Tue, Apr 30th - 6:51AM
FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is agreeing to live with the consequences of another person's sin. Forgiveness is costly; we pay the price of the evil we forgive. Yet you're going to live with those consequences whether you want to or not; your only choice is whether you will do so in the bondage of bitterness or the freedom of forgiveness. That's how Jesus forgave you--He took the consequences of your sin upon Himself. All true forgiveness is substitutional, because no one really forgives without bearing the penalty of the other person's sin. NEAL ANDERSON
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Tue, Apr 30th - 6:38AM
THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD
We must never divorce what God has married, namely his Word and his Spirit. The Word of God is the Spirit's sword. The Spirit without the Word is weaponless; the Word without the Spirit is powerless. John Stott
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Tue, Apr 30th - 6:28AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
It is more pleasing to God for us to walk in the Truth we have, than for us to know all the truth and not walk in it.*
*3I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:3-4 (NRSV)
That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. 48But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. Luke 12:47-48 (NRSV)
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Tue, Apr 30th - 6:19AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! TEXAS CRUISE
A Texas rancher, visiting a South Dakota farmer friend, asked him to show him his farm.
After seeing the 1,000 acre spread, the Texan bragged that down home he could get into his car, drive all day, and by evening would not have gotten to the distant point of his ranch.
The South Dakotan simply replied, "You know, I had a car like that once."
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Mon, Apr 29th - 9:46PM
Times and the Seasons
Acts 1:6-8 (NRSV)
6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:6-8 (KJV)
6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The Disciples asked Jesus as He was about to ascend to the Father’s right hand, “...is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” In spite of Jesus’ answer Christians today continue to ask “...is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Look at Jesus’ answer to the Disciples: “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.” If Jesus told us, “It is not for us to know the times and the seasons (KJV), and only the Father knows, not even Jesus knows the times and the seasons, then why do so many Christians keep on searching for the times and seasons? Why do Christians study things that are not for them to know? Is curiosity justification for trespassing on a field of knowledge that is not for us to know? Or is it pride, so that if Jesus does come back in our generation we can say, “I told you so.” What an honor to be able to reveal something that only God knows. Not only do many keep on searching for the times and the seasons, but also they have the boldness to say, “This generation is the time of Jesus’ Second Coming.“ Of course, it is equally audacious to say, “This is not the generation that Jesus is coming.” Jesus said it was not our business to know the times and seasons.
Evangelicals reject the time and date setting of the Millerites and other sects. But it has always concerned me with even such great Evangelists as Billy Graham make statements to the effect that ‘this’ is the generation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. No one knows the day or the generation in which Jesus will return and it is un-Scriptural to suggest that we know that this is the generation that Jesus is returning. It is a waste of time, not to mention audacious, as well as disobedience to Christ to seek to know what is not for us to know.
Of course, this does not mean that we cannot study what the Scriptures do tell us about the past, present, and future. The Bible records many things God has revealed to us from Genesis to Revelation. And what God has revealed is not off limits to our study. But what the Bible has specifically said that it is not for us to know, is off limits to obedient Christians.
After Jesus told his disciples that it was not for them to know the times and the seasons, He repeated the Great Commission and promised them the ability to do it: 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. We should be about our business of witnessing at home, the area, and around the world instead of being about that which is not our business, knowing and announcing the times and the season. How presumptive to state that we know what only the Father knows, the times and the seasons!
There are some things that must happen before Jesus comes. One is that the Man of Sin must be revealed (unveiled). 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NRSV)
1As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, 2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.
Our generation is not the only one that needs this warning not to be quickly shaken in mind that the generation of Christ return is already here. That day or generation cannot come “...unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed.” Now that can happen quickly, but it has not happened yet. The message of the New Testament is not that Jesus is coming today or this generation, but simply be ready at all times.
We need to remind ourselves that the rebellion that must come before the generation of Christ return is not defined. Many have tried to define it as their generation, but generation after generation has passed and we still don’t have a definitive description of the rebellion to come. It appears to belong to the times and seasons that are not given us to know.
How many infamous persons have been identified as the Man of Sin or predicted to be the Man of Sin? The Pope...Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, and others. Many have and are seeking to know what only God the Father knows. And they also have the audacity to say, “Lo, here” or “Lo there is the Man of Sin.” when obviously he has not been revealed yet.
The New Testament clearly forbids us to seek to know the times and seasons that are known only to the Father. The message of the Scriptures is simply “Be ready!” Matthew 24:42-44 (NRSV) 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. It is right to say to this generation, “Be ready”, but it is wrong to say, “This is the generation the Lord will return.” We are to be ready because of the unexpectedness of the hour, not because we know the hour, day, or generation of the Lord’s return. We are not to be ready because we know the hour or generation of Jesus’ return, but precisely because we do not know!
So many preachers talk about the signs of the end. The disciples wanted to know the signs to. Read Matt 24:3-8 (NRSV:
Signs of the End of the Age (Notice that Jesus doesn’t call them signs of the end but the beginning of sorrows.)
3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: 8all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
Yet, “...wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes....” are all used today as signs of the end, not the beginning as Jesus said.
