9/11/12

Remember Occam's razor?


Its human nature to complicate things.  I really don't know the "why", but we do!!!  The LOG is the answer, but could the original question mean...which side weighs two tons?  Then the answer would be much harder, as the NEITHER would be closer, but the true answer then would be complicated by not only the balancing of the log halves, but also the weight of its riders.  Picky, right?  Well sometimes you have to be.  Here is a prime example from the Scriptures...

Galatians, Chapter 3
 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.  15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.  16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn’t say, “To seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “To your seed,” which is Christ.  17 Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.  18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

No, I didn't pick this passage based on verse 13, but it does make things a bit more interesting, though.  Verse 16 was the reason and the message is simple: CHRIST!!! The Jews were given the LAW to obey, but the promise to Abraham superseded it by hundreds of years.  Life can get confusing, but somehow faith seems to always find the correct answer.  By the way, I really do think the correct answer is the LOG!!!!

Sept. 11 Psalms 58-60


Sept. 11
Psalms 58-60

Psa 58:1 Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?
Psa 58:2 No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.
Psa 58:3 The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
Psa 58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a snake; like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,
Psa 58:5 which doesn't listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skillful the charmer may be.
Psa 58:6 Break their teeth, God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh.
Psa 58:7 Let them vanish as water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt.
Psa 58:8 Let them be like a snail which melts and passes away, like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun.
Psa 58:9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, he will sweep away the green and the burning alike.
Psa 58:10 The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;
Psa 58:11 so that men shall say, "Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth."
Psa 59:1 Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me.
Psa 59:2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.
Psa 59:3 For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh.
Psa 59:4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me!
Psa 59:5 You, Yahweh God of Armies, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish the nations. Show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah.
Psa 59:6 They return at evening, howling like dogs, and prowl around the city.
Psa 59:7 Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, "For," they say, "who hears us?"
Psa 59:8 But you, Yahweh, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.
Psa 59:9 Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, for God is my high tower.
Psa 59:10 My God will go before me with his loving kindness. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.
Psa 59:11 Don't kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield.
Psa 59:12 For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride, for the curses and lies which they utter.
Psa 59:13 Consume them in wrath. Consume them, and they will be no more. Let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. Selah.
Psa 59:14 At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city.
Psa 59:15 They shall wander up and down for food, and wait all night if they aren't satisfied.
Psa 59:16 But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. For you have been my high tower, a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psa 59:17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.
Psa 60:1 God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been angry. Restore us, again.
Psa 60:2 You have made the land tremble. You have torn it. Mend its fractures, for it quakes.
Psa 60:3 You have shown your people hard things. You have made us drink the wine that makes us stagger.
Psa 60:4 You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
Psa 60:5 So that your beloved may be delivered, save with your right hand, and answer us.
Psa 60:6 God has spoken from his sanctuary: "I will triumph. I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.
Psa 60:7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is the defense of my head. Judah is my scepter.
Psa 60:8 Moab is my wash basin. I will throw my shoe on Edom. I shout in triumph over Philistia."
Psa 60:9 Who will bring me into the strong city? Who has led me to Edom?
Psa 60:10 Haven't you, God, rejected us? You don't go out with our armies, God.
Psa 60:11 Give us help against the adversary, for the help of man is vain.
Psa 60:12 Through God we shall do valiantly, for it is he who will tread down our adversaries.

Sept. 11 1 Corinthians 7


Sept. 11
1 Corinthians 7

1Co 7:1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
1Co 7:2 But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
1Co 7:3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
1Co 7:4 The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife.
1Co 7:5 Don't deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
1Co 7:6 But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.
1Co 7:7 Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.
1Co 7:8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.
1Co 7:9 But if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn.
1Co 7:10 But to the married I command--not I, but the Lord--that the wife not leave her husband
1Co 7:11 (but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife.
1Co 7:12 But to the rest I--not the Lord--say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her.
1Co 7:13 The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband.
1Co 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
1Co 7:15 Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.
1Co 7:16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
1Co 7:17 Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies.
1Co 7:18 Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
1Co 7:20 Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called.
1Co 7:21 Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.
1Co 7:22 For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord's free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ's bondservant.
1Co 7:23 You were bought with a price. Don't become bondservants of men.
1Co 7:24 Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.
1Co 7:25 Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.
1Co 7:26 I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is.
1Co 7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Don't seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don't seek a wife.
1Co 7:28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.
1Co 7:29 But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;
1Co 7:30 and those who weep, as though they didn't weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn't rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn't possess;
1Co 7:31 and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.
1Co 7:32 But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;
1Co 7:33 but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.
1Co 7:34 There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world--how she may please her husband.
1Co 7:35 This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.
1Co 7:36 But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn't sin. Let them marry.
1Co 7:37 But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, does well.
1Co 7:38 So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn't give her in marriage does better.
1Co 7:39 A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in the Lord.
1Co 7:40 But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God's Spirit.

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

                     "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                              Chapter Six

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To note the warnings about being obsessed with disputes and
   arguments over words, wranglings of men, etc.

2) To appreciate the counsel given to those who desire to be rich, and
   to those who are rich

3) To consider what the man of God is expected to flee and to pursue

SUMMARY

This final chapter begins with instructions concerning servants and 
their duties toward their masters, especially toward those masters who 
believe (1-2).  A description then follows of those who might teach 
otherwise and not consent to the wholesome words of our Lord and His 
doctrine which is according to godliness (3-5).  Mentioning the value 
of godliness when accompanied by contentment, Paul warns of the need 
to be content with food and clothing, and the danger facing those who 
desire to be rich (6-10).

