From Gary... Bring on the skunks

The world has changed since I was very young; it has lost its much of its gentleness and become a harsher place to live in.   But I still think of those days and like to remember the television shows of the fifties and the gentle movies that Walt Disney produced.  Remember the Disney movie "Bambi"?  A newborn deer named Bambi was curious about flowers and so investigated a nearby patch of them.  Much to his surprise, he found a little skunk (named Flower) and the two became fast friends.   Bambi was an innocent; someone who didn't know skunks were "bad" and should be avoided.  Impossible in real life?  Not at all, for the top half of the graphic shows that it IS POSSIBLE.  Now, take a moment and apply this to PEOPLE.  Jesus did... and so should we.  Read the following passage from the book of Luke to see what I mean...

Luke, Chapter 4

 16  He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.  17 The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, 

  18  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, 

because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, 

to proclaim release to the captives, 

recovering of sight to the blind, 

to deliver those who are crushed, 

  19  and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” 

  20  He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

  22  All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” 

  23  He said to them, “Doubtless you will tell me this parable, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.’”   24 He said, “Most certainly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.  25  But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land.   26  Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.   27  There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian.” 

  28  They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things.  29 They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff.  30 But he, passing through their midst, went his way. 

The Jews thought Jesus was amazing- just as long as he didn't tread on their prejudices and preconceived ideas about people.  Jesus taught that God had went to the Gentiles and blessed them and the Jews of his hometown hated him enough to try to kill him for it!!!  Great story you say; but we don't do such things- we are just not like that!!!!  Really?  What if a drunk came into our worship assembly or a known child molester or perhaps even a lesbian couple (holding hands throughout the service) - What then.  God died for all of them, not just for those of us who are "good people".  Now, I am NOT saying that we should condone sin, but I am saying that even the most despicable person in our midst deserves a chance to hear the GOOD NEWS of God that leads to eternal life!!!  Truth is... you never really know how PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU- PERHAPS THEY MIGHT THINK YOU ARE A SKUNK???  Aren't you glad God doesn't think that way???  The following verse just popped into my mind...

Romans, Chapter 5

6 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.  8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

I don't know about you, but I am going to pray that God sends a few skunks MY WAY-- and I hope they have open minds!!!!

ps. All this reminded me of the Hymn..

The Gospel is For All (Of One the Lord Has Made) by Unlisted

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Of one the Lord has made the race
Thro' one has come the fall
Where sin has gone must go His grace
The gospel is for all

The blessed gosple is for all
The gospel is for all
Where sin has gone must go His grace
The gospel is for all

Say not the heathen are at home
Beyond we have no call
For why should we be blest alone?
The gospel is for all

Received ye freely, freely give
From ev'ry land they call
Unless they hear they cannot live
The gospel is for all

Words public domain 

From Mark Copeland... Feeding The Five Thousand

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                  Feeding The Five Thousand (6:32-44)

INTRODUCTION

1. One of the better known miracles of Jesus is "Feeding The Five
   Thousand"...
   a. With just five loaves and two fish
   b. With twelve baskets of fragments left over!

2. It is the only specific miracle performed by Jesus recorded in all
   four gospels...
   a. Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-13
   b. We will let Mark's account be the starting point for our study

[Many lessons can be gleaned from this miracle.  What I found striking
is first...]

I. WHAT IT REVEALS ABOUT JESUS

   A. COMPASSION...
      1. He wanted His disciples to rest, but compassion moved Him to
         serve - Mk 6:34
      2. Compassion that moved Him to send the apostles out earlier - 

         Mt 9:36; 10:1
      3. That later moved Him to feed the four thousand - Mt 15:32-38
      4. That qualifies Him to be a perfect High Priest - cf. He 4:14-16; 5:1-2
      -- This miracle reveals the wonderful compassion of our Lord!

   B. POWER...
      1. The power to feed 5000 men with five loaves and two fish - Mk 6:38-44
      2. 5000 men, besides women and children (possibly 10,000?) - Mt 14:21
      3. With twelve baskets of fragments left over - Mk 6:43
      4. The sort of power that provides more than one needs - cf. Ep 3:20
      -- This miracle reveals the overwhelming power of our Lord!

