Inspired Words Choice

Inspired Words Choice

When the Bible speaks of inspiration it includes both testaments—both are inspired. It includes all sixty-six books of the Bible. It includes every chapter, every verse, every sentence, every phrase and every word. It all is inspired for all the scripture is inspired—God breathed (2 Tim. 3:16-17). One should never read the Bible without realizing how inspiration reaches to the choice of every word.

Another way of emphasizing this truth is to look at the order in which the words of the Bible express heavenly truth. When we fail to do this and get those matters discussed in the wrong order, we create problems in our lives. Look at the following examples of the order in which God places His eternal truth.

When Luke described the life of Jesus, he wrote it down in a particular word order. Luke said, “Jesus began both to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1). He first did it! What a contrast this was with the leaders of that day. They knew the will of God, and they were so strict when they taught it. Jesus never condemned them for this action. What was their problem in trying to make converts to Judaism? “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say and do not do” (Matt. 23:3).

Another place where the order in which items are placed is found in a verse familiar to so many. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Christianity is a taught religion and that is why the previous verse said that the gospel was to be preached to every creature under heaven. First there must be teaching, then believing, then baptism. A failure to understand this has brought about the sprinkling of millions of infants and by that action making them part of “Christianity.” The order is wrong. Those infants were not making a commitment to Jesus—they did not even know it happened.

A third illustration, and one that Christians today must remember, is found in the words of Peter on Pentecost. “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for them remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Both repentance and baptism are for the remission of sins. However, we seek to get others to be immersed without first teaching them that immersion without repentance cannot save them. Over the years young women have said to their future mates, “I will not marry you until you are baptized.” The change those mates should first make is to repent, to change their lives!

As you read His word, read it slowly enough to see the order in which God has placed His truths. There are great treasures awaiting those who do this.

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Paul’s Uplifted Eyes

Paul’s Uplifted Eyes

This is the third, and final, article dealing with uplifted eyes. The apostles had “eye-dropsy” and could not see the souls of the Samaritans. Even after they saw their souls, it was years before they could see the souls of the Gentiles. Ananias could not see Paul’s soul and feared going to him. We must never become like them. Write Jesus’ words on your soul just like He was talking to you: “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). In this article, we turn our attention to see Paul’s uplifted eyes.

There are many illustrations of Paul seeing the lost around him and how he approached them to lead them to Jesus. Keep in mind that Jesus, in dealing with the lost, brought individuals to God, but only one step at a time. This is also what Paul did, and we would be wise to have this kind of wisdom as we teach others.

Consider Paul and the teaching he did in Athens. Shortly after he arrived in this Greek city, “His spirit was provoked within him when he saw the city was given over to idols” (Acts 17:16). As he looked at the fields, he saw people who were religiously lost and needed the gospel.  This caused him to enter the synagogue of the Jews and every day he was also in the marketplace to teach the lost. He saw white fields.

Look at the wisdom he then used when given an opportunity to speak at Mars Hill. He understood where they were and began to bring them one step closer to God. He could have mocked their worship of gods made of stone, but He did not. Luke records his words: “As I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship I found an altar with this inscription: To the Unknown God.” He even quoted from one of their Greek poets whose words so fittingly described the true God (Acts 17:28). This opened the first door to tell them of the coming judgment by the One God raised from the dead.

He later went to Corinth to establish the church. How did he find the lost? He found his first converts in Aquila and Priscilla at his workplace. He did not just see tentmakers. He saw souls. He later went to the house of a man whose house was beside the synagogue and somehow this led to the conversion of the leader of that religious body. He saw souls.

Was he always successful in baptizing others? Of course not, but he kept seeing souls. Let me appeal to everyone reading these words. There is a spreading infestation of “eye dropsy” in congregations in our land. Write the words of Jesus on your heart, mediate on them. “Lift up your eyes unto the fields.” When others fail to do this, do not be like them. God help each of us to treat our “eye infection.”