Why can’t we as Jesus and Paul simply say, “Be ready because you do not know the times and the seasons.” instead of saying, “This is the generation of His return thus contributing to the unbelief of many who have heard these mistaken predictions before. Let’s have the integrity to say, “I don’t know the times and the seasons of Christ return and that is why we must be ready. Remember Jesus words in Mark 13:32-37”
“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
The reason for so much confusion among Evangelical Christians about the Day of the Lord is because of J. N. Darby and C. I. Schofield. J. N. Darby invented the Dispensational System of Scripture interpretation. C. I. Schofield popularized the System through his Schofield Bible with his notes. Some people do not distinguish between his notes and the Scriptures themselves.
In the 1917 edition of the Schofield Bible, Schofield states in a comment in Matthew that the Kingdom of God is to be distinguished from the Kingdom of Heaven in five respects.
1 The kingdom of God is to be distinguished from the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 3. 2, note) in five respects: (1) The kingdom of God is universal, including all moral intelligences willingly subject to the will of God, whether angels, the Church, or saints of past or future dispensations (Lk. 13. 28, 29; Heb. 12. 22, 23); while the kingdom of heaven is Messianic, mediatorial, and Davidic, and has for its object the establishment of the kingdom of God in the earth (Mt, 3. 2, note; 1 Cor. 15. 24, 25). (2) The kingdom of God is entered only by the new birth (John 3. 3, 5-7); the kingdom of heaven, during this age, is the sphere of a profession which may be real or false (Mt. 13. 3, note; 25. 1, 11, 12). (3) Since the kingdom of heaven is the earthly sphere of the universal kingdom of God, the two have almost all things in common. For this reason many parables and other teachings are spoken of the kingdom of heaven in Matthew, and of the kingdom of God in Mark and Luke. It is the omissions which are significant. The parables of the wheat and tares, and of the net (Mt. 13. 24-50, 36-43, 47-50) are not spoken of the kingdom of God. In that kingdom there are neither tares nor bad fish. But the parable of the leaven (Mt. 13. 33) is spoken of the kingdom of God also, for, alas, even the true doctrines of the kingdom are leavened with the errors of which the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Herodians were the representatives. (See Mt. 13. 33, note.) (4) The kingdom of God "comes not with outward show" (Lk. 17. 20), but is chiefly that which is inward and spiritual (Rom. 14. 17); while the kingdom of heaven is organic, and is to be manifested in glory on the earth. (See "Kingdom (O.T.)," Zech. 12. 8, note; (N.T.), Lk. 1. 31-33; 1 Cor. 15. 24, note; Mt. 17. 2, note.) (5) The kingdom of heaven merges into the kingdom of God when Christ, having "put all enemies under His feet," "shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father" (1 Cor. 15. 24-28). Cf. Mt. 3. 2, note.
(Note on Matt 6:33 The Schofield Reference Bible edited by Rev. C. I. Schofield, D. D. Oxford University Press New York 1917 New and Improved Edition page 1003)
Of course, unbiased scholars saw right away that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are used synonymously and interchangeably in the Four Gospels, therefore, there is no distinction. The New Schofield Reference Bible attempts to discount this. But it is not possible. A simple recognition of the error would have been the honest thing to do. C. I. Schofield stated categorically: The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are to be distinguished in five respects.
The New Schofield Reference Bible reads:
Kingdom: The expression, “the kingdom of God” ("Matt 12:28"), although used in many cases as synonymous with the kingdom of heaven, is to be distinguished from it in some instances (see "Matt 3:2 note",) (1) The kingdom of God is at times viewed as everlasting and universal, i.e. the rule of the sovereign God over all creatures and things ("Psalms 103:19"; "Daniel 4:3"). In this sense the kingdom of God includes the kingdom of heaven. (2) The kingdom of God is also used to designate the sphere of salvation entered only by the new birth ("John 3:5-7") in contrast with the kingdom of heaven as the sphere of profession which may be real or false (see "see Matt 13:3 note", Matt 25:1, Matt 25:11-12"). And (3) since the kingdom of heaven is in the earthly sphere of the universal kingdom of God, the two have many things in common and in some contexts the terms are interchangeable.
Like the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God is realized in the rule of God in the present age and will also be fulfilled in the future millennial kingdom. It continues forever in the eternal state (cp Dan 4:3)
I have written before:
Stop Full Preterists and Premillennialists Including Dispensationalists Dead In Their Tracts
Full Preterists teach that in 70AD there was a literal 'parousia' (popularly known as the Second Coming), and a literal resurrection i.e., Jesus came in the air with all those who died in Christ before the rapture, , i.e. Christians who remained alive at the 'parousia' were caught up to meet Christ and those He brought with Him in the air. They further teach a general judgment in 70AD. If there were a literal parousia, rapture, resurrection, and judgment in 70AD it would mean:
First: Those who had died in Christ before 70AD would be raised from the dead and brought with Christ in the air.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NRSV)
"For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. 16For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever."
Second: Those living in Christ would be caught up in the air to meet Christ and those He brought with Him and so they would ever be with the Lord. No living Saints would be left on earth to propagate the gospel or give birth to children to replenish the earth after 70AD. Yet here you and I are carrying on this conversation.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NRSV) Quoted above.
