Dare to be Daniel by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/dan1_8.htm

One very special man, indeed... Gary

Family... got to love them... really!!!

Its that time of year again; family get-togethers, celebrations and of course, Christmas.  Thanksgiving and Christmas; two holidays that are MANDATORY for family.  It has always seemed odd to me that you get to pick your friends, but NOT YOUR FAMILY!!!   Friends are just that... friends; but family... well, face it, some of them may be less than wonderful.  Some may even be much worse than bad.  But, you get what you get and try to show solidarity with them all.  That is just the way it is because after all, they are FAMILY!!!  When I think of this time of year, naturally I think of passages such as the following...

WEB: Luke Chapter 2

[1] Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. [2] This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. [4] Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; [5] to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

[6] It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. [7] She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. [8] There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. [9] Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10] The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. [11] For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” [13] Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,

[14] “Glory to God in the highest,
on earth peace, good will toward men.”


[15] It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. [17] When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. [18] All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. [20] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

[21] When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

[22] When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord [23] (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), [24] and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

[25] Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. [26] It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. [27] He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, [28] then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

[29] “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;


[30] for my eyes have seen your salvation,
[31] which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;


[32] a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”


[33] Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, [34] and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. [35] Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

We attend family celebrations, but Joseph and Mary were obeying a Roman edict when their first son was born.  But, this was not a normal situation; angels in heaven rejoiced, shepherds marveled and prophetic pronouncements were made about their new child.  How the parents must have wondered about the future of their newborn?  They must have asked themselves:"Why Us"?  I really don't know the answer to that question, except to say we don't get to pick our relations, God does.  So, in this holiday season, be happy with the family God has given you; meet with them...BE HAPPY!!!  Who knows, you may just discover something unexpected, something wonderful, about someone you have known all your life.  Surprise!!!

Remember Shiloh by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/jer7_1.htm

A sermon from the book of Jeremiah...Gary

Your choice

Everyone wants freedom, but what kind?  Freedom from what?  Take your pick: work, taxes, responsibility, family or perhaps something like poverty or illness.  No matter who you are or where you live you will encounter one or more of these limiting factors.  Put several of them together and they will dictate how you live.  In America we think we are free, but we are not.  We are hemmed in on every side by rules, regulations, taxes and a political system that is so perverted from its original design as to be a joke.  Well, at least I have religious freedom... think again.  Government is encroaching on that as well.  Or is it...

WEB: Galatians 5:1

Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Some things are just between you and God.  Only he knows what you really think about all day long.  Only he knows why you do the things you do.  Unless the government suddenly learns how to read your thoughts (this may someday be possible) you will always have some privacy.  In one sense we all dictate who will govern us and hopefully it will be God.  Better than any Earthly system of government, God loves us and if he controls our hearts we have a chance at true liberty and that is a shining accomplishment indeed.

Ask for the old paths by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/jer6_16.htm

From the book of Jeremiah...Gary

Not on my keyboard!!!

I did and after seeing this picture, wondered why I did.  I had typing long ago and generally speaking, I KNOW THE KEYBOARD.  But, as I said, I checked it anyway.  SEX is NOT on the keyboard like the picture shows.  So, I started thinking about it in the Bible and remembered this chapter...

World English Bible: Judges Chapter 19

[1] It happened in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite living on the farther side of the hill country of Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehem Judah. [2] His concubine played the prostitute against him, and went away from him to her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah, and was there the space of four months. [3] Her husband arose, and went after her, to speak kindly to her, to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of donkeys: and she brought him into her father’s house; and when the father of the young lady saw him, he rejoiced to meet him. [4] His father-in-law, the young lady’s father, retained him; and he stayed with him three days: so they ate and drink, and lodged there.

[5] It happened on the fourth day, that they arose early in the morning, and he rose up to depart: and the young lady’s father said to his son-in-law, “Strengthen your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward you shall go your way.” [6] So they sat down, ate, and drank, both of them together: and the young lady’s father said to the man, “Please be pleased to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.” [7] The man rose up to depart; but his father-in-law urged him, and he lodged there again. [8] He arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart; and the young lady’s father said, “Please strengthen your heart and stay until the day declines;” and they both ate.

[9] When the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father-in-law, the young lady’s father, said to him, “Behold, now the day draws toward evening, please stay all night: behold, the day grows to an end, lodge here, that your heart may be merry; and tomorrow go on your way early, that you may go home.” [10] But the man wouldn’t stay that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus (the same is Jerusalem): and there were with him a couple of donkeys saddled; his concubine also was with him.

[11] When they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said to his master, “Please come and let us turn aside into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.”

[12] His master said to him, “We won’t turn aside into the city of a foreigner, that is not of the children of Israel; but we will pass over to Gibeah.” [13] He said to his servant, “Come and let us draw near to one of these places; and we will lodge in Gibeah, or in Ramah.” [14] So they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down on them near to Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin. [15] They turned aside there, to go in to lodge in Gibeah: and he went in, and sat him down in the street of the city; for there was no man who took them into his house to lodge.

[16] Behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at evening: now the man was of the hill country of Ephraim, and he lived in Gibeah; but the men of the place were Benjamites. [17] He lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”

[18] He said to him, “We are passing from Bethlehem Judah to the farther side of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there, and I went to Bethlehem Judah. I am going to the house of Yahweh; and there is no man who takes me into his house. [19] Yet there is both straw and provender for our donkeys; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for your handmaid, and for the young man who is with your servants: there is no want of anything.”

[20] The old man said, “Peace be to you; howsoever let all your wants lie on me; only don’t lodge in the street.” [21] So he brought him into his house, and gave the donkeys fodder; and they washed their feet, and ate and drink. [22] As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain base fellows, surrounded the house, beating at the door; and they spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may have sex with him!”

[23] The man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, “No, my brothers, please don’t act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, don’t do this folly. [24] Behold, here is my virgin daughter and his concubine. I will bring them out now. Humble them, and do with them what seems good to you; but to this man don’t do any such folly.”



[28] He said to her, “Get up, and let us be going!” but no one answered. Then he took her up on the donkey; and the man rose up, and went to his place.

[29] When he had come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the borders of Israel. [30] It was so, that all who saw it said, “There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this day! Consider it, take counsel, and speak.”

This story is important for several reasons.  First the death of this concubine ultimately led to almost a total eradication of one of the tribes of Israel.  Second, it shows a great perversion; that of homosexuality.  If that were not enough, gang rape was on the mind of these wicked, wicked men.  Sex between a man and wife is a beautiful thing.  All of us are here because our parents engaged in this activity.  Perverted sex is just that; PERVERTED!!! Those who say homosexuality, bestiality, and things like it are acceptable should read the Bible to learn that they are wrong!!!!!  These things are unacceptable, no matter what the news agencies tell us, or what some politician may say or what law someone may pass.  God has ordained sex, but NOT PERVERTED SEX!!!  To do something other than what has been authorized is to fight against GOD!!!  SEX may attract interest, but obedience to the will of God will help you ultimately arrive in heaven.  You decide which is more important!!!

Two great evils by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/jer2_13.htm

A lesson from Jeremiah...Gary