BE MY VALENTINE

Newsletter 283 February 19, 2012
______________________________________________________________________________________________

When I say, “Be my valentine“, I am not necessarily thinking of hearts, chocolates, flowers, and gifts. They may be appropriate under the right circumstances. Nor, am I thinking of one day of the year to celebrate.

Putting aside my inherit aversion to public demonstrations of emotions, and the origin of Valentine’s day, I can hardly totally ignore it. Besides, there is a lot said in the Bible about love. I Corinthians 13: is called the “Love Chapter“ of the New Testament. Also, John is especially known for his often spoken admonition that Christians should love one another. If the Bible says we should do something, then we should. We have no excuse not to. If it is also said that if there are three commands, God really means we should do it now, but what about this? I simply searched the words, “love one another” and my computer promptly showed, not one time, not two, not three times, but 19 times! And that does not count other variations in the wording. As Christians, we are to be known for our love for one another.

Paul wrote these beautiful words: (In current English, the word “charity” here should now be translated “love”) I have made that change here.

1 Corinthians 13:1-10

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

(1 Corinthians 12:10, 2 Corinthians 12:4, Revelation 14:2, Psalm 150:5)

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not (love), I am nothing.

(Matthew 7:22, Acts 13:1, 1 Corinthians 11:4, 1 Corinthians 13:8, 1 Corinthians 13:4:1, 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 15:51, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23)

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not (love), it profiteth me nothing.

(Matthew 6:2)

4 (Love) suffereth long, and is kind; (love) envieth not; (love) vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

(Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 17:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 1 Peter 4:8, Acts 7:9, 1 Corinthians 4:6)

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

(1 Corinthians 10:24, Philippians 2:21, 2 Corinthians 5:19)

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

(2 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 John 4, 3 John 3f)

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

(1 Corinthians 9:12)

8 (Love) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

(1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 13:1)

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

(1 Corinthians 13:12)

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

This describes true, meaningful Christian love, not to be confused with what currently is so often called love in song or print. I once returned a film to our local library with a sticker label adhered suggesting that it be destroyed as it was pure garbage. It was not pornographic, but it had disgusting dialog and no story line or message at all. God wants our lives to be a message of Christian love for Him to a world that surely needs it but probably has no idea of what it really is.

It requires action. “God so loved the world, that He gave…..,” Gave what? “His only begotten Son.” Why? That we might be able to have life eternal with Him.

________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

FEBRUARY

19th. Sunday – Exodus 21, 22, Mark 4:26-41, Psalm 22:19-31
20th. Monday – Exodus 23, 24, Mark 5:1-20, Psalm 23
21st. Tuesday - Exodus 25, 26, Mark 5:21-43, Proverbs 5:15-23
22nd. Wednesday - Exodus 27, 28, Mark 6:1-29, Psalm 24
23rd. Thursday - Exodus 29, 30, Mark 6:30-56, Psalm 25:1-11
24th. Friday – Exodus 31, 32, Mark 7, Psalm 25:12-22
25th. Saturday - Exodus 33, 34, Mark 8, Proverbs 6:1-11

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 809 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” – Mark 10:14b

__________


http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Notable Quotations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I try to lose weight, but it keeps finding me.

My figure does nothing for me, so why should I do anything for it?

Diet is 'die' with a T.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and fat are really good friends.

Every time I think about exercise, I lie down until the thought goes away.

Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.

I am not fat! I am big boned.

Mama taught me to clean my plate; she didn't teach me not to pile it high.

I'm thinking of all the starving children in China, like Mama said.

Forget health foods. I need all the preservatives I can get.

THE LORD'S SUPPER

Newsletter 282 February 12, 2012
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 26:26-30
King James Version (KJV)

THE PASSOVER OF THE OLD

When Jesus and his Apostles reclined at the Passover Table to observe that feast, they had no idea that this was not to be only the memorial they had observed all of their lives. It was to be the last of their old covenant with God, and the first of the new one. This was a feast, ripe with symbolism to draw their memories back to their deliverance from Egypt. The unleavened bread; the Passover lamb, indeed every portion of the Passover observance was, and is still today, observed by orthodox Jews every year. The prophetic meaning of the blood sacrifices of the Old Covenant were climaxing in the final blood sacrifice of the Son of God. The Old Covenant was being fulfilled before their very eyes.

