From Jim McGuiggan.... A hand's not an eye but...

A hand's not an eye but...

Not all Christians are individually called to suffer in the way the servants of 1 Peter 2:18-21 were called to suffer. But it’s important to remember that no Christian or group of Christians exists as an independent unit, as if they were not a part of the community of faith. This means that while only certain members of Christ’s body are called to some particular experience or path that it is nevertheless the Church as a single body that experiences this or walks that path.

As a physical body has many parts and is yet one body so also is the Church (Romans 12:4-5). It’s true that the eyes don’t do the hearing or that the nose doesn’t do the seeing; but it is not true that seeing and hearing and smelling are completely isolated and individual workings. Seeing is a function of the body and not merely the eyes!

It is not the eyes that see through the eyes; it is the body that sees through the eyes. It is not the ears that hear through the ears, it is not the nose that smells through the nose. Hearing and smelling is what the body as a single and undivided unit does and it does these things through the various parts of the body.

So it is with the Body of Christ. There are no isolated parts that function independently of the rest of the body. A hand in a body has no existence without the body. It can only be understood as a hand precisely because there is a body of which it is a part. This remains true even though the hand is not the foot and the eye is not the ear. There is diversity within the parts of the body and the hand mustn’t abdicate and lay the burden on the eye. Each one must bear his or her own burden and be held accountable in that regard. The church takes care of its children via its parents and it respects it parents via its children. The church serves its wives via its husbands and its husbands via its wives. Family members were instructed to take care of needy widows so that the "church" should not be burdened (1 Timothy 5:16). There is a doctrine of specificity of responsibility (for example, 1 Timothy 5:8). But we’re not to allow that to mask the truth that when these specific responsibilities are being fulfilled by the various members (parts) that this is the body at work; this is how the body does its work!

When God calls specific people within the body to a particular role we’re not to conclude that they are not functioning as the body! Not everyone was called to patiently endure mistreatment at the hands of harsh masters but because they are members of the body it is the body that is under attack by harsh masters. Christ told Paul in Acts 9 that when he persecuted the people of God he was persecuting their Head.

It’s nonsense for us to think that we exist independent of the rest of the People of 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, theabidingword.com.

From Mark Copeland... Running The Race Of Faith (Hebrews 12:1-3)

                  "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                   Running The Race Of Faith (12:1-3)

INTRODUCTION

1. Throughout our study, we have noted the emphasis on being steadfast
   in our faith...
   a. The warning against developing unbelief - He 3:12-15
   b. The need for a faith that endures - He 6:11-12; 10:36-39
   c. In chapter eleven, we were reminded of many who had this kind of 
      faith

2. This emphasis continues, with our own life of faith described as a 
   race...
   a. In which we are "surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses"
      - He 12:1
      1) The "cloud of witnesses" refers to those mentioned in the 
         previous chapter
      2) I.e., those Old Testament saints like Abraham, Moses, etc.
   b. In what way are they "witnesses"?
      1) While the word can mean "spectator", it is not likely so used
         here
         a) That would suggest they are now "looking down" on us from
            heaven
         b) But there is no indication the dead know what is going on 
            earth - cf. Ec 9:5
         c) While they may have "memory" of what happened (Lk 16:28),
            their attention is focused upon their present condition 
            - cf. Re 7:9-17
      2) The word can also refer to those who "bear witness"
         a) By their lives, they have borne witness to the value of 
            faith - cf. He 11:1-40
         b) By their exemplary lives, they encourage us in "Running The
            Race Of Faith"!

[As we seek to follow in the footsteps of others who have successfully
"run the race of faith", there are three things necessary as presented
in our text.  The first one is...]

I. WE NEED TO LAY SOME THINGS ASIDE (1)

   A. NOTE THE COMPARISON TO RUNNING...
      1. The runner who seeks to win:
         a. Loses as much weight as possible without hurting
            performance
         b. Wears clothing that is light and allows freedom of movement
      2. Excess weight, chafing clothing, etc., can be the difference
         between victory or defeat!