Third: All unbelievers would be destroyed in flaming fire and separated from God and all good so there would be no unbelievers left on earth to replenish the earth.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 (NRSV)
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. 6For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
Conclusion: No one would be left on earth after 70AD. The end of earthly life would have occurred at 70AD by the 'parousia'; resurrection and rapture; and judgment.
Further, the Full Preterists make a lot over 70AD ends the Jewish Age and begins the 'age to come', the 'new age'. Jesus plainly taught that whoever is a part of the 'resurrection', the 'age to come', the 'new age' would not be given in marriage. No one will be born after the end of the 'parousia', rapture, resurrection, and judgment. If all of these things occurred in 70 AD no one would have been born after that date and I would not be writing these things. History ends with the Second Coming of Christ and eternity remains alone. No physical bodies and no earthly kingdom after Christ comes again.
Acts 2:25-37 (NRSV)
25For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; 26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. 27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. 28You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’ 32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. 34For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35until I make your enemies your footstool.” 36Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified 37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do.”
Jesus is on the Throne of David now and will remain there until God has put all His enemies under his footstool.
Matthew 22:23-33 (NRSV)
The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, 24“Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.’ 25Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. 26The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. 27Last of all, the woman herself died. 28In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.” 29Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. 30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, 32‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.” 33And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.
Jesus stops both the Full Preterists and the Premillennialists including Dispensationalists, Dead in Their Tracts. Paul does, too, of course.
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Mon, Apr 29th - 8:07AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
It is good to be a Christian and know it, but it is better to be a Christian and show it.* Pastor Tim provided this quote.
*Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18 (NRSV)
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Mon, Apr 29th - 7:56AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! COWBOY FIVE RULES FOR HAPPY LIFE
Here are the Five Rules for Men to Follow for a Happy Life that Russell J. Larsen had inscribed on his headstone in Logan, Utah.
He died not knowing that he would win the "Coolest Headstone" contest.
Description: Description: [] FIVE RULES FOR MEN TO FOLLOW FOR A HAPPY LIFE:
1. It's important to have a woman who helps at home, cooks from time to time, cleans up, and has a job.
2. It's important to have a woman who can make you laugh.
3. It's important to have a woman who you can trust, and doesn't lie to you.
4. It's important to have a woman who is good in bed, and likes to be with you.
5. It's very, very important that these four women do not know each other or you could end up dead like me.
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Sun, Apr 28th - 7:34AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! SLOTH POLICE REPORT
A sloth is out for a walk when he's mugged by four snails.
After recovering his wits, he goes to make a police report.
"Can you describe the snails?" asks the officer.
"I don't know," replies the sloth. "It all happened so fast."
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Sun, Apr 28th - 7:26AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.* -Peter Ustinov, actor, writer and director (1921- )
*"Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Colossians 3:13 (NRSV)
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Sat, Apr 27th - 1:00PM
People: Our Point of Contact With God
You have heard of radio and TV evangelists who send out handkerchiefs that they have prayed over. They use Acts 19.11-12 for Scriptural support:
Acts 19:11-12 (NRSV)
"God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them."
Acts 19:11-12 (KJV)
"And God wrought by the special miracles hands of Paul: 12So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them."
When I hear these TV Evangelist ask for these handkerchiefs that they have prayed over to be sent to their listeners with the promise of healing effects I am reminded of an experience I had in the Seminary. My beloved Preaching Professor, Dr. Clinard gave the assignments for the whole semester on the first day of the semester. I held up my hand and stated. “Dr. Clinard, I can’t see Jesus nor the Apostles studying all this long and hard for a sermon.” Dr. Clinard replied, “Mr. Purifoy, let me remind you that you are neither Jesus nor an Apostle. Go home and get your lessons!.” I was known as Apostle Purifoy from then on.
These TV Evangelists are not Peter nor Paul who did extraordinary miracles which do not occur very often or they would not be extraordinary. These miracles were over and above the ordinary miracles we see often in our lives.
Notice that that these miracles were ‘special’ or 'extraordinarily’ according to the NRSV. These were not everyday, available on demand miracles as these radio and TV evangelists imply.
They explain that the handkerchiefs provide a 'point of contact' to the believer. It seems clearer to me that people are our point of contact with God! God meets us in and through people--especially people in need.
In the Old Testament we find God meeting the patriarchs in human form. Gen. 18:1-2 is an example: Genesis 18:1-2 (NRSV)
"The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground."
Several times the Old Testament records God appearing as an angel. The Hebrew word translated 'angel' is "mal'ak, from an unused root meaning to dispatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher): -ambassador, angel, king, messenger." So, again, God's appearance may have been in the form of a person. As Heb. 13:2: (NRSV)
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it."
We may miss a great blessing by ignoring strangers. People are our point of contact with God.
It is much clearer in the New Testament that people are a point of contact with God. God identified with people in the incarnation. God became a man and dwelt among us. God's point of contact with us is primarily in His Son, Jesus Christ. Matt. 1:23 (NRSV)
"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us."
John 1:14 (NRSV)
"And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth."
