Well at least for five or six hours.

It was the day I had planned to start working on a sermon for Sunday. I attempted to write something but I just couldn’t do a thing. I went to the internet for some ideas but everything I read seemed blurry and insignificant. I shared my disappointment with my wife and she tried to encourage me with her own faith and helped some, but in my gut I still felt a bit blue. So I decided to do something else. I decided to start going through the piles of paperwork in my office, cleaning, organizing and getting rid all kinds of stuff. As I did this I remember going to God in prayer and I apologized for letting myself get so disturbed. I told Him that I trusted Him, telling Him that I knew that He would take care of my needs. I also remember telling Him that I needed some help coming up with a sermon idea for Sunday. As I was going through a pile of papers about 3 or 4 inches thick, I came across a story that I must have printed out from the Internet a while ago. Not remember seeing it before I set it aside until I finished going through the pile chucking out papers left and right. After I was done and before I threw out this story I decided to read it. In a matter of minutes somehow God turned my attitude around 180 degrees and left me with a happy peaceful feeling inside. He also gave me a sermon idea which I had asked for. I’d like to share the story with you. Maybe some of you heard it before:

A carrot. an egg, and a cup of coffee…

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed a carrot, in the second she placed an egg, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrot out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the egg out and placed it in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see.” “A Carrot, an eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrot. She did and noted that it was soft and mushy. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma the daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity; the boiling water. But each reacted differently:

•The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

•The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its soft liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its insides became hardened.

•The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”

Ask yourself this: Which am I?

•Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength and go moping around?

•Am I the egg that starts with a soft heart, but then changes with the heat? Did I have a soft heart, but after
a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff inside? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside have I become hard hearted and tough with a stifled spirit?

•Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brought the pain. When the water got hot, it released the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, the best part of yo comes out, and somehow you change the situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

She went on to tell her daughter “May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.”

For some reason this little story opened my eyes. I don’t ever remembering reading it before and really don’t remember printing it out. I believe God had me print it out and save it for the day I needed it.

I asked myself, ‘What are you going to end up like, the carrot, the egg, or the coffee?’

It was what I needed to hear. The rest of my day went great. I felt good. I became happy and even excited. And I praised God, because even though I may say it a lot, and preach about it a lot, in my gut I knew that He really is in control and has my best interest in mind. And that gave me a sense of peace in my heart and mind.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says that we should

“Trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight.”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve come to realize that my ability to understand everything is flawed, and not always dependable. I really need to trust in the Lord. And then he goes on and writes, ‘In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.’ Some other translations say, “He will give you success.” or, “He will make your path smooth,” or, “He will show you the right way.” What more could you ask for?

In 1 Peter 5:6-8, Peter wrote,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

God really does care for you and me. Believing that makes all the difference in the world. But then Peter goes on to warn us that our enemy, the devil, prowls around looking for those whom he can devour. And which animals do the lions pray upon first? Those who are weak. When things bad happen and you start to get down, asked yourself if you really trust God. Ask yourself if you really believe He is control and is going to take care of you? Ask yourself, “How am I going to let this effect me? Am I going to fall apart like a overcooked piece of carrot? Am I going to become hard hearted like that boiled egg? Or will I let this situation bring the very best out of me; because of my faith, and my assurance in God. Do you want to experience His peace? Become like those coffee beans.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... All Israel will be saved (3)

All Israel will be saved (3)

Gentile "fullness" is not a certain number of Gentile converts. It is their state of fullness. It's their being filled with the riches of God's grace in Jesus Christ. In 15:29 Paul tells the Roman Christians that he is coming "in the full measure of the blessing of Christ." He comes with what all that Christ means and is and he calls that "the fullness of Christ." Israel is hardened until the Gentiles have experienced the meaning of Christ.

"Until" the fullness of the Gentiles has come in? "Until" appears to suggest a time sequence. As if, "the hardening will continue (only) until the Gentile fullness has arrived." At that point the hardening will cease. That appears to be the commonly accepted view. Taking that to be true, what then? It's tempting to think that when the hardening ceases Israel will automatically turn to Christ and this is what very many evangelicals believe. But we need to remember that the hardening didn't make this section of Israel into unbelievers—they were already unbelievers and the hardening (God's judicial sentence) made use of their sin. If God withdrew the special circumstances that hardened a section of Israel it would not follow that they would automatically come to faith. If they didn't believe before the hardening there's no guarantee that they will believe after it.