   B. WE TOO MUST LAY SOME THINGS ASIDE...
      1. "every weight"
         a. I.e., things which slow down our spiritual progress
            1) Such as "carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life"
               - Lk 21:34-36
            2) Also, "anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy 
               language..." - cf. Col 3:8; 1Pe 2:1-2; Jm 1:21
         b. Such things make "running the race of faith" difficult, if
            not impossible!
      2. "the sin which so easily ensnares us"
         a. Any and all sins should be laid aside
         b. From the context, I understand "the" sin to be the "sin of 
            unbelief"
            1) The epistle was written to encourage faithfulness to 
               Christ and His covenant
            2) We've seen warnings against unbelief - He 3:12-13
            3) When one no longer believes, the race is lost! - He 10:
               26-39

[With a full assurance of faith, and with every hindrance laid aside, 
we can "run the race of faith" as God intended.  But as we comprehend 
the true nature of the "course" set before us, we can appreciate the 
need for the element of endurance...]

II. WE NEED TO HAVE ENDURANCE (1)

   A. THE "RACE OF FAITH" IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT...
      1. It does not require one quick burst of energy, in which the 
         race is soon over
      2. This "race" requires a sustained effort over a long period of 
         time

   B. ENDURANCE IS A NECESSARY QUALITY...
      1. Jesus often taught His disciples concerning the need for 
         endurance (i.e., patience)
         a. In the parable of The Sower - Lk 8:12
         a. In preparing the disciples for the Limited Commission - Mt 10:22
         b. In His discourse on the Mount of Olives - Mt 24:13
      2. The writer to the Hebrews had stressed this virtue earlier
         a. In which he appealed to the example of Abraham - He 6:11-15
         b. In which he quoted from Habakkuk - He 10:36-39
      3. We can develop such patience with the help of the Scriptures 
         - Ro 15:4
         a. As we read of the faithfulness of God Who fulfills His 
            promises
         b. As we read of the ultimate end of those persevered in 
            faithfulness

[Paul wrote that eternal life would be given "to those who by patient
continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality" (Ro
2:7). Therefore, endurance is required for successfully running this 
"race of faith"!

Equally important is where we have our mind focused as we run the 
race...]

III. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON JESUS (2-3)

   A. WE MUST "LOOK UNTO JESUS"...
      1. Our focus must be upon the Lord as we "run the race"
         a. We might "glance" at others (cf. He 11)
         b. But we are to "gaze" upon the Lord Savior (Believers' Study
            Bible)
         c. As suggested by this "Formula For Spiritual Success":
            1) If you want to be distressed -- look within
            2) If you want to be defeated -- look back 
            3) If you want to be distracted -- look around
            4) If you want to be dismayed -- look ahead
            5) If you want to be delivered -- look up! - cf. Col 3:1-2
      2. For Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith"
         - cf. He 2:10
         a. He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last,
            the Alpha and the Omega - Re 1:8,11
         b. He has blazed the trail for us...
            1) By having run the race Himself
               a) As a forerunner He has entered the heavenly sanctuary
                  - He 6:19-20
               b) He has opened a "new and living way" for us - He 10:
                  20
            2) And now He helps us to finish it ourselves - cf. He 7:25
      3. He succeeded in running the race by looking at "the joy set 
         before Him"
         a. The "joy" that inspired Him was likely that privilege of 
            being seated at God's right hand - cf. Ps 16:9-11; Ac 2:
            25-31
         b. With the anticipation of such "joy", Jesus...
            1) "endured the cross" (the physical pain)
            2) "despised the shame" (the emotional and spiritual agony)
      -- Just as Jesus looked at the joy set before Him, so we must
         look to Jesus!

   B. WE MUST "CONSIDER HIM"...
      1. We must consider how He endured, not only on the cross, but 
         even before! - He 11:3
         a. How He "endured such hostility from sinners against 
            himself"
         b. This hostility is something He experienced frequently - cf.
            Lk 4:28-29; 11:15-16,53-54; 16:14
      2. Meditating upon our Lord will prevent us from becoming
         "weary and discouraged in your souls"
         a. We cannot run with endurance if we become weary and
            discouraged
         b. But as we consider the Lord and His example (in itself a
            form of "waiting upon the Lord"), we shall not grow weary
            nor faint - cf. Isa 40:31

CONCLUSION

1. "Running The Race Of Faith" requires both negative and positive 
   elements...
   a. Negatively, we must lay aside things which would hinder us
   b. Positively, we must keep our focus on Jesus who has made our 
      salvation possible

2. In both cases, the Word of God (the Bible) is crucial...
   a. For in it we learn what sort of things we must lay aside
   b. For in it we learn about our Lord, what He endured, how His 
      example should inspire us

3. Have you lost your endurance?  Have you grown weary in "Running The
   Race Of Faith"?
   a. Let the Bible help you examine what "baggage" should be left 
      aside!
   b. Let the Bible help you learn about Jesus whose own example can 
      encourage you to continue on with perseverance!