At the close of this feast, Jesus used the same emblems, the unleavened bread and the wine to introduce God’s New Covenant with His people. Building upon the Old, Jesus makes the link with the New.

THE LORD’S SUPPER OF THE NEW

The Bread

This was not just any bread. In preparation for the Passover, every trace of yeast is searched out and removed from the house and from those items to be used. Yeast is an impurity in bread inserted in the recipe to cause the bread to rise and be filled with tiny bubbles. It is killed by the baking process, making the finished loaf lighter because of those bubbles. Symbolically it represents sin. So, one uses unleavened bread for the communion service. Christ is without sin. The bread which represents his body is without leaven.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

(Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:17-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, 1 Corinthians 10:16, Matthew 14:19)

The Cup

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Since I am not familiar with wine making, I can’t say with certainty if the wine of Jesus’ day did or did not use yeast. Certainly the good wine of the wedding feast was fresh. And just as certain the Communion Wine of today is very alcoholic. The same word is used for either, but because of the search for every trace of yeast before the Passover feast suggests to me that it was probably also without.

I know from experience that the water of Jerusalem is undrinkable and there was a warning of the bath room tap, “Do not drink.” Bottled water was sold everywhere for those who did not wish to drink wine. Timothy must have had a problem.

The cup of the communion, representing Jesus’ blood, would have been pure.
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

(Exodus 24:8, Hebrews 9:20, Matthew 20:28)

Christ shed his blood and died for our sins. This memorial has been observed in memory of that fact when his followers gather to worship, “on the first day of the week” throughout the world. This is his command. “This do in remembrance of me.”

29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

We look forward to drinking it with him in Heaven. While I eat grapes, I personally reserve their juice for this memorial alone and look forward to drinking it with him at his wedding feast in Heaven.

30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
(Matthew 26:30-35, Mark 14:26-31, Luke 22:31-34, Matthew 21:1)
There is no comment of the hymn, but the Talmud and tradition, suggest Psalm 118 to close the Passover meal.

________


READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

FEBRUARY


12th. Sunday – Exodus 6, 7, 8, Matthew 27:32-66, Psalm 20
13th. Monday – Exodus 9, 10, Matthew 28, Proverbs 4:20-27
14th. Tuesday - Exodus 11, 12, Mark 1-27, Psalm 21:1-7
15th. Wednesday - Exodus 13, 14, Mark 1:28-45, Psalm 21:8-13
16th. Thursday - Exodus 15, 16, Mark 2, Psalm 22:1-8
17th. Friday – Exodus 17, 18, Mark 3, Proverbs 5:1-14
18th. Saturday - Exodus 19, 20, Mark 4:1-25, Psalm 22:9-18

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 808 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books

__________

WEDNESDAY WAS MY 84TH BIRTHDAY, THANKS TO THE LORD



THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
__________


http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
________

Notable Quotations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The world asks, 'What does a man own?' Christ asks, 'How does he use it?' " - Andrew Murray (1828-1917), South African evangelist and writer

"The gratification of wealth is not found in mere possession or in lavish expenditure, but in its wise application." - Miguel de Cervantes

"Wealth shines in giving rather than in hoarding: for the miser is hateful, whereas the generous man is applauded." - [Anicius Manlius Severinus] Boethius

"I was once young and now I am old, but not once have I been witness to God's failure to supply my need when first I had given for the furtherance of His work. He has never failed in His promise, so I cannot fail in my service to Him." - William Carey

"Things themselves do not remain, but their effects do. Therefore we should not be mean and calculating with what we have but give with a generous hand. Look at how much people give to players and dancers-why not give just as much to Christ?" - John Chrysostom

THE SERVANTS AND THE HEIR

Newsletter 281 February 5, 2012
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 21:33-45 King James Version

Webster’s defines a parable to be “a story that illustrates a moral lesson.” After our retirement, I worked as a volunteer filing the records of a Christian Care Center. They always had a stack of unfiled records. There were certain levels of division in everything to be placed in the folder, usually of an individual staff member or resident. In most cases, the proper name was not sufficient. That was only the first step. The second step was the position in the file. There were several things to consider, insurance, why they had a file at all, if tie document dealt with finances, and so on.