Philippians 2:5-11 (NRSV)
"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
There is no more thrilling truth than that God became a man in Jesus Christ and lived life like He expects us to live. Also, the astonishing thing is that, when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior, He lives in us. Colossians 1:27 (NRSV)
27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
God was in Christ Who is in us who are in Christ Who is in God. The Christian Life is an inside job!
Our primary point of contact with God is in the Person of Jesus Christ. When we look in the face of the Man, Jesus, we are looking in the face of God.
We are called upon to minister to Jesus. When Jesus was here, His disciples could minister directly to Him as did the woman with the alabaster box. Matt 26:7-13:
"a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."
His disciples had a hands-on experience with Jesus.1 John 1:1-3:
"We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ."
But we no longer relate to Jesus, Himself after the flesh. 2 Cor 5:16:
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way."
We now relate to Christ through the Spirit, and we minister to Christ through people. The only way we can have a hands-on experience with Jesus is with people, not only fellow Christian Brothers and Sisters, but all people in need.
We are never nearer to Jesus than when we meet people in need. Jesus has so identified with people that whatever we do to people, we do to Him and for Him. As Acts 9:1-5 says:
"Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
Jesus pronounced judgment that when Saul persecuted the church, the people of God, Saul persecuted Jesus.
This is ever so clear in Mat 25:31-46:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
When we meet a person in need, we meet Jesus face to face. People in need are our point of contact with God. Mature Christians will do what Jesus would have them do when confronted with people in need. I agree with Danny Vestal that the WWJD (What would Jesus Do?) movement is a sign of being serious about our responsibility to be like Jesus. That is a welcomed movement. A person in need is our point of contact with Jesus, our opportunity to minister unto Jesus.
There are so many things that turn us away from Jesus in the faces of people in need. We rationalize with half truths such as "Give a man a fish and you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you have fed him for life." But how many of us actually give the man the fish for a day so that we may gain his attention to train him to fish? We emphasize individual responsibility. We hear the Word of the Lord: "Every man shall bear his own burden" But we are deaf to God's Word: "Bear ye one another's burdens."
It is heart breaking to me to read history and find out the injustice that has been done Walter Rauschenbusch. Some fondly call him the Father of the Social Gospel. Others mockingly call him that. Fundamentalists accuse him of promoting a social gospel apart from regeneration of the heart. But no one can read his Christianity and the Social Crisis and conclude that he did not base his Christian sociology on regeneration. In his introduction he said,
". . . the essential purpose of Christianity was to transform human society into the kingdom of God by regenerating all human relations and reconstituting them in accordance with the will of God."
Again, on page 48 he said,
"No man is a follower of Jesus in the full sense who has not through him entered into the same life with God. But on the other hand, no man shares his life with God whose religion does not flow out, naturally and without effort, into all relations of his life and reconstructs everything that it touches."
These quotes can only mean that regeneration, or the new birth, was the fount from which social reformation flowed.
Walter Rauschenbusch was a Baptist who believed in the new birth or regeneration, but also he believed that the invariable results of the new birth were
".... to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." (Micah 6:8)
Fundamentalists may mockingly decry Walter Rauschenbusch as the Father of the Social Gospel, but what shall God say to those who have disconnected the invariable results of social behavior from the new birth?
Many say, "We just want to see souls saved." What they forget is that Paul wrote twelve letters of the New Testament (thirteen, if he wrote Hebrews). None of the twelve letters was written 'primarily' to win souls to Jesus. Even though there is much material in these letters to support evangelism, they were primarily written to teach sound doctrine and correct doctrinal errors and behavior in the churches.
Churches today are losing their identity by ignoring doctrine and behavior. Anxious to get people to make professions of faith and join churches, they are no longer identified by sound doctrine but by entertaining preachers, entertaining music, and frivolity. They have confused hyperactivity and emotional hype with spirituality.
James teaches that regeneration, true faith, results in social relief: James 2:14-18:
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works."
I would say that Jesus and His brother, James, were the Fathers of the social gospel, which Walter Rauschenbusch supported.
In how many ways we fail to minister unto Jesus who has identified with those who are hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, in prison? We miss our points of contact with Jesus. We fail to minister to Him. We go to Sunday School, and worship services Sundays and Wednesdays. We pray and read our Bibles daily, but we avoid people in need. These spiritual exercises are of no value if they do not move us minister to Jesus through people in need. People in need are our point of contact with Jesus Christ.
It appears that our economy is moving toward a sweatshop economy. Companies are willing to work people all day for less than a living wage. In the name of profit, companies are moving their jobs to foreign countries where the labor laws of the United States do not apply. Companies hire two part time persons instead of one full time person to avoid paying benefits. At the same time these persons are stigmatized because they cannot provide for their families on part time minimum wage jobs. More and more people not only have to have both husband and wife working but many are working two jobs. Wealth is limited to only a small percentage of the population. How can the cigarette industry loose billions of dollars in law suits and still stay in business? Corporations are hoarding profits by the billions. Of course, business must have profit margins, but some profits become immoral. Some company CEOs make more in 10 minutes that an ordinary worker make all year long.
