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)
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.* -Kahlil Gibran, mystic, poet, and artist (1883-1931)
*"Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own." John 7:17 (NRSV)
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."* -- Jeremy Kitson
*"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live," Deuteronomy 30:19 (NRSV)
This fella had owned this large farm for several years. He had a large pond in the back yard and had it fixed up nice with picnic tables, horse shoe pits, a basketball court, etc.
The pond was fixed for swimming when it was built. One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond as he hadn't been there for a while and look it over. As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee.
As he came closer he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny dipping in his pond. He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end of the pond. One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!"
The old man replied, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim or to get you out of the pond, I only came to feed my Gators!"
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.* -Elizabeth Barrett Browning, poet (1806-1861)
*"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." Deuteronomy 6:5 (NRSV)
Jesus did not worry at all that He was going to help someone that didn’t deserve it. Are His followers today free from that fear?*
*Matthew 8:16 (KJV) 16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
Every Christmas, composer Giacomo Puccini would have a cake baked for each of his friends. One year, having quarreled with Arturo Toscanini just before Christmas, he tried to cancel the order for the conductor's cake. But it was too late the cake had already been dispatched.
The following day, Toscanini received a telegram from Puccini: "Cake sent by mistake."
*And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 1That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11
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.'"
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years"* -- Abraham Lincoln (previous quotes shared by Dani McCormack)
*"....I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (NRSV)
When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first, the truck, the car, fishing, always something more important to me. Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.
When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house. I was gone only a few minutes. When I came out again I handed her a toothbrush.
"When you finish cutting the grass," I said, "you might as well sweep the sidewalk."
The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The enabling grace of God not only forgave me of my sin, but Jesus paid the debt and set me free. The new birth not only results in forgiveness of sins, but Jesus paid the debt and set me free.* 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)
*17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: "Reflect upon your blessings, of which every man has plenty, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."* -- Charles Dickens
*"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8 (NRSV)
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Once “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” we deliberately begin to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ’s interests and purposes in others’ lives (Romans 5:5).* (Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest Feb 24)
*"and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:5 (NRSV)
There were two goobers who went deep into the woods searching for a Christmas tree. After hours of subzero temperatures and a few close calls with hungry wolves, one goober turned to the other and said,"I'm chopping down the next tree I see. I don't care whether it's decorated or not!"
If a local church is to become a gospel church, it must not only receive the gospel and pass it on, but also embody it in a community life of mutual love.* JOHN STOTT
*1 Cor 13 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast,£ but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly,£ but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
If a local church is to become a gospel church, it must not only receive the gospel and pass it on, but also embody it in a community life of mutual love.* JOHN STOTT
*1 Cor 13 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast,£ but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly,£ but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
It was a hectic day of running errands with my wife and son.
As if the stress weren't enough, four-year-old Christopher insisted on asking questions about everything, told me how to drive better, and sang every song he knew.
Finally, fed up with the incessant chatter, I made him an offer: "Christopher, if you'll be quiet for just a few minutes, I'll give you a quarter." It worked.
But when we stopped for lunch, I unknowingly began to harp on him. "Christopher, sit up straight ... don't spill your drink ... don't talk with your mouth full."
Finally he said seriously, "Dad, if you'll be quiet for just a few minutes, I'll give you a quarter."
'Acceptance' is a popular word today, and rightly so. Theologically, God's acceptance of us is quite a good contemporary term for justification. But we should be cautious about modern talk of 'unconditional acceptance', as when the concept of an 'open church' is canvassed, in which membership is offered to everybody, with no questions asked and no conditions laid down. For though God's love is indeed unconditional, his acceptance of us is not, since it depends on our repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. We need to bear this in mind when we consider that we are to accept the weak (Rom. 14:1) since 'God has accepted him' (14:3), and to accept one another 'just as Christ accepted' us (15:7).* John Stott
*Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. Rom 14:1
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Rom 14:3
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Rom 15:7
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: God provided everything His creation needs to live. Problem is some people are hoarding what God has given them to share with others. The purpose of work is sharing with the poor and needy!*
*Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Ephesians (NRSV)
Genesis 3:15* "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your
r-- offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." This has been called the John 3:16 of the Old Testament. God promised that the offspring of Eve would strike his head even though Satan would strike the heel of Eve's offspring.
There is a wonderful and beautiful song entitled: When He Was on the Cross. The chorus goes like this:
For He knew me, Yet He loved me.
He's whose glory makes the heavens shine; So unworthy of such mercy,
Yet when He was on the cross,
I was on His mind.