Jesus taught with stories. We call them parables. There was always a literal application, and many of those who heard them only heard the stories as stories. Many of the children’s stories, fairy tales, are like that. They have a literal meaning, and the children usually hear that, but as they grow more mature, they realize, no, there is more to that than just a simple story. Some were political in meaning, some otherwise.

The Pharisees knew the scriptures well. Literally they felt they were superior to the masses who followed Jesus. They knew the law, they, like the rich young ruler on another occasion, strove to keep the law, and to just be sure, they had a whole system of protective fences set up. As examples, they tithed even the mint in the garden and the spices, and travelled only so many feet in the Sabbath Day, but they also made a whole set of methods to break the principle. You could leave an old shoe at the place where you had walked that legal distance, and this permitted going as far again, for the shoe was your property. You could declare your wealth “dedicated to God,” and neglect their widowed mother’s needs. This scripture is a parable, but it has a deeper meaning. The Pharisees saw it as a story, a liberal faith, would see that only, and say, “The Bible is full of fables.” The faithful follower of the Lord, looks for the real meaning, simply cloaked in the parable.

This is “another” parable. He had just told them of the parable of the two sons.
33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

(Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-19, Isaiah 5:1-2, Matthew 20:1, Matthew 21:28,

Matthew 25:14)

This parable, concerns the church, which has the responsibility to carry God’s Word to the nations. God has sent His Word through prophets, angels and finally His own Son, Jesus Christ.
Judaism has never been particularly evangelistic. They accept proselytes, but don’t particularly go to the nations.

34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
(Matthew 22:3)

As Jesus spoke with the Pharisees he reminds them that, as a people, they have beaten, killed and stoned the prophets, and rejected, even the angels that God has sent. In desperation, He finally gave His own Son. (John 3:16-17) Why, because He loved the entire world not only their nation. They are the husbandmen in this story. This is playing out a parallel to the garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. God made that very special place for them and they were there to care for it. When they sinned, they were put out. Even now, He is making another place ready for His own. We call it heaven.

35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
(Matthew 22:4)
37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

They here, pronounce judgment upon themselves. God does not judge in so much as He will enact the judgment we have brought upon ourselves by our daily lives.

Jesus is the one by which we measure ourselves. Few modern buildings really have a corner stone as such, but they all have a point from which all over measurement are taken. Jesus describes that point as “the head of the corner.” God so loved the world that he sent His Son to be the head of the corner. He was talking about the church! What the Jews did not do, He turned over to the Gentiles. But, if the Gentiles do not do it, what will He do? We have seen what He has done with nations. Powerful nations, even empires have risen and fallen or stagnated when they turned from the Word, to follow men, or men’s religions. Much of the world worships power and wealth these days. When God gives wealth, there is a reason, and it not for personal edification. With it, comes responsibility.

42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Jesus applies this lesson to the individual. He is the point of reference, we rise and fall according to what we do with Jesus. Our nation will rise or fall according to what we do with Jesus. The whole “building” of the church, is measured from its point of reference Jesus Christ. That is what Jesus meant when He said to Peter, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”

45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

FEBRUARY

5th. Sunday – Job 32, 33, Matthew 24:26-51, Proverbs 4:1-9
6th. Monday – Job 34, 35, 36, Matthew 25:1-23, Psalm 18:26-36
7th. Tuesday - Job 37, 38, Matthew 25:24-46, Psalm 18:37-42
8th. Wednesday - Job 39, 40, Matthew 26:1-30, Psalm 18:43-50
9th. Thursday - Job 41, 42, Matthew 26:31-56, Proverbs 4:10-19
10th. Friday – Exodus 1, 2, 3, Matthew 26:57-75, Psalm 19:1-6
11th. Saturday - Exodus 4, 5, Matthew 27:1-31, Psalm 19:7-14

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 807 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14
__________


http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
________

Tidbits of Wit

It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, there's shipping and handling too!

Teacher to Parent: "If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens during the school day, I'll promise not to believe everything she says happens at home."

I'm willing to make mistakes if someone else is willing to learn from them.

