Newsletter 253 July 24, 2011
Romans 7:7-13 King James Version
SIN DEFINED BY LAW
Aside from the letter to the church in Corinth this letter to the church in Rome contains an abundance of teaching material, and I have over fourteen studies from each book. Even today there is great confusion over the difference between the old and the new testaments. Much of this would be avoided if we regarded the Old Testament as the history of mankind note that it is preparatory to the New Covenant.
Paul had been a Pharisee, tutored by the most brilliant teacher of his time, then personally by Christ after his conversion. He knew the law. He knew the history of his own people. He knew that the law itself was perfect, but it was not the answer to sin. No, it was that which identified what sin is.
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
The law, puts into words basic facts that most nonbelievers, and even the followers of pagan religions accept are wrong.. Many of these people have some concept that it is wrong, to lie, to steal, to murder. The law is not wrong, it has been defined as a “schoolmaster.“ The purpose of the law was to prepare a rebellious, people for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. When they finally arrived at the Jordan river, it was a whole new generation of people who were to launch it’s conquest. Paul used his own history as an example. He had been a terrorist, to put it bluntly, trying to force everyone to follow his leading. He had thought he was serving God, but Jesus had to take a hand with him to get his attention. The result was a chastened, blind young man who was led by the hand to sit and ponder what he had been doing until Ananias came, also reluctantly, to lead him to the truth. His whole life and purpose was changed.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me?
forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
SIN OVERCOME BY GRACE
Christ, the Messiah, did not destroy the law. He fulfilled it. It had completed it’s purpose. It had defined sin, and it had introduced the way to conquer sin through Jesus Christ who had paid the price for our own sin with his own life and who shows a new and better way to live. That is why he said, “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” His purity shows us a better way, and the only way, to enter heaven. He did not tell us to kill our enemies, he tells us to love them. He tells us to pray for them. That is how Stephen could pray, Forgive them for they known not what they do.”
We must not think that becoming a Christian will solve all our problems. No, we are still human, but with something more. We have the Holy Spirit, and we have the assurance where we are going at the end of our physical life here. We each still have our own burdens, but so did Paul. He carried the results of his numerous beatings and stonings, and probably poor eyesight, to his grave. Those things are physical and do not carry over to heaven.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY
24th. Sunday – Hosea 3, 4, Romans 11:1-17, Psalm 89:1-8
25th. Monday – Hosea 5, 6, Romans 11:18-36, Psalm 89:9-13
26th. Tuesday – Hosea 7, 8, Romans 12, Psalm 89:14-18
27th. Wednesday - Hosea 9, 10, Romans 13, Proverbs 18:1-10
28th. Thursday - Hosea 11, 12, Romans 14, Psalm 89:19-29
29th. Friday – Hosea 13, 14, Romans 15:1-16, Psalm 89:30-37
30th. Saturday - Jonah 1, 2, Romans 15:17-33, Psalm 89:38-45
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
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Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
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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
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believrth.”
Romans 10:4
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Mountain Neighbors...
Dan, a 35 year old new york stock broker had made it so big on Wall Street that he was able to retire at a young age. Using his wealth, he buys a small cottage in the vermont mountains. After 6 months of hardly any human contact, except for venturing into town for supplies, he hears a knock on his door. He opens the door to find this big, surly, bearded man standing in front of him.
"May I help you," Dan asks.
"The name's Jim, I live 'bout two miles down the road in my cabin," the man says.
"I'm having a party this coming Saturday and I thought I'd invite you seein' that you're new and all here."
Dan accepts the inviation saying, "Great, I haven't been out in six months."
Jim says "I gotta warn ya, there's gon' be a lot a drinkin at this party."
"Well, I've been to all the bars in New York and have held my ground with the best of them," Dan replies.
"A lot of fightin' goes on that these parties too," Jim says.
Dan replies "well, it'll be nice to get out and I think I can hold my own."
Jim offers, "there's also gon' be some wild love making."
"Well I have been alone for the last six months," Dan says with a laugh.
So the two exchange numbers and directions and just as Jim is walking away Dan says "What should I wear?" Jim turns and replies, "Whatever you want, just gon' be us two."
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
GOD’S ANGER AGAINST SIN
Newsletter 252 July 17, 2011
Romans 1:18-27
King James Version (KJV)
SIN STIRS GOD TO ANGER
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 5:9, Ephesians 5:6, Galatians 3:6, 2Thessalonians 2:6)
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Acts 14:17, Acts 17:24)
HIS ANGER IS REVEALED IN TWO WAYS.
1. Through natural events, unnaturally violent..
The flood.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, wars, famines
2. Through clear, immediate action
Adam and Eve, Able, The tower of Babel, the plagues of Egypt, Annanias and Saphira, Destruction of Sodom, Wall of Jericho.
HIS POWER IS CLEAR TO BE SEEN
His power holds everything, from every single atom to the universe from flying apart in self destruction. Common sense tells us that these things could not create themselves. The “Big Bang” is yet to come, but it will not be creative in nature. Mankind even struggles with how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, can be one. Some things are taken on faith. If God says, this is fact, and this is what He expects of us, then we need no more.
We all need a savior, because we have all sinned and fallen short. It is just much a sin to know to go good and not do it, as it is to know not to do something and to do it anyway.
We have a loving God who chose to send His own Son as a sacrifice that would make salvation a possibility. (John 3:16)
.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Mark 10:6, Job 12:7-9, Psalm 19:1-6, Jeremiah 5:2)
It is the fool who has said in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1) There is no excuse for even him, for the proof is all about us in what He has made and done.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (2 Kings 17:15, Jeremiah 2:5, Ephesians 4:17)
One does not have to look very far to find those who flaunt their graduate degrees, but deny God, who made all they see and use in a single week of time. Time is nothing to God. He spoke these things into being. Man struggles to extinguish a simple grass fire; what can he do when the earth itself is burning? .
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Jeremiah 10:14, 1 Corinthians 1:20)
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Deuteronomy 4:16-18, Psalm 106:20, Jeremiah 2:11, Acts 17:29)
The priests of Egypt made a god of almost every creeping animal, thus it was that when God gave the law to Moses, that was forbidden. They were instructed to hate these pagan gods so much that they were to utterly destroy all the people, and even the animals of the promised land. Those people killed their own children as sacrifices to those gods and glorified prostitution in worship to them.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28, Ephesians 4:19, Ephesians 2:3)
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Isaiah 44:20, Jeremiah 10:14, Jeremiah 13:25, Jeremiah 16:19, Romans 9:5, 2 Corinthians 11:31)
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (Romans 1:24, 1 Thessalonians 4:5)
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9)
As we look about us, it is clear that the world is making a complete cycle back to the sins of Scripture. Can we be surprised at the reaction of the anger of God? This is the same God who told Noah to build an ark and by it saved one family out of the millions living on earth at the time. There is one thing that God does hate, that is sin.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY
17th. Sunday – 2 Kings 23, Romans 6, Psalm 86:1-10
18th. Monday – 2 Kings 24, 25, Romans 7, Psalm 86:11-17
19th. Tuesday – Amos 1, 2, Romans 8:1-17, Proverbs 17:13-20
20th. Wednesday - Amos 3, 4, Romans 8:18-39, Psalm 87
21st. Thursday - Amos 5, 6, Romans 9:1-19, Psalm 88:1-9
22nd. Friday – Amos 7, 8, 9, Romans 9:20-33, Psalm 88:10-18
23rd. Saturday - Hosea 1, 2, Romans 10, Proverbs 17:21-28
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 793 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://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, bur after the Spirit.“
Romans 8:1
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Anything For You...