We need new prophets with the spirit of Walter Rauschenbusch to call us to a renewed compassion for Jesus Christ Whom we meet in the faces of people in need. Yes, we need to 'teach men to fish' but they can hardly learn on an empty stomach. Yes,"... every man shall bear his own burden." Gal.6:5 But it is incumbent upon every Christian to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Gal. 6:2
Paul says the purpose of work is not just to make ends meet, but to give to those in need: Eph. 4:28
"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."
We should make as much money as we are capable of making not just to make our ends meet but that we can give to those in need.
More research and creative writing needs to be done on defining a Christian economy, but definitely 'every man for himself or a 'what's in it for me' economy' is not a Christian economy.
What is our motive in shopping? When we shop, are we just shopping for ourselves? Or, do we shop so that others might have a job? You might call it the ministry of consuming. No doubt, we should not be extravagant, but neither should we hoard our resources. Invest in others.
We see on TV and receive reports in mission magazines of people starving all over the world. Yet, I believe that God has provided for these people. But, we hoard our wealth, passing off our responsibility. We justify hoarding by the irreligious philosophy of "every man for himself.
James 1:27:
'Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
I was with one of my previous supervisors once. We were social workers. A deaf man approached him handing him a card asking for money. My supervisor tore the card up in the presence of the deaf person and said, "You don't have to beg. You can get yourself a job." What he said may be a fact, but it was truth spoken without love and compassion. This deaf person and I were shocked by his act. I don't believe the deaf person was inspired to seek training before his next meal.
1 John 3:17
"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
Just because it is possible for a deaf person to be trained and get a job and become self supporting does not relieve us of our responsibility of giving to the immediate needs of such a person and also to provide for the long range need of training, etc. I believe Jesus would say, “You ought to have provided long term training for this deaf person, but not have left undone meeting the immediate need of this deaf person.”
Recognize the Person of Jesus in the faces of people in need around you.
Humbly minister to Jesus by meeting the needs of people. People in need are our point of contact with God.
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Sat, Apr 27th - 8:17AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
There is a hard law…When an injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.* - Alan Paton
*12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. 14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:12-15 (NRSV)
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Sat, Apr 27th - 8:11AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Bubba and Johnny Ray were sittin' on the front porch drinking beer when a large truck hauling rolls and rolls of sod went by. "I'm gonna do that when I win the lottery," said Bubba. "Do what?" asked Johnny Ray. Bubba answers, "Send my grass out to be mowed!"
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Fri, Apr 26th - 8:52AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Relationships cannot be established or maintained without presence.* --Charles Wade
*Hebrews 13:5-6 ",,,, he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?'"
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Fri, Apr 26th - 8:34AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! WHAT CAN I SAY?
A wife, being the romantic sort, sent her husband a text:
"If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are
drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears.
I love you.”
The husband's reply:
"I am on the commode. Please advise."
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Thu, Apr 25th - 8:14AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.* -Walt Whitman, poet (1819-1892)
*"The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament£ proclaims his handiwork." Psalm 19:1 (NRSV)
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Thu, Apr 25th - 8:09AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! JUDGE'S TIE
At a clearance sale, the wife of a federal district court judge found a green tie that was a perfect match for one of her husband's sports jackets.
Soon after, while the couple was vacationing at a resort complex to get his mind off a rather complicated cocaine conspiracy case, he noticed a small, round disc sewn into the design of the tie.
The judge showed it to a local FBI agent, who was equally suspicious that it might be a 'bug' planted by the conspiracy defendants. The agent sent the device to FBI headquarters In Washington, DC for analysis.
Two weeks later, the judge phoned the Washington office to learn the results of their tests.
"We're not sure where the disc came from," the FBI told him, "but we discovered that when you press it, it plays 'Jingle Bells.'"
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Wed, Apr 24th - 6:55AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! VEGETATING
A man and his wife were sitting in the living room discussing a “Living Will”
"Just so you know, I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine
and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."
His wife got up, unplugged the TV and threw out all the beer.
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Wed, Apr 24th - 6:46AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The future belongs to those who believe in their abilities.* --Abraham Lincoln
*"I can do anything God wants me to do through Christ Who is my strength!" Phil. 4:13
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Tue, Apr 23rd - 8:45AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! STICK UP
Late one night a mugger wearing a ski mask jumped into a path of a well-dressed man and stuck a gun in his ribs "give me your money," he demanded. Indignant, the affluent man replied, "you can't do this – I am a United States congressman!" "In that case," replied the mugger, "give me MY money."
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Tue, Apr 23rd - 8:30AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Whenever we're hit with a trial, if we don't allow ourselves to become angry and bitter, we'll become much more empathetic toward others who are experiencing similar problems and more sensitive to their feelings. All these things make us more loving and a better friend.* - From "It Takes Two to Tango" by Gary and Norma Smalley
*James 1:3-4 "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
Romans 5:3-4 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:"
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Mon, Apr 22nd - 6:34PM
God Was In Christ
God was in Christ Who is in us who are in Christ Who is in God. The Christian Life is an inside job!