When God first predicted salvation by Christ here in Genesis 3:15, He had all mankind on His mind! It wasn't just the Jews God had on His mind when He planned to send Jesus to die and rise again. The Gentiles were not just an after-thought with God. All men were on His mind before He created the world.
God was behind all history pushing it toward the time Jesus would come to seek and to save that which was lost. Everything God did was in preparation for the Day of Salvation which is now: 2 Corinthians 6:2 "For he says, 'At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.' See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!"
When God call Abraham, He had all the families of the earth in mind, not just the Jews. Genesis 12:1 says,
"Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that ypu wiil be a blessing. ! will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in 'Iou aIJ the families of the earth shall be blessed,"
When God called Abraham He had in mind ail mankind. God called Abraham to be a blessing to all the families of the earth, not just his own race.
The prophets were clear on whom God had in mind as He lead the children of Israel:
Isaiah 9:2 "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-on them light has shined.
Isaiah 42:6 '" am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations,
Evidently Isaiah understood that the mission of Abraham and the seed of Isaac was to be a light until the nations, not just the physical descendants of Abraham.
Simeon saw Jesus as a light unto the gentiles:
Luke 2:25-32 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, '''Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation 10 the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel .•••
It was God's plan that the salvation of mankind would be 'of the Jews; 'through' the Jews, not just 'for' the Jews. Jesus and salvation did not come primarily for the Jews, but for the world. Notice Isaiah 42:6 "I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations," Clearly, God chose the children of Israel to be a light to the nations, not for them to be an exclusive race of people. Again, notice Isaiah 49:6 "he says, 'It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth, ,II It is shallow thinking ("too light a thing") to think that God chose the people to serve the Jews only ("only in restoring the survivors of Israel") God call the Jews to be His missionaries; His instruments to take His light to all nations.
God planned to bring the Savior of the whole world through Abraham, Isaac, and his descendants. Paul said it like this: Galatians 3:16 "Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say, 'And to offsprings,' as of many; but it says, 'And to your offspring,' that is, to one person, who is Christ." Clearly, Abraham's blessings are not to his offsprings, but to his offspring Christ. Abraham's blessings belong to all who are in Christ. Abraham's blessings are mine.
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Christians are blessed to be Abraham's children. "so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham." Galatians 3:7 Abraham's blessing belong to believers because believers are the children of Abraham. Abraham's inheritance falls upon Christians.
Who are the people of God? Paul said in Romans 2:28-29 "For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart-it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God." Abraham's blessings belong to the real Jew "who is one inwardly". Peter said in 1 Peter 2:9-10 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 'Once you were not a but now you are people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy .:" Christians are the real Jews, the chosen race, the royal priesthood, the holy nation, and the people of God. Abraham's blessing belong to Christians.
Luke 3:8 "Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham." Just being a physical descendant of Abraham does not guarantee receiving and inheriting the blessings of Abraham.
The Bible says in John 8:39 "They answered him, 'Abraham is our father: Jesus said to them, 'If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did," A few verses down Jesus says, "'You are indeed doing what your father does,' They said to him, 'We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.' Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies:" John 8:41-44 Jesus denied that the physical descendants of Abraham were true heirs of Abraham's blessings.
We are born spiritually into the family of God, the family of Abraham, the people of God, the royal priesthood, a holy nation, a chosen race. Jesus said to Nichodemus, a physical descendant of Abraham, "Except you are born again, you cannot enter the kingdom of God." This is true of every physical descendant of Abraham.
The majority of the physical descendants of Abraham failed to believe like Abraham and do the works of Abraham. After Jesus sought the recognition of Himself as the Messiah, the Jews for the most part refused to believe. They opposed Him violently. The Bible says, "They answered him, 'Abraham is our father.' Jesus said to them, 'See, your house is left to you, desolate. III Matthew 23:38
"Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, 'It was necessary that
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the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.;" Acts 13:46-41
The blessings of Abraham do not come on all the physical descendants of Abraham, only those who believe like Abraham. The Kingdom of God is composed of the children of Abraham, not of Abraham flesh, but of Abraham's faith. Believer's are the children of Abraham and will inherit the blessings of Abraham.
Paul, in Romans chapters 1-3 established that Jews and Gentiles were equally sinners and both Jews and Gentiles must repent and believe the gospel. This being so, all Jewish and Gentile believers should be preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles and filling our Father's house with real children of Abraham. Abraham's blessings are mine.
*AIl Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise indicated.
