9/10/12

Of corn cobs and heroes


This answers the question: How do you get corn off the cob without biting it?  Yet, I know another way.  A way I will never, ever forget.  A man now long since dead taught me how to do it when I was about 6 or 7 years old.  His name was Tom Horn and he wasn't much to look at.  He couldn't have been more than about 5 foot tall and I remember him as being well over 55 and the only hired help I can remember on my grandmother's farm.  He smoked corn silk in corn-cob pipe and chewed tobacco and was unusually quiet and shy.  I remember he used a big jack-knife that he kept in his work overalls to remove the kernels from the cob because he had very few teeth and couldn't bite well.  One day, something happened in the family and one of them took it out on me.  I had been beaten before, but the savage nature of this time was too much for me.  I cried uncontrollably and began to violently shake without realizing what I was doing.  Then Tom stepped between me and my abuser.  He said: "If you want to beat someone... beat me instead"!!!  And he was beaten until he was unconscious. He left the farm the next day and I never saw him again until years later.  It was at the Schaghticoke fair about 1970, but didn't have a chance to speak to him because the retirement group he was part of was boarding a bus to return to the home.  He had aged terribly, but I knew who it was... my hero.  He did something only a select few have ever done; he suffered for me and as long as I have breath I will remember him fondly.  His memory reminds me of this passage from the book of Isaiah...

Isaiah, Chapter 53
  1 Who has believed our message?
To whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed?
 
 2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant,
and as a root out of dry ground.
He has no good looks or majesty.
When we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
  
 3 He was despised,
and rejected by men;
a man of suffering,
and acquainted with disease.
He was despised as one from whom men hide their face;
and we didn’t respect him.
 
 4 Surely he has borne our sickness,
and carried our suffering;
yet we considered him plagued,
struck by God, and afflicted.
 
  5 But he was pierced for our transgressions.
He was crushed for our iniquities.
The punishment that brought our peace was on him;
and by his wounds we are healed.

 Three people have suffered for me: Tom Horn, my maternal grandmother and most of all... Jesus.  My grandmother loved me, Tom Horn pitied me, but Jesus cared for me more than them all.  Why? Because HE knows me better than anyone ever could and loved me anyway!!!!  Those of you who know me well, are aware of how much I love gadgets and the one in the picture is a marvelous invention, but to me a jack-knife is much better because it reminds me of self-sacrifice.  Now, I hope that your life does NOT have abuse in it like mine has, and I know you will never meet either Tom Horn or my grandmother, but if you get to know Jesus, you will have a hero in your life!!! Someone who can change your life for the better... permanently!!!  Think about it, investigate it and live life anew!!! Really!!!   

Sept. 10 Psalms 55-57


Sept. 10
Psalms 55-57

Psa 55:1 Listen to my prayer, God. Don't hide yourself from my supplication.
Psa 55:2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
Psa 55:3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me.
Psa 55:4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
Psa 55:5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
Psa 55:6 I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
Psa 55:7 Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." Selah.
Psa 55:8 "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."
Psa 55:9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Psa 55:10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
Psa 55:11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don't depart from her streets.
Psa 55:12 For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hid myself from him.
Psa 55:13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
Psa 55:14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.
Psa 55:15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh will save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
Psa 55:18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
Psa 55:19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and answer them. Selah. They never change, who don't fear God.
Psa 55:20 He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
Psa 55:21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Psa 55:22 Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
Psa 55:23 But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.
 

Psa 56:1 Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.
Psa 56:2 My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me.
Psa 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
Psa 56:4 In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Psa 56:5 All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil.
Psa 56:6 They conspire and lurk, watching my steps, they are eager to take my life.
Psa 56:7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, God.
Psa 56:8 You number my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren't they in your book?
Psa 56:9 Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this, that God is for me.
Psa 56:10 In God, I will praise his word. In Yahweh, I will praise his word.
Psa 56:11 I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Psa 56:12 Your vows are on me, God. I will give thank offerings to you.
Psa 56:13 For you have delivered my soul from death, and prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
 

Psa 57:1 Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.
Psa 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
Psa 57:3 He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.
Psa 57:4 My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Psa 57:5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth!
Psa 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into its midst themselves. Selah.
Psa 57:7 My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
Psa 57:8 Wake up, my glory! Wake up, psaltery and harp! I will wake up the dawn.
Psa 57:9 I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations.
Psa 57:10 For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.
Psa 57:11 Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.