CHURCH TRADITIONS

Newsletter 280 January 29, 2012
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 15:1-9 King James Version (KJV)
Dating, at least, from the time that Moses went up the mountain to receive the ten- commandments from God, mankind has had the attitude, “We never did it this way before!” It wasn’t just the leeks and other foods of Egypt they missed. Egypt had set the example of worshipping all manner of gods. Many were represented by idols. Now, this Moses, had come back down the mountain after a long stay, with a set of laws engraved on stone and the idea of only one God. He found that they had taken the gold they had brought from Egypt, and made themselves a golden calf they could see and worship as they had seen others do in Egypt. Yes, in his anger Moses had shattered the ten-commandments, and utterly destroyed the golden calf before he went back, empty handed, to get another set of commandments from the Lord. They had to change from many gods, to one God, and a whole new concept of what is right or wrong. And they struggled, and they complained. One generation crossed the Sea, but it was a whole generation later that crossed the Jordan.
Many generations later, we are still struggling with the habit of resisting change in our worship style. When the church was young, Barnabas sold land and gave the money he received to Peter to aid the infant church in caring for the needy in Jerusalem. This was a good thing and God blessed it, but Ananias and Sapphira, when they saw and heard the people speaking well of Barnabas, did the “same.” The only difference was their motive, and that they kept part of the money and told Peter that they were giving all. They were adding lies to greed and envy. Without realizing it they were starting a new tradition; a little different, but appearing the same.

1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

(Matthew 15:1-20, Mark 7:1-23, Mark 3:22, Mark 7:1, John 1:19, Acts 25:7)

2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

(Luke 11:38)

In 1955, when we first moved to Kimberley, the African churches were delighted to have missionary speakers and to celebrate with a church dinner just after services. No matter how many people had thronged the place of worship, they customarily placed the speaker, and all missionaries present at the door and as every person filed past, shaking their hands and then stepping into line to also shake hands with everyone else. Then they wondered why all the American missionaries wanted to wash their hands before eating! They never bothered.
This is not the same washing meant this text. Devout Jews observed a very set way of washing the hands and it had to be done precisely. Soap and clean water had little to do with it. It was a tradition, just as the communion bread had to be literally broken off a larger piece, because we “break bread.” We have broken tradition, it seems when we placed the Lord’s table in a side room, at least when I last actually saw it. The pulpit soon followed, where I do not know, as did using the Acts 2:38 scripture as a scripture lesson on the reason we immerse, other than the meaning of the word itself. Some churches have actually done away with the use of water at all. Now our Piano and Organ are hidden behind curtains. Times are changing things. Since we are not offered evening worship, city style, we recently visited an nearby church and enjoyed a delightful evening in a crowded service where there was no piano to start with, and no “stringed or percussion instruments,” someone off in a corner started the hymns the words and music for which were projected very clearly for the rest of us.

Every church has its own traditions today, and that is why there are so many denominations. We have followed men, and not the Word.

3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

(Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16, Exodus 21:17, Leviticus 20:9)

5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

6 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

(Isaiah 29:13)

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
(Colossians 2:22)


IS IT OF THE WORD?

God gave the Holy Spirit to be our ever present guide and comforter, but are we replacing Him with our own traditions, rather than those of God?
__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JANUARY

29th. Sunday – Job 13, 14, 15, Matthew 21:1-22, Psalm 17:1-5
30th. Monday – Job 16, 17, 18, Matthew 21:23-46, Psalm 17:6-12
31st. Tuesday - Job 19, 20, Matthew 22:1-22, Psalm 17:13-15

FEBRUARY

1st. Wednesday - Job 21, 22 Matthew 22:23-46, Proverbs 3:21-36
2nd. Thursday - Job 23, 24, 25, Matthew 23:1-22, Psalm 18:1-6
3rd. Friday – Job 26, 27, 28, 29, Matthew 23:23-39, Psalm 18:7-15
4th. Saturday - Job 30, 31, Matthew 24:1-25, Psalm 18:16-24 _______

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 806 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” – Matthew 15:8-9
__________


http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
________

The man told his doctor that he wasn't able to do all the things around the house that he used to do. When the examination was complete, he said, "Now, Doc, I can take it. Tell me in plain English what is wrong with me?"

"Well, in plain English," the doctor replied, "you're just lazy."