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mothers are like blooming flowers, pretty when they show
loving hands upon their children guiding them to grow.

Mothers are like starry nighttime, twinkling ‘cross the sea
gracious acts of kindness shining bright forall to see.happy flowers

Mothers are like blowing zephyrs, tickling at your nose
whispers true of good behavior, moral equipoise.

Mothers are like raging billows, wondrous to behold
Always moving purposely, so do as you are told!

Mothers are like tiny kittens, snuggling sweetly soft
With the smallest bundles new and wriggling, giggling oft.

Mothers are like holy temples, solemn, pure, serene
Worshipping their one Creator, steady as a beam.

Mothers are like many things that never could be named.
That’s why God created them with everlasting fame.

 

 

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Godly Wives and Mothers

Godly Wives and Mothers

Godly wives and mothers. There is nothing else on earth quite like them, or anything else on earth that quite compares to them. This,as seen in their constant, continual, and consummate Christ-like love, and the totally selfless and sacrificial lives they live. This is not just something they simply do, but is something they truly are.mothers day

As such, according to God, they are totally priceless (Prov. 31:10); infinitely trustworthy (vs. 11); and ultimately,one of the greatest and most beneficial blessings known to man (vs. 12). She is a willing and tireless worker whose only concern is for those whom she loves; for those who are less fortunate; and for the respect and reputation of her household (vss. 13-24). Her godly strength, honor, wisdom, and kindness are unsurpassed, unsuppressed, and therefore help to provide a bright and glorious future for both her and her family as well (vss. 25-26). She is always watching, always working, and therefore always worthy of the praise and adoration of her children, as well as that of her infinitely blessed and privileged husband (vss. 27-29). Indeed, as Proverbs 31 concludes: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates” (vss. 30-31).

To all of the mature godly women among us today – wives, mothers, and grandmothersof all generations and designations – we want you to know that you are:truly a blessing beyond words; an inspiration beyond imagination; and a gift from God to each and every one of us blessed enough to know and love you. Thank you for letting us see Jesus in you – and not just today, but each and every day you live. May God continue to bless you all, as you continue to so selflessly serve, show us, and shine forth the light of Him, whom you so much love and seek to emulate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Caring for your Animals

Caring for your Animals

“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10 KJV) For the Israelite people from every walk of life domesticated animals and livestock were an everyday part of life. In their agrarian society, most Israelites were involved with animal husbandry. Sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, horses, and camels were all depended upon for food, burden bearing and transportation. They kept domesticated cats and dogs to deal with various types of vermin and probably sometimes as pets. The Law of Moses had a number of commandments regarding the proper treatment of their animals. But with so many animals involved in their lives, there could be a tendency toward neglect and mistreatment of animals, even cruelty.animals pets

A righteous person, who has taken responsibility for the life of an animal understands the needs and the proper care of those animals. One of the things that stand out about the American cowboy was the way he would take care of his horses. After a long hard day in the saddle, he would be tired and hungry and would certainly be looking forward to dinner and rest in the bunkhouse, but before he would do anything for himself, he would unsaddle, rub down and groom his horse, and then feed and water it. A good cowboy understood the needs of horses and always carried essential  horse health related gear. He knew how treat it for the most common injuries. He carried extra shoes and could shoe a horse on the range, if the need arose. A cowboy who mistreated his horse would be shunned by most good men and would not last long as a cowboy.

Many people today keep pets or have livestock, not to the same extent that the Israelites did, but we still have those responsibilities. In fact, keeping a pet is often a way we choose to teach our children to be responsible. When a righteous person accepts responsibility the care and needs of an animal, he or she must do everything they can to see to those needs. Does God care about animals? Yes, He does, even as He cares about all of His creation. Does He care how we treat his creatures? Yes. We are to practice good stewardship toward all that God has given us. A righteous person is never cruel to or mistreats any of God’s creations!

Read Psalms 50:10-11; Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 25:4; Luke 12:6-7

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