   C. ORDERLINESS...
      1. Jesus arranged the multitude in groups and ranks - Mk 6:39-40
      2. Such orderliness is typical, evidenced by His creation - cf.
         Col 1:16; Ps 19:1; Ro 1:19-20
      3. He desires it in the organization and worship of His churches
         - 1Co 14:33,40
      -- This miracle reveals the careful orderliness of our Lord!

[Jesus' compassion, power and orderliness can be gleaned from Mark's
account of this miracle.  From John's account in his gospel, we can also
learn...]

II. WHAT IT REVEALS ABOUT MAN

   A. MISUNDERSTANDING...
      1. Their initial reaction was correct
         a. That Jesus was the Prophet who was to come into the world
            - Jn 6:14
         b. As foretold by Moses and confirmed by Peter -  cf. 

            Deut 18:15-18; Ac 3:18-26
      2. But their desire to make Him king reveals their
         misunderstanding
         a. They wanted to make Him a literal king - Jn 6:15
         b. His kingdom was not to be a literal kingdom - cf. Jn 18:36;
            Lk 17:20-21
      3. Today, we should not presume to know what is God's will
         a. His ways and thoughts are often much different than our own
            - cf. Isa 55:8-9
         b. Thus we should be quick to hear, rather than presume - cf.
            Ecc 5:1-2
      -- The response to this miracle reveals man's ability to
         misunderstand God's will!

   B. MATERIALISM...
      1. They sought Jesus for the wrong reasons
         a. They wanted the physical food He provided - Jn 6:26
         b. They should have sought food that endures to everlasting
            life - Jn 6:27
      2. He wanted to give them true bread
         a. That gives life to the world - Jn 6:32-33
         b. The bread of life, given to those who believe - Jn 6:34-35
      2. Today, people often choose churches for the wrong reasons
         a. Entertainment, youth programs, etc.
         b. When they should be looking for spiritual things - cf. Ro 14:17
      -- The response to this miracle reveals man's tendency to desire
         material things

   C. DULLNESS...
      1. They complained about Him
         a. Because of His claim to be bread from heaven - Jn 6:41
         b. Because they saw Him only as the son of Joseph and Mary - Jn 6:42
      2. They struggled over His sayings
         a. Taking Him literally - Jn 6:52
         b. Even many of His disciples left Him - Jn 6:60,66
      3. Today, many demonstrate a similar dullness
         a. Unwilling to stay with Jesus (unlike the apostles) - Jn 6:67-69
         b. Unwilling to make use of their time to learn and apply - cf.
            He 5:11-14
      -- The response to this miracle reveals man's propensity to
         spiritual dullness

CONCLUSION

1. The miracle we have studied offers insight into the person of Jesus
   Christ...
   a. His compassion for the souls and bodies of mankind
   b. His power to provide for every need of man
   c. His orderliness in the work He sets out to perform

2. The reaction to this miracle reveals insight into the propensity of
   man...
   a. To misunderstand the will of God
   b. To seek after material things of the world
   c. To be dull of heart, which leads to the first two

3. What will be our response to this wonderful miracle...?
   a. Let our spiritual dullness to take it lightly, or ignore it
      altogether?
   b. Let it increase our faith in Him who provides our every need?

Jesus' intention was to draw men to Him as the Bread of Life which
nourishes our souls.  May we not be so blinded by the materialism that
we fail to labor for that which leads to everlasting life (Jn 6:27)...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Jim McGuiggan... The unsung heroes

