They overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. ~ Rev. 12:11
If you could change a moment in history, which one would you alter and why?
I wouldn't...it's not mine and I'm not in charge...God, our heavenly Father, is.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
I saw a discussion on a thread that involved the state or need of being perfect What follows is part of my input.
]]>When things in the Bible either seem contradictory or prove to not make reasonable sense, I've found it's sometimes because the Merriam-Webster definition is used.
In the past 3-4 years, I've learned to seek out the Greek or Hebrew word and its meaning. When the original language is applied, the difference can sometimes be like night and day. (I use a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance which includes a Hebrew and Greek dictionary.)
While John 8:32 is often taught alone, it's the latter half of a sentence starting in vs 31.
31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Continue per M-W (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continue) has various applications: endure, stay, keep up, maintain, prolong, retain.
The Greek word is vs. 31 translated continue is 3306 "meno" and means to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry.
The Greek definitions are more accurate than the English. Abide and dwell indicate love/relationship.....whereby the English definition provides no reference to relationship, but rather implicates works/effort.
Likewise for the word "perfect" as used in Matthew 5:48:
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Perfect per M-W (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfect) has too many applications to type here, but here are some: flawless, accurate, letter-perfect, expert, proficient, pure, total, complete, sane...etc.
The Greek word for perfect in Mt5:48 (both uses) is 5046 "teleios" and comes from the root word 5056 "telos", which comes from "tello".
"Tello" (which is at the heart of "telos" and "teleios") means to set out for a definite point or goal; properly, the point aimed at as a limit; i.e., the conclusion of an act or state.
"Telos" means result (immediate, ultimate or prophetic); uttermost.
"Teleios" means complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); of full age, man, perfect.
Which one?
a) Be complete, as your Father is complete.
b) Be flawless, as your Father is flawless.
(Keep in mind, I believe God is flawless, accurate, everything M-W and Strong's describe and more. BUT I don't believe we're flawless, etc.)
To assume or limit perfect (within context of Mt5:48 ) to mean flawless, etc. takes just as much, if not MORE, subjectory (or is it objectory?) interpretation as my saying this:
"Set yourself a goal and grow; aim at God's perfection as the limit. Be complete in Christ, as your Father is complete."
AND, if so that the Holy Spirit of God abides within you, it is He that makes you complete here and now...it's something God does, not us.
Philippians 2:12-13
12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
As we pursue the goal we've set with Christ-likedness as the limit, we (by default) work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.
Today's Promise
Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
Reflection
Take confidence in this, dear believer: in the very suffering of the righteous lies the mystery of gospel victory. Sure enough, Christ's church is sore oppressed upon this earth. Just as even He was—for a servant is not greater than his master. By His righteous suffering, our eternal victory was bought and by our suffering for righteousness's sake, we glory in that same victory! Though in our days upon this earth, we may indeed perish from starvation, that is not an end which we should fear. We ought look forward to the heavenly consummation of our lives—when at long last we will be truly free from famishment. When at long last we will no longer hold to the promises of unshakable victory by faith alone, but will apprehend such by unfettered sight! O come Lord Jesus...
Wanted to share this...author unknown...adopted from a post in my prayer group.
If you have favorite scripture not mentioned OR if you have something not listed, please share and I'll make a fresh list.
Along with being German and Dutch, I'm part political-activist. Below is something I received from the Family Research Council that ought be of concern to parents/families everywhere. What happens in California often filters down the line to other states, so be prepared...this is a taste of things to come after same-sex marriage (if passed).
Actually, when things like this happen, it's like confirmation that Jesus is returning very soon...so we know God's in ultimate control of everything and won't let anything happen that isn't in His plan. Yet in Luke 19:13, the parable of the 10 servants, Jesus exhorts them to "Occupy till I come."
Can you imagine growing up
with Parent #1 and Parent #2 instead of Mom and Dad!! How impersonal!!
How could this be dealt with psychologically?