"Okay," said the man. "Now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife."

THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB

Newsletter 279  January 22, 2012
______________________________________________________________________________________________
AFRICA TRACTS GEMS BIBLE STUDIES BOOKLETS
Here is a text which rises from a statement made by the self righteous Pharisees who were always on the watch for something that they could use against Jesus. They could not deny that He performed miracles so they questioned the source of His power instead. Only a few verses earlier we see the context. Here, it is important. “When the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” (Matthew 11:24)

Even without it’s foolishness, this is a ridiculous statement to start with. Very basic to settling a disagreement, whether in a debate, a war, or a simple conflict is the phrase, “divide and conquer.” Jesus reminded them of this fact when he said, “every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city of house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?”

God sent His Son for the very purpose of making a way for the sins of the world to be forgiven. That, he did, through his death on the cross, making the last great blood sacrifice for sin. He did not defend himself when he was arrested, nor when he was tried in a mock trial, abused, beaten and finally nailed to a Roman cross. He willingly gave his life, because that was the only way in to make redemption possible. Bur, there is a sin, that can not be covered by this. It happens only to a believer who has given his heart to the Lord, then takes it back and returns to his old sinful ways attributing the work of the Holy Spirit, to Satan.

Matthew 12:31-37 King James Version

ALL, BUT:

31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

(Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30, Luke 12:10)

THE HOLY GHOST

32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

(Luke 12:10, Matthew 13:22, Matthew 13:3, Mark 10:30, Luke 16:8, Luke 18:30, Luke 20:34-35, Ephesians 1:21, 1 Timothy 6:17, 2 Timothy 4:10, Titus 2:12, Hebrews 6:5)

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

(Mark 7:16-18, Luke 6:43-44, John 15:4-7)

LIKE THE SERPENT

The danger of a poisonous serpent is in his mouth. Even the constrictors of the serpent world who first crush their victims, then swallow them, all the poisonous kind carry their poison in their mouths. The serpent in Eden, with his mouth and with the power to speak to Eve, used his lies to deceive her. Losing that ability to deceive many of his kind now still spread their poison literally through the mouth.
Vipers, cobras, mambas adders, rattlers, in all their variations, it is their mouths to fear. They are all dangerous.

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil,speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

(Matthew 3:7, Matthew 23:33, Luke 3:7, 1 Samuel 24:13, Isaiah 32:6, Matthew 12:34-35, Matthew 15:18, Luke 6:45, Ephesians 4”29, James 3:2-12)

One reveals through his mouth what is in his heart. This being a fact, we need to be careful what is in our hearts. What do we read? What do we seek after?

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

(Proverbs 10:20-21, Proverbs 25:11-12, Matthew 13:52, Colossians 4:6)

It is often the little things that trip us up; the idle words. Have you ever tripped over a ten foot high boulder? No, it is a small stone that we did not notice at all that tripped us. It is in the idle chatting that we are prone to slip.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
(Matthew 10:15)

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
__________


READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JANUARY

22nd. Sunday – Genesis 44, 45, Matthew 15:1-20, Psalm 13
23rd. Monday – Genesis 46, 47, Matthew 15:21-39, Psalm 14
24th. Tuesday - Genesis 48, 49, 50, Matthew 16. Proverbs 3:1-10
25th. Wednesday - Job 1, 2, 3, Matthew 17, Psalm 15
26th. Thursday - Job 4, 5, 6, Matthew 18, Psalm 16: 1-6
27th. Friday – Job 7, 8, 9, Matthew 19, Psalm 16:7-11
28th. Saturday - Job 10, 11, 12, Matthew 20, Proverbs 3:11-20
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 805 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://pricceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________


THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” – Matthew 12:32b

__________


http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
________

Signs You Have A Bad Apartment...

It's the same bedroom you had as a kid, but now your parents are charging you two grand a month.

Your building's security system is a cardboard cutout of Clint Eastwood.

Rent must be paid in small, non-sequential bills.

Every time you pass the doorman, he's wearing another article of your clothing.

You can't get through your bedroom door because of the yellow police tape.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The company psychiatrist was interviewing a young friend of mine. As she sat in the chair, the psychiatrist asked a series of questions to determine if she was emotionally suitable for the company. Things were not going well for my friend.

