Definition: "to tip your hand" is to inadvertently reveal the cards you are holding.
As Christians, we are in a continual spiritual battle against demonic forces, something like Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. Our adversary has been at it for thousands of years so he knows what he is doing. He covers his tracks well attempting to remain undetected as he carries out his nefarious deeds. Rest assured he will never show up in red long-johns and a pointed tail. More likely he will disguise himself as "an angel of light". (2Cor.11:14)
Years ago, in a land far away, I learned this valuable lesson. Sooner or later the devil will tip his hand.
He can disguise his appearnce but he always acts according to his character. "The devil is in the details." If you examine a situation closely you will begin to see his character being revealed.
He is called the "father of lies" Jn 8:44 - lies reveal his working.
He is called the "accuser" Rev 12:10- false accusations reveal his activity. Jesus was accused of being in league with the devil. The devil really put a twist on that one.
He is called the "murderer" Jn 8:44 - murder and character assassination is his forte.
When lies, false accusations and murder are present, that old serpent the devil is not far away. Just make sure he is not in your camp!!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Halitosis of the Mind
Don't speak evil of someone if you don't know for certain, and if you do know ask yourself, why am I telling it?
Johann Kaspar Lavater
A malignant sore throat is a danger, a malignant throat not sore is worse.
American Proverbs
Gossip is sometimes referred to as halitosis of the mind.
Gossiping and lying go hand in hand.
What you don't see with your eyes, don't witness with your mouth.
Jewish Proverbs
Loose tongues are worse than wicked hands.
Jewish Proverbs
An expert gossiper knows how much to leave out of a conversation.
Source Unknown
Where no wood is, the fire goes out; so where there is no tale bearer, the strife ceaseth.
Bible
Johann Kaspar Lavater
A malignant sore throat is a danger, a malignant throat not sore is worse.
American Proverbs
Gossip is sometimes referred to as halitosis of the mind.
Gossiping and lying go hand in hand.
What you don't see with your eyes, don't witness with your mouth.
Jewish Proverbs
Loose tongues are worse than wicked hands.
Jewish Proverbs
An expert gossiper knows how much to leave out of a conversation.
Source Unknown
Where no wood is, the fire goes out; so where there is no tale bearer, the strife ceaseth.
Bible
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Nobody's Friend
NOBODY'S FRIEND
My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice
I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives.
I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.
The more I am quoted the more I am believed.
My victims are helpless.
They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.
To trap me down is impossible.
The harder you try, the more elusive I become.
I am nobody’s friend.
Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.
I topple governments and wreck marriages.
I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion.
I make innocent people cry in their pillows.
Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip.
I make headlines and headaches.
Before you repeat a story, ask yourself:
Is it true? Is it harmless? Is it necessary?
My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice
I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives.
I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.
The more I am quoted the more I am believed.
My victims are helpless.
They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.
To trap me down is impossible.
The harder you try, the more elusive I become.
I am nobody’s friend.
Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.
I topple governments and wreck marriages.
I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion.
I make innocent people cry in their pillows.
Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip.
I make headlines and headaches.
Before you repeat a story, ask yourself:
Is it true? Is it harmless? Is it necessary?
Monday, August 2, 2010
The Blood of Jesus Whispers
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus' bosom nothing but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.
It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus, call us to heaven's perfect peace. Amen
by Edward H Bickersteth
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus' bosom nothing but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.
It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus, call us to heaven's perfect peace. Amen
by Edward H Bickersteth
Saturday, July 31, 2010
THOU SHALT UNDERSTAND
There are some good "TV Preachers" out there and there are a few who come up with some really off the wall stuff. Some times I just scratch my head and wonder, "Where in the world did he get that?"
When you read the Bible, or anything for that matter, don't try to read something into the text that really isn't there. If you try hard enought you can make it say anything you want it to say. That's one of the reasons there are so many sects in Christendom.
When I was a theological student I remember hearing this as we studied Principles of Interpretation, "If the plain sense makes good sense don't look for any other sense". This is the first and most important principle.
Tyndale, who died as a martyr for translating the Bible into English wrote:
"Thou shalt understand, therefore, that the Scripture hath but one sense, which is the literal sense. And the literal sense is that root and ground of all and the anchor that never faileth, where unto if thou cleave, thou canst never err nor go out of the way. And if thou leave the literal sense, thou canst not but go out of the way."
For a little more on this subject go to my blog http://2knowthetruth.blogspot.com
When you read the Bible, or anything for that matter, don't try to read something into the text that really isn't there. If you try hard enought you can make it say anything you want it to say. That's one of the reasons there are so many sects in Christendom.
When I was a theological student I remember hearing this as we studied Principles of Interpretation, "If the plain sense makes good sense don't look for any other sense". This is the first and most important principle.
Tyndale, who died as a martyr for translating the Bible into English wrote:
"Thou shalt understand, therefore, that the Scripture hath but one sense, which is the literal sense. And the literal sense is that root and ground of all and the anchor that never faileth, where unto if thou cleave, thou canst never err nor go out of the way. And if thou leave the literal sense, thou canst not but go out of the way."
For a little more on this subject go to my blog http://2knowthetruth.blogspot.com
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Meaning of a Word
Language is fluid - ever changing.
The King James Bible is sometimes difficult to understand because a word has become archaic and is no longer used. For example: "chambering", in Rom. 13:13. What in the world is "chambering"? My "spell check" can't even find it!
In other instances, over the passage of time, a word or phrase may take on a completely different or totally opposite meaning. For example: In Matt. 13;21 the phrase, "by and by he is offended" would lead you to believe that "after some time he is offended", you know, as "in the sweet by and by". However, three hundred years ago, that phrase meant, "immediately he is offended". We've changed the phrase to mean the exact opposite of it's original meaning.
Gay used to mean happy.
Cool and hot used to refer to temperature.
Pot used to be a container.
Roach used to be a bug.
High was a position not a condition.
The list could go on and it would be a lot of fun.
All this to say "liberal" used to mean generous and tolerant. Yes indeed, generous with someone else's resources and tolerant of everything except conservative views.
The King James Bible is sometimes difficult to understand because a word has become archaic and is no longer used. For example: "chambering", in Rom. 13:13. What in the world is "chambering"? My "spell check" can't even find it!
In other instances, over the passage of time, a word or phrase may take on a completely different or totally opposite meaning. For example: In Matt. 13;21 the phrase, "by and by he is offended" would lead you to believe that "after some time he is offended", you know, as "in the sweet by and by". However, three hundred years ago, that phrase meant, "immediately he is offended". We've changed the phrase to mean the exact opposite of it's original meaning.
Gay used to mean happy.
Cool and hot used to refer to temperature.
Pot used to be a container.
Roach used to be a bug.
High was a position not a condition.
The list could go on and it would be a lot of fun.
All this to say "liberal" used to mean generous and tolerant. Yes indeed, generous with someone else's resources and tolerant of everything except conservative views.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Pathways of the Wind
God's ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother's womb. Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow--perhaps they all will.
Ecclesiastes 11:5
Ecclesiastes 11:5
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