8/27/13

From Gary... THATS MY DOG














Almost makes me want to own a Dachshund!!! (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachshund) I always thought that their legs were a bit to short, but, HEY, look what that little fella can do!!!!  But a cute as that might seem, the picture insert at the top left and the label are the important things here.  Important, because this "gentleman" seems to be a little too prideful for my liking.  It is as if "he" was chasing the Rhino and not the dog!!!  In thinking about this, I put a couple of scriptures together for your consideration...

Proverbs, Chapter 16

 18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.


Luke, Chapter 19

11  As they heard these things, he went on and told a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the Kingdom of God would be revealed immediately.  12 He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.   13  He called ten servants of his, and gave them ten mina coins,  and told them, ‘Conduct business until I come.’   14  But his citizens hated him, and sent an envoy after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’ 

  15  “When he had come back again, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by conducting business.   16  The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’ 

  17  “He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 

  18  “The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, Lord, has made five minas.’ 

  19  “So he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’   20  Another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold, your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief,   21  for I feared you, because you are an exacting man. You take up that which you didn’t lay down, and reap that which you didn’t sow.’ 

  22  “He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exacting man, taking up that which I didn’t lay down, and reaping that which I didn’t sow.   23 Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, and at my coming, I might have earned interest on it?’   24  He said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina away from him, and give it to him who has the ten minas.’ 

  25  “They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’   26  ‘For I tell you that to everyone who has, will more be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.  27  But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’”   28 Having said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 

Ok, I could be wrong about the man in the picture. Perhaps he is just rejoicing that his dog is able to do this feat of bravery.  Pride can be either a bad thing or something good, depending upon the heart of the one expressing the emotion.  I wonder if the dog knows his master is praising him?  If he does, then good; this little canine has really done something!!!  Reminds me of the parable from Luke.  Most of the time, we focus on the poorest steward and discourage unfaithful stewardship. But, how about that ten mina man!!!  He has earned praise and honor- so let his master praise him!!!   The only thing is- that successful fellow needs to remember the proverb and rejoice very, very carefully!  Otherwise his pride just might come back to him and cause his downfall. And it might always not be as obvious as being stepped on by a Rhino either.

From Mark Copeland... Weapons Mighty In God (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)


                  "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                     Weapons Mighty In God (10:3-5)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our text, Paul writes of a "war" in which Christians are 
   engaged...
   a. A war where weapons are used that are "mighty in God"
   b. A war that has as its objective to:
      1) "pull down"
      2) "cast down"
      3) "bring into captivity"

2. Exactly what is this "war"?  What "weapons" do we use?

3. Understanding the answers to these questions can help us be more 
   useful and productive "soldiers" in the "army" of God

[Let's begin our study by first identifying...]

I. THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN THIS TEXT

   A. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THAT FOUND ELSEWHERE...
      1. It is not quite the same war described in Ro 7:23 or 1Pe 2:11
      2. In those passages, a different war is being discussed
         a. One in which there is a battle raging inside each one of us
         b. In those passages, the warfare is one that is INTERNAL

   B. THE WARFARE IN OUR TEXT IS EXTERNAL...
      1. In which we are engaged in battle with OTHERS
         a. The context of 2 Corinthians should make this clear
         b. For Paul is defending his apostleship and ministry against
            false teachers
      2. This "war" is one which involves:
         a. "arguments"
         b. "knowledge"
         c. "thoughts"
         -- Such is the "field of battle" in this war
      3. This is a war that is fought whenever we try to...
         a. Lead a brother out of error
         b. Convert someone to Christ
      4. The "objective" in this war as described by Paul:
         a. To defeat any argument or position which is "against the
            knowledge of God" (what He has revealed) - 2Co 10:5a
         b. To bring a person who has held such thoughts...
            1) "into the captivity to the obedience of Christ" - 2 Co 10:5b
            2) I.e., to become a "servant of Christ"

[Such is the "warfare" of this passage.  You might not have thought of
it in this way, but every time we are trying to teach someone we are
engaged in a "battle" for Christ!  How are we to "fight" this war?]

II. THE "WEAPONS" OF THIS WARFARE

   A. WHAT THEY ARE NOT: "CARNAL" OR "FLESHLY" (4)
      1. E.g., weapons that may be used "AGAINST" the flesh...
         a. Such as the sword, gun, bomb, etc.
         b. These weapons may take "people" captive, but not 
            necessarily their "thoughts"!
         c. Their "bodies" may be enslaved, but not their "minds"
         -- This was the flaw inherent in the Crusades
      2. E.g., weapons that are "OF" the flesh...
         a. E.g., hatred, contentions, outbursts of wrath, selfish 
            ambitions
         b. Such emotions are "works of the flesh" and are referred to
            in Ga 5:19-21
         c. Unfortunately, these "works of the flesh" are often used as
            "weapons" to win arguments
            1) At best all they can do is silence the opposition 
               (through intimidation)
            2) But at what cost?
               a) The opposition is not saved (which should be our 
                  goal)
               b) And the Christian who uses such "weapons" falls under
                  the condemnation of Ga 5:21
      -- So our weapons are not to be "carnal", either against the 
         flesh or of the flesh

