Q.1. Comparing yourself to the 1 billion half starved, poverty stricken Asians and Africans, do you think you might be considered a proud person?
Q.2. Do you have more than enough to eat every day? If you are 1 lb. overweight the answer is yes.
Q.3. Do you have a lot of spare time? There are 168 hours in a week. If you have a 40 hour work week there are 128 hours remaining. Sleep 8 hours a day? You have 72 hours left. That's almost half a week. What do you do with those 72 hours? Watch tv? Play video games? Shoot hoops? Hang out?
Q.4. What exactly are you doing for the poor and needy? A 5 dollar turkey once a year? Your generousity overwhelms me.
Now read the "other" reasons why God sent fire and brimstone down on Sodom.
MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR ALL OF US TO DO A SERIOUS SELF EXAMINIATION AND REARRANGE OUR PRIORITIES. WE MAY BE GIVING AN ACCOUNT BEFORE THE "BEMA" OF CHRIST SOONER THAN WE THINK.
Ezekiel 16:49
"Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."
Friday, November 19, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Nose of the Camel
Have you heard the story of the bedouin who found himself out in the middle of the desert on a very cold night? He unloaded his gear from his camel, pitched his tent, cooked a very meager dinner then curled up under some blankets and tried to go to sleep. It wasn't long before the camel stuck his nose between the tent flaps and pleaded, "Master, it's terribly cold out here and I worked so hard for you all day. Please let me warm up my nose for awhile." The bedouin thought to himself, "Yes, the poor thing has had a hard day. I should let him warm his nose, that's the least I could do to thank him for his labor." So he let the camel warm his nose and soon the bedouin was nodding off to sleep. After a short while he heard a noise and looked up to see the camel had pushed his entire head into the small tent. "Hey, what are you doing?" he shouted. "Please Master", said the camel, "My ears were freezing. Be so kind and let me warm up my ears for awhile." The bedouin thought, "I'll be nice to him. It is a very cold night." So he let the camel leave his head in the tent. It wasn't long before he was awakened again and found the camel had now pushed his front legs and shoulder into the tent. "Oh, please Master. Just let me warm my feet. It's freezing out there."
You get the drift. Before the night was over the bedouin was sharing his little tent with a big stinking camel and there was no way he could get him back out into the cold air.
This story is ancient. It has been told over and over to childen, families, individuals, tribes, organizations and yes, even to churches to illustrate how important it is to be discerning with regard to what you are willing to accept.
2 John 10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house" (or tent)
You get the drift. Before the night was over the bedouin was sharing his little tent with a big stinking camel and there was no way he could get him back out into the cold air.
This story is ancient. It has been told over and over to childen, families, individuals, tribes, organizations and yes, even to churches to illustrate how important it is to be discerning with regard to what you are willing to accept.
2 John 10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house" (or tent)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Isaac Newton
The mathematical and scientific discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727) are astronomical. Some of the most notable of his achievements include the invention of calculus, the discovery of the laws of motion and the law of gravitation, and the construction of the first reflecting telescope. He also was a man known for his Christian faith. He spent a great portion of his time studying the Bible with a special interest in prophecy. Following are some of his quotations.
On the Bible:
"I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."
On atheism:
"Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system. I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance."
At the time of his death, he left more than a million words of notes on the Bible. Six years after his death, Observations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John was published. Not only was Isaac a great scientist but also a dedicated student of the Bible.
from BlueLetterBible
On the Bible:
"I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."
On atheism:
"Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system. I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance."