Sept. 10 1 Corinthians 6


Sept. 10
1 Corinthians 6

1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
1Co 6:2 Don't you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3 Don't you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
1Co 6:4 If then, you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly?
1Co 6:5 I say this to move you to shame. Isn't there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?
1Co 6:6 But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers!
1Co 6:7 Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
1Co 6:8 No, but you yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that against your brothers.
1Co 6:9 Or don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.
1Co 6:12 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything.
1Co 6:13 "Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods," but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
1Co 6:14 Now God raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power.
1Co 6:15 Don't you know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be!
1Co 6:16 Or don't you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, "The two," says he, "will become one flesh."
1Co 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.
1Co 6:18 Flee sexual immorality! "Every sin that a man does is outside the body," but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
1Co 6:19 Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,
1Co 6:20 for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" Chapter Five by Mark Copeland

                     "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                              Chapter Five

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To appreciate the responsibility we have toward our families, 
   especially widows

2) To consider under what circumstances widows may be "taken into the 
   number"

3) To note the distinction between the work of the church, and the 
   responsibility of individual Christians

4) To review our responsibilities toward those who serve as elders

SUMMARY

This chapter contains Paul's instructions to Timothy regarding various 
members of the congregation.  He starts with the members in general, 
counseling Timothy to consider them as family, and exhorting them 
accordingly (1-2).  A major section is then devoted to the care of
widows, in which some may be "taken into the number".  What this phrase
refers to is unclear, but it may involve congregational support on a
long-term basis.  Only those who are truly widows (as defined in verse 
5) and who meet certain qualifications (listed in verse 9-10) are to be
so honored.  Younger widows are expected to remarry and have children, 
while widows with children and grandchildren are to be supported by 
their own family rather than burden the church (3-16).

Several remarks are then made regarding elders (not just older 
Christians, but those serving as overseers).  Elders who rule well are
to be worthy of financial support, especially if they are laboring in
the word and doctrine.  Accusations against an elder are not to be
taken seriously unless there be two or three witnesses.  Those elders 
who are sinning need to be publicly rebuked so that the rest may fear 
(17-20).

Paul then gives Timothy a solemn charge to be free from prejudice and
partiality as he goes about his duties.  He is also to be cautious 
about those he may commend, being careful to keep himself pure from 
others' sins.  The chapter concludes with advice for treating Timothy's
stomach ailment, and a reminder that both sins and good works will 
eventually become evident (21-25).

OUTLINE

I. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE MEMBERS (1-20)

   A. EXHORTING THE MEMBERS (1-2)
      1. Older men as fathers, younger men as brothers (1)
      2. Older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all
         purity (2)

   B. HONORING WIDOWS (3-16)
      1. Honor those who are truly widows (3)
      2. Widows with children or grandchildren should be taken care of
         by them (4)
         a. That they may learn to show piety at home and repay their
            parents
         b. This is good and acceptable before God 
      3. Contrast between a true widow and one who is not (5-6)
         a. A true widow (5)
            1) One who is left alone (5a)
            2) One who trusts in God (5b)
            3) One who continues in supplications night and day (5c)
         b. The one who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives (6)
      4. Command these things that people may be blameless (7)
      5. One who does not provide for his own, especially his 
         household... (8)
         a. Has denied the faith 
         b. Is worse than an unbeliever 
      6. Regarding the church support of widows (9-16)
         a. Qualifications for those who can be taken into the number
            (9-10)
            1) Not under sixty years of age
            2) The wife of one man
            3) Well reported for good works
            4) Has brought up children
            5) Has lodged strangers
            6) Has washed the saints' feet
            7) Has relieved the afflicted
            8) Has diligently followed every good work
         b. Reasons to reject younger widows (11-13)
            1) When they begin to grow wanton against Christ, they
               desire to marry
            2) Casting off their first faith, they have condemnation
            3) They learn to be idle, wandering about from house to
               house as busybodies and gossips
         c. Counsel for younger widows (14-15)
            1) To marry, bear children, manage the house
            2) To give no opportunity for the adversary to speak 
               reproachfully
            3) For some have already have turned aside after Satan
         d. Those widows with believing children (16)
            1) The children should relieve them
            2) Do not burden the church, that it may relieve those who
               are truly widows

