Remember God in the days of your youth by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/ecc11_9.htm

Good advice from the book of Ecclesiastes...Gary

Your inheritance

The Lion king; now there is something to remember.  A classic tale told in terms that even the young can understand.  The "King" of beasts showing his child the magnitude of what he will inherit.  Priceless!  As soon as I saw this, I asked myself: What then is the inheritance of a Christian?  After some thought, this chapter from the book of Ephesians came to mind...

World English Bible: Ephesians Chapter 1

[1] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God,

to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: [2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; [5] having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, [6] to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved, [7] in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him [10] to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him; [11] in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; [12] to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: [13] in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, [14] who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. [15] For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, [16] don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might [20] which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. [22] He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

It has become fashionable to put down Christianity today, to relegate it as something that only the unlearned and foolish believe.  To say that it is worthless and a waste of time and many things than are far worse than these brief statements.  But, those who say such things are devoid of understanding.  All that which is truly good; the foundation of our entire society, comes from God.  This life may afford some blessings to all, but they are temporal.  They begin to fade as we age.  Some day, we will die and those who refuse to address the issue or say it is meaningless delude themselves.  At this point, I say it is best to just let Ephesians chapter one speak for itself.  Please read and reread it a couple of times.  The blessings that God gives us spiritually far outweigh the scope of anything that the light touches.  More than even our imagination can consider.  Just one more thing... and its given to Christians!!!

Finding joy in the vanity of life by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/ecc2_22.htm

Here is a lesson from Ecclesiastes you might find interesting...Gary

Snowflakes, paradoxes and Jesus

Unless they perfect cloning, there will never be another "me".  I am glad of that because if everyone were all alike, how boring the world would be.  We actually need the differences in others to compliment ourselves.  Yes, we need other people!!!  Let us not forget though, how special each one of us is.  We were all born in different places at different points in history and have been subject to different experiences.  And we react to them differently as well.  In short, we ARE INDIVIDUALS.  Yet, at the same time we are all generically the same.  paradoxical, isn't it?  So much of life is like that; we know so much but understand so little!!!  However, there was one who was really different, you know him by the name Jesus.  This chapter from the book of John tells us something of this very special "snowflake".

WEB: John Chapter 1

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. [6] There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. [8] He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. [9] The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.

[10] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. [11] He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. [12] But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: [13] who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. [15] John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’” [16] From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. [17] For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

I know of no other religion where God actually became a human being and sacrificed himself for his own creation.  To understand this concept is the beginning of understanding Christianity!!!  One God, one way to heaven; not the myriad of solutions that we mere humans invent.  Want proof?  Really need proof? Consider that the biggest problem we have is death.  Jesus overcame that!  Not enough proof?  Ask yourself, "who really loves me enough to die for me?"  Let me guess... pretty short list, isn't it?  Perhaps some of the people on your list might change their mind at the last minute or die before they could help you or go on a trip or something.  Now, cross off all the people on your list that these things could happen to and you will be left without a list.  Jesus died for me.  Jesus IS MY LIST, PERIOD!!!!  Jesus really did do what the Bible said he did; 1st Corinthians fifteen says there were five hundred witnesses to his resurrection and frankly that is more than enough for my skeptical mind.  How can five hundred people all be wrong?  Why weren't they immediately refuted if they were wrong?  The answer is simple, THEY WERE RIGHT!!!!!  Yes, we are unique; yes were are also all alike and yes we have hope through the sacrifice of a Jew named Jesus some two thousand years ago.  That is the cold, hard truth and at the same time a warm wonderful thing as well.  Here we go again, another paradox!!!  Relax, not all paradoxes are equal; this one happens to be the good kind.  Bye, for now... from your friendly snowflake...

The price and prevention of adultery by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/pro5_1.htm

A topic worth thinking about...Gary

Life with a conscience...

Imagine be allowed to propel your car at this speed, legally?  Would you even want to?  Would it be safe?  Would it be prudent?  Operation of a motor vehicle at a much lower speed than the posted speed limit can actually get you a ticket for driving too slowly. Would you break the law by only going, say 50 or 60 mph?  How do we react to law and what do we do about it?  As I mentioned yesterday, I have been reading about Hitler and the causes of the second world war.  Its fascinating to me that he gained power legitimately and the people obeyed whatever laws were enacted.  Let me say that again... the people obeyed whatever laws were enacted!!!  Which naturally raises the question: What if the powers that be required you to do something that was obviously contrary to the word of God?  Most of the German people under The Third Reich blindly obeyed any enacted law and millions of non-Aryan people died. But what about those who follow Jesus, the Christ?  Can we do just anything and everything that those in power tell us to do?  The answer is found within the book of Acts, chapter five...

WEB: Acts Chapter 5

[12] By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. [13] None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. [14] More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. [15] They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them. [16] Multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.

[17] But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, [18] and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public custody. [19] But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said, [20] “Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”

[21] When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. [22] But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, [23] “We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

[24] Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this. [25] One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” [26] Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.

[27] When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, [28] saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”
[29] But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. [30] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. [31] God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. [32] We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

[33] But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and determined to kill them. [34] But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while. [35] He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do. [36] For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. [37] After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. [38] Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. [39] But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”

[40] They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The apostles had a choice; do what was plainly the will of God or do what the religious authorities of the day told them to do.  They chose God and suffered for it.  But, they followed their conscience and OBEYED GOD.  Throughout history Christians have had to make tough choices; in the first three centuries, if you disobeyed the will of Caesar and openly worshiped Jesus, you could be put to death for it and probably a horrible death at that.  Okay, that was a long time ago, but what about today?  Well, there are many countries on this green Earth, that forbid Christianity.  You can die in these places for being faithful to Jesus.  So, the topic is relevant and thought provoking, even to this very day.  Think about this, the next time you are told to do something that bothers you.  Think this is ONLY about a 100 mph sign limit?  In America, if a minor becomes pregnant and her family tries to force her to have an abortion; what would YOU advise her to do?  Remember, thou shalt not kill?????????

The labor that fails by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/ps127_1.htm

Another great lesson from the psalms... Gary