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Mon, Apr 22nd - 10:59AM
Babel undone
Ever since the early church fathers, commentators have seen the blessing of Pentecost as a deliberate and dramatic reversal of the curse of Babel. At Babel human languages were confused and the nations were scattered; in Jerusalem the language barrier was supernaturally overcome as a sign that the nations would now be gathered together in Christ, prefiguring the great day when the redeemed company will be drawn 'from every nation, tribe, people and language' (Gn. 11: 1-9; Rev. 7:9). Besides, at Babel earth proudly tried to ascend to heaven, whereas in Jerusalem heaven humbly descended to earth. JOHN STOTT
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Mon, Apr 22nd - 9:42AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! WRONG
A man asked his wife what she'd like for her birthday. "I'd love to be eight again." she replied. On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Coco Pops, and then took her off to the local theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park: the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, every thing there was. Five hours later she staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. Right away, they journeyed to a McDonald's where her loving husband ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a refreshing chocolate shake. Then it was off to the movies: the latest Star Wars epic, a hot dog, popcorn, all the Coke she could drink, and her favorite M&M's. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his precious wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, Well, Dear, what was it like being eight again?" Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. "I meant my dress size!!!!!!!
The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he's gonna get it wrong.
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Mon, Apr 22nd - 9:33AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The effectual, fervent prayer of faith is prayer offerred without any conflict of interest!*
*10Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NRSV)
16Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NRSV)
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Sun, Apr 21st - 8:14AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICNE! SERIOUS HOOK
After a particularly poor game of golf, a popular club member skipped the clubhouse and started to go home. As he was walking to the parking lot to get his car, a policeman stopped him and asked, "Did you tee off on the sixteenth hole about twenty minutes ago?"
"Yes," the golfer responded.
"Did you happen to hook your ball so that it went over the trees and off the course?"
"Yes, I did. How did you know?" he asked.
"Well," said the policeman very seriously, "Your ball flew out onto the highway and crashed through a driver's windshield. The car went out of control, crashing into five other cars and a fire truck. The fire truck couldn't make it to the fire, and the building burned down. So, what are you going to do about it?"
The golfer thought it over carefully and responded...
"I think I'll close my stance a little bit, tighten my grip and lower my right thumb."
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Sun, Apr 21st - 8:01AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
“....eternal obligation of Righteousness.... ....Now that "the fullness of time has come" it is at once our duty and our blessedness to accept complete emancipation and to "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free."* R. W. Dale
*5:1For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NRSV)
22But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. Romans 6:22 (NRSV)
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Sat, Apr 20th - 9:52AM
A UNIVERSAL BLESSING
The evidence from the New Testament in general, and in particular from Peter's sermon in Acts 2 and Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 12:13, indicates that the 'baptism' of the Spirit is identical with the 'gift' of the Spirit, that it is one of the *distinctive* blessings of the new covenant, and, because it is an *initial* blessing, is also a *universal* blessing for members of the covenant. It is part and parcel of belonging to the new age. The Lord Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant and the bestower of its blessings, gives both the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Spirit to all who enter his covenant. Further, baptism with water is the sign and seal of baptism with the Spirit, as much as it is of the forgiveness of sins. Water-baptism is the initiatory Christian rite, because Spirit-baptism is the initiatory Christian experience.
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Sat, Apr 20th - 9:44AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! LOOKING BACK
Soon after our last child left home for college, my husband was resting next to me on the couch with his head in my lap. I carefully removed his glasses.
"You know, honey," I said sweetly, "Without your glasses you look like the same handsome young man I married."
"Honey," he replied with a grin, "Without my glasses, you still look pretty good too!"
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Sat, Apr 20th - 9:37AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"I believe in talk. I believe in argument, almost to a fault, if the goal is understanding, not victory.* Leon Kass
*"Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," Ephesians 4:26 (NRSV)
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Fri, Apr 19th - 9:03AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
The local sheriff was looking for a deputy, so Gomer, who was not exactly the sharpest nail in the bucket, went in to try out for the job.
"Okay," the sheriff drawled, "Gomer, what is 1 and 1?"
"11" he replied.
The sheriff thought to himself, "That's not what I meant, but he's right. What two days of the week start with the letter 'T'?"
"Today and tomorrow."
The sheriff was again surprised that Gomer supplied a correct answer that he had never thought of himself.
"Now Gomer, listen carefully: Who killed Abraham Lincoln?"
Gomer looked a little surprised himself, then thought really hard for a minute and finally admitted, "I don't know."
"Well, why don't you go home and work on that one for a while?"
So, Gomer wandered over to the barbershop where his pals were waiting to hear the results of the interview. Gomer was exultant. "It went great! First day on the job and I'm already working on a murder case!"
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Fri, Apr 19th - 8:56AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction."* -- George Horace Lorimer (shared by Rebbecca R.)
*Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 (NRSV)
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Thu, Apr 18th - 6:55AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! DUMB GUY
Three men go on a trip to the desert. One is smart, one is average, and the third is Pastor Tim. The smart guy says, "I brought water, so we won't go thirsty." The average guy says, "I brought food, so we won't go hungry." Then, they ask Pastor Tim what he brought, and Tim says, "I brought this car window, so we can roll it down, if we get hot."
But wait, there's more!
As it turns out, the window Pastor Tim brought came from a stolen car. The three men are arrested, taken to jail, and put in separate cells. Somehow, the smart guy manages to get hold of the keys, and unlocks each of their cells. They then proceed to escaping through a window.