The unsung heroes

Michael Caine began his climb to movie stardom with his part in the movie Zulu. Perhaps you’ll remember that it centers round a relative handful of soldiers in a "fort" (a clearing with a number of farm buildings in it) fighting a series of pitched battles against a Zulu host that compared with them was too large to calculate. After every attack they had fewer men and the central area grew smaller. When the scene is set for the final Zulu attack that would over-run the garrison, maybe a dozen troops fully purposed to die before tamely surrendering or running away. It was then that what they feared most appeared. Instead of many numerous smaller units attacking various points as before the whole Zulu force silently appeared on the top of the hill that ran round one side of the collection of buildings that was their fort. For the first time the soldiers realized the size of their enemy, now seeing it in one vast gathering. The enemy stood silently looking down on them, letting them sense the full strength of the force against them, the force they had been refusing to give in to. Then the whole multitude of warriors began to chant/sing in that awesome way of theirs; both lovely and spine-tingling, thunderous, rhythmic and musical—but awesome! Shaken to the core the remnant then heard a Zulu chief call to them with words they thought were insult and threats. But one who knew the country and knew the Zulus put them at ease by telling them that he was praising their courage and that this whole exhibition of song and sermon was a hymn to their gallantry. The Zulu host walked away shaking their heads in admiring disbelief and left the handful their lives. That single scene made enduring the whole movie worthwhile. You don’t have to agree with war to applaud courage and you don’t have to think weapons settle anything to rise to your feet to praise gallantry.

Moral and spiritual battles are no less real, no less fierce and certainly no less prolonged than the other wars. There are those of us that make daily war against besetting sins that threaten to entirely unravel us. Sins that would suck the courage right out of us and lead us to abject despair because they seem to overcome us with such contemptuous ease no matter how earnestly we vow to win the next encounter. Time and time and time again they suffer loss but refuse to give up the citadel of the soul. There are people who live under the toughest circumstances and face the temptation to quit the struggle, spit in the eye of God and let their passions and their weariness be their lord. But here they come again, crawling up to the barricade to take their place with others in opposing the enemy. And then there are those--God bless them!--that wrestle with sinister drives that they refuse to allow to become besetting sins. All these are the unsung heroes of the world. George Adam Smith was right on target when he said this.

"What starved garrison, that marched from its inviolate fortress with all the honours of war and to the admiration of its foes, ever deserved half the glory...which thousands of tempted souls deserve...who hold the fortresses of their lonely lives against the devils of dishonesty and greed and lust. And yet you have strong men whining to-day all the world over—and some of them parading their whines in literature—that the temptations of their strength are too great for them; and slipping off into the pleasant mire with the cry, I cannot help it.What forgetfulness! What cowardice!"

©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.

From Mark Copeland... The Need For Rest

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                      The Need For Rest (6:30-31)

INTRODUCTION

1. One might easily conclude that the Bible is all about work and no
   play...
   a. It speaks negatively about sloth and idleness - Pr 6:6-11; 1Ti 5:13
   b. It speaks positively about labor and work - Ep 4:28; 1Th 4:11

2. Yet Jesus spoke of the need to rest...
   a. After His disciples had returned from fulfilling the Limited
      Commission - Mk 6:30
   b. Encouraging them to come aside to a deserted place and rest a
      while - Mk 6:31

[Despite advances in labor-saving technology, it seems we are more
stressed than ever.  We do well to remember and apply what the Bible
says about...]

I. THE NEED FOR REST

   A. ILLUSTRATED BY THE SABBATH...
      1. God rested on the seventh day - Gen 2:1-2
      2. The principle of rest served as the basis for the Sabbath - Gen 2:3
      3. Which later was commanded of the Israelites as a weekly
         observance - Deut 5:12-15
      -- Clearly God approved of taking time to rest on a regular basis

   B. ILLUSTRATED BY OTHER JEWISH HOLIDAYS...
      1. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, with two days of rest - Lev 23:5-8
      2. The Feast of Harvest (Pentecost), one day of rest - Lev 23:21
      3. The Feast of Trumpets (1st day of 7th month), one day of rest
         - Lev 23:23-25
      4. The Day of Atonement (10th day of 7th month), one day of rest
         - Lev 23:26-32
      5. The Feast Of Tabernacles (15th day of 7th month), two days of
         rest - Lev 23:33-36
      6. Included with several of the above were:
         b. Required trips to Jerusalem - cf. Lev 23:14-17; Deut 16:16
         b. Seven-day feasts, including one week of living in tents
            - cf. Lev 23:42
      7. These were in addition to the weekly sabbaths
      -- Approximately 70 days each year "no customary work" was to be
         done

[As the Old Testament was written for our learning (Ro 15:4), it is
apparent that God created man with a need for rest.  Here are some
thoughts related to...]