Remember what we read earlier...

   "For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the
   will of God, you may receive the promise..." (Hebrews 10:36)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... The closer you look...

I have used several of Terri Justice's pictures before, so I thought I would try this one. Yes, this is one picture. The bottom is my adjustment. Both pictures are fine; the top one shows more reflection, and the bottom one more detail.  So what? Well, these pictures are a lot like people. You can look at their glossy exterior (appearance and character) or you can go a bit closer.  When you do, I can almost guarantee you will find something wrong. If your motives in considering the other person are good ones- no problem. But, if you WANT TO FIND SOMETHING WRONG TO USE IN A NOT-SO-NICE way, then, we have a problem. In thinking about this a bit, I chose a few Bible verses to consider....

Matthew, Chapter 7

 1  “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.   2  For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.  3  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?   4  Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?   5  You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye. 

1 Corinthians, Chapter 5

12 For what have I to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within?  13 But those who are outside, God judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”

Romans, Chapter 2

 26 If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances of the law, won’t his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision?  27 Won’t the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?  28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh;  29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God. 

From the beginning of your life and thereafter, you will be judged. From whether or not you are a "cute" baby, to scores on a test in school, and countless other things- you WILL BE JUDGED!!!  So, it is no different in religious matters. Except that Christians are well aware that their judgment is flawed compared to that of the creator. However, in order to maintain purity, we have to consider conduct; matters of the heart are God's purview. Yes, we are to proclaim truth; truth in what we do religiously (liturgy), truth in what we teach (dogma) and ethics (everyday living). However, our aim as Christians is to proclaim Jesus as the way to freedom from sin (sanctification). Christians should be progressing in this last concept and when they fall - 1 Corinthians 5 should be considered. Now, what about the Christian's attitude towards those OUTSIDE THE CHURCH? Consideration, understanding and a call to a Godly controlled though the GOSPEL should be our focus.  Once a person understands the truly evil nature and dastardly effects of sin, well, why would they want to stay in it???  I know that it sometimes hurts to consider your ways, but seeing truth is well worth it. Just like that lower picture of the moon above; it may be clearer, but you are bound to see more defects. This is where Jesus comes in- HE is the way out of your problems, by the truth and leading to a better life (John 14:6).

From Jim McGuiggan... A Sweet Story

A Sweet Story

The Balaam story in Numbers 22—23 makes it clear that Balak saw Israel as something to be cursed and Balaam saw Israel as an opportunity to make himself rich. I wonder what weary Israel thought of itself just at that particular time? We know this: He who knew her, really knew her, knew her as the nation that had broken his heart for a generation in the wilderness and as the nation that would break it again and again. All the more remarkable, then, that he said of her (Numbers 24:5): “How beautiful are your tents O Israel.”

We don’t have to guess what the powers in Jerusalem thought of the NT church (Acts 4—5), of what the people of Ephesus who worshipped Artemis thought of the new people among them (Acts 19:1-41) or how they were received by the Gentile world. There are suggestions throughout the various NT letters that their opinion of themselves varied with their experience and, of course, at some levels it matters what the Church thinks of itself. But ultimately it matters only what God thought and thinks of her. She is what he says she is and not what society or the world powers think—not even what they themselves think (see the Lord’s remarks to the seven churches in Revelation 2—3).

So what is she really?

A clear description has been given of her from various sources that all combine and go in the one direction. Here’s how it goes often enough.

Jesus, that poor soul, was too high-strung for a world like this. He was a good man, gentle and grieved by the evil and suffering he saw all around him. He cared a lot about the poor and probably worked many psychosomatic cures. You know how caring people can do that for hurting hearts.

His sensitivity might even have unhinged the poor thing because he said things like he was the light of the world, that the dead would all arise one day when they heard his voice, that if people wanted life they would have to feed on his flesh and blood, that he was God’s unique Son and that if he was killed he’d rise again—things like that. (Of course, though his later disciples said he did, we can’t really be sure he said any of these things; but if he did we’re not to jeer, we should pity him because his sensitivity could easily have driven him harmlessly mad.)

When it came to his teaching—the material that makes sense, that is—we find his teaching matching his actions. It would be too much to say he was original for much of what he said he had learned from his Jewish heritage but his beautiful life would have added strength to his teaching.