But it's the following phrase that generates the evangelical view. "A hardening in part has happened to Israel until Gentile fullness has come in and so all Israel will be saved." The "and so" is often taken as something like "consequently" or "and then" or "following that" all Israel will be saved. But "and so" should be taken as an adverb of manner, "in this way" or "and this is how" all Israel will be saved.

But making "and so" an adverb of manner is awkward if we link it immediately with the hardening of Israel or Gentile fullness. N.T. Wright in his commentary on Romans takes "and so" to mean "in this way". He thinks that it's always been God's way of saving Israel, by hardening. Maybe it's better to say that it's by bringing in Gentile fullness (and so making Jews jealous so that they want in—11:31) that God will save Israel. But I'm sure it's better still to look back to 11:23-24. All Israel will be saved "in this way," namely, turning from unbelief. This means that 11:25-26 is a little—but not unimportant—aside before he returns to how Israel is to be saved. Where lies their hope? In turning from unbelief (11:11:9,23-24). And when they turn from their unbelief it will be in keeping with the purpose of the Messiah's coming (11:26-27).

Paul changes a preposition in quoting Isaiah 59:20. The prophet speaks of a Redeemer coming "to" Zion but Paul says that the Redeemer will come "from" Zion. I think Paul is rebuking the Gentile arrogance again and reminding them that the root bears them and not they the root (11:18). The redeemer who redeems both Israel and the Gentiles comes not from Gentiles but from the Jews. The Messiah is theirs (9:5, 15:27).

So here's what I think Paul has said here in this section. "You Gentiles must not be arrogant because you are now people of God while Jews are on the outside looking in. You stand by faith and they are outside. It's true that they were cast off (11:15,22b) but this was no permanent purpose of God, he hasn't 'washed his hands of them'. No, if they turn from unbelief they will be received into their own blessings (11:23-24). This is the way all Israel will be saved. Understand this, the hardened condition God produced, is on a segment of Israel—an unbelieving segment (11:20) and it was accomplished that your rich blessing might be brought in (11:30). If unbelieving Israel turns from unbelief they will be gladly received as if they were alive from the dead (11:15,23) because that's precisely why God sent the Redeemer (11:26-27). And by the way, the Redeemer that saves you and them comes from among them!"

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

From Mark Copeland... How To Be Free From Anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7)

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                   How To Be Free From Anxiety (4:6-7)

INTRODUCTION

1. If anyone had good reason to be anxious, it could have been the
   apostle Paul...
   a. His beloved friends at Philippi were disagreeing with one another 
      - Php 4:1-3
   b. There were preachers in Rome who were filled with envy and strife,
      and out to "get" Paul - Php 1:15
   c. To top it off, Paul himself was under house arrest, awaiting trial
      and his possible execution!
   -- Yet we have seen that throughout this epistle the keynote repeated
      again and again is "rejoice!"

2. Evidently Paul had found the secret of overcoming anxiety, and
   fortunately for us, he shares that secret in Php 4:6-7

[We shall examine what that secret is, but first, let's take a closer 
look at "anxiety" itself...]

I. UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF ANXIETY

   A. DEFINING THE WORD...
      1. The word "anxious" (careful, KJV) is from "merimnao"
         {mer-im-nah'-o}
      2. As defined by THAYER...
         a. It means "to be pulled in different directions"
         b. For example, our hopes pull us in one direction; our fears
            pull us in the opposite direction
         c. Thus, to be anxious is to be "pulled apart"!
      3. The word "worry" (a synonym for anxiety) in its English origins
         presents a different, yet enlightening picture
         a. It comes from a word meaning "to strangle"
         b. If you have ever really worried, you know how it does indeed
            strangle a person!
            1) In fact, worry (or anxiety) has definite physical side
               effects:  headaches, neck pains, ulcers, even back pains
            2) Worry affects our thinking, our digestion, and even our
               coordination

   B. ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON ANXIETY...
      1. From a spiritual perspective, anxiety is:
         a. Wrong THINKING and wrong FEELING about circumstances, people
            and things
         b. The greatest thief of joy
      2. It is not enough for us to tell ourselves, "Quit being anxious",
         in an effort to stop the thief from stealing our joy
         a. Anxiety is "an inside job"
         b. It takes more than good intentions to get the victory over
            anxiety

[The "antidote" to anxiety is revealed by Paul in our text, which we 
will now look at closely...]