A woman is sitting at a bar enjoying an after work cocktail with her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, middle-aged man enters.
He is so striking that the woman can not take her eyes off him.
The man notices her overly attentive stares and walks directly toward her.
Before she can offer her apologies for rudely staring, he leans over and whispers, "I'll do anything, absolutely anything that you want me to do for $20... But, on one condition."
Flabbergasted, the woman asks what the condition is.
The man replies, "You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three words."
The woman considers his proposition for a moment and then removes a $20 bill from her purse, which she presses into the man's hand along with her address.
She then looks deeply into his eyes, and slowly, and meaningfully says, "Clean my house."
Romans 1:18-27
King James Version (KJV)
SIN STIRS GOD TO ANGER
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 5:9, Ephesians 5:6, Galatians 3:6, 2Thessalonians 2:6)
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Acts 14:17, Acts 17:24)
HIS ANGER IS REVEALED IN TWO WAYS.
1. Through natural events, unnaturally violent..
The flood.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, wars, famines
2. Through clear, immediate action
Adam and Eve, Able, The tower of Babel, the plagues of Egypt, Annanias and Saphira, Destruction of Sodom, Wall of Jericho.
HIS POWER IS CLEAR TO BE SEEN
His power holds everything, from every single atom to the universe from flying apart in self destruction. Common sense tells us that these things could not create themselves. The “Big Bang” is yet to come, but it will not be creative in nature. Mankind even struggles with how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, can be one. Some things are taken on faith. If God says, this is fact, and this is what He expects of us, then we need no more.
We all need a savior, because we have all sinned and fallen short. It is just much a sin to know to go good and not do it, as it is to know not to do something and to do it anyway.
We have a loving God who chose to send His own Son as a sacrifice that would make salvation a possibility. (John 3:16)
.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Mark 10:6, Job 12:7-9, Psalm 19:1-6, Jeremiah 5:2)
It is the fool who has said in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1) There is no excuse for even him, for the proof is all about us in what He has made and done.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (2 Kings 17:15, Jeremiah 2:5, Ephesians 4:17)
One does not have to look very far to find those who flaunt their graduate degrees, but deny God, who made all they see and use in a single week of time. Time is nothing to God. He spoke these things into being. Man struggles to extinguish a simple grass fire; what can he do when the earth itself is burning? .
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Jeremiah 10:14, 1 Corinthians 1:20)
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Deuteronomy 4:16-18, Psalm 106:20, Jeremiah 2:11, Acts 17:29)
The priests of Egypt made a god of almost every creeping animal, thus it was that when God gave the law to Moses, that was forbidden. They were instructed to hate these pagan gods so much that they were to utterly destroy all the people, and even the animals of the promised land. Those people killed their own children as sacrifices to those gods and glorified prostitution in worship to them.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28, Ephesians 4:19, Ephesians 2:3)
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Isaiah 44:20, Jeremiah 10:14, Jeremiah 13:25, Jeremiah 16:19, Romans 9:5, 2 Corinthians 11:31)
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (Romans 1:24, 1 Thessalonians 4:5)
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9)
As we look about us, it is clear that the world is making a complete cycle back to the sins of Scripture. Can we be surprised at the reaction of the anger of God? This is the same God who told Noah to build an ark and by it saved one family out of the millions living on earth at the time. There is one thing that God does hate, that is sin.
_________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY
17th. Sunday – 2 Kings 23, Romans 6, Psalm 86:1-10
18th. Monday – 2 Kings 24, 25, Romans 7, Psalm 86:11-17
19th. Tuesday – Amos 1, 2, Romans 8:1-17, Proverbs 17:13-20
20th. Wednesday - Amos 3, 4, Romans 8:18-39, Psalm 87
21st. Thursday - Amos 5, 6, Romans 9:1-19, Psalm 88:1-9
22nd. Friday – Amos 7, 8, 9, Romans 9:20-33, Psalm 88:10-18
23rd. Saturday - Hosea 1, 2, Romans 10, Proverbs 17:21-28
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 793 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://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, bur after the Spirit.“
Romans 8:1
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Anything For You...
A woman is sitting at a bar enjoying an after work cocktail with her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, middle-aged man enters.
He is so striking that the woman can not take her eyes off him.
The man notices her overly attentive stares and walks directly toward her.
Before she can offer her apologies for rudely staring, he leans over and whispers, "I'll do anything, absolutely anything that you want me to do for $20... But, on one condition."
Flabbergasted, the woman asks what the condition is.
The man replies, "You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three words."
The woman considers his proposition for a moment and then removes a $20 bill from her purse, which she presses into the man's hand along with her address.
She then looks deeply into his eyes, and slowly, and meaningfully says, "Clean my house."
Saturday, July 9, 2011
AN UNLIKELY MISSION FIELD
Newsletter 251 July 10, 2011
While our text is taken from the last chapter of the book of Acts in order to conserve space, I do plan to reference both before and after that portion. We must keep in mind that Acts is a record of the birth and expansion of the church. It began in Jerusalem, and had, at this point, spread to Rome, the capitol of the Roman Empire. It is not the biography of the Apostle Paul. It does not start with his birth, nor end with his death. Tradition tells us that he was released from this prison, made the missionary trip to Spain, that he had said he hoped to make, and then was arrested again, and finally was beheaded outside Rome.
What I would like to see today is how he took, what promised to be very impossible situations and fields, and turned them into opportunities to preach the Gospel. The first is the shipwreck itself. Paul was a prisoner on board a small ship that was being driven ashore, who knew where. He was probably been in chains, and would certainly have been lost, but he had become a friend of his guards and they were all released so that they could get ashore on their own. The setting is a bit obscure. One version says it was a “creek mouth,” while another translates it as a “beach.” Having been a sailor and been trained to beach landing craft. The beach is preferable by far, The creek mouth could well have a sand bar just under the surface, as we are told it did. The ship broke up and they all struggled ashore. Their first need was for warmth and dry clothing, so they gathered anything that would burn, including, unknown to them, a viper that had sheltered under some of it. Had God stranded them in a good field for evangelism? A resounding yes! They “just happened” to be on the property of the governor of the island, and his father was very ill. Paul, “just happened to be bitten by a deadly viper.
Acts 28:1-10
1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. (Acts 16:10, Acts 27:1, Acts 27:39, Acts 27:26)
Malta is a small island, only about 17 miles long.
2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. (Acts 28:4, Romans 1:14, 1 Corinthians 14:11, Colossians 3:11, Romans 14:1)
3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.
4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” (Acts 28:2, Luke 13:2)
5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. (Mark 15:18)
6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. (Acts 14:11)
God had turned these adverse situations into advantages for them all. The people had turned from thinking he was a murderer, unto thinking that he must be a god. After he also, healed the governor’s father of a very common illness there, they were ready to hear the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. (Acts 9:40, James 5:14,Matthew 9:18, Mark 5:23, Mark 6:5)
9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
As soon as the warmer and milder weather came, a ship which had spent the winter on the island, and the crew, including the prisoners and their guards, sailed again headed for Italy. God sent them fellow believers, probably including people of influence, who saw to it that Paul was permitted to be under house arrest until his case could be heard before Caesar. Caesar’s own personal guards spent their assignments chained to Paul. Thus they heard everything that was said, so Paul had as a captive audience servants from the very household of Caesar and many of them became believers. He had two full years in which to live under house arrest but with a very welcoming audience.