In any case, it’s a hard old world and his people, especially the leaders, had had enough of him and for some reason that we can only guess at they did away with him. Sad as it is, like every other human he stayed dead and by now he has turned to dust in some unknown grave, but you know, he was dearly loved! So it’s as though someone wrote over his tomb: “Gone but not forgotten!” For indeed he wasn’t forgotten and his followers gathered together to remember him and keep his wise, gentle sayings alive.

We can almost hear them now as they shared his beautiful sayings with one another and anyone who would listen. “You remember how he used to say things like, ‘Love one another…treat one another right…live in peace…work out your differences between one another.’ Ah, yes, a dear gentle soul, we won’t soon see another like him. And may we having gathered together to fondly remember him all leave this place and be better friends and neighbours because as long as we do he’ll always be alive in the world.”

And that is how the Christian movement started. It’s (at its best) a vast number of people who wish to follow the teaching and lifestyle of that beautiful 1^st century figure. We can safely ignore all the extraneous materials we find written about him and try to follow (most of) his central moral teachings because, after all, the thing that counts is how we are to treat one another in this life—the rest is irrelevant.

Indeed, a sweet story!

And I suppose that there are some who really believe it.

©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, theabidingword.com.

From Gary...

I especially like today's post; Jim tells a tale that sounds good, but in reality has nothing to do with the heart of Christianity- Jesus as sacrifice for our sins. Sometimes its a good thing to think like this, but be very, very careful when you do. At this point, you might find it useful to open your Bible and turn to 1 Corinthians, Chapter 15:1-9 and read for yourself... truth!!!

From Mark Copeland... Faith That Overcomes The World (Hebrews 11:23-40)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

               Faith That Overcomes The World (11:23-40)

INTRODUCTION

1. What kind of faith leads "to the saving of the soul" (He 10:39)?
   a. It is "Faith That Pleases God" - He 11:1-7
      1) That has confidence and conviction in things hoped for, in 
         things unseen
      2) That believes God is, and that He rewards those who seek Him
      3) That worships like Abel, walks like Enoch, and works like Noah
   b. It is "Faith That Embraces The Promises" - He 11:8-22
      1) Obeying God when He calls, even it means sojourning as a 
         pilgrim, or sacrificing that which is most precious to you 
         (Abraham)
      2) Receiving strength from God to do His will (Sarah)
      3) Declaring the promises of God from generation to generation 
         (Isaac, Jacob, Joseph)

2. Saving faith is also "Faith That Overcomes The World", concerning
   which...
   a. The apostle John wrote in 1Jn 5:4-5
   b. We have many examples in He 11:23-40

[In the last half of chapter eleven, then, we are reminded how in the
Old Testament those with faith were able to "overcome the world".  How
such faith overcame the world may vary.  To see how, let's begin by 
noticing...]

I. FAITH IN THE GENERATION OF THE EXODUS (23-31)

   A. THE FAITH OF MOSES' PARENTS... (23)
      1. They hid Moses for three months - cf. Exo 2:1-3; Ac 7:20
         a. They saw he was a "beautiful" ("good", "proper", "not 
            ordinary") child
         b. They were not afraid of Pharaoh's command - cf. Exo 1:22
      2. It was their faith that gave them courage to withstand the 
         king's edict
      -- With such a small beginning, by faith they "overcame the 
         world" of Egypt

   B. THE FAITH OF MOSES... (24-28)
      1. He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter - He 11:
         24-26
         a. He chose to suffer affliction with God's people rather than
            enjoy sin's temporary pleasures
         b. He esteemed the reproaches of Christ more valuable than the
            treasures of Egypt
         -- Through faith "he looked to the reward" (he had confidence
            in "things hoped for", i.e., that heavenly reward)
      2. He forsook Egypt - He 11:27
         a. It was not the wrath of the king that he feared
         b. It was the invisible God he feared - cf. Mt 10:28
         -- Through faith "he endured" (he had conviction in "things
            unseen", i.e., God)
      3. He kept the Passover and sprinkling of blood - He 11:28
         a. He believed in God's warning regarding the death of the 
            firstborn- Exo 12:1-30
         b. He had Israel sprinkle the blood of the lamb on the lintels
            and door posts
      -- By faith, Moses "overcame the world" of Egyptian bondage!

