http://executableoutlines.com/text/ph3_8.htm
A study worth reading... Gary
1/7/12
The "I" Team
Leave it to someone to come up with this little bit of absurdity. A team is a collection of people knit together somehow to accomplish something. If there is a team, then there is no "I". Why someone who manipulate "team" is beyond me; I can only guess why. Like it or not, we are all part of a "team"; its called the human race. We all the same condition: We are human beings with the same condition; we are born, we grow old and die. But, a select few of us have another "team", that is, we are gathered together with Christ unto heaven, where we will "win" forever. The apostle Paul puts it this way...
World English Bible: Ephesians Chapter 2
[11] Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision,” (in the flesh, made by hands); [12] that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. [14] For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, [15] having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; [16] and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. [17] He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, [20] being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; [21] in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [22] in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
Each of us are individuals, with our own peculiar characteristics and talents. But Christ has brought us together in HIM to be a body, a group, "a team" that has restored fellowship with God. If there is an "I" in this team, its Christ and that's really what is important, isn't it?
God's power towards believer's by Mark Copeland
http://executableoutlines.com/text/ep1_19.htm
From the book of Ephesians... Gary
1/6/12
The Umbra that never ends!!!
When the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, we see the following on Earth. In the above picture (left to right), we see the full moon and then a darkening of the moon (penumbra) and then the golden center (umbra) and then the reverse.
Wikipedia says "The term is derived from the ancient Greek noun ἔκλειψις (ékleipsis), which means "the abandonment", "the downfall", or "the darkening of a heavenly body", which is derived from the verb ἐκλείπω (ekleípō) which means "to abandon", "to darken", or "to cease to exist,"[2] a combination of prefix ἐκ- (ek-), from preposition ἐκ (ek), "out," and of verb λείπω (leípō), "to be absent""
Okay, I know this is technical stuff, but it is important. Important because of the first meaning of the word eclipse, "The abandonment". At this point, read John chapter 1...
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.
God made the human race and we let him down. We sinned and have kept right on sinning. God could have "abandoned" us, but instead he sent Jesus to put light into our lives. We let him down, but he didn't forget us. We are NOT ABANDONED, we are loved. Jesus is the proof of this and his light will never end. So, the next time you see an eclipse (of any sort) think of what God has done and give him the glory.
What must I do to be Saved? By Mark Copeland
http://executableoutlines.com/text/ac16_30.htm
One of the most important lessons you will ever read... Gary
1/5/12
The ugly and the beautiful
Ugly, isn't it? Yet, it is beautiful at the same time! So much of life is like that, full of contradictions and irony! This picture doesn't stop there, for the sculpture is made from used tires. This makes it even more interesting because something fresh and very creative is made from material that was discarded and worth practically nothing. I wonder how God looks at those of us whose lives are corrupted by sin... are they nothing? What can be done? Consider Ezekiel chapter 18 for a few minutes and see...
WEB: Ezekiel Chapter 18
[20] The soul who sins, he shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him. [21] But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. [22] None of his transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live. [23] Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live? [24] But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die. [25] Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren’t your ways unequal? [26] When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies therein; in his iniquity that he has done shall he die. [27] Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. [28] Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. [29] Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” House of Israel, aren’t my ways fair? Aren’t your ways unfair? [30] Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. [31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel? [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord Yahweh: therefore turn yourselves, and live.
Sin is death. Sin is a turning away from God; it is a CHOICE!!! Not a disease as modern society would tell us; not an environmental conditioning, it is a CHOICE!!! If we turn to God and CHANGE, God will forgive; but we must CHANGE!!! God will help us turn the refuse of our lives into something beautiful, just like the artist did with the old tires that make up this sculpture but WE have to change our heart and leave the rest to God. Don't waste one more minute doing things your own way; listen and change!!! Who knows what God will sculpt from your life?
Walking in the fear of the LORD by Mark Copeland
http://executableoutlines.com/text/ac9_31.htm
This is one topic that all should read... Gary
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