God turned every “hindrance“ into an “advantage“ and the church spread.. When we first arrived in Africa from America, we learned that while we in America get our electricity in 110 volts, in Africa it comes as 220 volts, also with different cycles. Our first purchase was for a transformer so we could use our American electrical appliances. We did not have many, but we did have a small record player, and it, with clarion hymn chimes, became our very first real contact with the children of the area. In the cool of the evening, we played those chimes at the same time each evening, and with flannel graph, visible through our open doors, we told the Bible Stories to our invisible audience. After weeks of this, they became visible, when we decided to skip an evening. A hesitant knock at the door, introduced us to seven young people. After that they came in and brought their friends. God had turned a problem into a blessing. He later was to turn our inability to speak German or Afrikaans into another. We started English Correspondence Bible Studies. Demand for them rolled in from all over Africa, except where we were. Instead of a small village, God opened a continent. Now, years later, there is a Christian University in one of those west Africa countries. A chief project of that university is to reach the Islamic world for Christ.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY
10th. Sunday – 2 Kings 11, 12, Romans 1:1-17, Psalm 83
11th. Monday – 2 Kings 13, 14, Romans 1:18-32, Proverbs 16:25-33
12th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 15, 16, Romans 2, Psalm 84:1-7
13th. Wednesday - 2 Kings 17, Romans 3:1-20, Psalm 84:8-12
14th. Thursday - 2 Kings 18, Romans 3:21-31, Psalm 85:1-7
15th. Friday – 2 Kings 19, 20, Romans 4, Proverbs 17:1-12
16th. Saturday - 2 Kings 21, 22, Romans 5, Psalm 85:8-13
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 792 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://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.“
Acts 28:28
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Are You Insane?
It doesn't hurt to take a hard look at yourself from time to time. This little test should get you started.
During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criteria is that defines a patient to be institutionalized.
"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub. We offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient, and ask the patient to empty the bathtub."
OK, here's your test:
1. Would you use the spoon?
2. Would you use the teacup?
3. Would you use the bucket?
"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would choose the bucket as it is larger than the spoon."
"No," answered the Director.
========
"A normal person would pull the plug."
While our text is taken from the last chapter of the book of Acts in order to conserve space, I do plan to reference both before and after that portion. We must keep in mind that Acts is a record of the birth and expansion of the church. It began in Jerusalem, and had, at this point, spread to Rome, the capitol of the Roman Empire. It is not the biography of the Apostle Paul. It does not start with his birth, nor end with his death. Tradition tells us that he was released from this prison, made the missionary trip to Spain, that he had said he hoped to make, and then was arrested again, and finally was beheaded outside Rome.
What I would like to see today is how he took, what promised to be very impossible situations and fields, and turned them into opportunities to preach the Gospel. The first is the shipwreck itself. Paul was a prisoner on board a small ship that was being driven ashore, who knew where. He was probably been in chains, and would certainly have been lost, but he had become a friend of his guards and they were all released so that they could get ashore on their own. The setting is a bit obscure. One version says it was a “creek mouth,” while another translates it as a “beach.” Having been a sailor and been trained to beach landing craft. The beach is preferable by far, The creek mouth could well have a sand bar just under the surface, as we are told it did. The ship broke up and they all struggled ashore. Their first need was for warmth and dry clothing, so they gathered anything that would burn, including, unknown to them, a viper that had sheltered under some of it. Had God stranded them in a good field for evangelism? A resounding yes! They “just happened” to be on the property of the governor of the island, and his father was very ill. Paul, “just happened to be bitten by a deadly viper.
Acts 28:1-10
1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. (Acts 16:10, Acts 27:1, Acts 27:39, Acts 27:26)
Malta is a small island, only about 17 miles long.
2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. (Acts 28:4, Romans 1:14, 1 Corinthians 14:11, Colossians 3:11, Romans 14:1)
3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.
4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” (Acts 28:2, Luke 13:2)
5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. (Mark 15:18)
6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. (Acts 14:11)
God had turned these adverse situations into advantages for them all. The people had turned from thinking he was a murderer, unto thinking that he must be a god. After he also, healed the governor’s father of a very common illness there, they were ready to hear the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. (Acts 9:40, James 5:14,Matthew 9:18, Mark 5:23, Mark 6:5)
9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
As soon as the warmer and milder weather came, a ship which had spent the winter on the island, and the crew, including the prisoners and their guards, sailed again headed for Italy. God sent them fellow believers, probably including people of influence, who saw to it that Paul was permitted to be under house arrest until his case could be heard before Caesar. Caesar’s own personal guards spent their assignments chained to Paul. Thus they heard everything that was said, so Paul had as a captive audience servants from the very household of Caesar and many of them became believers. He had two full years in which to live under house arrest but with a very welcoming audience.
God turned every “hindrance“ into an “advantage“ and the church spread.. When we first arrived in Africa from America, we learned that while we in America get our electricity in 110 volts, in Africa it comes as 220 volts, also with different cycles. Our first purchase was for a transformer so we could use our American electrical appliances. We did not have many, but we did have a small record player, and it, with clarion hymn chimes, became our very first real contact with the children of the area. In the cool of the evening, we played those chimes at the same time each evening, and with flannel graph, visible through our open doors, we told the Bible Stories to our invisible audience. After weeks of this, they became visible, when we decided to skip an evening. A hesitant knock at the door, introduced us to seven young people. After that they came in and brought their friends. God had turned a problem into a blessing. He later was to turn our inability to speak German or Afrikaans into another. We started English Correspondence Bible Studies. Demand for them rolled in from all over Africa, except where we were. Instead of a small village, God opened a continent. Now, years later, there is a Christian University in one of those west Africa countries. A chief project of that university is to reach the Islamic world for Christ.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY
10th. Sunday – 2 Kings 11, 12, Romans 1:1-17, Psalm 83
11th. Monday – 2 Kings 13, 14, Romans 1:18-32, Proverbs 16:25-33
12th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 15, 16, Romans 2, Psalm 84:1-7
13th. Wednesday - 2 Kings 17, Romans 3:1-20, Psalm 84:8-12
14th. Thursday - 2 Kings 18, Romans 3:21-31, Psalm 85:1-7
15th. Friday – 2 Kings 19, 20, Romans 4, Proverbs 17:1-12
16th. Saturday - 2 Kings 21, 22, Romans 5, Psalm 85:8-13
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
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Questions and discussions
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Favorite Scripture Quotation
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Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
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Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.“
Acts 28:28
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Are You Insane?
It doesn't hurt to take a hard look at yourself from time to time. This little test should get you started.
During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criteria is that defines a patient to be institutionalized.
"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub. We offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient, and ask the patient to empty the bathtub."
OK, here's your test:
1. Would you use the spoon?
2. Would you use the teacup?
3. Would you use the bucket?
"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would choose the bucket as it is larger than the spoon."
"No," answered the Director.
========
"A normal person would pull the plug."
