A WISE MAN WALKS CAREFULLY

Newsletter 160 October 4, 2009

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Paul is writing for Christians, and this portion of his letter includes several ways in which he speaks of the total difference between God’s ways and the ways of the world. He called it walking wisely.

I remember a visit to a sister in law’s home in Arkansas. Our visit was forcibly extended by a severe ice storm. Her son, made his way down the hill from his home to hers falling a number of times in that short walk. Knowing he was very handy with tools, I suggested that he take two boards the size of his feet and put short nails in them to serve as cleats before he tried that again. The next time he came, he had done that and fastened them to an old pair of shoes with tape. He did not slip at all. That is how God wants us to walk, with care, don’t take chances. Prepare yourself for those perils to your Spiritual life that will certainly come to us all.

Ephesians 5:15-21 (King James Version)

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (Ephesians 5:2, Colossians 4:5)

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Colossians 4:5, Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 6:13)

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Romans 12:2, Colossians 1:9, 1 Timothy 4:3)

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23-31f, Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:7, Titus 1:6, 1 Peter 4:4, Luke 1:15)

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Acts 16:25, Revelation 5:9, 1 Corinthians 14:15)

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Romans 1:8, Ephesians 5:4, Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 15:24)

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:3, 1 Peter 5:5, 2 Corinthians 5:11)

Paul covers the works of the flesh in another letter, Galatians, 5:16-26. That letter identifies and contrasts the works of the world, with the works of the Spirit. (The works of the world - Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:19, Galatians 5:20-21) (The works of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22, Galatians 5:23) I have listed the verses separately because the automatic search will not open several verses at a time if you are reading from a computer monitor. The people at Ephesus would have had access to the circular letter sent to all the churches in Galatia. This one only singles out the excess of wine. That was probably because this was a major feature of the pagan religions of Ephesus. Particular attention was needed.


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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009

OCTOBER

4th. Sunday – Jeremiah 7, 8, Philippians 2:14-30, Psalm 116:12-19
5th. Monday – Jeremiah 9, 10, Philippians 3, Psalm 117
6th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 11, 12, 13, Philippians 4, Psalm 118:1-16
7th. Wednesday – Jeremiah 14, 15, 16, Colossians 1, Proverbs 24:13-22
8th. Thursday – Jeremiah 17, 18, 19, Colossians 2, Psalm 118:17-29
9th. Friday – Jeremiah 20, 21, 22, Colossians 3, Psalm 119:1-8
10th. Saturday – Jeremiah 23, 24, Colossians 4, Psalm 119:9-16

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all and who is above all and through all, and in you all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6
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Last Daze of Summer...
A couple lived near the ocean and used to walk the beach a lot. One summer they noticed a girl who was at the beach pretty much every day.

She wasn't unusual, nor was the travel bag she carried, except for one thing. She would approach people who were sitting on the beach, glance around, then speak to them.

Generally, the people would respond negatively and she would wander off, but occasionally someone would nod and there would be a quick exchange of money for something she carried in her bag. The couple assumed she was selling drugs and debated calling the cops, but since they didn't know for sure they just continued to watch her.

After a couple of weeks the wife asked, "Honey, have you ever noticed that she only goes up to people with boom boxes and other electronic devices?"

He hadn't and said so. Then she said, "Tomorrow I want you to get a towel and our big radio and go lie out on the beach. Then we can find out what she's really doing."

Well, the plan went off without a hitch, and the wife was almost hopping up and down with anticipation when she saw the girl talk to her husband and then leave. The man walked up the beach and met his wife at the road. "Well, is she selling drugs?" she asked excitedly."

No, she's not." he said, enjoying this probably more than he should have.

"Well, what is it, then?" his wife fairly shrieked.

The man grinned and said. "Her name is Sally and she's a battery salesperson."

"Batteries?" cried the wife.

"Yes," he replied. "Sally sells C cells by the seashore."

(Groan)