   B. BUT WE DO HAVE WEAPONS, AND THEY ARE "MIGHTY IN GOD"!
      1. First and foremost, we have "the sword of the Spirit" - Ep 6:
         17
         a. Which is the Word of God
         b. Unless we use this Word, all our efforts will be in vain
         c. For it is the Word of God that is...
            1) Living and powerful - He 4:12
            2) Able to produce faith - Ro 10:17; Jn 20:30-31
            3) Able to save our souls - Jm 1:21
            4) Able to cause one to be born again - 1Pe 1:23
      2. We must also "speak the truth in love" - cf. Ep 4:15
         a. I.e., presenting the Word with a Christ-like attitude
         b. This involves such qualities as:
            1) The "meekness and gentleness of Christ" (as used by Paul
               himself, 2Co 10:1)
            2) Also "patience" and "humility" (as Paul taught in 2Ti 2:24-26)
         c. These "qualities of character" are indeed powerful 
            "weapons"
            1) They can do wonders to diffuse volatile situations
               a) Notice Pr 15:1
               b) In contrast, consider Pr 26:21
            2) They can make it possible for people to:
               a) Discuss controversial issues without controversial
                  behavior
               b) Disagree without being disagreeable
               c) Argue without being argumentative
               d) Contend without being contentious

   C. TO BE EFFECTIVE, WE NEED THE "WHOLE" ARMOR OF GOD
      1. As soldiers of Christ, we need...
         a. Not just the "sword" of the Spirit
         b. But also the "fruit" of the Spirit - cf. Ga 5:22-23
         -- Otherwise, we might do ourselves harm in mishandling the 
            Word of God!
      2. We need to "adorn" the truth of God with meekness, gentleness,
         patience and humility
         a. Do not think that we are going to persuade people by the
            "force" of our actions
            1) Such is likely only to intimidate them into silence or
               reluctant acquiescence
            2) Unless they come to "believe with all their heart", any
               obedience is futile - cf. Ac 8:36-37
         b. If they are teachable, they must be won over by the "truth"
            of our arguments, assisted by the "application" of that 
            truth in our own conduct

CONCLUSION

1. So the weapons that we have which are "mighty in God" include such
   graces as "meekness," "gentleness," "patience," and "humility"

2. Such "weapons" greatly enhance the opportunities for our greatest
   weapon (TRUTH) to do its job; and should be utilized whether it be 
   in:
   a. Our evangelistic efforts
   b. Our Bible classes
   c. Our church business meetings
   d. Our personal discussions
   e. Public debates in defense of the truth

3. This is not to suggest there is never a time for "righteous 
   indignation"; but I fear that what is often excused as righteous 
   indignation may really be:
   a. SELF-righteous indignation
   b. Our CARNAL nature
   ...getting in the way of the progress of truth!

May we be quick to use the "meekness and gentleness of Christ" in all
our efforts to win others to the truth, for they are truly "Weapons 
Mighty In God"!


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Jim McGuiggan... Susies and goldfish bowls

Susies and goldfish bowls

I don't know where I got the story of Susie and the goldfish bowl but I think it's a story of great compassion and gallantry. I wet the bed until I was fifteen years old, or thereabouts, and I have a soft spot for kids who go through that. [I need to say that millions feel compassionate without having to experience the pain of others. Thank God.]
You understand I've done shameful things in my life and now and then I've been shamed for no good reason and here I am—alive and well. These experiences aren't the end of the world; they only feel like it. I don't at all wish to make the pain that follows appear to be the worst that can happen to a boy or girl and, in any case, it's the entire incident I'm after.
Nine-year-old "Brad" is sitting at his desk, petrified! There's a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart's going to stop! He wets the bed and that's shame enough but this is a whole different world—in fact, it's the end of the world. It happened without warning and almost completely without his feeling it happening—he simply froze in his seat. Once the news spread his life would be over. At best, the boys would pity him and the girls—would any of them ever speak to him again?
This is high drama and genuine trauma. Only an adult denies that this is one of those end-of-the-world experiences and while I've known a number of adults who would take it in their stride, the number's exceedingly small. All the others I'm acquainted with—I'm picturing faces as I write this—they'd die of embarrassment on the spot. It's irrational, I know, but there's "shame" and "guilt" attached to such events—can you believe it?
In Great Expectations young Pip, under threat of being roasted and having his liver eaten, had stolen a lovely pork pie from his ill-tempered sister and a file from his dear friend Joe, her husband. He was under secret orders to bring them to the marsh to this escaped and starving convict who had a leg-iron he wanted off. As he hurried with the stuff through the early morning mist every muffled noise was a ghostly voice whispering "thief". Sheep seemed to be huddled together discussing him and casting accusing glances at him as he slipped by in the damp and the dark. In the mist, all of a sudden, he came upon a herd of cattle with staring eyes and steam coming from their nostrils. All of them looking and saying, "Hello, young thief!" One of them, a black ox with a white cravat, fixed him with a long stare and to Pip's pounding conscience it had the air and the appearance of a clergyman. The boy heard himself pleading, "I couldn't help it, sir. It wasn't for myself I took it." Poor thing.
Brad saw his teacher head in his direction. She had a look that said to him he had been found out; though it may only have been his fear and sense of shame and guilt. In any case, in a moment or two the whole matter would become public!
Just then, Susie, who sits behind him, trips in the aisle, she's carrying a goldfish bowl and the entire bowl of water lands in Brad's lap.
"Love covered a multitude of sins."
All of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule he has everybody's sympathy. The teacher rushes to do everything for him that needs to be done while his clothes dry.
Susie tries to help but they give her the blues. "You've done enough!"
After school, at the bus-stop, Brad about to ask her…she hushes him and whispers, "I wet my pants once too."
You don't have to be a little girl to do such wonderful things. Even adults can and do them. These people both convict and inspire us.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

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