The psychiatrist decided to try a new approach, to give my friend one last chance. He asked, "if you could have a conversation with someone, living or dead, who would it be?"

My friend quickly replied, "The living one!"

JESUS CAME TO SAVE SINNERS

Newsletter 278 January 15, 2012

Matthew 9:10-13 King James Version

10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

(Matthew 11:19, Mark 2:16, Luke 5:30, Luke 15:2)

12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

(Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31)

13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

(Matthew 12:7, Hosea 6:6, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:32, 1 Timothy 1:15)

It is a fact that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s will, and that God loves everyone, (John 3:16.)

Jesus came to fulfill his Father’s purpose. What he taught, and who he taught, was his Father’s will. It is the will of the Lord God that all have an opportunity to receive the forgiveness of sins. This is the background and reason for the great commission of Matthew 28:19.

He not only commanded us to go to all nations, but he set the example himself. Isaiah had prophesied, “And leaving Nazareth, he came down and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, and the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nepthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and the shadow of death light is sprung up.” (Matthew 4:13-18.)

Where he went, and as he went, he spoke to the people. Recall, his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in Samaria. Most Jews despised Samaritans and would have ignored this woman of bad reputation. More than once Jesus went to the aid of Romans. The Romans held their nation as an oppressed people. Pharisees hated both of these peoples and avoided all contact with them they could. Not once do we ever see Jesus turning anyone away because they were sinners; not even the woman taken in the act of adultery, not Matthew the tax collector for Rome, not even Judas who betrayed him with a kiss. No sin was too evil for him to be filled with compassion for the sinner. Why was that? It was because sins do not come in degrees of evil in God‘s sight. All have sinned. There are no black-black lies and no little white lies. We are told that there will be no liars enter into heaven; no mention of what degree of lies. As Paul said “Of such were some of you.” There are no social drinkers, and no alcoholics, the statement is that there will be no drunkards, and probably none of us can be certain that we would not abuse that addiction, thus it is safer not to place that burden of decision upon ourselves. Even as a sailor, I never had an alcoholic drink, and there were many others like me in that. The same could be said of Marijuana, crack, painkillers, or whatever. I prefer to under-medicate on any medication I take, so long as it accomplishes the purpose.

But we are off the point. Jesus did not avoid sinners, they were everywhere, and they needed him the most. Likewise, since all have sinned, if they have not accepted the Lord and been obedient to him in repentance and baptism, they are our challenge. We rub shoulders with such people every day. Even in the retirement home where we live, spiked punch, is common on certain occasions. The party becomes far more boisterous at those times, but they now know to bring me Sprite, not from the punch bowl. The vital words of the great commission are “as you go, teach.” It is part of living to go. Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink of water. He was breaking several “No, No’s” in doing that. This was a woman, she was a woman of bad reputation, she was a Samaritan., and they were alone in a remote place. It seems not to be where most women gathered to fill their water jars. A present-day setting could be, a woman, a prostitute, a woman of a different race than our own, late at light on a dark street corner. Now Jesus would not have us put ourselves into such a setting, but what is he saying, is “As you go, teach, all nations whatsoever I have commanded you, baptizing,” and he set the example by doing what he asked of us. Let us not be so concerned about whether they have believed and lived an acceptable life in the past that we forget we who have been sent. We are just the messenger, the carrier of good news. Jesus came to save sinners. Let us go for the same reason.

Only we have the light that will take away darkness. We are sent to do the same.

__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JANUARY

15th. Sunday – Genesis 31, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 9:12-20
16th. Monday – Genesis 32, 33, Matthew 12:22-50, Proverbs 2:1-11
17th. Tuesday - Genesis 34, 35, Matthew 13:1-23, Psalm 10:1-11
18th. Wednesday - Genesis 36, 37, Matthew 13:24-43, Psalm 10:12-18
19th. Thursday - Genesis 38, 39, 40, Matthew 13:44-58, Psalm 11
20th. Friday – Genesis 41, Matthew 14:1-21, Proverbs 2:12-22
21st. Saturday - Genesis 42, 43, Matthew 14:22-36, Psalm 12
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 804 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://pricceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________


THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. – Matthew 12:35

__________


http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
________
Tidbits of Wit

Have you ever considered the awesome power of the spoken word?