At the time of his death, he left more than a million words of notes on the Bible. Six years after his death, Observations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John was published. Not only was Isaac a great scientist but also a dedicated student of the Bible.
from BlueLetterBible
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Despised and Rejected
"It is enough for the disciple that he be as His Master." Matthew 10:25
No one will dispute this statement, for it would be unseemly for the servant to be exalted above his Master. When our Lord was on earth, what was the treatment He received? Were His claims acknowledged, His instructions followed, His perfections worshipped, by those whom He came to bless? No; "He was despised and rejected of men." Outside the camp was His place: cross-bearing was His occupation. Did the world yield Him solace and rest? "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head." This inhospitable country afforded Him no shelter: it cast Him out and crucified Him. Such—if you are a follower of Jesus, and maintain a consistent, Christ-like walk and conversation—you must expect to be the lot of that part of your spiritual life which, in its outward development, comes under the observation of men. They will treat it as they treated the Saviour—they will despise it. Dream not that worldlings will admire you, or that the more holy and the more Christ-like you are, the more peaceably people will act towards you. They prized not the polished gem, how should they value the jewel in the rough? "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of His household?" If we were more like Christ, we should be more hated by His enemies. It were a sad dishonour to a child of God to be the world's favourite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout "Well done" to the Christian man. He may begin to look to his character, and wonder whether he has not been doing wrong, when the unrighteous give him their approbation. Let us be true to our Master, and have no friendship with a blind and base world which scorns and rejects Him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honour where our Lord found a coronet of thorn.
C.H.Spurgeon
No one will dispute this statement, for it would be unseemly for the servant to be exalted above his Master. When our Lord was on earth, what was the treatment He received? Were His claims acknowledged, His instructions followed, His perfections worshipped, by those whom He came to bless? No; "He was despised and rejected of men." Outside the camp was His place: cross-bearing was His occupation. Did the world yield Him solace and rest? "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head." This inhospitable country afforded Him no shelter: it cast Him out and crucified Him. Such—if you are a follower of Jesus, and maintain a consistent, Christ-like walk and conversation—you must expect to be the lot of that part of your spiritual life which, in its outward development, comes under the observation of men. They will treat it as they treated the Saviour—they will despise it. Dream not that worldlings will admire you, or that the more holy and the more Christ-like you are, the more peaceably people will act towards you. They prized not the polished gem, how should they value the jewel in the rough? "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of His household?" If we were more like Christ, we should be more hated by His enemies. It were a sad dishonour to a child of God to be the world's favourite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout "Well done" to the Christian man. He may begin to look to his character, and wonder whether he has not been doing wrong, when the unrighteous give him their approbation. Let us be true to our Master, and have no friendship with a blind and base world which scorns and rejects Him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honour where our Lord found a coronet of thorn.
C.H.Spurgeon
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
What is your standard of truth?
Is it you yourself? Oh, thou all knowing one!!
Is it a text book? They change almost every year.
Is it a great philosopher? What do you do with the others who see it differently?
Is it history? They say that the victor writes the tale. Revisions are too common.
Is it the majority, or consensus? The majority is often wrong. (Germany 1937-1945)
Is it science? We don't know an awful lot more than we do know!
Mine is the Holy Bible and I have a lot of reasons for accepting it as THE standard of truth in all that it affirms. It is God's revelation to man. Heed it and be blessed!!
Is it a text book? They change almost every year.
Is it a great philosopher? What do you do with the others who see it differently?
Is it history? They say that the victor writes the tale. Revisions are too common.
Is it the majority, or consensus? The majority is often wrong. (Germany 1937-1945)
Is it science? We don't know an awful lot more than we do know!
Mine is the Holy Bible and I have a lot of reasons for accepting it as THE standard of truth in all that it affirms. It is God's revelation to man. Heed it and be blessed!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Foresight and Leadership
"Foresight is the ability to look into the future, to come up with solutions that are good for the short term and the long term. Foresight is the most precious quality a leader can have, and it is the rarest."
J.RufusFears
J.RufusFears
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sir Walter Scott's "Mystery of all Mysteries"
Within this wonderous volume lies
The mystery of all mysteries.
Happiest they of human race
to whom their God has given grace
to read, to fear, to hope, to pray;
to lift the latch, to find the way.
And better had they ne'er been born,
who read to doubt or read to scorn.
