10/12/12

Young at heart and a word of thankfulness on your lips...




First, let me say THANK YOU to God for bringing my wife, Linda, safely through surgery.  From all indications, she is going to be OK in awhile.  I say awhile, because it is going to take some time to heal; but the outcome should be a good one.  Also, thanks to all of you for your prayers and especially to Miriam Brown at Florida hospital, Tampa. While I'm at it, thanks to Rebecca for the wonderful flowers and to her husband Mike for making her laugh (because after all, laughter IS THE BEST MEDICINE).  This picture reminded me of someone with a really good attitude and the ring-tone I downloaded to my cellphone during the long wait at the hospital.  Here are the lyrics of the song I am referring to...

I Just Want To Celebrate lyrics
Songwriters: King, H; Shayne, S;

I just want to celebrate another day of livin'
I just want to celebrate another day of life
I put my faith in the people
But the people let me down
So I turned the other way
And I carry on, anyhow
That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
Another day of living,
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Had my hand on the dollar bill

And the dollar bill blew away
But the sun is shining down on me
And it's here to stay
That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah

Another day of living, yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of living
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down,

Don't let it turn you around and around
And around and around

Well, I can't be bothered with sorrow

And I can't be bothered with hate, no, no
I'm using up my time by feeling fine, every day
That's why I'm telling you I just want to celebrate
Aw, yeah
I just want to celebrate yeah yeah
Another day of living, yeah yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of livin', yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down, no, no

Don't let it turn you around and around,
And around and around, and around
Around round round
'round and around round round round
don't go 'round

I always enjoy hearing this song, but now that I see the lyrics, I marvel at the grammar!!!  But the song is worth listening to and here is a link to a live performance... 



In a strange way, all this business of disease and surgery made me remember to be thankful... and that of course let me to this passage of Scripture...

Luke, Chapter 17
 11 It happened as he was on his way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.  12 As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. 13 They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

  14 When he saw them, he said to them, "“Go and show yourselves to the priests.”" It happened that as they went, they were cleansed.  15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.  16 He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.  17 Jesus answered, "“Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine?  18 Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this stranger?”"  19 Then he said to him, "“Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”"

Be as young in heart as you dare to be (check out the motorcycle above) and be thankful to God for all HE has done for you.  Enough said; just practice!!!!
 

Oct. 12 Proverbs 9-11


Oct. 12
Proverbs 9-11

Pro 9:1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
Pro 9:2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
Pro 9:3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
Pro 9:4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Pro 9:5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
Pro 9:6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."
Pro 9:7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
Pro 9:8 Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Pro 9:9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Pro 9:10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Pro 9:11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
Pro 9:12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
Pro 9:13 The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
Pro 9:14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
Pro 9:15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
Pro 9:16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Pro 9:17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."
Pro 9:18 But he doesn't know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
 

Pro 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
Pro 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.
Pro 10:3 Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
Pro 10:4 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
Pro 10:5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
Pro 10:6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
Pro 10:7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
Pro 10:8 The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.
Pro 10:9 He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Pro 10:10 One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.
Pro 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
Pro 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
Pro 10:13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
Pro 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
Pro 10:15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
Pro 10:16 The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
Pro 10:17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
Pro 10:18 He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
Pro 10:19 In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
Pro 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
Pro 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
Pro 10:22 Yahweh's blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
Pro 10:23 It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.
Pro 10:24 What the wicked fear, will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
Pro 10:25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.
Pro 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.
Pro 10:27 The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Pro 10:28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.
Pro 10:29 The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
Pro 10:30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
Pro 10:31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
Pro 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
 

Pro 11:1 A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight.
Pro 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
Pro 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
Pro 11:4 Riches don't profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
Pro 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Pro 11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
Pro 11:7 When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
Pro 11:8 A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
Pro 11:9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
Pro 11:10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
Pro 11:11 By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Pro 11:12 One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
Pro 11:13 One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
Pro 11:14 Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
Pro 11:15 He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
Pro 11:16 A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches.
Pro 11:17 The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
Pro 11:18 Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
Pro 11:19 He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
Pro 11:20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
Pro 11:21 Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.
Pro 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
Pro 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
Pro 11:24 There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
Pro 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
Pro 11:26 People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
Pro 11:27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
Pro 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
Pro 11:29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.
Pro 11:31 Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Oct. 12 Ephesians 3


Oct. 12
Ephesians 3

Eph 3:1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;
Eph 3:3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
Eph 3:4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
Eph 3:7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
Eph 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Eph 3:9 and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;
Eph 3:10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
Eph 3:11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;
Eph 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
Eph 3:13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.
Eph 3:14 For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Eph 3:16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;
Eph 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
Eph 3:19 and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Eph 3:20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Eph 3:21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

James, Chapter 2, Mark Copeland

                         "THE EPISTLE OF JAMES"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER

1) To consider the sin and danger of showing personal favoritism

2) To note the folly of faith without works, how that faith without
   works is a dead faith

SUMMARY

In this chapter we first find a call to hold the faith of Jesus Christ
without partiality.  Evidently some were displaying favoritism toward
the rich in their assemblies, while despising the poor. Showing respect
of persons made one a judge with evil thoughts, and James provides
several reasons why such prejudice was unbecoming of those who believe
in Jesus and worthy of condemnation (1-13).