Friday, July 1, 2011
MESSENGERS OF GOOD NEWS
Newsletter 250 July 3, 2011
Acts 20:1-12 King James Version
The background of this portion of scriptures is that Paul and his party were carrying the offerings of the churches, for the needy, in Jerusalem and hoped to be there by Passover. Probably their group became larger as they visited each church. There is more safety in a larger group, but also less personal responsibility. For many years, I was the treasurer of our annual fund collection for building church buildings and evangelism purposes. I was always assisted by another missionary and we went directly to a branch of the bank used for the mission’s accounts. They accepted that responsibility and transferred the money to the branch we used. As we were often camping in tents, this was a much safer practice. Paul had no such banking system to rely upon. Like ours, both Paul’s group and ourselves, it was a large sum, and we were accepting it in an open church building thronged with people, we never had even a near robbery. Yes, our cars were in danger outside, but the Lord protected His own.
Because he knew that this might be his last visit with them, there were many delays. As I grow older, I too find saying farewell to those I love more difficult each time it happens. We have personally seen only two of our dozen great grand children, and probably will never see the others. Their parents are widely scattered over the globe. Even of our four daughters, only one lives nearby.
1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Acts 11:26, Acts 19:21, Acts 16:9, Acts 20:3)
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
JEWS WERE HIS GREATEST DANGER
3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. (Acts 9:23, Acts 20:19, Acts 4:24, Acts 16:9, Acts 20:1)
Plans had to be altered yet once again from sea to overland and by Pentecost instead of Passover.
4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 17:10, Acts 19:29, Acts 17:1, Acts 14:6, Acts 16:1, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:12, Titus 3:12, Acts 21:29, 2 Timothy 4:20, Acts 16:6, Acts 20:16, Acts 20:18)
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas. (Acts 16:10, Acts 20:5-15, Acts 16:12, Acts 12:3, Acts 16:8)
Notice here is one of the “we’ sections of Acts. In verse 2 says Luke writes “he”, but in verse 6, he writes “we.” Luke had joined the party at Troas. This change of words is how we know.
6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (Acts 16:8)
7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (1 Corinthians 16:2, Revelation 1:10, Acts 16:10, Acts 20:5-15, Acts 2:42, Acts 20:11)
They waited for the entire church to come together. This happened when they gathered as one to break bread. Acts 2:42, tells us that they did this “steadfastly”, not occasionally as is the custom of so many today. Paul knew that this was the way he would see most of the believers.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. (Matthew 25:1, Acts 1:13)
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
(Eutychus means lucky or of good fortune, perhaps it was his good fortune that there was an apostle present, that he might be brought back to life after his fall.)
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. (1 Kings 17:21, 2 Kings 4:34, Matthew 9:23, Mark 5:35)
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. (Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7)
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY
3rd. Sunday – 2 Kings 3, Acts 23, Proverbs 16:1-15
4th. Monday – 2 Kings 4, Acts 24, Psalm 80:1-7
5th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 5, Acts 25, Psalm 80:8-19
6th. Wednesday - 2 Kings 6 Acts 26, Psalm 81:1-7
7th. Thursday - 2 Kings 7, 8, Acts 27:1-20, Proverbs 16:16-24
8th. Friday – 2 Kings 9, Acts 27:21-40, Psalm 81:8-16
9th. Saturday - 2 Kings 10, Acts 28, Psalm 82
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 791 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
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard, and why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.“
Acts 22:15,16
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Heckuva Engineer...
An engineer was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess."
He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.
The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week."
The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.
The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want."
Again the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.
Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess, that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"
The engineer said, "Look I'm an engineer.
I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that's cool.
Acts 20:1-12 King James Version
The background of this portion of scriptures is that Paul and his party were carrying the offerings of the churches, for the needy, in Jerusalem and hoped to be there by Passover. Probably their group became larger as they visited each church. There is more safety in a larger group, but also less personal responsibility. For many years, I was the treasurer of our annual fund collection for building church buildings and evangelism purposes. I was always assisted by another missionary and we went directly to a branch of the bank used for the mission’s accounts. They accepted that responsibility and transferred the money to the branch we used. As we were often camping in tents, this was a much safer practice. Paul had no such banking system to rely upon. Like ours, both Paul’s group and ourselves, it was a large sum, and we were accepting it in an open church building thronged with people, we never had even a near robbery. Yes, our cars were in danger outside, but the Lord protected His own.
Because he knew that this might be his last visit with them, there were many delays. As I grow older, I too find saying farewell to those I love more difficult each time it happens. We have personally seen only two of our dozen great grand children, and probably will never see the others. Their parents are widely scattered over the globe. Even of our four daughters, only one lives nearby.
1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Acts 11:26, Acts 19:21, Acts 16:9, Acts 20:3)
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
JEWS WERE HIS GREATEST DANGER
3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. (Acts 9:23, Acts 20:19, Acts 4:24, Acts 16:9, Acts 20:1)
Plans had to be altered yet once again from sea to overland and by Pentecost instead of Passover.
4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 17:10, Acts 19:29, Acts 17:1, Acts 14:6, Acts 16:1, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:12, Titus 3:12, Acts 21:29, 2 Timothy 4:20, Acts 16:6, Acts 20:16, Acts 20:18)
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas. (Acts 16:10, Acts 20:5-15, Acts 16:12, Acts 12:3, Acts 16:8)
Notice here is one of the “we’ sections of Acts. In verse 2 says Luke writes “he”, but in verse 6, he writes “we.” Luke had joined the party at Troas. This change of words is how we know.
6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (Acts 16:8)
7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (1 Corinthians 16:2, Revelation 1:10, Acts 16:10, Acts 20:5-15, Acts 2:42, Acts 20:11)
They waited for the entire church to come together. This happened when they gathered as one to break bread. Acts 2:42, tells us that they did this “steadfastly”, not occasionally as is the custom of so many today. Paul knew that this was the way he would see most of the believers.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. (Matthew 25:1, Acts 1:13)
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
(Eutychus means lucky or of good fortune, perhaps it was his good fortune that there was an apostle present, that he might be brought back to life after his fall.)
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. (1 Kings 17:21, 2 Kings 4:34, Matthew 9:23, Mark 5:35)
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. (Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7)
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY
3rd. Sunday – 2 Kings 3, Acts 23, Proverbs 16:1-15
4th. Monday – 2 Kings 4, Acts 24, Psalm 80:1-7
5th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 5, Acts 25, Psalm 80:8-19
6th. Wednesday - 2 Kings 6 Acts 26, Psalm 81:1-7
7th. Thursday - 2 Kings 7, 8, Acts 27:1-20, Proverbs 16:16-24
8th. Friday – 2 Kings 9, Acts 27:21-40, Psalm 81:8-16
9th. Saturday - 2 Kings 10, Acts 28, Psalm 82
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 791 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
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard, and why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.“
Acts 22:15,16
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Heckuva Engineer...
An engineer was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess."
He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.
The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week."
The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.
The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want."
Again the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.
Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess, that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"
The engineer said, "Look I'm an engineer.
I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that's cool.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
PAUL ON MARS HILL
Newsletter 249 June 26, 2011
Acts 17:22-34 King James Version
BEING RELIGIOUS IS NOT ENOUGH
Most religions are the result of human origin. In reality only Christianity and Judaism began with God. God prepared a people for the Messiah through the Law, but it is of Jesus, the fulfillment of the law and prophets, that He gave His church. It is only in Christ, the head of His church, that he promises redemption. It is not through “good deeds,“ and not for sale. It all hinges on our relationship with Christ, God’s Son, that we are saved.