II. TAKING TIME TO REST

   A. TWO DANGERS TO AVOID...
      1. Too much work
         a. No man can work without rest; and no man can live the
            Christian life unless he gives himself times with God
         b. How can we shoulder life's burdens if we have no contact
            with him who is the Lord of all good life?
         c. How can we do God's work unless in God's strength?
         d. How can we receive that strength unless we seek in quietness
            and in loneliness the presence of God?
      2. Too much withdrawal
         a. Devotion that does not issue in action is not real devotion
         b. Prayer that does not issue in work is not real prayer
         c. We must never seek the fellowship of God in order to avoid
            the fellowship of men but in order to fit ourselves better
            for it
         d. The rhythm of the Christian life is the alternate meeting
            with God in the secret place and serving men in the market
            place
      -- These thoughts come from Barclay's Daily Study Bible

   B. TWO TYPES OF REST...
      1. Physical rest, to refresh the body
         a. Such as a good night's sleep, afternoon naps
         b. Vacations involving travel, dining with friends - cf. the OT
            feasts
         c. Benefits:  less stress, weight control, memory performance,
            overall good health
      2. Spiritual rest, to refresh the spirit
         a. Such as a daily devotional period
         b. Special times devoted to prayer, meditation on God's Word
            - cf. Php 4:6-9
         c. Benefits:  a closer walk with God, inner renewal, peace of
            mind
      -- Body and soul both need periods of rest

   C. TWO SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER...
      1. Making time
         a. Schedule for periodic rest
         b. Isaac liked the evening - Gen 24:63
         c. David and Daniel liked morning, noon, and evening - 

            Psa 55:17; Dan 6:10
         d. Jesus preferred early morning - Mk 1:35
         e. Remember also the OT weekly and annual rests as an example
            of systematic rest
      2. Choosing location
         a. Find places that allow for privacy (in the case of personal
            devotions)
         b. Isaac liked the field - Gen 24:63
         c. David meditated on his bed - Psa 4:4; 63:6
         d. Daniel prayed in his room - Dan 6:10
         e. Jesus preferred deserted places - Mk 1:35; 6:31
         f. Remember also the OT feasts (as example of celebratory rest
            with others)
      -- These suggestions are simply to stimulate your thinking

CONCLUSION

1. The life of the Christian is more of a marathon than a sprint...
   a. We need to have endurance - He 10:36; 12:1
   b. Lest we fall short of reaching our rest - He 4:1,9-11

2. To reach our "Heavenly Rest", we need both...
   a. Diligence in serving the Lord
   b. Diligence in taking time to rest

3. Some Christians fail to maintain a proper balance...
   a. Suffering physically as a result (e.g., poor health)
   b. Suffering spiritually as well (e.g., emotional and mental burn
      out)

As physical strength requires both exercise and rest, so it is with
spiritual strength.   We can be thankful that in the wisdom of God there
is to be opportunity for both...

   Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and
   rest awhile." - Mk 6:31 (NLT)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary.... F-E-A-R

Fear; that moment when your life seems at risk and nothing else in the world matters but your survival!!!  Fear blinds reason, accentuates  emotion and causes you to make choices that are sometimes totally irrational!!!  Fear is on my mind today because a little four footed creature (Buddy, my sister-in-law's small poodle) put it there.  I was awakened about 7am, by a gentle scratching on the bedroom door and immediately viewed a scared-out-of-his-mind "Buddy".  He was shaking and running in all sorts of directions, unsure as what he should do next.  Then, it thundered and he just stood there, looking at me, unable to move, just shaking all over.  This from a dog who likes to attack animals four or five times his size. Next thing I noticed was that the lights were all on and from my wife's bedroom, I heard her say that my little friend had woke her up two hours earlier with his crying.  Fear will make you do all sorts of things- like cause you to go down icy steps, even when its the last thing in the world you want to do.  Or perhaps, just look at the problem in a zombie like state like the top dog in the above picture.  The Bible speaks abundantly about this topic and the hardest thing for me to do was to just pick one instance to talk about, but here goes...