Promises fulfilled The true fulfilment of the Old Testament promises is not literal but spiritual. They are fulfilled today not in the Jewish nation, as some dispensationalists hold, nor in the British or Anglo-Saxon people, as the British Israelites teach, but in Christ and in the people of Christ who believe. We Christians are Abraham's seed, who inherit the blessing promised to his descendants ... all the promises of God to his people in the Old Testament become ours if we are Christ's.
Thought For Today: Christmas means that Almighty God can do eternal things with anyone who is submitted to him. Mary was courageous enough to say, "I am the Lord's servant." Am I? Are you?* Jim Denison Forum 12/13/11
*18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matt 1:19-22
An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aides that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%.
The elderly genteman went back in a month to see the doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that yo can hear again."
The gentleman replaid, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!!!"
My husband retired, and for the first time in over 40 years I had to think about preparing midday meals.
Tired of it after several months, I said, "I married you for better or worse, but not for lunch."
"Fair enough. From now on I'll make my own," he replied.
A few weeks later he had to go downtown on business and invited me to join him afterward.
"We could have lunch at that Chinese place we both like," he suggested. I happily agreed.
At the restaurant the next day we were seated, and the waiter came to take our order. My husband looked up, a twinkle in his eyes and said, "Separate checks, please..."
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Jesus did not worry at all that He was going to help someone that didn’t deserve it. Are His followers today free from that fear?*
*Matthew 8:16 (KJV) 16When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
An aspiring young actor asked a young lady's father if he could have his daughter's hand in marriage. The father said, "I would never let my daughter marry an actor."
The actor said, "Sir, I think you may change your mind if you see me perform. Won't you at least come and see the play?"
So the father went to see the play, and the next day he called the actor, "You were right. I did change my mind. Go ahead and marry my daughter. You're no actor."
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.* -Elizabeth Barrett Browning, poet (1806-1861)
*"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." Deuteronomy 6:5 (NRSV)
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The world's concept of happiness is getting what we want. ... God's concept of happiness is summed up in the simple proverb: "Happy is the man who wants what he has."* Neil Anderson
*"Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV )
But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NRSV)
Once “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” we deliberately begin to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ’s interests and purposes in others’ lives (Romans 5:5).* (Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest Feb 24)
*"and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:5 (NRSV)
A man in Topeka , Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco and worked east from there.
Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes.He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign, which read, "Calls: $10,000 a minute." Seeking out the pastor, he asked about the phone and the sign. The pastor answered that this golden phone was, in fact, a direct line to heaven, and if he paid the price, he could talk directly to GOD.
The man thanked the pastor and proceeded on his way. As he continued to visit churches in Seattle , Dallas , St. Louis , Chicago , Minneapolis and other cities around the United States , he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.
Finally, he arrived in "Up North" Michigan . Upon entering a church in Tawas City , MI , behold - he saw the usual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign read, "Calls: 35 cents."
Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor, "Reverend," he said, "I have been in cities all across the country, and in each church I have found this golden telephone, have been told it is a direct line to Heaven, and that I could talk to GOD. But in the other churches, the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?"
I love this part ..............................
The pastor, smiling benignly, replied, "Son, you're Up North in Michigan
God has not equally distributed gifts, talents or intelligence, but He has equally distributed Himself. Our sense of worth comes from knowing who we are as children of God.* Neil Anderson
*"See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are" (1 John 3:1).
When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba. Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to the LORD, and the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. Just as they have done to me,£ from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you. Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” So Samuel reported all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots; and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his courtiers. He will take one-tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and his courtiers. He will take your male and female slaves, and the best of your cattle and donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! but we are determined to have a king over us, so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.” When Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the LORD. The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice and set a king over them.” Samuel then said to the people of Israel, “Each of you return home.”
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
….
no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
These would be evidence of a nation divided against itself which Jesus said could not stand.
The fact is, our Forefathers wrote a very great Constitution for a pluralistic society like we live in. The Constitution provides that a Muslim or any other race, may be President if elected. The Statue of Liberty calls out to the whole world,
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
1 Samuel 8:11-20 and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his courtiers. He will take one-tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and his courtiers. He will take your male and female slaves, and the best of your cattle£ and donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the LORD will not answer you in that day.” But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! but we are determined to have a king over us, so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
Inspire of this warning the people loudly demanded a king:
But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, “No! but we are determined to have a king over us,
God said, “Give them what they want!” The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice and set a king over them.”
The rest of the story shows how God actively assisted in the process of anointing a King over Israel. The story goes on to reveal how right Samuel was in His warning.
What God desires so much is for His people to want what He wants. This is as true today as it was in Samuels day. The People of God need to seek the will of God in their choice of leader. We must want the leader that God wants. This means serious prayer to seek God’s will in our leadership.