Paul, is speaking to the leading minds of their faith, ranking from that in the “unknown god” to the peak, in their minds, of the goddess of the Parthenon, the ruins of which still stand in Athens. Our bus parked between Mars Hill and that ancient pagan temple. Just below was a view of the Sea. In between, at our feet, was the site of the market where Paul must have been teaching the week before this scripture.
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. (Acts 17:15, Acts 25:19)
He dismissed their religion as being just a superstition. It was not from God.
THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO (2 Thessalonians 2:4, John 4:22)
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (Isaiah 4:25, Acts 14:15, Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalm 115:16, Matthew 11:25, 1 Kings 8:27, Acts 7:48)
Can you not see him with a wave his hand indicating each, the altars along the road, the world, the sea, and finally the temple, they held so dearly to?
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (Job 22:2, Psalm 50:10-12),
RELIGIONS ARE LOCALIZED IN NATURE
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (MalachI 2:10, Deuteronomy 32:8, Job 12:23)
All religions are localized in nature. They are dominate in certain areas, and usually among certain ethnic groups. This is true, even of Judaism which was meant to pass away with the coming of the Messiah and His followers.
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: (Deuteronomy 4:7, Jeremiah 23:33, Acts 14:17)
IN CHRIST THERE RE NO SUCH LIMITS
In Christ, there re no such limits. God sent him because of His love for the whole world. (John 3:16-17) Christ sent His followers to the World to teach and baptize for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) Only through Him can we hope to come unto God the Father. “no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Job 12:10, Daniel 5:23)
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. (Isaiah 40:18, Romans 1:23)
FORGET THE PAST, GOD DOES
The religions of the world often point back to and reverence their human origins. and founders, Mohammed, Confucius, Joseph Smith, and Mary Baker Eddy, are but a sample of the many such persons. Christianity, is forward looking, to eternity with the Lord.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (Acts 14:16, Romans 3:25, Acts 17:23, Luke 24:47, Acts 26:20, Titus 2:11)
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Matthew 10:15, Psalm 9:8, Psalm 96:13, Psalm 98:9, John 5:22, John 5:27, Acts 10:42, Matthew 24:14, Acts 17:6, Luke 22:22, Acts 2:24)
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. (Acts 17:18, Acts 17:31)
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. (Acts 17:19Acts 17:22)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
26th. Sunday – 1 Kings 16, 17, Acts 18, Psalm 78:9-20
27th. Monday – 1 Kings 18, Acts 19:1-20, Psalm 78:21-30
28th. Tuesday – 1 Kings 19:1-20:21, Acts 19:21-41, Psalm 78:31-39
29th. Wednesday - 1 Kings 20:22-21:29, Acts 20, Proverbs 15:27-33
30th. Thursday - 1 Kings 22, Acts 21:1-16, Psalm 78:40-55
JULY
1st. Friday – 2 Kings 1, Acts 21:17-40, Psalm 78:56-72
2nd. Saturday - 2 Kings 2, Acts 22, Psalm 79
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINK
(With links to 790 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
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so,“
Acts 17:11
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
Acts 17:22-34 King James Version
BEING RELIGIOUS IS NOT ENOUGH
Most religions are the result of human origin. In reality only Christianity and Judaism began with God. God prepared a people for the Messiah through the Law, but it is of Jesus, the fulfillment of the law and prophets, that He gave His church. It is only in Christ, the head of His church, that he promises redemption. It is not through “good deeds,“ and not for sale. It all hinges on our relationship with Christ, God’s Son, that we are saved.
Paul, is speaking to the leading minds of their faith, ranking from that in the “unknown god” to the peak, in their minds, of the goddess of the Parthenon, the ruins of which still stand in Athens. Our bus parked between Mars Hill and that ancient pagan temple. Just below was a view of the Sea. In between, at our feet, was the site of the market where Paul must have been teaching the week before this scripture.
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. (Acts 17:15, Acts 25:19)
He dismissed their religion as being just a superstition. It was not from God.
THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO (2 Thessalonians 2:4, John 4:22)
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (Isaiah 4:25, Acts 14:15, Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalm 115:16, Matthew 11:25, 1 Kings 8:27, Acts 7:48)
Can you not see him with a wave his hand indicating each, the altars along the road, the world, the sea, and finally the temple, they held so dearly to?
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (Job 22:2, Psalm 50:10-12),
RELIGIONS ARE LOCALIZED IN NATURE
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (MalachI 2:10, Deuteronomy 32:8, Job 12:23)
All religions are localized in nature. They are dominate in certain areas, and usually among certain ethnic groups. This is true, even of Judaism which was meant to pass away with the coming of the Messiah and His followers.
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: (Deuteronomy 4:7, Jeremiah 23:33, Acts 14:17)
IN CHRIST THERE RE NO SUCH LIMITS
In Christ, there re no such limits. God sent him because of His love for the whole world. (John 3:16-17) Christ sent His followers to the World to teach and baptize for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) Only through Him can we hope to come unto God the Father. “no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Job 12:10, Daniel 5:23)
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. (Isaiah 40:18, Romans 1:23)
FORGET THE PAST, GOD DOES
The religions of the world often point back to and reverence their human origins. and founders, Mohammed, Confucius, Joseph Smith, and Mary Baker Eddy, are but a sample of the many such persons. Christianity, is forward looking, to eternity with the Lord.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (Acts 14:16, Romans 3:25, Acts 17:23, Luke 24:47, Acts 26:20, Titus 2:11)
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Matthew 10:15, Psalm 9:8, Psalm 96:13, Psalm 98:9, John 5:22, John 5:27, Acts 10:42, Matthew 24:14, Acts 17:6, Luke 22:22, Acts 2:24)
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. (Acts 17:18, Acts 17:31)
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. (Acts 17:19Acts 17:22)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
26th. Sunday – 1 Kings 16, 17, Acts 18, Psalm 78:9-20
27th. Monday – 1 Kings 18, Acts 19:1-20, Psalm 78:21-30
28th. Tuesday – 1 Kings 19:1-20:21, Acts 19:21-41, Psalm 78:31-39
29th. Wednesday - 1 Kings 20:22-21:29, Acts 20, Proverbs 15:27-33
30th. Thursday - 1 Kings 22, Acts 21:1-16, Psalm 78:40-55
JULY
1st. Friday – 2 Kings 1, Acts 21:17-40, Psalm 78:56-72
2nd. Saturday - 2 Kings 2, Acts 22, Psalm 79
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINK
(With links to 790 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
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http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
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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
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so,“
Acts 17:11
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
SAUL THE PERSECUTOR / PAUL THE APOSTLE
Newsletter 248 June 19, 2011
Acts 9:1-22
King James Version (KJV)
SAUL THE PERSECUTOR
Do you see a comparison? Saul of Tarsus was a young fire brand sort of personality, on fire for God, or so he thought. He was of good background, well educated at the best money could buy. He had been taught by Gamaliel, the most outstanding teacher of his day. He was a Pharisee, the most strict, of the strict, in as far as the Law of Moses was concerned. He had everything going for him politically, if he was not a member of the Sanhedrin, he was certainly headed there, and he was determined that this upstart movement called simply, “the way” must be stopped and destroyed right from its roots. Apparently he and his followers felt that they had cleared it from Jerusalem, so he turned his attention to Damascus.