   C. TREATMENT OF ELDERS (17-20)
      1. Those who rule well (17-18)
         a. They are counted worthy of double honor
         b. Especially those who labor in word and doctrine
         c. Scriptural basis for supporting elders:
            1) "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the
               grain"
            2) "The laborer is worthy of his wages"
      2. Those who don't rule well (19-20)
         a. Don't receive an accusation against an elder except from
            two or three witnesses (19)
         b. Elders who are sinning (20)
            1) Should be rebuked in the presence of all
            2) So that the rest may fear

II. FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS RELATED TO TIMOTHY (21-25)

   A. THE CHARGE GIVEN HIM BY PAUL (21)
      1. Given before God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels
      2. To observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing
         without partiality

   B. WARNINGS AGAINST HASTY RECOMMENDATIONS (22)
      1. Don't lay hands hastily on anyone
      2. Don't share in other people's sins
      3. Keep yourself pure

   C. COUNSEL FOR ALLEVIATING HIS STOMACH PROBLEMS (23)
      1. No longer drink only water
      2. Use a little wine for the sake of the stomach and frequent
         infirmities

   D. REMINDER CONCERNING SIN AND GOOD WORKS (24-25)
      1. Some sins are clearly evident, others we learn after the
         judgment (24)
      2. The same is true regarding good works (25)   

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Instructions concerning the members (1-20)
   - Further instructions related to Timothy (21-25)

2) How was Timothy to exhort the members of the congregation? (1-2)
   - The older men as fathers, the younger women as brothers, the older
     women as mothers, the younger women as sisters, in all purity

3) Why are widows with children or grandchildren to be taken care of by
   them? (4)
   - So that the children may learn to show piety at home and repay
     their parents
   - For this is good and acceptable before God

4) Who is truly a widow? (5)
   - One left alone, who trusts in God, and prays night and day

5) What is said of one who will not provide for his own family? (8)
   - He has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever

6) List the qualifications for a widow to be "taken into the number"
   (9-10)
   - At least sixty years old
   - The wife of one man
   - Well reported for good works
   - Has brought up children
   - Has lodged strangers
   - Has washed the saints' feet
   - Has relieved the afflicted
   - Has diligently followed every good work

7) What are the younger widows to do?  Why? (14)
   - Marry, bear children, manage the house
   - To give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully

8) What two groups of widows are NOT to be "taken into the number"?
   (14,16)
   - Younger widows
   - Widows with believing children who can provide for them

9) How should elders who rule well be considered, especially if they
   labor in word and doctrine? (17)
   - Counted worthy of double honor

10) What basis does Paul give for compensating elders? (18)
   - The Old Testament scriptures (Deut 25:4)
   - The sayings of Jesus (Lk 10:7)

11) What is necessary to receive an accusation against an elder? (19)
   - Two or three witnesses

12) What should be done with elders who are sinning? (20)
   - Rebuke them in the presence of all, that the rest may fear

13) What serious charge was given to Timothy before God, the Lord, and
    the elect angels? (21)
   - To observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with 
     partiality

14) What words of caution does Paul give Timothy? (22)
   - Don't lay hands on anyone hastily
   - Don't share in other people's sins
   - Keep yourself pure

15) What advice does Paul give Timothy for his stomach ailments? (23)
   - No longer drink only water
   - But use a little wine

16) What is true in regards to both sin and good works? (24-25)
   - Some are clearly evident, and some will not be known until after
     the judgment day