The smart guy goes first, and sees a wall blocking his escape route. He also sees a tall tree next to the wall, which he starts climbing, figuring this was the only way to get past the wall. As the smart guy reaches the top of the wall, a guard on the other side hears him.
"Who's there?" asked the guard.
The smart guy replies with a convincing "Meow. Meow."
"Oh," says the guard, "it's only a cat in a tree." So the smart guy gets away.
The average guy goes next. He climbs the same tree, and the same guard hears him.
"Who's there?" "Tweet, tweet. Tweet, tweet."
"It's only a bird in a tree," the guard mutters. And, last but not least, it is now Pastor Tim's turn to escape. Now Tim has been watching the others make their escapes, and he likes their approach. So, he climbs the same tree, to get over the same wall, and meets the same guard. Meanwhile, Tim has been concentrating - what's wrong with that picture? -: Ok, animal noises. Think animal noises. Of course, the guard hears him, and asks, "Who's there?"
"Moooo. Moooo."
But wait, there's more!
All three men are recaptured, and taken, as targets, to the firing range as punishment for their jailbreak. The smart guy, as usual, goes first. They bring him out, and the man in charge yells, "Ready...Aim..-" But before he got a chance to continue, the smart guy yells, "Earthquake!!"
Everyone ducks and covers, and the smart guy gets away.
Next, the average guy is brought out. Again, the man in charge yells, "Ready...Aim..-"
"Tornado!!"
They all scatter, and the average guy gets away.
Finally, they bring Pastor Tim out. Once again, Pastor Tim has been watching the other two, and, once again has been concentrating - twice in the same day?! -:
Once again, the man in charge yells, "Ready...Aim..-"
"Fire!!!" yells Pastor Tim.
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Thu, Apr 18th - 6:44AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
“...(W)e must repudiate as demonic the attempt to drive a wedge between evangelism and social action.”* (Radical Discipleship by Christopher Sugden @1981 p. 172
*1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; Isaiah 61:1 (NRSV)
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, Luke 4:18 (NRSV)
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Wed, Apr 17th - 7:04AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! HAPPY DAY?
Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, "why is the bride dressed in white?"
"Because white is the color of happiness," her mother explained. "And today is the happiest day in her life."
The child thought about this for a moment. "So why is the groom wearing black?"
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Wed, Apr 17th - 6:52AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
This life, therefore, is not godliness but the process of becoming godly, not health but getting well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not now what we shall be, but we are on the way. The process is not yet finished, but it is actively going on. This is not the goal but it is the right road. At present, everything does not gleam and sparkle, but everything is being cleansed.*
- Martin Luther
* 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2
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Tue, Apr 16th - 6:54AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Someone's opinion of you does not have to become your reality."* -- Les Brown
"Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is." 1 John 3:2 (NRSV)
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Tue, Apr 16th - 6:49AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! QUICK COMEBACK
William Howard Taft weighed 335 lbs. which was a lot even for his six-foot frame.
One day someone pointed to Taft's massive stomach and asked, "What are you going to name the baby?"
The president replied: "If it's a boy, he will be a junior. If it's a girl I'll name her Helen. But if, as I expect, it is only gas, I'll name it after you."
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Mon, Apr 15th - 7:59AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! WHERE ARE THE JEWELS?
A woman decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond rings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and gold Rolex."
"But you are not wearing any of those things," he replied.
"I know," she said. "It's in case I should die before my husband. I'm sure he will remarry right away, and I want his new wife to go crazy looking for the jewelry."
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Mon, Apr 15th - 7:50AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles."* -- Samuel Smiles
*"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
"For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Rom 8:24-25
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Sun, Apr 14th - 7:59AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! ONE CENTURY AT A TIME
The pastor told the search committee, "If I am voted in as pastor of this church, I will work hard to bring us into the 20th century."
Someone spoke up, "Uh, Preacher, don't you mean the 21st century?"
The pastor replied, "Let's take it one century at a time."
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Sun, Apr 14th - 7:49AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
To refuse to participate in the shaping of our future is to give it up ... Each of us must find our work and do it. Militancy no longer means guns at high noon, if it ever did. It means actively working for change, sometimes in the absence of any surety that change is coming.* - Audre Lorde, from her book Sister Outsider
*The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; the Lord will rejoice over you with gladness, and will renew you in love; the Lord will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. Zephaniah 3:17
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Sat, Apr 13th - 8:51AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! WANTA IMPRESS A GIRL?
A man asks a trainer in the gym: "I want to impress that beautiful girl, which machine can I use?"
The trainer replied; “Use the ATM outside the gym!!!"
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Sat, Apr 13th - 8:32AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame."* -- Elizabeth Barrett Browning Singer
*"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." Ephesians 2:8-10 (NRSV)
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Fri, Apr 12th - 9:09AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A Sunday school teacher asked the children in her class, "If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would I get into Heaven?"
"No!" the children all answered.
"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into Heaven?"
Again the answer was "No!"
"Well", she continued, "then how can I get into Heaven?"
A five-year-old boy shouted out, "You gotta be dead!"