What he had not taken to mind was the fact that God had other plans for him; plans that were directly opposite to those he had. God made him with this personality, but directed in a totally different direction. He was a persecutor, today we would say “guilty of murder,” for he “aided and abetted,” and probably organized the stoning of Stephen, an innocent man. God took him over as he was headed to another city to search out these believers in Jesus Christ. First, God stopped him in his tracks as he neared the city, and left him blind and groping for someone to lead him. Listen to what the Bible says.
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:13-21)
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. (Acts 9:14, Acts 9:21, Acts 22:5, Acts 26:10, Matthew 10:17, Genesis 14:15, 2 Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 1:17, John 14:6, Acts 18:25, Acts 19:9, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, Acts 4:22)
MEETS CHRIST
He was not yet converted while on the way. This bewildered man had time to contemplate what he was doing, and that he had God’s full attention. God was not pleased. That was not what he expected. He expected God to bless and assist him! What did God want? What was he doing that was wrong in God’s sight? He was ready to listen. And God had the answer. “Go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.”
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: (1 Corinthians 15:8)
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (Acts 22:7, Acts 26:14)
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:16)
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. (Acts 26:14, John 12:29, Acts 22:9)
SAUL THE HUMBLED LED TO ANTIOCH
He was led into the city of Damascus, where he sat and thought about what had happened. For three days he thought, and you can be sure, prayed. He did not even drink anything.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. Acts 9:18, Acts 22:11, Genesis 14:15,,2 Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 1:17)
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
GOD SENDS HELP TO HIM
God sent a very reluctant, but obedient man, Ananias, to lead him and baptize him. How would we feel, if we knew about any prospect, what Ananias knew about Saul of Tarsus?
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. (Galatians 14:15, 2 Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 1:17, Acts 22:12, Acts 10:3, Acts 10:17, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:5, Acts 12:9, Acts 16:9, Acts 18:9)
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9:30, Acts 11:25, Acts 21:39, Acts 22:3)
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. (Mark 5:23, Acts 6:6, Acts 9:17)
SOMETIMES GOD GIVES HARD INSTRUCTIONS.
It is not for us to be shy, when God says, “do this.” Ananias probably felt that he was walking into a death trap, but nevertheless, he went, and he did his part in the conversion and baptism of the most powerful evangelist the world has ever known. God had a plan for Saul, and Ananias had a simple part in making it come to be. Because he did this, it was said later of Paul that he “turned the world upside down.” for the Lord.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41, Acts 20:10, Romans 1:7, Romans 15:25, Romans 15:26, Romans 16:2, Romans 16:15, 1 Corinthians 1:2)
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. (Acts 9:2, Acts 9:21, Acts 7:59)
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Acts 13:2, Romans 1:1, Romans 9:23, Galatians 1:125, Ephesians 3:7, Acts 22:21, Acts 26:17, Romans 1:5, Romans 11:13, Romans 15:16, Galatians 1:16, Galatians 2:7, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 4:17, Acts 25:22, Acts 26:1, Acts 26:32)
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 20:23, Acts 21:4, Acts 21:11, Acts 21:13, 2Corinthians 6:4, 2 Corinthians 11”23-27, 1 Thessalonians 3:3)
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 5:23, Acts 6:6, Acts 9:12, Acts 22:13, Acts 2:4)
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
WAS HIS EYESIGHT THE “THORN”?
Even after all of this preparation, God chose to leave Saul with one major weakness, probably eye problems. The glorious light from above had simply been too much for human eyes to handle. This remaining problem, which he called a “thorn in the flesh” stayed with him for life, (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) a constant reminder of what he had been, and now had become. He was now a new man, with a new direction in his life. From then on, we know him as, “Paul the Apostle.” He became a “fire brand’ for God in God’s way now. You and I an rejoice in this. Without it, history would be different, and mankind would possibly already have destroyed all life on earth.. He wasted no time and immediately began to preach Christ, to the very people that he carried letters of authority to destroy what he was now preaching.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. (Acts 26:20, Acts 9:26, Acts 9:38, Acts 11:26)
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 13:5, Acts 13:14, Acts 16:13, Acts 17:2, Acts 17:10, Acts 18:4, Acts 18:19, Acts 19:8, Matthew 4:3, Acts 9:22, Acts 19:33)
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:13, Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:23, Acts 9:14)
THE TEACHER IS MORE BLESSED
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
If we allow him, we too can be a changed people, being a light to the darkness around us. Remember, I said, “see a comparison.”
There are a misinformed people of great zeal, ready to give their very lives for a false message that they believe to be the will of God. We are engaged in a “holy war” in that sense only. God sent a reluctant believer, fearing for his very life, to convert just such a man. God is able to bring about just such a change when the time is right. This is the same God, the same Jesus,. The same personality, dedication to a false premise, and we are certainly as hesitant as was Ananias.
Who knows but perhaps we are today’s equivalents of Esther to whom it was said, “Who knows but that thou art come unto the kingdom for such a time as this.“ (Esther 4:14) We are of his kingdom, the church. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (1 Timothy 6:15)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
19th. Sunday – 1 Kings 7, Acts 13:26-52, Psalm 75
20th. Monday – 1 Kings 8, Acts 14, Psalm 76
21st. Tuesday – 1 Kings 9, 10, Acts 15:1-22, Proverbs 15:9-18
22nd. Wednesday - 1 Kings 11, Acts 15:23-41, Psalm 77:1-9
23rd. Thursday - 1 Kings 12, Acts 16:1-18, Psalm 77:10-20
24th. Friday – 1 Kings 13, Acts 16:19-40, Psalm 78:1-8
25th. Saturday - 1 Kings 14, 15, Acts 17, Proverbs 15:19-26
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 789 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
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Who knows but that thou art come unto the kingdom for such a time as this.“
Esther 4:14
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
We Three Tortoises...
Three tortoises, Mick, Alan and Les, decide to go on a picnic. So Mick packs the picnic basket with Coke and sandwiches. The trouble is the picnic site is ten miles away so it takes them ten days to get there.
When they get there Mick unpacks the food and Coke. "Ok, Les Give me the bottle opener."
"I didn't bring it," says Les. "I thought you packed it."Mick gets worried, He turns to Alan, "Did you bring the bottle opener??"
Naturally Alan didn't bring it. So they're stuck ten miles from Home without a bottle opener. Mick and Alan beg Les to go back for it, but he refuses as he says they will eat all the sandwiches.
After two hours, and after they have sworn on their tortoise lives that they will not eat the sandwiches, he finally agrees. So Les sets off down the road at a steady pace.
Twenty days pass and he still isn't back and Mick and Alan are starving, but a promise is a promise.
Another five days and he still isn't back, but a promise is a promise. Finally they can't take it any longer so they take out a sandwich each, and just as they are about to eat it, Les pops up from behind a rock and shouts....
"I KNEW IT!......I'M NOT FREAKING GOING!
Acts 9:1-22
King James Version (KJV)
SAUL THE PERSECUTOR
Do you see a comparison? Saul of Tarsus was a young fire brand sort of personality, on fire for God, or so he thought. He was of good background, well educated at the best money could buy. He had been taught by Gamaliel, the most outstanding teacher of his day. He was a Pharisee, the most strict, of the strict, in as far as the Law of Moses was concerned. He had everything going for him politically, if he was not a member of the Sanhedrin, he was certainly headed there, and he was determined that this upstart movement called simply, “the way” must be stopped and destroyed right from its roots. Apparently he and his followers felt that they had cleared it from Jerusalem, so he turned his attention to Damascus.