   C. THE FAITH OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL... (29-30)
      1. They passed through the Red Sea - He 11:29
         a. They walked through it on dry land - Exo 14:21-22
         b. The Egyptians who followed them perished in the sea - Exo 14:23-28
      2. They destroyed the city of Jericho - He 11:30
         a. They walked around the city for seven days - Josh 6:1-20
         b. Thirteen times they encircled the city, showing their faith
            in God rather than in their own military might
      -- By faith, Israel "overcame the world" of Egypt and Palestine!

   D. THE FAITH OF RAHAB THE HARLOT... (31)
      1. She had received the two spies from Israel with peace - Josh 2:1-24
      2. Therefore she did not perish with the unbelievers - cf. Josh 6:22-25
      -- By faith, Rahab "overcame the world" of sin and unbelief!

[Through faith, Israel receive the promised land as God had told 
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Josh 21:43-45). In the process, by faith 
they overcame what obstacles the world placed before them.  Even a 
Gentile sinner like Rahab became a recipient of the promise by her 
faith.

But the need for faith did not stop there. As we continue, we see
examples of...]

II. FAITH IN THE LAND OF PROMISE (32-40)

   A. A SAMPLE LIST OF HEROES OF FAITH... (32)
      1. There is not enough time for the author to describe the faith
         of others in detail
      2. Such as:
         a. Judges like Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah
         b. A king like David
         c. A prophet like Samuel, and the rest of the prophets
      -- But what the author does provide is that which follows...

   B. A SUMMARY LIST OF WHAT FAITH ACCOMPLISHED... (33-37)
      1. Through faith, people such as these...
         a. "Subdued kingdoms"
            1) Joshua, in conquering Palestine - Josh 12:7-24
            2) David, in conquering neighboring nations - 2Sa 5:4-25;
               8:1-14
         b. "Worked righteousness" (administered justice)
            1) Samuel, as judge - 1Sa 12:4
            2) David, as king - 2Sa 8:15
            3) Solomon, as king - 1Ki 3:28
         c. "Obtained promises"
            -- The nation of Israel, receiving the promised land - Josh 21:43-45; 23:14
         d. "Stopped the mouths of lions"
            1) Samson - Judg 14:6
            2) David, protecting sheep - 1Sa 17:34-37
            3) Daniel, in the lions' den - Dan 6:21-22
         e. "Quenched the violence of fire"
            -- Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego, in the fiery furnace - Dan 3:23-25
         f. "Escaped the edge of the sword"
            1) David, fleeing King Saul - 1Sa 23:19-29
            2) Elijah, fleeing Jezebel - 1Ki 19:8-10
            3) Elisha, whom the King of Israel wanted murdered - 2 Kin 6:31-32
         h. "Out of weakness were made strong"
            1) Samson, after his hair was cut - Judg 16:29-30
            2) Hezekiah, who was given fifteen years of life - Isa 38:
               1-8
         i. "Became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of 
            aliens"
            1) David, in defeating Goliath - 1Sa 17:50
            2) Jehoshaphat, in defeating Edom - 2Ch 20:1-30
            3) Hezekiah, whose faith led to the slaughter of 185,000 
               Assyrian soldiers - 2Ki 19:1-36
      2. Also through faith...
         a. "Women received their dead raised to life again"
            1) The widow of Zarephath, via Elijah - 1Ki 17:17-24
            2) The Shunamite woman, via Elisha - 2Ki 4:8-37
         b. "Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, to obtain
             a better resurrection"
            1) Eleazar, in the Maccabean period between the Testaments 
               - 2 Macc 6:30
            2) Also, seven brothers and their mother tortured by 
               Antiochus Epiphanes - 2 Macc 7:9-36
            -- Such events would have been well known by the Hebrew 
               readers
         c. "Others had trials of mockings, scourgings, chains and 
            imprisonment"
            1) Micaiah, the prophet - 1Ki 22:24-28
            2) Jeremiah, the prophet - Jer 20:1-3; 37:11-21; 38:1-13
         d. Some were:
            1) "Stoned" - Zechariah, son of Jehoida the priest - 2 Chr 24:20-22
            2) "Sawn in two" - the prophet Isaiah, according to 
               tradition
            3) "Tempted" - Daniel, as a youth - Dan 1:8-21
            4) "Slain with the sword" - Uriah the prophet - Jer 26:
               20-23
         e. Some wandered about:
            1) "In sheepskins and goatskins" - Elijah - 2Ki 1:8
            2) "Being destitute, afflicted, tormented" - Elijah - 2 Kin 17:2-6; 18:9-10