We need to put our parties platform to the test of the Scriptures even if we have to, and we do have to support the lesser of two evils. There is no perfect party or party platform.
For nearly 12 years I have attended a Men’s Prayer Breakfast every Wednesday morning at 6:45-7:45 am. We meet in obedience to the command of the Scriptures in 1 Timothy 2:1-3: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
Everyone who names the Name of Jesus should obey the Biblical command to pray, give supplications, prayers, intercessions with thanks for all men: for king, those who are in authority over us. This should be done at home, in our churches and anywhere else God’s people gather in Jesus’ Name.
God is looking for a people who want to do His will not because they have to, but because the will of God is what they want. Great will be the time when people what the same person to lead them that God does. Even greater will be the time will all people want Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.
John 7:17(KJV)
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Our Forefathers wrote a Constitution for a pluralistic society and we appeal for pluralistic people to come.
In the beginning, God created man and gave them freedom to act. They were free to obey or disobey. However, they were not free to choose the consequences of their choices. They were responsible for their choices.
The Bible reveals that God promotes and demotes people. The Bible teaches that our leaders are appointed by God and we are commanded to give prayer and thanks for them. But this is a paradox: Just because God placed a man in an office, does not mean that it was the man of his choice. Clearly, God did not want a king over Israel, but He allowed them. He gave the people what they wanted. In a democracy God appoints the leaders that the people want and commands the people to pray for them with thanksgiving. Nevertheless, the people may not have wanted whom God wanted.
This was certainly the case with Samuel and the people. God gave them what they wanted--a king. The people were warned of the consequences of their getting a king:
The New York Times reported: Egypt's vote shows split over religious rule. "The Muslim Brotherhood's new clout is plunging it into an Islamist-against-Islamist debate over religion's role in a promised democracy."
Many Christians have criticized Islamic Nations ruled by Islam law. These rulers will not allow other religions to proselyte. Some even puts to death anyone who converts to Christianity. Most Christians recognize this is not right to deny people the right to choose their faith. What kind of God wants worshipers who worship Him because they have to--they have no other choice. Yet many of these same Christians want America to be a Christian Nation where citizens must do the “Christian thing” because that is the American thing to do. Many want Islamic Nations to have freedom of religion but would deny that for American Citizens.
If our forefathers intended to establish a Christian Nation, the wrote a terrible Constitution. Why would anyone attempting to establish a Christian nation write in their Constitution:
"The lure of power can separate the most resolute of Christians from the true nature of Christian leadership, which is service to others. It is difficult to stand on a pedestal and wash the feet of those below."* Chuck Colson
*25But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 26It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matt. 20:25-28
A big city Alberta lawyer went duck hunting in rural Saskatchewan.
He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence. As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing. The litigator responded, "I shot a duck and it fell into this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it."
The old farmer replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."
The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial attorneys in Canada and, if you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we do things in Saskatchewan. We settle small disagreements like this with the "Saskatchewan Three-Kick Rule."
The lawyer asked, "What is the Saskatchewan Three-Kick Rule?"
The Farmer replied, "Well, first I kick you three times and then you kick me three times, and so on, back and forth, until someone gives up."
The attorney quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom.
The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the city feller. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy work boot into the lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees. His second kick nearly wiped the man's nose off his face. The barrister was flat on his belly when the farmer's third kick to a kidney nearly caused him to give up.
The lawyer summoned every bit of his will and managed to get to his feet and said, "Okay, you old coot! Now, it's my turn!"
The old farmer smiled and said, "Naw, I give up. You can have the duck!"
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)
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)
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)
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: If you want to be like Jesus, do what Jesus does.* Rick Warren
*12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 (NRSV)
6whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked. 1 John 2:6 (NRSV)
A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all.
On the first day of the term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible and then busied himself with desk work.
When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he took the desk stapler and stapled the tie to his chest.
The enabling grace of God not only forgave me of my sin, but Jesus paid the debt and set me free. The new birth not only results in forgiveness of sins, but Jesus paid the debt and set me free. By enabling grace I am able not to sin.* 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)
*17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Name: Doyle Purifoy ChristiansUnite ID: doylepurifoy Member Since: 2010-04-23 Location: Corsicana, Texas, United States Denomination: Baptist About Me: I was born Jan 2, 1934 in Stamford Tx. I was born again August 8, 1942 at First Baptist Church, Munday Tx. I was called to preach at 13 years old at First Baptist Church Mineral Wells Tx. I married Jo Ann Stuard of Abilene Tx. I was in the Navy from ... more
Name: Doyle Purifoy