What he had not taken to mind was the fact that God had other plans for him; plans that were directly opposite to those he had. God made him with this personality, but directed in a totally different direction. He was a persecutor, today we would say “guilty of murder,” for he “aided and abetted,” and probably organized the stoning of Stephen, an innocent man. God took him over as he was headed to another city to search out these believers in Jesus Christ. First, God stopped him in his tracks as he neared the city, and left him blind and groping for someone to lead him. Listen to what the Bible says.
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:13-21)
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. (Acts 9:14, Acts 9:21, Acts 22:5, Acts 26:10, Matthew 10:17, Genesis 14:15, 2 Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 1:17, John 14:6, Acts 18:25, Acts 19:9, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, Acts 4:22)
MEETS CHRIST
He was not yet converted while on the way. This bewildered man had time to contemplate what he was doing, and that he had God’s full attention. God was not pleased. That was not what he expected. He expected God to bless and assist him! What did God want? What was he doing that was wrong in God’s sight? He was ready to listen. And God had the answer. “Go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.”
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: (1 Corinthians 15:8)
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (Acts 22:7, Acts 26:14)
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:16)
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. (Acts 26:14, John 12:29, Acts 22:9)
SAUL THE HUMBLED LED TO ANTIOCH
He was led into the city of Damascus, where he sat and thought about what had happened. For three days he thought, and you can be sure, prayed. He did not even drink anything.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. Acts 9:18, Acts 22:11, Genesis 14:15,,2 Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 1:17)
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
GOD SENDS HELP TO HIM
God sent a very reluctant, but obedient man, Ananias, to lead him and baptize him. How would we feel, if we knew about any prospect, what Ananias knew about Saul of Tarsus?
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. (Galatians 14:15, 2 Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 1:17, Acts 22:12, Acts 10:3, Acts 10:17, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:5, Acts 12:9, Acts 16:9, Acts 18:9)
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9:30, Acts 11:25, Acts 21:39, Acts 22:3)
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. (Mark 5:23, Acts 6:6, Acts 9:17)
SOMETIMES GOD GIVES HARD INSTRUCTIONS.
It is not for us to be shy, when God says, “do this.” Ananias probably felt that he was walking into a death trap, but nevertheless, he went, and he did his part in the conversion and baptism of the most powerful evangelist the world has ever known. God had a plan for Saul, and Ananias had a simple part in making it come to be. Because he did this, it was said later of Paul that he “turned the world upside down.” for the Lord.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41, Acts 20:10, Romans 1:7, Romans 15:25, Romans 15:26, Romans 16:2, Romans 16:15, 1 Corinthians 1:2)
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. (Acts 9:2, Acts 9:21, Acts 7:59)
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Acts 13:2, Romans 1:1, Romans 9:23, Galatians 1:125, Ephesians 3:7, Acts 22:21, Acts 26:17, Romans 1:5, Romans 11:13, Romans 15:16, Galatians 1:16, Galatians 2:7, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 4:17, Acts 25:22, Acts 26:1, Acts 26:32)
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 20:23, Acts 21:4, Acts 21:11, Acts 21:13, 2Corinthians 6:4, 2 Corinthians 11”23-27, 1 Thessalonians 3:3)
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 5:23, Acts 6:6, Acts 9:12, Acts 22:13, Acts 2:4)
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
WAS HIS EYESIGHT THE “THORN”?
Even after all of this preparation, God chose to leave Saul with one major weakness, probably eye problems. The glorious light from above had simply been too much for human eyes to handle. This remaining problem, which he called a “thorn in the flesh” stayed with him for life, (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) a constant reminder of what he had been, and now had become. He was now a new man, with a new direction in his life. From then on, we know him as, “Paul the Apostle.” He became a “fire brand’ for God in God’s way now. You and I an rejoice in this. Without it, history would be different, and mankind would possibly already have destroyed all life on earth.. He wasted no time and immediately began to preach Christ, to the very people that he carried letters of authority to destroy what he was now preaching.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. (Acts 26:20, Acts 9:26, Acts 9:38, Acts 11:26)
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 13:5, Acts 13:14, Acts 16:13, Acts 17:2, Acts 17:10, Acts 18:4, Acts 18:19, Acts 19:8, Matthew 4:3, Acts 9:22, Acts 19:33)
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:13, Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:23, Acts 9:14)
THE TEACHER IS MORE BLESSED
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
If we allow him, we too can be a changed people, being a light to the darkness around us. Remember, I said, “see a comparison.”
There are a misinformed people of great zeal, ready to give their very lives for a false message that they believe to be the will of God. We are engaged in a “holy war” in that sense only. God sent a reluctant believer, fearing for his very life, to convert just such a man. God is able to bring about just such a change when the time is right. This is the same God, the same Jesus,. The same personality, dedication to a false premise, and we are certainly as hesitant as was Ananias.
Who knows but perhaps we are today’s equivalents of Esther to whom it was said, “Who knows but that thou art come unto the kingdom for such a time as this.“ (Esther 4:14) We are of his kingdom, the church. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (1 Timothy 6:15)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
19th. Sunday – 1 Kings 7, Acts 13:26-52, Psalm 75
20th. Monday – 1 Kings 8, Acts 14, Psalm 76
21st. Tuesday – 1 Kings 9, 10, Acts 15:1-22, Proverbs 15:9-18
22nd. Wednesday - 1 Kings 11, Acts 15:23-41, Psalm 77:1-9
23rd. Thursday - 1 Kings 12, Acts 16:1-18, Psalm 77:10-20
24th. Friday – 1 Kings 13, Acts 16:19-40, Psalm 78:1-8
25th. Saturday - 1 Kings 14, 15, Acts 17, Proverbs 15:19-26
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 789 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
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Who knows but that thou art come unto the kingdom for such a time as this.“
Esther 4:14
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
We Three Tortoises...
Three tortoises, Mick, Alan and Les, decide to go on a picnic. So Mick packs the picnic basket with Coke and sandwiches. The trouble is the picnic site is ten miles away so it takes them ten days to get there.
When they get there Mick unpacks the food and Coke. "Ok, Les Give me the bottle opener."
"I didn't bring it," says Les. "I thought you packed it."Mick gets worried, He turns to Alan, "Did you bring the bottle opener??"
Naturally Alan didn't bring it. So they're stuck ten miles from Home without a bottle opener. Mick and Alan beg Les to go back for it, but he refuses as he says they will eat all the sandwiches.
After two hours, and after they have sworn on their tortoise lives that they will not eat the sandwiches, he finally agrees. So Les sets off down the road at a steady pace.
Twenty days pass and he still isn't back and Mick and Alan are starving, but a promise is a promise.
Another five days and he still isn't back, but a promise is a promise. Finally they can't take it any longer so they take out a sandwich each, and just as they are about to eat it, Les pops up from behind a rock and shouts....
"I KNEW IT!......I'M NOT FREAKING GOING!
Friday, June 10, 2011
UNTO ALL THE NATIONS
Newsletter 247 June 12, 2011
Acts 8:26-39
King James Version
When the Lord gives an instruction, He not only wants us to listen, but wants an immediate response. Moses’ first response was, “Not me Lord.” He saw the fire in the bush, he heard and recognized the voice to be that of the Lord, He knew the task was worthy. But being a humble man, in spite of knowing that he was only there because God had preserved him, when most boy babies were being killed, in spite of the special preparatory training God had given him in Pharaoh’s palace, then how to live in the desert, he made excuses that he could not do this. How very like us all. God gave us all weaknesses that we might be strengthened through overcoming them.