   C. WHAT THESE PEOPLE RECEIVED BY THEIR FAITH... (38-40)
      1. Certainly not the praise of the world! - He 11:38
         a. Many had to wander in deserts and mountains, live in dens 
            and caves (Elijah)
         b. But in truth, the world is not worthy of them!
      2. They did obtain a good testimony... - He 11:39a
         a. As stated regarding the elders in He 11:2
         b. As stated regarding Enoch - He 11:5
      3. Yet they did not obtain "the promise" during their lifetime 
         - He 11:39b-40
         a. They did receive some of the promises, such as the promised
            land - cf. He 11:33
         b. But they did not receive "the" promise
            1) They did not live to see the coming of the promised 
               Deliverer (Christ)
            2) Nor did they experience the "perfection" which Christ 
               now offers
               a) The Law could not make them "perfect" - He 9:9-10; 
                  10:1-4
               b) But Christ can! - cf. He 9:11-14; 10:11-14
      4. What they did not receive during their lifetime, they did with
         the coming of Christ!
         a. For Christ died to redeem them as well as us! - He 9:15
         b. They are now made "perfect" just as we are - He 11:40; cf.
            10:14; 12:22-24
            1) Note the phrase "the spirits of just men made perfect"
               in He 12:23
            2) Those who in the past "should not be made perfect apart
               from us" are in Christ "made perfect"!

CONCLUSION

1. Through faith, they truly overcame the world...
   a. Sometimes their victory was miraculous; often it was not
   c. Their ultimate victory was that they "died in faith" - He 11:
      13-16
   -- And now, they enjoy the fruit of faith:  bliss in the presence of
      the Lamb! - cf. Re 7:9-17

2. Through faith, we can also overcome the world...
   a. Faith in Jesus as the Son of God will give us the victory! - 1Jn 5:4-5
      1) Victory over the world's temptations
      2) Victory over the world's persecutions
   b. The victories we win may not be as impressive as those listed in
      this chapter, but if we are "faithful until death", the reward 
      will be the same! - cf. Re 2:10

May this great chapter with its heroes of faith, serve to motivate us 
to grow in the faith which...

      * Pleases God!

      * Embraces The Promises!

      * Overcomes The World!

We may not win the praise the world, but we will receive the praise of
God, for such is the faith which leads "to the saving of the soul"!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... And I went to sleep...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo

Information about The Sisteen Chapel

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Last night was just a "normal night". I turned in about 11 p.m. , but for some reason awoke about 3:30, pet the dogs a few times and went back to sleep without problem. I awoke about 8:30, feeling refreshed and happy. Refreshed because I had more than usual amount of good sleep and happy because of a dream I had.  I dreamt of the last judgment and I was acquitted before God because Jesus vouched for me. You would wake up feeling happy too!!! I wasn't awake too long before I realized WHY I had this dream. I had read Mark chapter 13 yesterday (which is today's reading posted on the blog- I always read a day ahead), forgotten about it, but subconsciously I REMEMBERED!!!  And here is the portion that relates to my dream....

Mark, Chapter 13

 1 As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!” 

  2  Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.” 

  3  As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,  4 “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?” 

  5  Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.   6  For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he! ’ and will lead many astray. 

  7  “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet.   8  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.   9  But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.   10  The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.   11  When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 

  12  “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.   13  You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end, the same will be saved.   14  But when you see the abomination of desolation,  spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,   15  and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.   16  Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.   17  But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!   18  Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter.   19  For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be.   20  Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.   21  Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it.   22  For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.  23  But you watch. 

“Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.   24  But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,   25  the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.   26  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.   27  Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky. 

  28  “Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near;   29  even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.   30  Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.  31  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.   32  But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.   33  Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.

Now, I know the passage from Mark relates to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., but remember, we are dealing with MY SUBCONSCIOUSNESS.  Frankly, I do not know how to put the vivid images I dreamt into words, so I thought to do it with pictures.  And what better images could there be than that of the sisteen chapel painted by Michelangelo you see at the top of the post.  Everyone makes choices every day as to how they will lives, but think about it- Aren't dreams relating to spiritual things better than a thousand other things you could have dreamt about?  Who says Bible reading doesn't affect you? I can testify it does- even to the core of the essence of my subconscious. Nice choice, great results.... jealous yet????