II. WINNING THE VICTORY OVER ANXIETY

   A. THE "ANTIDOTE" IS THE RIGHT KIND OF "PRAYING"!
      1. In which we pray about "everything"!
         a. Like the hymn, Paul counsels us to "take everything to God
            in prayer"
         b. To put it another way, "Don't worry about ANYTHING, but pray
            about EVERYTHING!" is Paul's admonition
         c. We are prone to pray about the "big things", and forget to
            pray about the "little things"
            1) But "little things" left unattended grow up to become "big
               things"
            2) Therefore, God would have us talk to Him about
               "everything"
      2. In which we pray by "prayer and supplication"
         a. "Prayer" is the general word for making requests known to God
            1) It carries the idea of adoration, devotion, and worship
            2) Whenever we find ourselves filled with anxiety, our first
               action ought be to spend time alone with God in prayerful
               adoration and worship
            3) Adoration for God helps us to remember the greatness and
               majesty of God
               a) We must remember that He is big enough to solve
                  problems we cannot
               b) Too often, we rush into His presence and hastily tell
                  Him our needs
               c) But freedom from anxiety comes when we spend more time
                  on Who He is, rather than on what our problems are!
            4) Having spent time in prayerful adoration, we are now ready
               to move on...
         b. "Supplication" is where we begin making our requests known to
            God
            1) It involves an earnest sharing of our problems and needs
            2) Freedom from anxiety does not come from half-hearted,
               insincere praying!
               a) While we know that we are not heard for our "much
                  speaking" - Mt 6:7-8
               b) Still we should realize that our Father wants us to be
                  earnest and persistent in our asking - Mt 7:7-11
            3) An example of this sort of praying is found in He 5:7
               a) Jesus offered up "prayers and supplications"
               b) He did so, "with vehement cries and tears", suggesting
                  true earnestness in making His requests
      3. In which we pray "with thanksgiving"
         a. This implies "appreciation" on our part
            1) Certainly the Father delights in hearing His children say
               "Thank you!"
            2) Yet so many people are like the nine lepers healed by
               Jesus - cf. Lk 17:11-19
            3) Are we eager to ask, but slow to appreciate?
         b. Note that this "thanksgiving" is to be offered at the same
            time we make our requests!
            1) Doing this serves to remind us of all the other things God
               has done and is doing for us
            2) Which in turn helps to keep our problems in perspective

   B. SUCH "PRAYING" WILL RESULT IN A FORTRESS GUARDING OUR MINDS AND
      HEARTS...
      1. God may not always remove the problems that were the initial
         cause of our anxiety, but He promises a "peace which surpasses
         all understanding"!
      2. It is a peace that the world cannot provide, but He can! - cf.
         Jn 14:27; 16:33
      3. It is a peace that "guards" (to guard, garrison like a fortress)
         our "hearts" and "minds"
         a) Guarding the HEART (which is susceptible to wrong feeling)
         b) Guarding the MIND (which is susceptible to wrong thinking)
      4. This does not mean the absence of trials on the outside, but it
         does mean...
         a) A quiet confidence within
         b) Regardless of circumstances, people, or things that would
            otherwise steal our joy!

CONCLUSION

1. This wonderful peace, this freedom from anxiety, is the result of
   letting our requests be known to God through the right kind of
   praying:
   a. Praying about everything
   b. Praying with prayer and supplication
   c. Praying with thanksgiving

2. But note well, all this is possible THROUGH Christ Jesus (Php 4:7)!
   a. He is the source of every spiritual blessing from God, including
      the peace that surpasses understanding - cf. Ep 1:3
   b. And we must be IN Christ if we desire this peace of which Paul
      writes in our text

3. Do you desire the "peace of God"?
   a. Then you must be IN Christ (to see how one gets INTO Christ,
      consider Ga 3:26-27)
   b. And then you must commune with God frequently in the kind of
      praying taught by Paul

Are you in Christ?  Do you commune with God as you should?  If we can
assist you in either way...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011