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Fri, Apr 12th - 8:55AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
What God has done for us in Christ is enough to initiate eternal praise.*
*"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18 (NRSV)
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Thu, Apr 11th - 6:36AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON
Nine-year-old Aaron came home from the playground with a bloody nose, black eye, and torn clothing.
It was obvious he'd been in a bad fight and lost.
While his father was patching him up, he asked his son what happened.
"Well, Dad," said Aaron, "I challenged Larry to a duel. And, you know, I gave him his choice of weapons."
"Uh-huh," said the father, "that seems fair."
"I know, but I never thought he'd choose his sister!"
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Thu, Apr 11th - 6:28AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Ability is no guarantee of morality.* Jim Denison, Pastor Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas
*Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. 13For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: Isaiah 10:12-13 (KJV)
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Wed, Apr 10th - 6:48AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"People who don't read a Bible read Christians."* Church Sign: Second Ave. Baptist Church Corsicana TX'
*"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all; and you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NRSV)
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Wed, Apr 10th - 6:41AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! THE SKY IS FALLING
One day the first grade teacher was reading the story of Chicken Little to her class. She came to the part of the story where Chicken Little tried to warn the farmer. She read, ".... and so Chicken Little went up to the farmer and said, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!"
The teacher paused then asked the class, "And what do you think that farmer said?"
One little girl raised her hand and said,
"I think he said: 'Holy Mackerel! A talking chicken!'"
The teacher was unable to teach for the next 10 minutes.
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Tue, Apr 9th - 4:48PM
Figment of the Imagination
A WORTHLESS PERSON DOES NOT EXIST!
THEY ARE A FIGMENT OF SOME PEOPLE'S IMAGINATION!
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Tue, Apr 9th - 9:23AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! SECURITY ALERT!
Security Alert
DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY ALERT
We've just been notified by Security that there have been 6 suspected terrorists working out of your office.
Five of the six have been apprehended. Bin Sleepin, Bin Loafin, Bin Goofin, Bin Lunchin and Bin Drinkin have been taken into custody.
Our agent advised us that they could find no one fitting the description of the sixth cell member, Bin Workin, at your office.
Security is confident that anyone who looks like he's Bin Workin will be very easy to spot.
You are obviously not a suspect at this time.
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Tue, Apr 9th - 8:59AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
When God turned us from sin, He did not leave us with nothing to do; empty, bored, to wait out our time; but we are left the privilege and responsibility of being co-laborers with God, ambassadors for Christ, participators in God’s redemptive program, plan, and purpose with His power, His enabling grace.* W. T. Conner
*14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God! Hebrews 9:14 (NRSV)
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Mon, Apr 8th - 8:45AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! DO YOU REMEMBER?
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! (I'm sorry I was in the hospital 040413-040713. Thanks for your prayers.)
"How was your game, dear?" Jack's wife asked.
"Well, I was hitting pretty well, but my eyesight's gotten so bad I couldn't see where the ball went," he answered.
"But you're 75 years old, Jack!" admonished his wife, "Why don't you take my brother Scott along?"
"But he's 85 and doesn't play golf anymore," protested Jack.
"But he's got perfect eyesight. He would watch the ball for you," Tracy pointed out.
The next day Jack teed off with Scott looking on. Jack swung and the ball disappeared down the middle of the fairway. "Do you see it?" asked Jack.
"Yup," Scott answered.
"Well, where is it?" yelled Jack, peering off into the distance.
"I forgot!"
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Mon, Apr 8th - 8:31AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
(I am sorry to have been in the hospital from 040413-040713. Thank you for your prayers. I hope you will take up reading my TTHOUGHT FOR TODAY and JOKE FOR JASON [LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE fb])
A bell is no bell 'til you ring it, A song is no song 'til you sing it, And love in your heart Wasn't put there to stay - Love isn't love 'Til you give it away.* -- Oscar Hammerstein from "The Sound Of Music"
*8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:8-12 (NRSV)
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Wed, Apr 3rd - 7:36AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! TAXI GRAD
A young man had just graduated from Harvard and was so excited just thinking about his future.
He gets into a taxi and the driver says, "How are you on this lovely day?"
"I'm the Class of 2012, just graduated from Harvard and I just can't wait to go out there and see what the world has in store for me."
The driver looks back to shake the young man's hand and says, "Congratulations, I'm Mitch Class of 1969."
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Wed, Apr 3rd - 7:28AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The effectual, fervent prayer of faith is prayer offerred without any conflict of interest!*
*10Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NRSV)
16Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NRSV)
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Tue, Apr 2nd - 3:02AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A man is being interviewed for a job. “What are your qualifications for the job of night watchman?”
“The slightest noise wakes me up.”
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Tue, Apr 2nd - 2:46AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The poorest man is not one without money! The poorest man is the man without hope!*
*Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."
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Mon, Apr 1st - 8:58AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE! EXTENTION ON LIFE
“Doctor, you told me I have a month to live and then you sent me a bill for
$1,000! I can’t pay that before the end of the month!”
“Okay, you have six months to live.”
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Mon, Apr 1st - 8:50AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"We aim above the mark to hit the mark." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
*"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 (NRSV)
"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.} Matthew 5:48 (NRSV)
"Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is." 1 John 3:2 (NRSV)
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Name: Doyle Purifoy