Matthew, Chapter 14

  22  Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  23 After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.  24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  25 In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.  26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear.  27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying “Cheer up! It is I!  Don’t be afraid.” 

  28  Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” 

  29  He said, “Come!” 

Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.  30 But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 

  31  Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”  32 When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased.  33 Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!” 

Physical danger is something we all have been exposed to at one time or another. The moment you realize that it is serious is the time you have to make one of the choices that the second of the two pictures discusses.  Peter, reached out to Jesus and was helped, but he lacked faith and almost sank into the depths of the sea. Then, he tried again and was saved from his impending doom by a merciful, understanding Jesus.  THEN Peter understood!!!  OK, this a situation specific example, but sooner or later we all will face death.  Question: will you reach out to Jesus?  Will you finally admit you need him to save YOUR LIFE???  DO NOT WAIT!!!  Tomorrow may be too late; boldly face everything with HIS HELP and accept the eternal life that ONLY HE CAN OFFER!!!  Choice is yours- please make the right one!!!!  Jesus conquers F-E-A-R!!!!

From Gary... UN-BEARable

UN-BEARable

(Click on the link to view)

One of the first things I do each day is check out what is on facebook.  An old friend of mine (Walter Vogt) had posted this and so, out of curiosity, I thought I would view it.  Watch this video!!!  Even though the interaction is between human beings and some bears, I still thought of this passage from the book of Luke...

Luke, Chapter 10

 25  Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 

  26  He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 

  27  He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

  28  He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.” 

  29  But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” 

  30  Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.   31  By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.   32  In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.   33  But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,   34  came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.   35  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’   36  Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” 

  37  He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” 

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” 

Christians have been getting a bum rap in the media.  But, truth is that they do a lot of good in the world.  My sister-in-law, Dorothy has been in the hospital and now in a rehab facility run by those who try to follow Christ.  I am sure that practically everyone out there know of situations where Christians try to good for others.  This isn't by accident, it is a teaching of Jesus.  What I especially like about the video is its selflessness: there is no way that bear can repay what was done for her cubs!!!   I really have no way of knowing if those "GOOD SAMARITANS" are Christians or not, but I like to think so.  Taking those cubs out of that dumpster trap was an UN-BEARable act of kindness!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... The needy soul

The needy soul

"As the deer pants for the streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." Psalm 42:1.

There he is standing in the middle of the stream chest heaving and heart thumping like a runaway train. His wide and wild-eyed look scours every foot of ground around him but there’s no sign of them. Maybe he finally shook them off but his legs are throbbing and weary from miles covered at breakneck speed, his ribs are aching from the pressure of lungs expanded to their limit in sucking in great gulps of air, his throat is on fire and his mouth though foam-flecked is absolutely parched. He can wait no longer, danger or not he must find the nearest stream and drink or die.

The long chase, the fierce pack, the cunning way they pursued, always keeping him running full tilt with a single leader dog while the rest waited until he tired and then they’d take over. This time he outwitted or outran them but the strain and the effort has been close to overwhelming. He pants for water. No sipping, no little desire but a desperate and unquenchable thirst. He finds the stream and sinks his muzzle in the ice-cold water and swallows it down in big life-giving gulps.

That’s the picture the psalmist paints for us in Psalm 42:1. "As the deer pants for the flowing stream so my soul longs after you."

There he is, pursued by enemies, hemmed in by circumstances beyond his control, his strength almost gone, the effort to stay on his feet has worn him down and driven him to the edge of the abyss. He must find God. "My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me continually, ‘Where is your God?’" [42.2]

As the deer at the limit of his endurance instinctively knows he must find water so this little human knows he must find God for it’s only in God he has reason to hope! He tests every offer of help with the question: "Will it help me to find God?"

"Here, here is good advice and counsel."

Will it help me to find God?

"Here, here is an offer of friendship."

Will it help me see the face of God?

"Here, here is a place you can run to."

Will I find God there?

"Here, here is a book you should read, a movie you should see, a seminar you should attend, a habit you should develop."

Will they bring me to God?

©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