We should occupy until He comes...Let's pray and ask God to draw all
those involved to Himself for salvation, give them a change of heart,
and intervene by raising up people to fight changes like this or
perhaps replacing the California Supreme Court judges....however God
leads you to pray.
Happy Parent #1 Day
Honor thy Mother and Father should be the simplest of the Ten
Commandments to follow, yet as a society we are failing to do so. In
California we
told, by order of four activist judges, that having both a mother and a
father is completely unnecessary in bringing up a child. "Such roles of
a Mom
and Dad are antiquated" imply these judges, and they can be replaced by
Parent #1 and Parent #2, regardless of gender. As in most families, my
mom
and dad still play very significant and unique roles in my life. What
they have taught me--and continue to teach me--will be passed on to my
children
and grandchildren. Probably unaware of the irony, the California
Supreme Court has ruled that this coming Monday, the day after Father's
Day,
California will put its official stamp of approval on the intentional
creation of permanently fatherless (or motherless) families. If it
stands, this
ruling will effectively eliminate the true meaning of Father's Day,
which is to honor the men in our lives who have played a unique and
truly
irreplaceable role. FRC is hoping to drive this point home in ads
running across the state of California this weekend. We encourage you
to look for
them in newspapers throughout the state! For those of you who would
like to get more involved in the debate, visit www.frc.org/marriage,
which will be continually updated with the latest news on marriage
protection efforts and
analysis on how California's crisis affects your state. In the
meantime, please enjoy this Father's Day, and if you have the ability,
let your dad
know that you love and appreciate him.
Additional Resources Get involved in
protecting marriage
FRC's Father's Day
ad for California [PDF]
Below is an exhortation to pray one minute nightly for America and the upcoming elections. The author (unknown) speaks of this as being "the scariest election we as Christians have ever faced", and I share the concern; HOWEVER...regardless of the outcome, we can be assured that God is the One who is in ultimate control.
And His being in control doesn't mean we don't need to pray...but rather helps direct HOW we pray. We can't please God without faith.
One issue people have prayed about recently is our economy; it was supposed to take a severe downturn by now...but, praise God!, leveled off instead. (Thank You, Father, for hearing us) I believe this outcome was the result of God answering prayer.
Blessings to you,
Judy
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
]]>ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT....
This is the scariest election we as Christians have ever faced and from the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't voting Christian values. We all need to be on our knees.
We believe we can take God at His word. Call upon His name, then stand back and watch His wonders to behold. This Scripture gives us, as Christians, ownership of this land and the ability to call upon God to heal it. I challenge you to do so.
We have never been more desperate than now for God to heal our land. This election is the scariest I remember in my lifetime.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.
There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America . The United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever! If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central, 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming elect ion, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the US.
If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along. Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.
Thank You.
Please pass this on to anyone who you think will want to join us.
God Bless You and BLESS GOD AMERICA !!!!!!
SCHOOL -- 1957 vs 2007]]>
Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into
school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes
to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off
to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counsellors
called in for traumatized students and teachers.
Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands
and end up buddies.
2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and
Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny
started it.
Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other
students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the
Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt
class again.
2007 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie.
Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because
Jeffrey has a disability.
Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbour's car and his
Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes
to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - B illy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed
to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells
Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their
dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.
Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking
dock.
2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug
violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to
college.
2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles
appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a
requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action
lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher.
English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway
but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak
English.
Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of
July, puts them in a model airplane pain t bottle, blows up a
red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.
2007 - ATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with
domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed
from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror
watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes
his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him
to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on
playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her
job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years
of therapy.
This is my rendition of the Prayer of St. Patrick (from his breastplate)...
inspired...just going by memory and praying with my heart.
Christ with me, Christ within me
Christ before me, Christ behind me
Christ above me, Christ below me
Christ at my left hand and Christ at my right hand
Christ when I sit, Christ when I arise
Christ when I sleep, Christ when I wake
Christ in my heart, Christ on my mind
Christ in my mouth, Christ at all times
When others speak of me, let it be Christ in their mouth
...be it friend, family or neighbor
Christ comforts me, Christ restores me