For instance:

Waiter: What'll you have for dessert?

First Diner: Nothing for me.

Second diner: I'm stuffed.

Third diner: Couldn't eat another bite.

Waiter: It comes with the dinner.

First Diner: Ice Cream.

Second Diner: Pecan Pie.

Third Diner: Chocolate Layer Cake.

EVEN JESUS WAS TEMPTED:

Newsletter 277 January 8, 2012

Lest we feel that we are especially singled out for Satan’s attention, we need to realize that even though we read that the angels of heaven are rejoicing, Satan has also made note and we can expect a period of temptation that we might return to our old ways with our old friends with whom we did those things. Even our Savior Jesus Christ, immediately after He was baptized to set an example for us, and received the blessings of God, His Father, was led into the wilderness where Satan attempted to destroy his ministry, even before it began. “we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Let us take note of how Jesus responded to temptations, and follow His divine pattern.

(1 Corinthians 10:13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” God has promised that there is no temptation that we, personally, are not able to escape. As we read our text, note those. Verse 14 points out that one of them is to flee.

16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 5:16)

Matthew 4:1-11

TO LOSE HIS TRUST IN HIS FATHER’S PROVISION.

The temptations of Jesus, all singled in on the fact that he had taken an earthly form, so that would be his weakest point, and in this the first went for his faith in His Father. His body was crying for food. Try not eating for forty days! You can be certain that none of us would make it. Recently the doctor wanted to have blood tests done, so she made an appointment for us with the qualification that we must fast. She said nothing after midnight until the appointed time the following morning. She was apologetic, and my wife put a granola bar in her purse to eat on the way home. That is not a fast, not really.

You can be certain that Jesus was really hungry.

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
He did not make those stones into loaves of fresh baked bread. What we need for Spiritual strength does not come from loaves of bread, it comes from the Word. God would provide physical food, but not in answer to temptation.

TO USE HIS POWERS FOR SELFISH REASONS.

This seems such a simple way, to put on a “show” for all the doubters, just step off the top of the high temple and float gently to the pavement beneath. How often was the demand “show us a sign!” to be asked of him throughout his ministry? But, He never used miracles for the sake of entertainment and self-glory. They were used for others and to affirm his divinity before the Word was recorded in writing.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

One of Satan’s strongest powers is “half-truths” and scripture taken out of context. He has used that trick with great success in providing the many religions and cults even today. Scripture is still the best commentary you can consult today. As an example, read all the scriptures on “baptism” in your Bible. When you have finished, you will have consulted everything God has to say about it; when; who; how; why! You can do the same with nearly any major doctrine, faith; prayer; worship. Never make an application with only one scripture. That is called a “proof-text” and is nearly always taken out of it’s context.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

TO SEEK A SHORTCUT WAY.

Jesus had come to die on the cross, be buried and rise again on the third day. There could be no shortcut. What Satan was saying is “Just worship me, and you don’t have to die. The world is mine and I will give it all to you.” It had worked with Eve, then he said, “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 2:4,5) No command of the Lord is open for making a counter offer. There are no shortcuts. What God has said, will be. God gave His Son knowing that he would have to die. (John 3:16,17)

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
The Christian has made the choice to serve the Lord and to obey His every command directed to him. Like Jesus, confront temptation with Scripture.
__________


READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JANUARY

8th. Sunday – Genesis 16, 17, 18, Matthew 7, Proverbs 1:8-19
9th. Monday – Genesis 19, 20, Matthew 8, Psalm 7:1-9
10th. Tuesday – Genesis 21, 22, 23, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 7:10-17
11th. Wednesday - Genesis 24, Matthew 9,18-38, Psalm 8
12th. Thursday - Genesis 25, 26, Matthew 10:1-23, Proverbs 1:20-33
13th. Friday – Genesis 27, 28, Matthew 10:24-42, Psalm 9:1-6
14th. Saturday - Genesis 29, 30, Matthew 11, Psalm 9:7-12
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 803 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://pricceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“And, behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12
__________

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
________

Tidbits of Wit

My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance!

For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.

A balanced diet is having a cookie in each hand.

When you get tired talking to your friend about God--, talk to God about your friend.