Sir Walter Scott wrote about the Holy Bible
The mystery of all mysteries.
Happiest they of human race
to whom their God has given grace
to read, to fear, to hope, to pray;
to lift the latch, to find the way.
And better had they ne'er been born,
who read to doubt or read to scorn.
Sir Walter Scott wrote about the Holy Bible
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Greatest Book on Earth (Poem)
This is the greatest book on earth,
Unparalleled it stands;
Its author God, its truth Divine,
Inspired in every word and line,
Tho' writ by human hands.
This is the living rock of truth
Which all assaults defies
O'er every stormy blast of time
It towers with majesty sublime;
It lives, and never dies.
This is the volume of the Cross;
Its doctrine pure, its history true,
Its Gospel old, yet ever new,
Shall evermore endure.
by J. Sidlow Baxter
Unparalleled it stands;
Its author God, its truth Divine,
Inspired in every word and line,
Tho' writ by human hands.
This is the living rock of truth
Which all assaults defies
O'er every stormy blast of time
It towers with majesty sublime;
It lives, and never dies.
This is the volume of the Cross;
Its doctrine pure, its history true,
Its Gospel old, yet ever new,
Shall evermore endure.
by J. Sidlow Baxter
Friday, November 5, 2010
A New Definition does not make the CORRECT DEFINITION false.
I was with an old friend a few days ago and heard a "bible" teacher give a new definition of the "inspiration" of the Scriptures. It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut. The bottom line was that "inspiration" does not necessarily mean that the facts are correct, it has to do with what God is trying to teach us about how to live. No!!! The time honored meaning of "inspiration" as it refers to the Bible is that the Bible is without error in all that it affirms.
Dr. John Bechtle writes:
"Some theologians teach that the Bible is inspired and authoritative, and that it is an accurate revelation of what God wants us to know about salvation—but they leave room for minor errors in non-crucial areas. One theologian, for instance, says that the Holy Spirit's work in inspiring the Bible only guarnteed “selectivity of events and accuracy of reporting and interpretation sufficient to achieve God's purpose throughout the rest of man's existence” (Dewey Beegle, Inspiration of Scripture, p. 190).
However, classic Christianity rests on the assurance that the Bible is completely accurate. It may contain statements that are (1) figures of speech, (2) non-technical descriptions, or (3) difficult to understand. But actual errors would fall into a different kind of category. If there are any errors in Scripture, no matter how small, the book can no longer be our standard of truth. I become the standard of truth, as I determine which Bible statements are right and which are wrong. And if I can't trust God to get the facts straight on things like dates and measurements (where I can check on Him), why should I expect Him to be more accurate in areas like sin and salvation (where I can't check on Him)?
The Bible doesn't use the word “inerrant,” but the idea is obvious.
■Psalm 19:7-9—“The law of the Lord is perfect… the testimony of the Lord is sure… the commandment of the Lord is pure… the judgments of the Lord are true forever.”
■Psalm 119:43—“the word of truth.”
■Psalm 119:142—“Thy law is the truth.”
■Psalm 119:160—“Thy word is true from the beginning.”
■John 17:17—“Thy word is truth.”
An inaccurate Bible contradicts God's character quality of absolute truthfulness.
■Titus 1:2—“God who cannot lie.”
■Hebrews 6:18—“It is impossible for God to lie.”
Some consider this a minor issue, but the idea that the Bible contains errors opens the door to serious spiritual danger. When people decide they have the authority to label one verse as a mistake, they soon find others that they consign to the “error” category. I've watched it happen over the years. Each generation rejects more and more Scripture, as it gets in the way of their own opinion."
Dr. John Bechtle writes:
"Some theologians teach that the Bible is inspired and authoritative, and that it is an accurate revelation of what God wants us to know about salvation—but they leave room for minor errors in non-crucial areas. One theologian, for instance, says that the Holy Spirit's work in inspiring the Bible only guarnteed “selectivity of events and accuracy of reporting and interpretation sufficient to achieve God's purpose throughout the rest of man's existence” (Dewey Beegle, Inspiration of Scripture, p. 190).