James then addresses the relationship between faith and works,
especially the folly of professing faith when unaccompanied by works.
Using several examples to make his point, including those of Abraham
the friend of God and Rahab the harlot, James declares three times that
faith without works is dead (14-26).
 
OUTLINE

I. TRUE RELIGION DOES NOT SHOW PARTIALITY (1-13)

   A. SUCH AS SHOWING PREFERENCE TO THE RICH (1-3)
      1. The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, is not
         to be held with partiality
      2. A case in point:  showing preference with seating arrangements
         in the assembly
 
   B. REASONS NOT TO SHOW PARTIALITY TOWARD THE RICH (4-13)
      1. It makes one a judge with evil thoughts
      2. Has not God chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of
         the kingdom?
      3. Have not the rich oppressed and blasphemed you?
      4. Does not the royal law call upon us to love our neighbor?
      5. Partiality will convict us as transgressors, even if we 
         stumble in only one point
      6. We shall be judged by the law of liberty, in which judgment
         without mercy is given to those who show no mercy

II. TRUE RELIGION SHOWS FAITH THROUGH WORKS (14-26)

   A. FAITH WITHOUT WORKS CANNOT SAVE ONE (14-19)
      1. What profit is there in faith without works?
         a. Can such faith save one?
         b. Is there any profit to tell a naked and destitute person to
            be warm and filled, and not give them what they need?
         c. Thus faith by itself, without works, is dead
      2. Faith is shown by one's works
         a. It is not enough to claim to have faith
         b. The devils believe in God, and tremble

   B. FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD (20-26)
      1. As exemplified by Abraham, the friend of God
         a. Who was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on
            the altar
         b. His faith was working with his works, and by them perfected
            his faith
         c. By his works the Scripture was fulfilled that declared him
            faithful and righteous
      2. As exemplified by Rahab, the harlot
         a. Who was justified by works when she hid the spies
         b. Thus faith without works is dead, just as the body without
            the spirit is dead

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - True religion does not show partiality (1-13)
   - True religion shows faith through works (14-26)

2) With what is one not to hold the faith of our Lord Jesus? (1)
   - Partiality, or respect of persons (i.e., prejudice)

3) What example does James use to illustrate his point? (2-3)
   - Showing preference to a rich man over a poor man in the assembly

4) Of what is one guilty when they show partiality? (4)
   - Becoming a judge with evil thoughts

5) Why should one not show prejudice against the poor? (5)
   - God has chosen them to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
     which He has promised to those who love Him

6) What had the rich been doing against those to whom James wrote this
   epistle? (6-7)
   - Oppressing them and dragging them into the courts
   - Blaspheming the noble name by which they were called

7) What would be well for them to do? (8)
   - To fulfill the royal law:  "You shall love your neighbor as 
     yourself"

8) What is the consequence of showing partiality? (9)
   - Committing sin and being convicted by the law as transgressors

9) Of what is one guilty if they stumble in just one point of the law?
   (10-11)
   - Guilty of all; a transgressor of the law

10) How then should they speak and act? Why? (12-13)
   - As those who will judged by the law of liberty
   - Judgment is without mercy to one who shows no mercy, and mercy
     triumphs over judgment

11) What question does James address next? (14)
   - What does it profit if one says he has faith, but does not have
     works?

12) What example is given to illustrate the futility of faith without
    works? (15-16)
   - Telling a naked and hungry person to be warmed and filled, but
     then do nothing to help

13) What is the condition of faith by itself, without works? (17)
   - It is dead

14) How does James challenge the person who only has faith? (18)
   - Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by
     works

15) What example does James use next to show the futility of faith 
    only? (19)
   - That of demons, who believe in God

16) How was Abraham justified? When? (21)
   - By works
   - When he offered Isaac his son on the altar

17) What was the relation between Abraham's faith and works? (22)
   - Faith was working together with his works
   - By works his faith was made perfect

18) What two things were the result of Abraham's works? (23)
   - The Scriptures were fulfilled which said he believed God and it
     was accounted to him for righteousness
   - He was called the friend of God

19) What point did the example of Abraham illustrate? (24)
   - A man is justified by works, and not by faith only

20) What final example does James appeal to? (25)
   - Rahab the harlot, who was justified when she hid the two spies

21) What is James' conclusion regarding faith and works? (26)
   - As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is
     dead also