Timothy is then charged to flee such things and to pursue things
becoming a man of God.  He is encouraged to fight the good fight of
faith, and to lay hold on eternal life.  He is then solemnly urged by
Paul to keep the commandment without spot and blameless until our 
Lord's appearing, whom Paul describes in the most amazing terms 
(11-16).

The epistle ends with instructions for Christians who are rich in this 
world, and with an impassioned plea for Timothy to guard what was 
committed to his trust, avoiding profane and vain babbling over false 
doctrine which has led others away from the faith (17-21).

OUTLINE

I. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING SERVANTS (1-2)

   A. HOW THEY SHOULD REGARD THEIR MASTERS (1)
      1. As worthy of all honor (1a)
      2. So that God and His doctrine might not be blasphemed (1b)

   B. HOW THEY SHOULD REGARD BELIEVING MASTERS (2)
      1. Not to be despised because they are brethren (2a)
      2. But to serve them, remembering that those who are benefited 
         are believers and beloved (2b)

II. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING TEACHERS MOTIVATED BY GREED (3-10)

   A. SUCH TEACHERS DESCRIBED (3-5)
      1. Anyone who does not consent to the wholesome words of our 
         Lord, and to the doctrine according to godliness (3)
      2. He is proud, knowing nothing (4a)
      3. He is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words (4b)
         a. From which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions
            (4c)
         b. From which come useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds
            and destitute of the truth (5a)
      4. Who supposes that godliness is a means of gain (5b)

   B. THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTENTMENT (6-8)
      1. Godliness with contentment is great gain (6)
         a. For we brought nothing into this world (7a)
         b. And it is certain we can carry nothing out (7b)
      2. Thus we should be content with food and clothing (8)

   C. THE DANGERS FACING THOSE WHO DESIRE TO BE RICH (9-10)
      1. Those who desire to be rich fall...
         a. Into temptation and a snare (9a)
         b. Into many foolish and harmful lusts (9b)
         ...which drown men in destruction and perdition (9c)
      2. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (10a)
         a. For which some have strayed from the faith in their 
            greediness (10b)
         b. And have pierced themselves with many sorrows (10c)

III. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE MAN OF GOD HIMSELF (11-16)

   A. GENERAL EXHORTATIONS (11-12)
      1. Flee the things described before, such as the desire to be
         rich (11a)
      2. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, 
         gentleness (11b)
      3. Fight the good fight of faith (12a)
      4. Lay hold on eternal life (12b)
         a. To which you were called (12c)
         b. To which you have confessed the good confession in the
            presence of many (12d)
      
   B. A SOLEMN CHARGE (13-16)
      1. Urged by Paul in the sight of...
         a. God, who gives life to all things (13a)
         b. Jesus Christ, who witnessed the good confession before
            Pontius Pilate (13b)
      2. To keep the commandment without spot, blameless until the 
         Lord's appearing (14)
         a. Which He will manifest in His own time (15a)
         b. Who is then described as:
            1) The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and 
               Lord of lords (15b)
            2) He who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable
               light, whom no man has seen or can see (16a)
         c. To whom be honor and everlasting power (16b)

IV. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE RICH (17-19)

   A. WHAT TO COMMAND THEM (17)
      1. Not to be haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches (17a)
      2. But to trust in the living God, who gives us richly all things
         to enjoy (17b)

   B. WHAT TO ENCOURAGE THEM (18-19)
      1. To do good, to be rich in good works, ready to give, willing 
         to share (18)
      2. Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to
         come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (19)

V. CONCLUDING CHARGE TO TIMOTHY (20-21)
   
   A. A FERVENT PLEA TO TIMOTHY (20-21a)
      1. To guard what was committed to his trust (20a)
      2. To avoid the profane and vain babbling and contradictions of
         what is falsely called knowledge (20b)
      3. For by professing such, some have strayed concerning the faith
         (21a)

   B. A FINAL BENEDICTION:  "GRACE BE WITH YOU. AMEN" (21b)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Instructions concerning servants (1-2)
   - Instructions concerning teachers motivated by greed (3-10)
   - Instructions concerning the man of God himself (11-16)
   - Instructions concerning the rich (17-19)
   - Concluding charge to Timothy (20-21)

2) How were servants to consider their masters?  Why? (1)
   - As worthy of all honor
   - That the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed

3) What were the servants who had believing masters cautioned against
   doing? (2)
   - Despising them because they are brethren

4) How is one described who does not consent to the words of our Lord,
   and to the doctrine which is according to godliness? (3-4)
   - Proud, knowing nothing, obsessed with disputes and arguments over
     words

5) What is of great gain? (6)
   - Godliness with contentment

6) With what should we be content? (8)
   - Having food and clothing

7) What happens to those who desire to be rich? (9)
   - They fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and
     harmful lusts

8) What is a root of all kinds of evil? (10)
   - The love of money

9) What have some done in their greediness? (10)
   - Strayed from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
     sorrows

10) What is the man of God to pursue? (11)
   - Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness

11) What is the man of God to fight, and to lay hold of? (12)
   - He is to fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal
     life

12) What did Paul urge Timothy to do? (13-14)
   - To keep the commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord's
     appearing

13) How does Paul describe our Lord Jesus Christ? (15-16)
   - The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of 
     lords
   - Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light

14) What was Timothy to command the rich? (17-19)
   - Not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the
     living God
   - To do good, to be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to
     share
   - To store up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come,
     that they may lay hold on eternal life

15) What was Timothy to avoid?  Why? (20-21)
   - Profane and vain babbling and contradictions of what is falsely
     called knowledge
   - By professing such things, some have strayed concerning the faith

16) What was Paul's final benediction to Timothy in this letter? (21)
   - Grace be with you