However, classic Christianity rests on the assurance that the Bible is completely accurate. It may contain statements that are (1) figures of speech, (2) non-technical descriptions, or (3) difficult to understand. But actual errors would fall into a different kind of category. If there are any errors in Scripture, no matter how small, the book can no longer be our standard of truth. I become the standard of truth, as I determine which Bible statements are right and which are wrong. And if I can't trust God to get the facts straight on things like dates and measurements (where I can check on Him), why should I expect Him to be more accurate in areas like sin and salvation (where I can't check on Him)?
The Bible doesn't use the word “inerrant,” but the idea is obvious.
■Psalm 19:7-9—“The law of the Lord is perfect… the testimony of the Lord is sure… the commandment of the Lord is pure… the judgments of the Lord are true forever.”
■Psalm 119:43—“the word of truth.”
■Psalm 119:142—“Thy law is the truth.”
■Psalm 119:160—“Thy word is true from the beginning.”
■John 17:17—“Thy word is truth.”
An inaccurate Bible contradicts God's character quality of absolute truthfulness.
■Titus 1:2—“God who cannot lie.”
■Hebrews 6:18—“It is impossible for God to lie.”
Some consider this a minor issue, but the idea that the Bible contains errors opens the door to serious spiritual danger. When people decide they have the authority to label one verse as a mistake, they soon find others that they consign to the “error” category. I've watched it happen over the years. Each generation rejects more and more Scripture, as it gets in the way of their own opinion."
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Bending Light
I just read a scientific article about a material, metaflex, being developed in Scotland that "bends" light waves. Already successful in bending long frequency light waves, they believe that they have now solved the problem with short frequency (visible light) waves which require manipulating much smaller light bending molecules. Fully developed, an invisibility cloak could be produced that when worn would render a person invisible. Of course an eye hole would be required so the wearer could see where he was walking. So, if you see an eyeball floating down the sidewalk about five and a half feet off the ground, rest assured that you're not hallucinating. Somebody is wearing their new "invisibility cloak".
Talking about "bending light" - we are in an age (and we were warned it would come) when "light", that is, "truth" is being bent in such a way that it is rendering "real" truth or "true" truth almost invisible. Truths that were highly "visible" 150 years ago have all but "disappeared". For example: the wrath of God, the torments of hell, personal responsibility, judgement day, worldliness, holiness, love expressed with more than words, (how many times have I heard "I love you Joe" as the dagger slides betweem my ribs near my backbone?), true forgiveness, the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible, telling the truth when it might cost you something, the incarnation of the one true God (The Word was God and the Word, Jesus, became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1-14)
I'm getting sick of all the "bent light" that's flickering around us. Give me the STRAGHT TRUTH.
Talking about "bending light" - we are in an age (and we were warned it would come) when "light", that is, "truth" is being bent in such a way that it is rendering "real" truth or "true" truth almost invisible. Truths that were highly "visible" 150 years ago have all but "disappeared". For example: the wrath of God, the torments of hell, personal responsibility, judgement day, worldliness, holiness, love expressed with more than words, (how many times have I heard "I love you Joe" as the dagger slides betweem my ribs near my backbone?), true forgiveness, the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible, telling the truth when it might cost you something, the incarnation of the one true God (The Word was God and the Word, Jesus, became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1-14)
I'm getting sick of all the "bent light" that's flickering around us. Give me the STRAGHT TRUTH.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
What Kind of a Leader Are You?
A poor leader creates fear, a good leader confidence. A poor leader fixes blame, a good leader corrects mistakes. A poor leader knows all, a good leader asks questions. A poor leader makes work drudgery, a good leader makes it interesting.
Adapted
Adapted
Monday, November 1, 2010
Let the show go on
Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.
English Proverb
English Proverb
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