Moses pointed out that he could not speak well. Perhaps he stuttered, Abraham could have said, “Not my only son God, I can‘t sacrifice him.” Saul of Tarsus could have pointed out, “My eyesight is poor.” God knew all these things, but He also knew how to overcome them and make each a more effective witness, perhaps through overcoming an obvious weakness. Where there is a weakness, there is always a way to overcome it.
GOD SENT
The first important point is that God sent Philip. Here was a man who was engaged in a very worthy task. He was helping, “serve” the widows, as a deacon. He was already preaching to a very responsive people, when God sent him out into a deserted spot. I can just hear him thinking, “Not right now, Lord, these people are being converted every day.” But, God said, “Go,” so he went without delay, and because he did, he found himself in the right place, just at the right time .to open the door to the continent of Africa, through the Ethiopian he met there.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. (Acts 5:19, Acts 8:29, Acts 8:5, Genesis 10:19)
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, (Psalm 68:31, Psalm 87:4, Isaiah 56:3, 1 Kings 8:41, Jeremiah 12:20)
A RECEPTIVE PERSON
This was just the man to reach for the Lord. He was wealthy, he had bought a hand written scroll of the Prophet Isaiah. He was a man of influence, the treasurer of Ethiopia. But he would never been able to become a Jew because he was an eunuch, a servant of the Queen. To follow the Lord, no problem.
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (Acts 8:39, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12, Acts 13:2, Acts 16:6, Acts 7:20-23Acts 21:11, Acts 28:25, Hebrews 3:7)
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said , How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
It was no coincidence that he was reading exactly the right prophet, and in just the right place, when Philip asked him a simple question.
START WHERE THE LISTENER IS
He had a question, and here was a man who could answer it. God’s timing is perfection.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: (Isaiah 53:7)
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. (Isaiah 53:8)
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of him self, or of some other man?
THE MESSAGE IS JESUS
God set the stage, and Philip gave him the answer. Jesus! Jesus is always the answer, His own words, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (Matthew 5:2, Luke 24:27, Acts 17:2, Acts 18:28, Acts 28:23, Acts 5:42)
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (Acts 10:47)
When he spoke of Jesus, he also showed the way through Jesus. He saw a body of water and asked, *What doth hinder me to be immersed?” (The Greek word here is “bap-tid-’zo” meaning “to make fully wet’ “Wash.”
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Dipping in water would have been meaningless if he did not first believe in the divinity of Jesus. This confession is the solid rock on which the whole church is built. Without this faith in Jesus, there is no hope. All is lost. (Matthew 16:18)
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
(1 Kings 18:12, 2 Kings 2:16, Ezekiel 3:12, Ezekiel 3:14, Ezekiel 8:3, Ezekiel 11:1, 2 Corinthians 12:2).
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
12th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 20, 21, Acts 9:1-22, Psalm 73:1-14
13th. Monday – 2 Samuel 22, Acts 9:23-43, Proverbs 14:26-35
14th. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 23, 24, Acts 10:1-18, Psalm 73:15-28
15th. Wednesday - 1 Kings 1, Acts 10:19-48, Psalm 74:1-9
16th. Thursday - 1 Kings 2, Acts 11, Psalm 74:10-17
17th. Friday – 1 Kings 3, 4, Acts 12, Proverbs 15:1-8
18th. Saturday - 1 Kings 5, 6, Acts 13:1-25, Psalm 74:18-23
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 788 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
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water, at the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Acts 8:26-39
King James Version
When the Lord gives an instruction, He not only wants us to listen, but wants an immediate response. Moses’ first response was, “Not me Lord.” He saw the fire in the bush, he heard and recognized the voice to be that of the Lord, He knew the task was worthy. But being a humble man, in spite of knowing that he was only there because God had preserved him, when most boy babies were being killed, in spite of the special preparatory training God had given him in Pharaoh’s palace, then how to live in the desert, he made excuses that he could not do this. How very like us all. God gave us all weaknesses that we might be strengthened through overcoming them.
Moses pointed out that he could not speak well. Perhaps he stuttered, Abraham could have said, “Not my only son God, I can‘t sacrifice him.” Saul of Tarsus could have pointed out, “My eyesight is poor.” God knew all these things, but He also knew how to overcome them and make each a more effective witness, perhaps through overcoming an obvious weakness. Where there is a weakness, there is always a way to overcome it.
GOD SENT
The first important point is that God sent Philip. Here was a man who was engaged in a very worthy task. He was helping, “serve” the widows, as a deacon. He was already preaching to a very responsive people, when God sent him out into a deserted spot. I can just hear him thinking, “Not right now, Lord, these people are being converted every day.” But, God said, “Go,” so he went without delay, and because he did, he found himself in the right place, just at the right time .to open the door to the continent of Africa, through the Ethiopian he met there.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. (Acts 5:19, Acts 8:29, Acts 8:5, Genesis 10:19)
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, (Psalm 68:31, Psalm 87:4, Isaiah 56:3, 1 Kings 8:41, Jeremiah 12:20)
A RECEPTIVE PERSON
This was just the man to reach for the Lord. He was wealthy, he had bought a hand written scroll of the Prophet Isaiah. He was a man of influence, the treasurer of Ethiopia. But he would never been able to become a Jew because he was an eunuch, a servant of the Queen. To follow the Lord, no problem.
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (Acts 8:39, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12, Acts 13:2, Acts 16:6, Acts 7:20-23Acts 21:11, Acts 28:25, Hebrews 3:7)
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said , How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
It was no coincidence that he was reading exactly the right prophet, and in just the right place, when Philip asked him a simple question.
START WHERE THE LISTENER IS
He had a question, and here was a man who could answer it. God’s timing is perfection.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: (Isaiah 53:7)
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. (Isaiah 53:8)
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of him self, or of some other man?
THE MESSAGE IS JESUS
God set the stage, and Philip gave him the answer. Jesus! Jesus is always the answer, His own words, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (Matthew 5:2, Luke 24:27, Acts 17:2, Acts 18:28, Acts 28:23, Acts 5:42)
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (Acts 10:47)
When he spoke of Jesus, he also showed the way through Jesus. He saw a body of water and asked, *What doth hinder me to be immersed?” (The Greek word here is “bap-tid-’zo” meaning “to make fully wet’ “Wash.”
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Dipping in water would have been meaningless if he did not first believe in the divinity of Jesus. This confession is the solid rock on which the whole church is built. Without this faith in Jesus, there is no hope. All is lost. (Matthew 16:18)
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
(1 Kings 18:12, 2 Kings 2:16, Ezekiel 3:12, Ezekiel 3:14, Ezekiel 8:3, Ezekiel 11:1, 2 Corinthians 12:2).
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
12th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 20, 21, Acts 9:1-22, Psalm 73:1-14
13th. Monday – 2 Samuel 22, Acts 9:23-43, Proverbs 14:26-35
14th. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 23, 24, Acts 10:1-18, Psalm 73:15-28
15th. Wednesday - 1 Kings 1, Acts 10:19-48, Psalm 74:1-9
16th. Thursday - 1 Kings 2, Acts 11, Psalm 74:10-17
17th. Friday – 1 Kings 3, 4, Acts 12, Proverbs 15:1-8
18th. Saturday - 1 Kings 5, 6, Acts 13:1-25, Psalm 74:18-23
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 788 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
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water, at the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
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